030823 - Southern California Midweek Edition

A COALITION of more than 100 civil rights and advocacy organizations is accusing the Biden administration of falling short on its “visionary” commitment to step up voter registration and that the failure to shore up voting rights is disproportionately hurting non-white voters.

In an early March letter to President Biden and 10 federal agencies, the coalition cited Census data showing wide discrepancies in voter registration between white voters and voters of color.

According to the data, 77% of eligible voters who are white are registered to vote. That compares to just 69% among African American eligible voters, and 64% for Asian Americans, 63% among Native Americans and 61% among Latinos. And in the last presidential election, 63 million people otherwise eligible to vote were not registered.

Executive Order 14019

Within weeks of taking office and on the

by

REINA LEANNE TOLENTINO ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine House of Representatives has adopted Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution.

RBH 6 was adopted on the third and final reading.

The resolution will still need to undergo further deliberations in the Senate.

Earlier, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments voted on the RBH after holding

nationwide public consultations on charter change.

Some lawmakers voted against the resolution.

The House adopted the resolution during plenary session on Monday, with about 300 lawmakers voting in the affirmative and several in the negative. One abstained.

Those who voted against RBH 6 were Camarines Sur Third District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel.

Northern Samar First District Rep. Paul Daza, who abstained during the voting on the RBH at the committee level, said that it was "timely to address the economic provisions" of the Constitution. He voted in the affirmative at the plenary. Daza said that "having heard the proposed amendment... which was adopted by the House which reads... 'with a vote of two-third of all its Members, voting separately, to call a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the economic provisions' helped  PAGE 2

by PAOLO ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — Women have a lot to contribute to economic growth and the country can do much to increase their participation in government and various sectors, senators said on Monday, March 6.

Senators Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, and family relations, and Cynthia Villar, in separate statements vowed to continue to do more to protect and promote the welfare of women as the nation observes National Women’s Month.

Villar said she hopes to further empower women, break gender bias and promote equality in the community.

“If half of the population of the Philippines are women and contribute to the betterment of the country, it will create a positive impact to our economy,” the senator said on Monday to kick off Women’s Month at the Department of Agriculture compound in Quezon City.

A NEW study finds masks do little to prevent the spread of viruses like the flu and Covid, and that hand washing and vaccines offer more protection.

An international network of health researchers reviewed 78 randomized controlled studies and concluded that wearing masks has little or no effect on spreading the flu, COVID, or other respiratory diseases.

The Cochrane collaborative published their findings in a January 2023 report which found frequent hand washing did more than masks to prevent viral infections.

At a March 3 EMS news briefing, three medical experts shared their views about the efficacy of wearing masks in light of the study. Except for vulnerable patients where masks offer an added layer of protection, their consensus was to forget about wearing masks and get vaccinated.

They also stressed the importance of

assessment of election hotspots.

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, March 6 directed the Philippine National Police to identify “hotspots"—following a model used during elections—days after the brazen killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Marcos’ political ally.

Talking to reporters after the ceremonial signing of the Kapatid Angat Lahat Agri Program, Marcos said he already tapped Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. to again make an

by KRISTINE JOY PATAG Philstar.com by

“I said, do it again — don’t think of the election first, but think what the hotspot areas are and let us look at them,” he said in Filipino.

Men with assault rifles barged into Degamo’s house and open-fired as he was distributing aid on Saturday. The governor and eight others were killed, while more than a dozen were hurt.

Marcos said illegal firearms will be searched and private armies should be dismantled.

“Again, the killing of Governor Degamo is

HIDILYN Diaz has already built a storied weightlifting career.

She seized a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics; a gold in the 2018 Asian Games, a gold each in the 2019 and 2022 Southeast Asian Games, a gold in the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships, and the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Games.

The 4-foot-11 weightlifter from Zamboanga City has made her mark as the only Filipino athlete to have ruled the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, World Championships, and the

Olympics.

Diaz can simply call it a career today and she will still go down in history as the greatest Filipino Olympian ever.

But the four-time Olympian is not yet done.

Diaz said that she is out for more as she vows to lay it all on the line for another gold medal run in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"It will be the Olympics again next year, I'll do everything in my power to win the gold medal in the Paris Olympics," Diaz said in Filipino on Monday night, March 6, when she received her fourth Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the

A LOCAL company that has been building jeepneys for 76 years is taking the "King of the Road" to the modern age with its iconic look intact.

From diesel-fueled jeepneys, Francisco Motor Corp. (FMC) plans to shift to assembling public utility vehicles (PUVs) with electric motors that retain the jeepney's traditional design.

Traditional jeepneys face possible extinction with the full implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

"Since we are now engaging on full electric, I am going all in. We will no longer make diesel-powered jeepneys," Elmer

Francisco, owner of FMC, told

The Manila Times in an interview.

What the FMC did was modernize the jeepney to make it compliant with the PUVMP, said Francisco, whose uncle established the company in 1947.

The PUVMP aims to phase out all jeepneys that are 15 years old and older and replace them with brand new ones that conforms with the Philippine National Standards and powered by either an electric powertrain or at least a Euro 4 compliant diesel engine.

The fully electric Francisco Passenger Jeepney has already received an endorsement from the Department of Transportation for inspection by the Department of Science and Technology.

strike that will start on Monday to show their opposition to the phase out of traditional jeepneys. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

Women can contribute much to PH...

She underscored the need to empower and equip women to help ensure food security and production, adding that when more women work or earn, economies grow.

She said head of government offices should encourage sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of government offices or establishments to celebrate National Women’s Day.

“Women have a lot to contribute to development of our nation given the proper opportunities and trainings,” Villar said.

She said she was fortunate enough to have been mentored by her grandmother, Lola Lelang, who taught her how to earn, save and spend money wisely and stressed the importance of a good education.

With this as an inspiration and the desire to help the community, the senator said her family established the VILLAR SIPAG

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foundation.

“Our aim was to improve the quality of life of the people through entrepreneurship and livelihood, health and social services, culture and arts, education and urban greening, among others,” she said.

Hontiveros spoke during a similar occasion at the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, saying when the nation celebrates Women’s Month, “we are encouraged to reflect on what we have gone through, what we have fought, and what we have won, for our women.”

She recalled that it was only in 1993 that women were granted the right to become cadets of the Philippine Military Academy, through Republic Act 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act.

“The law recognized that women should be full partners of men in nation-building; that real progress is only possible when women are not excluded from spaces of decision-making, governance, and development,” Hontiveros said.

She cited the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which was crafted because of close consultations with solo parent groups and federations, all of whom belong to the 14 to 15 million solo parents in the entire Philippines, of whom 95 percent are women.

“I share this because we cannot empower our women if we do not listen to us, if we do not hear the very real, lived experiences of different kinds of women across the country, including our women in uniform,” the senator said.

“While, yes, we’ve had many triumphs for our women, I hope that this Women’s Month encourages us to do more: more

programs, more policies, more measures that can truly level the playing field in all the spaces that men also occupy. The fight is still on. We still need to increase female participation in all levels of governance, in politics, in positions of power,” she said.

Better work environment

Meanwhile, a consumer and research analytics firm said more Filipino women believe they have opportunities to grow and receive support at work compared to regional counterparts.

According to a Milieu Insight study conducted last February, 81 percent of Filipinas feel there are fair opportunities for them to grow professionally at work. This is higher than the 79 percent of women who felt the same in Indonesia, and 66 percent in Singapore. Covering 500 female employees each from the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, the survey was conducted to understand the sentiments about the opportunities, amount of support and rewards women are getting at work.

In terms of support, the study showed 88 percent of Filipino women think their manager or company is receptive toward their needs at work, higher than the 78 percent in Singapore, and 71 percent in Indonesia.

A majority or 81 percent of Filipino women also think their companies are receptive to their feedback, compared to 70 percent in Indonesia, and 65 percent in Singapore.

The study showed, however, that only 73 percent of Filipino women believe their companies act upon the feedback being given. This is higher than the 50 percent in Singapore and 43 percent in Indonesia. g

PH lawmakers push constitutional...

me sway to vote yes to this resolution."

He added that during plenary deliberations, "it came out [that] there is no clarity even in a constituent assembly on how the voting will be done."

Those who voted against RBH 6 were Camarines Sur Third District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro,

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel.

Northern Samar First District Rep. Paul Daza, who abstained during the voting on the RBH at the committee level, said that it was "timely to address the economic provisions" of the Constitution. He voted in the affirmative at the plenary.

Daza said that "having heard the proposed amendment...

which was adopted by the House which reads... 'with a vote of two-third of all its Members, voting separately, to call a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the economic provisions' helped me sway to vote yes to this resolution."

He added that during plenary deliberations, "it came out [that] there is no clarity even in a constituent assembly on how the voting will be done." g

Modern jeepney to retain iconic...

"When we finish that, we will go into mass production," Francisco said.

