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FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

Volume 35 - No. 6 • 12 Pages

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‘A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines’ – Marcos

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — “A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared on Thursday, February 7.

During the 17th Meeting of the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), Marcos addressed leaders from both the national government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“We must remind ourselves that we are now operating under different rules, and we cannot “A stronger BARMM is a stronger Mindanao; a stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines, allow forces outside of the dembringing us closer to achieving our agendas,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a speech ocratic process to deviate our in Pasay City.

Malacañang file photo  PAGE 2

Go: No ICC warrant for Duterte’s arrest

USA

by JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

DATELINE Is housing health care?

State Medicaid programs increasingly say ‘yes’

Philstar.com

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

STATES are plowing billions of dollars into a high-stakes health care experiment that’s exploding around the country: using scarce public health insurance money to provide housing for the poorest and sickest Americans.

California is going the biggest, pumping $12 billion into an ambitious Medicaid initiative largely to help homeless patients find housing, pay for it, and avoid eviction.

Arizona is allocating $550 million in Medicaid funding primarily to cover six months of rent for homeless people. Oregon is spending more than $1 billion on services such as emergency rental assistance for patients facing homelessness. Even rubyred Arkansas will dedicate nearly $100 million partly to house its neediest.  PAGE 3

BREATH OF FIRE. A fire breather performs on the streets of Binondo, Manila on Wednesday, Feb. 7 ahead of the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Around this time, Binondo is usually busy with people shopping for food and lucky charms to usher in the lunar new year.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Former President Rodrigo Duterte

SEN. Christopher "Bong" Go has dismissed rumors that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.

Go said he had not heard or seen any official confirmation of the warrant, stressing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Malacañang file photo Philippines.

to more than 20,000 deaths, and according to the UN Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines, about 8,663 of the deaths could be categorized as extrajudicial killings.

Go said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already declared numerous times that the government would not cooperate with the ICC, which meant that local law enforcement agencies would not recognize or assist the ICC in its investigation.  PAGE 2

Marcos, VP Duterte trust ratings rebound

by RED MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte’s trust and approval ratings rebounded in the fourth quarter of 2023, the latest OCTA Research survey said.

In its Tugon ng Masa poll conducted from Dec. 10 to 14, 2023, Marcos received a 76 percent trust rating, an increase of 3 percentage points from the previous quarter.

The latest survey showed only 8 percent distrust him, and 17 percent were undecided.

Marcos gained increased trust ratings in the National Capital Region by 7 percentage points, from 66 percent to 73 percent; Balanced Luzon by 4 percentage points, from

74 percent to 78 percent; and the Visayas by a single percentage point, from 78 percent to 79 percent.

His trust ratings decreased in Mindanao by 3 percentage points, from 72 percent to 69 percent.

Among socioeconomic classes, Marcos rebounded among class ABC with a 16 percent increase in trust rating, from 53 percent to 69 percent, as well as in Class D and E, where there was a 2 percentage point increase in both classes.

Meanwhile, Duterte got 77 percent, 2 points higher than the 75 percent she received in the third quarter. Five percent distrust her, and 18 percent were undecided.

Will the Senate pass expanded Child Tax Credit to help 19 million to reject vape, e-cigarettes in int’l meet low-income children? PHApushed M. M ,D C

THE Senate is contemplating a $78 billion expanded version of the Federal Child Tax Credit, which could provide some economic stability to an estimated 19 million lowincome children.

The House passed the bi-partisan bill — known as the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 — last week on a 375-60 vote. In the Senate, the bill is being sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, who with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Missouri, structured the proposed plan.

The proposal needs 60 votes to pass in the Senate. Several Republican senators have already expressed their opposition. Contrary to some of their concerns, however, the  PAGE 3

The country withdrew its membership from the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2019 after the court announced it would conduct a preliminary investigation of the extrajudicial killings that took place during Duterte's anti-drug campaign.

The ICC reminded the Duterte administration that "withdrawal from the court will not change the Philippines' obligations to cooperate in a proceeding which had already begun."

Duterte's "war on drugs" led

by

LDEN

ONZON EXTER Inquirer.net

ABALZA

MANILA — Eleven former senior officials of the health and education departments appealed to the Philippine delegation to the ongoing high-level talks on tobacco control to stand against electronic cigarettes and vape products, citing the alarming increase in their use among Filipino youth.

“We call on the Philippine delegation to the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Panama to affirm our commitments under the FCTC and take the lead in pushing for supporting, and promoting policies preventing the uptake of all recreational tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, to protect present and future generations from the devastating harms of tobacco use and

 PAGE 2

nicotine addiction,” said their joint statement dated Feb. 3.

It was signed by former Health Secretaries Jaime Galvez Tan, Carmencita Reodica, Manuel Dayrit, Esperanza Cabral, Paulyn Rosell Ubial and Francisco Duque III; Health Undersecretaries Alexander Padilla, Susan Mercado and Madeleine Valera, as well as by former education chief Armin Luistro and undersecretary Alberto Muyot.

“The facts and science on e-cigarettes are clear. They are ineffective for quitting tobacco use at the population level, and they are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts among Filipino youth,” they stressed.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that impairs human brain development.

DTI clampdown on stores “Essentially, e-cigarettes are just as dangerous and addictive as smoking cigarettes.  PAGE 4

On stage during the unveiling ceremony (from left): Col. Arthur M. Romanillos Jr., Philippine Army Attache; Dr. Cynthia Romero, Chairman of the Council of United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater; Consul General Arribas, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Virginia Representative Bobby Scott, and Max Frias of the Philippine American National Historical Society- Hampton Roads Chapter.

Photo courtesy of PH Embassy

Rare historic document unveiled: 1899 Declaration of Philippine Independence from the US WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a poignant ceremony marking the convergence of two nations’ histories, the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum unveiled an original document declaring the independence of the Philippines from the United States. Signed by President Emilio Aguinaldo, the declaration was made immediately before the Philippine-American War,

which commenced 125 years ago.

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas, in his opening remarks, underscored the significance of the occasion, stating, “This document symbolizes the courage and resilience of the Filipino people in our quest for self-determination. It is a testament to the enduring spirit  PAGE 2

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Marcos, VP Duterte trust ratings...

PAGE 1

From The FronT Page

distrust rate.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez got a trust rating of 64 percent, an increase of 4 percentage points from the previous quarter, with only a 7 percent distrust rate.

Zubiri’s trust ratings increased in NCR, Balance Luzon and the Visayas, while Romualdez’s trust rating increased to 15 percent in the NCR and 12 percent in Balanced Luzon, which offset his 15 percent decrease in Mindanao.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo got a trust rating of 23 percent, an increase of 2 percent

from the previous survey.

In terms of performance, Marcos’ performance ratings rebounded by 6 percentage points from the previous quarter to 71 percent from 65 percent in October, which was buoyed by the increase in his performance ratings in the Visayas by 11 percentage points from 63 percent to 74 percent, Balanced Luzon by 8 percentage points from, 69 percent to 77 percent, and the National Capital Region by 6 percentage points from 61 percent to 67 percent.

Among socioeconomic classes, Marcos’ performance satisfaction rating shot up among Class ABC, from 54 percent to 82 percent, while also registering increases among Class D by 6 percentage points to 71 percent and Class E by 2 percentage points to 67 percent.

Duterte’s performance ratings also increased by 5 percentage points to 75 percent, boosted by increases in her performance ratings in Mindanao by 10 percentage points, in the Visayas by 6 percentage points, and in Balanced Luzon by 5 percentage points.

Her performance satisfaction rating among socioeconomic classes also increased, with the highest among Class E, with a 12 percent jump from 69 percent to 81 percent, followed

by Class D by 5 percentage President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends the Basic Education Report, which Vice President points to 76 percent, and Class and Education Secretary Sara Duterte delivered in Pasay City.

ABC by 3 percentage points by ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan 57 percent. g

Her trust ratings improved in Balanced Luzon and Mindanao by 4 percentage points but decreased in the NCR and the Visayas by 2 percentage points.

Among socioeconomic classes, Duterte posted a 5-percentagepoint increase in trust ratings in class E, from 79 percent to 84 percent, as well as among class D with a 2-percentage-point increase from 76 percent to 78 percent.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has increased his trust ratings by 2 percentage points to 59 percent, with a 9 percent

ALL RICE. Workers unload sacks of rice from a truck along Dagupan Street in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the same day the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the country’s unemployment rate hit an almost two-decade low in December 2023. The agency said agriculture, next to construction, contributed to the gain.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

‘A stronger Mindanao means a...

PAGE 1 dreams and our aspirations from a democratic process. Let us now allow even one single voter to be disenfranchised by violence, by intimidation or bribery,” the president said in a speech in Pasay City.

“A stronger BARMM is a stronger Mindanao; a stronger Mindanao means a stronger

Philippines, bringing us closer to achieving our agendas,” he added.

Marcos’ remarks followed the proposal of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, for Mindanao to sever from the rest of the Philippines and become an independent state.

In January, Duterte said that local Mindanao leaders would initiate a movement for a separate Mindanao. The ex-top leader of the country, who is known for his eccentric pronouncements, also said the proponents will not resort to violence and will follow the process prescribed by the

United Nations.

However, Marcos administration officials immediately rejected such a proposal, even saying that the government is ready to use force to quell separatist movements.

“Bagong Pilipinas is incomplete without a Bangsamoro rising along within it,” Marcos further said Thursday.

“To us, there is only one true peace when the bloody tally of war is replaced with the scoreboard of development, and that scoreboard shows that peace has won, and the war is over,” he added. g

Go: No ICC warrant for Duterte’s...

PAGE 1

"How can they arrest without coordination with local authorities?

Is it possible? As former president Duterte has said, look for him in Davao (City). How can you arrest him there without the cooperation of law enforcement agencies?" Go said in Filipino.

The senator maintained that Duterte was unfazed by the ICC warrant. He reiterated his belief and trust in President Marcos' statement that the Philippine government would not recognize the ICC. Go also denied allegations that he was involved in any illegal activities with Duterte, particularly extrajudicial killings. He said the accusations were old and fabricated issues, and that he never received any illegal order from Duterte.

