022021 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

FEBRUARY 20-23, 2021 Volume 31 - No. 14 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

House Dems formally introduce sweeping immigration legislation The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 includes an 8-year pathway to citizenship for millions of eligible undocumented individuals

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

NEARLY a month after President Joe Biden introduced a sprawling immigration proposal, it was formally introduced in the House of Representatives, earmark-

ing what Biden and his allies on the Hill are calling a “humane” solution to former President Donald Trump’s rigid, dehumanizing immigration policies.

Previously, the bill’s details were unknown, but on Thursday, Feb. 18, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-C.A.) introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 which,

Armando Meneses, a veteran sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, died of a COVID related illness on Tuesday, February 16.

Photo courtesy of LASD

Lawmakers denounce spike in anti-Asian hate, call for more government action

Fil-Am LA County sergeant dies of COVID complications

A VETERAN sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department died this week from coronavirus complications.

Sgt. Armando Meneses, who worked for the LASD for nearly 25 years, died of a COVID-related illness on Tuesday, February 16, the department announced on Wednesday.

“Sergeant Armando Meneses was a dear husband, father & almost 25 year veteran of our Department,” the LASD wrote on Twitter.

“He was a truly honorable man with a golden heart. Please keep him and his entire family in your prayers.”

The department confirmed in an email to the Asian Journal that Meneses was of Filipino deu PAGE A3

Suspect arrested in assault of 83-year-old Filipina in San Diego

THE San Diego Police Department has arrested the suspect who punched an 83year-old Filipina on a city trolley earlier this month.

On Feb. 8, the elderly woman boarded a trolley at the Encanto/62nd Street Trolley Station headed for Downtown San Diego when a man, identified as 35-year-old James Winslow, approached her and punched her in the head, the police department said.

Winslow exited the trolley at the next stop, according to various reports.

As previously reported by the Asian Journal, witnesses helped the Filipina and called 911.

She was treated at a local hospital for minor u PAGE A2

among other things, expands legal immigration channels, speeds up asylum processing, streamlines the backlogged immigration court cases and provides a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants. u PAGE A2

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

VAX SIMULATION. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. (left), National Policy Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (2nd from left), and Pateros Municipal Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III (3rd from left) watch the simulation exercises for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-10) vaccine rollout during the COVID-19 vaccine Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team visit at the AMC Gym, Barangay San Roque, Pateros on Friday, February 19. The CODE Team has been visiting local government units to see their preparedness for the nationwide vaccination program in the coming days. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

DEMOCRATIC lawmakers on Friday, February 19 denounced the recent slew of attacks against Asian Americans and pushed for more action from the Department of Justice to prevent future incidents.

The virtual press conference featured remarks from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus, representing Asian, Black and Hispanic communities.

“It breaks my heart that today’s press conference is even needed,” said Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), who is the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “But the Asian American community has reached a crisis point that cannot be ignored.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have recounted experiences of discrimination, xenophobia and assault.

u PAGE A3

Foreigners with long-term visas can now enter PH

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippines is now allowing foreigners with valid long-term visas to enter the country, but tourists are still barred from entering.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF)’s revised Resolution 98 allows foreign nationals who have visas issued as of March 20, 2020 to enter the country, Malacañang announced on Friday, February 19.

Under the revised resolution, foreigners “with valid and existing visas at the time of entry and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous IATF resolutions, and holders of valid and existing special resident and retiree’s visas and Section 9A visas provided they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival” are now allowed in the Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Philippines.

“Lahat po ng long-term visas na na-issue natin pupuwede na pong pumasok. Antayin

File photo

Palace: It’s the ‘right timing’ for US to pay, save VFA Report: PH has not vaccinated any health care workers u PAGE A2

by RITCHEL

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

DESPITE having the second-highest count of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, the Philippines has not vaccinated any health care workers, according to a recent report by the National Public Radio (NPR).

In its article released on Thursday, February 18, it noted that “not a single health worker in the Philippines has been vaccinated” this week.

“The fear and anxiety among these workers has led more than a few to take a leave or quit their jobs during this public health

crisis,” read the article written by NPR reporter Julie McCarthy.

The Philippines has roughly 1,700 new cases of COVID-19 each day, with more than halfmillion total confirmed cases, second only to Indonesia in the region.

Dr. Charles Marquez, a community doctor in the southernmost island of Mindanao, told NPR that the country’s lack of a more aggressive rollout has produced high anxiety among many frontline workers.

According to him, doctors and nurses putting their lives on the line daily to save COVID-19 patients are battling “fatigue, de-

pression and stress.”

The stress of working in such “a dangerous environment” has taken a toll on the health of frontliners, noted NPR. “[Marquez] says they’re calling in sick and not because they have the coronavirus but because of ‘stress and anxiety,’” it added.

Currently, the Philippines is preparing for the arrival of its first COVID-19 vaccines this month to start its national rollout program.

The first vaccine jabs set to arrive in the country are from PfizerBioNTech through the COVAX facility.

Backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the as-

sistance program was set up to ensure that the scramble for vaccines among rich countries did not leave poorer nations out in the cold and expects to deliver two to three billion doses this year.

However, the delivery of Pfizer jabs to the Philippines scheduled in February is facing a delay.

WHO representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said that Pfizer has yet to submit an indemnification agreement before the delivery can start.

“What the Philippines signed is the COVAX indemnification agreement. Unfortunately, we u PAGE A3

MENDIOLA AJPress

IT is the “right timing” for the United States to pay the Philippines to maintain the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between them, Malacañang said Thursday, February 18.

“Tama po ang timing nang sinabi ni Presidente na they have to pay up now. Kasi nga po, nauna na iyong kaniyang desisyon na nais na niyang tumiwalag diyan sa VFA (It’s the right timing when the president said they have to pay up now. It’s because the President already decided that he wants VFA terminated),” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

He said the U.S. should accept President Rodrigo Duterte’s demand for payment now if it wants to save the VFA. “Kung gusto nilang magpatuloy ang VFA, ngayon na po ang pagkakataon dahil kinakailangan ng bagong pirmahan. At siguro, pupuwedeng isama kung magkano ang ibabayad nila kung mayroon silang ibabayad (If they want VFA to continue, now is the chance because a new signing of the deal is needed. Perhaps, they can say how much they can give),” said Roque.

“Kung wala, okay lang din naman (If there’s none, that’s okay too),” he added.

On February 12, Duterte said u PAGE A2

A2 february 20-23, 2021 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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From the Front Page

House Dems formally introduce...

PAGE A1 Notably, it also seeks to provide a more stable, permanent solution for undocumented youth enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which has provided eligible undocumented immigrants work authorization, protection from deportation and other benefits since 2012.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) plans to introduce the same legislation on Monday, Feb. 22 in the Senate. After weeks of speculating on the scant details, both Menendez and Sanchez disclosed specifics in a virtual news briefing on Thursday.

“We’re here today because last November, 80 million Americans

voted against Donald Trump and everything he stood for. They voted to restore common sense, compassion, and competence in our government, and part of that mandate is fixing our immigration system which is a cornerstone of Trump’s hateful horror show,” Menendez told reporters.

The proposed bill, among other measures and proposals, includes: • Providing an 8-year pathway to citizenship for all undocumented people who were “physically present” on or before Jan. 1 of this year • Undocumented farm workers and youth who arrived in the U.S. as children and have temporary protected status under DACA will receive an expedited pathway to citizenship • Rescind the penalty that prohibits returning to the U.S. for undocumented immigrants who leave the country for three to 10 years • Replace the word “alien” with “non-citizen” in all government text relating to undocumented immigrants Specifically, all undocumented immigrants would be given five years of provisional status. After that, they could apply for a green card, and three years after that, they could apply for citizenship.

But DACA recipients and undocumented farm workers would be granted an expedited pathway: those who could provide work history could skip the five years of provisional status and immediately receive green card eligibility.

Notably, the bill’s promise to streamline family petitioning could be beneficial to specific immigrant communities, especially the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community, which relies heavily on family-based programs (next to employment-based channels).

The bill incorporates parts of other immigration reform proposals, like the Reuniting Families Act, which was sponsored by Chinese American Rep. Judy Chu (D-C.A.). The provisions listed under this specific act speeds up the petitioning process of family members of U.S. residents, which usually takes up to two or more years, depending on country of origin.

BENEFICIARIES. Farmers harvest a variety of vegetables that they sell during the 2nd Harvest Festival in Metro Manila dubbed “Buhay sa Gulay” at the New Greenland Farm in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City on Thursday, February 18. The Department of Agrarian Reform primarily identified 70 urban dwellers as beneficiaries of the project, who were divided into five teams with each team given a maximum of nine garden plots to develop.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler

Palace: It’s the ‘right timing’ for US to...

PAGE A1

the U.S. would have to “pay” to keep the VFA. “I’d like to put on notice if there’s an American agent here.

From now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? You have to pay,” he said, addressing the troops at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

“It’s a shared responsibility but your share of responsibility does not come free because, after all, when the war breaks out, we all

pay,” he added.

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

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

In February 2020, the Philippines sent the U.S. a notice terminating the VFA reportedly after

the U.S. canceled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa.

The termination was later suspended in June “in light of political and other developments in the region,” and the suspension was extended in November for another six months to enable the Philippines and the U.S. to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in their mutual defense. n

Suspect arrested in assault of 83-year-old...

PAGE A1 injuries and was subsequently released.

“Her injuries were described as bumps and bruises,” according to NBC 7 San Diego.

The suspect was identified and arrested on Feb. 12 based on tips from the community. He faces one count of assault with a dead-

ly weapon and elder abuse.

The incident transpired amid a string of violent crimes targeting elderly Asian Americans, but SDPD Lt. Matthew Botkin said the attack does not appear to be a hate crime.

From March to December 2020, Stop AAPI Hate, an online reporting tracking anti-Asian hate

incidents, received 2,808 reports of racism and discrimination targeting community members.

The tracking center allows individuals to report in English as well as several Asian languages like Tagalog. The website also features safety tips for those who experience or witness hate. (AJPress)

Foreigners with long-term visas can...

PAGE A1 na lang po natin kailan papayagan ang mga turista (All foreigners with long-term visas that we have issued can now enter. Let’s just wait for now when tourists will be allowed),” said Presidenu PAGE A3 tial Spokesperson Harry Roque

during an interview with People’s Television Network.

The spokesperson added that among the travelers who can enter include investors, workers, and foreigners with Filipino spouses and their children.

Arriving foreign nationals must have pre-booked accommodations for at least six nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility. They must also undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test six days after their arrival. n

EXPRESS YOURSELF. PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY.

MASK UP. Wear a mask to help keep your community healthy.

Take a risk with fashion, not your health. covid19.ca.gov

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Dateline USa

No appointments needed to take COVID test in LA

by AJPress LOS Angeles residents will no longer need an appointment to get a COVID-19 test at any cityrun site.

Starting next week, individuals can show up at any of city-run testing sites without needing to book a slot beforehand, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Thursday, February 18.

“You don’t need to set up an appointment. Just show up during normal hours of operation,” he said during a press briefing.

The city’s testing sites run from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. They provide free COVID-19 testing to all county resides, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

While waiting in line, individuals can register for a test and will need to show insurance information or identification if they don’t have insurance.

While people wait in line, they’ll be able to register for test, and all they need to bring is their insurance information or identification if they don’t have insur-

ance.

People can still sign up for an appointment ahead of time. Appointments can be made at and a list of testing sites is available at corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing.

Testing sites are Edendale Library in Echo Park, Hansen Dam Recreational Center, Kedren Community Health Center, LA Union, Lincoln Park, Pierce College, and San Fernando Park.

