031718 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

March 17-20, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 23 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

PH formally withdraws from ICC

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE Philippine government has formally informed the United Nations (UN) about the country’s withdrawal from the Roman Statute, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has begun a preliminary examination into the thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings associated with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

According to Philippine Permanent

Representative to the UN Teddy Boy Locsin, a formal notice on the withdrawal was delivered to UN Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti on Thursday, March 15.

Locsin uploaded a copy of the letter in a Twitter post on Friday, March 16.

In the letter, the Philippine government stated that its decision to withdraw from the treaty was a “principled stand” against those who “politicize and weaponize human rights, even as its independent and well-functioning organs and agencies continue to

exercise jurisdiction over complaints, issues, problems and concerns arising from its efforts to protect its people.”

The Philippine government also reaffirmed its commitment “to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes.”

“The Government remains resolute in effecting its principal responsibility to ensure the long-term safety of the nation in order to promote inclusive national development and secure a decent and dignified life for all,” the letter further read.

The letter begins the one-year pro-

cess for the Philippines’ departure from the international court, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Earlier this week, Duterte announced the country’s withdrawal from the treaty “effective immediately.”

Duterte cited the alleged “concerted effort” between the ICC special prosecutor and United Nations (UN) special rapporteurs to portray him as a “ruthless and heartless violator

United Nations Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Viotti received on Friday, March 16, the letter of withdrawal from the Rome Statute sent by the Philippine government.

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Photo courtesy of Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Teddy Boy Locsin

USA

DATELINE Philippines thanks Tillerson, looks forward to working with Pompeo

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FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE Philippines is looking forward to further strengthen its relationship with the United States as the latter designates a new Secretary of State.

U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed State Secretary Rex Tillerson and appointed CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Washington’s top diplomat.

“Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!” President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday, March 13.

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Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. Inquirer.net photos

Pangilinan: Case against Trillanes ‘pure political harassment’

by DANA

SIOSON/AJPress

PHILIPPINE Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has denounced the case lodged against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, calling the move “pure political harassment.”

The Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office this week charged Trillanes with inciting to sedition in connection with a previous speech he made about President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged hidden wealth.

MEETING WITH SENATE MEMBERS. President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Senator Panfilo Lacson, former Senator Gregorio Honasan, Senator Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas during a meeting at the Malacañang Palace.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Labor organizations denounce Trump’s Enrile: Sereno destroyed immigration policies herself, betrayed the people California leaders sound off on u PAGE A2

Trump amid his first visit to the state as president

SINCE President Donald Trump took office, immigrant advocates have not been shy about voicing their disapproval of arguably the most controversial Commander-in-Chief.

California, in particular, has been one of the most intransigent states when it comes to the president’s proposed immigration policies, which include scraping family reunification, terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and, of course, his long-desired massive United States-Mexico border wall.

On Tuesday, March 14, the Asian Pacific

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CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno destroyed herself and betrayed public trust by lying about her indefinite leave, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Thursday, March 15.

Enrile, in a Youtube video, also noted that the bickering between Sereno and the other Supreme Court justices brought unprecedented chaos to the high tribunal.

“Here is a case where a person who became chief justice is the subject of a complaint by a big number of members of the court. Imagine, the chief justice belying her own Supreme Court about the nature of the leave that was granted to her? She said it was a voluntary leave for wellness, but the Supreme Court—her own Supreme Court—tells the public that it is not for well-

HEARING ON FAKE NEWS. Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, presides over the public hearing on the Proliferation of Fake and/or Misleading News and False Information at the Senate in Pasay City on Thursday, March 15. Also in the photo (from right) Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, PCOO Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag and PCOO News and Information Bureau (NIB) Director Virginia Agtay.

PNA photos by Avito Dalan Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile Inquirer.net photo

ness, it is an indefinite leave because of what is happening to her. I’m sorry to say this—she destroyed herself as the Chief Justice,” said Enrile.

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‘Unhappy’ Duterte eyes Cabinet revamp

by CATHERIN

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

MALACAÑANG on Friday, March 16 hinted at a revamp in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the Chief Executive was “unhappy” with the performance of some members of his official family.

In a television interview, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte revealed the plan to several journalists in a recent interview

at the Palace.

“The president spoke to about a dozen journalists who had the chance to interview him in Malacañang. He really told them that he was not happy with the performance of some secretaries, and that there will be changes in the Cabinet,” Roque said in Filipino over GMA Network’s “Unang Hirit” morning show.

Roque, however, declined to identify who these officials were.

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President Rodrigo Duterte is considering a Cabinet revamp saying that he was unhappy with the performance of some members of his official family.