He stressed that he would never follow any order from anyone if it was illegal.

Go also reflected on the principles advocated by Duterte regarding national development.

"I would also like to mention to

all of you that during the time of (former) President Duterte, he always reminded us that everything must be fair and equal.

Even if we are from Mindanao, all the projects must be fair.

Projects must be fairly distributed to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and no one should be left behind as we are all Filipinos," he said.

He said he met with Duterte last weekend in Davao City after he attended a Senate hearing on the alleged buying of signatures for people's initiative (PI), a campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Go said Duterte opposed the PI, which he believed was rushed and flawed.

Duterte was also invited by a religious group led by Greco Belgica, a former commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and his father, Butch Belgica, a former Manila councilor and pastor, to a prayer rally or gathering for unification, Go said.

He said Duterte was open to the idea but did not know if he would attend. g

Rare historic document unveiled...

PAGE 1 of independence that continues to define both our nations. We are honored that the MacArthur Memorial Museum will preserve and showcase this invaluable piece of Philippine history.”

Amanda Williams, Director of the MacArthur Memorial Museum, emphasized the document’s role in education and reflection. “The Declaration of Philippine Independence, housed within the museum’s esteemed collection, will serve as a focal point for deepening understanding of the complex historical narratives that connect the Philippines and the United States,” she remarked.

Following the unveiling, a symposium on the PhilippineAmerican War, organized by the museum in partnership with the Filipino American National Historical Society- Hampton Roads Chapter, provided further insight into this shared history.

The event, attended by dignitaries such as Virginia Congressman Robert Scott and Norfolk City Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander, along with historians and leaders from the Filipino community in Hampton Roads, served as a meaningful

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas delivering a message on behalf of the Philippine Embassy Washington D.C. and Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. Photos courtesy of PH Embassy

reminder of the enduring bonds between the Philippines and the United States.

The MacArthur Memorial has also released a new multi-media guide that provides a look at some of the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War items in the museum collection. It can be viewed by visiting https://www. flipsnack.com/FE7AC7BBDC9/ macarthur-memorial-span-amwar-and-phil-am-war-collectionguide##. (PH Embassy Release)

Amanda Williams, Director of the MacArthur Memorial Museum, and Consul General Iric Arribas with the Philippine Declaration of Independence on display.

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Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024

Will the Senate pass expanded Child Tax Credit...

PAGE 1

which is so important. Right now, throughout the population, 70 percent of kids live in families with two or more children. So this is a really big benefit. And then also the special lower cap for low-income families, this gets rid of that. So those are two big changes.

And then there’s a third piece, which is very important. Lowincome people who work in lowwage jobs don’t tend to get sick days. They don’t get leave when their elderly parent gets sick.

Higher income people, middleclass people, they tell their employer: ‘You know, I got to take a couple of weeks off here.

I got to help out.’ Low income people, they get fired for doing things like that.

Three big changes So this bill says, OK, a low income person goes to file their taxes. Last year, they worked quite a bit. This year they’re working less. Maybe someone had a baby. Right. Maybe they’re caring for an elderly parent.

Maybe their hours were cut.

So they get to take a choice.

They would choose between this year’s earnings, or last year’s, to calculate their child tax credit.

Those are really the three big changes. And again, it’s that per child that’s the major driver.

If you have a single mom who makes, she has a toddler and a second grader, right? She works as a home health aide parttime around her kids’ school

schedules. And she makes $15,000. Right now, she gets about $1,800 in child tax credit, right, far below the $4,000 that a higher income family would get. So with this bill, she’s going to get another $1,700. So not quite to $4,000, but to $3,600.

(Editor’s note: the maximum cap on the child tax credit is $2,000 per child per year, regardless of income.)

EMS: For low-income families, why is this being offered as a credit at the end of the year, rather than a direct subsidy, which could help a lot of families month by month?

CM: If you think back during the pandemic, that one year where there really was a major expansion, child poverty was cut in half. That’s what we need to get back to. You know, that was just historic. And it’s so sad that that expired. That was when they when they went month to month.

And that really helped provide stability for families. Something goes wrong. You still can help pay your bills.

This proposal does not do that.

This is 1/12 of the size of the pandemic package.

I think the idea here is that let’s do what we can now in this package. And then in 2025, when all the Trump tax cuts expire, let’s try to block the tax cuts for the highest income people. And let’s try to go back to that really large expansion of the child tax credit, including that monthly delivery.

EMS: This is being framed as a bi-partisan bill. Would you agree with that framing?

CM: You wish that both sides would just want to help lowincome children. But sadly, that’s not the case. So this is a trade, where Republicans are pushing for a series of corporate tax breaks. And then Democrats pushing more for the child tax credit. And it’s a negotiated settlement: a dollar of corporate for a dollar of helping low-income children.

Some from the far right are raising issues of of what the effect on work would be. And I think that’s very silly. I mean, the idea that a single mom who’s working is going to give up a job that pays $25,000 a year just so she can keep $2,000 is ridiculous to me.

This bill is intended to deal with the volatility of earnings and life circumstances. People have children. Their parents get sick.

The Senate is contemplating a $78 billion expanded version of the Federal Child Tax Credit, It helps provide some stability. which could provide some economic stability to an estimated 19 million low-income children. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Unsplash.com photo by Vitolda Klein Services)

proposed measure does not benefit US citizen children with undocumented parents, even those with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers.

In an interview with Ethnic Media Services, Chuck Marr, Vice President for Federal Tax Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, explained the expanded credit and its importance in lifting millions of children out of poverty.

EMS: Could you explain the provisions of the measure?

Chuck Marr: The Child Tax Credit has been around for a few decades, and over time, and it’s fully available to middle-class and higher-income families.

But we still have 19 million children whose parents work for low wages. And because their earnings are not high enough, they do not get the full child tax credit. So 19 million kids, the kids who stand to benefit the most, actually get the least.

The child tax credit right now is basically upside down.

And it needs to be turned right side up. And so this bill makes good progress. It It doesn’t fix everything, but it makes real progress.

Even with this small package, you’re helping 1 in 3 black children, 1 out of 3 Latino children, and 1 in 7 Asian American and White children.

EMS: So how does this work?

CM: It moves low-income families to a per child phase in,

3

COMMENDATION. Senators, led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (2nd row, 7th from left), do the thumbs-up sign after presenting a commendation to the local organizing committee of the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for the successful hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Of the 92 games that comprised the tournament, more than half were held in the Philippines. With them are Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Richard “Dickie” Bachmann (2nd row, 8th from left) and other officials.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Is housing health care? State Medicaid programs...

PAGE 1 At least 19 states are directing money from Medicaid — the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people — into housing aid and addressing the nation’s growing homelessness epidemic, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Even though there’s little agreement that this will provide a long-term fix for vulnerable patients’ health or housing, the Biden administration is encouraging other states to jump in. Several are in the pipeline, including Tennessee, West Virginia, and Montana — and New York got the green light from the federal government in January.

Using health care funding to house people is “a big philosophical debate,” said Alex Demyan, assistant director of Arizona’s Medicaid agency. “We know health care can’t solve all the problems, but we also know that housing agencies are maxed out and we have enormous need to help stabilize people.”

Homelessness jumped 12% in the U.S. last year, to an estimated 653,104 Americans, the highest level on record, even as the nation dramatically increased its inventory of permanent housing and temporary shelter beds.

As people languish on the streets, often struggling with

addiction, severe mental illness, and untreated chronic diseases, health care officials and political leaders are turning to health insurance money for relief.

They argue that housing aid will improve health and save taxpayer money by keeping people out of institutions such as nursing homes, hospitals, and jails.

But evidence supporting this argument is mixed.

For instance, in a trial by researchers at the University of California-San Francisco, homeless people in Santa Clara County, California, who were randomly assigned to receive long-term housing and services used the psychiatric emergency department 38% less than a control group over four years while increasing their use of routine mental health care. But participants were still hospitalized at high rates and continued to rely on the emergency room for routine medical care or rest.

State Medicaid programs have long dabbled in housing, but with the blessing and encouragement of the Biden administration, they are launching more services for more people with heaps of new state and federal money. The trend is part of a broader White House strategy that encourages Medicaid directors to offer social

services alongside traditional medical care, with the goal of making their residents healthier.

“A health care dollar can do more than just pay for a doctor visit or hospital stay,” Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told California Healthline. “We should be using the federal health care dollar for wellness care: Get them before they get ill, and keep them healthy. Is there anyone who would deny that someone who is homeless is going to have a harder time also keeping their health up than someone who is housed with running water and heat?”

Becerra acknowledged these initiatives as experiments. But he said the federal government can no longer ignore the rampant death and disease that is plaguing homeless populations around the U.S. “We’re simply saying, ‘State, if you can prove to us that with this Medicaid dollar you will improve someone’s health or health outcome, then you have essentially served the purpose of the Medicaid program and you’re saving taxpayers more money,’” he said.

But not all health care leaders — or even homelessness experts — believe this is the best use of Medicaid money, especially by u PAGE 4

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Dateline USa

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Titus, Reschenthaler urge IRS to raise tax threshold on slot winnings WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Dina Titus (DNV) and Representative Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Gaming Caucus, sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Danny Werfel expressing support for the IRS Advisory Council’s (IRSAC) recent recommendation to increase the reporting threshold for slot machine jackpot winnings to account for inflation.

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: “We urge you to follow the IRSAC’s recommendation and exercise your authority to raise the

threshold for slot machine jackpot winnings to $5,000 and to consider periodic increases to the threshold based on inflation. Taking this action will align with the IRS initiative to strategically use data to improve tax administration and modernize tax reporting for our constituents.”

Under current policy, slot machine jackpot winnings of $1,200 or more require a W-2G tax form. This threshold has not been updated since 1977, despite a substantial increase in the number of W-2G forms filed each year. Due to inflation, this outdated standard has significantly increased compliance burdens on

taxpayers and operating costs for casinos across the country.

Last year, Titus and Reschenthaler introduced the Shifting Limits on Thresholds (SLOT) Act, bipartisan legislation to raise the outdated tax threshold for slot winnings from $1,200 to $5,000.

