021222 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 12 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

LA County reminds residents to Pres. Biden formally stay safe ahead of Super Bowl nominates next US DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

envoy to Philippines

by AJPRESS

IT’S a big weekend for Los Angeles as the LA Rams UNITED States President Joe Biden has formalized the nomination of longtime will vie to win on their home field as Super Bowl LVI diplomat MaryKay Loss Carlson as next U.S. descends at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 13.

But ahead of the game, county officials are ambassador to the Philippines.

In a statement on Thursday, February 10 (Friday in Manila), the White House said Carlson’s nomination was among those that have been sent to the U.S. Senate.

If confirmed, Carlson will be Washington’s next envoy to Manila, replacing Sung Kim who ended his tour of duty in 2020.

Carlson is a career member of the U.S. senior foreign service and currently serves as the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A foreign service officer since 1985, she previously worked as deputy chief of mission in New Delhi, India and served at the U.S. diplomatic missions in China, Ukraine, Hong

reminding residents and visitors to follow coronavirus safety measures.

The LA County Public Health has advised residents to take several steps in being safe as they watch the big game, whether attending in-person, gathering with friends and family or watching at a local

DOT: More than 1,000 foreign tourists visit PH amid eased travel curbs

by JOHN

ERIC MENDOZA Inquirer.net

 PAGE A4

What are taxpayers spending for those ‘free’ COVID tests? The government won’t say THE four free COVID-19 rapid tests President Joe Biden promised in December for every American household have begun arriving in earnest in mailboxes and on doorsteps.

A surge of COVID infections spurred wide demand for over-the-counter antigen tests during the holidays: Clinics were overwhelmed with people seeking tests and the few off-theshelf brands were nearly impossible to find at pharmacies or even online via Amazon. Prices for some test kits cracked the hundred-dollar mark. And the government vowed that its purchase could provide the tests faster and cheaper so people, by simply swabbing at home, could quell the spread of COVID. The Defense Department organized the bidding and announced in mid-January, after a limited competitive process, that three companies were awarded contracts totaling nearly $2 billion for 380 million over-thecounter antigen tests, all to be delivered by March 14.  PAGE A3

entertainment venue like a bar or restaurant.

The best way to stay protected from severe illness from COVID-19 before the game is to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as eligible, officials are reminding.  PAGE A2

LOVE IS IN THE AIR. Plastic flowers and stuffed toys are being sold on a sidewalk along Scout Ybardolaza Street in Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City on Friday, February 11. The vendor said he will start selling fresh flowers on Saturday when demand increases for Valentine’s Day gifts.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

BORACAY — More than 1,000 foreign tourists have visited the Philippines since the country opened its doors to international tourism amid relaxed travel rules, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said.

Puyat said the first day of reopening on Thursday, February 10, saw 421 foreign tourists visiting the country and 685 tourists so far visiting on Friday, February 11.

“We were shocked because we thought we will only have single digits [of tourists],” Puyat told reporters in an ambush interview here.

The Philippines allowed the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from 157 countries that have visa-free arrangements with the country starting February 10. 

Filipino American-owned bakery Creme Caramel LA to feature at Super Bowl tailgate party Super Bowl weekend to generate half a billion dollars

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AS fans prepare for the upcoming Super Bowl LVI festivities on Sunday, Feb. 13, the entire Los Angeles County community is well aware of the significance of this year’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams.

It’s not uncommon for a host city’s team to make it to the Super Bowl, but because of the Rams’ history in the city of LA — which had gone without a football team for

decades — Sunday’s game will be all the more meaningful.

But the Super Bowl is more than just a football game — it’s also a platform for the city’s business owners to capitalize and benefit from the nation’s biggest sporting event of the year.

When the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee (LASBHC) and the National Football League (NFL) began scouting for businesses to feature at the Super Bowl, Apollo Quiboloy, founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and media mogul, is wanted in they specifically sought out businesses the United States for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion including that of children.

Philstar.com photo  PAGE A5

US: Evidence proves Presidential bets unfazed as Marcos Quiboloy’s offenses hurdles 3 more blocks to candidacy

MANILA — Fellow presidential aspirants of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., current survey frontrunner, said they are unfazed that he has cleared three more legal challenges in his bid for Malacañang.

The campaign of his archrival Vice President Leni Robredo has repeatedly said they would rather beat Marcos in the elections.

“The disqualification was never a consideration. From the time she announced her candidacy, she always intended to achieve victory in the elections,” Robredo spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.

In a decision promulgated Thursday, Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Philstar.com file photo February 10, the Commission on Elections

Former First Division unanimously junked the three consolidated disqualification petitions against Marcos due to lack of merit.

The ruling came shortly after the retirement from the commission of Rowena Guanzon, who said she would have voted to disqualify Marcos over his conviction for failing to file his tax returns.

The petitioners raised Marcos’ conviction for failure to file Income Tax Returns for four years in questioning whether he is perpetually disqualified from holding public office; whether he was convicted of a crime of moral turpitude; and whether he is perpetually disqualified  PAGE A3

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — The United States Department of Justice pursued prosecution of the case against Apollo Quiboloy as evidence and facts supported violations of U.S. criminal law, the agency said.

Nicole Navas Oxman, senior communications advisor for International Law Enforcement spokesperson, noted that the “Federal Bureau of Investigation’s release of a wanted poster for fugitive

Apollo Quiboloy follows a multiyear law enforcement effort.”

“The U.S. Department of Justice pursues prosecutions when the evidence and the facts support violations of U.S. criminal law and cause us to seek an indictment from the grand jury and the grand jury returns an indictment,” Oxman said in an email to The Star.

The wanted poster for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder, she said, is unrelated to the Philippines’ ongoing presidential election campaign.

Oxman declined to comment  PAGE A4

A2 FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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FILIPINO FAVORITE. Three roasted pigs are ready for dispatch to customers in “lechon” capital La Loma district in Quezon City on Friday, February 11. Roast pigs are often the centerpiece during Filipino gatherings.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

LA County reminds residents to...

PAGE A1 Smaller gatherings are recommended, as mixing with different households increases the risk of infection, Public Health said. People should also gather outdoors, if possible, and if it can be done safely, move the TV outside or plan to serve food and drinks outdoors. If having an outdoor Super Bowl gathering is not possible, it is recommended that organizers improve airflow, including using fans or portable air cleaners, opening windows, or running the air conditioning.

“As we welcome NFL fans to beautiful LA, we remind everyone to be cautious and continue sensible safety protections to help prevent exposure and transmission. Over the past two years, we’ve done a good job of taking care of each other and using the tools available to reduce spread of this deadly virus. We can do the same for Super Bowl LVI. Whether you are gathering at the stadium, a bar or restaurant, or at someone’s home, let’s rely on each other to stay safe by taking those small steps that make a big difference. Wear a high-quality mask, get tested before gathering, gather outdoors whenever possible, and get boosted or vaccinated this week if eligible,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of

Public Health, said.

Residents should also consider getting a rapid test as close to the game as possible, especially when gathering indoors with people who are unvaccinated and/or are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Rapid tests, including over the counter (OTC) self-tests, provide a result in 15-30 minutes. Residents can also find a testing site in LA County at https://covid19. lacounty.gov/testing/.

Wearing an upgraded mask (including respirators such as an N95, KN95, or KF94) also adds a stronger layer of protection, especially if gathering indoors or in crowded spaces with unvaccinated guests, individuals with unknown vaccine status, or individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness.

According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, wearing a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with significantly lower odds of a positive COVID-19 test result compared with never wearing a face mask or respirator in these settings. Additionally, the CDC found that wearing N95/KN95 respirators provided the best protection and was associated with 83% lower odds of a positive test

result compared with not wearing any face mask or respirator. The next best protection was provided by a surgical mask with a 66% lower odds of a positive test result compared with not wearing a mask.

These findings show that consistently wearing a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings is associated with a reduced risk of infection. This is a particularly important layer of protection to use when there are large numbers of breakthrough cases, as we’ve seen with the Omicron variant and during times of high transmission.

If anyone is ill or has a positive COVID-19 test, they should stay home and not attend the game or gathering. Instead, they can join in virtually, or watch the game at home to keep your family and friends safe and healthy, Public Health said.

Those attending events at SoFi stadium or at the Super Bowl Experience at the Convention Center will need to wear a mask and verify their vaccination status or provide a negative test result prior to entering these events.

To date, LA County has reported a total of 2,746,866 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. The current positivity rate is 4.7%. 

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DATELINE USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 A3

What are taxpayers spending for those...

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The much-touted purchase was the latest tranche in trillions of dollars in public spending in response to the pandemic. How much is the government paying for each test? And what were the terms of the agreements? The government won’t yet say, even though, by law, this information should be available.

The cost — and, more importantly, the rate per test — would help demonstrate who is getting the best deal for protection in these COVID times: the consumer or the corporation.

The reluctance to share pricing details flies against basic notions of cost control and accountability — and that’s just quoting from a long-held position by the Justice Department. “The prices in government contracts should not be secret,” according to its website.

“Government contracts are ‘public contracts,’ and the taxpayers have a right to know — with very few exceptions —what the government has agreed to buy and at what prices.”

Americans often pay far more than people in other developed countries for tests, drugs, and medical devices, and the pandemic has accentuated those differences. Governments abroad had been buying rapid tests in bulk for over a year, and many national health services distributed free or low-cost tests, for less than $1, to their residents. In the U.S., retailers, companies, schools, hospitals, and everyday shoppers were competing months later to buy swabs in hopes of returning to normalcy. The retail price climbed as high as $25 for a single test in some pharmacies; tales abounded of corporate and wealthy customers hoarding tests for work or holiday use.

U.S. contracts valued at $10,000 or more are required to be routinely posted to sam.gov or the Federal Procurement Data System, known as fpds.gov. But none of the three new rapid-test contracts — awarded to iHealth Labs of California, Roche Diagnostics Corp. of Indiana, and Abbott Rapid Dx North America of Florida — could be found in the online databases.

“We don’t know why that data isn’t showing up in the FPDS database, as it should be visible and searchable. Army Contracting Command is looking into the issue and working to remedy it as quickly as possible,” spokesperson Jessica R. Maxwell said in an email in January. This month, she declined to provide more information about the contracts and referred all questions about the pricing to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Only vague information is available in DOD press releases, dated Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, that note the overall awards in the fixedprice contracts: iHealth Labs for $1.275 billion, Roche Diagnostics for $340 million, and Abbott Rapid Dx North America for $306 million. There were no specifics regarding contract standards or terms of completion — including how many test kits would be provided by each company.

Without knowing the price or how many tests each company agreed to supply, it is impossible to determine whether the U.S. government overpaid or to calculate if more tests could have been provided faster. As variants of the deadly virus continue to emerge, it is unclear if the government will re-up these contracts and under what terms.

To put forth a bid to fill an “urgent” national need, companies had to provide answers to the Defense Department by Dec. 24 about their capacity to scale up manufacturing to produce 500,000 or more tests a week in three months. Among the questions: Had a company already been granted “emergency use authorization” for the test kits, and did a company have “fully manufactured unallocated stock on hand to ship within two weeks of a contract award?”