While the entrance of the electric Francisco jeepney is located on the right side, it still has the familiar emergency exit on the rear. Passengers will still be seated facing each other. Its capacity is 30 passengers since the new FMC-designed jeep can accommodate at least eight more people standing inside. It is also air conditioned, has CCTV cameras and is equipped with a machine for the automated fare collection system. It also has a ramp for persons with disabilities.

"It is like riding in a train," said Francisco. "We really have it all."

The FMC will not only be building a PUV that is

environmentally friendly, it will also be providing jobs for Filipinos. The factory for the electric Francisco jeep will be based in Camarines Norte and can turn out 20,000 jeepneys a year.

Francisco said it is not only the body of the electric Francisco jeepney that will be assembled at the factory. The electronic motor and all the parts, even the battery that was developed in Los Angeles, California, will be mass-produced at the Camarines Norte economic zone.

"We have the best engineers and jeepney makers in the Philippines. They are all Pinoys so we do not need to import jeepneys, or should I say minibuses, because the modern PUVs plying the streets now are just that, minibuses. They are

not jeepneys. Ours is the real jeepney," said Francisco.

He said the company is also discussing with jeepney operators the possibility of the company upgrading the existing jeepneys of those who cannot afford new units to make them PUVM compliant.

"We are not selling jeepneys, what we are selling are livelihoods. With the jeeps we sell, those who buy from us, the transport operators, must be able to make a living," Francisco said.

He said he is optimistic that the government will support a locally designed and produced jeepney since "our politicians are all Filipinos who have, at one point in their lives, were able to ride a jeepney and have fond memories [of it]." g

Coalition takes Biden to task for falling...

anniversary of the 1965 historic “Bloody Sunday” march for voting rights through Selma, Alabama, Biden issued executive order 14019, “Promoting Access to Voting.” The move was intended to expand voter registration opportunities in federal agency programs.

Two years later, at a March 2 press briefing, members of the coalition offered a new report, “Strengthening Democracy: A Progress Report on Federal Agency Action to Promote Access to Voting,” assessing the work of 10 federal agencies in implementing Biden’s order.

Three are “on the right track,” the report found, but “most have either made minimal progress on their initial strong commitments or have left important opportunities on the table.”

Were they to “integrate a high-quality voter registration opportunity for the people they serve,” said Jesselyn McCurdy, of the Leadership Conference, those agencies “could collectively generate an additional 3.5 million voter registration applications per year.”

She continued, “While state after state imposes more barriers to the ballot, a divided Congress gives us little hope for restoring and strengthening the voting rights we so desperately need… Not since the Jim Crow era have we seen such opposition to freely casting and accurately counting our ballots.”

McCurdy added that “with legislation stalled for the foreseeable future, we are looking to the Biden-Harris administration to do everything within their executive power to protect the right to vote.”

Registering Native American voters Jacqueline De Leon of the Native American Rights Fund noted Native American voters are “uniquely situated to benefit from this executive order.”

Although “Native Americans do not regularly interact with state agencies, such as the DMV, where many Americans are provided with the most meaningful registration opportunity,” she said, the

situation is different when it comes to federal agencies “in a government-to-government capacity and in fulfillment of their treaty rights.”

The Department of the Interior was one of just three agencies of the 10 covered in the report deemed “on the right track” for providing high-quality voter registration services at two universities it operates.

At the other end of the spectrum, Indian Health Services was rated “falling behind” for showing “no signs of follow-through” on its initial commitment to offer registration to its clients: “2.5 million of the most underserved Native Americans yearly,” De Leon said.

De Leon commended the Department of Veteran Affairs’ pilot programs in Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania and its nonpartisan information about registration and elections on its website. Treasury, by boosting voter registration access at IRS tax preparation clinics and training staff in the process, also got an “on the right track” designation.

Meeting eligible voters where they’re at

“One of the single most impactful actions that the Biden administration can take under this executive order,” said Laura Williamson, of Demos, is for the Department of Health and Human Services to improve the voter registration element of its website healthcare.gov. Millions of people use the website annually, she said.”

For these people to be able to vote, she said, “is integral to the agency’s mission. HHS itself has found that voting is a social determinant of health.” Although HHS initially vowed to integrate voter registration into its site, Williamson said, “that was well over a year ago and it hasn’t happened. It must.”

Along similar lines and “critical to the entire executive order,” she said, is the General Services Administration’s vote. gov website.

Despite the GSA being specifically singled out in the executive order to modernize and improve the site, which

many other agencies use in their voter registration efforts, “unfortunately, it’s just not all that user-friendly, or fully accessible to voters with disabilities and limited English proficiency.”

The Justice Department’s Marshal Service, which oversees people in federal pretrial custody, and Bureau of Prisons have both made “modest initial efforts” to ensure that eligible people in their custody have access to registration and voting, Williamson said, “but both agencies have more work to do to meet the mandate. Voting is a right, not a privilege.”

Terry Ao Minnis, of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, echoed De Leon’s comments about Indian Health Services, one of three agencies deemed “falling behind.”

So is the Department of Education, which, besides not following through on modest commitments made in response to Biden’s order, should add voter registration information to its FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process, the report suggests.

In the 2020-2021 cycle, FAFSA had 18 million student applicants, including 84% of all black students, 74% of Latino students and 68% of Asian American ones – “many of whom are young people not registered to vote,” Minnis noted.

And the report estimates that another 60,000 voter registrations could be added annually through the Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Service, which is unique among federal agencies, Minnis pointed out, in its routine interactions with people who by nature of becoming new citizens are both eligible to vote and unregistered.

“To close out,” said Adam Lioz, of the Legal Defense Fund, “we need to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act, and we expect the administration’s strong voice in that fight. We appreciate the progress agencies have made and we implore the administration to finish the job on a clear and urgent timeline.”

(Mark Hedin/ Ethnic Media Services)

After killing of political ally Degamo...

PAGE 1

entirely unacceptable and it will not stand… This cannot be — this cannot go unpunished,” the president added.

So far, police have arrested three suspects and have brought them for inquest for multiple criminal raps in provincial prosecution offices.

The Department of Justice, however, it intends to transfer the respondents to Manila for protective custody.

In an ambush interview earlier Monday, DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano also said the department is considering referring two of the charged to the Witness Protection Program.

“But we still need to evaluate their statements to assess and if we determine that their testimony is valuable or has basis, we can enter them into the WPP of the DOJ,” he added in Filipino.

‘Purely political’

Former politicians have also been killed since the start of his administration, but Marcos said those may not be rooted in politics. He considers Degamo’s case, on the other hand, “purely political.”

“Actually if you think of the three cases that first came, they are different, but then they started to become political,” he said.

Degamo was killed weeks after Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda was ambushed

in Nueva Vizcaya. Police probers have remained tight-lipped on the motive behind the killing of the Negros Oriental governor as they stressed that investigation and hot pursuit operations are ongoing.

Marcos, meanwhile, stressed that the government will give protection to those who need it and “anybody who feels aggrieved.”

“Emotions are running high.

I’ve asked our... Army and police, and between them, keep your presence known, felt,” he added.

Teves denies hand

Degamo, 56, is the latest target in the Philippines' long history of attacks on politicians. He is at least the third to be shot since last year's general election.

The Supreme Court last month declared him the rightful winner of the contest for the Negros

Biden administration urged to take more aggressive steps to relieve medical debt

by Noam N. Levey Kaiser Health News

DOZENS of advocates for patients and consumers, citing widespread harm caused by medical debt, are pushing the Biden administration to take more aggressive steps to protect Americans from medical bills and debt collectors.

In letters to the IRS and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the groups call for new federal rules that among other things would prohibit debt for medically necessary care from appearing on consumer credit reports.

Advocates also want the federal government to bar nonprofit hospitals from selling patient debt or denying medical care to people with past-due bills, practices that remain widespread across the U.S., KHN found.

And the groups are pressing the IRS to crack down on nonprofit hospital systems that withhold financial assistance from low-income patients or make aid cumbersome to get, another common obstacle KHN documented.

“Every day people are having to make choices about housing and clothing and food because of medical debt,” said Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, a Boston nonprofit leading the effort.

“It’s really urgent the Biden administration take action to put protections in place.”

Oriental governorship following a recount that unseated his local rival Pryde Henry Teves, who had previously been proclaimed the victor.

Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Negros Oriental, 3rd District) on Monday released a video claiming there is someone who wants to link him to the killing of Degamo, but he pointed out that they have nothing to gain from the incident.

The lawmaker noted that his brother would not succeed Degamo, since the vice governor would assume the top provincial post.

Teves said the killing is terrifying, and addressing Marcos, he appealed: “Please tell your people to return my firearms license for my and my family’s protection.”

Teves then condoled with the family of Degamo. g

Among the more than 50 groups supporting the initiative are national advocates such as the National Consumer Law Center, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Nationwide, 100 million people have health care debt, according to a KHN-NPR investigation, which has documented a crisis that is driving Americans from their homes, draining their savings, and preventing millions from accessing care they need.

While some of the debt appears on credit reports, much of it is hidden elsewhere as credit card balances, loans from relatives, or payment plans to hospitals and other medical providers.