The Congressional Gaming Caucus comprises a broad representation of Members of Congress from across the country.

It serves as a platform to discuss federal policy issues related to the U.S. gaming industry and educate congressional colleagues on related regulatory and legislative matters. g

PH pushed to reject vape, e-cigarettes in...

PAGE 1

cated over 18,000 noncompliant vape products valued at P5.5 million.

Penalties for establishments and retailers selling to minors range from P10,000 to as much as P400,000, as well as jail time that could be as long as six years.

Vape users double in PH The DOH and health advocates opposed the passage of the vaping law as it made e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products more accessible to the youth by lowering the age of access from 21 to 18 years old.

According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 14 percent or 1 in every 7 Filipino youth aged 13 to 15 was already using e-cigarettes, translating to almost a million young users in the country.

Health authorities were worried about the sharp increase—from 11.7 percent to 24.5 percent—of adolescents who are now using vape products even if they have never smoked or used vape before.

The findings of the research done by the Johns Hopkins Institute for Global Tobacco Control also revealed that vapes were flagrantly and widely sold and advertised within 100 meters in 78 percent of schools in the Philippines, despite the prohibition under RA 11900.

“We warned of the grave consequences during the congressional deliberations [on RA 11900] may have on public health. The warnA store helper arranges products at a vape shop in Quezon City in this 2022 photo. As of ings we raised on the relaxation January, the Department of Trade and Industry has intensified its efforts against illegal vape of policies on e-cigarettes have become a tragic reality in the counsellers, issuing notices of violations and show cause orders to 269 stores.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig C. Montegrande try,” the former officials noted. g

To say otherwise is to deceive the public, and most especially our youth, the sector most prone to such deception,” the former health and education officials pointed out.

There is no latest data on the prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette use in the country, particularly after the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act in July 2022.

The law regulates the importation, sale, packaging, distribution, use and communication of vaporized and non-nicotine products and “novel tobacco products,” such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was given the authority to certify the devices while regulating the consumables will be

a joint responsibility with the Food and Drug Administration.

On Tuesday, the DTI said it had heightened its efforts against illegal vape sellers.

As of January, the DTI had issued notices of violations (NOVs) and show cause orders (SCOs) to 269 physical stores.

The government agency’s online monitoring team has inspected more than 66,000 online vape stores, finding violations in 61,000.

“The DTI focuses on retailers that fail to ensure no minor is allowed to purchase vape. The DTI has issued NOVs and SCOs to retailers for failing to verify the age of buyers and for selling vape products that are packaged, labeled, presented, or marketed with flavor descriptors that unduly appeal to minors,” the DTI said in a statement.

The DTI also said it had confis-

TRANSPORT MODERNIZATION. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte (back row, 2nd and 3rd from left) witness the signing of the civil works contracts by Cao Wei, the authorized representative of CWE-CPO1 -03 contractor.,Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista, and Shen Jiachun, authorized representatives Joint Ventures of WU -Yi-fujian CP04 contractor (front row, left to right) on the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP), at the Waterfront Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The DPTMP is a busbased public transport system that aims to enhance the commuters’ mobility and accessibility in Davao City, anchored on the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Is housing health care? State Medicaid programs...

PAGE 3 a safety-net program that faces routine criticism for failing to provide basic health care to many enrollees.

“If you’re on Medicaid, you often have to wait months and months for a specialty visit, even if it’s a life-threatening concern, so I worry about what people won’t be able to get because of this,” said Margot Kushel, a leading homelessness researcher and primary care doctor at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center who primarily treats low-income patients.

“It’s not that I don’t want the money to be spent, but is it best spent in health care?” she asked.

“It’s much better than nothing, but it’s far from providing the long-term housing and stability that people really need.”

Kushel said the danger is that most Medicaid housing assistance can be used only once or is time-limited, such as rental payments, which typically end after six months.

“By the time folks get into housing, they’re already really, really sick,” she said. “What happens at the end of six months when rental assistance like free rent runs out?”

Housing as health care Across the country, state Medicaid programs are stretching the definition of health care and getting into the business of social services, delivering a range of nontraditional benefits such as healthy home-delivered meals for patients with diabetes and air filters for patients with asthma.

While the federal government historically has banned the use of Medicaid money for direct rent payments, that has changed.

In 2022, Arizona received federal approval for an initiative called “H2O,” which will prioritize homeless people and those at risk of losing housing who also have a mental health condition and chronic illness.

When it launches in October, it will primarily provide two services: rent payments for up to six months; and transitional housing, which can include shelters with intensive services.

Arizona saw a 5% jump in homelessness in 2023 from the previous year. Its program will supplement a separate statefunded Medicaid initiative that provides 3,000 rent vouchers for people in southern Arizona who have a severe mental illness and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. About 5,000 people are on the waiting list for a voucher.

“We’ve seen such positive health outcomes and cost reductions as a result, so it made total sense to us to expand our work in that space,” Demyan said. That program slashed ER visits 45% and reduced hospital

inpatient admissions 53% at the six-month mark after patients started receiving services, while increasing less costly preventive care 56% and saving $4,300 per member, per month, according to state data.

California, home to nearly 30% of the nation’s homeless population, saw a nearly 6% jump in homelessness in 2023, to about 181,000 people.

The state launched its massive CalAIM initiative in 2022 to offer a wide variety of social services to a small sliver of the state’s roughly 15 million Medicaid enrollees. A large share of the resources are going to housing services for homeless people or those facing eviction, such as covering security deposits and enlisting case managers to hunt for available apartments. State leaders are also asking the Biden administration for permission to provide six months of rent.

“If you’re saddled with a great deal of either physical or behavioral health conditions, whether it’s diabetes or HIV, high blood pressure or schizophrenia, without housing, it’s really hard to stabilize those conditions,” said Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency.

But he cautioned that Medicaid’s core focus must remain getting people healthy, even if they’re living outside, which is a monumental and expensive challenge because conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and HIV require continuous treatment and often multiple medications.

“I do not think that health care is responsible for solving homelessness in California or anywhere else,” Ghaly said.

“But if housing instability or lack of housing is one of the key drivers getting in the way of being healthy, then absolutely we need to pay attention to it.”

Health insurers that provide Medicaid coverage in California can choose whether to provide housing services, but Oregon is requiring Medicaid insurers to do so.

Homelessness grew 12% in Oregon from 2022 to 2023, but the state is targeting patients at risk of becoming homeless.

Participants will be eligible for six months of rent and other services when the program launches in November, said Dave Baden, deputy director of the Oregon Health Authority.

“We’re really trying to focus on people teetering on the brink,” Baden said. “If you’re already homeless, you really need longer, sustainable housing dollars to keep that person housed.”

It’s not just states experimenting with this approach. Kaiser Permanente is one of the health systems that has invested its own funds into housing. In recent years, the

health care giant has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to help maintain or build thousands of affordable housing units, in addition to providing housingrelated Medicaid benefits for its members.

“We have to do something.

The crisis is out of control,” said Bechara Choucair, its chief health officer.

Mission creep Sherry Glied, a professor at New York University and former Obama administration official who is an expert in health care economics, warned in a recent health policy analysis of mission creep in health care.

She cautioned that health care institutions getting into the business of social services could be a “dangerous distraction.”

Glied pointed to at least 57 health systems and 917 hospitals around the country that have launched social service initiatives, with most focusing on housing. Because many institutions struggle to meet patient safety and quality care standards, Glied argued that they should instead improve basic care and leave housing to social service organizations “that specialize in this work.”

“Providing people with food or housing is pretty far removed from the core mission of health care,” she told California Healthline.

Peter Lee, another former Obama administration official and the founding executive director of California’s Obamacare exchange, said health care providers should consider offering some housing and social services, but he fears such initiatives may divert money from traditional medicine and prevent patients from getting adequate care.

“In the past five to 10 years, there has been a lot of recognition that health is about much more than actual health care. Very true,” Lee said. “The question is how do you address those issues while health care itself is not doing too great. The brass tacks of this is making sure people with diabetes have great diabetes care, that people get checkups in time, that people can get the regular health care they need.”

State Medicaid programs, which provide care to at least 80 million Americans, often struggle to deliver basic medical services, such as childhood dental visits and breast cancer screenings.

In California, the state spending the most on housing services, children on Medicaid did not have timely access to care for mental health or substance use in 2022, according to an audit published in November.

Despite these shortfalls, most of the states that have been given the federal go-ahead to experiment with housing services have secured funding for five years. California is among the states that hope to make the benefits permanent.

Though a Republican presidency could interrupt this trend, states say they’re committed — even if their initiatives don’t pass a traditional cost-benefit analysis.

“The singular focus on a financial return on investment is not as clear as it was previously,” said Cindy Mann, a federal Medicaid director under Obama.

“States are just seeing how little sense it makes to treat people and then release them back to the streets without the support they need.” (Angela Hart/KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core At least 19 states are directing money from Medicaid — the state-federal health insurance program operating programs at KFF—an for low-income people — into housing aid and addressing the nation’s growing homelessness independent source of health epidemic, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. policy research, polling, and Unsplash.com photo by Maria Ziegler journalism.

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline PhiliPPines

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024

5

Garin says DOT needs to intensify efforts to attract more tourists MANILA — Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin has called on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to intensify efforts toward attracting more tourists, as other Southeast Asian countries start implementing a novisa requirement for Chinese visitors.

Garin in a statement said the country is already known for its tourist spots but it might get a boost if the government gets rid of cumbersome bureaucratic practices.

“Kailangan mas paigtingin pa ng DOT at iba pang ahensya ang ating turismo lalo na’t marami sa kalapit nating bansa ay nagalis na ng visa requirement para sa mga Chinese national,” she said on Monday.

(The DOT and other

government agencies need to intensify efforts towards tourism, especially since some of our neighbor-countries have removed visa requirements for Chinese nationals.)

“While we have a lot of tourist spots and our hospitality is one of a kind, it should be coupled with less bureaucracy and better facilitation,” she added.

Last January 24, it was reported that Thailand and China have agreed to waive visa requirements for each other’s nationals to facilitate travel and tourism between the two countries.