Malacañang photo

Poe asks Facebook to have main office in PH

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

SENATOR Grace Poe on Thursday, March 15, called on Facebook to have a main office or a company representative in the Philippines.

This way, Poe said concerns over abusive content and requests for support in improving content management could be addressed in a faster and easier manner.

“You should have a main office here in the Philippines. We are sick and tired of having to call you in Singapore to come here,” remarked Poe, who is also the chair of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

The senator issued the call dur-

ing the third and last Senate hearing on the proliferation of the socalled fake news, after Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar cited the agency’s struggles in curbing disinformation.

“We appreciate your help and cooperation. But you should have a FB office here especially with the number of Filipinos that patronize Facebook,” she added.

During the hearing, Andanar recounted Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Harold Clavite’s “very sad” experience with Facebook.

“At the height of the Marawi siege, there was a video that went

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From the Front Page

PH formally withdraws...

PAGE A1 t of human rights who allegedly caused thousands of extrajudicial killings.”

He also noted the supposed “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks on my person as against my administration, engineered by the officials of the

[UN] as well as the attempt by the [ICC] special prosecutor to place my person within the jurisdiction of the [ICC].”

Under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, a state party’s withdrawal will take effect a year after the UN secretary-general received the notification.

Following the letter, the ICC urged the Philippines to reconsider its withdrawal from the treaty.

In a statement sent to Inquirer, the ICC took note of the Philippine government’s critical role in preventing “the gravest crimes” from happening.

“The Court encourages the Philippines to not follow through with the reported intention to withdraw, as it is an important State Party to the Rome Statute, and as such an integral part of the international criminal justice system aimed at ending impunity for and helping prevent the gravest crimes under international law,” the Public Affairs Unit of the ICC said.

While saying that it “fully acknowledges that withdrawing from the Rome Statute is a sovereign decision,” the ICC also noted that the Philippines’ decision to leave won’t halt possible

FAITH-BASED TOURISM. Intramuros Administration administrator Atty. Guiller Asido, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo, DOT Region IV-A Director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit and DOT Undersecretary Atty. Marco Bautista share a light moment at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday, March 15. The administration in partnership with the DOT, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will stage several activities during the Holy Week to promote faith-based tourism.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

Pangilinan: Case against...

ministration has always shown “intolerance” towards its critics.

“This is pure political harassPAGE A1 t as part of the Duterte adminisPangilinan—president of the tration’s “efforts to silence and ment,” Pangilinan said in a message on Friday, March 16.

Liberal Party (LP)—branded the stifle dissent.”

He added, “From day one, this He further noted how the adu PAGE A5 recent move against Trillanes administration has shown its intolerance towards dissent and criticism from the opposition and those who disagree with its policies and this case is part of its efforts to silence and stifle dissent.”

In a resolution dated Thursday, March 15, the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office said it has found probable cause to charge Trillanes with inciting to sedition.

It stemmed from a privilege speech made by the opposition senator in October last year, where he said the military should “shoot Duterte with an M-60 machine gun for his alleged hidden wealth.”

Responding to the resolution, expressed readiness to face the case against him.

“Hindi gaya ni Duterte na duwag humarap sa kaso, haharapin ko ito (Unlike Duterte who is too afraid to face a case, I will face this),” the opposition senator said.

Denying that he was inciting anyone to do anything, Trillanes further noted that his controversial speech was in the Senate that “constitutionally guaranteed” him “immunity from suit.”

He went on to say: “Kung ang pakay nito ay takutin ako para

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Philippines thanks Tillerson...

PAGE A1 t “We congratulate Mike Pompeo on his designation as the new Secretary of State. We look forward to working with him and further stregthening the special relationship between the Philippines and the United States,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement.

Cayetano added that Manila is confident of more cooperation and collaboration with Washington as Pompeo takes over the U.S. Department of State.

The Philippines’ top diplomat

mation by the Senate. The outgoing U.S. State Secretary said that he would be delegating his also expressed his gratitude to responsibilities to Deputy SecreTillerson, which he considers a tary of State John Sullivan. good friend of the country who Following his unceremonial played a crucial role in the rela- firing via Trump’s tweet, Tillertions with the U.S.. son said that he would be formal“We thank Secretary Tillerson ly stepping down from his post at for his friendship and the sup- the end of the month. port he has extended to the PhilTillerson also said that his deippines and the Filipino people partment “exceeded the expecparticularly during the period tations of almost everyone” on when our relations with the Unit- North Korea. While Trump claims ed States were facing challenges. credit for agreeing to a meeting We pray for the best for Secre- with North Korean leader Kim tary Tillerson in all his future en- Jong Un, Tillerson insisted that deavors,” Cayetano said. his diplomatic work helped pave Tillerson has called for an or- the way for that. (Philstar.com derly transition to Pompeo while with reports from Associated his successor is awaiting confir- Press)

Enrile: Sereno destroyed...