The scale of this problem and its toll have spurred several national and state efforts.

Last spring, the White House directed federal agencies to work on relieving medical debts for veterans and to stop considering medical debt in evaluating eligibility for some federally backed mortgages. California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, and other states have enacted new laws to expand consumer protections and require hospitals within their borders to increase financial aid. And the three largest credit agencies — Equifax, Experian, and Transunion — said they would stop including some medical debt on credit reports as of last July.

But many consumer and patient advocates say the actions, while important, still leave millions of Americans vulnerable to financial ruin if they become ill or injured. “It is critical that the CFPB take additional action,” the groups wrote to the federal agency created in 2010 to bolster oversight of consumer financial products.

The major credit rating companies, for example, agreed to exclude only debts that have been paid off and unpaid debts of less than $500. Patients with larger medical bills they can’t pay may still see their credit scores drop.

The groups also are asking the CFPB to eliminate deferred interest on medical credit cards. This arrangement is common for vendors such as CareCredit, whose loans carry no interest at first but can exceed 25% if patients don’t pay off the loan in time.

Collection industry officials have lobbied against broader restrictions on credit reporting, saying limits would take away an important tool that hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other medical providers need to collect their money and stay in business.

“We appreciate the challenges, but a broad ban on credit reporting could have some unintended consequences,” said Jack Brown III, president of Florida-based Gulf Coast Collection Bureau, citing the prospect of struggling hospitals and other providers closing, which would reduce care options.

Brown, a past president of ACA International, the collection industry’s leading

trade association, warned that more medical providers would also start demanding upfront payment, putting additional pressure on patients.

To further protect patients from out-of-pocket costs like these, many advocates say hospitals, particularly those that are exempt from taxes because they are supposed to serve the community, must make financial aid more accessible, a key demand in the group’s letters. “For too long, nonprofit hospitals have not been behaving like nonprofits,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of the nonprofit Georgia Watch. Charity care is offered at most U.S. hospitals. And nonprofit medical systems must provide aid as a condition of being taxexempt. But at many medical

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For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Victor Zepeda at zepedav@ metro.net.

3/8, 3/15/23

CNS-3675305#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

WOMAN CONDUCTOR. Single mother Jennilyn Capate, 36, hands over the change to a passenger of a modern jeepney where she works as a conductor, on Tuesday, March 7. Capate is among the growing number of women who work in what used to be a male-dominated job in the transport industry. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo Philstar.com file photo

California ex-caregiver charged with child sexual abuse believed to be in PH

A FILIPINO former caregiver is wanted by the FBI for allegedly molesting children in Manhattan Beach, California, and may be hiding in the Philippines.

Edgardo Feralin Dormido, Jr., 48, was charged in Los Angeles County in and 2015, with five felony counts, including oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and forcible lewd act on a child.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department requested the help

of the FBI as Dormido, a former caregiver, is believed to have fled to the Philippines, and he may still have family and associates in Los Angeles.

Officials believe that Dormido, Jr. fled the country on July 13, 2015, flying from Los Angeles International Airport to Taipei, Taiwan and then to Manila. Last June, Dormido was federally charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest, FBI officials said.

Authorities released his photo

to generate leads in the case. He has black hair, brown eyes, weighs 130 pounds and is 5 feet 4 inches tall.

Anyone with information about Dormido’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local FBI office or nearest U.S. Embassy. A monetary reward may also be available for anyone with information. Los Angeles’ local field office is located at 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1700 LA, CA 90024, and can be contacted at 310-4776565. (ManilaTimes.net)

Hidilyn Diaz all out for another...

PAGE 1

Year award at the Diamond Hotel.

"I wish that I'll be able to return here next year for my fifth Athlete of the Year award. Manifesting for weighting and for the Philippines.

Long live the Filipino athlete," she added.

Diaz is tied with boxing champion Nonito Donaire with four PSA Athlete of the Year citations and is just one trophy shy from matching bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno and boxing great Manny Pacquiao, who has a record five each.

"I'm already 30 plus years old but I'm still here competing, while also working hard to finish my studies. That's why to those people saying that it's too late to start, I don't believe them because age doesn't matter, it's just a number. What matters is

how you work hard and how bad you want it," said the 32-year-old Diaz.

"It is important that you love what you're doing, know your purpose, why you're doing it, whether for yourself or for your family. To my fellow athletes, we are doing this for our love of our country and for our sports. Us Filipino athletes, we continue to fight our country. I believe that many of you will follow in my footsteps and win an Olympic gold and be a champion in our field."

The weightlifter leads the nearly 100 awardees at the 2022 PSA Awards Night.

The PSA handed out the President's Award to Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala and the Hall of Fame trophy to the late Lydia De Vega-Mecardo, once

hailed as the fastest woman in Asia in the 1980's. Her daughter Stephanie Paneng Mercado accepted the trophy.

Long jump queen Elma MurosPosadas was handed the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) was recognized as the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino seized the Executive of Year award while Scottie Thompson and Sarina Bolden were named the Mr. Basketball and Ms. Football plums, respectively.

EJ Obiena, Carlos Yulo, the Philippine women's football team, Carlo Paalam, Meggie Ochoa, and Kimberly Anne Custodio received major awards, among others. g

Are we done with masks? Three experts review...

not losing trust in public health officials for changing their advice over time as they work to keep up with the latest scientific research.

Masks are ‘not magic’ Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, led off the session by describing the challenges of conducting mask studies in the first place, whether in a health environment or in the community. “You

can’t monitor people about their mask-wearing behavior all the time. That’s certainly something you can’t do, and of course (masks) have to be worn correctly,” he said.

While many researchers have looked at multiple physical measures to prevent people from catching a virus, the Cochrane reviewers evaluated studies that compared just three interventions: surgical masks, N95/P2 respirators, and hand hygiene. Based on the results they were uncertain whether masks help to slow the spread of viruses but decided hand hygiene “may help to slow the spread of respiratory viruses,” Schaffner said.

Yet he also pointed out that in most cases, mask wearing was accompanied by social distancing, and… “in certain communities, we were in a lockdown. we stayed home. So, we did all those things more or less simultaneously. And it’s hard – impossible really – to determine what proportion of the reduction we saw on COVID was due to the mask itself.

As for his own advice, Schaffner emphasized that “masks are not magic.” But he said that people in high-risk groups may start wearing them again next flu season. “They will offer another layer of protection to protect me, a highly vulnerable person, from acquiring an infection from others.”

No more mask mandates “I don’t think we can impose mask mandates on the public anymore,” said Dr. Monica Ghandi, Professor of Medicine and Associate Division Chief of the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF in San Francisco.

Gandhi noted a Danish mask study where no mandate was in effect at the time, and two others in Bangladesh and Guinea-Bissau where entire villagers wore masks. The study found “there was very little effectiveness” in wearing masks.

During the Delta surge, Orange County, California did not impose a mask mandate but nearby LA County did.

“And there was no difference in transmission or death rates. Very importantly, the vaccination rates made all the difference,” Gandhi said.

The most important thing people could do during the pandemic is to get vaccinated, Gandhi advised. “I think we have to keep it a choice for the masking.”

Gandhi’s recently published book, Endemic, is about the politicization of public health

policy. She said that closing schools during COVID was a politically driven decision and “not good for children in the Blue States, because the Red States kept their schools open.” Dr. Mina Hakim, a pediatric specialist at South Central Family Health Center in Los Angeles, offered a similar view about masks from “down in the trenches.”

“The results of the study were clear in that surgical masks, N95 masks, did not make a difference in the transmission of Covid or the flu,” Hakim said.

“The mask is a small piece of a much bigger shield that we have against COVID. I would use the bigger piece of the shield, which is a vaccine, and I would not recommend masks for the general population,” Hakim added. Like Schaffner and Gandhi, he recommended masks for vulnerable populations.

Kids and masks

He said the Cochrane review looked at a few studies that were specifically for children, and those results were even more definitive.

“Kids are the worst at keeping things on. You’d be lucky if you have a kid with their pants on at the end of the day let alone having a mask on that increases humidity, increases difficulty of breathing, and it’s just overall uncomfortable,” Hakim said.

They’re constantly touching things, wiping their nose, taking their mask off to eat and drink. They share pencils and pens that have been in other kids’ mouths. And teenagers are horrendous at being compliant, Hakim added.

Like Schaffner and Gandhi, Hakim recommended wearing masks for vulnerable people.

“If we could provide masks particularly to those high-risk people, I think that might … increase the trust because we’re not imposing the masks on them, but making them available, so that people feel more comfortable and reassured that it’s a good thing to do,” says Hakim.

All three speakers agreed that as studies like the Cochrane report reveal new findings about the efficacy of preventive care, these should not diminish public trust.

“One of the most difficult things for the general public to understand is that we will give you our best advice today but if we learn something tonight, we may have to change that advice tomorrow, and that this is an ongoing process,” Schaffner says. (Peter White/Ethnic Media Services)

Biden administration urged to...

centers, information about this assistance is difficult or impossible to find.