The testing sites run by LA County, however, still require appointments beforehand, as of this writing. n

Lawmakers denounce spike in anti-Asian hate...

PAGE A1 “What started as dirty looks and verbal assault has escalated to physical attacks and violence against innocent Asian Americans,” Chu added.

In recent weeks, documented incidents have shown elderly AAPIs as targets and have been more violent and even, fatal, as in the case of Vicha Ratanapakdee.

Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old immigrant from Thailand, died of injuries after being shoved to the ground during his morning walk in the Anza Vista neighborhood of San Francisco on January 28. The 19-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and elder abuse.

In another instance in New York, 61-year-old Noel Quintana was riding the subway on his way to work when he was slashed in the face by another passenger, requiring almost 100 stitches.

One of the images that stuck with Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) was of a 91-year-old man being pushed in Oakland’s Chinatown, which was part of a string of incidents against older Asian Americans before the Lunar New Year holiday.

“I saw in that image someone that could have been my father or my grandfather…[so it] was very personal,” Kim said.

Lawmakers acknowledged that scapegoating and discrimination against the community are not new problems, but highlighted that anti-Asian rhetoric (e.g. using “China virus” and “Kung Flu”) from the Trump administration has contributed to the assaults.

“Hate and discrimination against the AAPI community has been a longstanding problem, but it has been made far worse by the pandemic and because powerful leaders like Trump, and Republicans who enable them, spread fear, misinformation, and racist rhetoric to advance their political agenda, and cover up their incompetency in response to this virus,” said Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

With the surge in incidents, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action and the Asian

American Studies program at San Francisco State University started Stop AAPI Hate, an online reporting center that is now available in English and several Asian languages, including Tagalog.

Between March 19, 2020 and December 31, 2020, Stop AAPI Hate received over 2,808 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian hate — ranging from shunning to physical attacks — from 47 states and the District of Columbia.

During that period, a majority of reports came from California and New York, and 126 incidents involved Asian Americans over the age of 60.

Last year, the House of Representatives passed a resolution, authored by Rep. Grace Meng of New York, which called on public officials to condemn all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and “all manifestations of expression of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance.” (The votes were 243 to 163, with the majority “yes” votes coming from 229 Democratic lawmakers and 14 Republican lawmakers.)

President Joe Biden on January 26 signed an executive order to combat xenophobia and racism against AAPIs, which includes a directive for the Department of Justice to expand the collection of data and public reporting of hate incidents.

While the order was welcomed, many AAPI organizations and advocates said the administration can take bolder action to stop the uptick in hate and address other pandemic-related issues the community is experiencing.

Lawmakers went on to say that more action is needed to make it easier to report an incident as factors like language and cultural barriers contribute to the underreporting.

“We have to inform people about how to report a hate crime,” Pelosi said, acknowledging that the inconsistency in determining whether certain events are classified as hate crimes.

“So we need to do is for people to be sensitive at the time to take down the words…because the

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) along with members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus on Friday, February 19 hosted a virtual press conference condemning the recent rise in anti-Asian hate and discrimination across the country.

Report: PH has not vaccinated...

PAGE A1 are still waiting for an indemnification agreement coming from the manufacturer, in this case it’s Pfizer-BioNTech,” he said at the televised public briefing on Thursday.

Abeyasinghe assured that the COVAX facility is working closely with Pfizer to make sure that the pharmaceutical firm sends out the indemnification agreement.

‘Be patient’ Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., for his part, urged the public to be patient amid the vaccine shipment delay.

“We advise our fellow citizens to give a bit of patience,” he said in Filipino during the COVID-19 Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (C.O.D.E.) Team visit to the municipality of Pateros.

“Our negotiation with COVAX facility is still ongoing and we are

hopeful that they will fulfill their commitment to bring us the 44 million doses here in the first and second quarter,” he added.

Galvez also noted that the delay is likewise being experienced by other countries.

However, many Filipino frontliners have already developed a “deep distrust” of the government’s vaccine campaign, according to NPR. “The health care workers have lost confidence and trust with the government,” Willy Pulia, president of the Alliance of Philippine Workers, told the outlet.

He added that scientists and medical experts should be coordinating and supervising Philippine operations to combat COVID-19, rather than military generals who are unfamiliar with epidemiology, immunology and virology and who currently call the shots. n

difference between just bullying and harassment, and that would be horrible enough, and the hate crime.”

They are also urging the Senate’s passage of the NO HATE Act, which has received bipartisan support in the House, and for a meeting with the Department of Justice to improve reporting and prosecution on the federal and local levels.

“We want to see what kind of enforcement will be done as well as proactive measures to reach out to the AAPI community,” Chu said.

She added that with the uptick in hate crimes and incidents, there is no “comparable increase in the amount of prosecutions,” and in many instances, the perpetrators have yet to be caught.

“I’m afraid that we have had too many alarming incidents… where the criminal has not been prosecuted,” she said. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 20-23, 2021

A3

House Dems formally introduce...

PAGE A2 “Modernization of family-based immigration and legalization of undocumented immigrants are top priorities for Asian Americans, who turned out in record numbers in the last election,” said John C. Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC, who applauded the Reuniting Families Act, specifically.

For many API immigrant advocates, the bill is the beginning of a new era in immigration policy after years of fruitless proposals and urges to previous administrations to provide more permanent solutions that modernize the historically arcane American immigration system.

However, the bill is not without its critics, who pointed out mandates that don’t cater to specific immigrant communities, like some South East Asian refugees, many of whom have been continually deported, during not only the Trump administration but during former President Barack Obama’s administration, too.

“While these provisions would positively impact many Asian American and Arab Middle East-

ern Muslim and South Asian (AMEMSA) community members, the bill includes harmful provisions as well,” Asian Americans Advancing Justice said in a statement. “Specifically, the bill includes new additional criminal grounds of inadmissibility which will further punish vulnerable members of our communities.

Immigrants with criminal convictions have already suffered cruelty and racial targeting in our justice system; they should not be doubly punished.”

Though Democrats hold control of both chambers in Congress, passing the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 won’t be a cakewalk.

Throughout his campaign, Biden was criticized for being a willing participant in Obama’s many failures to deliver permanent solutions for undocumented immigrants. Notably, Obama’s presidency has been tainted with record-breaking deportations of Central American and South East Asian immigrants.

Currently, Biden and Democrats don’t have enough Republican support that is needed to pass the bill in a bipartisan fashion. For some Republicans, the

bill’s announcement on Thursday drew outrage who argued that the proposal does little to secure the border, which could encourage more illegal immigration.

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) — who previously co-sponsored bipartisan immigration legislation including the DREAM Act — said that the bill simply is not feasible. On NBC News, Graham suggested replacing the legalization of DACA-protected immigrants with beefed up border security.

“The more people you legalize, the more things will be required to be given, so we’ll see. It starts a conversation. You just can’t legalize one group without addressing the underlying broken immigration system. You just incentivize more. So, a smaller deal may be possible,” Graham said.

Sanchez acknowledged that Democrats and Republicans will likely have to reach a compromise, which may include a much more tailored version of the bill.

“We all know that when you introduce a bill, often times, the end result is not exactly the starting result,” Sanchez told reporters on Thursday. n

Fil-Am LA County sergeant dies of...

PAGE A1

scent.

With his passing, he was the sixth deputy and the 12th employee of the LASD to die from COVID-19. On Sunday, the department lost Pedro Romo, a 25year veteran of the department and a school resource deputy.

As of Wednesday morning, 2,856 sheriff’s department employees had tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, including 1,910 sworn personnel, according to the department’s website.

At the Los Angeles Police Department, three Filipino Ameri-

cans have died of COVID-19 earlier this year, as previously reported by the Asian Journal: Raymond Guerrero, a police service representative; Philip Sudario, an officer of 25 years; and Dexter De Los Santos, a full-time security guard with the Security Services Division. (AJPress)

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Dateline USa

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Gov. Newsom, lawmakers reach deal on $600 COVID-19 relief checks for low-income Californians

by Klarize

Medenilla

AJPress

CA Labor & Workforce Development Agency launches new employer portal for COVID-19 industry guidance New portal serves as a central hub of workplace information for employers during the pandemic

SACRAMENTO – The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) recently launched a new Employer Portal, a one-stop hub for California employers to quickly find upto-date state and local county COVID-19 guidance by business industry. The portal can be accessed at SaferAtWork.covid19. ca.gov, a new site for employers and workers featuring information about how we can all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

As businesses across the state continue to adapt through the pandemic, LWDA encourages employers to utilize the portal as a resource for how to operate safely and ensure compliance with state and local guidance.

“We recognize that in a public health crisis, guidelines and best practices are evolving.

That’s why we created a central navigation hub where employers can find the latest information,” said Labor Secretary Julie A. Su. “With this resource, we hope all employers will find it easier to access state and local information so that businesses can operate as safely as possible.”

To use the portal, employers answer a short set of questions on their business type, location, and current COVID-19 practices, and it generates a tailored “road

AS the public cry for a recall election, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state officials this week reached a deal to provide more extensive COVID-19 relief measures, including $600 relief checks for the state’s 5.7 million low-income residents.

Newsom on Wednesday, Feb. 17 announced the whopping $9.6 billion COVID-19 relief package alongside California Senate Leader Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (DLos Angeles) after weeks of public comment hearings and private negotiations among lawmakers.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Newsom in January unveiled the Golden State stimulus, a one-time $600 payment for low-income families.

The deal reached on Wednesday allocates $3.8 billion toward the stimulus deal.

“People are hungry and hurting,” Atkins said in a statement released on Wednesday. “I’m proud we were able to come together to get Californians some relief.”

The $9.6 billion deal will allocate billions toward the most hard hit areas of public life, especially small business: $2 billion toward small business and

nonprofit grants and fee waivers, $2 billion in tax relief for small businesses Additionally, approximately 575,000 undocumented workers who make up to $75,00 a year will get an extra $600, which could bring their total aid up to $1,200.

Additionally, Californians who are eligible for the $600 stimulus check must: - Earn less than $30,000 annually and received the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit in 2020 - Had been ineligible for the federal $1,200 and $600 COVID-19 relief payments - Be enrolled in the state’s cash assistance service CalWORKS - Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Security Payments (SSP) -Be enrolled in the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants Both chambers in the State Legislature are expected to vote on the bill on Monday, Feb. 22.

The bill is expected to pass in the legislature, after which Newsom will sign the package into law the following week, meaning that the $600 checks could go start to be distributed to eligible recipients within a few weeks.

The budget plan also relies heavily on the winter revenue

boost to cover $5.1 billion of spending, an unusual midyear move to which lawmakers would agree. The unprecedented decision reflects the state’s desperation to address the pandemic’s destructive effect on the state’s economy and individuals’ and families’ financial burdens.

California received record tax revenue even though the rest of the country continues to struggle through a recession. Newsom’s ability to reach a deal on his ambitious relief package during such a tumultuous time could give him leverage as he faces a growing recall threat over the state’s slow vaccine rollout plan and frustration over school closures.

Earlier this year, Newsom garnered criticism across California for ending the statewide stay-at-home order that returned the state to its oftenproblematic color-coded tier system, which allows certain counties to reopen businesses and schools based on advances in mitigating coronavirus spread.

Earlier this month, Newsom announced earlier that the state received an additional $10.3 billion in corporate and income tax revenues during December and January, more revenue than he expected when he first announced the Golden State Stimulus package in early January. n

WNBA-bound Chanelle Molina wants to play for PH map” of relevant information, links to helpful resources and more. The portal can generate more than 2,000 potential road maps depending on the business type and location, which identify the COVID-19 related guidance in effect for the business and county and can be printed or emailed for easy reference.