Thailand and China’s mutual visa exemption takes effect on March 1.

Singapore announced its own version of the visa-free entry last December 2023, while Malaysia made theirs last November.

Garin said better tourism

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed confidence on Tuesday, February 6 that the Philippines will take the lead in promoting the rule of law, social stability, and economic prosperity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This, as he led the oathtaking of the new officers of the Philippine National Committee of ASEAN Law Association (ALA) Philippines, Inc. at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

“I am glad to administer your oaths of office today for it signals your devotion to lend your legal expertise to promote close relations, cooperation, and mutual understanding amongst magistrates, lawyers, and teachers of law in ASEAN member countries,” Marcos said.

“Your representation to the international bodies, such as the ALA, reflects our country’s continued commitment to strengthen our multilateral cooperation with our neighboring countries.”

The president said the election of the new ALA Philippines officers is vital in reaching the country’s goal of a “just global

community amidst the critical geopolitical issues that we are being confronted with in the region.”

He said he is optimistic that they would be instrumental in harmonizing the respective national laws of every ASEAN country to achieve a common consensus on concerns within the region.

Marcos also hailed the Supreme Court for accepting the hosting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justice Meeting, as well as Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo for accepting the position of Philippine National Committee chairperson of ALA Philippines.

“By taking on these challenges, you have proven that we are one with our ASEAN counterparts to facilitate legal collaboration, interconnectivity, and integration amongst them,” he said.

Marcos also pledged to support the judiciary in implementing the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027.

He said his administration respects and adheres to the judiciary’s autonomy, adding that he also aims to strengthen the partnership between the

by Gabriel Pabico lalu Philstar.com

numbers would improve the country’s economy.

“Kapag lumago ang ekonomiya, tataas ang employment rate, tataas din ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino,” she noted.

(If the economy improves, the employment rate increases, and the quality of life of people would improve.)

China is one of the countries with the highest number of tourists going to the Philippines. However, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian admitted last January 25 that there has been a sharp decline in Chinese tourists in the country compared to the prepandemic numbers.

Huang said that almost 1.8 million Chinese tourists visited the country in 2019, but this has dwindled to just around 200,000 in 2023. g

GOLDEN DRAGON. A dragon centerpiece has become an attraction for mall-goers at a department store in Davao City on Thursday, Feb. 8. The Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 10 is a much-anticipated event, with the local Filipino-Chinese community preparing several events to welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

PH to promote rule of law, social stability in ASEAN ‘Gov’t eyeing economic Cha-cha, nothing more’ executive and the judiciary.

“Under the leadership of Chief Justice Gesmundo and the commitment of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and other public servants in the judiciary, the Filipino people can now rest assured that responsive and real-time justice can be delivered,” Marcos said.

The ALA was established by ASEAN lawyers in February 1979 in Jakarta, Indonesia through the proposal of Singaporean Professor Tan Sook Yee and the late former senator Edgardo Angara.

It was formed to create a regional organization for lawyers in ASEAN to promote close relations, cooperation, and mutual understanding among them in the region.

It aims to provide organizational cooperation in law research, provide organizational facilities for ASEAN cooperation in conflict avoidance, arbitration, and resolution of legal disputes; and push for cooperation with international, regional, national, and other organizations.

The ALA Philippines Inc. was founded on June 25, 1981

by Angara and 13 other legal luminaries in the country. (PNA)

by Delon Porcalla,

alexis romero Philstar.com

MANILA — The administration is not pushing for political amendments to the Constitution, with President Marcos reassuring the public that the proposed reforms in the Charter would be limited to economic provisions.

Amid speculations on the motives behind efforts to amend the Charter, Marcos said his administration is just after the provisions that hinder the entry of investments.

“Allow me to make it clear: this administration’s position in introducing reforms for the Constitution extends to economic matters alone... For those… strategically aimed at boosting our economy.

Nothing more,” Marcos said during the commemoration of Constitution Day in Makati on thursday, February 8.

He said the presence of restrictive economic provisions was the reason why no less than 300 measures pushing for economic Charter change have been filed since the 8th Congress.

As the House of Representatives and the Senate engage in a

word war over Charter change, Marcos vowed to allow the debates on the issue to continue.

“We must allow this healthy and democratic debate to wage on... especially that the social economic development of our country is directly involved,” the president said.

In a recent interview with GMA News, Marcos said he was open to amending some political provisions of the Charter but expressed belief that it is not yet time to do so.

“We really have to think about that… we can have these discussions later on. But for the present day, my concern is the economic provisions.”

Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the statement of the president on the need and urgency for amending the Constitution’s “restrictive” economic provisions.

“The President made it clear that these provisions hinder the entry of foreign investments and the potential for faster and inclusive economic growth, which in turn could translate to a better life for every Filipino,” he said.

“We are happy that he also took note of our consistent ad-

vocacy in the House of Representatives for changing those restrictive provisions for more than three decades since the 8th Congress, or since 36-37 years ago,” Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, said.

Romualdez also lauded the president’s assurance that his support for reform, to quote him, “extends to economic matters only…nothing more.”

No plans The House of Representatives never planned to abolish the Senate, as there were no political revisions in the 1987 Constitution that had been pushed under resolutions approved by the House in the 19th Congress, according to Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

“Again, I’d like to emphasize that we really did not discuss anything about political revisions, and the Speaker has made that very clear in all his pronouncements, in all his statements. That’s why those who doubt us should no longer have doubts on our proposal,” Barbers said.

Abolishing the Senate is farthest from the minds of officials u PAGE 7

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PROKLAMASYON YAMANG, ang Artikulo V ng Karta ng Lungsod ng North Las Vegas, Nevada, ay nagtatatag ng mga petsa ng Primarya at Pangkalahatang Halalang Munisipal na idinaraos sa bawat taon na may numerong mahahati sa dalawa sa ikalawang Martes sa Hunyo at sa unang Martes pagkatapos ng unang Lunes sa Nobyembre, ayon sa pagkakabanggit; at YAMANG, itinatakda sa Artikulo V ng Karta ang mga puwestong pupunan sa naturang halalan at itinatatag ang proseso para sa nominasyon at halalan ng mga kandidato; at YAMANG, isang kandidato lamang ang naghain ng kandidatura para sa puwesto sa Kagarawan 1 ng Munisipal na Hukom ng North Las Vegas, at na ang kandidatong iyon, ang nanunungkulan na si Chris Lee, samakatuwid ay idinedeklarang inihalal at wala nang idaraos na halalan para sa puwestong iyon alinsunod sa Nirebisang Batas ng Nevada (Nevada Revised Statutes, NRS) 293C. 180; at

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NGAYON, SAMAKATUWID, ay inihahayag ng KONSEHO NG LUNGSOD para sa LUNGSOD NG NORTH LAS VEGAS, mula sa idinaos nilang pagpupulong noong Ika-7 ng Pebrero, 2024, at alinsunod sa Artikulo V ng Karta ng Lungsod ng North Las Vegas, na magdaraos ng PRIMARYANG HALALANG MUNISIPAL sa Lungsod ng North Las Vegas, Nevada sa MARTES, Ika-11 ng Hunyo, 2024, para sa nominasyon at halalan ng mga rehistradong botante sa kani-kanilang Ward para sa: Miyembro ng Konseho sa Ward 2 Miyembro ng Konseho sa Ward 4

Apat na Taong Termino Apat na Taong Termino

NGAYON, SAMAKATUWID, IPINAPAHAYAG PA na anumang puwesto kung saan ang kandidato ay hindi idineklarang inihalal bilang resulta ng halalan kung saan iisa lamang ang kandidato, o kung saan nananatiling walang desisyon makalipas ang Primaryang Halalan sa Ika-11 ng Hunyo, ay pagpapasiyahan ng kani-kanilang botante sa PANGKALAHATANG MUNISIPAL NA HALALAN na idaraos sa Lungsod ng North Las Vegas sa Ika-5 ng Nobyembre, 2024, alinsunod sa Artikulo V ng Karta ng Lungsod ng North Las Vegas; at IPINAPAHAYAG DIN, sa pamamagitan ng awtoridad ng Konseho ng Lungsod, na ang mga lokasyon sa loob ng naturang Lungsod kung saan maaaring isagawa ang pagboto ng mga rehistradong botante ay itatakda ng Kagawaran ng Halalan ng Clark County.

Ipinasa, Inaprubahan, at Ipinag-utos ngayong Ika-7 ng Pebrero, 2024.

LUNGSOD NG NORTH LAS VEGAS /s/ Pamela A. Goynes-Brown PAMELA A. GOYNES-BROWN Alkalde

NAGPAPATUNAY: s/ Jackie Rodgers JACKIE RODGERS Klerk ng Lungsod

INILATHALA ALINSUNOD SA ADMINISTRATIBONG ALITUNTUNIN NG NEVADA (Nevada Administrative Code, NAC) 293C.060: Las Vegas Review-Journal Ilathala: Ika-10 ng Pebrero 2024

6

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Advanced persistent threat

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

FEATURES

CYBERSECURITY experts have been warning about the threat for some time now: hacking of government websites, with the attacks originating from foreign countries. The experts, citing global data, said most of the attacks have been traced to operators in only a handful of countries: North Korea, China, Russia and Iran.

In the case of a recent hacking attempt targeting the Philippine Coast Guard, the National Coast Watch and the private website of President Marcos, the operation was traced to Chinese telecommunications operator China Unicom. This is according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology, which said the hacking attempt was successfully foiled by Philippine cybersecurity experts.

Because of recent developments, the PCG suspects that the hacking attempt was linked to the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China. Earlier, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration faced a cyber attack that was also traced to China.

Although China Unicom is state-owned, the DICT stressed that it is not accusing the Chinese government of being behind the cyber attacks, but merely reporting that the hacking attempts emanated from Chinese territory. An official of the DICT said the Philippines would coordinate with China in a bid to identify the perpetrators and stop their activities.

Experts, however, have been warning of possible state-sponsored cyber attacks from overseas directed at Philippine government agencies and private entities operating critical infrastructure such as public utilities, submarine cables, airports, the banking system and defense installations.