PAGE A1 t In the video, Enrile was being interviewed by social media user Chingbee Fernandez. The video was uploaded under Youtube username Concept News Central.

Enrile’s statements came after he was named as one of the likely private prosecutors of the House of Representatives against Sereno once the impeachment complaint against her reaches the Senate impeachment court.

It would be full circle for Enrile, who presided over the Senate trial of former chief justice Renato Corona, and voted for the late magistrate’s conviction in May 2012.

“If the high magistrate (Sereno) will lie to the people, then that is a violation of the Article 11 of the Constitution. A chief justice, a president, a vice president or members of Congress must act with integrity. Lying does not serve your character as a person with integrity,” Enrile, who is out on bail pending a P172-million plunder charge, added.

Enrile was referring to the February 27 order of the Supreme Court justices for Sereno

to take an indefinite leave amid impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives, which she agreed to.

Sereno’s spokesmen, however, told reporters it was only a 15-day wellness leave that had long been scheduled, not an indefinite leave.

The Supreme Court justices then released a statement clarifying that Sereno agreed to an indefinite leave, forcing the chief justice’s camp to apologize for the miscommunication.

“I am 95 years old. I have seen the history of our country from the time of [President Manuel] Quezon all the way up to now.

And this is the first time, the only time, that I have witnessed a spectacle where members of the Supreme Court testified against their own chief justice,” Enrile said.

The impeachment proceedings in the House stemmed from the complaint filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who is accusing Sereno of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution for allegedly granting allowances and other perks to herself and her staff during foreign trips;

Pangilinan: Case against...

PAGE A2 t umatras ako sa pagpuna kay Duterte, well, sabi ko nga dati pa, lalo pa akong ginaganahan tumayo laban sa mali at masama (If the purpose of this is to scare me to back away from criticizing Duterte, well, like I said before, the more I’m energized to stand against what’s wrong and evil).”

Article 142 of the Revised Pe-

nal Code defines sedition as a move “to inflict any act of hate or revenge upon the person or property of any public officer or employee.”

It also stated that a person charged with inciting sedition is someone who “without taking any direct part in the crime of sedition, should incite others to the accomplishment of any of the acts which constitute se-

acquiring a P9-million bulletproof luxury car; failure to declare P37 million in fees as government counsel over an airport dispute; and manipulating the shortlist to exclude Founding APALA President Kent Wong delivers remarks at a press conference of immigrant workers advocates denouncing President Donald then Solicitor General Francis Trump’s visit to California on Tuesday, March 14.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla Jardaleza from the President’s consideration as associate justice, among others.

The House justice panel found PAGE A1 t hatred and division.” that encourage streamlining the probable cause to impeach Sere- American Labor Alliance (APAImmigrant advocates have also immigration system and mainno last week but has yet to draft LA) — which has been actively condemned the Supreme Court taining existing benefit programs the articles of impeachment rallying against the Trump ad- case Janus v. American Federa- for certain undocumented indiagainst the chief justice. ministration through protests tion of State, County and Munici- viduals like DACA recipients.

While Enrile is convinced and lawsuits — organized a call pal Employees (AFSCME), which Roughly, 60 percent of Calithat Sereno does not have the to action on behalf of Asian im- could hinder the impact of public fornians oppose the wall while respect of her fellow Supreme migrant workers in California. unions in the U.S. 82 percent support providing Court justices, the former SenThe case involves Mark Janus, a pathway to citizenship for “This is a huge issue that imate president does not see suc- pacts our community directly a public employee, who claims tax-paying undocumented imcess for the quo warranto peti- and we wanted to take this op- that a state law that allows unions migrants who work and haven’t tion seeking Sereno’s ouster. portunity to bring Asian Ameri- to charge him with agency fees committed serious crimes.