The portal, available in English and Spanish, pulls all COVID-19 guidance and requirements from trusted state, county and city sources, including from the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In addition, it provides information about employee benefits, paid sick leave and immediate steps to take in the event of a COVID-19 case at work. To ensure accurate information at all times, the portal will be updated with local and

state guidance on an ongoing basis.

Of note, the portal does not ask for business name or any other personal information. The information in the portal is for educational purposes and will not be used for state enforcement activities. The portal provides summarized information about California’s COVID-19 industry guidance and is not intended to provide legal advice.

The Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) is an executive branch agency that provides leadership to protect and improve the well-being of California’s current and future workforce. LWDA oversees seven major departments, boards and panels that serve California businesses and workers. (LWDA Release)

by ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FILIPINA American guard Chanelle Molina revealed that she wants to play for the Philippine women’s national basketball team “when the time is right.”

In an Instagram Live interview with FilAm Nation Select on Tuesday, February 16, she said: “I get asked this question a lot, you know if I will ever play for the Philippines. When the time’s right I feel like I want to represent the country, my country.”

Last week, Molina signed a training camp contract with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.

The 5-foot-9 guard acknowledged that the opportunity also meant that she is representing the Philippines and all the girls

aspiring to play basketball professionally.

“I’m representing the Filipino community and all those aspiring who wanna play basketball. I get a lot of messages from little girls, and they’re always like, ‘You’re my idol.

Represent.’ Just all that,” said Molina.

She added, “It’s bigger than basketball, for sure. Representing the Filipinos, and all the little girls aspiring to wanna be in my position. I’m glad that I’m representing them.”

Molina, who was born in Hawaii to Filipino parents, played college ball for Washington State for four years.

She was rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN in 2016.

In 2020, she went undrafted despite averaging 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists

per game in her four-year stint at Washington State. “[Connecticut Sun] actually called me beforehand, and they were thinking about drafting me. So I was like, kind of in their list of people to draft,” Molina told FilAm Nation.

“I had really high hopes of being drafted by them. Come draft day and I don’t hear my name getting called,” she added, admitting that there was “a lot of disappointment, a lot of sadness, anger, a whole mix of emotions.”

According to her, signing a training camp contract with Indiana Fever is a chance to prove Connecticut Sun “wrong.”

Currently, Molina is averaging 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in the 15 games with the Dolphins this season. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

De Lima acquitted in 1 drug case

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

PHILIPPINE Senator Leila de Lima has been acquitted of one of three drug charges she is currently facing.

Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 Judge Leizel Aquiatan on Wednesday, February 17, granted De Lima’s demurrer to evidence in Case Number 17-166.

A demurrer is a motion to dismiss a case due to insufficient evidence presented by prosecutors. When granted, the case is considered dismissed.

“The Demurrer to Evidence filed by Accused Leila De Lima is hereby granted. The petition for bail is rendered moot and academic as the grant is tantamount to her acquittal,” read the ruling.

The court denied a separate demurrer filed by De Lima’s coaccused Jose Adrian Dera. He was, however, allowed to post a bail bond P500,000.

According to reports, Dera was supposedly De Lima’s nephew but later claimed to be a police informant. He allegedly received money from convicted drug lord Peter Co on behalf of De Lima, but the court found that “no link between the two accused was proven.”

“Thus, it cannot be concluded that they agreed to engage in illegal drug trading,” the omnibus order said.

“As such, his demurrer to evi-

In this photo taken on Wednesday, February 17, Sen. Leila De Lima attends the trial of the third drug case she is facing at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256.

Senate photo

dence must be denied as conviction is still possible. He has to answer why he introduced himself as an agent or relative of De Lima to Hans Tan and to explain the money he received from the inmates,” it added.

Second demurrer denied In a separate ruling, Aquiatan denied De Lima’s demurrer and motion to post bail in Case Number 17-165.

The demurrer filed by co-accused Ronnie Dayan, De Lima’s former aide, was likewise denied.

Reports said that Dayan allegedly received money from former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-

charge Rafael Ragos, which he delivered to De Lima.

The court noted that De Lima “did not investigate the source” of the money, nor did she return it, leading to a conclusion that she knew the money came from illegal drug dealings.

“The prosecution witnesses sufficiently established that accused De Lima, as the Secretary of Justice at the time, enabled the NBP inmates to resort to illegal drug trading so that they can collect funds for her campaign,” it added.

Aquiatan said “it is impera-

u PAGE A8

Philippines receives 1st of 2 C-130 planes from US MANILA — The U.S. government on Thursday, February 18 turned over the first of two C-130H Hercules planes to the Philippines under the Foreign Military Financing grant program.

The aircraft, worth P1.54 billion, is capable of a maximum payload of 19,000 kilos, with a flying range of over 1,900 kilometers, the U.S. embassy in Manila said in a statement on Thursday, February 18.

The 220 Airlift Wing at the Philippine Air Force Brigadier General Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu will own and operate the aircraft, it said.

“The C-130 is a proven aircraft and demonstrated its reach and

capability to deliver COVID-19 supplies across the country over the past year. We hope this additional aircraft will continue to be a steady workhorse, or ‘Tamaraw,’ for the Philippine Air Force for years to come,” U.S. embassy chargé d’affaires John Law said.

The delivery of the C-130H Hercules came as the two countries discussed the fate of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which President Duterte unilaterally terminated last year.

The Philippines is by far the largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. embassy said.

Since 2015, the U.S. has delivered more than P37 billion worth of planes, ships, armored

vehicles, small arms and other military equipment to the Philippines, while also training sideby-side with its Filipino allies.

Meanwhile, former House speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged the public to trust Duterte’s handling of the VFA, saying the President has the best interest of the Philippines at heart when he said the U.S. government must pay for the continuation of the agreement.

“Let’s not judge the President, the way he says it. Actually, many presidents have said the same thing, that if you (U.S.) want to be in the Philippines, what’s in it for us?” Cayetano said in an interview on Wednesday with

u PAGE A7

A5

A6 FEBRUARY 20-23, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPiniOn

Will of the people

FeatURes

THE losing camp is reportedly considering an appeal, as is its right. But with the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, handing down a unanimous decision, a reversal is unlikely in its junking of the poll protest filed by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Even Malacañang, where insulting the Vice President has become an unfortunate habit, is calling on all parties to bow to the PET ruling.

The country is preoccupied with battling a crippling pandemic, and the campaign for the next general elections is set to officially start in about a year. Now that the PET has spoken, it’s time for the contending parties to move on. There are many pressing national issues calling for attention.

The nation should be glad that the PET decision was unanimous, and handed down with a year and a half to spare before the next general elections. It would be even better, however, if such electoral challenges can be resolved faster. Questions about the legitimacy of an elected official’s mandate must be settled at the start rather than the finish line of the term. There must be ways of tossing out frivolous challenges ASAP. For sure the situation could be worse: Marcos’

challenge could have been resolved near the end of the term, or even long after a new administration is in place. This has happened in many other electoral protests, with the late senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. among the most prominent victims. Pimentel was confirmed to be a victim of poll padding and shaving or dagdagbawas in the 1995 Senate race, but this was established only after the contested term was already over.

Such slow action on electoral challenges has encouraged cheating in both national and local races. An election mandate, once stolen, can be irretrievable. And for a duly elected official whose mandate faces a legal challenge, the unsettled question of legitimacy casts a shadow over the person’s service to the public.

After settling the electoral row in the 2016 race for the vice presidency, the Supreme Court can ing up the resolution of poll protests. Elections are work with the other electoral tribunals in speed- the ultimate manifestations of people power in a

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

democracy. Every effort must be made in ensuring that the will of the people prevails. (Philstar.com)

New development in the US war against COVID-19 brings hope, relief to our Filipino nurses fighting on the frontlines The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS JUST as the Philippines has vaccinated zero health care workers, these frontliners have been battling fatigue, depression and stress as they risk their lives to help save the lives of fellow Filipinos amid the continued threat of COVID-19. But in contrast, our Filipino nurses here in the United States can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

A headline from the Associated Press (AP) reveals such optimism: “Pandemic’s deadliest month in U.S. ends with signs of progress.”

As the AP reported: “The U.S. death toll has climbed past 440,000, with over 95,000 lives lost in January alone. Deaths are running at about 3,150 per day on average, down slightly by about 200 from their peak in mid-January.”

However, the AP wrote based on facts and data: “But as the calendar turned to February on Monday, the number of Ameri-

cans in the hospital with COVID-19 fell below 100,000 for the first time in two months. New cases of infection are averaging about 148,000 day, falling from almost a quarter-million in mid-January. And cases are trending downward in all 50 states.”

What a difference genuine pro-people leadership makes in saving lives! Despite the continued threats of new strains/ variants of the virus, the mere fact that decisions of the new leadership of the United States under President Joe Biden are based on science and facts, we feel confident we are on track to defeating the virus and saving more lives.

For one, public safety measures like wearing masks and physical distancing have been de-politicized and have been implemented better and consistently across the nation. There has been a “cultural shift,” a rational acceptance that compliance with these safety measures has nothing to do with politics and has everything to do with defeating the virus so that we could all go back faster to normal life. Best of all, the new President of the United States is leading by example.

And the vaccine! AP reported on the progress we are making

when people started getting vaccinated. “After a slow start, the vaccination drive that began in mid-December is picking up the pace. More than 32.2 million doses have been administered in the U.S., according to the CDC. That is up from 16.5 million on the day President Joe Biden took office, Jan. 20,” the report said.

However, there is a challenge when it comes to caregivers who care for the elderly in nursing homes. “Researchers looked at more than 11,000 nursing homes and other such facilities that had at least one vaccination clinic between mid-December and mid-January. While 78% of residents got at least one shot, only 37.5% of staff members did.

Surveys suggest some nursing home workers are skeptical of the shots’ effectiveness and don’t think viruses spread easily from them to the people they care for,” AP reported.

This news is important to many Filipinos working on the frontlines of the war against COVID-19. I have written how the lives of so many Filipinos working in the health care industry in the U.S. have been disproportionately impacted, especially our nurses.

“Filipino and Filipino Ameri-

can nurses are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates, accounting for more than 30% of the 205 U.S. nurses who have died, though the group makes up just 4 percent of the total nurse workforce”, according to The Mercury News.

More than two-thirds of nurse deaths in California are among Filipino Americans, the Mercury News reported in October. “California, where about 20% of nurses identify as Filipino, they account for 11 of the 16 COVID-19 deaths in the profession, or nearly 70%”, according to the California Nurses Association.

Why is this happening and what can be done?

(To be continued) *** 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.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris publicly receive jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine to set an example that it is safe.

White House photos

MDT 70 years after: What does it mean today?

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ On Aug. 30, 1951, the United States and the Philippines signed the Mutual Defense Treaty, the one and only – as well as the longest running – defense treaty that the Philippines has ever made with any nation. The MDT came about five years after the Philippines gained its independence in 1946 – the same year that also saw the US and the Philippines establishing formal diplomatic relations.

Under the Mutual Defense Treaty, both countries would come to the aid of each other if either nation should ever come under attack by a foreign aggressor – in essence underscoring the close relations between the two allies whose soldiers fought alongside each other against the Japanese during World War II, resulting in either death or capture of 23,000 American troops and 100,000 Filipino soldiers.