Standards also vary widely, with aid at some hospitals limited to patients with income as low as $13,590 a year. At other hospitals, people making five or six times that much can get assistance.

The result is widespread confusion that has left countless patients who should have been eligible for aid with large bills instead. A 2019 KHN analysis of hospital tax filings found that nearly half of nonprofit medical systems were billing patients with incomes low enough to qualify for charity care.

The groups are asking the IRS to issue rules that would set common standards for charity care and a uniform application across nonprofit hospitals.

(Current regulations for charity care do not apply to for-profit or public hospitals.) The advocates also want the federal agency to strengthen limits on how much nonprofit hospitals can charge and to curtail aggressive collection

tactics such as foreclosing on patients’ homes or denying or deferring medical care.

More than two-thirds of hospitals sue patients or take other legal action against them, such as garnishing wages or placing liens on property, according to a recent KHN investigation. A quarter sell patients’ debts to debt collectors, who in turn can pursue patients for years for unpaid bills. About 1 in 5 deny nonemergency care to people with outstanding debt.

“Charitable institutions, which have other methods of collection available to them, should not be permitted to withhold needed medical care as a means to pressure patients to pay,” the groups wrote.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Dateline PhiliPPines

Marcos on son Sandro’s birthday: ‘You will continue to shine’

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, March 7 took to his Facebook to greet his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos, on his special day.

Sandro, eldest son of the President, is celebrating his 29th birthday today, March 7.

In a statement, the President expressed confidence that his son will continue to shine and inspire others.

"Happy Birthday, Sandro!

We have no doubt that you will continue to shine and inspire those around you!" the President said.

Sandro, who was born and raised in Laoag City, is now senior deputy to Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe of Zamboanga City, whose primary function, aside from being the spokesman of the majority bloc, is to direct the deliberations on

the floor.

As senior deputy majority leader, Sandro will be a member of the House Committee on Rules, which deals with the Rules of the House of Representatives, Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings, Order of Business, Calendar of Business, the referral of bills, resolutions, speeches, committee reports, messages, memorials and petitions, and the creation of committees inclusive of determining their respective jurisdictions.

The younger Marcos had said that he was excited to take on his new job.

"I am very excited. I want to learn as much as I can. It feels weird to be here, not as a staff member but as a congressman," he said during the seminar for new lawmakers.

"I want to build on my twoyear experience in the House," he added.

Prior to his foray in politics, Sandro served as member of the legislative staff of then House Majority Leader and now Speaker Martin Romualdez, who was his mentor on the daily grind at the House during the 18th Congress. Sandro also served as an economic consultant of the Province of Ilocos Norte under Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc. Among his tasks was ensuring the swift and smooth distribution of food and other assistance to the people of Ilocos Norte, including Covid-19 recovery assistance program for sari sari store owners, food packs and fishing gears to fisherfolks, tablets to aid students in distance learning, and many others. He has been instrumental in providing livelihood opportunities to thousands of Ilokanos who were most affected by the sudden loss of income and livelihood amidst the continuing pandemic. g

DOLE, DOH, DepEd, other agencies express support for Sogie equality bill

MANILA — Different national government agencies on Tuesday expressed their support for the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (Sogie) equality bill during a House hearing on Tuesday, March 7.

According to Rep. Geraldine B. Roman, 12 hours have already been devoted to listening to resource persons both for and against the current House version of the Sogie equality bill, which is the unified version of House Bills 222, 460, 3418, 4277, 5551, 6003 and 7036.

“The Department of Health supports the house bills which seek to protect the fundamental rights of all individuals against any form of discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sexual characteristics,” said Adriel Pizarra, a medical officer speaking on behalf of the Department of Health (DOH).

According to Pizarra, the passage of the bill will only enforce the existing health laws and DOH policies. The Department of Labor and

Employment (DOLE) also backed the bill, as it also has measures that protect a person from gender-based discrimination in the workplace.

“This is really an opportune time to further strengthen the DOLE’s thrust in ending discrimination in the workplace,” said DOLE Officer Donnalyn Calipay.

The Technical Education And Skills Development Authority shared the DOLE’s stance, with the authority’s Clefford Pascual assuring “ the agency’s readiness to provide support should this bill be passed into law.”

According to Suzette Ganaban from the Department of Education (DepEd), the agency also supports the Sogie Equality Bill.

“With the emphasis on the education sector, the enactment of such bill will provide much needed support for DepEd’s advocacy promoting anti-discriminatory practices in schools and offices,” said Ganaban.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it is ready to enforce the bill if it is passed.

COVID-19 remains ‘manageable, no significant rise,’ says DOH

by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, March 7 said that COVID-19 cases in the country remain manageable, as no significant rise in infections has been observed.

“It fully supports measures that protect the dignity of all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics. If these bills are legislated, the PNP has the operating mechanisms in place to ensure its enforcement,” said Isagani Fetizanan, the assistant chief of the PNP’s women and children center.

However, the PNP has reservations about House Bill 3702, which establishes a help desk for the LGBTQ+ in all PNP stations, suggesting instead that the role could be integrated with the Women and Children’s Helpdesk.

“Perhaps ‘women, children, gender rights protection desk’ is more appropriate,” Fetizanan said.

The Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Population also showed approval of the bill during the hearing. The Department of Justice and the Commission on Higher Education did not have resource personnel during the hearing. (Inquirer.net)

According to DOH officer-incharge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing, only 133 average cases per day have been reported nationwide in the past week.

“Wala pa po tayong nakikitang significant, kung meron man during the past weeks may tataas by five cases by three cases, and this is not significant if we try to compare that for our weekly average number of cases,” said Vergeire.

(We have not seen anything significant yet, if there is anything during the past weeks, there would be an increase of five cases or three cases, and this is not significant if we try to compare that to our weekly average number of cases.)

She then assured the public that the DOH continues to monitor the pandemic situation in the country, reiterating that recorded infections in Metro Manila remain minimal.

“Sa ngayon we can say that everything is manageable, our hospitals are able to manage our cases. Wala pong masyadong mga kasong naitatala na dito mula sa iba’t ibang lugar dito sa Metro

Manila,” said Vergeire.

(Right now we can say that everything is manageable, our hospitals are able to manage our cases. There are not many cases recorded from different places here in Metro Manila.)

However, Vergeire noted that the health department is closely keeping an eye on Mandaluyong, which only has three intensive

care unit (ICU) beds in the city.

“So ‘pag nagkaroon ng isa lang na laman tumataas na po ang percentage (when there is only one admission, the percentage increases),” she explained. As of March 6, the country’s COVID-19 caseload is at 4,077,109, with 4,002,009 recoveries, 66,160 deaths and 8,940 active cases. g

DONATION. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showcase some of the

National embarrassment

AIRPORTS are high-security facilities, and there should be no room for unprofessional, inefficient or crooked conduct especially in restricted zones such as security screening areas. Yet such dismaying behavior has been on display right in the country’s premier gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

On Monday, March 1 a screening officer of the Office for Transportation Security was arrested on charges of stealing the smartwatch of a Hong Kong-bound Chinese tourist at the NAIA Terminal 1. Reports said closed-circuit television footage showed the Chinese placing his watch and other personal items on a tray for x-ray screening at the departure area. As the tray emerged from the machine, the CCTV footage showed OTS screener Valeriano Ricaplaza placing another tray on top of the first one and, according to his superiors, taking the watch. Ricaplaza, who denied the theft, was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group. His arrest followed the sacking of five other OTS employees who were shown in a viral video pocketing 20,000 yen from a Thai tourist at the NAIA Terminal 2 on Feb. 22. When confronted by the tourist, the five returned the cash. Another Thai tourist recorded the incident and uploaded it online.

Editorial

at the departure area. Instead of looking at the person being patted down, the woman was looking away and dissolving into thrilled giggles. Since when did airport security screening become a fangirl event? The OTS said personal video recording is prohibited at airport security areas. ENHYPEN fans also wondered why a woman was conducting a body search on men.

Thievery is not the only problem. Last Feb. 6, another viral video showed a female OTS screener patting down members of Korean boy band ENHYPEN as they emerged from x-ray screening

Babe’s Eye View

BABE ROMUALDEZ

SOME of our senators who are still doubtful about the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allow new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites should realize that now, more than ever, we need to strengthen our ties with the United States to beef up our capability in addressing existing and potential security threats to our nation and people, both traditional and non-traditional, such as cyber and climate change.

Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said it correctly – the projects under EDCA are intended to develop our defense capabilities and are certainly not intended for aggression; neither should they be taken to mean that we are preparing for war. Undoubtedly, we should be ready to defend ourselves for any eventuality, especially in light of the tense geopolitical situation that could become precarious.

But while we will continue to

Virtual Reality

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. should stop being the Mr. Nice Guy of the Philippines.

He should start taking decisive, even harsh actions on the following:

1. A creeping crime wave

2. Rampant corruption

3. A stubborn raging inflation

Crime wave

In just 17 days this year, there have been four highprofile political assassination attempts; three of them in just five days. Sixteen victims died during the four attacks, including the governor of large Cebuano-speaking province (1.5 million population) and a town mayor.

