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Volume 18 - No. 5 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Senate expected to pass resolution blocking Trump’s national emergency Trump likely to veto the resolution FOLLOWING Senator Rand Paul’s announcements over the weekend that he intended to support a resolution to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell on Monday, March 4 confirmed that there were enough votes in the Senate for the resolution to pass. If the resolution were to pass, Trump would be forced to veto the resolution that would otherwise prevent him from accessing approximately $8 billion for border wall construction. “I think what is clear in the Senate is there will be enough votes to pass the resolution of disapproval which will then be vetoed by the president and then all likelihood the veto will
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‘Immigration rights in limbo’ say immigration reform advocates AS President Donald Trump marked the completion of two years into his presidency just last month, immigration remains to be the biggest issue for his administration, which has remained persistent in its immigrant curbing efforts and the wall along U.S.-Mexico border. In an immigration rights briefing on Thursday, February 28, immigration reform and rights advocates highlighted what they saw were the key issues still yet to be resolved. “As we’ve seen, the White House has rolled out dozens and dozens of anti-immigrant policies over the last two years in everything start-
MA R C H 8 - 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
PDEA: 64 politicians on ‘narcolist’ seek reelection by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed on Tuesday, March 5, that 64 out of 82 politicians in the yet-to-be-released “narcolist” are vying for reelection this upcoming midterm polls. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino stated that the said politicians were all aiming for a local seat this election. He confirmed the number with the list of those who filed their certificates of candidacy. “I think it’s 64. They filed their COCs and the re-
maining 18 decided not to file,” the PDEA chief said as reported by The Philippine Star. In a radio interview with DZMM, the PDEA director general admitted that he has no idea how the administration got a hold of the narcolist but he has assured the public that he ordered the verification of the intelligence reports. “Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng proseso ang ginawa nila, kung mayroon pang intelligence effort ng ibang bansa dito na nakialam, kung mayroon bang wiretapping o kung anong pamamaraan ng pagkuha ng report. Wala po akong alam
doon (I don’t know what kind of process they did if there was intelligence effort by another country that meddled here if there was wiretapping or what method they used in getting the report. I don’t know anything about that),” Aquino said as reported by ABS-CBN News. The PDEA chief was also vocal in his stand not to publicize the list. However, he maintained that, “if it will be ordered by the president, I should abide by that.” He added, “It’s really hard to build cases against these politicians. It’s easy to say why not make a case
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Measles cases surge in PH as health experts urge people to get vaccinated by
RAE ANN VARONA AJPress
THE number of measles cases in the Philippines has skyrocketed within the first two months of this year according to health experts and government officials. As of Saturday, March 2, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) reported 16,349 measles cases and 261 resulting deaths since the beginning of this year. Most measles cases came from Calabarzon with 3,877 cases and 78 deaths, followed by the National Capital Region with 3,617 cases and 76 deaths. In a report released Friday, March 1, UNICEF warned that measles around the world were surging to “alarmingly high levels,” with ten countries—including the Philippines—accounting for the majority of the total increase. Outbreaks were also reported for several countries previously declared measles free.
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START OF LENTEN SEASON. Hundreds of Catholic devotees receive Holy Ash from church lay ministers in observance of Ash Wednesday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City. Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar that marks the start of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Forbes: Villar now Philippine’s richest man UN rights chief criticizes Duterte’s drug by IRIS
GONZALES Philstar.com
REAL estate tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. is now the richest among 17 Filipinos who made it to Forbes Magazine’s 2019 list of richest people on the planet. Villar topped the list for the first time, ranking 317th globally with a net worth of $5.5 billion. It is also the first time that the richest person in the country is one of purely Filipino descent. For a long time, SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr. led the list of billionaires from the Philippines. He passed away in January. Following the elder Sy’s demise, Forbes counted the net
worth of the Sy children individually. Last year, Villar, known as the “brown taipan” and whose son Mark is a member of President Rodrigo Duterte’s cabinet, was the Philippines’ second richest man. Other billionaires from the Philippines who landed on the global list of the prestigious “triple comma club” are John Gokongwei Jr. at No. 343, with a net worth of $5.1 billion; Enrique Razon Jr. (No. 379, $4.8 billion); Lucio Tan (No. 436, $4.4 billion); Tony Tan Caktiong and family (No. 529, $3.9 billion); Ramon Ang (No. 775, $2.9 billion) and Andrew Tan (No. 838, $2.7 billion).
war, calls for public health approach by RYAN
MACASERO Philstar.com
Villar topped the list for the first time, ranking 317th globally with a net worth of $5.5 billion. It is also the first time that the richest person in the country is one of purely Filipino descent. Philstar.com file photo
Second-generation Sys, Hans and Herbert, are tied at No. 962
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Lorenzana clashes with Locsin over PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJ Press
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday, March 5, countered Foreign Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr.’s pronouncement about the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Locsin stated “in vagueness lies the best deterrence” on the
decades-old defense agreement between the Philippines and the U.S.. This was during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, March 1. Lorenza, who is pushing for a review of the MDT, released a statement that contradicted Locsin’s argument. “I do not believe that ambiguity
or vagueness of the PhilippineU.S. Mutual Defense Treaty will serve as a deterrent. In fact, it will cause confusion and chaos during a crisis,” he said. “The fact that the security environment now is so vastly different and much more complex than the bipolar security construct of the era when the MDT was written
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UNITED Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued a statement slamming the Philippines’ deadly war on drugs and urged the government to take a “public health approach” to comply with human rights standards. Agnes Callamard, the UN’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, shared the statement on a Facebook post on Wednesday, March 6. I encourage the Philippines to adopt a public health approach, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Philstar.com file photo and harm reduction initiatives, reports of “thousands of killings” that comply with human rights Kian delos Santos. She added that independent attributed to the Philippines postandards, as recommended to the 2016 General Assembly Spe- and impartial investigations into u PAGE A3 cial Session,” Bachelet, who was the president of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018, said. “Despite serious allegations of extra-judicial killings, only one case – the widely reported killing of a teenage boy – has been subject to investigation and prosecution,” Bachelet added. While she didn’t name the case she was referring to, in 2018 Caloocan police officers were convicted of murder in the highly-publicized case of 17-year-old
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MARCH 8-14, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
PDEA: 64 politicians on narcolist...
PAGE A1 buildup.” “It’s not true that PDEA will release the narcolist. First and foremost, we still remain on my stand from the start [that] I don’t want the list to be revealed or to be disclosed even before the filing of COCs,” Aquino said as reported by The Manila Times. The drug agency initially enlisted 83 narco-politicians. However, they crossed off Mayor Norodin Salasal of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao after he was arrested on February 24. They also said that they are yet to finish the validation of the said list. Law enforcement officials were also mandated to identify those candidates that are involved in the illegal drug trade. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered the force to prove who among the candidates were narco-politicians. “So far, we have no reports as
of now that a politician in Metro Manila is involved in the illegal drugs trade. But we wanted to be sure as the government is set to reveal a list of politicians involved in illegal drugs and we do not want to be caught with our pants down,” Eleazar said. “We should have strong evidence against politicians involved in the illegal drug trade so our cases could stand in court. We should not base our reports on hearsay,” he added. Precipice of destruction Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that it is important for the public to be aware of the reputation of their to-beleaders. Since illegal drug trade is considered a threat to national security, he explained that narcoleaders should be revealed before they assume positions. “We have placed the drug problem as national security. In other words, we are on the precipice of destruction if we cannot stop this
drug industry. We cannot allow people to run local governments — the barangay (villages) — by the destroyers of society,” Panelo explained. The spokesman said that releasing the list would give them the chance to prove to the public whether or not they are involved in illegal activities. He also noted that publicizing names of narcopoliticians doesn’t violate any constitutional rights. “You give people a chance to defend themselves, which is why there is a constitutional presumption of innocence. But how can you demand that you are presumed innocent when you are involved in something criminal?” he said. “The due process clause applies to life, liberty or property. The release of the list does not even enter any of these [categories,] because you do not deprive them of these three things when you release the list,” he added. n
‘Immigration rights in limbo’ say immigration... PAGE A1 ing with the Muslim ban, attacks on refugees, to last year’s family separations, anti-immigration legislative proposals, the public charge rule, and many other attacks,” said Kerri Talbot, director of federal advocacy at The Immigration Hub based in Washington, D.C. “The immigration community has just had so much to deal with within the last two years,” she added. Continuous DACA challenges Among the policies continuously challenged policies since Trump came into office were the administration’s policies on those who have Dreamer-related protection, such as those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Under the DACA program, which was enacted under the Obama administration in 2012 to protect those who came to the U.S. as children, approximately 800,000 individuals have registered with the vast majority having renewed once or more times since the program’s inception. But in September 2017, the Trump administration terminated the program and said the program would be phased out with no renewals or new applicants being accepted. But several lawsuits were immediately filed challenging the termination, with three federal courts issuing and concurring orders in January 2018 saying that DACA recipients should be able to renew their DACA status. That has been
the status since. And while the Trump administration has since then petitioned the Supreme Court to take up the DACA cases and determine whether or not the termination was lawful, the Court has not yet made any announcement as to when or if that would happen. Allison Davenport, the supervising attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, said that if the Supreme Court were to take the case, it wouldn’t be heard until fall of 2019 at the earliest, and thus would not get a decision until 2020. If the Supreme Court decides not to take the case, Davenport said federal orders would continue, but lawsuits challenging the termination would remain pending and would continue winding up through the legal system in different federal courts. But the big takeaway as of now, she said, is that all who have DACA or have had DACA at any time in the past, are eligible to renew status that would provide them a new two year period protection from deportation as well as a work permit. She said this is true regardless of when the status expired. “It doesn’t matter if it expired two weeks ago, or three years ago. They’re still eligible to apply for renewal,” said Davenport. “The rule of thumb is that if you have DACA, you should apply to renew that case six months in advance of that expiration date. That way, your case can be processed and you can receive a new approval, a new work permit without any gaps between when your current case expires and your new case being
approved.” She also urged that people get legal consultation with legal experts to explore options they may have in terms of protection. Davenport said studies have shown that among those who have applied for DACA and gone through consultations, between 15 and 25 percent were eligible for some other form of immigration status or protection but just didn’t know about it. “We really encourage people to go ahead and get a legal consultation with a quality legal service provider to see if they might be eligible for some other form of status or protection,” said Davenport. Threats to plus charge rule In October 2018, the Trump administration published a proposal to change “public charge” determinations for immigrants trying to adjust their immigration status in the U.S. While it has long allowed for immigrants to have their residency status rejected if they are seen to be a financial burden to the U.S. government, or a “public charge”—a term that has been used in immigration law since the 1800s—the Trump administration’s draft rule substantially broadens the definition to include immigrants who use one or more government programs that were previously excluded. These programs include health, nutrition, and housing programs, said Mayra Alvarez, president of The Children’s Partnership, a nonprofit children’s advocacy organization. The proposed rule also adds specific requirements to the public charge for income, health, age, and even English proficiency, added Alvarez. But while the change is just a proposal, she said it’s clear that much of the damage has already been done. “Too many families across California and across the country are living in fear, are confused about what policies have and have not changed, and are reacting in response,” said Alvarez. “For example, if the proposed change to public charge goes forward, hundreds of thousands of immigrant parents in California may disenroll their children from health insurance, food stamps, and other federally subsidized programs because they fear that receiving these benefits will make it impossible for them to become permanent residents in the United States,” added Alvarez. Based on an analysis conducted by The Children’s Partnership and Kidsdata.org, it is estimated that PAGE A3