Based on responses from about 60 companies, the Defense Department said it sent “requests for proposals” directly to the manufacturers. Twenty companies bid.

Defense would not release the names of interested companies.

Emails to the three chosen companies to query the terms of the contracts went unanswered by iHealth and Abbott. Roche spokesperson Michelle A. Johnson responded in an email that she was “unable to provide that information to you. We do not share customer contract information.” The customers — listed as the Defense Department and the Army command — did not provide answers about the contract terms.

The Army’s Contracting Command, based in Alabama, initially could not be reached to answer questions. An email address on the command’s website for media bounced back as out-of-date.

Six phone numbers listed on the command’s website for public information were unmanned in late January. At the command’s

protocol office, the person who answered a phone in late January referred all queries to the Aberdeen Proving Ground offices in Maryland.

“Unfortunately, there is an issue with voicemail,” said Ralph Williams, a representative of the protocol office. “Voicemail is down. I mean, voicemail has been down for months.”

Asked about the bounced email traffic, Williams said he was surprised the address — acc.pao@ us.army.mil — was listed on the ACC website. “I’m not sure when that email was last used,” he said.

“The army stopped using the email address about eight years ago.”

Williams provided a direct phone number for Aberdeen and apologized for the confusion.

“People should have their phone forwarded,” he said. “But I can only do what I can do.”

Joyce Cobb, an Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground spokesperson, reached via phone and email, referred all questions to Defense personnel.

Maxwell referred more detailed questions about the contracts to HHS, and emails to HHS went unanswered.

Both the Defense and Army spokespeople, after several emails, said the contracts would have to be reviewed, citing the Freedom of Information Act that protects privacy, before release.

Neither explained how knowing the price per test could be a privacy or proprietary concern.

A Defense spokesperson added that the contracts had been fast-tracked “due to the urgent and compelling need” for antigen tests. Defense obtained “approval from the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, & Technology to contract without providing for full and open competition.”

KHN separately searched for the contracts on the sam.gov website during a phone call with a government representative who

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants who wish to serve the unexpired term of the elected SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF The Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement services that aim to protect everyone’s right to life and security of person. This includes approximately one million diverse county residents spanning the nearly 4,500 square miles of service area, nine contract cities, the Grossmont/ Cuyamaca Community College District, seven court facilities throughout the county, and 18 Indian reservations, in addition to the approximately 5,000 individuals that are in custody per day. Ensuring public safety requires positive engagement, proactive involvement, and genuine connection with the diverse communities and residents being served.

The person appointed by the Board will be expected to complete the current term that expires in January 2023.

Applicants for this position must: -be a registered voter of the County of San Diego; -be a citizen of the United States and the State of California; -meet the requirements of Government Code Section 24004.3 pertaining to criteria to hold office as a Sheriff; -not have been convicted of any crime disqualifying the applicant from holding elected office; -complete the application process; and -be able to formally assume the position not later than twenty (20) business days following the selection by the Board of Supervisors.

Finalists will be subject to a background check and the selected candidate will be required to pass the County’s standard medical exam and full background investigation.

All candidates submit their completed application form in person at: San Diego County Clerk of the Board of Supervisors County Administration Center 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402 San Diego, California, 92101 Completed applications must be submitted in person to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by Friday, March 4, 2022, at 5 p.m. www.sandiegocob.com 2/12/22 CNS-3555235# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

assisted with the search. During an extended phone session, the representative called in a supervisor. Neither could locate the contracts, which are updated twice a week. The representative wondered whether the numbers listed in the Defense press release were wrong and offered: “You might want to double-check that.”

On Jan. 25, Defense spokesperson Maxwell, in an email, said that the Army Contracting Command “is working to prepare these contracts for public release and part of that includes proactively readying the contracts for the FOIA redaction.” Three days later, she sent an email stating that “under the limited competition authority … DOD was not required to make the Request for Proposal (RFP) available to the public.”

Maxwell did not respond when KHN pointed out that the contracting provision she cited does not prohibit the release of such information. In a Feb. 2 email, Maxwell said “we have nothing further to provide at this time.”

On sam.gov, the COVID spreadsheets include a disclaimer that “due to the tempo of operations” in the pandemic response, the database shows only “a portion of the work that has been awarded to date.”

In other words, it could not vouch for the timeliness or accuracy of its own database. (Christine Spolar/Kaiser Health News) This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. 

BUY AND SELL. A business trader haggles for the price of newly harvested onions sold per sack along Aurora Road in Bongabong, Nueva Ecija on Thursday, February 10. He said he will sell the onions in Manila.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Presidential bets unfazed as Marcos...

PAGE A1

because he was convicted of an offense that carried a penalty of more than 18 months.

The election commissioners said: “We recognize that the resolution of the instant case is of paramount importance, considering that the 2022 [national and local elections] is fast approaching.”

“However, the deprivation of one’s right to be voted for in any election should not be exercised whimsically and capriciously, lest we will be preventing qualified candidates from pursuing a position in public office,” the resolution released Thursday read.

Marcos’ spokesperson, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, commended the members of the Comelec’s Former First Division, and called on petitioners “to stop spreading lies against [Marcos].”

Nothing changed Sen. Manny Pacquiao said he was not surprised by the Comelec’s vote to junk the petitions.

He maintained that this “has no effect in our campaign to convince our people that the Philippines needs a leader who will not cheat and steal and one who truly loves our people.”

“Whether he gets disqualified or not, nothing will change in our plan to fight for the

poor,” Pacquiao added in Filipino.

Petitioners seeking Marcos’ disqualification vowed that they will file a motion for reconsideration on the ruling.

A total of seven legal challenges against Marcos’ presidential bid was filed before the Comelec.

He has been cleared of six— including this latest consolidated disqualification suits that were junked—but two are currently on appeal.

Marcos is still facing a separate petition for disqualification, filed by an Ilocano group, pending before the Second Division. In this case, petitioners have filed their memorandum on January 17. (Philstar.com)

DATELINE USA

A4 FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

US: Evidence proves Quiboloy’s...

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on the extradition or a possible U.S. request for the provisional arrest of Quiboloy, President Duterte’s close friend and spiritual adviser.

“As a matter of policy, the U.S. Department of Justice generally does not comment on extraditionrelated matters until a defendant is in the United States,” she added.

The televangelist was indicted

Manila-born officer takes command of US Navy’s second oldest vessel

for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, NORFOLK, Virginia – A Mafraud and coercion; conspiracy, nila-born U.S. Navy officer is and bulk cash smuggling.  now in command of the service’s second oldest vessel Dynamic (AFDL 6), The 78-year-old Dynamic is the second oldest vessel in the cha – chair of the 2022 APEC Navy, behind USS Constitution.

Economic Leaders’ Meeting – A ceremony held Jan. 28 at said APEC delegates will begin Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintetheir first set of meetings next nance Center (MARMC) transweek to roll out the year’s agen- ferred command of the floating da. dry-dock to Lt. Cmdr. Alden Ar“The theme of APEC 2022 gante. is ‘Open. Connect. Balance.’

Argante, a native of Manila, Our priorities are to make relieved Lt. Cmdr. Gaston HatAPEC open to all opportunities, connect in all dimensions and balanced in all aspects,” he said.

“Thailand’s theme is driven by our vision to address the imbalances revealed by the pandemic and achieve growth through the integration of the Bio-Circular-Green model, three well-established economic development approaches, into the region’s economy,” added the Thai prime minister.

(Janvic Mateo/Philstar.com)

Pres. Biden formally nominates next US...

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Kong, Mozambique, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.

US to host APEC in 2023 Meanwhile, the White House also announced that the U.S will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2023.

“President Biden and Vice President (Kamala) Harris offered to host APEC next year because of our focus on expanding and deepening economic ties in the region – and we thank our fellow APEC economies for supporting the US offer to host,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

“It is a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration to serve as a strong, reliable partner to APEC economies and identify common ways to unleash eco-

nomic opportunity, prosperity and growth for us all,” she added.

Composed of 21 economies, including the Philippines, the APEC is an inter-governmental organization that seeks to promote free trade in the Asia-Pacific.

According to Psaki, U.S. officials are working to develop “an Indo-Pacific economic framework that will define our shared objectives around issues vital to our future, including trade facilitation, standards for the digital economy and technology, supply chain resiliency, decarbonization and clean energy, infrastructure and worker standards.”

New Zealand virtually hosted last year’s summit, while it will be held in Thailand this year.

In a separate statement, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-

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field Jr. of Wyoming County, West Virginia. Hatfield will continue his career as the Main Propulsion Assistant aboard the amphibious ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).

Argante enlisted in the Navy in June 1996 as a Gas Turbine Systems Technician Electrical (GSE). He advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 2004 and was selected to the Limited Officer Duty Officer Program in 2007.

He had been tapped for several engineering and project officer assignments prior to his new

command.

Dynamic has been in service 78 years, and it has been the only Navy-operated floating drydock in commission since 2011.

It can dock anti-mine, coastal patrol, landing crafts and similar sized service crafts.

Dynamic is ported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story where it provides docking services for MARMC’s ship repair mission in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and the fifth and sixth Fleet Area of Responsibilities. 

SFIO receives letter of interest from US EXIM Bank for up to $28.75-M in debt financing STARFLEET Innotech, Inc. has received a letter of interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), in support of SFIO’s real estate development projects in the Philippines.

In their letter, EXIM, the official export credit agency of the United States, expressed interest in extending financing of up to $28.75 million, towards SFIO’s medical and retirement resort in Montemaria, Batangas, just south of Metro Manila in the Philippines. Potential debt financing from EXIM would be eligible for a maximum repayment term of seven years.

This follows a series of partnerships and exploratory talks SFIO has spearheaded

towards non-dilutive debt financing for its various projects.

SFIO is currently engaged with a number of local banks in the Philippines to secure similar financing arrangements for their real estate developments, including a bayside, eco-friendly tech village in Batangas.

These projects play a crucial role in the global asset

management company’s strategy of collaborative innovation towards building better communities. Profits from these high-yield projects are intended to be reinvested into future growth, helping carry the group towards their plans to uplist from the US OTC Markets to the NASDAQ by 2024.

(Advertising Supplement)

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DATELINE USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 A5

Fil-Am family in Oakland wants police Filipino caregiver in New York fired for to re-open probe of gay son’s death taking post-COVID sick leave wins case A FILIPINO family in Oakland, California is demanding that San Francisco police re-open the investigation into the true cause of their adopted gay son’s death two years ago.

Jaxon Sales was found dead at the age of 20 in a San Francisco apartment on March 2, 2020. He reportedly had met a man on a dating app, and that there were drugs in his system. Jim Sales and Angie Aquino-Sales adopted Jaxon and his older brother from Korea when they were babies.

Now, their Change.

Org petition to re-open the investigation has amassed more than 40,000 signatures. State Senator Scott Wiener also wrote letter asking SFPD and the medical examiner “just to make sure this family knows exactly what happened.”