A DICT official said the hacking attempt on the PCG by at least three “advanced threat groups” could be classified as cyber espionage because the objective was to gather information by breaching email systems and internal websites of government agencies using Google Workspace. Google itself reported the attempts about two weeks ago.

Also targeted were the domain administrators of the Department of Justice, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of Congress.

The DICT official pointed out that such hacking conceal the activities. attempts are classified as “an advanced persistent Around the world, governments are readying threat” because they require “significant spending their defenses against the new type of warfare that on research and development and technology” to is waged in cyberspace. In the Philippines, which

Editorial

I RECENTLY toured the Healthy Asians and Pacific Islanders (HAPI) Medical Center, where I saw firsthand how they’re working to help AAPI Nevadans access quality, affordable health care. HAPI employs translators who speak Korean, Tagalog, Mandarin Chinese and more. I hear from AAPI Nevadans all the time about how essential targeted, high-quality care is to our communities, and that’s why I’m fighting to strengthen these services.

Health care has always been a priority of mine. I made that clear after I was first sworn in as Senator in 2017, when I stopped

First Word YEN MAKABENTA IRONICALLY, like a bull in a China shop, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte has made imperative the appointment of a commission to fully investigate the six-year war on drugs, which he launched and used to define his presidency.

He provokes this policy decision with his deranged reaction to the arrival in Manila of a UN rapporteur and the imminent start of the investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of accountability for human rights abuses and extrajudicial killing of drug lords, pushers and users by units of the Philippine National Police on the command of his former excellency.

Incensed also by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reversal of Duterte’s policy to kowtow to China on the South China Sea dispute and downgrade Filipino ties with the U.S., Duterte has unleashed a fiery tirade against the president, accusing him of being a drug addict, and unworthy of the highest office of the land.

Using U.S. senator Joseph McCarthy as his model, Duterte had resorted to the propaganda tactic of waving purported lists of officials and generals allegedly involved and in the pay of drug lords and drug traffickers. He dangled the lists before the media and sought to create suspense and anticipation by releasing the lists little by little, making people guess whom he would malign next.

Now, he is trying to renew the drug crusade, and he has widened his net of nastiness and drug lists by adding the biggest fish of all — the president of the Philippines no less, President Ferdinand Marcos

has one of the highest incidences of digital scams and related offenses, the latest attacks should give urgency to ramping up cyber defenses. (Philstar. com)

Protecting health care and lowering your costs

Commentary

SENATOR CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO

ManilaTimes.net photo

Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell from repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as Obamacare. The ACA has protected preexisting conditions and helped millions of families access affordable health care, but extremist Republicans wanted to undo all that progress and bring us backward. Unfortunately, Trump and his allies have made it clear that they plan to try to repeal the ACA again.

Before the ACA was passed, our state had one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country. We had 1.5 million Nevadans with preexisting conditions who were unprotected, meaning health insurance companies refuse coverage or charge them more just because they had existing health condition. Now, thanks the ACA, over 400,000 Nevadans

have affordable health coverage through the ACA marketplace or Medicaid, people with pre-existing conditions are covered, and more and more families are getting the care they need.

The ACA has had a huge impact on minority and immigrant communities across our country.

Before it was passed, 17 percent of the AAPI population was uninsured in 2010. Fast forward to 2019, and that rate decreased to 7 percent, resulting in the largest coverage gain among any racial or ethnic group during this period.

Now, so many who did not previously have insurance can access the care they need.

This is why we must continue to protect the ACA while fighting to lower health care costs for all Nevada families. And I am so pleased that today, Congress and

the Biden-Harris Administration are hard at work to protect and expand access to health care.

When I helped pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, I made sure it strengthened the ACA by making health insurance affordable for even more Nevadans. Thanks to these efforts, more than 150,000 uninsured AAPI Americans gained access to quality health care coverage with no monthly premium through HealthCare.gov, and 197,000 uninsured AAPI Americans became newly eligible for even lower costs.

And our work didn’t stop there I was proud to help pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which has been critical to bringing down health care costs. Medicare can now finally negotiate directly with Big Pharma to lower prescription drug

prices. We also helped cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month, which is key to helping those in our AAPI community, who are 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than their white counterparts. And, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act's expanded tax credits, nearly 87,000 Nevadans are now saving $435 monthly on their ACA marketplace health insurance premiums.

While the Biden-Harris Administration is working with us in Congress to protect health care for all Americans, others are pushing to take it away. Donald Trump is once again vowing to repeal the Affordable Care Act if elected, and his far-right allies in Congress are standing with him. This would devastate the lives of millions of Americans. I won’t stand for it.

Whether you’re a Democrat, an

independent, or a Republican, we all want our families to be healthy.

We cannot afford to undo all the progress that has been made. The Biden-Harris Administration has defended and expanded the Affordable Care Act, and I’ll continue to work with them in the Senate to stand up for Nevada families and lower their health care costs. *** 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.

*** Born and raised in Las Vegas, Catherine Cortez Masto has spent her career fighting for Nevada’s working families. She served two terms as Attorney General of Nevada and in November 2016, she made history by becoming the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the United States Senate.

Time for a commission to probe Duterte’s drug war and its cost in human life and nation’s sanity Jr., whom he has charged with being a drug addict. He hurled the charge in a rambling tirade at a public rally in Davao City.

Worse than plastering BBM with the accusation, Duterte, in a lunatic turn, seized the occasion to urge officers and members of the nation’s Armed Forces to mount a coup against the president and take over the government. Then, he threatened the government with a new secession bid by Mindanao from the republic.

Duterte wildly fantasizes that the drug addiction canard — like Hitler’s big lie about the Jews and Joe McCarthy’s multiple lies about communists in the U.S. government — is incendiary enough to cause an upheaval in the government of the day and restore the drug war to front and center in national life.

Throughout his six years as president, Duterte never seriously attempted to substantiate with incontrovertible facts and figures his hyperbolic claims of corruption and wrongdoing in high places and the far-flung tentacles of the drug traffic in the country. He could not get the drug agencies of the government, like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Dangerous Drugs Board, to play along and confirm his claims.

When the clock ran out on his presidential term on June 30, 2022, Duterte’s drug campaign became like McCarthy’s anti-communist crusade; it ran out of steam and was hobbled by a flat tire.

It’s been two years now since Duterte left office. He does not wield any authority anymore, not even that of his neighborhood barangay. He remains authoritarian

in temperament, but he is now owed, at best, the courtesies toward a former president and old man. He has no one to command.

This, at the bottom, is the reason for the new tactic of smearing BBM with the drug addiction charge and baiting him to the indignity of a joint drug test.

The same intent to shock and awe the nation into alarm and support for his anti-drug crusade is plainly Duterte’s objective now in smearing BBM with the drug addiction brush.

A moment’s reflection on the accusation quickly unveils its fundamental weakness and hollowness.

In hurling the accusation against the president, Duterte makes it appear that he has plastered the president with the commission of a great crime or shortcoming in his duties as president and leader of our people.

He suggests overtly that for this imaginary criminal offense, BBM deserves to be ousted from office.

Like almost everything else in Duterte’s turn as president, this new project of his is not backed by sound and careful thinking. It is as ill-founded as his claim of being a Muslim at birth in order to ingratiate himself with Filipino Muslims.

It is the same with his foolish order to the National Historical Commission to divert and twist the commemoration of the Quincentennial of Ferdinand Magellan’s epic circumnavigation of the globe into a celebration instead of the Battle of Mactan and Lapulapu’s triumph over the great explorer.

It is fair to ask now, therefore: “Really, Mr. Ex-president, where does it say in our statute book

and in the criminal codes of nations that an addiction to drugs or narcotics is a criminal offense, eminently worthy of censure or shaming? Why do you, sir, paint drug addiction as a crime against the nation when our anti-drug program ostensibly espouses the objective and desire to rehabilitate and rescue those among our people who unfortunately fall victim to drug addiction.”

Drug addiction no crime, says U.S. Supreme Court Mr. Duterte is obviously not aware that there is a standing decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that loudly and expressly overturned and swept aside statutes and attempts to criminalize drug addiction and subject it to punishment.

In Robinson v. California, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Robinson’s conviction under a California law that declared it was a criminal offense “to be addicted to the use of narcotics.” The court ruled that it was cruel and unusual punishment to impose criminal penalties on Robinson based on his conviction of the status offense of narcotics addiction, which a majority of the judges considered an addictive illness. Justice Potter Stewart, who wrote the decision, noted that “even one day in prison would be cruel and unusual punishment for the crime of having a common cold....it is unlikely that any state would make it a criminal offense for a person to be mentally ill, or a leper, or to be afflicted with venereal disease... such a law would be universally thought to be an infliction of cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.”

The prohibition on cruel and

unusual punishment in the Eighth Amendment is applicable to the states through the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The ruling, which reversed the state’s judgment, recognized that drug addiction is a disease and that it is unconstitutional to impose punishment for having a disease. Additionally, Justice Stewart’s opinion, in combination with Justice Harlan’s concurring opinion, held that it is unconstitutional to criminalize behavior in the absence of a guilty act or actus reus.

Justice Stewart’s opinion focused on the unconstitutionality of punishing a mere status or condition; Justice Harlan’s concurring opinion focused, however, on the unconstitutionality of punishing a “bare desire.”

The accusation against President Marcos and the nastiness of Duterte’s presentation at a public rally in Davao City shows us again the utter lack of moderation and civility of the former president.

The attack is totally gratuitous and the product of ill will.

Duterte may be worried or angry that the Marcos government could change its mind about refusing cooperation with the ICC in investigating the drug war and its many abuses.

Duterte probably feels that he is just one piece of paper away from being served an arrest warrant for his accountability in the infamous drug war because a UN rapporteur is currently visiting the country and seems to be looking right at home.

Commission to probe the war on drugs The most sensible and rational reply by the Marcos government to ex-president Duterte’s charge

of BBM’s alleged drug addiction is to appoint a commission to fully investigate the war on drugs during the Duterte presidency to ferret out the whole truth about the program and what it has cost our country and our people in terms of lives and social harmony.