MAKING ASHES. Fr. Jerico Habunal, parish priest of the Our Lady of the Abandoned, prays during the burning of dried palm leaves on Monday, March 5. The ashes will be used to mark the foreheads of Catholics on Ash Wednesday, March 7. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada
Forbes: Villar now Philippine’s richest... PAGE A1 with a net worth of $2.4 billion. Harley, Henry Jr. and Teresita Sy-Coson occupied the 1,057th place with a net worth of $2.2 billion each. Their sister Elizabeth Sy’s fortune was valued at $1.9 billion. Completing the list are San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo Cojuangco with a net worth of $1.4 billion, Robert Coyiuto Jr. with a fortune of $1.4 billion, Ricardo Po with a net worth of $1.2 billion and property developer Roberto Ongpin with a net worth of $1.1 billion. The list is Forbes’ 33rd annual ranking of the world’s billionaires, featuring the planet’s wealthiest individuals. Some 2,153 billionaires are on the 2019 list, down from 2,208 in 2018 and the total combined net worth of this year’s billion-
aires is $8.7 trillion, down from $9.1 trillion in 2018. This represents the first decrease in billionaires and their combined wealth since 2016 and only the second decrease in the past decade, according to Forbes. “The billionaire ranks prove that even the world’s richest are not immune to economic forces and the volatility of world markets. Yet, even with strong headwinds, resourceful and relentless entrepreneurs find new ways to get rich,” Forbes’ Wealth assistant managing editor Luisa Kroll said. For two years running, centibillionaire Jeff Bezos remained on top overall, increasing his net worth to $131 billion, up $19 billion from 2018. Bill Gates, who held the top spot for the longest period, remained at No. 2 with a fortune of
$96.5 billion, up from $90 billion last year. “A rise in Amazon’s stock price pushed up Bezos’ net worth, further widening the gap between the top two richest, now the largest since 2001,” Forbes said. On the other hand, Warren Buffett’s net worth fell by $1.5 billion to $82.5 billion but secured him the No. 3 spot. The youngest billionaire in the world is Kylie Jenner who is 21 years old. Jenner made the 2019 Forbes list for the first time and is the youngest self-made billionaire. She owns 100 percent of Kylie Cosmetics, the three-yearold beauty business that did an estimated $360 million in sales last year. The minimum net worth to make the Top 20 was $38.8 billion, $200 million less than 2018, according to Forbes. n
Senate expected to pass resolution... PAGE A1 be upheld in the House,” McConnell said at a Monday press conference in Washington, D.C. Adding that it was unclear whether the resolution could be amended by the Senate given that it has “never been done before,” McConnell said he tried to dissuade Trump from making the declaration for reason that doing so would set up precedent for Democratic presidents to make their own declarations in the future. “That’s one reason I argued without success that he not take this route,” said McConnell. “I was one of those hoping the president would not take the national emergency route,” he added. “Once he decided to do that I said I would support it, but I was hoping he wouldn’t take that particular path.” Under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which gives Congress the authority to end a national emergency declared by the president, McConnell is required by law to bring the resolution up for a vote. The resolution already passed in the House last week through a 245-182 vote, with thirteen Republicans voting in favor of the resolution. The Senate is slated to cast their votes by March 15. In an op-ed published by
Fox News on Sunday, Maarch 3, Senator Paul announced his intention to vote in favor of the resolution, becoming the fourth Senate Republican to do so following Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. “I support President Trump,” wrote Paul. “I support his fight to get funding for the wall from Republicans and Democrats alike, and I share his view that we need more and better border security.” “However, I cannot support the use of emergency powers to get more funding, so I will be voting to disapprove of his declaration when it comes before the Senate,” said Paul. He continued, “I would literally lose my political soul if I decided to treat President Trump different than President Obama.” In the op-ed, Paul cited the fact that Congress already refused to give Trump his requested amount of $5.7 billion when it approved a spending bill of $1.375 billion for border security funding. “Congress clearly expressed its will not to spend more than $1.3 billion and to restrict how much of that money could go to barriers. Therefore, President Trump’s emergency order is
clearly in opposition to the will of Congress,” said Paul. “Moreover, the broad principle of separation of powers in the Constitution delegates the power of the purse to Congress. This turns that principle on its head,” said Paul. But even if the resolution were to pass in the Senate, Trump is expected to veto it, and it’s unlikely that a two-third majority in Congress will be able to ban together to override Trump’s veto. In response to the likeliness that Trump will use his veto power, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday that Democrats would continue to fight it. “We’ll fight him in the Congress, we’ll fight him in the courts and we’ll fight him in the court of public opinion,” said Pelosi while at an event in Texas. “What he’s doing is wrong and the Republicans know it. Pelosi said that Trump, in declaring a national emergency in order to get border wall funding, was “asking us to ignore the oath of office that we take to protect and defend the Constitution by this declaration.” The declaration, she added, was “undermining our system of checks and balances,” which she said were the “wisdom of our Constitution.” (Rae Ann Varona/ AJPress) n
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Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 8-14, 2019
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Duterte welcomes US guarantee to protect PH if attacked in South China Sea by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte hailed the United States’ assurance that it would defend the Philippines from attacks but expressed qualms about the processes that require the approval of American lawmakers. U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo assured Philippine officials that Washington would protect Manila if its forces are attacked in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Pompeo, who met with Duterte in Manila last week, noted that an armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the West Philippine Sea would trigger obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty. “America said, “We will protect you. We will — your backs are covered I’m sure. I said, it’s okay,” Duterte said during a campaign sortie of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan last Sunday, March 3, in Zamboanga City. “But the problem here is they
would invoke the (Mutual Defense Treaty) which was entered into by us, by our ancestors... But in America, it has to pass through Congress. Any declaration of war will pass Congress. You know how b***s*** America’s Congress is,” he added. Duterte noted that U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a budget stalemate because of a disagreement with lawmakers. “They still do not have a budget. I almost experienced that. But our congressmen’s approval PAGE A4
‘Immigration rights in limbo’ say immigration... PAGE A2 between 113,000 and 311,000 children in California alone would be withdrawn from food stamps or Calfresh. Furthermore, an estimated 259,000 to 628,000 children would be withdrawn from critical health programs like Medical in California. “Today, we have the lowest uninsured rate of kids in the nation, but if this public charge change would move forward, we run the risk of increasing the risk of uninsured children from three percent to up above eight percent,” said Alvarez. “That is taking us backwards.” She added though that before the Trump administration would be able to finalize the proposal, the government would have to review more than 266,000 comments on the proposal. Just under 64,000 comments have been
reviewed so far. Pushes through legislation In light of the continuous challenges to immigration rights, Talbot said pushes for constructive immigration reform has meant relying on litigation in protecting individuals from deportation. For example, the Supreme Court has not considered Dreamer related litigation until the next term which means the earliest a decision would be around February of 2020. “So at least through this litigation, Dreamers would have been able to be protected through most of Trump’s third term,” said Talbot. She pointed out that House Democrats will be re-introducing new language to the Dream Act on March 12, and that she’s hopeful another immigration reform bill may be introduced in
PAGE A1 lice and security forces should be conducted. President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has not taken kindly to international criticism. In 2017 Duterte threatened to slap Callamard for saying she would investigate the administration’s drug war. “People who have fallen into the trap of drug reliance need help to rebuild their lives; drug policies should not be more of a threat to their lives than the drugs they are abusing,” Bachelet said. Duterte, however, has rebuked the idea that drug addicts can be rehabilitated, hence the need for an iron-fist approach to the drug war. Since 2017, the president has repeatedly claimed that brains of shabu users shrink, despite expert opinion that it does not. Another South American politician, former Colombian President César Gaviria, was called an “idiot” by Duterte for urging the Philippine president not to
repeat the mistakes of Colombia in a 2017 New York Times opinion piece. Bachelet also highlighted that special rapporteurs of the human rights commission, opposition politicians, human rights defenders and journalists have been the subject of threats, attacked or jailed for expressing dissent against the drug war. “And I am extremely concerned by Congress consideration of measures to reintroduce the death penalty for drug-related crimes, and reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15, to 12 – or even 9 – years old,” she added. While the Philippines’ neighbors Sri Lanka and China are the only countries to praise the Philippines as a role model in fighting drugs, the UN commissioner said the opposite. “The drug policies in place in the Philippines, and its lack of respect for rule of law and international standards, should not be considered a model by any country,” Bachelet said. n
UN rights chief criticizes...
Measles cases surge in PH... PAGE A1 Despite measles being highly preventable, 98 countries saw an increase in measles cases in 2018 compared to 2017, according to the report. The top three countries with the highest increases between 2017 and 2018 were Ukraine (30,338), the Philippines (13,192), and Brazil (10,262). Though UNICEF’s own data differed from that collected by the DOH, it did show a sharp uptick in cases in a short amount of time. Looking at the Philippines alone, UNICEF reported 12,736 measles cases and 203 related deaths within the first two months of this year alone—just a few thousand less than its recorded 15,599 measles cases reported for the country in all of 2018. Health experts and government authorities urge for vaccinations Measles is one of the most highly contagious of airborne infectious diseases and can spread from an infected person’s breaths, coughs, or sneezes. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is so contagious that someone can contract the virus from an infected person even two hours after the person has left a room. But measles is also highly preventable through immunization, and health experts say those not getting vaccinated are making themselves unnecessarily vulnerable to the potentially deadly disease. “This is a wake up call. We have a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine against a highly contagious disease—a vaccine that has saved almost a million lives every year over the last two decades,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director. UNICEF joined others in citing “vaccine hesitancy” as being a major enabler of measles outbreaks in both developed and developing countries. “Almost all of these cases are preventable, and yet children are getting infected even in places
where there is simply no excuse,” said Fore. “Measles may be the disease, but, all too often, the real infection is misinformation, mistrust and complacency. We must do more to accurately inform every parent, to help us safely vaccinate every child.” Vaccine hesitancy has been especially true in the Philippines where deaths allegedly caused by the now banned dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, triggered a vaccine scare. DOH undersecretary Eric Domingo said early February that vaccination rates among children were down to 60 percent as a result of the Dengvaxia scare. The Philippine government said Friday that it would file criminal charges against executives of the Dengvaxia-manufacturing pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur over the at least 10 deaths allegedly connected to the vaccine. In addressing the vaccine hesitancy, Philippine government agencies have been working on mass immunization campaigns. It previously said it hoped to meet a coverage rate of 95 percent, or roughly 12 million people by March. According to the DOH, most affected to measles were children ages four years and younger with 4,911 cases and 124 deaths, and those under nine months old with 4,222 cases and 99 deaths. The department added that 9,975 of the 16,349 who contracted measles and 209 of the 261 people that died so far this year were not vaccinated. UNICEF said that it will support the Philippine government in conducting a campaign to vaccinate nine million children cross 17 regions. It said it will also utilize social media and other efforts to encourage apprehensive parents to vaccinate their children. “These cases haven’t happened overnight,” said Fore. “Just as the serious outbreaks we are seeing today took hold in 2018, lack of action today will have disastrous consequences for children tomorrow.” n
the summer with House Democrats starting to talk about it covering the entire undocumented population. “Generally, we’re just trying to shine a light on all horrible policies that Trump has put into place,” said Talbot. Talbot said that while it’s unlikely that much change will come under the current administration, efforts in immigration reform, she hopes big change will come in the new 2021 administration. “It would be fantastic if the White House would actually decide to be more moderate and come to the table, but there’s really no reason to think that they’re going to change their ways. So frankly, we just don’t really trust the White House to be able to negotiate on issues of Dreamers and TPS,” said Talbot. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) n
FACES OF PANABENGA. Senior high school students take part in the street dancing competition during the 24th Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City. ManilaTimes.net photo by Thom Picaña
Lorenzana clashes with Locsin over PH-US...