At 9:45 am. of Saturday, March 4, masked killers in army uniforms and brandishing high-powered firearms barged into the residential compound of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and killed him on the spot, together with six other bystanders. The murders were

The OTS had reassured the public after the incident that it “shall never tolerate any unprofessional behavior” toward passengers. It is unclear if the woman ever faced sanctions for her behavior in a high-security area. The OTS reported that since July last year, 14 of its employees have been dismissed and three suspended while six cases of misconduct remain under investigation. Beyond catching erring personnel and slapping them with appropriate administrative or criminal charges, the OTS must tighten its recruitment policies and improve training for its screeners. Airport security screening is a serious matter. Leaving the task to amateurs, thieves and giggly fangirls can only lead to national embarrassment. (Philstar.com)

explore all diplomatic means to resolve issues, we should not also turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the clamor of the people to stand up to those who attempt to arrogate to themselves what is ours – as seen in the continuing incursion of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and militia vessels in areas that are clearly within our maritime territory.

For centuries, Filipino fishermen have relied on the traditional fishing grounds of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Recto (Reed) Bank, Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea for their livelihood. But for so many years now, they have been enduring the continuing harassment from Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels, depriving them of their livelihood, very often having to stay away from the resourcerich waters due to “bullying” from Chinese vessels.

Those who were desperate enough to enter the fishing grounds recount being shooed away, subjected to threats and intimidation, their fishing ropes cut, their boats water-cannoned or worse, attacked like what

captured by CCTV.

On Feb, 17, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong was ambushed. The governor survived the assassination attempt but his driver and three police escorts died.

On Feb. 19, the vice mayor of Aparri, Cagayan, Rommel Alameda, and five companions, were killed in an ambush.

On Feb. 22, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal was wounded when two gunmen fired at his vehicle in busy Pasay City.

In the national capital, way back in August 2022, there were reports of “serial killers and gang members using a white van were behind several reported cases of murders and other crimes.”

In June 2022, President Duterte’s last month, there were 15,651 index and non-index crimes, per newspaper reports.

In July 2022, BBM’s first month, 30,802 index and non-index crimes were reported. Index or focus crimes include: murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, and car theft. Index crimes do not large-scale corruption like smuggling and the plunder of pork barrel. The Philippine National

happened in June 2019 when a Chinese trawler rammed a fishing boat near Recto (Reed) Bank. If not for the Vietnamese fishing crew that heard their cries for help, the 20 Filipino fishermen who were drifting in the water as they clung to plastic barrels and pieces of wood from the wrecked fishing boat could have drowned.

As one fisherman put the situation they are in, “We are being forcibly driven away from our own territory. They are making us feel as if we are stealing from our own backyard” – so ironic and deceptive, considering that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of which China was a signatory clearly states that countries have sovereign rights to exploit or conserve natural resources that are within 200 nautical miles of their exclusive economic zone.

According to a report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Chinese Coast Guard vessels have patrolled key areas in the West Philippine Sea, with their presence detected

almost every day in 2022. The Washington-based think-tank also noted the presence of the CCG in areas near Vietnamese and Malaysian oil and gas sites.

Numerous diplomatic protests have been filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs over the continued incursion of Chinese vessels – as many as 77 under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, with 10 of them filed in the first two months of 2023.

In fact, the Philippines is not the only country that has been complaining about intrusion from Chinese Coast Guard and other vessels. In 2021, Malaysia summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest the presence of Chinese vessels within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone. Vietnam and Indonesia have also accused China of intrusion in areas where gas and oil exploration activities are being conducted, such as in Natuna Sea.

It’s extremely disappointing that some of our former diplomats who are totally uninformed are naively asking for the cancellation of the EDCA – an agreement whose

constitutionality has been affirmed and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court. Senator Koko Pimentel has the right frame of mind when he said that while he may disagree with EDCA, the Philippines as a sovereign nation is “free to enter into treaties and agreements which we believe are, or will be, good for us.”

Some agree with Senator Risa Hontiveros’ statement that we must forge security agreements with other countries to defend the Philippines and maintain peace and security in the West Philippine Sea.

“A security agreement can serve as a defensive framework that would provide for joint patrols and training of our troops so we are prepared to work as part of a team should tensions escalate,” she said, also noting the support shown to the Philippines by members of the international community when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel pointed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin shoal.

In fact, the Philippines is looking at multilateral cooperation with countries such

Crime, corruption, in ation

Police (PNP) website reports a whole-year crime stats, but only for the year 2021– of 37,842 index crimes and 185,550 non-index crimes for a total of 223,392 crime volume or an unbelievable crime volume per day of – only 612 crimes (for a nation of 114 million) during 2021.

No wonder, last month (February), PNP Chief Azurin had the temerity to assert that “the spate of attacks on local government executives is not that alarming yet.” These are isolated cases. “I would say na hindi pa alarming kasi dinidetermine nga natin dahil ibaiba ‘yung mga situation, iba-iba ‘yung mga reason bakit pinatay itong mga ito (which is not yet alarming because the situations are different, the reasons why these people were killed are different). Sabi ko nga (As I said) it’s either political, personal, business rivalry or other reason why these killings are happening.”

Corruption

On March 1, Valeriano Ricaplaza, a screening officer of the Office for Transportation Security was arrested on charges of stealing the

smartwatch of a Hong Kongbound Chinese tourist at the NAIA Terminal 1. Reports said closed-circuit television footage showed the Chinese placing his watch and other personal items on a tray for x-ray screening at the departure area.

On Feb, 22, five other OTS employees who were shown in a viral video pocketing 20,000 yen from a Thai tourist at the NAIA Terminal 2. When confronted by the tourist, the five returned the cash. The Thai’s woman companion videoed the whole pilferage and attempt to return the money.

In less than a year, BBM has had three Customs chiefs – Rey Leonardo Guerrero (a holdover from Duterte since 2018), Yogi Filemon Ruiz, from July 25, 2022, and Bienvenido Rubio, from Feb. 13, 2023. Why?

“Customs are often perceived as one of the most corrupt institutions in developing countries,” said the World Bank in 2020. “Addressing the root causes of corruption goes beyond legal reforms, code of ethics or IT system upgrades,” argues the lender.

Inflation

I talked briefly with President BBM during the DTI’s CITEM

“Tanyag” dinner last March

3, to honor the foreign governments and partners in Manila’s export program. He was clearly worried about inflation. “It’s hurting people,” he said. Across the table was the government’s chief inflation fighter, Bangko Sentral Governor Felipe Medalla, radiant in his enigmatic smile, and Trade Secretary Fred Pascual, patrician in his white hair.

Indeed, inflation is the biggest thief of them all. In 2022, households spent a whopping P16.72 trillion buying all kinds of goods and services.

Consumers spent P6.2 trillion on food and non-alcohol drinks; P2.08 trillion on electricity, water and other utilities; P1.5 trillion on transportation; P1.16 trillion in restaurants and hotels, P835 billion on tuition, P716 billion on health care, P464 billion on household furnishings, and P2.298 trillion on many other things.

If inflation were to rage at 9 percent (the estimate for February), that is equivalent to P1.5 trillion being taken away from your pockets for buying the same volume of goods and same quality of services.

as Japan as well as Singapore and Vietnam not only in terms of enhanced security but economic and other areas as well. The Philippines, US, Australia and like-minded countries are seriously studying the possibility of joint maritime exercises to enhance their collective capability to maintain security and ensure the freedom of navigation in international waters.

Those who are against the MDT, the VFA and EDCA should understand that the Philippines entered into these agreements not to be embroiled in war but as part of our overall defense strategy. The fact is, 90 percent of Filipinos all over the world totally agree with the President’s move in forging defense agreements with like-minded countries. Clearly, he is on the right side of history – like all of us should be. (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Imagine that: P1.5 trillion being taken away from you, yearly by inflation. Which inflation by the way is aided or made worse, in large part, by crime and corruption. Were it not for corruption at Customs and other places, prices of major food items (on which the Filipino spends P6.1 trillion a year) would be much, much, much cheaper.

In 2022, the inflation rate on sugar was 38.8 percent; vegetables 37.8 percent; corn 16 percent; flour and bakery products 11.3 percent; milk and other dairy products 11.3 percent; meat 7 percent; and fast foods 9.2 percent. Total food inflation: 8.7 percent. So there Mr. President. The enemy is defined. It’s CCI –crime, corruption, and inflation. Individually or together, all three have the potential to bring down a sitting government, no matter how immensely popular. (Philstar.com)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * *

Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com

Top US diplomat floats alliance with Japan, Australia to aid Philippines

by Xave GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — The third highest-ranking official at the US Setate Department raised the possibility of engaging Japan and Australia to help the Philippines in security and economic issues amid the increasing assertiveness of China in the Asia-Pacific.