SFPD released a statement to ABC7 News reporter Dion Lim saying there were no signs of foul play. The Sales family, however, claims that SFPD and the medical examiner did not do enough to find the true cause of Jaxon’s death.

“We spent the first year trying to get reports,” Angie Sales told ABC7 News.

They also believe their son’s case was dismissed as an “accidental overdose” because of his sexual orientation. “Jaxon is Asian, he is gay. When I heard the medical examiner say (the drug) GHB… and the gay community uses

by CRISTINA

Inquirer.net

Jaxon Sales, 20, was found dead at the age of 20 in a San Francisco apartment on March 2, 2020.

Jim Sales and Angie Aquino-Sales adopted Jaxon (left) and his older brother from Korea when they were babies.

Photos courtesy of Sales family

GHB… it was very dismissive.”

Regardless of the outcome, the Sales family hopes their effort will

inspire other families of children in the LGBTQ community to have a voice. 

Filipino American-owned bakery Creme Caramel...

PAGE A1

in the greater LA area that are minority-, women-, queer-, and veteran-owned businesses from more than 30 different industries, according to a 2021 press release from LASBHC. Among the thousands of applications to the Super Bowl Business Connect program, only 150 businesses from the greater LA area were selected, including the beloved bakery Creme Caramel LA. The Filipino bakery based in Sherman Oaks is known for its decadent custards, leche flan, bread pudding, and other Filipino American-inspired desserts, and has been a pioneer in the Filipino food movement since opening up in 2010.

DC PASTOR

According to Creme Caramel LA owner Kristine de la Cruz, the business had applied and then was invited to be part of the SoFi Stadium VIP Tailgate Party, an exclusive tailgate celebration to be held before the game.

“It’s an invite-only event, but an exciting opportunity for us to be a part of the special day,” de la Cruz told the Asian Journal in an email. “We’re excited and honored to represent our culture through our food and share it on a national stage.”

Though de la Cruz said that they weren’t able to announce what they would be serving due to a non-disclosure agreement, she said that the Creme Caramel LA retail shop in Sherman

Oaks is expanding and will have new offerings.

Every year, the Super Bowl host city is expected to generate revenue due to the increased tourism, and according to city officials in Inglewood where SoFi Stadium is located, the massive event is expected to bring in $500 million to the region’s local businesses.

“The Super Bowl means millions of dollars in economic benefits for the city, bringing thousands of out-of-town visitors — and their credit cards and cash — to our local hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and retail businesses,” Inglewood Mayor James Butts said at a press conference this week. 

FOR four years, Antonio had been taking care of an elderly man with a long-term illness in New York. In April of 2020 — around the time COVID-19 was rapidly spreading in NYC – the Bataan-born caregiver caught the virus.

When he asked his employer for a sick leave to see a doctor, she did not give her permission.

She wanted Antonio to continue looking after her husband even though his caregiver had tested positive for the infection.

A year later in July 2021, Antonio was fired. The reason? He took a day off to see a doctor for regular checkup. The couple and he were supposed to travel to Florida, so he thought he might as well check in with a doctor about his post-Covid health because they would be gone for a while. He was, after all, almost 57 years old.

Antonio was fired for using his sick leave. In retaliation for filing a complaint with New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), his employer subjected him to harassing phone calls.

On Jan. 12, DCWP Commissioner Peter Hatch announced settlement agreements for two domestic workers to resolve violations of the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law: One was Antonio and the other a domestic worker of Caribbean origin. Antonio’s employer was required to pay $18,000 in restitution and $1,000 in civil penalties to recover legal and other costs.

“Since 2017, DCWP has received more than 128 complaints about paid safe and sick leave from paid care workers, which includes nannies, caregivers, house cleaners and home health aides,” Carmel Agnant, press secretary at DCWP, said in a statement to The FilAm. “DCWP has recovered nearly $3 million in restitution for paid care workers.”

DCWP’s Hatch noted how some domestic workers are unappreciated for providing support to families.

“Sadly, these invaluable workers often face exploitative working conditions and abuses. We are committed to ensuring these workers are treated fairly and will hold anyone — including private

households — accountable if they violate their workers’ rights.

I want to remind New Yorkers, if you hire a paid care worker, you are an employer in the eyes of the law.”

“It was difficult being abruptly and wrongfully fired for trying to seek help from a doctor,” said Antonio whose surname is being withheld for this report.

He said further that his employer specifically forbade him from taking a sick leave to see a doctor, because, “who’s going to take care of the patient?”

“I needed sick leave after catching COVID,” he said in an email interview with The FilAm. Antonio is now working for another family. As a caregiver with seven years’ experience, his job involves taking care of mainly elderly and sick patients who need assistance in their homes.

A private caregiver in NYC earns anywhere from $14 to $20-plus per hour depending on experience and assigned duties, such as lifting heavy or severely impaired patients.

The NYC Paid Sick Leave went into effect on April 2014, said Agnant, making it the largest jurisdiction in the country to enact a sick leave law. Under the law, according to the DCWP website, covered employees have the right to use safe and sick leave

for: • health, including the care and treatment of themselves or a family member; and • safety, including to seek assistance or take other safety measures if the employee or a family member may be the victim of any act or threat of domestic violence, unwanted sexual contact, stalking, or human trafficking.

“Many paid care workers, especially domestic workers fear retaliation and often are hesitant to file a complaint,” said Agnant.

“But our laws have strong retaliation provisions, and immigration status does not matter so we encourage them to come to us, which they can do anonymously if they wish.”

She said DCWP continues to educate workers — as well as employers and the public — about workplace protections.

“We partner with workers and worker organizations to ensure that workers know their rights and can advocate for them.”

Antonio has since recovered and is now fully vaccinated. He said his experience has helped him to understand that domestic workers have rights under the law.

“I am proud to have been able to receive justice,” he said. “The settlement has been helpful.” 

SOUTHERN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RAIL AUTHORITY RFQ NO. MTL2204402 RFP No. LI272-22 CLIP-E-2055 PANDROL TIME AND GALVANIZED ATTENDANCE SYSTEM The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking quotes for the replenishment of Clip-E-2055 Pandrol Galvanized. Bid documents may be obtained at https://metrolinktrains.com/doing-business (free registration). Electronic Bids are due at 2:00 p.m. (PT) on March 9, 2022.

For further information, contact Brian Jacob, Senior Contract Administrator, at (213) 452-0316 or jacobb@scrra.net.

2/12/22 CNS-3550779# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking proposals to for a new Time and Attendance System.

RFP documents may be obtained at https://metrolinktrains. com/doing-business (free registration). Electronic Proposals are due at 2:00 p.m. (PT) on March 4, 2022. For further information contact: Brian Jacob, Senior Contract Administrator at 213.452.0316 or email jacobb@scrra.net.

2/12/22 CNS-3552560# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

A6 FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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O PINION Flawed democracy

FEATURES

DEMOCRACY in this country has long been dysfunctional, with the institutions necessary to make the system work still needing strengthening 36 years after People Power toppled Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship.

So it’s no surprise that the country has been classified as a “flawed democracy” in the latest global index drawn up by the UK-based research group Economist Intelligence Unit.

In its Democracy Index 2021, the EIU ranked the Philippines 54th out of 167 countries.

It was a one-spot improvement for the Philippines from the previous year, from a score of 6.56 to the latest 6.62. Amid efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the EIU noted an “unprecedented withdrawal” of civil liberties worldwide, both in developed democracies and authoritarian regimes.

In Southeast Asia – a region not known for democratic ideals – the Philippines ranked ahead of Singapore, which placed 66th; Thailand, 72nd; Vietnam, 131st; Cambodia, 134th; Laos, 159th, and Myanmar, at 166th place just ahead of Afghanistan at the bottom, displacing North Korea.

But the Philippines still trailed Malaysia, which

placed 39th, as well as Timor Leste, 43rd, and Indonesia at 52nd.

Norway topped the global index, followed by the other “full democracies” New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark. The EIU noted that while Western democracies employed a technocratic approach to managing the COVID pandemic, weaker democracies and authoritarian regimes tended to resort to coercion.

A full democracy, apart from having civil liberties and political freedoms respected, is also characterized by effective governance and a political culture that works for the greater good rather than the interests of a tiny ruling class.

Nearly four decades since the Philippines emerged from a dictatorship, democracy remains fragile, with the institutions necessary for its effective functioning still needing strengthening. The pandemic has complicated the push for long-needed reforms. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Radical Love on Valentine’s Day

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LOVE is in the air as we celebrate our romantic expression of love on Valentine’s Day. Roses, chocolates, champagne, dinner dates, walks by the beach, stargazing together. All the “kilig” moments lovers shared together on this day of the hearts.

But Valentine’s Day isn’t just about having dreamy eyes and feeling your heart beat faster or that adrenaline rush when you are with the man or woman you desire, especially during the honeymoon phase of young love.

Love, true love, goes beyond these.

We cannot profess true love unless we are willing to love radically. And this love goes beyond romantic love. This truth transcends all of our human relationships.

IT IS RADICAL TO LOVE. “Radikal ang magmahal.”

You must have heard that too from Vice President and now presidential candidate Leni Robredo.

Robredo urged us all to remember and to remind others about the TRUTH — that we Filipinos are not each other’s enemies, and that we are all in the same journey. We have the same dreams. And there is only one way for all of us Filipinos to realize our collective aspiration: decent, humane and loving governance.

“Ipaalala ang katotohanan:

Philstar.com photo

Hindi natin kalaban ang ating kapwa. Iisa ang pinagdadaanan natin. Iisa ang mga pangarap natin. At iisa ang landas tungo rito: matino, makatao, at mapagmahal na pamamahala.”

Leni challenged her supporters that in this very toxic political climate, it is time to begin the healing process. Be the first one to reach out to those we have differences with because of our political convictions, and to share our stance calmly, with respect and humility.

“Panahon na. Tayo na ang magsimula. Lumapit sa mga nakaalitan. Kung may makita sa social media na hindi naaayon sa mga pinaniniwalaan natin, magpaliwanag nang mahinahon at may respeto. Magpakumbaba.”

Robredo added: “Ask how they are doing. Talk to them.

Heal our wounds. Let us open the path to love.”

“Mangumusta.

Makipagusap. Hilumin ang mga sugat.

Buksan muli ang landas ng pagmamahal.”

Leni acknowledged that this is not going to be easy, but pointed out that this is exactly what we mean when we say it is radical to love. We will choose what is right, we go out of our comfort zone and how we used to do things. This is the true spirit of our fight.

“Hindi ito magiging madali, pero ito mismo ang ibig sabihin kapag sinabi nating radikal ang magmahal. Pipiliin natin ang tama; lalabas tayo sa nakasanayan. Ito mismo ang diwa ng paglaban.”

Merriam Webster Dictionary says the essential meaning of

the word – Radical: Very new and different from what is traditional or ordinary.”

So what is radical love? The truth is, it is easy to love those who love us, those who agree with us, those who are nice to us. But is that all there is to love? These are all self-seeking and the needs of the self are insatiable. Will this kind of love bring the healing, peace, and transformation we all wish and pray for?