PAGE A1 necessitates a review of the treaty,” he added. Lorenzana also argued that the review of the MDT should have been done after the U.S. bases were terminated in 1992 as the Philippines lost its “security umbrella.” “A couple years after the U.S. left the bases, the Chinese began their aggressive actions in Mischief Reef — not an armed attack but it was aggression just the same. The U.S. did not stop it,” he said. Unwanted war Pompeo on Friday assured the
public that “any armed attack on any Philippine forces, aircraft, or public vessels in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defense obligations under Article 4 of our Mutual Defense Treaty.” The reassurance was noted by former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario as “one of the most important statements made in the many decades since the Mutual Defense Treaty was ratified in 1951.” Lorenzana, however, pointed out that it is not the lack of reassurance that worries him. “The Philippines is not in a conflict with anyone and will not be at war with anyone in the future.
But the United States, with the increased and frequent passage of its naval vessels in the West Philippine Sea, is more likely to be involved in a shooting war. In such a case and on the basis of the MDT, the Philippines will be automatically involved,” he said. “It is not the lack of reassurance that worries me. It is being involved in a war that we do not seek and do not want,” he added. The U.S.’ sustained freedom of navigation operations in the disputed South China Sea has continued to provoke angry protests from China and tense moments between the rival naval forces. n
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MARCH 8-14, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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Virginia gov’t pays tribute to Fil-Am domestic violence victim RICHMOND, Virginia – Lawmakers and Virginia’s governor honored a Virginia Beach Filipina American woman who was a victim of domestic violence. Bellamy Gamboa, a mother of four, disappeared from her home in July 2018. Her ex-boyfriend admitted to detectives that he killed her, but her body was never found. Virginia lawmakers passed a resolution on Monday, February 25 to celebrate the life of the mother of four and to raise an alarm about domestic violence. There were 158 family and intimate partner homicides in Virginia in 2016 alone. Delegate Kelly Corvis-Fowler, who is part-Filipino, read a resolution in the House in honor of Gamboa. Corvis Fowler also presented the Gamboa family with a
signed proclamation from Governor Ralph Northam, declaring July 16, 2019, Bellamy’s 41stbirthday, as Bellamy Gamboa Day. “I sincerely hope that this recognition will not only serve and honor her memory, but will spread awareness on domestic violence as well,� said Emmanuel Gamboa, Bellamy’s father, according to a WAVY.com reports. Gamboa filed at least two police reports accusing Lamont Johnson, the father of her young twin children, of physically abusing her. Fearing Johnson would harm her children, Gamboa dropped the charges. A month after her disappearance, police arrested Johnson, who reportedly admitted to killing Gamboa. However, her body was never found. Johnson’s seconddegree murder trial will begin in
Domestic violence victim Fil-Am Bellamy Gamboa of Virginia Beach, Virginia is missing and presumed dead. Contributed photo
April. Since her disappearance, the Gamboa family has been sharing her story to raise awareness of domestic violence. (Inquirer.net)
FREE MEDICINE. A senior citizen gets her medicine during a free medical consultation and services program held at the Dapitan Sports Complex. The event which drew more than a thousand residents was sponsored by the Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association Inc., which owns and operates Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center. PNA photo by Ben Briones
President Rodrigo Duterte and United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo pose for posterity during their meeting at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday, February 28. Presidential photo by Simeon Celi Jr.
Duterte welcomes US guarantee...
PAGE A3 of the budget was timely,� he said. “We were nearing the same situation as with America. They do not have a budget... We gave similarities. America crafted our constitution,� he added. The U.S. government was forced to shut down because of
disagreements over Trump’s appeal for funding of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants. In a related development, Malacaùang said it has to verify reports that Chinese ships drove away Filipino fishermen from sand bards near Pag-asa Island
in the West Philippine Sea. If proven, such action by Chinese vessels are “certainly� not correct, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “Our fishermen have been fishing there. So...nobody has the right to drive our fishermen away. But we’ll have to validate that,� he added. n
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DATELINE PHILIPPINES
Arroyo denies manipulating ratified 2019 budget — Palace by ALEXIS
ROMERO
Philstar.com
MANILA — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo denied manipulating the 2019 budget after it was ratified by the two legislative chambers, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Tuesday, March 5. Sen. Panfilo Lacson has accused Arroyo of realigning P25 million from the Health department’s budget for her “favored” congressmen after the bicameral conference committee approved the national expenditure bill. Citing unnamed members of the House of Representatives, Lacson said Arroyo prepared and imposed a list of Health department appropriations for a health facilities program including a P2.5-million allocation for the purchase of an ambulance. He claimed only P8 million was given to those who did not support her election as House Speaker last year. The senator
House Speaker Arroyo is facing accusations of realigning P25 million from the Department of Health’s budget for “favored” lawmakers. Philstar.com photo by AJ Bolando
said Arroyo’s act was a “brazen” and “illegal act” and a clear violation of the 1987 Constitution. But Panelo said Arroyo had told him that the budget approved by the bicameral conference committee has not been changed. “According to Speaker Arroyo,
as far as she knows, whatever is approved in the bicam is now the one being printed for submission to the executive,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang Tuesday. “She said she does not know anything. As far as she knows, the version approved by the bicam was not changed. From what she says, the bicam version is the one being printed,” he added. Copies of the proposed 2019 budget are printed before they are transmitted to the Office of the President. Panelo made the remarks after calling Arroyo to ask her about the allegations of Lacson. The presidential spokesman called the House speaker after he was asked to react about the issue during a press briefing. Panelo assured the public that the president would scrutinize all items of the budget once it is submitted to his office for his signature. He said the Palace is leaving it to lawmakers to address the issues raised by Lacson. ■
A5
It’s DFA’s call to protest harassment of PH fishers — Palace by AJPRESS MALACAÑANG on Monday, March 4, said it’s leaving the decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on whether to submit a diplomatic protest to stop Chinese vessels from driving away Filipinos from fishing grounds close to the Philippineoccupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the government had not verified the report of Kalayaan town Mayor Roberto del Mundo about the Chinese denying Filipino fish-
ermen access to three sandbars, which are located between Pagasa and Zamora Reef. Last week, Del Mundo said the presence of Chinese boats is affecting their fishing activities. “It wasn’t that way before,” he said. “When our fishermen are about to get near Sandbar 3—that is really our fishing ground—a Chinese vessel would immediately come up to us to ward us off so we can’t come closer,” he added. Need to verify “I will need to verify that from the secretary of national defense (Delfin Lorenzana),” Panelo responded.