A shared experience that has also been deeply etched into the consciousness of Filipinos is the Bataan Death March where

an estimated 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war walked about 100 kilometers from Mariveles in Bataan to Capas in Tarlac, with thousands dying during the grueling march. My father, a young doctor then, told us how he sewed back a portion of the neck of a Filipino guerrilla survivor of the march half-cut by a Japanese samurai sword. Let’s also not forget we fought “shoulder to shoulder” during the 1950 Korean War. But like any relationship, there have been numerous bumps along the way, one of them the closure of the US bases in 1992.

Despite that, the US-Philippines alliance remained, with the Visiting Forces Agreement ratified in 1999 by the Philippine Senate, followed by the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

During the virtual Bilateral Strategic Dialogue the other day with officials of the Pentagon and the US Department of State where Foreign Secretary Locsin joined us, we had a frank discussion regarding our bilateral relations and the issues surrounding the Mutual

Defense Treaty and the VFA. Unauthorized access.

President Duterte’s speech the other day in Clark, Pampanga during his inspection of newly-delivered air assets simply underscores the complex geopolitical world that we live in today, especially in the South China Sea and with China emerging as a military and economic power in the Asian region.

With the Philippines in the center of the arena, so to speak, the President is virtually walking on a tightrope because he clearly stated he does not want to quarrel with China. “We are avoiding any confrontation – a confrontation that would lead to something which we can hardly afford, at least not at this time,” the President said.

While we know that we have an ally in the US – “I am a friend of the United States,” the President affirmed – there are issues in the past that have generated disappointment as well as resentment. A case in point is the guided missiles and other weapons that have long been promised because the Philippines needs them to

enhance our capability in fighting extremists. These missiles were, however, only provided last November after a conversation between President Duterte and then-US president Donald Trump.

The symbolic importance of this gesture was very apparent when the guided missiles and other weapons were personally delivered by former US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien. President Duterte said, “It’s not as if we are asking for them for free – we are willing to buy equipment and other assets under terms that are befitting close allies.”

Many Filipinos certainly understand where the President is coming from when he said that the Philippines is being treated like a child who is promised something only to be left hanging later. “Their top brass will come; this group will promise you… Once they take off, they forget about it and nobody’s following [up] until you keep on reminding them,” the president said.

Many Filipinos, particularly the veterans, couldn’t help but feel disappointed at what they

see as unfavorable – if not unequal treatment – between our nation and that of America’s erstwhile enemies like Vietnam and Japan, which is now one of the strongest allies of the US along with South Korea.

For the Philippines to become a reliable ally, its Armed Forces must be equipped with new aircraft and other hard assets that would enhance its defense capabilities and enable it to contribute to the partnership. Unfortunately, the materiel support our country has been getting were cast-offs and hand-me-downs under the negative sounding “Excess Defense Articles” (EDA) program of the US Department of Defense where “defense articles and military equipment that are no longer needed by the US Armed Forces” are transferred to other countries under the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act of the US. Aside from these transferred assets being old, they also do not come with weapons, technically rendering them unserviceable.

Even the joint training exercises known as the “Balikatan” (shoulder to shoulder) have

also become a source of frustration – if not disappointment – for many young officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. During joint drills that are also aimed at enhancing interoperability, American soldiers would be bringing in their modern weaponry and military equipment that would be “borrowed” by our Filipino troops who would be impressed, occasionally salivating with envy.

But once the Balikatan is over, the Americans would leave, taking all their equipment with them – leaving our boys hanging and wondering what the whole training was for.

Without being presumptuous, this is our interpretation of what the President meant when he said the US has to “pay for the VFA” in consonance with our shared responsibility and the true meaning of Mutual Defense Treaty. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 20-23, 2021

A7

Medicare Story #2

Mga Paraan Para Panatiliing Malusog

ang Inyong Katawan at Pitaka sa

Medicare Advantage Plan

Ito ang pangalawang istorya sa serye ng Medicare Tips hatid ng Clever Care Health Plan, isang nangungunang tagapagbigay ng East meets West Medicare services na sensitibo sa kultura ng kanilang mga miyembro.

INTRAMUROS GUARD. A security guard patrols on a mountain bike the grounds of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila on Friday, February 19. Intramuros will now welcome guests and tourists on a limited capacity.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Philippines receives 1st of 2 C-130 planes...

PAGE A5 t reporters during the distribution of donations to barangay health workers in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.

“We need to think about the Filipino people. What sets President Duterte apart is that he points out that the relationship or conflict between China and the U.S. is getting worse,” Cayetano said.

“Let’s be clear. The U.S., although they place security forces in different parts of the world, they still put their interests first.

Same with China. Let’s not say what China is doing, especially at the West Philippine Sea, is for others – it’s for China. So, what we need to think is for the interest of the Philippines,” he said.

President Duterte had said in a speech delivered at the inspection of new air assets at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Feb. 12 that the U.S. should pay if it wishes to retain the VFA. “It’s a shared responsibility but your share of responsibility does not come free because after all, when the war breaks out, we all pay,” he said.

This drew criticism from Vice President Leni Robredo, who likened Duterte’s demand for payment to “extortion.”

Cayetano, however, said the people should expect that any president would place the interest of the country “front and center.”

“All he’s saying is, if the U.S. has interest here and wants their

troops trained here… how about the Filipino people? What’s in it for us?” he said.

Duterte had announced the termination of the pact on Feb. 11, 2020 but the decision was deferred months later to give way to negotiations on a new defense arrangement between the Philippines and the U.S. Sen. Imee Marcos has defended Duterte’s stand that the Philippines should be better compensated for enhancing the U.S. military defense posture in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Philippines not only enhances the forward defense perimeter of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region but even subsidizes its utility expenses in our very own bases,” Marcos said in a statement.

“When many Filipinos cannot even pay their water and electricity bills amid this pandemic, how can the Philippines continue subsidizing the utility expenses of American forces?” she said, citing U.S. military benefits in Article 7 under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

She reiterated her call for a thorough review of EDCA, saying it allows the U.S. not only to skirt the country’s constitutional ban on foreign bases but also to avoid paying the annual compensation that was due the Philippine government before they were abolished.

“Even superpowers need allies, and the new American

pivot to the Asia-Pacific shows the enhanced role of our region and the Philippines,” the senator said in countering criticisms of Duterte’s demand for better compensation as a form of extortion.

She said she agreed with Duterte that the $3.9 billion in U.S. military assistance to the Philippines from 2001 to 2017 was paltry compared to the $16 billion given to Pakistan in the same period.

She said Washington fears that if the Pakistani government fails, the 150 nuclear warheads it has produced may fall in the hands of the Taliban and could be used against the U.S. Without the Philippines, America’s supply chain and security commitments in the region are vulnerable but the country’s hosting of U.S. forces makes it a potential and logical target of adversaries if war breaks out in the region, even if it does not directly involve the Philippines, she said.

“If China attacks Taiwan for its push towards independence, America’s committed response to protect Taiwan will not be as swift, having to come from bases in Japan, South Korea, Guam or Australia,” Marcos said.

She said human rights issues may be used against the Duterte government “to strike a bargain on what should strictly be a security issue.” (Helen Flores, Ric Sapnu, Paolo Romero/Philstar. com)

Para sa mga marami, ang “golden years” o ang mga taon pagkatapos mag-retiro, ay ang pinakamasaya sa buhay ng isang tao. Isa sa mga kritikal na bagay sa pag-tanda ay ang magbudget, at importante ito para sa mga gastos sa inyong kalusugan na hindi karaniwang sakop ng tradisyonal na Medicare. Hatid ng artikulong ito ang impormasyon tungkol sa kung paano makakatulong ang Medicare Advantage plan na maging abot-kaya ang inyong karagdagang gastos para sa kalusugan.

care. Maaring magbago ang mga benepisyo ayon sa plano, pero may mga ilang Medical Advantage plans na nag-aalok ng hearing services para sa kanilang mga miyembro sa pamamagitan ng itinalagang network ng hearing specialists. Sa Medicare Advantage Plan mula sa Clever Care, kasama na ang hearing exams at hearing aid fittings. Makakatanggap din ang mga miyembro ng allowance na hanggang sa $1,500 bawat tenga kada taon para sa pagbayad ng hearing aids.

Dental ServiceS Hindi covered ng orihinal na Medicare ang routine dental care, o dental procedures, tulad ng cleanings, filling, pagbunot ng ngipin, pustiso, dental plates, at iba pang dental devices. Ang mga miyembro ng Clever Care Medicare Advantage ay makatanggap ng allowance hanggang sa $1,600 sa isang taon para sa comprehensive dental services. Ang mga routine dental exam, cleanings at x-rays ay sakop ng plano bukod pa sa allowance. Ibig sabihin, kung pagkatapos ng isang exam, kailangan ng isang miyembro ang root canal, pustiso, crowns o bridges, mayroon hanggang $1,600 na allowance para makatulong sa pagbayad para sa mga serbisyong kanilang kailangan.

o v e r - t H e - c o u n t e r Me Dicat ion anD Supplie S May ilang mga Medicare Advantage plans na kasama na sa coverage ang prescription drugs (Part D), o puwede kang bumili ng hiwalay na Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Pero, hindi karaniwan na covered ng mga planong ito ang iba pang gamot o supplies na hindi nangangailangan ng reseta tulad ng pain relievers (acetaminophen o ibuprofen), cough suppressants, allergy medication, o gamot sa heartburn at indigestion. Mga supply tulad ng mga benda, anti-itch creams, ice packs, at incontinence products ay hindi tipikal na covered. Sa Clever Care Medicare Advantage plans, may allowance para sa over-the-counter items. Mayroon ding dagdag na allowance para sa herbal supplements.

viSion ServiceS Hindi covered ng orihinal na Medicare ang routine eye exams para sa salamin o contact lenses.

Nagbabago ang mga benepisyo depende sa plano, pero maaring covered ng Medicare Advantage plans ang routine eye exams, salamin, contacts, at fittings para sa frames at contact lenses. Eligible ang mga miyembro ng Medicare Advantage members na hatid ng Clever Care Health Plan para sa routine eye exams, at puwede silang makatanggap ng hanggang sa $300 na allowance na puwedeng gamitin para sa salamin o contact lenses kada dalawang taon.

Hearing ServiceS Hindi covered ng orihinal na Medicare ang hearing aids, at iba pang tipo ng hearing-related

SuMMary Umaasa kami na nakatulong ang artikulong ito para mapakita kung paano kayo makakatipid sa Medicare Advantage plan na may mga allowance para sa dental, vision, hearing, at over-thecounter supplies. Kung mayroon pa kayong mga tanong, humingi ng payo sa inyong health care provider, o sa Tagalog-speaking representatives ng Clever Care Health Plan sa 833-365-1888 (TTY: 771). clevercarehealthplan.com

A8 february 20-23, 2021 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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WHO sees COVID-19 upsurge if Philippines eases restrictions

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

PEDICABS. Pedicab drivers wait for passengers at the intersection of Quezon Avenue and BIR Road in Quezon City on Thursday, February 18. Pedicab is an alternative mode of transport as bus and jeepney operations remain limited under the general community quarantine.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

80 more Filipinos abroad sick, 9 dead from COVID-19

MANILA — Foreign affairs officials on Thursday, February 18 saw 80 more Filipinos overseas contracting the coronavirus along with nine new deaths, bringing its count of infections to 14,759.

The DFA in a daily bulletin attributed the spike in cases from an increase in reported cases in a country in Europe that it did not name. The numbers on February 18 are the highest for the week so far, after the 13 Filipino patients it tallied on Monday, February 15.

The new deaths tallied on Thursday, February 18 bring the agency’s death toll to 988, while 35 more recoveries put the overall figures of those who got well at 9,273.