The quo warranto petition can worker leaders to denounce despite the fact that he is not a The American public overall seeks to invalidate Sereno’s the attacks on our communi- part of any public union. A ruling also disapproves of the wall acappointment as Chief Justice ties and to educate the Asian in Janus’ case could drastically cording to a recent poll from in 2012 because of her failure American community on what reduce funding and membership CBS News which found that 60 to submit copies of her state- is at stake,” Kent Wong, APALA for all public unions across the percent of Americans oppose the ment of assets, liabilities and founding president and direc- country. wall. net worth from 1986 to 2006, tor of the UCLA Labor Center, “This case is a blatant, corpoIn true Trump fashion, the when she was a faculty member shared with the Asian Journal at rate attack on unions’ inability president didn’t hesitate to call of the UP College of Law, to the a press conference on Tuesday. to collect dues and it is a decep- out the growing progression of Judicial and Bar Council—the According to the Migration tive campaign to weaken union’s California leadership, which was panel that screens judiciary Policy Institute, about 64 percent ability to defend workers rights,” recently sued for sanctuary polinominees. of Asian immigrants participate Arlene Inouye of the United cies that have greatly hindered Sereno has vowed not to re- in the civilian labor force. Nearly Teachers Los Angeles said at the the work of federal immigration sign and to fight her accusers half (49 percent) of Asian immi- APALA press conference. agencies. in the Senate impeachment grant workers were employed in Trump’s first CA visit as “Governor [Jerry] Brown does trial. ■ a very poor job running Califorwhite-collar jobs in management, president The president visited San Di- nia,” Trump said in San Diego on dition, by means of speeches, business, science and the arts.

The APALA conference also ego on Tuesday to inspect eight Tuesday. “They have the highest proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners, or denounced the proposed border prototypes for the wall, as previ- taxes in the United States. The other representations tending to wall, which the president had vis- ously reported in the Asian Jour- place is totally out of control.” nal. While there, the president However, Gov. Jerry Brown ited on Tuesday. the same end.”

“He is here to promote an im- claimed at a press conference fired back using the president’s While Trillanes was covered by his “parliamentary immunity moral border wall,” Wong said. that “the state of California is favorite medium, Twitter.

“Thanks for the shout-out, @ as a Senator,” prosecutors ar- “This is an outrageous proposal begging us to build walls in cerrealDonaldTrump. But bridges gued that his remark “was pure- that is soundly rejected by the vast tain areas.”

However, a poll from UC are still better than walls. And ly an attack [on] the president majority of people in this country, but Donald Trump persists with Berkeley’s Institute of Govern- California remains the 6th largand his family.”

Commenting on the case, this plan in order to play to his mental Studies found that Cali- est economy in the world and Malacañang said it “respect[s] right-wing anti-immigrant base, fornians are, in fact, not begging the most prosperous state in the finding of our Pasay pros- and we think it is very dangerous for the wall. Moreover, Califor- America. #Facts,” Brown tweetand is promoting a message of nians generally support policies ed. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) ecutor on this.” ■

Labor organizations denounce...

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Mueller requests Russia docs in Trump Organization subpoena

by RAE

PHILIPPINE ICONS. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (middle) and Senator Manny Pacquiao (left) talks to award-winning singer and composer Freddie Aguilar after the Senate passed Resolution 658, lauding him for his “lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture,” on Tuesday, March 13. Aguilar created the famous song “Anak,” which has been released in 53 countries, translated in 29 languages and re-recorded in more than 100 versions and sold 33 million copies worldwide.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

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Poe asks Facebook to have...

around on FB that was presumably uploaded by ISIS or a sympathizer from the Maute group,” Andanar said. “Clavite reported this to FB and it was not acted upon after two to three months.”

Andanar also took note that his office invited Facebook to participate at the National Information Convention held last February 19 to 21 in Davao City, where around 1,800 Information Officers from across the country gathered.

Facebook, however, turned down the invitation.

“It just saddens me because we invited Facebook to attend so that they can help us in teaching and informing all of the info officers that were present there,” Andanar said. “We extended our invitation to FB but they sent their regrets.”

In an apparent rebuke to Face-

book, Poe said: “Facebook, with your presence in the Philippines, I don’t think it’s too much to ask to have a representative in every government function that requests your presence.”

“You should definitely, if not make the Philippines a hub. Give us a little more credit than you are already extending to us,” she added.

Following Poe’s call, Simon Milner, vice president of Public Policy Asia Pacific for Facebook, assured that the company will soon have a permanent policy officer in the Philippines.

Concerning Clavite’s request against the offensive video, Milner explained that Facebook initially comprehended the spread of the video as a form of condemning the siege.

“Once we understood the gov-

ernment’s concerns on that content, the content was removed,” Milner said.

Transparency, free censorship During the hearing, Andanar also assured that the Philippine government remains committed in upholding transparency and free speech.

As a proof of commitment, he noted the existence of hate speech usually posted in the comments section of some government social media sites “I am against aggressive speech. I am totally against censorship. Ayoko po maakusahan na nag-cecensor ako (I don’t want to be accused of censoring anybody),” Andanar said.

He further stressed that the PCOO “does not sponsor fake news.” ■

‘Unhappy’ Duterte eyes...