When asked if the Malacañang would file a protest if Del Mundo’s report was proved to be true, Panelo answered: “I will leave it to the secretary of foreign affairs (Teodoro Locsin Jr.). That’s his turf.” However, Panelo added that it was not correct to drive Filipino fishermen away from sandbars close to Pag-asa. “That is our area. We, from the very start, said that’s ours. And our fishermen have been doing that, our fishermen have been fishing there,” Panelo said. “Nobody has the right to drive our fishermen away. But we need to validate,” he added. ■
DOLE: There should be preferential treatment for Filipinos on foreign-funded projects by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com
VIRAY
MANILA — In all foreign-funded infrastructure projects, there should be preferential allocation for Filipino workers, the Department of Labor and Employment said on Tuesday, March 5. During the Senate committee on economic affairs inquiry into the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” project, Sen. Nancy Binay asked government officials if hiring Chinese workers was part of the country’s pines. “An outsider will almost always agreement with Beijing. “You have to face the fact that have to learn the ropes first, as they say. However, this may also there has been an influx of Chibe positive with someone coming nese construction workers,” Biin with different inputs and ways nay said. Responding to Binay’s inquiry, of doing things,” Asuncion added. “As Diokno takes the helm of the Finance Assistant Secretary MaBSP, I think the markets would ria Edita Tan said the number of want to hear continuity — conti- Chinese personnel hired on each project would depend on the nuity to the next level.” A BSP governor also sits as contract. “When we negotiated the loan, chairman of the Monetary Board, heads the financial intelligence we said there’s no preferential unit Anti-Money Laundering (treatment) for China as far as Council and occupies ex-officio sourcing is concerned,” Tan told seats in various national govern- the Senate panel. Labor Assistant Secretary Joji ment agencies and state-run corAragon, meanwhile, explained porations. that the terms of references inPro-growth bias Diokno has been part of dicate whether foreign personnel Duterte’s economic team tasked would be hired. In the case of the Chinesewith supercharging growth to 7-8 percent by heightened state funded Binondo-Intramuros and spending and delivering on a Estrella-Pantaleon bridges, only skilled Chinese workers were massive infrastructure program. HSBC Global Research econo- employed, according to the Demist Noelan Arbis — who ex- partment of Public Works and pects a 100-basis point cut in Highways. PAGE A7 Data from the DPWH showed
All eyes on Benjamin Diokno as he takes the helm of Bangko Sentral by IAN
NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte took everyone by surprise when he appointed his budget secretary, Benjamin Diokno, as governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Diokno, 70, replaces the late Nestor Espenilla Jr. who passed away last February 23 after battling tongue cancer. Central bank watchers had expected an insider or someone from the banking community to succeed Espenilla. Known for his expansionary fiscal policy stance as budget chief, all eyes are now on how Diokno will face a tough balancing act of reining in soaring prices without hurting the economy amid a softer global outlook. “Mr. Diokno’s relaxed attitude to fiscal deficits as budget secretary suggests he will be dovish as governor. We have been expecting a rate cut at BSP’s meeting in May for a while, and this news
makes that more likely,” Londonbased Capital Economics said. Under Espenilla’s watch, the BSP hiked its policy rate by a cumulative 175 basis points to 4.75 percent last year after inflation hit a near-decade high in September and October. Soaring prices have eased since then, with headline inflation decelerating to 3.8 percent in February, the first time in a year since the monthly rate fell within the central bank’s 2-4 percent target range. The late central bank chief was also vocal about his goal of gradually reducing bank reserves to single-digit level. He likewise spearheaded the digitalization of the retail payment system in the country for a more inclusive and efficient financial system. “I was surprised that an outsider has been chosen. It will definitely have some adjustment time compared to someone who is already used to the workings of the BSP on a daily basis,” said Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at the Union Bank of the Philip-
Labor Assistant Secretary Joji Aragon (left) attends the Senate committee on economic affairs’ inquiry into the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” project. Philstar.com photo by Mong Pintolo
that out of the 140 personnel working for the two bridges, almost 30 workers are Chinese nationals. “In as far as monitoring is concerned, all workers have to submit to the Department of Labor [and Employment], which is the sole authority on issuing these licenses,” Aragon said. The DOLE, the DPWH and the DOJ have agreed that all foreign nationals working in foreignfunded projects have to secure an alien employment permit. Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Vince Dizon, on the other hand, clarified that all agreements with China have provisions for preferential use of Filipino labor. “However, as to the percentages and the division it’s really on a case-to-case basis depending on
the project but, I think, as a general rule if the work can be done Filipino labor, it will be done by Filipino labor,” Dizon said. Binay then asked the DOLE officials present in the Senate hearing if this was true, to which Aragon answered they would have to look more closely on the matter. The senator pointed out that the “Build, Build, Build” program was intended to create jobs for Filipinos. “This nuance that labor is included in the (Official Development Assistance) or grant appears to be particular with Chinese loans... Maybe we should check with the NEDA or the DOF. Maybe this will add another dimension when we enter into an ODA with China or other countries,” Binay said. ■
A6
MARCH 8-14, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Narco list
FEATURES
IT’S supposed to help voters make informed choices in the midterm elections in May. The presumption of innocence, however, is guaranteed under Section 14 of the Constitution. So if the government pushes through with the release of a list of so-called narco politicians when the local campaign period starts, it should be prepared for lawsuits related to constitutional violations. The list has been trimmed to over 80 names, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government reportedly still waiting for President Duterte’s approval to delist six individuals following vetting by anti-narcotics agents. No amount of vetting, however, can replace the need for judicial determination of guilt if the DILG intends to describe anyone in public as a narco politician. At the very least, there must be formal criminal complaints filed against anyone who is described as a suspected drug offender. Judicial conviction in a criminal case must be based on the establishment of guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In the absence of such a verdict, being tagged as a narco politician could be dismissed as black propaganda in an election season. Drug trafficking is a serious offense that can warrant life in prison. Those who engage in this criminal activity must be meted appropriate punishment. Instead of simply
subjecting those on the list to public shaming, the DILG, which has supervision over the Philippine National Police, should order the police to gather certified intel, file appropriate criminal charges and arrest drug traffickers. Government prosecutors should then work to secure the conviction of the suspects. More effort is also needed to prevent drug money from financing election campaigns. In this, law enforcement agencies must work closely with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Drug trafficking and narco politics can destroy a country. If there is solid evidence against narco politicians, simply putting them on a list and outing them to prevent their election would not be enough to protect society. There should be no place in government for proven narco politicians; their place is not just on a list, but behind bars. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Congress investigates: Did Trump abuse executive power and obstruct justice? The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS TWO YEARS. It took that long for Congress to finally do one very important function the U.S. Constitution has mandated it to do: to fulfill its oversight responsibility, making sure coequal branches of government provide checks and balances among each other so that no one individual or institution abuses its power and betray the public’s trust. TWO YEARS. And now the 45th President of the United States again plays the victim role, crying against what he calls “presidential harassment,” when in fact the Democrats in the House, who reclaimed leadership of Congress through the American people’s sacred vote in the midterm elections, are just working hard to make President Trump accountable.
Opinion
MARLEN RONQUILLO THE midterm elections of 2019 are just a validation of what we have known all along. To win a Senate seat, issues do not matter. One and only one thing matters — popularity. As Homer Simpson once told his son Bart, “Son, being popular is the most important thing in the world.” That eminently applies in the current Senate campaign. Exhibit A is the Senate candidate from my province, Lito Lapid, currently unbeatable in the Senate race, according to the polling of the mainstream survey firms. His popularity has placed him very high not just in one or two, but in all surveys of possible winners. In fact, he has never been out of the top six choices of the survey respondents. (The most recent one placed him at No. 3.) And with more than 50 percent of possible voters all certain on the
Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning! After two years, this is a new day. On Monday, March 4, the House Judiciary Committee has launched a sweeping probe into President Donald Trump to determine if his administration and associates obstructed justice and engaged in public corruption or any other abuse of power. The House Judiciary Committee announced Monday that it had sent out 81 requests for documents to start building its record for the investigation. As TIME reported, included in the requests were the Trump Organization, as well as several employees invoked by former Trump attorney Michael Cohen during his hearing last week before the House oversight committee: Chief Financial Official Allen Weisselberg, Executive Vice President Matthew Calamari, and President Trump’s longtime personal assistant Rhona Graff. The President’s two sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., also received requests, as did the White House and his son-
in-law, Jared Kushner. Before we get lost and confused in the complicated web of investigations on Trump and his orbit, let me present the big picture. The Mueller probe was launched to determine if there was a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia to damage the campaign of Hillary Clinton and help Trump win in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The mandate given to Mueller was to turn over any evidence of crimes not within its purview of national security concerns to the appropriate government institutions to do further investigations and file charges if they find probable cause. Consequently, the Southern District of New York has launched criminal investigations and filed charges to include federal campaign and financial reporting laws, fraud, corruption and cover-up of the violations of the law. The House Oversight Committee, headed by Rep. Elijah Cummings and the Commit-
tee to which Trump’s former long-time personal attorney/ fixer Michael Cohen recently gave sworn testimonies to, focuses on determining whether Trump is improperly profiting from his office. The focus of the House Intelligence Committee headed by Rep. Adam Schiff is on questions of money laundering, financial leverage foreign entities might have over Trump and his businesses, and whether Trump sought to use his political and presidential contacts to improve his own bottom line, during the campaign and since becoming president. Meanwhile, the House Judiciary Committee focuses on investigating threats to the rule of law is a core function of the House Judiciary Committee. Nadler defined obstruction of justice as any interference from President Trump and his associates in criminal investigations and any “alleged cover-up violations of the law,” and public corruption as any possible violation of the emolument clause and “conspiracy
to violate federal campaign and financial reporting laws.” Abuse of power was defined in part as “attempts to misuse the power of the Office of the Presidency,” which also included attacks on the press, law enforcement and judiciary. Findings from the investigations being conducted by the Executive Department (Mueller probe under the DOJ), the Judiciary (Southern District of New York, plus Maryland), and the Legislature (House Oversight and Reform, Intelligence and Judiciary Committees) all function in accordance to the mandate of the Constitution, seeking evidence to move forward and determine if Trump and his people violated the laws. While many might overlap, the committee chairmen and chairwomen say they are working together on the investigations. The House cannot file criminal charges but appropriate institutions may use the findings of the probe along with their own probe to bring charges to court. Congress will likewise use the findings to write laws
as needed so that these abuses will never happen again. Meanwhile, the latest news on Tuesday, March 5, is that the White House rejected a request from the House Oversight Committee to hand over documents and make officials available for interviews for a probe into how Jared Kushner got a security clearance. WHAT IS TRUMP HIDING? If he, his family, and his associates are not hiding anything, don’t you think they should gladly cooperate in these investigations? After all, their actions, lies, denials, retractions, and hard evidence have led to these probes. This is the accountability mandated by the Constitution. Nobody is above the law, not even President Donald Trump and his cohorts. .* * * Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos
Popularity is the most important thing in the world choices they will make in the May Senate elections. What makes him one big winner of 2019, at least from the reckoning of the mainstream polling entities? It is not intellectual power. It is not an impressive track record of legislation. It is not an impressive agenda, at least for his current Senate run. It is not his towering integrity. It is not scholarship or his academic credentials. The reason for his impressive showing in the surveys is — or was — his major role in a prime-time TV action-drama, a role that essentially recaptured his lost acting luster and popularity. With millions of viewers tuned in to that very popular TV series most nights, there was no way former senator Lapid could lose in the 2019 senatorial elections. Before getting that major role in that prime-time TV series, which exposed him to voters night after night after
night, the verdict was that Mr. Lapid was a has-been, his political career over and done with. But presence on the boob tube changed all that. For the 2016 elections, the former Pampanga governor and senator scrapped his Porac registration and moved to Angeles City, to run for city mayor and challenge the popular incumbent,Ed Pamintuan. Mr. Lapid was beaten badly, with Pamintuan getting 76,540 votes against the 45,710 votes of Lapid. With that loss and his record as barely a winner in his last senatorial attempt, many had dismissed the political career of Lapid for good. A long-running, very popular prime-time TV action-drama resurrected his popularity and his political career. Look where Mr. Lapid is now. He does not need to articulate on issues. He does not need to build a nationwide campaign organization. He does not need to go into those TV debates, where he would be interrogated on issues by political hacks probably