Some 4,498 continue to re-

ceive treatment in now 87 countries that have confirmed cases among Filipinos.

“The DFA shall continue to keep track of the status of overseas Filipinos and facilitate repatriations whenever possible,” the agency said.

To date, the Middle East remains with the most cases at 8,110, with deaths now reaching 640 and recoveries at 4,755.

Also on Thursday, Europe took the spot of the second highest count of infections at 2,919, with Asia Pacific now at 2,870. The former has 125 deaths and 1,894 recoveries with the latter with fatalities still at 21 and patients who have recovered at 2,042.

The Americas continue to have

the least at 860 infections, but it remains with the second worst fatality count at 202, along with 582 since recovered.

Globally, the number of individuals who have been sick with the COVID-19 breached 110 million along with 2.43 million deaths, per the tracker by Johns Hopkins University.

In both, the United States has kept the worst figures at 27.82 million cases and more than 490,000 deaths.

India (10.95 million), Brazil (9.97 million), the United Kingdom (4.08 million) and Russia (4.07 million) follow in the Top 5 list, while the Philippines’ 555,163 put it at the 31st spot.

(Philstar.com)

Teen pins Tarlac twin murders on ex-cop TARLAC CITY—The 16-yearold girl who captured on her mobile phone camera the killing of a woman and her son in Paniqui, Tarlac, in December last year took the witness stand on Thursday, February 18 and identified dismissed policeman Jonel Nuezca as the gunman.

The girl said Nuezca was the one who shot and killed Sonya Gregorio and her son, Frank Anthony, on Dec. 20, 2020, said lawyer Roland Inting, counsel for the Gregorio family.

Nuezca has been charged with double murder in the Paniqui Regional Trial Court Branch 67.

He entered a “not guilty” plea during the Jan. 7 arraignment.

“Our witness testified that she

saw the killing, the entire incident,” Inting told the Inquirer by telephone on Thursday.

Inting said the girl was present in the courtroom while Nuezca took part in the trial via Zoom from the detention facility of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Tarlac City during the continuation of the trial, which began on Feb. 4.

He said the mobile phone that contained the video of the shooting that the girl took and which had gone viral on social media was also submitted as evidence.

On Feb. 4, Florentino Gregorio, Sonya’s husband and Frank’s father, also testified during the first hearing to prove Nuezca’s civil liability in the case.

Florentino sought more than P70 million in civil and exemplary damages from Nuezca, Inting said.

His wife and son were shot by the off-duty policeman at close range. The killings were reportedly triggered by an old feud between Nuezca and his neighbors over property and right of way.

Nuezca, a former police master sergeant, fled on board a motorcycle with his young daughter after the shooting. But he surrendered to policemen in Pangasinan province hours after the crime and confessed to the killing.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 11, Inting said. (Maria Adelaida Calayag/Inquirer.net)

MANILA — As the government has yet to roll out a vaccination program, easing of quarantine restrictions – as proposed by economic planners – can result in a major spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Speaking before a Laging Handa public briefing, WHO country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe on Thursday, February 18 said easing of quarantine restriction could lead to widespread transmission of COVID. “If we now go for large-scale relaxation of measures given the current existing situation and the circulation of variants and the fact it’ll still be many months before a large proportion of Filipinos are vaccinated, we may witness a situation where there’ll be an upsurge of cases and the overwhelming of the health system,” Abeyasinghe said.

“Every measure needs to be carefully calibrated and decided upon before being implemented,” he added.

The WHO official issued the warning as the National Econom-

ic and Development Authority (NEDA) has proposed placing the entire country under the most lenient modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in March.

He noted that COVID cases in the Philippines have yet to flatten, as the level of community transmission remains relatively high.

“I believe firmly that we still need to maintain these restrictions. That doesn’t mean we cannot loosen up in areas where the economy will benefit,” Abeyasinghe pointed out.

According to Abeyasinghe, both the health risks and the economic benefits must be considered before any decision on the easing of restriction is made.

Aside from vaccination, Abeyasinghe also attributed the global decline in COVID cases to the imposition of quarantine restriction in other countries.

“We also need to recognize that in many of the hotspots where the number of cases are surging they have implemented very strict movement restriction orders. This may be contributing to the decrease in transmission,” he said.

But he said the decrease in cases does not mean that the

pandemic is already over and thus restriction could not just be instantly lifted.

“If we relax measures too early we see that the rebound happens very fast so we need to keep this in mind and we have to be very careful in relaxing those as we see transmission rates dropping (globally),” he explained.

Department of Health (DOH)’s Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service director Eric Tayag said there is no “zero risk” of COVID transmission.

He said the risk of COVID transmission remains even among those vaccinated. “The recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases can’t be said to be zero risk. The basis is to manage the risk,” he said in Filipino.

Tayag stressed the need for strict observance of the minimum health protocol if and when the government eases quarantine restrictions.

He said the public should be responsible enough to follow health protocols and to stay in their homes instead of going out to watch movies if cases of COVID are high in their area. n

De Lima acquitted in 1 drug...

PAGE A5 t tive” for De Lima and Dayan to explain the alleged receipt of the money. The judge also wants De Lima to explain why the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were excluded in the surprise 2014 raid at the New Bilibid Prison.

“These facts, if unrebutted, the same is prima facie sufficient to support a verdict of guilt against the accused,” the court said.

De Lima and Dayan’s lawyers will present their evidence and witnesses on March 5.

The senator’s third charge, Case Number 17-167, is pending before Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256.

De Lima welcomes ruling In a statement, De Lima said: “To be acquitted even in just one case, in the time of Duterte, is a victory.”

She also maintained her innocence, pointing out that the

evidence against her is weak and made up.

“Puro laway lang ang basehan... Ang kaso laban sa akin ay conspiracy to engage in illegal drug trading. Pero ang lumabas sa mga pagdinig, walang ebidensya ng kasunduan (The evidence is just based on their words. The case against me is conspiracy to engage in illegal drug trading.

But the hearings found there was no evidence of any collusion),” said De Lima.

“Walang kahit isang testigo na nagpatunay na ako at ang aking kapwa akusado ay nakipagsabwatan sa mga drug lords para maglako o magbenta ng ilegal na droga sa Bilibid (There were no witnesses that proved I and the co-accused conspired with drug lords to sell illegal drugs in Bilibid),” she added.

De Lima also said that her camp will be reviewing the court’s ruling in Case Number 17-165 so they can file a motion for reconsideration.

“Ang labang ito ay hindi lang personal kong laban, kundi laban ng sambayanan (This is not just my personal fight but the people’s fight),” she stressed.

“Mula’t sapul, ang mga kasong ito ay ginagamit lamang na paraan para patahimikin ako at gambalain ang aking paglilingkod sa bayan bilang senador (From the start, these cases have been used to silence me and interfere with my public service as a senator),” added De Lima.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) said it respects the court’s decision.

“The DOJ has always trusted in the good judgment and impartiality of the trial court,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

“We believe that the honorable judge has diligently examined and weighed all the evidence presented by the prosecution before making a determination as to its sufficiency or insufficiency, and for this reason, we reiterate our utmost respect,” he added. n

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LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Information on the Embassy reopening Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ AS almost everyone is aware, the U.S. Embassy in Manila has not been issuing most immigrant visas since approximately March 2020 because of Covid-19 restrictions and the presidential proclamation, suspending visa issuance until April 2021. Here are some of the latest updates in connection with the Embassy reopening for immigrant visa processing: 1. The Embassy continues issuing immigrant visas for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, notwithstanding the presidential proclamation. Just last week, one of my clients, the spouse of a U.S. citizen, had her immigrant visa issued. She stated she was not required to undergo COVID-19 testing or vaccination for her visa to be issued. However, there is a requirement that all travelers to the U.S., even U.S. citizens, must provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter.

2. For minor children of U.S. citizens, the child’s biological age must be under 21. If their eligibility is based on the CSPA, they would still be subject to the presidential proclamation.

3. In terms of scheduling a visa interview, the U.S. Em-

bassy will resume visa services as soon as possible, but cannot provide a specific date at this time. It is likely that after the presidential proclamation expires, there will still be social distancing restrictions and they will not be able to operate at full capacity. My client who was just issued a visa advised there are relatively few visa applicants at the Embassy, and she went in about 7 a.m. and was finished by 9:30 a.m. with her interview, which is fast, as sometimes a person is not finished until the afternoon.

4. The U.S. Embassy is still not processing K-1 fiancé(e) visa applications and cannot provide a specific date when K-1 visa processing will resume.

If the validity period of the K-1 petition has expired, the consul will decide whether to revalidate it at the time of the interview. There is no need to contact the Embassy now about rescheduling interviews, expiration of petitions, or medical exam. Instead, we have to wait for further notices/information.

5. If a person’s medical exam has expired, the person must complete another medical exam at St. Luke’s. However, people should not reschedule their medical exam until they can reschedule their immigrant visa interview. Otherwise, the medical exam may expire before the resumption of visa services.

6. If a person was issued a 221(g) refusal, requiring them to submit additional documen-

FIND OUT WHY THE U.S. CANNOT DEPORT 11 MILLION PEOPLE ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) discusses the latest immigration news from the highlights of his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Atty. Gurfinkel also answers questions from three Kapamilyas. Rose from Seattle, Washington (2nd from left) petitioned her son in 2004. The petition was approved in 2007, but Rose did not know because she never got the notice despite informing the USCIS of her change in address. Rose is asking if she should have informed the National Visa Center, too. Winnie from Apple Valley, California (3rd from left) wants to know if her mother, who came to the U.S. as a tourist in December 2019, will be considered out-of-status because she extended her stay due to COVID. JayAr from Malate in the Philippines (right) is asking if he is qualified for U.S. citizenship because he is the son of an American citizen, even if his father died six years ago. Be sure to watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 pm PST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

tation, but they were unable to do so within one year, they need to contact the U.S. Embassy to advise the Embassy of the difficulty in meeting the one-year deadline to avoid their case being terminated. Otherwise, send the documents to the Embassy via the 2GO courier, once they resume services and you can obtain the required documents.

7. The Embassy cannot extend the validity of anyone’s visa that is expiring. However, in some cases, the Embassy may be able to “replace” an expired visa, if the person can demonstrate that their inability to use the visa was due to circumstances beyond his/her

control. It would appear that COVID-19 was beyond a person’s control.

8. If you are not contacted by the Embassy within 30 days after it resumes regular operations, you can contact the U.S. Embassy but only after routine services have resumed.

While the presidential proclamation will be expiring at the end of March 2021, it is obvious that the Embassy will need to provide further guidance and instructions on how people will be able to reschedule interviews, what the requirements may be, and other guidance.

Also, even after the presidential proclamation has expired, there may still be restrictions based

on COVID-19. We will continue to keep you updated on any new developments because I know that there have been thousands of people affected by this shutdown, and are all eager to have their visas issued and be able to travel to the U.S. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Suc-

cess Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

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Iñigo earns praise from Air Supply

By Boy

aBunda Philstar.com

Carmina Villaroel

Photo from Instagram/@mina_villaroel

Meet Carmina, the villain

By Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

EVEr since debuting onscreen in the ‘80s, Carmina Villarroel has portrayed sweet and bubbly characters. and when she became a doting mom to twins in real life, she seamlessly transitioned to the supportive and loving, albeit sometimes stern, mother roles on tV. this 2021, however, things are about to change as the angelic-faced actress portrays a scheming villain in “Babawiin Ko ang lahat.” a GMa afternoon soap, Villarroel plays Dulce Espejo-tanaka in her latest project– the materialistic and conniving former lover of Victor (John Estrada) who vows to take everything from him for the sake of her children.