PAGE A1 t Duterte on Tuesday said he would replace Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II if the charges against alleged drug traders Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa would be dismissed.

“I will invoke my power of supervision and control and will review the dismissal,” Roque posted on Facebook, quoting Duterte.

Roque however said on Friday that Aguirre continued to enjoy the President’s trust.

“Well, if the President has lost trust in him (Aguirre), the President would not wait for him to tender his resignation, he would simply sack him,” he said.

But Roque said that Duterte “really got angry” over the recommendation of a panel of prosecutors to drop the charges against Lim and Espinosa, both of whom the President had tagged as drug lords.

After Duterte’s pronouncement, Aguirre formed a new panel of prosecutors to review the resolution.

The Department of Justice (DoJ), in a resolution released on Monday, March 12, recommended the withdrawal of a drug-related

complaint against Lim, Espinosa and other alleged drug offenders because of lack of evidence.

Anti-corruption body to review case Also on Friday, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) said it had taken steps to investigate the controversial dismissal of the drug case against Lim, Espinosa and several other suspects.

PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said he was reviewing the 41-page resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutors Michael John Humarang and Aristotle Reyes.

Aguirre had ordered an investigation of the prosecutors who handled the case, as well as Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rassendell Rex Gingoyon and Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. Reyes and Humarang have blamed the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for submitting a weak case.

Belgica, also the spokesman of the commission, said: “There is no acceptable reason why Kerwin, Peter Lim et al. should be

released,” he said. “[T]he main advocacy of the President is illegal drugs, but they (DoJ prosecutors) release them (drug lords). That is why we are looking at the case,” he added.

PACC Chairman Dante Jimenez, in a separate interview, said the commission would focus on corruption and might conduct a lifestyle check.

“We will conduct our review based on the instruction of the President to spare no one,” Jimenez added.

The PACC was established by Executive Order 43 on October 4, 2017, to strengthen the Duterte administration’s efforts to clear the government of corruption.

It has the power to hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information in administrative cases against all presidential appointees in the Executive branch.

It may also investigate military and police appointees upon instruction of the President.

Belgica said the PACC was handling 700 cases from the Office of the President alone. (With Jefferson Antiporda)

ANN VARONA AJPress

AMONG the latest probe actions into Russia’s influence on the 2016 U.S. presidential election, special counsel Robert S. Mueller issued in recent weeks, a subpoena for the Trump Organization to hand over documents, two people told the New York Times.

The extent of the subpoena, or why Mueller called for it is still unclear, but documents related to Russia are part of the request, the New York Times first reported on Thursday, March 15.

It is the first known time Mueller has asked for documents directly related to the president’s business relations with Russia.

Trump Organization lawyer Alan S. Futerfas said in a statement that Trump’s company has been “fully cooperative” with the requests.

“Since July 2017, we have advised the public that the Trump Organization is fully cooperative with all investigations, including the special counsel, and is responding to their requests,” said Futerfas. “This is old news and our assistance and cooperation with the various investigations remain the same today.”

In a July interview with the New York Times, Trump said that investigations by Mueller into his and his family finances unrelated to Russia would be a “violation” of authority when asked if such investigations would be crossing a “red line.”

Mueller was appointed last May to investigate connections between Trump’s 2016 election and Russian interference, which Trump has continually denied having anything to do with. Several Trump associates and over

a dozen Russians have been charged by Mueller.

Mueller also has authority to investigate any other issues that emerge from the probe.

Because the Trump company is private, witness interviews by Mueller and others have been holding weight in recent investigations.

In February, Trump’s former aide Sam Nunberg told MSNBC that investigators had asked him if he had heard any Russian being spoken in Trump’s office, or if he heard anything about a Trump tower in Moscow. He said he had not heard Russian spoken, and called the question “ridiculous.” But when asked if the special counsel had something on Trump, he said: “I think they may. I think that he may have done something during the election, but I don’t know that for sure.”

The Trump Organization is the collective name that consists of Trump’s enterprises from residential real estate, towers, golf courses, resorts, and hotels around the world. It is currently being run by Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. Trump said he’d stay uninvolved with the organization as president, and stepped down from his position before entering office.

When asked about the subpoena in relation to Trump’s “red line” comments, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “We’re going to continue to fully cooperate, out of respect for the special counsel. We’re not going to comment.”

Harsh sanctions on Russia The U.S Treasury Department also on Thursday imposed new sanctions on numerous Russian entities and individuals — including 13 other individuals indicted

by Mueller last month — in an effort to punish Moscow over 2016 election meddling.

The sanctions were over a month over the deadline, but are seen as the most severe penalties from the White House on Russia. This, after the delay was seen as a reluctance to punish Russia.