as unprepared on issues as Mr. Lapid. He can shun media interviews. He does not need to rise up to the debate challenge of the Ocho Diretso Senate team. No need to have his campaign staff go into those tiring and boring SWOT analysis. Best of all, he does not need a hefty campaign chest to score an impressive win. His popularity will carry him through the last stretches of 2019. To think that one candidate, according to investigative journalists, spent more than P400 million even before the campaign period formally started to introduce himself to Filipino voters. He does not even need the endorsement of President Duterte and the backing of a major political party. The extreme popularity of Mr. Lapid makes him a winner. In contrast, the poor to average awareness and recognition percentages of those in the mainstream opposition, except for Mar Roxas who ran for president in the 2016 elections, are
what drive their poor standing in the surveys. Voters do not essentially care for names they do not recognize. Political science is hard put in explaining why voters do not vote for the candidates with no name recognition. (That challenge to political science is universal.) The reason is political scientists just do not want to admit that most Filipino voters lack discernment, that most Filipino voters lack basic curiosity, that most Filipino voters do not want to intrude into the boring field of policy stand and issues bannered by the Senate candidates. The problem with these is that elections are supposed to be sacred and sacrosanct, the most important exercise in a democracy. If elections fail, democracy fails. Thus, nations fail. Popularity-driven elections, in effect, lead to a nightmarish failure. But there will be no reset. Or reversing of course. The 2019 elections will elect Lito, Bong and Jinggoy, overwhelmingly
and without remorse, because they are popular. And popularity, again as Homer Simpson told his son, is the most important thing in the world. There was a time, men of my age would often say, when senators were called “solons,” and they deliberated in halls they called “august chambers.” They debated and deliberated hard and passed laws that built the legal infrastructure of a young nation. Voters in the old days looked at the resumés of their senatorial candidates, from their university degrees to their past professional lives, which led to the election of men and women of towering intellect and integrity into the Senate. Today, popularity is the most important thing in the world and the brutal wage of that shallow reckoning is legislative mediocrity at best, and a nightmarish, grander failure at worst—the failure of a venerable institution of democracy. (ManilaTimes. net)
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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A
Duterte: Otso Diretso bound straight for hell by Catherine
S. Valente Manilatimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has lashed out at Otso Diretso’s candidates for the Senate, saying they would go straight to hell for their endless criticism of his administration. Speaking at a rally of the Partido Demokratikong PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Zamboanga City on Sunday, March 3, Duterte said the opposition’s candidates did nothing but to criticize him and his policies. “Sinong ipalit mo diyan sa ‘Otso Diretso’ papuntang impyerno (Whom will you vote for in place of that Eight Straight to hell)?” Duterte said, referring to the Otso Diretso slate, a lineup composed of Liberal Party (LP)bets and candidates of other groups critical of his administration. “Totoo lang, walang ginawa ‘yang mga tao na ‘yan puro criticize, (To be honest, those people do nothing but criticize),” he added. Backed by Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, the opposition’s eight-man ticket is composed of Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, former Interior secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd, former Quezon congressman Erin Tañada, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and election lawyer Romulo Macalintal. The president also slammed the opposition slate for being supporters of communist rebels. “Erin Tañada? Left. And proud sila diyan sa (they are proud of the) Left. They think that it’s popular. Kita mo kakapal ng mukha, nagawa pa ng ticket ‘Otso Diretso’ (they have no shame, they even included him in the Otso Diretso ticket),” he said. The president compared his party’s Senate bet, his former political adviser Francis Tolentino, with Hilbay, who he said has no chance of winning against the former mayor of Tagaytay. “Sino diyan makakatalo kay Tolentino (who among them can beat Tolentino) in terms of qualification? Magsabi ka ng kandidato (Mention those candidates), Macalintal, Hilbay, si Tañada?” he said. Duterte also slammed Roxas, his defeated rival in the 2016 na-
Otso Diretso’s senatorial bets (from left) Romy Macalintal, Pilo Hilbay, Samira Gutoc, Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Gary Alejano, and Chel Diokno. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada
tional elections, for his alleged arrogance. “Mar Roxas. Susmaryosep. Hambugero man ito (Mar Roxas, my goodness. He’s arrogant)… sabi ko, tama ka na, Mar, yaya ka lang. Ewan ko kung gawain ninyong senador. Wala na ito. Napakita na niya. Kung ‘yung kampanya ipinakita niya ang the best niya, hindi siya manalo kay Bong (Enough, Mar. I don’t know if you’ll make him a senator. He’s finished. If he showed his best in the past campaign, he wouldn’t win against Bong),” the president said, obviously referring to his former top aide, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Duterte also accused Roxas of political turncoatism, saying the latter has done nothing despite holding different Cabinet posts in previous administrations. Roxas was Trade secretary during the Estrada administration. He topped the Senate race in 2004 under the ticket of thenPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and served as Transportation secretary and Interior secretary under then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd. “Nadaanan man niya lahat ‘yan. Tapos porma. Ano ang nagawa niya? Bigyan mo ako isa. Maski isa lang (He has held all those positions. All forms, but what did he accomplish? Give me one, even just one),” he said. As for Bam Aquino, Duterte said he only had an uncanny resemblance to his uncle, late former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. “Ano bang significant na nagawa mo (What significant thing have you accomplished)? What have you done that is really impressive? Puro kayo oposisyon, puro kayo saway (All you do is oppose and rebuke),” he said. The president also called
out Alejano for his role in the unsuccessful mutinies led by then-Navy officer and now Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th against the Arroyo administration. He said Alejano, who once pushed for his impeachment, makes no sense in his statements. The president also mocked Diokno’s manner of speaking, saying he was nothing like his father, late former senator Jose “Pepe” Diokno. Duterte, however, spared Gutoc, the only woman in the opposition slate, from his attacks, saying it was his “rule” not to bad-mouth a woman. “Si Samira, babae man ‘yan, ayaw ko magsalita diyan. Eh ganun ‘yan ang rule eh pagkababae kalaban mo, you just shut up. Samira Ali Gutoc. So I have nothing to say to you, ma’am (Samira, she’s a woman, I don’t want to talk about her. That’s the rule, if your enemy is a woman, you just shut up. Samira Ali Gutoc, so I have nothing to say to you, ma’am),” the president said. Duterte then compared the opposition Senate slate with his party’s candidates, claiming they pale in comparison and have not helped the Moros. “Magpunta ‘yan doon sa Lanao. Ah wala, putulan ko ng ulo mga ‘to. Walang kuwentang mga tao. Wala namang nagawa para sa aming mga Moro (When they go to Lanao, I’ll behead them. These worthless people. They have done nothing for us Moros),” he said. It was the first time the president stepped up his attacks against the Otso Diretso candidates in a campaign rally. In previous speeches, Duterte only warned voters against electing “useless” candidates or those who do nothing but criticize. n
PDEA, AMLC VS. MONEY LAUNDERERS. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino (left) and Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Atty. Mel Georgie Racela show the memorandum of agreement (MOA) they earlier signed in simple rites at the PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City on Tuesday, March 5. Under the MOA, the parties pledged to cooperate in the areas of information exchange and capacity building measures, including the exchange of studies, researches, information on current, new and emerging trends and typologies in money laundering and terrorism financing. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
All eyes on Benjamin Diokno as he takes... PAGE A5 banks’ reserve requirement ratio in the second quarter — said the appointment of the new BSP governor “is likely to signal more progrowth measures.” “Gov. Diokno has already noted that the BSP’s monetary policies must be ‘in sync’ with fiscal policy, in addition to its considerations for inflation and financial stability,” Arbis said. “Given the Duterte administration’s expansionary fiscal policy stance, this signals a bias for more monetary accommodation from the new governor. This is not entirely unexpected.” Diokno will complete Espenilla’s six-year term, which several bankers had expected to be finished by any of the three central bank deputy governors. On Tuesday, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo struck a cautious tone in tackling “policy issues,” saying in a statement that it is still “premature” to talk about cuts to bank reserves and interest rates despite the slower inflation recorded last month. For Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank Inc., Diokno’s stint at the Budget department “highlights his commitment to keep fiscal discipline
which will be the balancing force to support government but maintain independence.” Politicization of BSP? Diokno assumes the position of central bank chief at a time members of the House of Representatives accuse him of several budget anomalies, which he strongly denied. A House panel led by Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur) has conducted an investigation into supposed irregularities in the budget department, including the supposed “insertion” of P75 billion in the proposed 2019 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways without the agency’s knowledge. Andaya also claimed that Diokno’s relatives received favors for government projects. “Well, Diokno is technically competent and an excellent professional,” University of Asia and the Pacific economist Cid Terosa said. “He’s a good choice but the market may perceive him as politically tainted by allegations of corruption by the opposition.” Under the 1987 Constitution, congressional confirmation of Diokno’s appointment is up to the powerful Commission on Ap-
pointments. At a press conference Tuesday, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Malacañang is optimistic that allegations against Diokno won’t impede his CA nod. Meanwhile, Capital Economics said Diokno’s appointment as central bank governor “raises questions about the politicisation of the BSP.” “While Diokno himself is not seen as politically aligned – he is a technocrat with a long history as a civil servant under several administrations at the Department of Budget and Management – his appointment is being seen as a move to free up the position of Budget Secretary for a Duterte ally,” the London-based think tank said. “There is a risk that markets ultimately become less confident in the BSP’s independence and willingness to tackle inflation and financial risks,” it added. “It is still too early to say whether Governor Diokno will be able to maintain the BSP’s credibility as a well-run and independent central bank. But the news does add to the catalogue of evidence that Duterte is willing to break norms and politicise political institutions.” n
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MARCH 8-14, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019
A story of resilience, determination and survival ‘In the Belly of the Eagle: Man@ng is Deity’ tells the journey of Fil-Ams in San Francisco during the 1920s-1960s by
AJPRess
THE Great Depression hit the United States in the late 1920s, just around the same time when Asian Americans were beginning to migrate to America in more significant numbers. Among the biggest groups of Asian Americans that time were Filipinos, and were considered as cheap laborers. Along with low pay and
poor working conditions, Asian Americans felt the impact of racism. They were not allowed to own land and were denied legal right to citizenship — with the exception of Filipinos because they were colonial subjects. In San Francisco, it was no different. The large wave of Filipino immigrants in 1920s — who were called the “manong
June Arellano, Jonathan Mercado, John Nguyen and Earl Paus.
generation” — have been gradually pushed out of the city throughout the decades. As a tribute to the Filipino diaspora, Kularts and Isadora Duncan Dance Award nominee Alleluia Panis are proud to present a new multimedia dance theater performance “In the Belly of the Eagle: Man@ng is Deity,” featuring original music by Joshua Icban and media art by Wilfred Galila. Artists include Jose E. Abad, Aimee Amparo, Ladislao ‘June’ Arellano, Kyle de Ocera, Dre ‘Poko’ Devis, Cristino Lagahid III, Jonathan Mercado, Johnny Huy Nguyen, Jazlynn Pastor, Katherine Pantangco, Earl Alfred Paus, Frances Sedayao, and Alley Wilde. Inspired by real-life accounts of Filipino-Americans between the 1920s-1960s in San Francisco, this performance portrays the 8,000mile immigration journey to America, and the resilience of the Filipino people. “In the Belly of the Eagle: Man@ng is Deity” tells the story of Valentino Pablo, of the manong generation, as he experiences vivid moments of his early 20th century American life. He and his fellow Filipinos bonded together to ease their struggles of living in a society that valued them for their cheap labor but loathed them and denied their humanity. He relives the bitter hardships, the fleeting joys, and their determined spirit of
Tino Lagahid, Aimee Amparo, June Arellano and Jonathan Mercado.
survival and camaraderie that defined his generation. The influence of Fil-Ams in the arts and community organizing has a long-standing relationship to San Francisco. Panis’ “Incarcerated 6x9” presented by Kularts was recently nominated for two Isadora Duncan Awards in ‘Outstanding Achievement in Performance,’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement in Visual Design: June Arellano (Costume), and Wilfred Galila (Media Art).’ Panis is also the recipient of the SF Arts Commission Artistic Legacy Award. The workshop performance “In the Belly of the Eagle: Man@ng is Deity,” a recipient of the prestigious Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation Special Art Award, graces the stage as other Filipino-Am arts gain national recognition including “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” written by the late historian Dr Dawn Mabalon, and Gayle Romasanta; the fiction “America is Not the Heart” by Elaine Castillo; and the debut of Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad’s cookbook “I Am Filipino And This is How We Cook.” Showtimes for In the Belly of the Eagle: Man@ng is Deity - March 22 & 23 at 7:30pm, and March 24 at 2:30pm, at Bindlestiff Studios, 185 6th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For additional information and tickets please visit manongisPhotos by Wilfred Galila deity.eventbrite.ca.