Aren’t we all being called to give radical love – going above and beyond our own selfish needs for the greater good?

I am reminded of the famous words of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

That is radical love.

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis says: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Current Vice President and May 2022 national elections presidential bet Leni Robredo at a Naga rally.

Philstar.com photo by Jazmin Tabuena

Amen.”

That is radical love.

And then there is 1Corinthians 13 verses 4-7 in the Bible that says: “Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures

through every circumstance.”

That is radical love.

This Valentine’s Day, may we reflect on how radical love can bring healing, peace and transformation in our own selves, in our marriage, in our family, in the workplace, in the community, in our country, in our world.

So help us God. *** 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.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.

Chevron charged in US too over Malampaya sale

Gotcha

JARIUS BONDOC A COMPLAINT against Chevron was to be filed Thursday, February 10 in the United States over its sale of interests in the Philippines’ Malampaya gas field. Filipino-American complainants allege that the oil giant, through Philippine subsidiaries, committed “multiple misrepresentations and concealments to shareholders.”

In the “groundbreaking” case, eight Fil-Am leaders referred to the transfer of interest

by Chevron Philippines and Chevron Malampaya to Udenna Corp. Two of the eight, lawyers Loida Nicolas Lewis and Rodel Rodis, earlier charged directors of the subsidiaries with graft before the Ombudsman. Also impleaded in October 2021 were Udenna CEO Dennis Uy,

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and officials of the Philippine National Oil CompanyExploration Corp.

The Philippines lost P21 billion to P42 billion in that sale, Lewis and Rodis stated.

The new complaint alleges violation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Act, Section 10(b) (5). The rule, promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, targets securities fraud. It prohibits acts or omissions that result in fraud or deceit in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

The aggrieved shareholders included the complainants.

Aside from Lewis and Rodis, they are Arthur Medel, Rocio Nuyda, Celia Lamkin, Eric Lachica, Ago Pedalizo and Art Garcia. They lead Fil-Ams in New York, Washington DC, California and Marianas.

Rule 10(b)(5) states:

“Employment of Manipulative and Deceptive Practices – It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange, (a) To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud, (b) To make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (c) To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person, in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.”

The complaint names Chevron, subsidiaries Chevron Philippines and Chevron Malampaya, PNOC-EC,

Udenna and subsidiary UC Malampaya as respondents.

They supposedly “facilitat[ed] and allow[ed] the transfer of Chevron Malampaya’s interest in a service contract in violation of an applicable Joint Operating Agreement.”

Last Friday, February 4, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian turned over to the Ombudsman his energy committee’s findings of “graft, gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct.”

Urging Cusi to resign, a Senate resolution endorsed criminal and administrative charges.

Gatchalian accused Cusi of “railroading the approval of the sale of participating interest of Chevron in Malampaya gas field.” He said energy and PNOC-EC officials reneged on their duty to approve beforehand any sale by Chevron of 45-percent interest in Malampaya. PNOCEC with ten-percent interest had the option to match

Chevron’s $565-million sale to Udenna. The $565 million was paid over one year mostly with borrowed money and partly with Chevron’s own earnings from Malampaya in that period, the earlier graft case stated.

Denying any wrongdoing, Cusi refused to resign.

President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the deal was aboveboard. Uy, reportedly Duterte’s biggest presidential campaign contributor in 2016, said the sale was a “purely private transaction” between Chevron and Udenna subsidiaries.

More than a dozen protesting business and law associations invoked “national interest.”

Udenna supposedly had no experience and knowhow in petroleum exploration and production. As well, that state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation will join the Malampaya operation.

Near Malampaya, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, is Sampaguita gas field, Recto Bank, said to contain three times more petroleum.

Malampaya supplies more than 30 percent of Luzon’s electricity.

Operational failures can cause prolonged power blackouts – and shut down factories, water and telecom facilities, hospitals, malls, shops, offices and schools.

Not to mention no electricity in homes.

“The assets in Malampaya belong to the Filipino people; we hope our leaders will do their best to protect it for future generations,” Rodis declared before filing the U.S. case. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

A7

PH ranks 54th in global Democracy Index

by JANVIC

MATEO Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines improved by a notch and ranked 54th out of 167 countries in the 2021 Democracy Index 2020 released on Thursday, February 10 by London-based think tank The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

It ranked 55th in the 2020 index, 54th in 2019, 53rd in 2018 and 51st in 2017.

Based on the report, the Philippines remains a “flawed democracy,” defined as countries that have free and fair elections and basic civil liberties are respected, although there are significant weaknesses in some aspects of democracy, including governance, political culture and participation.

“Flawed democracy” is second among four regime types used by the EIU in its annual index, after “full democracy” and before “hybrid” and “authoritarian” regimes.

According to EIU, the Philippines scored a total of 6.62 out of the highest possible score of 10.

Among the indicators used, the country scored the highest in electoral process and pluralism

(9.17), followed by political participation (7.78), civil liberties (6.76), functioning of government (5.0) and political culture (4.38).

The Philippines ranked 10th among countries in Asia and Australasia – from 9th last year – after Indonesia showed significant improvement in its overall score.

Globally, Norway remained on top spot with a score of 9.75, followed by New Zealand (9.37), Finland (9.27), Sweden (9.26), Iceland (9.18), Denmark (9.09), Iceland (9.0), Taiwan (8.99), Australia (8.9) and Switzerland (8.9).

Afghanistan, which ranked 139th in 2020, displaced North Korea at the bottom of the list with a score of 0.32.

It was followed by Myanmar (1.02), which ranked 135th in 2020, North Korea (1.08), Democratic Republic of Congo (1.4), Central African Republic (1.43), Syria (1.43), Turkmenistan (1.66), Chad (1.67), Laos (1.77) and Equatorial Guinea (1.92).

The significant drops of Afghanistan and Myanmar in the index were due to the takeover of their governments by the Taliban and the military, respectively, in 2021.

“EIU’s 2021 Democracy Index

report reflects the continuing negative impact of COVID-19 on democracy and freedom around the world for a second successive year,” said Joan Hoey, editor of this year’s report. The index has been published since 2006.

“Although Asia has struggled to sustain the upwards momentum that it had established up to 2016, experiencing its second consecutive decline in its overall regional average score, the Asia and Australasia region still has five ‘full democracies’ including three Asian ones (Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) alongside Australia and New Zealand,” he added.

The latest index found that the number of “full democracies” fell from 23 to 21, while “flawed democracies” increased by one to 53.

“Authoritarian regimes” increased from 57 to 59, while 34 are classified as “hybrid regimes,” down from 35 in 2020.

Among those that changed categories were Chile and Spain (from full to flawed democracies); Mexico, Paraguay and Tunisia (from flawed democracies to hybrid regimes); and Kyrgyz Republic, Haiti and Lebanon (from hybrid to authoritarian regimes). 

Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running for president, meets with residents of her hometown Naga City in Camarines Sur on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.

Philstar.com photo by Jazmin Tabuena

VP Leni Robredo’s presidential bid gets support of over 100 Filipino economists

MANILA — More than 100 Filipino economists are backing the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 national elections.

As of Friday, February 11, a total of 137 economists, including former central bankers and chiefs of the National Economic Development Authority, the state’s top socioeconomic planning agency, signified their support for the presidential campaign of Robredo, an economics graduate herself.

“We believe that VP Leni Robredo is our best hope to turn the tide and bring back the people’s trust in government in order to restore and sustain vigor to people’s lives and livelihoods at the soonest possible time,” they said in a statement.

“Robredo brings to table a solid economics and legal background which will be necessary for crafting policies to accelerate economic recovery,” they added.

Among the signatories are former NEDA chiefs Winnie Monsod, Cielito Habito, Dante Canlas, Emmanuel Esguerra and Ernesto Pernia, who served as President Rodrigo Duterte’s HANG TIME. Cleaning building walls is a dangerous job but these men perform their tasks anyway along EDSA-Ayala Avenue in Makati City on top socioeconomic planner for Friday, February 11. The COVID-19 pandemic caused job losses nationwide and these cleaners are probably thankful they still have a source four years. At the onset of the of income, unmindful of the risks involved.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr. pandemic in 2020, Pernia left

NEDA due to personal reasons “and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members” amid the health crisis.

Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo also signed the statement supporting Robredo.

The Filipino economists stressed that the government’s role is crucial at this time when the country is struggling to recover from the deepest economic crisis since the 1980s.

“We are convinced that only a competent leadership can restore the people’s trust and confidence in government enabling it to effectively preside over the collective effort of economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic,” they added.

The economists noted that Robredo’s concern for the marginalized and her work as human rights lawyer will also bring back the people’s trust in government and make sure the economic recovery plan is inclusive.

They also noted Robredo’s track record as shown in the Office of the Vice President’s pandemic response programs and proposed COVID-19 recovery plan, which provides strategies to address related issues such as lack of jobs, record hunger and

need to beef up economic and education aid.

“Bad governance is a poison that kills both lives and livelihoods. The pandemic made that clear. Robredo’s brand of good governance is the antidote this country needs in order to build back better from the twin crises plaguing our health and economy exacting a huge toll on the different sectors of the country,” the economists added.

Robredo’s presidential bid was also endorsed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., former officials — including diplomats and military chiefs — of the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III, and more than 20 Cabinet members and senior officials of former President Fidel Ramos.

Japanese investment bank Nomura said in a commentary last month that Robredo will be a more “market-friendly” president than her main rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr., arguing that “ (a) Marcos victory will likely be viewed negatively owing to perceptions against him, in part because his candidacy is facing some petitions for disqualification on grounds of making false statements and a previous conviction of failing to file income tax returns.” (Philstar.com)

A8 FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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Guanzon takes swipe at Ferolino, as petitioners vow to take Marcos petition ruling to Supreme Court

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, ordains Monsignor Arnaldo Catalan, the new apostolic nuncio to Rwanda, as an archbishop at the Manila Cathedral on Friday, Feb. 11.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

Cardinal Tagle ordains new archbishop

by FRANCO JOSE

C. BAROÑA

ManilaTimes.net

CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, ordained Monsignor Arnaldo Catalan, the new apostolic nuncio to Rwanda, as an archbishop on Friday, February 11 at the Manila Cathedral.

Pope Francis appointed Catalan, the Chargé d’Affaires of the diplomatic mission of the Holy See in the Republic of China (Taiwan), as nuncio to the east African nation on January 31.

An apostolic nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomat serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international organization.

In keeping with the practice of nuncios having the rank of archbishop, the 55-year-old Catalan was also designated with the Titular See of Apollonia.

“Iuxta Misericordiam non Deficimus (through mercy, we are not discouraged)” was chosen by the new archbishop as his episcopal motto.

His appointment as papal

envoy makes him the fifth in the line of Filipino nuncios and the first from the Manila archdiocese.

Catalan has been in the Vatican’s diplomatic service for the past 20 years and served in Zambia, Kuwait, Mexico, Honduras, Turkey, India, Argentina, Canada, and the Philippines.