Included in the sanction was Russia’s Internet Research Agency (IRA), often referred to as “Troll Factory,” and its backer Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s chef.” Prigozhin was among the Russians indicted by Mueller last month.

Kremlin allegedly conducted its campaign to influence the 2016 U.S. election in the St. Petersburg troll farm through fake news and social media spamming among other tactics.

U.S officials also accused Russian hackers of targeting the U.S. power grid. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation as characterized the attempts as “a multi-stage intrusion campaign

by Russian government cyber actors” who staged cyber attacks involving malware and spear phishing, and in which “gained remote access into energy sector networks.”

Since March 2016, the DHS said that Russia has made attempted to target sectors including the “energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors.”

Trump’s administration said Thursday that more efforts to punish Russia would be made.

“By no means will this constitute the end to our ongoing campaign to instruct Mr. Putin to change his behavior,” said a senior administration official to reporters. ■

California’s tax on millionaires yields big benefits for people with mental illness, study finds

by ANNA GORMAN Californiahealthline.org

A STATEWIDE tax on the wealthy has significantly boosted mental health programs in California’s largest county, helping to reduce homelessness, incarceration and hospitalization, according to a report released Tuesday, March 13.

Revenue from the tax, the result of a statewide initiative passed in 2004, also expanded access to therapy and case management to almost 130,000 people up to age 25 in Los Angeles County, according to the report by the Rand Corp. Many were poor and from minority communities, the researchers said.

“Our results are encouraging about the impact these programs are having,” said Scott Ashwood, one of the authors and an associate policy researcher at Rand. “Overall we are seeing that these services are reaching a vulnerable population that

Photo courtesy of Californiahealthline.org

needs them.”

The positive findings came just a few weeks after a critical state audit accused California counties of hoarding the mental health money — and the state of failing to ensure that the money was being spent. The February audit said that the California De-

partment of Health Care Services allowed local mental health departments to accumulate $231 million in unspent funds by the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year — which should have been returned to the state because it was not spent in the allowed

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FDA moves to cut nicotine in cigarettes, helping smokers kick habit

by LIZ SZABO Kaiser Health News

MARCH FOR EDUCATION. Members of the League of Filipino Students march to the Commission on Higher Education office in Quezon City to call for the implementation of the free education law without any conditions. The group also marked the fifth death anniversary of Kristel Tejada, who committed suicide because she had no money to pay her tuition on time.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

PH formally withdraws...

PAGE A2 t investigations against Duterte.

“A withdrawal would have no impact on ongoing proceedings or any matter which was already under consideration by the Court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective,” the ICC said.

Cooperation with the ICC In a statement, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the Duterte administration to cooperate with the ICC, as it noted that the country’s withdrawal from the treaty won’t impact the court’s ongoing proceeding.

“The rational thing for the government to do is to face the ICC squarely in the interest of respecting due process,” the CHR said in a statement.

The country’s resignation came amid the ICC’s preliminary examination into the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, which aims to determine if there is basis to conduct a formal investigation against Duterte over possible crime against humanity.

The ICC’s move stemmed from a communication filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, who accuses the president of masterminding mass murder “repeatedly, unchangingly, and continuously” in the Philippines under his bloody

drug war.

“Regard for due process includes accepting that withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not remove the jurisdiction of the court on crimes alleged to have been committed during the time the Philippines is still a state party,” the CHR added.

The CHR has continuously condemned the government’s drug war for its high number of deaths and alleged human rights violations.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has refuted allegations that Duterte was afraid of being tried before the ICC over the possible crimes against humanity under his anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“To prove that it’s not a way of evading or getting away from consequences or the jurisdiction of ICC or yung nangyari na, even if magwithdraw tayo, covered pa rin yung actions natin when we are a member (even if we withdraw, our actions when we’re a member are still covered),” Cayetano told GMA News.

Official record from the government showed that there are about 2,300 drug-related deaths during police operations since Duterte launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal drugs from July 2016 until February 2018. ■

CIGARETTES would contain less addictive nicotine — making them less attractive to smokers — under an “unprecedented” plan the Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday, March 15.

Stripping cigarettes of all or most of their addictive power could lead 5 million adults to quit smoking within a year of the plan going into place and another 8 million to quit within five years, according to an analysis published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

By 2100, the plan would prevent 33 million people who are now children or young adults from ever taking up tobacco, saving 8 million lives.

The idea of reducing nicotine to non-addictive or “minimally addictive” levels is the “cornerstone” of a comprehensive tobacco control plan announced in July by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.