By exposing the basic derangement of Duterte’s vision of the drug problem and the extent of police abuses and crimes in the conduct of the drug war, President Marcos can make a constructive contribution to the quest for justice for the families of the victims in the drug war and the effective interdiction and control of the drug problem in the country.

A formal inquiry, like the investigations of the assassinations of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and John F. Kennedy, will dive deep into the malaise of the drug war, the flawed policymaking, the terrible train of victims and abuses, which to this day still cry out for exposure and redress.

An inquiry will satisfy the fundamental international prayer and ICC demand for the Philippine justice system to show an earnest effort to ferret out truth and accountability in the drug war.

The demagoguery in the conception and design of the drug war and the irresponsibility of those who were placed in charge of conducting it are the real reasons why the war has been a pronounced failure for all its harshness and barbarity and why the drug menace continues to hound the nation. (ManilaTimes.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.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024

7

House panel to Quiboloy: Show up or face arrest ‘Gov’t eyeing economic Cha-cha, nothing more’

by Jeannette andrade Inquirer.net

THE House committee on legislative franchises issued on Wednesday, February 7 a subpoena for televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to compel him to appear in the inquiry into the franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which is purportedly owned by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder.

The panel, chaired by Parañaque City Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, warned Quiboloy that he could be cited in contempt and ordered arrested should he continue to ignore the summons.

Committee vice chair and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel moved for the issuance of a subpoena for Quiboloy on the prompting of Gabriela women’s party list Rep. Arlene Brosas, who said the televangelist appeared to have continuing influence over SMNI. Brosas sought the subpoena after SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino maintained that “Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is the honorary chairman of SMNI and he’s not part of the day-to-day operations of SMNI,” despite the lawmaker’s observation that Quiboloy was “credited” in all SMNI shows.

‘About time’ The House assistant minority leader said: “We have several questions for Pastor Quiboloy.

I think it’s about time that we called for Pastor Quiboloy to come here and answer our questions, our specific questions because last time, we already requested this.”

“Heads of agencies come here in Congress to answer our important questions. Maybe it’s about time to have him sit down and face us so we could ask our questions directly to Pastor Quiboloy because these cannot be answered by just a lawyer,” she stressed.

Pimentel agreed with Brosas’ proposal, saying “we have already invited, not only once but on several occasions, Pastor Quiboloy to attend this hearing, considering that there are so many issues that need to be clarified, most of all his name which is in Swara Sug.” “I’d like to move that we issue a subpoena to Pastor Quiboloy to compel him to be present during the next hearing. And may we remind Atty. Mark

Tolentino that after the subpoena [and] Pastor Quiboloy does not appear, then we’ll be constrained to request for a warrant of arrest for him to appear here. Or rather to move for a contempt order… There the warrant would apply,” he said.

Franchise revocation 1-Rider party list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez asked the committee to seriously consider the approval of House Bill No. 9710 on the revocation of the legislative franchise granted through Republic Act No. 11422 to Swara Sug Media Corp., operating under the business name SMNI, citing the network’s continued proliferation of fake news and Red-tagging in its shows on social media as well as its corporate offenses in violation of its franchise.

Gutierrez, author of HB 9710, maintained that previous deliberations have shown “clear facts” of SMNI’s violations of its franchise by spreading fake news and Red-tagging as well as its disregard of its reportorial requirements to Congress and other concerned agencies, particularly on changes in its controlling interest.

He expressed displeasure at SMNI’s alleged continuing dissemination of fake news on YouTube, skirting the suspension order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on its freeair broadcast.

“That is the problem here, the way by which Swara Sug goes about their business. It really shows impunity perhaps?

Culture of impunity, culture of walang pakialam (disregard).

Anything goes,” Gutierrez added.

“They are skirting the NTC [order]. They [feel] they have no more obligations because they are not on-air. They are focusing on YouTube but yet they still go about doing the same things,” Gutierrez stressed.

Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel showed a short video of SMNI talent Jeffrey Celis saying in a social media broadcast last month: “Is President Marcos Jr. cavorting and supporting itong illegal use of power ng NTC at MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) at pati na po ang pangingialam at abuso sa poder ng kanyang pinsan na kasabwat ngayon ng CPP-NPANDF from Congress?”

Quiboloy’s legal battles Celis was apparently expressing his displeasure over the orders of the broadcast regulatory bodies suspending SMNI’s free-TV operations, and referred to Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s first cousin.

The House probe was triggered by the claims of SMNI’s hosts that Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in just a year for his travels, which was later proven to be false.

Quiboloy’s legal battles In December last year, the MTRCB issued 14-day preventive suspension orders on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” (From the masses, for the masses) and another show, “Laban Kasama ang Bayan,” hosted by anticommunist commentators Lorraine Badoy and Celis. Both shows air on the SMNI channel.

The suspension, which took effect on Dec. 18, was due to complaints that they allegedly spread false reports, according to an MTRCB memo.

Along with its decision to suspend SMNI, the NTC also issued a “show cause order” directing the network to explain in writing why it should not be sanctioned.

The network, however, did not comply with the suspension order, prompting the NTC to issue another one on Jan. 18, 2024.

On Jan. 30, 2024, SMNI anchors and reporters went to the Supreme Court to challenge the cease-and-desist orders issued by the NTC. Aside from SMNI’s legal battles, Quiboloy himself is facing serious cases in the Senate.

On Dec. 11, 2023, Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 884, directing the Senate committee on women, which she heads, to look into Quiboloy’s KOJC and his alleged involvement in several criminal activities.

The cases were large-scale human trafficking, rape, and other rights abuses allegedly committed by KOJC under the leadership of Quiboloy.

Quiboloy declined the Senate committee’s invitation to attend the proceedings. Instead, he released an audio recording belittling the investigation and dared Hontiveros to help his accusers file criminal cases against him. g

PAGE 5

and members of the House of Representatives, Barbers reiterated, noting that senators even have their own state-of-the-art building in Bonifacio Global City worth P8.6 billion.

The new Senate building is inside Navy Village, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City where senators are expected to transfer before 2024 ends. The new Senate building has four towers with 11 floors each, and three basements for parking.

“How can we abolish the Senate, when in fact we were informed that the design of the new Senate building has, I think, 64 rooms for senators, when there are only 24 of them. That’s why I told Deputy Speaker Jayjay Suarez, we might be the ones facing abolition,” Barbers joked to journalists.

“We would be the ones to be abolished, and not them apparently,” Suarez retorted, with a smile.

Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit, who heads the Nationalist People’s Coalition power bloc in the chamber, also said they will not allow five of their NPC partymates in the Senate to be jobless.

“And if we are not going to remove our five senators, then the other 19 senators can be assured,” Duavit added.

The five senators belonging to the NPC are Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Lito Lapid, Sherwin Gatchalian and JV Ejercito.

Rep. LRay Villafuerte reminded senators that what the House wants is the “restoration of dignified discourse and a recommitment to the principles of inter-chamber respect and courtesy” in the 19th Congress (2022-2025).”

Meanwhile, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co shot back at Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva for looking down on House lawmakers, saying senators are far more superior than congressmen.

Villanueva earlier told Senate reporters “who is he?” referring to his House counterpart, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, who issued a challenge to senators to lay their cards on the table and declare openly whether they are for or against amending economic provisions of the Constitution.

“First of all, Sen. Joel is a former party-list lawmaker himself.

The senator seems a bit arrogant, we all know who he is,” Co said in a radio interview, citing the

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, as he vowed to continue fight against threats against freedom.

Philstar.com photo

senator’s involvement in the multibillion-pork barrel scam of Janet Lim-Napoles.

“He was formerly perpetually disqualified in a decision of the ombudsman but it looks like he appealed. But we know that he was linked to Janet Napoles,” Co added.

“That is what we know. He just got lucky that he was best friend of PNoy (late president Noynoy Aquino) and we don’t know how he won,” he said.

In 2016, former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the dismissal of Villanueva from the Senate for allegedly channeling P10 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation as CIBAC party-list congressman to a bogus non-government organization.

Villanueva was found by Morales guilty of “grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service,” but held on to his Senate post on the argument his identity was stolen to abet the anomalous use of funds.

Bullying With the continued “attacks” of some House members over the controversial issue of people’s initiative that was meant to amend the Constitution, Sen. Sonny Angara asserted that it seems “the House is bullying the Senate.”

During the Kapihan sa Senado media briefing on Thursday, Angara said he is puzzled why some congressmen continue to hold press conferences just to criticize senators when the Senate has started discussing Resolution of Both Houses 6, the outcome of which Speaker Romualdez promised to adopt as recommended by President Marcos.

When asked whether the House is bullying the Senate, Angara replied: “It seems like that… that’s how it appears to be. Imagine, they have press con every single day. Doesn’t that sound like a bully? You go to the comfort room, oh there’s the bully, go to the cafeteria to buy a soft drink, oh there they are again. It’s like we are hit every day.”

“I think it (not to take it personally and rise above the issue) will help going forward. But when we are attacked, we cannot (but) respond. It’s self-defense, that is inherent in every individual to defend (himself). You’re being bullied, you won’t answer?” Angara told reporters.

Sen. Francis Escudero on Wednesday dared Dalipe, as well as the other congressmen, to finally admit in public that the House of Representatives was behind the “fake” people’s initiative signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“Why don’t they come out in the open, be accountable and admit to the public that they are truly the ones behind this fake people’s initiative instead of doing a striptease?” Escudero asked.

He pointed out that at first, congressmen denied having anything to do with the initiative but they later admitted acting as facilitator but not orchestrator “and now, they have the nerve to say we (congressmen) will stop PI when they (senators) pass RBH6.”

“It would bode well for them to heed their own Speaker’s words when he quoted the saying ‘People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,’” Escudero added. g

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February 8, 2024

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‘Firefly,’ ‘GomBurZa,’ Vilma Santos, Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual win in inaugural MIFF “FIREFLY,” “Gomburza,” Vilma Santos, Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual were among the big winners announced in the closing night awards gala of the successful inaugural Manila International Film Festival held Friday, February 2, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles.