Cardinal Tagle was assisted

by Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila and Archbishop Charles Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, who served as coconsecrators. 

MANILA — Petitioners seeking the disqualification of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are ready to take their case all the way to the Supreme Court.

After failing to secure a favorable ruling at the Commission on Elections Former First Division, Howard Calleja — lawyer of Campaign Against the Return of Marcoses and Martial Law — said they will file a motion for reconsideration next week.

“If they would like to retain the ruling which they have to right to do, my only request is that they decide it as fast as they can so that we can bring the matter to SC,” he told reporters in a virtual briefing.

“Comelec can affirm their decision. That is their right, but please do it as speedy and as fast as you can,” Calleja also said.

The Comelec Former First Division voted unanimously to dismiss the three consolidated disqualification petitions against Marcos, clearing him of the bulk of major legal challenges against his candidacy.

The lawyer also mentioned that they are pressed for time, as there are only 88 days left before the elections.

The Philippines kicked off its official campaign period on February 8. Marcos is currently survey frontrunner and is enjoying a

Composite photo shows Commission on Elections Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Aimee Ferolino.

Philstar.com file photos

double-digit lead over Vice President Leni Robredo, the opposition candidate.

“We hope the SC will finally put this disqualification case a close in giving proper, valid and right decision on the matter,” Calleja added.

Like CARMMA petitioners, Akbayan party-list nominee and petitioner Perci Cendaña vowed that they will also take their case all the way to the SC. “This is merely a bend in the road, not the end of it. This is just the beginning of our struggle to protect our electoral democracy from fraud and impunity,” he added.

Failure to file ITR Like most of the petitions filed against Marcos, the disqualification pleas anchored their argument on the aspirant’s conviction of failure to file Income Tax Returns for four years.

CARMMA, in a separate statement, said they take exception to the ruling that stated that the failure to file tax returns “is not inherently wrong in the absence of a law punishing it.”

This part of the ruling has been quoted in several social media posts, questioning the Comelec for supposedly saying failure to file ITR is not an offense punishable by law.

In a separate virtual briefing, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said this has been taken out of context. He pointed out that the quoted part should be taken in the context of an explanation of criminal law concepts “mala in se” and “mala prohibitum.’

“What it says a crime mala in se (evil in itself) is a crime that is by itself is naturally wrong — for example, murder. You don’t need a law to tell you that murder is wrong, but there are some offenses that are mala prohibitum (wrong because prohibited) which means they are considered wrong under the law only because special law exists to penalize it. For example, cutting down a tree, is not inherently [wrong],” Jimenez said.

‘Atrocious logic’ The widely-quoted part of the petition is part of the Comelec division’s discussion on whether the conviction of Marcos constitute moral turpitude—a ground for disqualification.

Quoting Zari v. Flores, the Commission said the Court had “emphasized that moral turpitude implies something immoral in itself, regardless of the fact that it is punishable by law or not. It must not merely be mala prohibita but, the act itself must be inherently immoral. The doing of the act itself, and not its prohibition by statute fixes the moral turpitude.”

But retired Commissioner Rowena Guanzon pointed out that Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, ponente of the case, chose a 1979 case, and there are more recent jurisprudence on the matter.

Guanzon was part of the Comelec’s First Division, and had revealed she voted to grant the petitions and disqualify Marcos Jr. Her vote was not counted due to her retirement before the ruling was promulgated, but in her released Opinion, the retired commissioner said Marcos’ “repeated and persistent” failure to file his ITRs “constitutes an offense involving moral turpitude.”

Guanzon also argued that Ferolino was “wrong” in relying exclusively on the elements of offense when determining whether it consists moral turpitude “is a question of fact and depends on all the surrounding circumstances.”

Calling the resolution fraught with “atrocious logic,” Guanzon accused Ferolino of choosing “to turn a blind eye to the circumstances surrounding Marcos Jr.’s offense.”

Jimenez, for his part, stressed: The Comelec does not say that failure to file ITR is not a punishable offense. It is. The Comelec is not saying that failure to file ITR is okay, because it is not.”

(Philstar.com)

51% of Filipinos believe COVID-19 crisis ending in 2022 — SWS survey

by GABRIEL

PABICO Inquirer.net

LALU

MANILA — More than half of Filipinos believe that the COVID-19 crisis will come to an end this year, while 45 percent still think it would extend to 2023, the latest survey from Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed on Friday, February 11.

According to the SWS survey, 51 percent of Filipino adults interviewed from December 12 to 16 said the crisis would end in 2022 — including 29 percent of the respondents who said that the pandemic would be solved in the next six months, and 23 percent who said within the year.

Hopes of having the COVID-19 pandemic ending within 2022 is highest in Mindanao at 62 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 51 percent, Metro Manila at 49 percent and Visayas at 41 percent.

“Conversely, those who expect the COVID-19 crisis to end after 2022 are highest in the Visayas (56%), followed by Metro Manila (48%), Balance Luzon (44%), and Mindanao (35%),” SWS said.

“About half in all educational levels expect the COVID-19 crisis to end within 2022: the percentage is 49 percent among non-elementary graduates, 53 percent among elementary graduates, 51 percent among junior high school graduates, and 50 percent among college graduates,” it added.

With other questions posed

by SWS, 51 percent also agreed with the possible government

policy of compelling Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with 31 percent disagreeing while 17 percent were undecided.

Another 51 percent also agreed to have unvaccinated employees submit RT-PCR tests every two weeks, with 35 percent disagreeing and 14 percent still undecided.

“To the test statement, ‘It is only right to enact into law the proposal of Pres. Duterte to compel all Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19,’ 51% agreed (consisting of 29% strongly agree and 22% somewhat agree), 17% were undecided, and 31% disagreed (consisting of 13% somewhat disagree and 19% strongly disagree, correctly rounded),” SWS said.

“To the test statement, ‘It is only right that unvaccinated employees are not allowed to report for work until they give a negative RT-PCR test result every two weeks,’ 51% agreed (27% strongly agree, 24% somewhat agree), 14% were undecided, and 35% disagreed (15% somewhat disagree, 20% strongly disagree), for a moderate net agreement of +16,” it added.

In terms of no dine-in policies for unvaccinated customers, 49 percent agreed, 14 percent were undecided, and 36 percent disagreed.

The country encountered a surge in COVID-19 cases in early January, brought by the more infectious Omicron variant.

At one point, active infections soared to over 291,000 — an alltime high for the country. 

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Love found on Friendster ends up fulfilling a dream this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy

THIS week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy has love at the center of it all, as we introduce viewers to Wendel, a lonely and depressed person until he met Allen on Friendster, a social networking site, and they became boyfriend and girlfriend.

What started as simple chats and jokes, ended up in something serious. Both Wendel and Allen started having strong feelings for each other and they were ready to take their relationship to a more serious level. Wendel decided to visit Allen in the Dominican Republic where she was working, so they could meet in person.

As soon as they met, sparks flew, hearts pounded, and they both knew that each was THE one for the other.

Shortly after his return from the Dominican Republic, Wendel consulted with the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, in order to bring her to the U.S. on the K-1 “love” visa. He wanted to make sure that all the documents were properly handled, as he was excited to start a life together with his one true love, Allen.

Watch this success story featuring the K-1 or fiancée/ fiancé visa on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 13 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

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At 18, Francine feels like an old soul

By Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

WHEN Francine Diaz turned 18 years old on Jan. 27, she received a vintage birthday gift.

Her family gifted her with an old typewriter.

The young actress is a fan of letter-writing, old school-style, that’s why.

“Why typewriter? Gusto ko po talaga yun, matagal na. Because I love writing letters and minsan pag-nangangawit yung kamay ko sa pagsusulat, gusto kong tina-type ko nalang siya. At dahil mahilig po ako sa lumang bagay, lumang tao (kasi) ako, that’s why they gave me a typewriter. Actually, what they bought me was vintage,” Francine, who even uses candle wax stamps to seal her letters, told The STAR during a one-on-one interview.

Apart from letters, the young actress loves journaling and scrapbooking. She also enjoys writing poems but “only for myself.”

Interestingly, Francine penned a note to herself on her special day. Part of her message read: PAGE B2

K1 – THE “LOVE” VISA: THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Wendel (left) met Allen (center) on Friendster, after he went through a period of loneliness and depression, looking for true love. They soon knew they had found “the one.” Before they officially became a couple, they wanted to see each other in person to make sure that how they felt online was the same in real life. So, Wendel flew to the Dominican Republic to meet Allen, where she was working. Seeing each other just strengthened the feelings they had for one another. Shortly after Wendel left the Dominican Republic, he consulted right away with leading Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) in order to bring Allen to the U.S. on a K-1 (fiancée) visa. The couple wanted to make sure they did everything correctly. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 13 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

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Diego is a gentleman amid breakup with Barbie Imperial By mJ

marfori Philstar.com

Francine Diaz

Photo from Instagram/@francinediaz

THEY say all good things must come to an end and that is what happened to the highly-publicized relationship of the gorgeous Barbie Imperial and Diego Loyzaga.

I was talking to Diego just this week for the promo of his new film The Wife which dropped on Friday, February 11 on Vivamax.

The actor has been enjoying his

very spontaneous trip to the U.S. since last month that his return to Manila is indefinite. “I like it here.

Nagulat din ako how much I am so at home here. I went to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York,” he said.

We chatted via Zoom at around midnight in Los Angeles where he’s staying at the moment and coincidentally, that was the time he just got off the phone with his ex, “I just got off the phone with

Barbie actually. We’re OK, we’re on talking terms. Hindi naman kami naghiwalay ng magkagalit sa isa’t isa. We had our time. We loved each other. And there are just some things people don’t agree on or understand.”

Days prior, Barbie confirmed that they indeed have split after about a year together. Before this, Diego and Barbie even had a film that delved into the topic of breakPAGE B5

EntErtainmEnt

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World premiere of ‘Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia’ exhibition debuts at the California Science Center February 16

“Leonor Will Never Die,” winner of the Special Jury Award for Innovative Spirit at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, follows the story of a retired Filipina filmmaker who became an action hero of her own unfinished screenplay.

Film still from Arkeofilms and Anima

Historic wins for two Filipino films at 2022 Sundance film festival

SAN FRANCISCO – In a historic first for the Philippine film industry, two Filipino film entries received praise and won awards at the recently concluded 2022 Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States.

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer congratulated the filmmakers behind Filipino movies “Leonor Will Never Die” and “The Headhunter’s Daughter”, as well as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), “for representing the best of the Philippines at the largest independent film festival in America.”

Feature film “Leonor Will Never Die” became the first Filipino recipient of the Sundance Special Jury Award for Innovative Spirit. This comedy-drama movie follows the story of a retired Filipina filmmaker who became an action hero of her own unfinished screenplay.

Jury member La Frances Hui said, “Switching in-between genres, this film within a film follows an ailing screenwriter who enters her unfinished screenplay of a gangster film to experience and edit her own creation.

Constantly shifting in tone, the film is a playful display of the love of cinema. Its innovative and risk-taking spirit is especially commendable.”