Speaking to select reporters on Monday, March 6 during her visit to the Philippines, U.S. Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said there have been discussions on strengthening multilateralism in the region, particularly with Tokyo and Canberra, which she described as having “strong alliances” with Washington.“We have shared interests, obviously, in maintaining strong democracies, in maintaining free and open commerce and ensuring that even as we compete with China, we are preventing conflict and we are working together to keep the straits free and open and all those things,” Nuland said in response to a query on joint patrols in the South China Sea.

“The idea here is obviously, we have a strong alliance together, but we’re even stronger when we combine forces with other democracies,” she added later in the briefing.

Just two weeks ago, U.S. naval operations chief Admiral Michael Gilday said during his visit to the Philippines that Washington is “committed” to conducting joint maritime patrols with Manila in the disputed strategic waterway.

Nuland said the U.S. is “working on the cadence and plans for those.”

Teresita Daza, the spokesperson for Manila’s Department of Foreign Affairs, said last week that the government is crafting guidelines on maritime activities, including joint patrols, in the West Philippine Sea or the part of the South China Sea that the country claims.

Daza said operational details, including the possibility of engaging other regional partners, will be part of discussions between the Philippines and the U.S. through the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board, which coordinate a framework for defense and security cooperation between the militaries of Manila and Washington.

EDCA consultations underway

On top of building up multilateral ties, Nuland stressed the need to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance in the face of what she called “China’s increasingly aggressive and coercive behavior” in security and economics.

“We also need to strengthen the structures of alliance that allow us to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” she said, using the American term to refer to the Asia-Pacific.

Among these are the four additional sites in the Philippines identified under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement under which U.S. troops will have access to military bases in the country.

This, Nuland said, “will make us stronger” not just in security but also in humanitarian contingencies and economic opportunities.

Nuland said local communities where the four new EDCA sites will be located are being consulted upon, but she deferred to the Philippine government to announce where these sites will be.

“We want to do these in places where we have the opportunity to train together, but also in places where, should there be a natural disaster contingency,

U.S. State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria

Nuland engages with youth leaders during her visit to Manila on Monday, March 6. Photo courtes of the U.S. Embassy in Manila they’re far away enough from that that they would still be able to survive and be useful in that context,” she said.

While there have been no announcements as to where the new EDCA sites will be located, it has been reported that the U.S. asked for access to bases in Isabela, Zambales and Cagayan facing north towards Taiwan, and on Palawan near the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.

U.S. not seeking conflict

Reports of EDCA sites being established up north raised concerns from Senate foreign affairs panel chairperson Imee Marcos who suggested last week during an inquiry that these may be used by the U.S. as bases or staging grounds in the event of a conflict in Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that China considers to be a renegade province.

Nuland reiterated the stance of the U.S. that its policy of recognizing Beijing as the legitimate Chinese state has not changed, but added that they “don’t want to see a change in the status quo.”

“We want a free open Indo-Pacific. We will continue to ensure that we are supporting Taiwan as needed and that we are ensuring that the international waters remain free and open,” she said.

She continued: “It’s really up to China what kind of future they want to have. But it is not we that seek conflict in any way.”

‘We need each other’

The Philippines under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has significantly warmed up relations with the U.S. compared to his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte who opted to pivot towards China.

Still, Marcos said he is maintaining a “friends to all, enemies to none” policy when it comes to foreign affairs.

Since he took office, a flurry of top U.S. officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have visited the Philippines in a continuing bid to strengthen bilateral ties.

Nuland said they are trying to get as many senior U.S. officials to visit the Philippines and as many senior Filipino officials to visit Washington.

“We really are in this growth period in our relationship both on the security side and the economic side,” she said. “We need each other at this moment of intense challenge to democracy, freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” (with reports from Kaycee Valmonte)

No sabotage in NAIA glitch; CAAP upgrade necessary – Senate

MANILA – The Senate has ruled out sabotage and cyberattack during the Jan. 1 air traffic control glitch that affected about 280 flights and 60,000 passengers.

Instead, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) should continue replacing or upgrading critical equipment to prevent similar incidents.

As for the non-technical aspects, the Senate Committee on Public Services’ Committee Report No. 39 released Tuesday recommended amendments to the CAAP Charter and Passengers’ Bill of Rights, creation of the Philippine Transportation Safety Board, and passage of the Philippine Airports Authority Act.

"To complement these, sufficient engineering guidelines and training of accredited engineers should be rolled out. Another CNS/ATM (Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management) system in an independent location should also be supported," committee chair Senator Grace Poe said in a statement.

Poe said the Department of Transportation must fast-track its feasibility studies on the proposed privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and assist CAAP in immediately complying with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations. One significant ICAO observation, Poe said, is the country’s lack of a Master Contingency Plan that should have established emergency procedures, like during an air traffic glitch.

"The Philippines already has a history of non-compliance

to ICAO and I wish to reiterate that there are consequences. A downgrade from Category 1 to Category 2 means Philippineregistered aircraft and personnel would have to undergo heightened inspections abroad which might cause flight delays.

Maaari rin mag-impose ang ibang bansa ng restrictions sa ating mga (Other countries may also impose restrictions in our) commercial flights. This will translate to huge economic losses for the country," she warned.

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with 193 member-states, including the Philippines, that sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and environmental protection. It also assesses all member states of the UN on their capability and capacity to implement an effective safety oversight of aviation operations.

Poe said her committee believes that CAAP personnel on the ground did their best with the equipment, guidelines, and training given to them.

She noted that the Jan. 1 systems failure was a confluence of factors and errors and that there is much work needed for a better air traffic system.

"It is my earnest hope that through our investigative work, Congress will be able to assist CAAP in providing a system where travel in our airspace is no longer shut down by causes which could have been avoided," Poe said.

Apart from the series of inquiries, Poe, with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senators JV Ejercito, Raffy

Tulfo, and Risa Hontiveros inspected CAAP's air traffic management center in Pasay City last month. In a statement, CAAP assured that upgrades and projects on several airports were already completed as part of its efforts in ensuring the safety and convenience of passengers. (PNA)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

LACMTA will receive Proposals for OP48185 - Bus Lane Enforcement System at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or electronically at: bids@metro. net.

A Virtual Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Local Time; attendance is optional.

All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA in one of two ways: either (1) one hard copy original sealed envelope and marked with the RFP No.: OP48185 of the entire Proposal, including all submittal forms, submitted by mail or hand delivered to the reception desk: One Gateway Plaza, 9th floor V/ CM Department, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or (2) submitted electronically via email to bids@ metro.net on or before 10:00 a.m. Local Time on Monday, April 10, 2023. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. For a copy of the Proposal specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Shannon Thoene at thoenes@metro.net.

3/8/23

CNS-3677136#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

crowd the departure lobby while others set up camp inside the Ninoy Aquino

as numerous flights were canceled earlier due to a technical glitch and the power outage at the Air Traffic Management Center of the NAIA. Philstar.com file photo

The Asian Journal MDWK

Wednesday MARCH 8, 2023

Fil-Am athlete Anton del Rosario expands 7’s Football League’s reach outside PH

by Donnabelle GatDula-arevalo / AJPress

at

American

Del Rosario, who himself founded the first 7’s Football League in the Philippines in 2018, has been at the forefront of this growing football community and wants to take the lead in actively promoting it in the coming years, not only in the Philippines but also in the entire Asian region and eventually to the world.

“We are creating a sport here and I am in this godly mission because I know what it could do for the world.  If we’re able to create another sport, it’s like creating another whole industry. Imagine the jobs that would be created, all of the players, all of the coaches and all the kids that get to dream to play professionally on another sport. It’s much more than a sport, it’s being able to give back and make an impact to the world,” del Rosario told the Asian Journal in an interview.

The 41-year-old football superstar believes that the seven-a-side football, which is a mini variation of the 11-a-side football played in a much smaller field, will be a big thing in the future.

“They say football is the most popular sport in the world but imagine all of these kids, there are not a lot of football fields for all of these kids all over the world. People are playing a smaller-sided football already but has not been structured to it. So that’s where me and my company comes in to create that structure,” he said.

Kickstarting 7’s football league

Seven years ago, del Rosario partnered with premier insurance company AIA Philippines to pioneer the 7’s Football League (7s FL) in the Philippines. The league, which was formed to focus on sevena-side football competitions locally and internationally, is being  played using a mix indoor futsal and standard football rules in a much smaller field.

Starting from less than 10 teams in 2018, the Americanborn footballer is proud to have tremendously increased the size of league over the years.

“I started in 2018 in the Philippines with eight teams. Last year, we ended the year with 350 teams across the country of the Philippines. We are now in nine cities. With our partner AIA Philippines (formerly Philamlife), we are the largest men’s and women’s football league in the Philippines,” he said.

So far, the 7’s FL already had four seasons. It has a twotiered men’s division, a women’s division, and youth divisions. It is also currently affiliated with the Federation Internationale

de Football 7 (FIF7). The league should have expanded in the fifth season in 2020 but was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just a year after its inception, 7’s FL received the Best in Sports Youth Development Program award at HR Asia’s Sports Industry Awards and Conference. HR Asia is the most authoritative publication for HR professionals in the Asian region.