“It’s exciting and at the same time challenging. It’s very difficult because my role here as Dulce is very different from Carmina,” the actress first told the Manila times at the show’s virtual media conference.

Far from all the kind mothers she’s played onscreen before, Dulce will do whatever it takes, even if hurting people physically, so that she and her children Joel (Kristoffer Martin) and trina (liezel lopez) can take away the life Victor now shares with his new wife Christine (tanya Garcia-lapid) and their daugh-

ter Iris (pauline Mendoza). “at first I had a difficult time but since I love what I’m doing and I’m very excited with my role so talagang pinagaralan ko ng maigi paano siya ia-a-take,” she continued.

Villarroel said her goal is to make the viewers understand where Dulce’s seemingly unending evilness is coming from.

“Kasi lagi kong sinasabi, to begin with, walang masamang tao, nagiging masama lang yung siya because of circumstances or because that person was pushed to the limit. I just wanted to show the viewers na ganun si Dulce, I am not justifying yung maling ginagawa niya but I want to show where she’s coming from.” the 45-year-old actress admitted she was surprised to actually be offered the role.

“I asked myself, ‘Kaya ko ba ito gawin?’ Kasi alam ko this is going to be hardwork for me — it’s not easy to play a kontrabida kasi ikaw ang magpapahirap sa buhay ng lahat so you really have to be convincing, kailangan talagang nakakainis ka.”

In the end the chance to create a new character she’s never had the chance to play before prevailed and so she took it and said she doesn’t have any regrets in doing so.

Her brave decision earned even the admiration of her co-

stars.

“Bilib ako kay Mina [Villarroel] na kinuha niya tong role, walang hesitations. Ang galing niya dito — maiinis at mabubuwisit kayo sa kanya dito. Ako nagulat ako and honestly as her co-actor, I wanna thank her for this role, ibang iba si Carmina dito,” Estrada commended.

Garcia-lapid, meanwhile, revealed Villarroel’s bubbly personality still emerges behind the scene, “Bilang bungisngis pag pinaguusapan namin yung mga eksena, ang ending, tawanan na lang kami sa rehearsal.”

“Pero pag take na, she delivers and makikita mo dito talaga yung galing niya kasi in real life, alam natin paano siya pero nagiiba siya when she plays Dulce,” Villaroel’s nemesis in the show added. and that’s exactly what Villarroel wants to achieve from the viewers as well. More than the fear that they will be angry at her for playing Dulce, the actress said she’s excited for them to finally get to know her new character.

“I know the viewers are smart enough to know that I am portraying a role and this is not the real Carmina. Siguro naman sa tagal ko na sa industriya, they know me already. Kung mainis man sila sa akin then very good, baka maisip ko talagang I did my job well,” she ended.

IñIGo pascual is smiling from ear to ear these days. and why shouldn’t he be when no less than the air supply, composed of russell Hitchcock and Graham russell, expressed admiration for his masterful take of all out of love? all out of love is among the soft rock duo’s musical gems that has been remade over a hundred times by different artists all over the world, the latest being Iñigo whose version is so pleasant to the ears, it will make you want to sing along with him. Give it a listen and certainly, you’ll agree that he managed to stamp it with supreme sincerity. russell considered it as an amazing act with a great arrangement, adding that “it’s a perfect thing, I love it.”

Graham equally found the young singer-actor’s version fresh and humorously pointed out how Iñigo would see it as a “problem” in the coming days. He said to Iñigo during a video call, “I love the record. the only problem with that Iñigo is you’ll have to sing it for the rest of your career (laughs). You take over from us.” those kind words from the iconic duo were definitely a morale booster for the charming son of piolo pascual.

“I can’t believe that we have this

Iñigo Pascual is thankful to Air Supply for the trust as he remakes their hit song All Out of Love.

Philstar.com photo

remake and to have the original makers of the song themselves being here with us, thank you, guys so much for supporting us,” began Iñigo with his pair of eyes twinkling in bliss. “I mean, we’re just artists trying to remake your song but the fact you have given us so much trust, means a lot to me as an artist. this is an opportunity of a lifetime for me.”

Iñigo gave in to requests about singing some parts of the song and Graham was amazed at the new rendition. He exclaimed, “that blows my mind! What a beautiful voice you got and the vibrato is so natural. You’ve been given a great gift and I hope throughout your career you’ll share it with the

world.” russell also praised the way the reimagined version remained true to the song’s substance. “the fact that it’s true to its essence in the way Graham wrote it is another great tribute to the song. that’s the way I want to hear it,” he said. this is the latest collaboration between Iñigo and tarsier records head Chris lopez, a.k.a. Moophs, who were also behind the dancehall-pop tune always which became part of apple Music’s the 100 Best songs of 2020.

Chris admitted the challenge of remaking a classic that has been remade so many times by different artists. He knew that it’s such a legendary song that he grew up listening to and “I’m hearing it all the time so I had to do justice but I also had to try to grasp Iñigo’s sound so I gave it several tries and the first two really worked.”

He continued, “I wanted to keep it true to the piece of a ballad so it means he has to sing with that kind of feel. and it turned out so well.”

Graham felt great that millennial artists like Iñigo are showing interest to do remakes of their songs.

“It’s great because it means that the song is transcending generations. there are gonna be so many more, millions of people that hear it or haven’t heard it — and they aren’t that many. there’s gonna be a lot more now.”

Jamie realizes her mission in music InspIratIonal diva Jamie rivera feels it is her “mission” to be singing gospel songs. rivera recently launched the inspirational song “We Give our Yes,” the official mission song to mark 500 years of Christianity in the philippines, a year-long celebration that commenced this month. rivera recalled several music events in her life that seem to have prepared her for a bigger mission.

“I consider this… hindi naman culminating pero parang hinanda yata ako para sa occasion na ito,” rivera said in an online conference for the album launch yesterday, Feb. 17.

(I consider this not as a culmination, but it seems that I was prepared for this occasion.) rivera recalled singing inspirational songs that started her road into gospel music like “Jubilee,” “Heal our land,” “awit para sa Ina ng sto. rosario,” “We are God’s Children” and now, “We Give our Yes.” Calling it “divine providence,” rivera felt that it has become her mission to spread the word of God through her songs. “as we grow older, hindi natin alam iyong plano ni lord sa atin because God’s plan is bigger than ours. Kaya hindi ko pa masasabi kung culminating ba ito or ito na

Jamie Rivera

Inquirer.net photo

ba iyong last,” she explained.

(As we grow older, we do not know the Lord’s plan for us because God’s plan is bigger than ours. That is why I cannot say if this is a culmination or this will be the last.)

“What I can say is that it is a preparation for a bigger mission,” she added. rivera recalled the day she was asked to sing an inspirational song. It was the year 2000, and her brother Jun Cruz asked her to sing for Jesus’s 2,000th birthday. “akala ko kakanta lang ng ‘happy birthday to you.’ akala ko ganoon lang, eh. Iyon pala it’s a bigger responsibility,” rivera recalled.

(I thought I would just sing “happy birthday to you.” I thought it was just that. It turned out to be a bigger responsibility.) “the song was composed by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo. It is titled ‘the Jubilee song.’ Doon

nag-umpisa iyon (that is where it started),” rivera shared. she was surprised at the popularity of the song.

“Hindi namin alam iyong magnitude (ng song). later on, nagulat kami, lahat ng bata, lahat ng Catholic churches, ng parishes, lahat kinakanta na,” she said.

(We did not realize the magnitude of the song. Later on, we were surprised that most kids, all Catholic churches, parishes, were singing the song.)

With that, rivera felt she had to live up to the song.

“It totally changed my life also. Kailangan kung ano iyong mali kong ginagawa kailangang itatama ko na rin (I needed to right whatever wrongs I had done),” she said. rivera first performed “We Give our Yes” live at the Manila Cathedral during the archdiocese of Manila’s launch of the 500 Years of Christianity festivities on Feb. 6.

Written by the multi-awarded composer Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, rivera’s version of “We Give our Yes” was produced by the award-winning hitmaker and aBs-CBn Music creative director Jonathan Manalo.

“We Give our Yes” is now available on music streaming services worldwide. (Alex Brosas /Inquirer. net)

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Celebrating Chinese New Year 2021 with a Difference

by Grace O Chinese New Year is a very important holiday for me. Although I was born and raised in Southeast Asia, my father was three-quarters Chinese and my mother was half Chinese. We always celebrated the lunar new year by making special meals full of symbolism. For instance, we made a sweet sticky rice cake called tikoy because it symbolizes unity and togetherness and good luck that is supposed to stick to you all year long.

We also cleaned the house and bought new clothes to wear on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. And my parents gave us children red envelopes stuffed with a little bit of money. The money symbolized prosperity, health, and good luck for the year. We put the red envelopes under our pillows and slept on them for 3 days. Then, to follow tradition, the envelopes are folded into a triangle shape with the money still inside and kept safe for the rest of the year to ensure prosperity.

A New Approach to New Year’s Celebration This year February 12 ushered in the year of the ox, which means it could be a year of movement, healing, and discipline for many. The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is traditionally wrapped up in many cities on February 26 with fairs, fireworks, and lantern festivals.

But this Chinese New Year, because of the pandemic, required honoring the occasion differently from other years. Usually, I book 10 tables at Capital Seafood in Arcadia for an extravagant dim sum meal with my family, friends, and colleagues. Capital Seafood is one of the dim sum staples in Southern California, and it’s one of my favorite venues for an Asian-style banquet. However, I knew that wouldn’t work this year because Capital Seafood was only allowed to set up tables outside on their patio, and there wouldn’t be enough room to feed everyone I love.

I had to come up with a new idea.

I asked the owner of Capital Seafood, Stephanie Lee, to pack dim sum meals that my friends, family, colleagues, and prayer group members could pick up and take home. Stephanie agreed immediately. Together, she and I came up with a perfect menu that she would pack to go in bundles that could serve 2–6 people.

Tasty Menu Delivered with Love Our menu included fish filets with vegetables because fish is associated with luck. In Chinese, it sounds like “surplus” or “plentiful.” Capital Seafood also made dumplings because they resemble gold ingots. The menu included seven kinds of dim sum including hargow with shrimp, shumai with pork and shrimp, bright green spinach dumplings stuffed with vegetables, din tai fun filled with ground pork and its juices, chicken buns, yellow crab rice, baked seafood rice with cheese, and sesame balls stuffed with sweet red beans.

Capital Seafood also made tikoy, those wonderful sticky glutinous rice cakes along with daikon radish cakes. I requested long life noodles with chicken, too. It’s a dish eaten more often on birthdays than the New Year, but I like the symbolism of long life and health. Stephanie agreed to make the noodles for me with lobster sauce instead of the brown sauce they normally come tossed in. I like it better that way.

Capital Seafood packed up 140 meals for over 400 of my loved ones and we handed them out on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I also gave out red envelopes filled with a little bit of money. It made my heart full to provide everyone with a celebratory meal for the new year especially during these difficult times. Hopefully, it will bring them health and happiness all year long.

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks — The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more.

Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

Stephanie Lee, owner of Capital Seafood, with Grace O Grace O with a giant crab at Capital Seafood

Capital Seafood restaurant in Arcadia

Bags of Dim Sum meals ready to be handed out

Below: Dim Sum—Shrimp Hargow, Spinach Dumpling, Pork Dumpling, Shumai

Above: Long Life Noodles with Chicken

Fish Filets with Baby Bok Choy PHOTOS BY MATTHEW FRIED

Sesame Balls

Sweet Rice Cake

™

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Clean green energy ETFs (Part 3 of 4)

Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, mBA THIS is the third of four articles on clean energy.