In the glittering, glamorous gala evoking Hollywood’s major awards shows, GMA Pictures’ fantasy drama “Firefly “ won four awards – Best Picture, Best Director (Zig Dulay), Best Supporting Actress (Alessandra De Rossi) and Best Screenplay (Angeli Atienza).

Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc. and MQuest Ventures, Inc.’s historical drama “GomBurZa” bagged Second Best Picture, Best Cinematography (Carlo Canlas Mendoza) and Audience Favorite Award, voted by the festival moviegoers who attended the screenings at the TLC Chinese Theatres from January 29 to February 1.

The IdeaFirst Company and October Train Films’ “Becky and Badette” was honored with the Special Jury Prize for its LGBTQIA cultural sensitivity and awareness, effectively combining these themes with humanity and humor.

Vilma Santos romped off with the Best Actress Award for her portrayal of an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) finding love in Japan in JG Productions’ “When I Met You in Tokyo.”

In a tie, Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual bagged the

In a tie, both Piolo Pascual (left, for “Mallari) and Dingdong Dantes (“Rewind”) won Best Actor in the inaugural Manila International Film Festival held at the Directors Guild of America in LA. Photos by Sthanlee B. Mirador

Historical drama “GomBurZa,” directed by Pepe Diokno (second from right) bagged Second Best Picture, Best Cinematography (Carlo Canlas Mendoza, right) and Audience Favorite Award, voted by the festival moviegoers who attended the screenings at the TLC Chinese Theatres from January 29 to February 1. At the inaugural Manila International Film Festival held at the Directors Guild of America in LA.

a mother inspiring and guiding her young son, especially through stories, in “Firefly” garnered Best Supporting Actress.

For his nuanced performance of God in the guise of a regular guy in “Rewind,” Pepe Herrera cinched Best Supporting Actor.

A jury of accomplished Filipino American professionals voted on the 10 awards – Marie Jamora, filmmaker (head of the jury), Mari Acevedo; CEO of Birns & Sawyer which will give a $200,000 co-producing package to “Firefly,” the Best Picture winner; Leah Anova, cinematographer; Reggie Lee, actor; David Maquiling, filmmaker and film school educator; and Sumalee Montano, actress and producer.

Veteran actress Hilda Koronel received MIFF’s first Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award, which was previously announced, in recognition of her outstanding work in films directed by Philippine cinema’s finest filmmakers, including the late great Lino Brocka. Actress Pinky De Leon presented the award, named after the late pioneering community leader Manibog, to Koronel.

MIFF presented Trailblazer Awards to Filipino American actor Mark Dacascos; Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., the Philippines’ Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; and Romando “Don” Artes, overall chairman of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

Rochelle Ona, MMFF executive “Becky and Badette” was honored with the Special Jury Prize for its LGBTQIA cultural director, received MIFF’s award sensitivity and awareness, effectively combining these themes with humanity and humor. The of recognition. film’s actress Eugene Domingo and producer Perci Intalan accepted the award at the inaugural The hosts, presenters Manila International Film Festival held at the Directors Guild of America in LA. and performers included Best Actor prize. Dantes was honored for essaying a husband hoping for a second chance and redemption in ABS-CBN Film Productions and APT Entertainment, Inc.’s “Rewind.”

Pascual triumphed in his delineation of three different characters, including Father Severino Mallari, a 19th-century Filipino priest who was charged with murdering 57 people.

Alessandra De Rossi’s take of

Kaladkaren, Eisel Serrano, Mark Dacascos, Janella Salvador, Piolo Pascual, Alden Richards, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes, Dessa, Janice Javier, Troy Laureta, Lisa Lew, Winston Emano, Janet Nepales and Ruben Nepales The 10 films that debuted in America at the MIFF were entries in last December’s MMFF, the most successful, box office-wise, in MMFF’s almost half a century of existence.

At the MIFF screenings in Hollywood, many of these movies were shown to sold-out or packed theaters: Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang; Lemuel C. Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip” (Christian Bables); Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story)” (Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards); Zig Dulay’s “Firefly” (Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell); Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa” (Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan); King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon” (Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay); Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari” (Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador); Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko” (Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa); Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind” (Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes); and Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo” (Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon).

Other talents who flew from Manila to introduce their films, participate in after-screening Q and As and informative and fruitful panels conducted throughout the five-day festival

Fantasy drama “Firefly “ won four awards – Best Picture, Best Director (Zig Dulay), Best Supporting Actress (Alessandra De Rossi) and Best Screenplay (Angeli Atienza) in the inaugural Manila International Film Festival held at the Directors Guild of America in LA.

were John Arcilla, the first Filipino actor to win the Volpi Cup for best actor in the 2021 Venice Film Festival (for Erik Matti’s “On the Job: The Missing 8”), Cedrick Juan, Enchong Dee, Beauty Gonzalez, Ysabel Ortega, Christian Bables, Marvin Yap and Christopher de Leon.

Key figures from Manila included Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) Tirso Cruz III and Jose Javier Reyes, chairman and consultant, respectively; Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, actress and MMFF executive committee member; and Noel Ferrer, MMFF spokesperson. Metro Manila mayors, who were in Los Angeles for a study tour, also graced the gala.

MIFF, the first and biggest celebration of Philippine cinema in the U.S., highlighted by the largest gathering of Filipino and Filipino American stars and filmmakers, was a huge

undertaking organized by the LA-based MIFF founders – Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager.

Also on the MIFF team who went all out to make the historic festival happen are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer; and Winston Emano, consulting producer.

MIFF, hailed for championing and showcasing Filipino cinema in the United States and beyond, thanks its sponsors and volunteers for helping make that possible.

More information at www. manilainternationalfilmfest. com.

Kathryn as she enters her solo era: ‘Know when to walk away’

by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

KATHRYN Bernardo is excited to embark on her solo journey following her contract renewal with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, saying self-love and knowing “when to walk away” are some of the lessons she holds close to her heart.

Bernardo reflected on the lessons she had in the previous year during an interview with MJ Felipe on ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel, following her contract signing with the network.

“Love yourself. Know when to walk away, know when to stay. Dapat alam mo ‘yung value mo (You must know your own value),” said the actress.

She also recalled how ABSCBN COO Cory Vidanes and ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak always reminded her to be kind.

“Ito ‘yung greatest lesson nina Tita Cory and CLK: You can never go wrong with kindness and na-prove ko ‘yun sa lahat ng nangyaring ito. Walang masama kung maging mabuti ka. If you do

something good, babalik sa’yo ‘yun. If you do something bad, babalik sa’yo ‘yun. Nasa sa’yo anong gagawin mo,” she said, referring to the ABS-CBN execs using their nicknames.

(This is the greatest lesson I’ve learned from Tita Cory and CLK: You can never go wrong with kindness. I proved that with everything that happened.

There’s nothing wrong with being kind. If you do something good, the good comes back to you. If you do something bad, the bad comes back to you.

What you do is up to you.)

The actress also expressed her excitement about “focusing on [herself] and what [she] wants” despite the adjustments coming her way.

“I guess may konting adjustments. But it’s a good kind of change. Ngayon ko lang na-feel na it’s so empowering as a woman and ang sarap sa pakiramdam na alam ko nang hawak ko na ang buhay ko at ang sarili ko,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about [myself]. [I can] do what makes [me] happy.”

(I guess there are a few adjustments. But it’s a good

kind of change. I feel that it’s so empowering as a woman and it feels so good that I have control of my life and myself. At the end of the day, it’s all about myself. I can do what makes me happy.)

‘I’m at peace’ During the interview, Bernardo admitted that she wants to “prioritize [herself] this year and that she’s looking forward to the things she wants to do not only in showbiz but also in her personal life.

The actress last November announced her breakup from Daniel Padilla, her boyfriend of 11 years, amid allegations of infidelity against the actor.

“I want to prioritize myself in general. I want to do the things I haven’t done before. I want to continue doing things I [enjoy],” she said. “If a woman is happy and contented, hindi mo na kailangang i-explain ang sarili mo. It just radiates and shows and maybe ‘yun ang nakikita ng mga tao… I’m at peace.”

“I’m gonna be okay… Ako ‘yung klaseng tao na ayaw kong hindi ko hawak ang buhay ko. Ayaw ko ng nag-dictate

sa’kin,” she further added.

(I want to prioritize myself in general. I want to do the things I haven’t done before. I want to continue doing things I enjoy. If a woman is happy and contented, you don’t have to explain yourself. It just radiates and shows and maybe that’s what people see in you. I’m at peace. I’m gonna be okay. I’m the type of person who hates it when I don’t have control of my life. I don’t want people to dictate to me.)

In terms of her career, Bernardo said she’s “really open” to work with anyone as it allows her to grow. “I’m really open to working with different leading men or different women na alam kong may matutunan pa ako (I will learn something from them).”

“I feel na ang dami kong opportunities and gusto ko lang i-open ang doors ko sa lahat ng opportunities na ‘yun (I feel like I have more opportunities now and I want to open my doors to those opportunities),” she continued.

Bernardo, who marked her 20th year in showbiz, reaffirmed her dedication to

Kathryn Bernardo during her contract signing with ABS-CBN and Star Magic.

Photo from Instagram/@bernardokath

Star Magic in a grand contract signing event on Feb. 2.

She also admitted that she received many offers from

other networks and talent agencies, however, she is firm that she will remain with ABSCBN and Star Magic.

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Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024

9

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell surprises kids at Barbershop Books kickoff event LAS VEGAS – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made a surprise appearance at an event where members of the NFL Legends Community, local barbers and 150 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs joined the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District in launching the Barbershop Books literacy program.

Activities included storytime with NFL Legends, Microsoft’s Minecraft Activation with Surface Tablets and crafts, Play60 Skills and Drills activities on the outdoor plaza, and FREE haircuts for children from participating partner barbershops. Plus each child received an NFL swag bag and a free book. The event took place at the Clark County Library.

Barbershop Books encourages area youth to discover the joy of reading through the safe, welcoming space of their neighborhood barbershops. The nationwide program was founded by former elementary school teacher Alvin Irby, who has been named one of CNN’s Top 25 Heroes of 2023 for his work in literacy.The program is part of the NFL Inspire Change social justice initiative, which is collaborating with Barbershop Books and the Library District with support from Microsoft.