“Leonor Will Never Die” competed against nine other film entries from around the

In “The Headhunter’s Daughter,” winner of the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, an aspiring country singer traverses the harrowing roads of the Cordilleran highlands with her trusty brown horse to try her luck in the city.

Prima Materia film still

globe under the Sundance Film Festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Category. According to the FDCP, the country’s last participation in the World Cinema Dramatic section was in 2006, with Auraeus Solito’s “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros).

Meanwhile, “The Headhunter’s Daughter” became the first Filipino film to bag the Sundance Short Film Grand Jury Prize. In the movie, an aspiring country singer traverses the harrowing roads of the Cordilleran highlands with her trusty brown horse to try her luck in the city.

Jury member Blackhorse Lowe said, “We were entranced by this poetic and dream-like film, which follows its character’s intimate journey with gorgeous

cinematography and direction and acting, capturing a unique sense of place.”

“The Headhunter’s Daughter” is the second participating Filipino short film entry in Sundance history, following Sonny Calvento’s “Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss” in 2021. For this year, “The Headhunter’s Daughter” joined 98 other movies in the Sundance Short Films Program.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, Philippine foreign service posts in the United States, and Filipino communities in the U.S. Pacific Northwest lent their support to “Leonor Will Never Die” and “The Headhunter’s Daughter” through the promotion of the two films.

(PCGSF Release) n

Celebrities hit Toni Gonzaga

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Toni Gonzaga with husband Paul Soriano and presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo from Instagram/@paulsoriano1017

CELEBRITIES reacted on Toni Gonzaga hosting the grand proclamation rally of presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos and running mate Sara Duterte.

Toni trended online on Tuesday, February 8 after she hosted the Marcos-Duterte proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena.

The host introduced Representative Rodante Marcoleta as part of the UniTeam’s senatorial slate, one of the congressmen who denied the renewal of ABSCBN franchise.

“Representante ng Sagip party list. May laban tayo sa kanya.

Number 43 sa balota. Congressman but soon to be Senator Rodante Marcoleta,” Toni said.

On Wednesday, Feb. 9 Toni confirmed that she will step down as the host of the ABSCBN reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.”

Former PBB housemate Dawn Chang took to her Facebook account to show her disgust toward’s Toni’s actions.

“I am deeply insulted and disappointed by the actions of my fellow kapamilya actress Ms. Toni Gonzaga. Paano nyo po nasikmurang suportahan at tulungan ang mga taong may malupit na nakaraan sa kasaysayan ng bansa at sa pagkawala ng trabaho ng mga kasama natin sa industriya? As a former PBB housemate, alam kong magtatampo nyan si Kuya,” Dawn wrote.

“Hindi pwede. It is my privilege to lend my small voice in this battle for the soul of our country. Kaya sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino, kay VP Leni Robredo Leni Gerona Robredo po ang suporta ko. Hindi po ako binayaran dito,” she added.

Award-winning director Erik Matti also took to his Facebook account to criticize Toni on her “misplaced loyalty.”

“Everyone has a right to their own political stances. But when Hitler runs for office after slaughtering millions of Jews and you still support his bid, the least you can do is acknowledge all the blood he has spilled and with integrity, stick to your own crazy misplaced loyalty in private or in silence,” he said.

“In the same way the plunder and the horrors of the Marcos regime to our country the Philippines, that no one has claimed PAGE B6

LOS ANGELES – The world premiere of “Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” exhibition debuts at the California Science Center February 16, 2022. Through 120 original artifacts – half on tour outside Cambodia for the first time – and hands-on exhibits, guests will use the lens of science to explore the ancient empire of Angkor. Once considered the most extensive metropolis in the world, Angkor houses over 100 temples, now mysteriously quiet and surrounded by the dense Cambodian forest.

“Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia,” developed by Museums Partner in collaboration with the California Science Center, the National Museum of Cambodia, and the Cambodian Ministry of Culture, uses science to reveal insights into the rise and fall of ancient Angkor as well as its enduring legacy.

Guests will learn how the tools of archaeology, from decoding inscriptions to aerial surveying and laser scanning, have enriched our knowledge about the engineering and cultural marvels of an empire, the daily life of its people, and the environmental challenges that shaped its future.

Exhibition tickets went on sale February 6, 2022 and can be purchased at https:// californiasciencecenter.org/visit/admission/gettickets.

Science Center President and CEO Jeffrey N. Rudolph notes that, “I’m pleased to collaborate with the Cambodian Ministry of Culture, National Museum of Cambodia and Museums Partnerto bring the world premiere of this exhibition to the California Science Center. It shows, in a profound way, how the tools of science can advance our understanding of the ancient past and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.”

Science Center Senior Vice President, Diane Perlov, says “Our hope is that this extraordinary exhibition inspires interest not only in the legacy of Angkor, but interest in the process of science, the knowledge that science reveals, and the heritage it preserves.”

“Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia” exhibition is on display at the California Science Center from February 16 through September 5, 2022, along with a visually stunning IMAX movie featuring an epic adventure where science, mystery and ancient civilization intersect.

Adult combo tickets for both the exhibition and IMAX movie are $25.25, with various discounts available. Exhibition tickets are $19.95 for adults and IMAX ticket prices range from $6.75 to $8.95 with additional discounts when purchasing both the exhibition and IMAX movie, and special discounts for Members, groups of 15 or more people and private events.

To buy exhibition and/or IMAX tickets call 213744-2019 or visit https://californiasciencecenter. org/visit/admission/get-tickets. Please check the Science Center website for the latest COVID protocols.

The exhibition is set to tour nationally and internationally at the culmination of its debut at the California Science Center.

The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, adults and children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstration, innovative programs and awe-inspiring films.

The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Parking is $15 for cars. n

Consul General Edgar B.Badajos (4th from left) witnesses the turnover of a check donation from the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), represented by its Acting President Ms. Trinity Foliente (3rd from left), to Dumagat Tribe families in Rizal province through the APO Global Foundation represented by Mr. Dan Niño (5th from left). Also in photo are FACLA Auditor Mr. Adolfino Aguayon, APO members namely, Mr Charlie Bonilla and Mr. Mar Garchitorena.

PhilCongen LA supports livelihood program for Dumagat tribe thru Apo Global foundation

LOS ANGELES – Consul General Edgar B. Badajos witnessed on Wednesday, February 9 the turnover of a financial donation from the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) to a Dumagat Tribe in Rizal Province, Philippines through the APO Global Foundation, Inc. “The donated money will benefit a Dumagat tribe in Rizal (province). With this donation, we will be able to provide at least ten families from the

tribe with livelihood through poultry farming,” according to the Foundation’s President and CEO, Mr. Dan Niño.

To ensure that the livelihood program will be sustainable, the Foundation will also facilitate the holding of capacity-building seminars on poultry raising and poultry farm management through the Department of Agriculture and with likeminded NGOs. In his message, the Consul General lauded FACLA and APO

for their efforts and recalled the adage “give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime,” noting that providing livelihood and training will help the tribe in the long term.

The donation is one of the positive outcomes of the ConGen’s Masters Cup, a charity golf tournament jointly organized by FACLA and the Consulate General in December 2021 and participated in by close to 200 local amateur golfers. n

At 18, Francine feels like an old...

PAGE B1 “Dear Cine, happy birthday. How are you? I know you’re happy but I want to make sure how you are today. My birthday wish for you is, if you change, change for the better. Choose to be kind not just to everyone but also to yourself.”

The STAR asked the Huwag Kang Mangamba and Kadenang Ginto star how it felt to be 18. “I feel like nothing much has changed. Same pa rin naman,” said Francine.

She, however, admitted wanting to become more responsible in life. “Of course, kapag konting galaw mo lang, pwedeng makulong. And mas malaki na yung magiging consequence, I think. But more on sa pagiging responsible ko sa mga decisions ko and sa sarili ko,” she added.

Her new life goals include learning how to drive soon.

“I want to drive and become more independent.

Of course, I still need my Mama, pero hindi na yung super duper sa maliliit na bagay (andyan siya). Like before, di ko kaya mag-refill ng water na di ko kasama si Mama. So ngayon paunti-unti po. Traveling or living on my own? Kahit gusto ko, ‘di ko po kaya kasi sanay po ako sa magulo (laughs)! Kasi maraming po akong kapatid. Sanay po ako sa maingay, ‘pag tahimik di ko kakayanin,” she confessed.

Meanwhile, there are three things she’s particularly proud of achieving before turning 18. No. 1 was when she received her first-ever recognition for her acting work on the top-rating series Kadenang Ginto back in 2018. “I remember crying during taping. Nag-sta-start palang ako tapos nabigyan ako ng award,” she recalled.

Second is being able to help purchase their family home. “And third is meron na kaming nalalagay sa ref, napupuno na namin ng pagkain.

May tubig na rin kami at di na kami napuputulan ng kuryente. Sobra pong (nakatulong ang showbiz earnings). Dati, pinakamalaking pera na po sa akin yung P2,000 but ngayon po pang grocery na pala siya. Kasi ganoong pera (before), napupunta na talaga lahat sa rent, electricity and water. Di pa kasama pagkain nun,” she candidly shared.

So, if there’s any lesson to glean from her

“mahirap but masaya” showbiz journey, Francine said: “Just keep on trying, be patient, don’t give up because good things take time. Hindi kasi (pwede) pinangarap mo ngayon, magiging sa’yo na. You have to work hard on it. No effort is too small.”

What is her birthday wish? “I want to focus on myself, I want to discover more of what I want to do and what I can do. When it comes to handling my money, not all but paunti-unti lang, I want to learn.”

As for her career, Francine just hopes for more projects to come. “Kahit anong roles as long as not daring, I will accept po. ‘Wag lang yung mga scenes na may ganyan hehehe! Basta sweet pa rin,” added Francine, who’s starring next in Bola Bola in her first lead role in a series apart from love team partner Kyle Echarri and The Gold Squad.

Francine was supposed to have an intimate and “dreamy” debut party last month, but due to COVID-19, it has been moved to Feb. 26, still limited to close family members and friends, according to her talent management Star Magic of ABS-CBN. It will also forgo some of the debut traditions such as 18 Roses, as per her wishes.

“Actually, gusto ko talaga ng 18 Roses but wala po kasi yung lolo ko, gusto ko kasi siya ang magiging first or last dance ko. So, I didn’t push through with it, baka kasi maging ma-drama lang ako sa birthday ko at hanapin ko siya,” she explained.

“Sobra po kasi akong lolo’s girl. He passed away around 2010. Iba yung bond namin and attachment ko sa kanya. Dati kasi walang pwedeng umaway sa akin kasi ‘pag inaway nila ako, papagalitan sila ng lolo ko,” she said.

Now that she’s a young lady, is she now open to falling in love? “Of course po, as a teenager, nacu-curious ako what it feels to be in a relationship.

Hindi ko po makita sarili ko sa isang relationship but I want to feel how it is to be loved by someone, aside from my family, friends and supporters,” Francine shared.