In 2021, the franchise launched further leagues in the United States and across Asia providing an opportunity to people to chase their dreams, to be able to unite players of all ages from all over the world and build a community for football in every city where 7’s FL  makes it available for all, giving each person a chance to grow and enjoy their passion.

This year, 7’s FL will hold major milestones in the history of seven-a-side football by launching two major tournaments: one in Taguig in the Philippines from April 21-23 and another one in North Carolina in the United States from June 1-2.

Fostering partnerships

As many countries around the globe have already started their journey to the seven-a-side football, del Rosario admitted that Asia still requires a muchneeded push to further develop this emerging sport.

“In Europe, they already have organizations playing this. South America have organizations playing this. They are the ones who actually reached out to me and introduced me to this and their big problem is that they can not secure Asia. So that’s where I want to come in and I want to be the one to create Asia for all of us,” he revealed.

“Asia’s quite hard, unless you’re there. Unless you have somebody active and believing in it, as much as we do, then

it becomes very difficult,” he said, when asked why most Asian countries are still a little bit hesitant to go into this new type of sport.

Del Rosario reiterated his eagerness and enthusiasm to become a prime mover in making seven-a-side known in Asia and then to the rest of the world. “Soccer is the number one sport in Asia, that’s why it’s going to be very successful. Actually, I believe it’s going to be successful anywhere,” he added.

This innovation in the sport of football, he said, will make it more popular and acceptable. “Everybody knows that soccer has been under FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association). FIFA only owns 11-a-side soccer, foot soccer and beach soccer. We are coming in and we are creating seven-a-side soccer similar to what’s happened in basketball. Basketball is played five-on-five. Right now, they have a version which is now getting popular, three-on-three, so we want to bring this more modern, exciting style of the most popular sport (football) in the world, to the world,” he stressed.

Del Rosario, who entered the football world since the tender age of six, played as a right back or center-back for Maharlika Manila (of which he is also a co-founder and co-owner) and represented the Philippines national team for a decade from 2004 to 2014. He has also teamed up with private companies, a group of goal-driven professionals, and government entities to accomplish the goal of putting a mark on seven-a-side football across the world.

These partners will help del Rosario and his company in facilitating future events and tournaments, making each game not just a regular football competition but uniquely thought off event with a lot of music, arts and festivities.

For instance, 7’s FL took in the group of Gonzalo “Bogie” de Guia of TapGo Digital Media Ventures to provide an exciting live streaming coverage for each event.

“I think, we as a company, TapGo is looking for ways to help football in the Philippines and to make football available and football is actually the national sports for Filipinos and not basketball and we feel that there’s huge untapped market for football to be the national

past time of the Philippines,” de Guia, TapGo co-founder and chief technology officer, said.

“We are excited to stream the 7’s event, the international part of it. We are very excited to be part of this. This is something we see as a longterm partnership and we know that the right people around, with the right partners, this will grow in to something really big,” the TapGo honcho added.

De Guia has committed to bring a broadcast quality stream and coverage to this event.

“Once you see your kids playing in broadcast quality format, that is something will be proud of and at the same time we want to make sure that Filipinos and Asian eventually in the region watching. We want them to see quality event both online and on TV. That is something that we bring in to the table, something that make sure that people will love,” he added.

The company is also tapping Ovation Productions to handle the festivities and concerts that would be showcased as part of tournament.

“We want to make sure that we bring quality games, good competition and working with people like Ovation will be able to bring other communities, when we talk about communities, football and sport, they go hand-in-hand with music, art especially in the modern day. This is why bringing Ovation into our whole event, it would make so much sense because I think that’s where the future of the events could go where we have a great sporting events, mixed in with good music events,” del Rosario said.

Del Rosario also brought on board Dion Ugbebor, a U.S.based Filipina who is a social impact and change driven entrepreneur with businesses and partnerships globally in health care, technology, real estate, sports, entertainment and social solutions.

“I believe in humanity and the powerful change we can make together. Each of us have the role to make that happenmake it passionate, bring your best self. Leadership matter,” Ugbebor said.

Being in the healthcare business for more than two decades, Ugbebor is sincerely keen on bringing change and uplifting people’s lives by supporting efforts that will make a significant difference to the society.

“There’s a lot of passion

Bea Alonzo, Dennis Trillo to reunite in upcoming teleserye ‘Love Before Sunrise’

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

together.

Alonzo and Trillo’s reunion project was confirmed by GMA-7’s “24 Oras” on Monday, March 6, which was said to be a partnership between the Kapuso network and a streaming platform.

“Siguro ngayon ‘yung perfect timing na pagsamahin

kaming dalawa dahil doon sa experience namin sa film and TV, para siyang movie na dinala sa telebisyon,” Trillo said in the report. (This is the perfect timing for the both of us to be paired up together since based on our experience in film and TV, it would feel like a movie

being brought to the screen.)

The “Start-Up PH” star admitted that the project would be exciting for her since she’s been wanting to return to dramatic roles.

“Ito ‘yung drama na puro iyakan, masasakit na salita, masasakit na sitwasyon, at

and excitement on the ground. Seven-a-side is getting really popular in the Philippines and it’s just a great opportunity for us to bring forth something innovative with a live streaming platform like TapGo, and at the same time, create a platform for our children, for our families, for our community to tell their story and be heard. [This] sport is more than a sport. What a way for us to do this with great partners, and wanting to have the same mission which is to make an impact to the community and make a difference and do something bigger than we can be proud of as Filipinos and bring it to Asia and hopefully the globe,” she said.

Eddie Mallari, who handles the marketing side of 7’s FL, for his part, sees this sport gaining ground with the advent of social media platforms which are readily available to stream these sports events.

“It’s kinda becoming a trend, especially for social media and things being online nowadays, it’s something a lot easier to attain now than it was say 10-15 years ago. The response has been very good,” Mallari said, when asked how they expand their reach for support, specifically from Filipino Americans.

Mallari recalled his experience when he got the chance to play for the Philippine national team years back. “I really did not grow up in a Filipino community and when I heard about the opportunities to be able to play football for the national team and eventually it became professional, it gives (them) an opportunity and an advantage.

One thing that gives (them) the advantage is because you’re a Filipino, you get a Filipino passport and you get treated as a local,” said Mallari.

“We are seeing more and more Fil-Ams coming here (Philippines) and to play with

the national team, play with the local clubs, send their kids for youth tournaments,” he added.

Long-term goal

“Our goal eventually is to try to make it free for kids. I want to be able raise funds from sponsors and local governments to make it possible,” del Rosario said.

It was noted that it is only in the Philippines and in the U.S. that football is a fee-based sport.

“The U.S. and the Philippines are probably one of only two countries where football is a paid-to-play model and generally, it’s for the people who can afford but everywhere else in the whole world is pretty much for free and its a mass sport,” Mallari, meanwhile, pointed out.

Mallari shared del Rosario’s vision, saying that making football free would only be achieved through collective efforts.

“What does it take? It’s community’s building, getting sponsors, people who have the same mission as us to really get support so it would eventually become free in places like the Philippines and the U.S. And it has slowly started  happening in the U.S. in he past 10 years and should improve a lot faster than it is, and we kinda wanna do the same thing out here in the Philippines as well to make it a mass sport where it’s not just the privileged people than can pay to play,” Mallari said.

Del Rosario has actually started to draw up a concept to make this free-for-all football games for the youth.

The 7’s FL executive is optimistic that this goal would be attained in the near-term.

“Give us one year to create a concept in each of these countries and give us another six months to gather sponsors. I should say in two years’ time, we should be able (to achieve this goal),” he said.

SEVEN-A-SIDE football (soccer) is becoming increasingly popular in the world. And

the helm of this emerging and innovative sport is world-class Filipino

football legend and entrepreneur Anton del Rosario.

Participants of the 7’s Football League youth division. Photos courtesy of Anton del Rosario/7’s Football League

Del Rosario receives “Best Youth Development Program” award at the SPIA Asia Conference on behalf of the 7’s Football League. Photo courtesy of Anton del Rosario/Instagram

Kids participate in Maharlika Manila Youth Academy.

7’s Football League includes a women’s division.

Dominique Cojuangco marries non-showbiz boyfriend

GRETCHEN Barretto and Tony Boy Cojuangco’s daughter Dominique Cojuangco got married with her non-showbiz partner Michael Hearn.

The couple tied the knot in

San Agustin Church while the reception was held in National Museum of Natural History. Dominique wore a glitzy sleeveless wedding dress while Michael wore the traditional

Barong Tagalog

Celebrity guests included Sofia Andres, Ria Atayde, among others.

In her past interview, Dominique said that she met Michael while she’s studying in British School Manila.

The couple got engaged in October 2021. She said then that her parents approved of his romance with Michael.

“My parents are in love with Michael and are so happy about our relationship,” she said.

National Museum.