John Nguyen, Jose E. Abad, Jonathan Mercado, Jazlynn Pastor and Tino Lagahid.
Jazlynn Pastor
Jonathan Mercado and Dre Devis.
Fil-Am singer wows ‘The Maine: Arjo makes me extra happy Voice’ judges with his rendition of Drake’s song by JAn Milo seveRo Philstar.com
by KRissy AguilAR Inquirer.net
A FILIPINO-AMERICAN singer has wowed the judges of “The Voice US” as he received a four-chair turn during his blind audition. Jej Vinson, a Filipino based in Los Angeles, impressed judges Adam Levine, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, and Blake Shelton with his rendition of Drake’s “Passionfruit.” “You’re a better singer than all of us,” Levine said after Vinson’s performance. Meanwhile, Legend said he was initially worried about Vinson’s song choice, but the Filipino singer was able to sing the notes “with precision.” “That was like a wild inspired song choice. Drake is kind of like monotone normally, and I was worried that you would stay in that little zone, but then you soared,” Legend said. “You showed us these really precise beautiful runs. It’s like you knew the note you wanted and just picked it out in the air. And you hit every single one with precision and beauty and excitement. You’ve got the whole crowd going,” he added. Levine, on the other hand, assured that he would help Vinson put more feelings and connection to his performance if given the chance to coach the Filipino singer. “What I would wanna do as
Jej Vinson
your coach if I were to be so lucky as to make sure we can get to a place where people can feel you, as well as they can hear you. That to me is the number one thing moving forward for you to make sure you can navigate to the competition and keep everybody connected to your heart,” Levine said. Shelton predicted Vinson would be the winner for the competition, saying, “You
AFTER months of speculations, Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza admitted that she and Kapamilya actor Arjo Atayde are dating. In her blog post on Sunday, March 3, Maine also said that their friendship is “growing deeper with time.” “Again, without waiting any longer, here’s the statement and confirmation you have been waiting for: It’s true, I am dating Arjo,” Maine revealed. “You might be waiting for an explanation as to why I chose him. Excuse me for saying this but... why not?” she said. “You may have listed a long list of reasons why I shouldn’t but we all know it’s made out of hatred, anger and disappointment. I choose not to judge his character for whatever he’s done in the past because that does not define him as a person. I was raised to never judge a person, to always see the goodness of people no matter how other people see them,” the “Eat Photo from Instagram/@jejvinson Bulaga” host added. know, I think everybody here Maine described Arjo as is probably a little bit nervous a guy who makes her extra talking to you right now. We happy. all feel like we’re looking at “He always goes out of his the winner of ‘The Voice’ this way to make me extra happy season.” and actually puts in effort in “American Idol” alumna everything he does. I appreciClarkson likewise assured Vin- ate everything he does for me son she can help him win the and I am happy that I get to show: “I can win this show with experience such wonderful you. You’re incredible, man. I things,” Maine said. turned around, and I was like The “Phenomenal Star” ‘What?!’ and it was like so efalso added that Arjo already fortless.” met her family and friends. She
Arjo Atayde with Maine Mendoza
said that it was her first time to introduce someone to her parents. “He went to our house in Bulacan to personally talk to my parents and tell them that he has nothing but good intentions for their daughter. My parents also gave him a warning that they’d kill him if he does something bad to me. Haha,” she said. Maine also addressed her “AlDub” fans as she explained that she and Alden Richards are just friends. The actress said she respects her fans’ feelings but spoke against online bashing. “[It] will never be right and acceptable to resort to personal attacks to get back at anyone or to relieve your frustration.” Arjo and his family have been the center of attacks
Photo from Instagram/@arjoatayde
online from “AlDub” fans since Arjo admitted recently that he and Maine are exclusively dating. “A lot of people close to me have experienced the immense bashing from some ‘fans’ and haters combined, including my family and friends. It has to stop. You may not be required to love the people around the person you idolize but I don’t think it’s too much to show them at least some respect,” she added. Maine added that she knew how their fans invested so much in the “AlDub” love team but added that their romance is just on screen. “Sadly, I cannot stay as Yaya Dub forever. This is Maine, the real me. And this is real life. And I cannot go on with my life behind a fictional character,” she said.
Your Immigration Solution ATTY. GEOFFREY J. LAMOUREUX THE L-1A new office visa allows foreign companies to send a beneficiary to the United States to establish a new office and commence business. The new office must be related to the foreign company as its parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. This relationship is called the qualifying relationship. A typical example of this qualifying relationship is a foreign company that sends a beneficiary to set up a subsidiary company in the United States. In that case, the new office would issue a majority of its shares to the foreign parent company, thereby creating the parent-subsidiary relationship. A new office is defined as an organization that has been doing business in the United States for less than one year. Therefore, timely applying for the visa after the new office’s operations have begun is crucial and requires careful planning and professional advice. The new office visa application does not require proof of extensive business activity. However, because the new office must actually be “doing” business, the mere presence of an agent or an office mailing address is insufficient. Instead, the applicant must submit evidence that sufficient physical space has been secured to house the new office. The required size of the physical space will vary according to business needs and the type of industry of the business, and a lease agreement with specifications will ordinarily satisfy this requirement. The applicant must also show that the new office will support a managerial or executive position within one year. The manager or executive must have authority over the new operation. Although the manager or executive will initially be involved in running
Working in the United States with an L-1A visa
some day-to-day operations of the new office, it is expected that he or she will hire staff to take over running the dayto-day operations once the business is established. The L-1A new office visa applicant must describe the proposed nature of the new office, its organizational structure, and its financial goals. It must also describe the size of the new office investment, demonstrate the financial ability of the foreign company to compensate the beneficiary and begin business, and explain the organizational structure of the foreign company. The visa application must also include a professionally-prepared business plan projecting staff levels by the end of the first year. As mentioned, the L-1A visa applicant must be coming to the United States to perform managerial or executive duties. In exercising these duties, he or she must have wide latitude in making decisions about the management and goals of the organization. Managerial duties are those in which an employee manages the company, supervises and controls the work of others, has the authority to hire and fire, and exercises discretion over the day-to-day operations of the company. Executive duties are those in which an employee directs the management of the company, establishes the goals and policies of the organization, exercises wide-latitude in discretionary decision-making, and receives only general supervision from higher-level executives. The beneficiary must have one continuous year of employment abroad as a manager or executive during the three-year period before the application is filed. They are also allowed to be accompanied by his or her spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. The L-1A new office visa is initially approved for one year.
To extend the visa, the applicant must produce substantial evidence demonstrating that the new office has become an established business. The evidence should show that the foreign and United States companies maintain a qualifying relationship, and that the new office continues to do business. It should also show the duties performed by the beneficiary in the previous year and the duties to be performed under the extended petition, staffing of the new operation and payroll records, and the new office’s financial status. Other factors considered in extending the visa for the new office include the number of employees, significant growth in cash flow, and the presence of significant customers and clientele. There are unfortunately many fatal mistakes that people make when applying for an L-1A new office visa. These mistakes include the failure to timely file the visa application within one year of commencing business in the United States, submitting a business plan that lacks required details or specifications, or submitting a poorly structured visa application. Fortunately, all of these mistakes are avoidable. Be sure to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney so that you can achieve success with your L-1A new office visa application. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
entertainment
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019
Why there’s nothing quite like a ‘Filipina girl’ by BABY A. GIL Philstar.com
FATE brought James Reid and Billy Crawford together with music producer Marcus Davis Jr. to collaborate in a project. And out of this came this wonderful song that will become not just a big hit but a future classic. Here is one fantastic example of what a collab among three amazing talents can do. Fate brought singers and actors James Reid and Billy Crawford together with music producer Marcus Davis Jr., who, by the way, also sings for a project. And out of this came this wonderful song “Filipina Girl,” that I am sure will become not just a big hit but a future classic. Marcus was invited to produce Billy’s recording comeback album and James was invited to join him in one cut. Probably inspired by the situation of having these two famous guys who are also dedicated musicians in one song, Marcus composed “Filipina Girl” with help from James. The result is one of those tunes with a beat that listeners cannot help but groove to and lyrics that are in constant playback inside your head. “There ain’t nothing in this world/ nothing in the world like a Filipina girl/ there ain’t nothing in the world like a Filipina girl…. But there is something that I find even more amazing about “Filipina Girl.” Although Billy, James and Marcus have all made the Philippines their home, they have lived and worked here for years, they are all technically “foreigners.” Isn’t it funny that it took three “foreigners” to come up with a song like this? And it is because they adore and appreciate the virtues of Filipina girls more than the local guys. Part-American Billy, a former child actor here, later lived and worked in Texas and New York, U.S. of A. and then in Paris and
Music producer Marcus Davis with James Reid and Billy Crawford
London. Part-Australian James was born and grew up in the Land Down Under. He relocated to the Philippines when he decided to try his luck in show business. Marcus comes from Orange County, California but has lived and worked in Asia, particularly the Philippines for many years. Aside from the music, what this trio has in common is the fact that they have all fallen in love with and are now with
Photos from Instagram/@mkdavisjr
beautiful Filipina girls. Billy is married to actress and model Coleen Garcia. James is with actress-singer and aspiring director Nadine Lustre. And Marcus is with Amber Davis, the very same Amber who popularized the big hit “Kembot,” which Marcus also produced. I say those three lovely females are reasons enough for these guys to be completely lost in the beauty of the “Filipina Girl.”
SF
celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019
celebrity world
Tom Rodriguez: Marriage first before kids
By Ferdie Villar ACTOR Tom Rodriguez describes girlfriend Carla Abellana as “the best partner.” According to him, the actress takes care of him like a wife, adding that he’s looking forward to the day that they get married. “The partnership that we have is really ano, e, yun nga yung sinasabi ko na yung iba siguro, o ako naisip ko na dati nung kabataan ko na, ‘You have to find someone na you get along with, na parang kapareho mo,” he said in an interview with Pep.ph. “Ganun yung naisip ko dati na parang identical kayo.” When asked if he is ready to be a father, the actor replied that he’s excited to be one. However, he added that for them, marriage comes first. “Sa akin okay, pero sa kanya (Carla), ganun muna,” while pointing to his hand to imitate a wedding ring on his finger. When asked if he and the actress unexpectedly get pregnant, Tom said that a child is always a blessing from God. Still, he said that they are taking precautions to avoid being in that situation. Tom and Carla have been together for almost five years now. In fact, the couple has already invested in a property where they plan to build their dream house. However, the actor is yet to propose to his girlfriend. *** Talking about being a father, actor JC de Vera has recently shared that everything in his life — personal and professional — is happy and positive. Personally, the actor is open and happy with being a father to a baby girl with his non-showbiz partner, Rikkah Alyssa Cruz.