“But hindi naman ako nagmamadali, I’m not in a rush. Alam ko naman dadating siya sa tamang panahon and when I’m ready.” n

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A new year and new lifestyle for FivePoint Valencia buyers HOME shoppers who want fresh and stylish new homes, exceptional leisure amenities and a scenic, convenient location are heading to Valencia, a FivePoint planned community in the heart of Los Angeles County’s Santa Clarita Valley.

Nearly 400 households have already chosen Valencia as their new community, and model homes are open at 13 detached and attached collections, with Crimson, Sage and Vesper opening their model homes soon.

A great place to start your personal tour is at The Porch welcome center. Here, you can enjoy relaxed surroundings, talk with community representatives and gather information. The Porch is open weekdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. It’s at Magic Mountain Parkway and Navigation Avenue, and the address is 27426 Navigation Avenue, Valencia 91381. Call 661-203-3919.

At nearby Confluence Park, you can check out the beautiful lawn and garden areas, the playground—and The Lounge, an expansive club facility. It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for touring.

Adjacent to The Lounge clubhouse is a multi-faceted, residents-only pool complex that enriches recreational and social times. Serving diverse ages and interests, it includes resortstyle, splash and family pools, a competition pool, a spa and cabanas.

Valencia’s expansive spaces will also hold neighborhood electric vehicle paths and hiking and biking trails.

Learn more how planning here harmonizes progressive, sustainable concepts for homes and a glorious outdoor environment. Take an online tour at www.valencia.com, and connect at Facebook.com/ ValenciaCalifornia.

Well-ranked schools are also part of life at Valencia. The William S. Hart District serves junior high and high school students of the new community.

Elementary school children will be part of the Newhall School District or the Saugus School District.

FivePoint’s Valencia offers stylish new home choices.

Nearby are desirable retail, dining and leisure choices.

Adjacency to I-5 puts area job centers within easy reach, as well as Cal Arts, College of the Canyons and Henry Mayo Hospital. Connectivity also includes nearby access to Metrolink, freeways and airports.

Pricing is from the $400,000s to the low $1.2 millions for Valencia’s detached and attached homes. The homes feature striking architecture and 720 to 3,723 square feet of living space, and versatile layouts that feature indoor/outdoor living space. Floorplans offer up to 6 bedrooms and up to 5.5 baths.

Lennar offers multiple purchase and model tour opportunities. Visit www.lennar. com or call 888-216-2494.

KB’s Clover models are open, with Vesper, Sage and Crimson models coming soon. Visit www.

Tsutsumida Pictures

kbhome.com or call 888-5246637.

Sales are underway at Toll Brothers’ luxury homes of Skylar. Call 844-700-8655 or visit www.tollbrothers.com.

Redmond by Richmond American Homes is also open.

Call 909-345-1143 and visit www.richmondamerican.com TriPointe Homes offers new homes at Rowan, with Calla coming soon. Call 949-339-3596 or email a New Home Specialist at OC-LA@TriPointeHomes.com FivePoint is a California company that designs and develops mixed-use planned communities in the state’s most dynamic coastal markets.

FivePoint is noted for integrating residential, commercial, retail, schools and entertainment and recreational elements, including civic areas for parks and open space. www.fivepoint.com.

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Thomas Merton’s thoughts on poverty Pastor’s Notes reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS READING Thomas Merton’s s letters in the book Thomas Merton, A Life in Letters has fascinated me because of the relevance of Merton’s thoughts in today’s world. As you may know, Thomas Merton was one of the influential religious figures of the 20th century. As a monk, mystic, and prophet, he helped form American religious thoughts by connecting spirituality and social justice and promoting unity beyond difference.

In one of his letters in Lent 1967 to his friends, he criticized modern medicine and technology used merely for profit and not to alleviate poverty and suffering. In the letter, he states: Modern medicine is undoubtedly a good thing. Thank God for it. Thank God for the fact that penicillin saves thousands of lives. But let’s also face the fact that penicillin saves lives for people whom society allows to starve because it is not set up to feed them… Today twelve percent of the world’s population

(repeat, twelve percent) live in the appalling shanty towns and poblaciones that are seen in the outskirts of South American, African, and Asian cities. What is technology doing for these people? It is not creating work for them, but is developing more and more labor-saving methods of production because technology in our society is not in the service of people but in the service of profit.

Talking about the relevance of his thoughts to today’s times!

Writing further on human issues of survival versus politics and profits, here are his words: When a human question becomes a “political issue,” unfortunately the human problem gets shoved into the background, human hopes are derided and ignored, money passes from hand to hand and a lot of noise is made in the press, and the human problem may or may not even be touched.

Indeed, in a world of modern technology and medicine that has made some people billionaires, Merton’s words strike a chord when we think of the scandalous disparity between the rich and the poor. We hope that the wealthy will share their resources to narrow down this economic gap in many countries worldwide.

Jesus also minced no words to

criticize the “rich” and bring up the scandal of poverty during his time as written in this Sunday’s Gospel: But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are filled now, for your will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.

And for those of us who are not rich but still live comfortable lives and may perhaps blame the poor themselves for their lot, here is another quote from Thomas Merton to chew on: It is easy enough to tell the poor to accept their poverty as God’s will when you yourself have warm clothes and plenty of food and medical care and a roof over your head and no worry about the rent. But if you want them to believe you--try to share some of their poverty and see if you can accept it as God’s will yourself! *** 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. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Diego is a gentleman amid...

PAGE B1 up and similarly, it happened to both in real life.

With a lot of side issues from the online chismosas a.k.a. The Marites, Diego’s breakup with Barbie has been feasted on online with a lot of assumptions. That is why Diego opened up to us to clarify the rumors, one of which is the glitch in the relationship of Diego’s family with Barbie which is not true.

“Sayo ko lang ito nasabi. After this, I won’t say it again. Alam mo yung pamilya ni Barbie at si Barbie naging parte ng buhay ko, buhay ng pamilya ko. Her mom, her brothers, her cousins.

Titos and titas and all of that I respect. I have nothing bad to say, especially kasi alam ko na kahit anong sabihin ko meron at meron masasabi ang tao.”

Diego reached out to Barbie before things got out of hand because of miscommunication

EMPLOYMENT

Diego Loyzaga on ex-girlfriend Barbie Imperial

and he wanted to be realistic and mature about their situation.

He said, “I don’t want to make it any more difficult. Why can’t we just be adults about it? So we’re trying. But it doesn’t help when everybody around is making kung anu-anong kwento.”

Without elaborating the exact reason for the breakup which

Philstar.com photo

stemmed from miscommunication, Diego admitted that he could do better in their relationship but as sad as the chapter of his life with Barbie ended, the actress and her family will remain dear to him forever. Said he, “I am not perfect to be honest. I just wish her the best and her family the best. Minahal ko silang lahat.” n

EMPLOYMENT

When you experience ‘adverse employment action’ for doing the right thing Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. DENISE Bertone worked as a coroner investigator for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner (DMEC). For most of her 25-year tenure, she was the expert pediatric coroner investigator for most child deaths.

In 2013, a disabled child was found nearly drowned in a washing machine and was comatose.

The child was taken to UCLA Medical Center where he was placed in a ventilator. One Legacy, a non-profit organization that harvests organs and tissues in Southern California, obtained consent from the child’s guardians to have the child’s organs harvested for donation after cardiac death.

While the child was still alive, he was taken off the ventilator, but then continued to gasp for air, and did not go into cardiac arrest. When the child failed to go into cardiac arrest, the attending physician administered 500 micrograms of Fentanyl to the child. Fentanyl is a strong narcotic and the large amounts injected was meant to induce the child’s death while the organ harvesting team was waiting in the operating room. After the 500 micrograms of Fentanyl were administered, the child went into cardiac arrest and died. One Legacy then harvested his kidneys and liver. This was done without a pathologist from the Coroner’s office being present, as legally required.

Ms. Bertone investigated the child’s death and concluded that the Fentanyl administered to the child was the cause of death. The autopsy surgeon and Dr. Mark Fajardo (the then-Chief Medical Examiner and Ms. Bertone’s boss), attributed the death to brain damage from the near-drowning.

Bertone insisted that the child had been killed by an overdose of Fentanyl prior to organ donation.

She reported her conclusion that the child’s manner of death was a

homicide. Ms. Bertone testified that Dr. Fajardo told her, “They killed him for his organs, but you just can’t say that.”

Dr. Fajardo eventually closed the death investigation of the child, stating on the death certificate that the cause of death was “near drowning.” Unsatisfied with this conclusion, Ms. Bertone requested, several times, that the blood obtained during the child’s autopsy be tested for narcotics.

When she finally received the test results, it confirmed her opinion that the amount of Fentanyl injected to the child after he was removed from the ventilator was extremely high. However, before she could discuss the results with Dr. Fajardo, she was diagnosed with cancer and went out on medical leave.

When Ms. Bertone went back to work, she was not returned to her former assignment. However, she continued to raise the child’s case again with Dr. Fajardo, and later, his successor after he resigned. She also began to vocally advocate that whenever a decedent’s organs or tissue were harvested by One Legacy, the Department should always perform a toxicology test on the autopsy blood to prevent concealment of evidence of criminal acts.

Despite the evidence, Dr. Fajardo refused to change the cause of death on the death certificate.

Ms. Bertone testified that Dr. Fajardo told her to the effect of: While you work for me, you will never criticize One Legacy!

Ms. Bertone continued to ask to be returned to her former assignment, which was denied.

She had applied to be promoted as Lieutenant, which was also denied, and the promotion was given to a less qualified individual. After Ms. Bertone was removed from her assignment, the Coroner’s Department received many complaints from local law enforcement, prosecutors, and family services agencies that the quality of the Department’s child death investigations is suffering, and that the child death notifications that are necessary to ensure the safety of siblings are not being made in a timely manner, or even at all.

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

In 2017, Ms. Bertone learned from a co-employee that an effort was underway to gather complaints against her in order to terminate her. Multiple complaints from co-workers were filed against her for minor violations. Due to harassment and ostracism, Ms. Bertone, worried about her health and the thought of being terminated, retired from her job. She later sued her former employer, alleging constructive termination as a result of employer retaliation against her for her Whistleblowing activities.

The California Whistleblower Protection Act specifically protects employees from being retaliated against after reporting to a government agency that their employer has violated the law.

The Act also protects employees who report of a suspected violation internally (for instance, to a supervisor within the organization) or externally to “any public body” conducting a hearing or investigation. Employees are protected if they truly believed the conduct they complained about was unlawful, even if it was not.

The employer is also prohibited from retaliating against an employee who refuses to participate in activities that violate the law.

The case went to trial and the jury concluded that Ms. Bertone was illegally retaliated against by the employer. The jury awarded her $8.4 million in damages. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com.

[For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

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B6 FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Can I get a green card if i had a previous marriage petition denied based on fraud?