Photo courtesy of Paolo Eduardo Stefano

“He doesn’t just take great care of me, but of them as well. I don’t know which one of them was more elated, but they both reacted very positively toward the engagement,” she added. (by Jan Milo Severo/Philstar. com)

Camille returns to acting via ‘AraBella’

By Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

CAMILLE Prats never really left the small screen. Despite the lack of acting projects in the last five years, she thrived as a seasoned host, with her last outing in the talk show, “Mars Pa More.”

But those missing Prats, the actress, will have a reason to rejoice as she returns to drama with GMA’s new series, “AraBella.”

“To be honest, the five years I wasn’t acting were also the seasons in my life — I had kids and of course when they’re young, they have needs that have to be met. And I was really very fortunate to have Mars in that gap of not acting. I was able to enjoy hosting,” Prats said.

The actress revealed that since the talk show ended last year, Sparkle — the talent management

Philippine Madrigal Singers kicks off US tour on March 12

arm of GMA

— asked her if she’d want to go back to acting and she gladly said yes.

“I think one of the biggest reasons I said yes was definitely I missed acting and we no longer have locked in tapings so I get to go home to my kids.”

She also admitted that while she got excited to act again, she felt nervous to go back.

“But at the end of the day, this has always been my first love. At ang sarap ng pakiramdam na babalik ka ulit na gawin yung isang bagay that you’ve always loved to do, that even if it took a long time, it will always feel like home,” she furthered.

AraBella follows the story of a loving mother, Roselle, who searches for her lost daughter. Even though it has already been 10 years since her

Continued on Page 10

Barbie wants to work with Joshua

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

JOSHBIE 2.0? Barbie Forteza revealed in her interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila that she would want to work with Joshua Garcia.

Gusto ko pong

makatrabaho si Joshua Garcia,” Barbie said in her interview with Davila on the latter’s YouTube channel.

“Napanood ko po siya sa ‘Vince, Kath, James.’ Pinanood ko po ‘yun sa sinehan. Magaling,” Barbie added,

referring to Joshua’s starrer with ex-girlfriend Julia Barretto.

Early in her career, Barbie was part of the JoshBie love team with Joshua Dionisio, who has been inactive in showbiz in the past years.

She was asked by Davila who she wanted to work with in a story that has a love angle from a stable of ABS-CBN stars since the network and Barbie’s home network, GMA-7, has opened up their doors to a collaboration.

GMA-7 and ABS-CBN, together with streaming site

Continued on Page 10

ON March 12, Los Angeles will be the first to experience the unique sound of the Philippine Madrigal Singers that has put Filipinos in the forefront of the choral music world globally.

The Tour is aptly called “Journey to 60: The Philippine Madrigal Singers North American Concert Tour” as the award-winning group shall be celebrating its 60th anniversary while building its third establishment, the first Center for Choral Music in the Philippines. The kick-off concert on March 12 will be at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles and starts at 5pm as part to the Golden Thread Series, co-presented by the Resonance Collective and Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA.

Recognized by the UNESCO as Artists for Peace for “putting their fame and influence to promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace,” the Philippine Madrigal Singers is one of the most awarded choral groups in the world, having won all the top prizes in most of the world’s prestigious choral competitions, including the Grand Prix in the 2016 Concurso Internazionale di Guido d’ Arezzo, Arezzo, Italy. They hold the distinction of being the first choir in the

world to win the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice (1997 and 2007) and the first Asian choir to be accorded the BrandLaureate Premiere Award by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (2012).

The group’s virtuosity across a vast repertoire range, its continuing promotion of Filipino choral works and the rousing and deeply emotional impact that each performance has on all audiences the world over, as they sing in the distinctive set-up of sitting in a semi-circle without a conductor, have established their reputation as a pioneering force in choral music and an inspirational role model for other choirs.

The Madz presents gems from the renaissance,

Philippine traditional, folk, sacred and unique interpretations of popular music that are crowd favorites. This concert will also feature the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra Junior Strings. This much awaited concert heralds the return of the multi-awarded world renowned choir since its last US tour in 2017. Tickets are available at $50 VIP, $25 General Admission, and $15 Student/Senior https:// bit.ly/PhilMadrigalSingers. Reserved seating is available for sponsors, contact admin@ musicartsinternational.com. For group sales contact info@ resonancecollective.org. Venue address is 540 South Commonwealth Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90020.

The couple tied the knot in San Agustin Church while the reception was held in

Camille returns to acting via...

From Page 9

child was kidnapped, Roselle still believes that they will be reunited.

And with the help of a TV show, Roselle meets Ara, a teenager who got kidnapped during childhood and is now searching for her real mother.

Both of their narratives match and it gives them hope to finally bring their family back together.

But amid their blossoming relationship, Roselle and Ara found out through DNA tests that they are not blood-related. Despite this saddening result, Roselle still decided to adopt

How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads

Ara. However, everything will change as the real daughter, Bella, returns.

After being kidnapped when she was a child, Bella experienced all the misfortunes in life and had to grow up with her adoptive grandparents. She also learned to become a con artist in order to survive.

How can Roselle accept Bella who is now a completely different person? What will happen to the good relationship between Roselle and Ara? Who has the right to stay in the arms of Roselle — the scheming real daughter or the kind-hearted adopted child?

“AraBella” premieres today at 3:25 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime and Pinoy Hits. Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www. GMANetwork.com.

Playing the daughters competing for her love as Shayne Sava as Ara and Althea Ablan as Bella.

Wendell Ramos also stars as Gary, and Alfred Vargas as Ariel.

To prepare for her role, Prats said, “I familiarized myself with Roselle’s role in order to prepare for the right nuances of the character.”

Completing the starstudded cast are Klea Pineda as Gwen, the young and cunning stepmother of Roselle; Abdul Raman as Justin, a nerdy guy who will become Ara’s best friend; Saviour Ramos as Ed, a blind follower who will do everything for his love, Bella; Ronnie Lazaro as Lolo Hadji, and Ms. Nova Villa as Lola Madonna. They are the deceitful adoptive grandparents of Bella.

Barrister’s Corner

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child.

A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby’s life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend.

One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33.

Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611:

(a) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married to each other

and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court.

(b) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true:

(1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation.

(c) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true:

(1) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate.

(2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order.

(d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child.

(e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative.

(f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied.

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.

Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877

The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband,

who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612.

Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parentchild relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675 Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.

* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.  The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.  This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C.  This article is not a solicitation.

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

UPAAA all set to give Oblation awards

The 2023 Grand Reunion and Convention (GRC) of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) is fast approaching. This year marks the 22nd biennial gathering of UP Alumni from across the country. Highlighting this event is giving Oblation Awards to outstanding UP alumni living or working in the United States for their exceptional personal and professional achievements. Receiving the awards are UP alumni who contribute to their local, national, and international communities and personify the spirit symbolized by the Oblation: strength, resilience and freedom of thought and selfless action for the public interest.

One UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Group

Award will be given to an outstanding UP Alumni group for their meritorious and exceptional activities, projects and other accomplishments which benefit not only their members and communities in the U.S., but also the University and the Philippines. Awardees will receive a commemorative UP Oblation statuette created by ThisSideUp Casting owned by Rod Deang. The Award ceremonies will be on Saturday, October 21, 2023, during Gala Night. The GRC will be held on October 19 to 22, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Brunswick, New Jersey.  More information about Oblation Awards and other highlights of GRC can be found in http://upaaagrc2023.eventbrite.com.

Bea Alonzo, Dennis Trillo to...

From Page 8

excited akong gawin at excited akong bumalik sa drama,” she added. (This would be a drama that is full of tears, painful words, and difficult situations, which I’m very excited to do. I’m also very excited to return to drama.)

Alonzo and Trillo will also be joined by Andrea Torres and Sid Lucero, as per GMA-7. Reports of “Love Before Sunrise” first emerged in January 2023 during a partnership contract signing between the Kapuso network and the streaming platform.

sThey were also part of Star Magic Batch 10 which was unveiled to the public in 2001.

Barbie wants to work with...

From Page 9

Viu, are producing “Unbreak My Heart.” The show stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Richard Yap, Gabbi Garcia and Joshua Garcia. Jodi and Joshua are identified with ABS-CBN, while Gabbi and Richard appear on GMA-7.

Apart from Joshua, she also wants to work with Jericho Rosales, Nonie Buencamino and Joel Torre. The latter is curiously interesting as Torre played Crisostomo Ibarra in the “Noli Me Tangere” show produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1992.

Barbie recently starred in the hit historical portal fantasy series “Maria Clara at Ibarra,”

(MCI) which is a reimagination of Dr. Jose Rizal’s two novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

After “MCI,” Barbie said she would like to do films. Gusto ko po sana ‘yung medyo edgy, hindi masyadong predictable ‘yung concept. Gusto kong maka-try ng thriller kasi parang... Masaya namang gawin ‘yung love story, romcom, ganyan, pero napapanood na po kasi natin siya sa teleserye. Pwede na natin siya gawin sa teleserye. So why not, kung magbabayad lang din naman ang mga tao, let’s make something different.”

Camille Prats Photo from Instagram/@camilleprats