“We’re taking a pivotal step today that could ultimately bring us closer to our vision of a world where combustible cigarettes would no longer create or sustain addiction — making it harder for future generations to become addicted in the first place and allowing more currently addicted smokers to quit or switch to potentially less harmful products,” Gottlieb said.

Tobacco companies have carefully engineered their products to be as addictive as possible,

said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. Combustible cigarettes are both the deadliest and the most efficient way to deliver nicotine, he said.

“Today’s advance notice is a request for information, not a proposed rule, and is the first step in a multiyear process,” said Murray Garnick, executive vice president and general counsel of Altria Group, the parent company of Philip Morris USA. “FDA is seeking information about the scope of a nicotine standard, a threshold nicotine level, the nature of implementation, analytical testing methods, technical achievability, and the possible creation of an illicit market. … We plan to participate in every step of this process.”

“We look forward to working with FDA on its science-based review of nicotine levels in cigarettes and to build on the opportunity of establishing a regulatory framework that is based on tobacco harm reduction and recognizes the continuum of risk,” said Dr. James Figlar, executive vice president of research and development for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Anti-tobacco activists called the move “extraordinary.”

Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, urged the FDA to move quickly and set a hard deadline for lowering nicotine levels not just in cigarettes, but in cigars and all combustible tobacco products. Tobacco kills more than 480,000 Americans a year.

Photo courtesy of Kaiser Health News

Smoking also costs the country $300 billion a year in direct health care and lost productivity, Gottlieb said.

“There is no other single action our country can take that would prevent more young people from smoking or save more lives,” Myers said. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to greatly accelerate progress in reducing tobacco use — the nation’s No. 1 cause of preventable death — and bring us closer to eliminating the death and disease it causes.”

Congress gave the FDA the power to regulate — but not ban — tobacco in 2009.

Smoking rates have declined

from nearly 21 percent in 2005 to 15.5 percent in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decline has been attributed partly to higher tobacco taxes and smoke-free laws that make it harder for people to find places to light up.

The FDA is accepting public comments on the proposal.

Myers urged the FDA to take additional aggressive actions, such as requiring large graphic health warnings that cover at least half of cigarette packs. He said the FDA should also ban menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, which

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Dateline USa

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Many Fil-Am educators say no to arming teachers

by Jun

nucum Inquirer.net

OAKLAND, California — Many Filipino American school officials and teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area do not approve of President Donald Trump’s proposal to arm teachers and school personnel.

Three weeks after the after the Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and wounded 17 others, Trump proposed providing school personnel, including teachers, with firearms training.

He also backed a bill to improve criminal background checks on gun buyers but did not include increasing the minimum age to buy certain firearms.

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Board President Hydra Mendoza said that she does not support guns because they tend to fall into the wrong hands.

No guns for minors “I think they were used for many of the harmful crimes that we have. There has to be some

control of these guns in some capacity. I don’t think they should ever be sold to minors.

I think they have to be at least 21-years-old before they can own a gun. I think there should be stronger background checks.

And guns like the AK-47 and AR-50 should never be sold.

There is no reason for them to be sold.”

Mendoza confirmed that schools in SFUSD conduct active shooter drills in joint efforts with the city of San Francisco and the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) over the last several years.

SFUSD will be working closely with the Sandy Hook Foundation whose officials and members are coming to San Francisco to help SFUSD think about the processes that need to be in place.

More focused safety reevaluation needed Union City-based New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) Board Trustee Linda Canlas believes that there needs to be a focused reevaluation at every level regarding gun con-

trol in general and school safety in particular.

“What is working and what is not working? From there, there needs to be an action plan that is realistic and actionable,” stated Canlas, who added that there is also the important need of having resource officers and other trained safety officers on campus and this requires additional funding and support from those who disperse the funds.

“Yes, I believe that there needs to be a reasonable tightening of gun purchases compared to now. If the Florida shooter was able to obtain guns legally, something is not working. How could a young person diagnosed with autism and other mental issues as reported by the media obtain such arms legally? Aren’t there procedures in place to prevent this from happening? If not, then why not?” asked Canlas.

Canlas explained that NHUSD conducts drills: “Our schools practice locking down for intruder drills multiple times a year. These include ‘Code Blue’ drills where students and staff

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shelter in place, as well as ‘Code Red’ drills where students practice locking down in classrooms as if an intruder were on campus,” Canlas divulges.

Students in political process “When students have the opportunity to be involved in a political process, learning is heightened. However, I would like to caution those in the authority to make wise decisions whether the outcome of a rally will be constructive or destructive. Decisions must be weighed carefully. Rallies should be carefully guided and organized and should be peacefully executed,” reminded Canlas.

NHUSD Director of Assessment and Evaluation Tracie Noriega insisted that school must be a place where families can expect that their children are safe.