NextEra Energy (NEE): • NextEra Energy is the world’s largest utility company.

• The company is the world’s largest generator of wind and solar renewable power.

• It offers the best of both worlds: a secure dividend and industry-leading renewable energy growth.

• It enjoys service-territory monopolies and efficient scale advantages.

• It has already secured some of the most desirable wind and solar generation sites in the country, • It has purchase power agreements of at least 20 years with

“escalator” clauses to protect returns.

Plug Power (PLUG): • Plug Power manufactures fuel cell systems used in electric lift trucks and other equipment.

• The company serves customers in retail, grocery, manufacturing, and food distribution worldwide.

• It’s partnering with a hydrogen-powered heavy vehicle maker in France to produce a new suite of vehicles for sale in 2021.

• Hydrogen power is increasingly being used in Western Europe to reduce carbon emissions.

• Plug forecasts that global hydrogen economy can grow to $2.5 trillion by 2050.

Sunrun (RUN): • Sunrun is the nation’s largest residential solar company.

• It became even bigger when it acquired its rival Vivint Solar.

• The acquisition creates a rooftop solar giant that provides

75% of new residential solar leases.

• Sunrun is the industry’s largest player with scale advantages and leadership on grid services.

• But exercise caution in buying this stock that jumped more than 900% over the past three years.

• Twelve analysts rate Sunrun a buy. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

Family unification through family-based petitions Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon ANG family unification ay napakahalaga sa U.S. Immigration Law. Ang family-based immigrant category ay nagpapahintulot sa mga U.S. citizen (USC) at mga green card holder/lawful permanent resident (LPR) na mag-petition ng kanilang kapamilya para makarating sa U.S. na may immigrant visa. Kung ang mga kapamilya ay nasa U.S. na, maaaring silang makakuha ng green card sa pamamagitan ng family-based petition. Ang USC ay maaaring mag-petition ng mga sumusunod: (1) asawa; (2) binata o dalagang anak na wala pang 21 taong gulang; (3) binata o dalagang anak na higit na sa 21 taong gulang; (4) anak na may asawa; (5) kapatid, kung ang USC ay may 21 taong gulang na; (6) magulang, kung ang USC ay may 21 taong gulang na.

Ang LPR ay maaaring magpetition ng mga sumusunod: (1) asawa; (2) binata o dalagang anak na wala pang 21 taong gulang; (3) binata o dalagang anak na higit na sa 21 taong gulang.

Ang mga beneficiary ay binibigyan ng kategorya para sa pagkuha ng immigrant visa ayon sa immigration preference system sapagkat may limitadong numero o quota ang mga immigrant visa bawat taon. Walang quota ang mga “immediate relative” ng USC. Ang mga “immediate relative” ay magulang, asawa, at mga binata at dalagang anak na wala pang 21 taong gulang ng USC. Ang ibang beneficiary ay kailangang maghintay ng visa number para sa kanilang green

card ayon sa sumusunod na mga preference: First preference (F1): Binata o dalagang anak ng USC na higit na sa 21 taon gulang; Second preference-A (F2A): Asawa ng LPR, mga binata at dalagang anak na wala pang 21 taong gulang ng LPR; Second preference-B (F2B): Mga binata at dalagang anak na higit na sa 21 taong gulang ng LPR; Third preference (F3): Anak na may asawa ng USC; Fourth preference (F4): Mga kapatid ng USC. Ang USC o LPR ay kailangang mag-file ng I-130 Immigrant Petition para sa beneficiary.

Kapag ito ay naaprubahan na, ang mga hindi immediate relative ay kailangang maghintay ng visa number para ipagpatuloy ang proseso ng kanilang green card. Ayon sa February 2021 Visa Bulletin, ang maaari nang iproseso para sa mga family-based petition sa may country of chargeability na PHILIPPINES ay ang sumusunod: F1: Oktubre 22, 2012; F2A: Current; F2B: Abril 15, 2012; F3: Enero 8, 2003; F4: Oktubre 1, 2002. *** Family unification is an important principle under U.S. Immigration Laws. The family-based immigrant category allows U.S. citizens (USC) and green card holders/lawful permanent residents (LPR) to petition family members to the U.S. The USC may petition the following: (1) spouse; (2) unmarried children under 21 years old; (3) unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old; (4) married son or daughter; (5) brother or sister, if USC is at least 21 years old; (6) parent, if USC is at least 21 years old.

The LPR may petition the following: (1) spouse; (2) unmarried children below 21 years old; (3) unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old.

The beneficiaries are classified into categories based on a preference system except for

immediate relatives of USCs – parents, spouses, and unmarried children below 21 years old. The family members in the preference categories must wait for a visa number to become available according to the following preferences: First preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters over 21 years old of USC; Second preference-A (F2A): Spouses of LPR and unmarried children below 21 years old of LPR; Second preference-B (F2B): Unmarried sons and daughters over 21 years old of LPR; Third preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of USC; Fourth preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of USC. The USC or LPR has to file an I-130 Immigrant Petition for the beneficiary. Once it is approved, those in the preference categories need to wait for a visa number to continue the immigrant visa process. According to the February 2021 Visa Bulletin, the following family-based petitions with the country of chargeability, PHILIPPINES may be processed: F1: October 22, 2012; F2A: Current; F2B: April 15, 2012; F3: January 8, 2003; F4: October 1, 2002. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).

SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Can’t pay your bills during the pandemic?

THERE have been increasing talks recently about making needed changes under the Bankruptcy Code to protect families and business owners who are suffering during this pandemic.

While the government has made limited efforts to alleviate the hardship experienced by millions of people with the recent stimulus payments, loan forbearances, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other relief measures, they are still insufficient to help families and business affected by the virus to attain meaningful financial recovery.

Thanks to our California legislators. Last year, Governor Newsom signed AB-1885 into law which significantly increased the homestead exemption amounts which had been outdated for quite some time. The homestead exemption laws allow you to protect equity in your primary residence from creditors. Before the law passed, the lowest amount was $75,000 for a single person and the highest amount was only $175,000 for homeowners aged 65 and older or disabled.

Under the new law which went into effect January 1, 2021, it will be anywhere from $300,000 - $600,000. What this means for you is that if you have been previously precluded from filing bankruptcy for fear of losing your home by having too much equity in your home, the higher

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BULAon homestead exemption amounts may now allow you to be able to file bankruptcy without worrying about losing what could be your most valuable asset.

Without being able to obtain debt relief through bankruptcy, many who have lost their jobs, or their businesses, can forever be buried in debt that they cannot repay. In the end, America loses out because people who are insolvent will not be returning soon to earning, spending, and investingwhich is what our country needs to recover. So, without the remedies allowed by our bankruptcy laws, the whole country suffers eventually. Tens of millions of people have lost their jobs while companies, big and small, have closed their doors. This cannot continue if we want our economy to start moving again.

I get calls from people asking me whether they should cash out their retirement plans, 401K’s and IRA’s, to pay their debts while “waiting to see what happens” in the next few months.

While in some cases there are

valid reasons to wait before filing bankruptcy, I personally think it’s crazy to use your IRA or 401(k) if bankruptcy will wipe out your debts anyway. Why? Because IRA’s and 401(k)’s are fully exempt in bankruptcy and are beyond the reach of creditors. If you can file bankruptcy to wipe out your debts, why take your hard-earned life savings to pay your debts at this time especially when you don’t even know how your financial hardship will last in these uncertain times? If anything, you should keep your retirement plan intact because that might be the only thing you have left if you’ve exhausted and depleted all other savings up to this point.

Another question that has also come up lately is whether it makes sense to refinance your mortgage to cash out and pay creditors. Well, if you are filing Chapter 7, all your unsecured debt (with a few exceptions like student loans and taxes as examples) goes away. With the now generous homestead amounts available under the new law, equity in your residence is most likely not going to be an issue anymore if you file bankruptcy.

So, why increase your mortgage debt unnecessarily especially if you’ve already been paying for so many years? Do you really want to start over with a 30-year mortPAGE B6

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 20-23, 2021

B5

Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief from $60K credit cards

YOU never know what life brings. That’s why you need divine protection from the adversities that life brings us. I told you time and again to pray the rosary and Psalm 91 for divine protection. We all need divine protection. We all know that we are all on this earth temporarily, just for a short period of time. When our time is up, then we turn back to dust. Only our skeleton remains. Death is the great equalizer. No matter how great or how wealthy you are, you are no exception. You too, who might think that since you are someone special because you wield great power or great wealth, you can escape death.

We all know that you are so wrong. You are dead wrong.

But while we are living and breathing on this earth, while we have the spirit of God in us, we all deserve to have a decent and happy life. I mean nobody deserves to be homeless and live by the 101 FWY. Everyone deserves to have a decent shelter, enough food and clothing, and deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of race, color or religion. This is enshrined in our Constitution, that all men are created equal. It doesn’t say that some are more equal than others.

God has set man’s lifespan at 120 years. In Genesis 6:3 it states: “My spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.”

So there you are. The oldest person in Europe is a nun who is 117 years old. But she is already blind. She says she enjoys her life here on earth but is not afraid of dying. She wants to see her brothers and sisters and grandparents who have died ahead of her. This is just another way of saying she wants to go to heaven already. For some reason, she’s not interested in seeing her parents again. I wonder why.

Talking about the pandemic, I finally got my first shot of Pfizer last Saturday. I prayed the rosa-

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng ry and Psalm 91 before and after the jab for divine protection against any adverse effects from the vaccine. I had no side effects. I did feel a little fatigue on day one. But on day two, I was back to normal. The staff was very efficient and very friendly.

Literally, it was like being in Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, in terms of friendliness and kindness. The whole process took about an hour from arriving at the parking lot, ID processing, the jab, and the 15minute wait at the holding area.

They let you wait at the holding area for 15 minutes just in case you have an adverse reaction, they can try to reverse it. What’s an adverse reaction? You pass out and stop breathing, for instance, no kidding. So, whether you have faith or not, you need divine protection. Pray the rosary and Psalm 91 before and after the jab for divine protection, ok? It works. If you’re still a doubting Thomas, go to Nevers, France and see for yourself divine power at work, then go to Lourdes, also in France and be awed and kneel and tremble before the might and power of the Almighty God. Your religious belief makes no difference.

Let’s go back to the client.

She is almost 80. Her income was $100,000 a year up to last year from a combination of jobs. Yeah, she was exceptional in making money up to last year when the pandemic hit. She lost three jobs so now she’s only receiving $2,000 of social security, and about $500 of pension. Of course, $2,500 a month of retirement income is good. But she owes $60,000 of credit cards that require $1,800 of minimum monthly payments to be current. Well, that’s not

good because her main income is the $2,000 of social security.

That eats up almost 100% of her social security. It’s like she got robbed of her social security at retirement. You don’t have to be a scientist to know that client is in a very bad place financially.

She should not be in this precarious situation at her age. It’s not good to have to use your social security to keep your credit card masters happy when your 80, or at any age, for that matter, right?

She still owns a business, which needs to be exempted in Chapter 7. Fortunately, it passes the exemption test. She gets to keep the business. She does qualify for Chapter 7 and does not hesitate to choose Chapter 7 to wipe out her $60K of credit cards. She will get a fresh start in life at the age of 80. It’s not that bad because as the Bible says in Genesis, the human life span is 120 years. So, if all goes well and she survives this pandemic, she still has 40 years to go. She hasn’t slowed down by any means. She’s getting married again in Bali right after she gets her Chapter 7 discharge!