Barbershop Books works with community partners across the country, like the Library District, to provide access to fun books and positive reading experiences

through neighborhood barbershops in underserved communities nationwide.

NFL funding will help Barbershop Books and the Library District recruit 10 barbershop partners to launch the program in the Las Vegas region, toward the goal of inspiring children to read while they're waiting for a haircut or while they're sitting in the barber chair.

Microsoft is contributing $100,000 in hardware and software to the Library District, as well as providing Minecraft Education Edition software and professional staff development, to enable the Library District to incorporate Minecraft in its digital literacy programming.

Kids with NFL Legends

Photos by Steve Spatafore/Library District

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson and Stephen Jackson, member of Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomes kids

Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson with kids

NFL Legends read to kids

Barbershop Books Founder Alvin Irby

Barbershop Books Founder Alvin Irby

Roger Goodell

10

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS MY column titled “Aspirin, the Wonder Drug” came out in 2002 when this common household item was on the spotlight for its new role in staving off heart attack, medically termed Acute Myocardial Infarction (the killer, Acute MI), blood clots, and stroke.

In 1962, a year after I graduated from medical school, my 46-year-old father succumbed to a heart attack, and at that time, the medical community did not even know that aspirin was useful in lowering the risk of Acute MI and that taking aspirin immediately when chest pains developed was a prudent measure on the way to the emergency room. Today, these are all “common knowledge,” especially in this wonderful age of the internet and cyberinformation, where Dr. Google is on-call 24/7.

Studies suggest aspirin reduces the recurrence rate for cancers, or even prevent cancer. For decades, this popular cheap pill has been used, not only as antipyretic (against fever), analgesic (for pain), and anti-inflammatory (against arthritis), but also to prevent inflammation in the veins in the pelvis and legs (phlebitis) and resultant blood clots in the legs (thrombophlebitis), which could travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) and cause death.

What is aspirin?

Aspirin (medically known as acetylsalicylic acid) is a common household medication for pain (analgesic), fever (antipyretic), and inflammation (anti-inflammatory).

This “simple” and inexpensive drug is so much underrated and practically taken for granted. Aspirin is really a versatile drug, with a lot of good uses, much more than the lay public realizes.

How was aspirin discovered?

In 1827, Leroux of France first came upon salicin, an active ingredient in the willow bark, and in 1838, Piria produced salicylic acid from salicin. In 1897 Hoffman, a German chemist, was able to modify salicylic acid into acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin). In 1899, Dreser introduced aspirin (heroin, codeine) into medicine. All three drugs have been in popular use since then, with more than 40 tons (100 million tablets) of aspirin produced annually worldwide, 40 million pounds in the United States alone, about 300 tablets per man, woman and child per year. The enteric-coated form is preferred to minimize gastric irritation. The 81-mg mini-dose coated tablets

Aspirin: Safe? are the most popular, taken once daily by millions in the U.S. How is aspirin versatile?

Besides being used as an analgesic for pain of various causes (headaches, body aches, arthritis, dysmenorrhea, neuralgia, gout, etc.), and for febrile states, aspirin is also useful in the treatment of rheumatic disease, and as an anti-platelet (to thin the blood and prevent blood clots) in coronary (heart) artery and in the deep veins in the legs and pelvis, as we stated above. Aspirin also appears to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 20% and also lowers the risk for colorectal cancer. Many physicians themselves and patients today take low-dose aspirin (baby aspirin or 81 mg.) daily to reduce the chances of getting a heart attack and stroke by its anti-platelet (blood thinning) action by blocking the production of a prostaglandin called thromboxane.

It is believed the drug produces analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of pain-producing chemicals called prostaglandins.

Are there other uses for aspirin?

Aspirin has also been used with success in the treatment of children with Bartter’s Syndrome, and also in enhancing the closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus, an abnormal connection between the aorta (main artery connected to the heart) and the pulmonary artery (to the lungs) in the newborn. There are also studies that suggest regular aspirin use increases the chances of conception and a successful pregnancy, among those women who have had dilemma in getting pregnant or having miscarriages or stillbirths.

How does aspirin work?

Aspirin, as we stated earlier, thins the blood by preventing platelet aggregation. Platelets are blood components that play a role in blood thickening or clot formation. When they aggregate (clump together) blood thickens and clots form. Clots tend to clog arteries and veins. When arteries to the heart (coronary) get severely blocked by clots, a heart attack occurs, and when this clogging happens to the arteries to the brain, stroke happens. As simple as aspirin, this wonder drug plays a very vital role in these conditions, together with a change in lifestyle (no smoking, low carb/cholesterol diet, regular exercises, etc.) to maintain a thinner blood condition.

Is aspirin safe for children?

Pediatricians all over the world have, for almost 5 decades, discontinued prescribing aspirin for children for pain and fever, because aspirin has been implicated in the occurrence of Reye’s Syndrome in

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children following a viral (upper respiratory or gastrointestinal) infection, which syndrome could be fatal. For fever or pain, physicians now prefer to prescribe acetaminophen (like Tylenol), but for some specific illnesses (like Kawasaki Disease, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.) aspirin is still being used effectively by pediatricians.

What are the side-effects of aspirin?

Besides Reye’s Syndrome in children, allergy (especially those with asthma), life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding, long-term intake of aspirin also increases the risk for the development of “age-related” macular degeneration, the major cause of blindness in older adults. Taking aspirin also raises the bleeding risk for those on blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran, apixaban, and on food supplements like evening primrose oil and fish oil.

Minor side-effects include headache (believe it or not), bruising, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

In spite of all this, the new guidelines issued by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) “recommend daily low-dose aspirin for heart attack and stroke prevention for individuals aged 50-59 who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease.”

Before embarking on aspirin therapy, or on any other regimen, consult your attending physician.

board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life.

Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom and other personalities (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

THE weekend edition of USA Today on Friday, February 2-4, 2024, advertised the book “Where is My America?”, authored by Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a retired cardiac surgeon and columnist of this paper, as “A book that will challenge your patriotism, inspire your mind, and warm your heart.”

The 211-page book, which is available on amazon.com, is a critical commentary on the “sad, confused, and chaotic state of the United States today, a disaster-inthe-making” as a war in the Middle East looms, with a real threat of a potential nuclear crisis.

An excerpt from the book: “Those who hate America, all the thankless ingrates, shameless parasites, and woke vilipenders, should leave our gracious shores, our noble land, and with them take the virus of massive insanity, the pandemic of anger, hatred, and inhumanity.”

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Dominic Roque defends ex-fiance Bea Alonzo

by Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

DOMINIC Roque defended his former fiancé, Bea Alonzo, against the negative comments since the announcement of their breakup.

"Bea's a beautiful person inside and out... no hate/bashing/negative things please..." Roque wrote as he re-shared an old video greeting for Alonzo on his Facebook page, @DominicRoque2020.

It's also the first time that Roque made a statement of any kind since TV host Boy Abunda Dominic Roque defends his ex-fiancee Bea Alonzo revealed on February 6 that the against negative comments about their break up.

Photo from Instagram/@dominicroque couple split and that Alonzo has returned the engagement ring to understand each other." to Roque.

But, Abunda said, "they're Abunda cited "good sources" going through a rough patch." who said that Bea and Dominic Since then, netizens have been were "talking to each other, trying posting speculations about the

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real reason behind the breakup — from alleged disagreement on prenup agreement to supposedly a flaw on the actress due to her past unsuccessful relationships.

Friends have defended Alonzo, including Abunda himself who reminded people, "Yes, you and I have the right to express our opinions. Yes, we have freedom of speech, but I urge for compassion.

As far as I'm aware, to be frank, Bea is keen on salvaging this relationship. Bea wants it to succeed," Alonzo has yet to post a statement. As of posting time, both Roque and Alonzo have not yet deleted their couple photos and still follow each other's Instagram accounts — the usual gauge followers use to confirm if a couple has parted ways.

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Liza Soberano takes inspiration from Dolly de Leon to reach Hollywood dream

Liza Soberano revealed that one of her inspirations in making a name for herself in Hollywood was none other than award-winning actress Dolly de Leon, who also “pushed the envelope” in representing the Philippines in the global film industry as well.

Sitting down for a brief Q&A with Universal Pictures Philippines, the local distributor for her movie, “Lisa Frankenstein,” Soberano showed her fangirl side as she answered a question from de Leon, who wondered how “exciting it was [for her] to break into Hollywood.”

“Hi, Ms. Dolly. Oh my gosh, thank you so much for saying yes to this and for asking that question,” she said with a big smile. “The feeling that I got after the trailer of ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ dropped is, para akong nabunutan ng tinik (I felt a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders).”

Soberano said that even though the “past two years” have been the “most difficult” times in her career, seeing the trailer of her upcoming film made her hardships “worth it.”

She further credited de Leon as one of her “inspirations” in establishing herself as a budding Hollywood star.

“It felt like the past two years — that was the most difficult, i would say, career-wise for me — suddenly

Liza Soberano, Dolly de Leon

Photos from Instagram/@lizasoberano, @dollyedeleon

became worth it. I was inspired by people like you who are constantly pushing the envelop, striving for greatness in everything that you do, and I wanted that for myself too. Here we are now, Ms. Dolly,” she said.

The actress expressed her pride as she considered herself and de Leon to be part of a community that represents the country in the international film industry.

“I’m proud that both of us are part of a large community of Filipino people who are trying to represent our country and make our fellow Filipinos proud,” she said.

In the video, Soberano also entertained questions from her

longtime boyfriend Enrique Gil, actor-talent manager James Reid, and some of her fans.

Soberano is currently in the United States to promote her new movie “Lisa Frankenstein,” which marks her Hollywood debut. The Zelda Williams-helmed film also stars Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse.

The actress’ presence in the horror comedy film, which hits Philippine theaters on Feb. 7, earned rave reviews from directorproducer Joe Russo. Her character Taffy was also noted by her co-stars and Williams as one of the favorites in the story. (Hannah Mallorca/ Inquirer.net)

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024

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FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678