DEAR Attorney Tan, I recently married a US Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition could not be approved since the USCIS had determined that I previously entered into a fraudulent marriage to get a green card several years ago. My ex-husband previously filed an immigrant petition on my behalf several years ago, which was denied since USCIS determined that I only married him to get a green card. My second husband and I truly love each other. What are my options? -- In Love but Out of Status Dear In Love but Out of Status, Under INA Section 204(c), a person who “attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage” in order to receive permanent resident status in the US is prohibited from obtaining USCIS approval of an immigrant visa petition. Simply stated, Section 204(c) prohibits approval of any immigrant visa petition if there has been a finding of “marriage fraud” in a prior marriage-based petition.

Based on the above law, your case seems at first glance like an “open-and-shut” case in favor of denial. However, you still have hope of getting a

Legal Advice Atty. DArrick tAn green card—a person can apply for and get his immigrant petition approved despite the prior finding of “marriage fraud” under certain circumstances.

You may ask, how is this possible? Isn’t Section 204(c) straightforward? Not quite. The answer lies in the fact that USCIS must independently examine the prior finding of “marriage fraud” in considering the subsequently filed immigrant visa petition.

Before invoking the Sec. 204(c) bar to approval of a subsequent visa petition, USCIS must make an independent determination of fraud based upon the record, including but not limited to any evidence gathered during adjudication of the prior visa petition, but may not parrot or rely on the conclusions made by other adjudicators. USCIS must have “substantial and probative” evidence of “marriage fraud.”

Matter of Tawfik, 20 I. & N. Dec. 166, 168.

The determination is to be made by the USCIS district director while adjudicating the subsequent visa petition. Matter of Samsen, 15 I. & N. Dec. 28, 1974 WL 29995 (B.I.A. 1974).

The district director should not give conclusive effect to the determinations made in the prior

proceedings, but should reach his own independent conclusion based on the evidence actually before him. Matter of F-, 9 I. & N. Dec. 684 (BIA 1962).

Therefore, in cases such as yours in which the USCIS has indicated it intends to deny the subsequent immigrant visa petition due to the prior finding of “marriage fraud,” new evidence can be submitted that demonstrates that the prior finding of “marriage fraud” was incorrect—i.e., evidence that shows that the prior marriage petition was based on a bona fide marriage, or that explains that the prior denial was based on an incomplete or inaccurate assessment of the facts. In cases in which the subsequent immigrant visa petition has already been denied, this new evidence should be submitted as part of a motion to reconsider. I recommend that you seek an experienced attorney to assist you in properly presenting the law and facts to the USCIS adjudicator to address the Section 204(c) bar. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277.

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Celebrities hit Toni Gonzaga...

PAGE B2 responsibility until now with the players still roaming around free, moneyed and powerful, is irefutable and a historical fact that cannot be forgotten and rewritten.”

“The victims of both the Holocaust and our Martial Law were all real people with names, families and siblings that walked and talked the earth then and even

survived by descendants until now. No one can ever say they didn’t exist.”

“I cannot fathom anyone, who have access to the same historical facts from our books and Youtube like everyone else, can still have the gall to hold their head so high to the point of being so arrogant and obnoxious to brush away critics and dissenters even acknowledging

and flaunting it with such an insensitive hashtag,” he added.

Former Kapamilya host Gretchen Ho also posted on her Twitter account “Pretty painful to see.”

“Service crew nga ng Jollibee, takot makitang kumakain sa McDo! Ito, nagpasara ng kumpanya niya, siya pa ang nag-intro!

Ang bait naman ni Kuya!!!” he said. n

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Client files Chapter 13 for $400K unsecured debt THIS is what I call a borderline Chapter 7 case with asset.

Therefore, it is the better part of caution not to file Chapter 7 because the asset may be lost in Chapter 7, while Chapter 13 is safe enough because the Chapter 13 trustee, unlike the Chapter 7 trustee does not have the power to liquidate assets. This is a critical difference that can only be emphasized nowadays when house values are always going up because of very low mortgage rates.

On it’s face, you might wonder why not just file a Chapter 7 and wipe out the entire $400K of unsecured debt in one stroke?

Well, you have to look at the details of the case, specially the asset structure.

The client, husband and wife, are in their fifties. Still young.

Both own and operate their own businesses for at least 20 years. The pandemic killed both businesses.

Husband has a salary from his job that survived the pandemic.

Wife also has a job that survived the pandemic.

They owe $400K of business loans all unsecured. Unsecured meaning these are signature loans without any collateral of any kind.

The Borderline Chapter 7 case Under the means test, they can actually qualify for Chapter 7. But filing a Chapter 7 would be a big mistake. Why? They own a house that is currently worth $1 million. The balance of the first and only mortgage is $400,000.

This means that their entire equity of $600,000 is completely exempt since they live in LA County. Sure that looks good on paper but when the equity is entirely used up at $600,000, and with Chapter 7 trustees so excited to liquidate houses, the trustees have real estate agents who are hungry wolves waiting in the sidelines to devour your house. These realtors can make $50,000 from their commissions. That’s a lot of money. When there’s that kind of money to be made, they look at you as roasted pig ready to be eaten.

Even if Zillow’s appraisal says that your house has a current fair market value of $1 million, you can be sure that these hard working realtors can have a ready buyer for at least $100,000 over $1 million. Don’t forget that there’s always a bidding war going on for houses in LA because there’s a shortage of houses. There’s a lot of demand, and short supply so those two factors will cause you to lose your house in a Chapter 7.

Chapter 7 Trustee has the power to sell your house The Chapter 7 trustee has the power to sell your house for say $1.1 million, give you your exempt equity of $600,000 in cash, and use the rest of the money to pay off a portion of the $400,000 unsecured debt.

What will happen in reality is

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng that the realtors will get $50,000, and there will be $50,000 left to pay the trustee lawyers and trustee administration fees. In all likelihood, ten cents will go the $400,000 unsecured creditors.

Ridiculous right? But true nevertheless.

Chapter 13 Trustee has no power to sell your house But in Chapter 13, the clients’ house is completely safe because the Chapter 13 trustee has no power to sell any asset. There’s a liquidation analysis that compares how much unsecured creditors can get in Chapter 7 compared to the plan being proposed in Chapter 13. So, the issue that clients will deal with in Chapter 13 is how low can they go on the plan payment? They might be able to with a very low plan payment, say $300 a month, which pays $18,000 of the $400,000. That makes it a 5% plan, i.e., they plan pays 5% of the $400,000.

After the $18,000 is fully paid in 60 months, the difference between $400,000 and $18,000, $382,000 will be discharged.

Of course, the Chapter 13 trustee will try to get a higher plan payment by arguing that the value of the house is understated, but normally an appraisal report will resolve that issue, with NO RISK of losing the house because the Chapter 13 trustee has no power to sell the house. The worst possibility in a Chapter 13 is a higher plan payment than proposed, let’s say a bump up when the car payment is done, or that the case is dismissed because it’s not feasible. Unlike in a Chapter 7, once the value of the house is in question, the next day there will be a for sale sign on your front lawn and your house will be listed on the MLS on the same day.

Almost impossible to dismiss Chapter 7 case You might think that there’s no problem because you can always have your Chapter 7 case dismissed. Think again because it’s almost impossible to get out of a Chapter 7 case once the petition is completely filed.

Converting Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 The only feasible way of getting out of the Chapter 7 case once the Chapter 7 trustee has targeted your house for sale is the convert your case to Chapter 13. To convert your case to Chapter 13, you will have to prove that you have the wherewithal, the income, to qualify for Chapter 13. This is like a square circle. In Chapter 7, you show you have no disposable income while on a Chapter 13 you have to show you have disposable income to fund a plan. In any

event, you will have to pay the Chapter 7 trustee administration fees in full in your Chapter 13.

Good luck on that. Just a motion to employ a realtor for the Chapter 7 trustee costs a bundle. By bundle I mean between $5,000 to $10,000. By the time your house is listed on the MLS, the Chapter 7 trustee administration fees can reach $35,000 for two weeks of work. Nothing unusual about that.

That’s all in the playbook. Trust me on this; you do not ever want your house to be in the crosshairs of the Chapter 7 trustee. You will be in the lion’s den like Daniel.

But in Daniel’s case, our Lord God Almighty closed all the mouths of the lions in the den and Daniel got out of it without a scratch the next morning.

God’s plans are to prosper you not to harm you Despite all your problems, you can rest assured that our God’s plans are to prosper you and not to harm you. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11. What can be clearer than this that God loved as so that He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who also loved us so, to die for us, to give us a chance to spend eternity with them in heaven. What an awesome and glorious plan for us underserving humans!”

Our God can and does wonders beyond our imagination. When you think all is lost, divine intervention springs out of nowhere to resolve your problems.

“Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past. Behold, I am going to do something new, now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert,” Isaiah 43:18-19.

Believe it or not, Walt Disney, filed for Chapter 7 not once, but twice before his Disney global empire became successful. He went on to become a billionaire after getting rid of all his debt twice. Milton Hershey, of Hershey chocolates, the biggest chocolate business in the world, also filed for Chapter 7 once before he became successful and a billionaire.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone.

There is absolutely no attorney-client relationship established by reading this article. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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Why using your married child as a co-borrower to refinance your house is a bad idea Barrister’s Corner Atty. kenneth UrsUA reyes MANY parents who may have problems refinancing their house due to low income in retirement or due to low credit score sometimes resort to the idea of having their married child serve as a co-borrower to refinance their house As part of the refinancing process, the parents usually adds their adult children to the deed of the house then have them apply as a coborrower in a mortgage. This is a really bad idea especially if there your child’s marriage is in trouble.

This becomes a big problem if your married child ever gets divorced from his or her spouse.

Your child’s spouse will have a claim for half the community interest in your house even if your intent was only to use your child’s credit to help you qualify for the refinance.

Although you can argue that adding your married child’s name to the deed of your house was only a gift which should be characterized as your child’s separate property, the fact that your married child’s credit was used to obtain the refinance mortgage loan during the marriage which was then used to pay off your prior mortgage creates a community interest on his 50% share of your house.

According to In re Marriage of Branco, a community property loan used to pay off a preexisting separate loan gives the community an interest in the amount of that loan. In re Marriage of Branco, (1996) 47 Cal.App.4th 1621. Thus, the refinance described above allowed for the new loan to pay off the old separate property loan, and for a community interest to arise.

Your married child’s spouse can claim that adding your child’s name to the deed was not a gift but instead property your child acquired during marriage as community property because your child paid for that interest by getting a mortgage as a co-borrower during their marriage. Family Code Section 760 provides that all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.

Procedurally, your married child’s spouse will join you as an indispensable party in the divorce case. Once you are joined as a party, you will be served with a summons and complaint for joinder into the action. You then would have to retain your own lawyer to defend you in your married child’s divorce case.

If you can avoid this situation and refrain from adding your married child to the deed and serving as a co-borrower in your refinance. However if refinancing would really make a big difference in your

mortgage interest and you are willing to give one half ownership interest in your house to your married child, then you may be able to plan around this situation by having your married child execute a post nuptial agreement with his spouse before you enter into the refinance transaction. Although not bullet proof, it should offer you some protection in case your child gets divorced. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Visit our website at Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-15, 2022 B7