House panel okays divorce...

PAGE A5 involving the violent abuse of a spouse by the other" committed through physical violence, psychological and emotional violence, sexual violence, or economic abuse. There are certain grounds which HB 78 stated may be subject to summary judicial proceedings, including de facto separation for five years or more; when a spouse has contracted a bigamous marriage; legal separation by judicial decree for at least two years; when a spouse has been sentenced to imprisonment for six years, "even if subsequently pardoned;" and when "one of the spouses has undergone a sex reassignment surgery or has transitioned into another sex."

HB 78 states that except for the grounds under summary judicial proceedings, a court

Marcos declares: ‘Darkest hours of pandemic are over’

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand

"Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday, February 24 boldly declared that the "darkest hours of the pandemic are over" as he vowed government's support to boost the country's domestic tourism industry.

Marcos issued the statement as he joined thousands of his fellow Ilocanos in celebrating the annual Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival, which is Ilocos Norte's cultural festival, here at the newly refurbished Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City. In his speech, the president acknowledged the efforts of the local government units, particularly in Ilocos Norte, "for bringing together the people, the visitors and alike to partake in our abundance."

Marcos noted that though the past three years had sidelined the celebration of festivals and other crowd-drawing events in the country due to the global health crisis, the time has come to reclaim lost opportunities.

"The darkest hours of the pandemic we pray are over, and now, we are ready to reclaim the time and opportunities we have lost for the last few years as we now emerge stronger than ever," the president said.

"Beyond today's revelry, this event is expected to stimulate economic activity and support

Ilocano families by driving tourism industries, sustaining local livelihoods," he added.

The president cited that the number of tourist arrivals is steadily increasing and would hopefully reach pre-pandemic levels.

"I assure you the government's commitment to strengthen the domestic tourism industry remains a top priority and Ilocos Norte will play a very large part," Marcos said.

"The number of visitor arrivals is recovering. It is my hope that, by working together, we restore Ilocos' vibrancy in tourism to prepandemic levels and beyond," he added.

The president also urged the next generation of Ilocano artists "to be proud of your identity and integrate our rich customs and traditions into the art that you showcase."

"Let us share with our fellow Filipinos, and the rest of the world, the story of our roots in the upland indigenous communities, the vibrant communities of Ilocos, many of which have been crucial in molding us into what we are as a people today," he said.

Marcos also thanked the people behind the renovation of the stadium where the celebration of the festival was being held.

"Named after my father, this stadium speaks well of the strength, the brilliance, the

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IFB NO. SP589-23 ROTEM CAB CAR F-END PIPING MODIFICATION

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for Rotem Cab Car F-End Piping Modification. Bid documents may be downloaded at SCRRA’s website at http://www.metrolinktrains. com/contracts. Bids are due on 3/27/23. The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration and is subject to an DBE Participation Goal of 3.5%. For further information contact: Dorothea Cantero, Contract Administrator, at canterod@scrra.net.

2/25/23

CNS-3635215# shall not start trying a petition for absolute divorce before the end of a six-month period after the filing of the petition "during which the court shall exercise all efforts to reunite and reconcile the parties."

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

That cooling-off period shall not apply in cases involving acts of violence against women and their children or attempt against the life of a spouse, a common child, or a petitioner's child. 