How can she do this? That’s because she already got her second dose of Pfizer last week and no side effects. Thanks to Blessed mother Mary, God the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit!

If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me.

I will analyze your case personally. *** DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE FOREGOING IS CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

Do I have a community property interest in a house which my spouse acquired before our marriage? above.

In the Marriage of Marsden, the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage. The original mortgage was $30,000. By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage.

Marriage of Madsen (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910.

During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation.

The ratio at which community

community interest in the situations mentioned about is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA. Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property Atty. Kenneth acquired prior to marriage, one UrSUA reyeS has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own propGENERALLY, in California, erty and you are contemplating property acquired by a spouse of getting married. There are prior to marriage is considered several ways of avoiding the separate property under family creation of a community interest code section 770 while those on your separate real property. acquired after marriage are conOne, you can sign a prenuptial sidered community assets under agreement. Two, the parties family code section 760. How do can execute a postnuptial agreeyou characterize real property ment if the parties are already purchased prior to marriage but married. Three, the parties can with the mortgage principal paid execute a transmutation agreedown using community income ment with a waiver of any family or funds during the marriage? code section 2640 reimburseThe community in this situament claim. If your divorce case tion acquires a pro involves comtanto interest in the plex issues of ratio that the payasset distri“The process of apportioning between ments on the purbution, it is chase price made best to retain the separate and community property with community the represencomponent is laid out in the Marriage funds bear to the tation of comtotal payments on petent counof Marsden.

In that case, the court the purchase price sel. and any apprecia*** determined the ratio or percentage in tion should be apPlease note that which the mortgage loan principal was portioned accordthis article is not ingly. Marriage of legal advice and reduced during the marriage and applied Moore (1980) 28 is not intended as C3d 366, 371, 373, legal advice. The that percentage to the appreciation of the 168 CR 662, 664, article is intended real property during the marriage.”

665. Other expensto provide only es associated with general, nonthe property are specific legal not considered in the calculation funds paid down the mortgage information. This article is not intended such as mortgage interest, taxes, ($9,200) during the marriage to cover all the issues related to the and insurance. In essence, the to the original purchase price topic discussed. The specific facts real property would accumulate ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%. that apply to your matter may make both a separate property and a This percentage of the property the outcome different than would be community property component appreciation during the mar- anticipated by you. This article does by the date of separation. The riage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) create any attorney client relationship appropriate remedy in this situ- plus the reduction in mortgage between you and the Law Offices of ation where separate property is balance during the marriage Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is subsequently paid with commu- ($9,200) would constitute the not a solicitation. community component of the nity funds is “apportionment.” *** The process of apportioning real property. The rest was the Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a between the separate and com- husband’s separate property. Certified Family Law Specialist. He was munity property component The husband in that case was President of the Philippine American Bar is laid out in the Marriage of awarded his separate property Association. He is a member of both Marsden. In that case, the court component of the real property the Family law section and Immigration determined the ratio or percent- plus one half of the community law section of the Los Angeles County age in which the mortgage loan property component.

Bar Association. He is a graduate of The Marsden apportionment Southwestern University Law School principal was reduced during the marriage and applied that method is also applicable to in Los Angeles and California State percentage to the appreciation situations where a community University, San Bernardino School of the real property during the real property is later transmut- of Business Administration. He has marriage. The community prop- ed into one spouse’s separate extensive CPA experience prior to law erty component would then con- property through execution of practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH sist of the reduction in the mort- a quit claim by the other spouse REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire gage loan principal during the but is subsequently paid using Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. marriage plus the portion of ap- community funds. Marriage of Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ preciation during the marriage Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, kenreyeslaw.com. applying the ratio discussed 257 CR 397. In litigation, the (Advertising Supplement)

Barrister’s Corner

B6 FEBRUARY 20-23, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Pastor’s Notes

Lent: An invitation to Workers’ rights to their tips be home with God Did Amazon pocket its drivers’ tips?

Instagram, or You-Tube in this social media generation.

Whatever we give up this IT’S the start of Lent! We Lent, I hope we do it with disthink of this season as 40 days cipline and sincerity of heart. of prayer, fasting, and alms- I hope it helps us to grow in giving. And we grew up in it intimacy with Jesus.

It’s what I’d like to urge giving up something, whether it’s meat, sweets, vice, and you to do this Lenten season. more. Some of us are even Enter deeply into the spirit of giving up looking at Facebook, Lent by spending more time of

reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS

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prayer alone with God. I insist on asking you to be alone with God, like what Jesus did in the Gospel this Sunday. He went to the desert to be alone with his Father as he prepared for his ministry on earth.

To be alone with God is to take God as our “home.”

In his book, Following Jesus, Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety, Henri J.M. Nouwen writes profoundly about this invitation to come to God as our home. He states: “Jesus is offering an invitation to come into the House of God. It is an invitation to enter into God’s dwelling place.

It is not an invitation with harsh demands. It is the story of the Lamb of God saying to us, ‘Come. Come to my home.

Look around you. Don’t be afraid.’ Long before Jesus’ radical call to leave everything behind, Jesus says, ‘Come, have a look where I am.’”

Then, Nouwen gives a different interpretation of the story of John and Andrew, who dropped everything they were doing to follow Jesus: “Jesus turns around and sees them following him and said, ‘What do you want?’ And what do they say? Do they say, ‘Lord, we want to be your followers,’ ‘Lord, we want to do your will,’ ‘Lord, we want you to take our sins away? They don’t say any of that! Instead, they ask, ‘Where do you live?’

Somehow, right at the beginning of the story, we hear a very important question: Where do you live? What is your place? What is your way?

How is it to be around you?

Jesus says, ‘Come and see.’”

Friends, although Lent is a time of repentance, it is also an exciting time to grow in intimacy with God--our refuge, our home! *** 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.

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. IN 2015, Amazon launched Amazon Flex, where persons can sign up as drivers to deliver products to Amazon customers. Amazon promoted that drivers could earn up to $18$25 per hour, and could “make more” by making deliveries that are eligible for tips. Amazon promised both customers and tip-eligible drivers that the drivers will receive 100% of customer tips. From 2015 through most of 2016, Amazon paid drivers at least $18 per hour plus 100% of customer tips. During that period, Amazon showed drivers the amount they had been tipped.

But in late 2016, in order to reduce its costs, Amazon implemented what it called “variable base pay” for Amazon Flex drivers. Under this pay scheme, Amazon secretly reduced its own contribution to drivers’ pay based on Amazon’s internal algorithms using data it collected about average tips in the area. Instead of providing the drivers 100% of the tips to the drivers, Amazon often used drivers’ tips to meet Amazon’s minimum base rate.

For example, if Amazon’s variable base rate in the particular location was computed as $12, and the customer left a $6 tip for the driver, then Amazon paid the driver only $12 and used the full customer tip of $6 to reach its promised minimum payment of $18 to the driver. Amazon then displayed driver earnings as the combined total of its base rate and any customer tip, without displaying the amount of any customer tip. Amazon did not disclose to drivers that it was reducing their pay, and re-

ported their earnings only as a single lump sum that did not distinguish between base pay from Amazon and customer tips. Thus, drivers could not tell how much they received in tips or whether Amazon paid its minimum rate fully.

Two and half years later, and after several complaints from drivers and consumers, and critical media reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began an investigation. It found that Amazon enforced its variable base pay practice without the consent of the drivers and without informing consumers that their tips would no longer be 100% passed on to drivers.

The FTC also found that when Amazon planned the transition to variable base pay, it discussed internally “what level of detail about earnings to show” drivers. Amazon considered different versions of how to show earnings to drivers, ultimately deciding to conceal the distinction between Amazon’s “base rate” and tips.

After the FTC began its investigation, Amazon announced to its current drivers an “Updated Earnings Experience” which was basically a return to its original compensation program that had been in effect from 2015 through late 2016. Amazon again showed the driver’s base rate pay from Amazon separately from any tips that the driver received.

Amazon assured its drivers that “For deliveries that give customers the option to tip, you always receive 100% of the tips.”

Even so, Amazon will pay more than $61.7 million to settle the FTC’s charges against it.

The $61.7 million represents the full amount that Amazon allegedly withheld from drivers. The FTC will return this amount to the drivers.

Under California law, “No employer or agent shall collect, take, or receive any gratuity or a part thereof that is paid, given

to, or left for an employee by a patron, or deduct any amount from wages due an employee on account of a gratuity, or require an employee to credit the amount, or any part thereof, of a gratuity against and as a part of the wages due the employee from the employer.”

A gratuity or tip is the sole property of the employee or employees to whom it was paid, given, or left for. Tip pooling (the gathering of some or all of the tips earned by several employees and then splitting them up among non-serving employees) is generally considered legal, as long as the people participating in the pool are employees and that the employer, the owner, the managers, and certain supervisors do not share in the tip pool.

An employer that permits patrons to pay gratuities by credit card shall pay the employees the full amount of the gratuity that the patron indicated on the credit card slip, without any deductions for any credit card payment processing fees or costs that may be charged to the employer by the credit card company. Payment of gratuities made by patrons using credit cards shall be made to the employees not later than the next regular payday following the date the patron authorized the credit card payment. *** 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.]

(Advertising Supplement)

Brand new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday talks about why the US cannot deport 11 million people

LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel presents the latest in immigration news and analysis from the highlights of his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from Kapamilya in the U.S. and in Manila.

Rose from Seattle, Washington wants to know if she should inform the National Visa Center, aside from the USCIS, of her

change in address every time she moves.

Winnie from Apple Valley, California wants to know if her mother, who came to the U.S. as a tourist in December 2019, will be considered out-of-status because they have not yet received the approval for her extension of stay due to COVID. JayAr from Malate in the Philippines is asking if he is qualified for U.S. citizenship

Sarah Geronimo

since his American father’s name is on his birth certificate and he has proof that his father supported him when he was young.

Get the latest immigration updates on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 pm PST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Photo from Instagram/@just sarahgph

Sarah to make stage comeback through ‘Tala: The Film Concert’

By Ratziel

San Juan

Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA singer Sarah Geronimo is set to return to the stage in her one-night-only, exclusive online event “Tala: The Film Concert.”

Details have yet to be released on the VVIP tickets, but fans

have been told to “watch out for future announcements on a big surprise from Sarah G.” The concert is titled after the singer’s widely-successful hit of the same name.

“Tala” will mark her first full-length performance since her joint concert with Regine in February last year, as well as her

major stage comeback since her months-long physical absence from “ASAP Natin ‘To,” where she is a regular.

Paul Basinillo, who directed six of Sarah’s concerts that include her last solo show “This is Me,” returned to collaborate with the “Pop Princess” on her latest project.

Can’t pay your bills during...

PAGE B5 gage again and spend all those closings costs? From experience, I’ve seen many homeowners cash out their equity only to regret it later after the money is all gone, and the debts are back up again where they were before the refinancing. It happens all the time.

Almost 100% of my bankruptcy cases are “no asset” cases, which means that my clients lose nothing but their debts. If the pandemic is pushing you to file bankruptcy as a last option, you SHOULD definitely look into it as a possible way to survive

this pandemic. I know that this is probably the last thing that you ever want to do and if you’ve never done it before, you’ve probably never thought that you would even be in this situation to actually consider it.

The purpose of bankruptcy is to help you when you can no longer help yourself. The current pandemic has been a nationwide disaster that you have no control over, and it may take some time before our economy goes back to normal. Bankruptcy can give you that lifeline that you need to survive during this very difficult time. Again, you should at least

know what your legal options are. *** NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866477-7772 (Advertising Supplement)

B7 FEBRUARY 20-23, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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B8 FEBRUARY 20-23, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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