EMPLOYMENT
Professionally, he is one of the leading men of Angel Locsin in the teleserye “The General’s Daughter” and is still part of the gag show, “Banana Sundae.” “Sobrang masaya ang buhay ngayon. Maganda ang pasok ng trabaho. Maganda ang pasok ng family. Kumbaga, I’m so lucky to be blessed by the Lord,” JC said in an interview with Pep.ph. He is also thankful that he has found the perfect partner for him, after being in numerous relationships. Looking back, JC shared that he had his wild days during his twenties but has realized he has to think about the future. “Darating din yata sa point na...yun nga...siguro noong umapak na ako ng thirty. Kasi nga, nangamba na rin ako for myself,” he said and then added, “Thirty na ako, ang alam ko lang, negosyo. Kung iisipin ko, after five years, sino si JC?” He also said that time he
thought about what values he can teach to his child when he has never even lived by himself. “Pero noong tumira na akong mag-isa, ito pala ang buhay talaga. Kailangan paghirapan ang bawat step. Hindi madali at, ever since, hindi ako umaasa sa household help,” JC explained. JC’s daughter, Lana is now 11 months old and he has nothing but adoration for their little bundle of joy. “Para siyang angel. Para siyang Red Bull na nagbibigay ng ibang energy,” the actor said proudly. “Palagi kang high, lalo na babae. At blessed kami kasi nga yung bata, very jolly.” JC also shared that he and Rikkah have already talk about marriage. “Namimili na lang kami ng year talaga kung 2020, 2021 o 2022,” he said. “But definitely, gusto namin na little bride si Lana. Siguro kapag mga two years old na.”
Actor JC de Vera said that everything in his life is happy and positive now that he has a daughter with his non-showbiz partner.
EMPLOYMENT
Actor Tom Rodriguez recently shared that he and girlfriend, actress Carla Abellana, prefer to get married first before getting pregnant.
Actress Carla Abellana believes that marriage comes first before having kids.
Veteran actor Edu Manzano was co-host to his son Luis Manzano during the recent episode of “Minute to Win It: The Last Man Standing,” on ABS-CBN 2/The Filipino Channel.”
Talented actress Yasmien Kurdi is now the lead actress of the newest teleserye on GMA 7/Pinoy TV “Hiram Na Anak.”
Beautiful actress Bea Alonzo is starring in her first horror film project entitled, “Eerie,” with veteran actress and ABS-CBN big boss Charo Santos-Concio.
Veteran actress and ABS-CBN big boss Charo Santos-Concio is proud to be part of the Mikhail Red horror film, “Eerie,” which also includes Bea Alonzo.
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019
Sinusuportahan ng Loterya ng California
AN ENCORE EPISODE ABOUT A “SPECIAL CHILD” ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” When Mommy Conchita (center) immigrated to the U.S. in 2007, she had to make a difficult decision of leaving her special needs daughter, Nina (left) behind in the Philippines. It was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been separated before. Nina was left behind with her older sister Ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy Conchita and Ruth gone, who will take care of Nina? Find out how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Nina to the U.S. through Humanitarian Parole, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday 6:15 p.m. PST on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ AB-60 licenses allow undocumented immigrants to drive legally in California. (Note: these licenses merely allow a person to drive legally and obtain car insurance, but do not authorize employment.) Other states have similar programs. AB-60 licenses, which were designed to help undocumented immigrants drive legally, are now being used against them. It was recently reported that an undocumented immigrant was pulled over by ICE agents on his way to work. Those agents had a copy of his AB-60 driver’s license photo when they pulled him over, which was used to confirm his identity. (It appears he had an old deportation order issued against him in 2005, but had committed no crimes in the U.S. So, it appears the ICE agents were looking for him to enforce that
ICE has access to AB-60 license information, including the driver’s address old deportation order and send him back to his home country.) What makes this troubling is that when AB- 60 driver’s licenses were first introduced in 2013, the law stated that any information would not be used “as evidence of the [person’s] citizenship or immigration status” or “as a basis for a criminal investigation, arrest or detention.” In other words, in applying for an AB-60 driver’s license, undocumented immigrants were basically promised that their information will remain confidential and not be shared with immigration authorities. Both the DMV and ICE confirm that ICE has the ability to access driver’s license information, including the
person’s photo and address. That database does not separate AB-60 driver’s license information from other driver’s licenses, and the information does not necessarily include a driver’s immigration status in the U.S. Therefore, ICE would simply enter a person’s name in the DMV database, and while the database does not indicate the person’s immigration status, their photo and address could still show up. (Remember, if you had an old deportation order, ICE would have your last address, date of birth, etc., from your immigration files.) Several lawmakers are looking into this situation, as they believe this can now have a “chilling” effect in the Continued on Page SF6
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people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019
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LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows in Los Angeles Rejoicers Events brings to Los Angeles, “LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows,” the show that sold out in Manila, and soon restaged in New York and the Bay Area. It will be held on Saturday, March 9 at the Aratani Theatre (244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 7 p.m. Headlined by comedienne Fe delos Reyes, award-winning songwriters Cecile Azarcon and Odette Quesada are joined by singers Jam Morales and Chiqui Pineda, who popularized numerous OPM Songs. Part of the proceeds of this much-anticipated concert benefit Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a non-profit organization that helps bring Filipino Artists to U.S. stages.
MARCH 30
Philippine Medical Society of Northern California installation of officers in Foster City, CA The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California will hold its 47th anniversary and installation of officers for 2019-2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on Saturday, March 30. For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Clementina Manio at drtina0427@gmail. com or visit https://www.pmsnc.org/.
United Bicolandia Los Angeles induction in Montebello, CA United Bicolandia Los Angeles will hold its 45th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on Saturday, March 30. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Lanie Berrei at lanieberrei@hotmail.com or (818) 281-3169.
City of San Fernando, La Union Association-USA ball in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando, La Union Association-USA will hold its 29th Fiesta Ball — “A Reunion to Remember” — on Saturday, March 30 at the Embassy Suites (900 East Birch Street) in Brea, CA. It will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 12 midnight. For more details, you may contact ball chairman Noel Nabua at (949) 323-3873 / nsnabua@gmail.com; outgoing president Samuel Chee at (909) 662-7501 / samnlynnndchamp@yahoo.com; incoming president Vicky Neri at (562) 394-6293 / vickybneri@gmail.com; and director Vangie So at (626) 485-3110 / vangieso@aol.com.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
Health@Heart
Sticky blood is a risk
clotting. The other situations which will thicken the blood and promotes clotting are: PHILIP S. CHUA, cigarette smoking, fear and MD, FACS, FPCS anxiety, stress, following and accident or injury (where our OUR health and life, body tries to protect itself believe it or not, depend from bleeding, or at least, on the consistency of our minimize bleeding by making blood. Our blood has to be the blood thick, instantanejust right — not too thin, not ously and automatically). too thick. When blood is too The thick blood that thick, it sticks to walls of the circulates within the arteries arteries and accumulates to will then act like a fresh sticky, block them as time goes by, gooey, cement substance that as in heart attack and stroke. is painted against the intima When it is too thin, bleeding (inner wall) of the arteries could occur. As a general rule, throughout the body. This the blood of the newborn or layer of “cement” that coats young children is simply “per- the arterial channel accumufect,” not too thin or too thick, lates and becomes thicker and clean and unadulterated, and thicker as years go by. When these youngsters are in terrific the tiny caliber of the coronary health. Some of us adults who (heart) arteries, or the carotid behave by watching what we and cerebral (brain) arteries is eat and by exercising, manag- so compromised by this building stress properly, abstaining up of cholesterol plaques, it from harmful substances like will make the arterial channel tobacco and dope, and who tight and obstructed. This drink alcoholic beverages only then restricts and prevents in moderation, are reaping the normal flow of blood to the benefits of better health and heart (causing chest pains “a more prolonged and susor heart attack), to the brain tained youth,” compared to (causing stroke), etc. Thick those who abuse themselves. blood that clots in the leg Blood’s vital roles veins could travel to the lung Besides carrying oxygen and cause fatal pulmonary emour blood also carries with bolism (massive clots blocking it important hormones and the artery to the lungs). other substances our body Inflammation manufactures in its built-in The other enemy of our “pharmacy,” in response to body is inflammation. Anyour daily activities, reactions thing that causes inflammatory to situations, or reactions to response from our immune illnesses. Example of this is system, like dental carries, the auto-production of insulin gum diseases, wound in any by the Islets of Langerhans in part of the body, infection in the beta cell of our pancreas general (including gastro-inwhen we ingest carbohydrates testinal illnesses) and auto-im(sugar) like rice, bread, and mune conditions, negatively sweets. As long as we do impacts the cardiovascular not persistently overeat and system, and new studies show abuse this wonderful privilege any of those infection could of having these God-given increase the risk for dementia, “perfect” and mind-boglike Alzheimer’s. Inflammation gling organs and systems, our also leads to thickening of the inherent ability to maintain blood. homeostasis (good internal Although the body is physiologic balance) will keep normally strong, “tough,” and us in good health. resilient, the constant insults When we eat cholesteroland aggravation we subject laden or fatty food, espeit to usually cause us health cially red meat, egg-yolk, dairy problems, sooner or later, and products, butter, etc., our especially as we grow older. blood becomes thick. When Indeed, the human body the blood is extracted and is amazing, to say the least. tested, it will have the consist- The organs are “normal” in ency of milk. It is thick and size and function in a marvewhite with fats, and prone to lous, almost magical way, very
efficiently. The human body is really “perfect,” until we, humans, repeatedly abuse it, a self-destruct behavior majority of us are guilty of most of the time, knowingly or unknowingly. What manmade invention can do these marvels, or even come close to what God has created? The human body never ceases to amaze me, even at this time in my career as a cardiac surgeon. More than ever, I have learned to respect and admire the human body. The artificial kidneys (dialysis machine), for example, is about the size of small refrigerator, as compared to our natural kidneys, which are smaller than our clenched fist but which function a lot more efficiently (for free), with no bad side effects as they work, unlike the man-made kidney. The artificial heart, about 8 times the size of an adult heart, is a lot less efficient, cannot function without a power source, not as durable as our natural heart, and has a lot of complications with its use. Indeed, nothing can beat the magnificence of the human body. This also goes true with our blood, which no artificial or experimental blood can match, much less, beat. It is the precious liquid “gold” in our circulation that sustains us and keeps us alive and healthy. However, if we abuse our body and allow (actually induce) our blood to thicken dangerously by our bad habits and unhealthy lifestyle, we will eventually get what could be expected. While there are available blood thinners (like aspirin, other more potent pills, and fish oils) and cholesterol-lowering drugs like the “statins,” there is nothing more natural, safer, cheaper, and with negligible “side-effects” than watching our diet (low carb, a lot of vegetables, high protein, and pushing ourselves away from the table less than full), daily exercises, good hydration, stress management and relaxation, abstinence from tobacco, disciplined alcohol intake, taking low-dose
The CTV Files
ATTY. LILLI BERBANO BACULI, ESQ
“MY brother’s neighbor’s girlfriend’s uncle had the same exact case and it got approved and they did not use an attorney.” I’ve heard this many times to have developed a well-curated response: Nothing. A person who has set out to hear only what s/he wants to hear can hear nothing else but what s/he wants to hear. Reason and logic be damned. For the most part, technology has allowed us to gather as much information as we are able to handle at the tip of our fingertips. Yet, neither Google nor Siri nor Wikipedia can stand in front of a Judge as your advocate. Most attorneys cannot speak about cases they have not handled. Each case is unique – one tiny fact, one tiny detail could change the course of a case. And, in immigration cases where the threat of deportation is very real why would you gamble with your life? Or your family’s life? New policy for rejecting incomplete or inaccurate filings. Did you know that a single error could mean a rejected application? And, more importantly, that a rejected application could lead to the issuance
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
Just say no: Legal advice from the internet
of a Notice to Appear (NTA)? In September 2018, changes in policy were put in place allowing immigration officers to reject visa applications immediately due to missing or inaccurate information. Previously, USCIS will issue “Requests for Evidence” (RFE) if there are missing information, allowing applicants to address gaps in their paperwork. “Notices of Intent to Deny” were also issued, as per prior guidance, which gave applicants a 30-day warning that their application would likely be rejected. Applications affected by these policies and its recent changes in policy apply to: (i) applications and renewals of temporary (non-immigrant) visas, and (ii) permanent resident status (immigrant) visas. Securing such visas are required in order for non-U.S. citizen foreign nationals to legally live and work in the United States. Can USCIS refer a file to deportation for the issuance of a Notice to Appear after it the case has been denied? Yes. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may also issue an NTA when it finds a noncitizen has not complied with regulations governing admission or maintaining lawful status after admission. Consult with a licensed
and experienced immigration attorney before filing anything. First things first, do not file anything with USCIS or any other government entity without first seeking advice. Filing for applications “frivolously” can and will come back and haunt you. While certain applications are available online making it easy to access, individuals must nevertheless proceed with caution when filing for any application with USCIS. Just because it is easier now to file for an application does not mean that you should. We urge individuals to pause and take the time to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before submitting any application with USCIS. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com; www.chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement)
The Bucket List Fix the Broken 7th of a Series
MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA [SELECT a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.] Things break. Once broken, a thing loses its value. If it is worth fixing, it can be fixed and in the hands of a whiz, can be as good as new. In our throw-away consumer-driven, impatient society where quality has taken a back seat to quantity in the name of profit and the bottom line, we are encouraged to simply toss away the broken item in the trash heap and replace it with a new one. For those of us who grew up and were trained by mothers, fathers, teachers and even great nuns (in my book) who taught us the meaning and value of preserving items, we tend to find the fix for the broken item. We look at the rip in the hemline of a nice dress and figure out carefully how a stitch here and there can make it good as new. That is probably why I can never get on with the supposedly “fashionable” items of ripped jeans. It is, to me, a nod toward rottenness and ugliness. Why pay good money for something so unattractive? Oy Vey! We look at holes in the wall and buy spackle and paint to patch it up and smooth out the flaws. We crazy glue crockery to weld things back. We solder metals so that the thingamajig, whatever it is, functions once again. We replace batteries so watches and clocks go tick tocking again. We repair broken items.
“Broken hearts? Broken relationships? The solution is always the same. FORGIVE. Forgive as you have been forgiven. And while you’re at it, FORGET.” That is our default setting when we see things that are broken. But how about when the breakdown is with affairs of the human heart? How do you fix a broken heart? There are no easy answers. In the physical realm, if something is broken, you can fix it. And if you can’t, you relegate it to the trash heap. But not so with the human heart… Though broken to a thousand pieces, the heart can live through the dark days until time brings its healing effects. The pain becomes dull and as life goes on, the sunlight breaks through the darkness and the heart is made whole. Resiliency of the human heart is based on the deep and enduring understanding in the wisdom of the words: “This too, shall pass.” But when the pains and the hurt are forged into the deep recesses of the memory and the wounds are encouraged to fester, the brokenness can be as deep as the Grand Canyon. These are the very sad cases, when the heart never heals. It is true what they say about dying of a broken heart. There is that thing called pride and in extreme cases, hubris, the kind that damned the fallen angels. This is the one that makes it hard to fix brokenness. We become so big for our britches that forgiveness is beyond us. We equate forgiveness with weak-
ness and our supreme pride won’ t let us do it. Broken hearts? Broken relationships? The solution is always the same. FORGIVE. Forgive as you have been forgiven. And while you’re at it, FORGET. You do yourself no favors by letting the pains and hurts fester. Not that it’s easy to forgive and forget. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. But that’s the whole story of our redemption. God forgives and forgets our iniquities. Who are we not to try and do likewise during our short time here on earth? The full benefits of forgiveness accrue first to the aggrieved party, the one who forgives and forgets. Why? Because then the heart is allowed to mend and heal with time, it becomes whole once again. There is a play on words about time and healing that one wit wrote. It is said that. “Time heals all wounds.” And if you believe in karma, “Time wounds all heels.” Let that sink in for a moment. God makes the prayerful heart resilient. In time, the human heart can love again as though it was never broken. Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List… *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
ICE has access to AB-60 license...
From Page SF2 immigrant communities across the state and immigrants may be less inclined to apply or renew their AB-60 licenses in the future. I know that there are many people who are out of status, may have an old deportation/removal order, and are afraid every single day that ICE may come and pick them up. Many of these people in California have AB-60 driver’s licenses, and this new development will make them more anxious. If this applies to you, then you may want to consider consulting with an attorney as soon as possible, rather than Continued on Page SF7 waiting for the knock on the
door or being pulled over on your way to work, as perhaps there may be legitimate avenues for relief or ways to get a green card despite your past immigration history. While of course no guarantees can be made, rather than worrying in the dark, you should consult with an attorney, so you can see the light. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The
information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and 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 and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
people & events
SF
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019
East Bay Regional Parks looking to hire lifeguards for 2019 swim season
THE East Bay Regional Park District is currently recruiting 40-60 new lifeguards for the 2019 swim season at its 11 facilities that include lakes, lagoons, and pools in the East Bay. The pay ranges from $16.15-$18.64 per hour. All new lifeguard positions are seasonal, full-time positions May through September. Anyone age 16 and over by April 20th, 2019 is encouraged to apply. There are six different testing dates scheduled on Saturdays/Sundays the last three weekends in March. Participants will be asked to swim 550 yards in under 10 minutes, carry a rescue board 50 feet, retrieve three dive rings under 4-7 feet of water, tread water for two minutes using only their legs, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from under water. There will also be a short interview after successful completion of the swim test.
Participants who pass the tests will be invited to the District’s Lifeguard Academy where they will receive paid training and certification in open water lifeguarding. The Academy takes place over five weekends in April and May, with the swim season beginning in May for most facilities. “Promoting water safety and educating park visitors on how to safely recreate in, on, and around the water is paramount in what a lifeguard does,” said East Bay Regional Parks District Aquatics Manager Pete DeQuincy. “Working as a lifeguard is one of the few ways a young adult can give back to their community and learn about public service.” Testing schedule: • Saturday, March 16, 2019 (1 p.m.) Buchanan Swimming Pool, Pittsburg • Sunday, March 17, 2019 (1 p.m.) Roberts Pool, Oakland
March is Red Cross Month: Be a hero in your community Volunteer, give blood, learn lifesaving skills or donate to #help1family on American Red Cross Giving Day
LOS ANgELES – March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region, is asking people to be a hero for families in Los Angeles by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or donating to #help1family on Red Cross giving Day, March 27. “During Red Cross Month, we are proud to recognize our volunteers who provide hope and urgent relief to families in need every day,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Whether they are giving blood, saving lives with skills like first aid and CPR, or providing care and comfort to families devastated by crises like home fires, these aren’t just our neighbors. They are our heroes. We ask you to join them and make a difference.” More than 75 years ago, March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission. All U.S. presidents since Roosevelt have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers. Every day, volunteers help Every eight minutes in the U.S., the Red Cross connects with a family who has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster—the roof over their heads, their clothes, their most cherished possessions. This past year was no exception—and the need continues today. Last year, Red Cross volunteers helped millions of people reeling from a second consecutive year of record wildfires, hurricanes, tragic shootings and other large disasters across the country. More than 250 volunteer heroes from the Los Angeles Region responded to deliver urgent relief and care in
people’s darkest hours across the country. Here in Southern California, more than 700 Red Cross volunteers worked tirelessly to help neighbors devastated by the Woolsey and Hill fires, which scorched more than 96,000 acres, destroying 1,500 homes. Learn more about how you can help by visiting redcross. org/la. Become a volunteer: Help families affected by disasters and install lifesaving smoke alarms to keep neighbors safe from home fires. In some areas, you can also provide emergency assistance for military members and veterans, or help reconnect families separated by international conflict. give blood: Make an appointment to donate lifesaving blood or platelets. Learn lifesaving skills: Register for a class to learn first aid, CPR and other skills. Make a financial donation: On March 27—American Red Cross giving Day—donate at redcross.org/givingday, uniting with thousands of people like you to help families during the first devastating hours of a disaster. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief, like food, shelter and other essentials, for families who need it most. About the American Red Cross The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.
Sticky blood is a risk...
From Page SF6 (81 mg) “baby” aspirin daily if prescribed by your physician, and having a regular medical and dental check-ups. These are indeed practical natural DIY (do-it-yourself) ways to maintain good health and maximize longevity. Artificial means could be risky, lifethreatening, and quite cost prohibitive. The million-dollar question now is: How thick is your
blood?
*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.co m (Advertising Supplement)
• Saturday, March 23, 2019 (1 p.m.) Livermore High School Swimming Pool, Livermore • Sunday, March 24, 2019 (1 p.m.) Roberts Pool, Oakland • Saturday, March 30, 2019 (1:00 p.m.) Roberts Pool, Oakland • Sunday, March 31, 2019 (1 p.m.) Roberts Pool, Oakland Lifeguards can work at any of the Park District’s 11 swim facilities: Lake Del Valle in Livermore (East Beach and West Beach), Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton, Quarry Lakes in Fremont, Lake Don Castro in Hayward, Cull Canyon in Castro Valley, Roberts Pool in Oakland, Lake Temescal in Oakland, Lake Anza in Berkeley, Castle Rock in Walnut Creek, and Contra Loma in Antioch.åç For more information about how to become a lifeguard call (510) 544-2154 or visit www. ebparks.org/activities/swimming/lifeguard.htm.
Spring is in the air: Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March and receive 10 free trees
THE Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring by planting trees. Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March 2019 and receive 10 free white pine trees or 10 white flowering dogwood trees. “White pine trees or white flowering dogwoods will add beauty to your home throughout the year,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Dogwoods are known for their showy spring flowers and red berries that attract songbirds during winter. White pine trees are fast-growing landscape trees that will break heavy winds, making them an ideal addition to any yard.” The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign. With planting instructions included, the trees will be shipped at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to Arbor Day, the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, visit arborday.org/march or send a $10 contribution by March 31, 2019 to: Arbor Day Foundation Ten Free White Pine or Ten Free Dogwood 100 Arbor Avenue Nebraska City, NE 68410
SF8
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 8, 2019