“I don’t believe teachers should be armed, or that we have an armed guard. Schools are targeted because something happened at school. Usually, it’s been that a kid was bullied, or that attackers know kids are vulnerable, schools are vulnerable and there can be a lot of damage done. How do these folks get access to these types of weapons?

That’s where gun control comes into place,” Noriega contends.

“How did we (school staff, parents, doctors, community) miss the signs that this person was needing mental health support? If we knew, why was it dismissed? Kids can be mean. I do think we can do more to teach kids about what connects us,” Noriega added.

Noriega also thinks that the voice of the youth be heard and should not be discounted as they are the future that should be supported, guided and listened to.

‘Real gun control needed’ Daly City-based Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD) board trustee and Jefferson High School graduate Rosie U. Tejada, who was also past board president for two years, believes there should be “real gun control measures.”

“I am against arming teachers in the classroom. You don’t prevent mass shootings by bringing more guns into school. So many things can go wrong with firearms on campus. What does this tell our youth? That the threat of violence is always there? How can you learn in that environment? What about the students who have already been

New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) Board Trustee Linda Canlas of Union City said the school district routinely conducts drills.

Inquirer.net photos San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Board President Hydra Mendoza admitted is not a supporter of guns and believes they often fall into the wrong hands.

NHUSD Director of Assessment and Evaluation Tracie Noriega believes that mental health issues need to be brought into the open more.

exposed to violence? School is supposed to be a safe place, and for some students, that is the only safe place for them,” Tejada stressed, adding that Parkland students and shooting survivors speak louder than any gun control lobby.

Tejada revealed that her school district routinely practices “Big Five” drills in preparation for any emergency but especially fire, earthquake, and active shooters. The “Big Five” refers to the school emergency response protocols instituted by the San Mateo County Office of Education and endorsed by all San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriff Commanders.

Strong ties with first responders “Our relationship with first responders is strong. Schools have been practicing safety drills, and we have another active shooter drill set for this month. We are also coordinating drills with all schools and the district office, as well as drills with local first responders. It is a sad reality that we must be proactive and ready,

Daly City-based Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD) two-year board president and Jefferson High School graduate Rosie U. Tejada is against arming teachers in school.

Special education teacher in Fremont Jackie Metica-Crawford is all for training and arming the teachers in support of the Second Amendment.

Inquirer photos by Jun Ncum

and that we must think of the unthinkable,” disclosed Tejada.

Bucking the trend is Fremont special education teacher Jackie Metica-Crawford, who is all for training and arming teachers and supports the Second Amendment.

“I uphold the Second Amendment. You know what is also missing in the public school, God. Years ago they took away prayers in school! Students do not value respect anymore. All they know are their rights. Well every right has certain responsibilities,” Metica-Crawford argued. n

California’s tax on millionaires yields big...

PAGE A4 t

time frame.

Proposition 63, now known as the Mental Health Services Act, imposed a 1 percent tax on people who earn more than $1 million annually to pay for expanded mental health care in California.

The measure raises about $2 billion each year for such services, such as preventing mental illness from progressing, reducing stigma and improving treatment.

Altogether, counties have received $16.53 billion.

Los Angeles County receives the biggest share of the money.

The money is “critically important” for the community mental health system and for people who need treatment but haven’t been served well in traditional ways, said Toby Ewing, executive director of the state’s Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission. “We can only imagine the challenges we would face if those funds weren’t available.”

Ewing said the recent state audit highlighted problems that need to be addressed. “But at the same time, the vast majority of dollars that have been made available to counties are actually delivering care and services in our communities and these dollars are being spent in creative and inventive ways,” he said.

The funds go beyond the more basic services that counties traditionally provide, helping to pay for workers to reach out to homeless people and triage patients with mental health issues in hospitals, he said.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health commissioned the Rand report, which was based on data from 2012 to 2016. Researchers also interviewed participants in mental health programs.

The report covered two main programs — one for prevention and early intervention of mental illness in young people and another aimed at improving outcomes for people with serious mental illness.

Those who participate in the second program are in and out of jails and hospitals, and really need intensive services, according to Debbie Innes-Gomberg, the department’s deputy director. She said she was pleased Rand found that the services are making a difference. “It is a very good investment,” she said, adding that the county plans to add more participants this year.

In the future, the county wants to focus even more on prevention for at-risk children by promoting strong familial relationships and stable housing, Innes-Gomberg said. And L.A. County plans to invest more in mental health services in schools. “If on a school campus there is an issue and somebody needs to be evaluated right away, we’re going to be able to develop the capacity to do that across the county,” she said.

She acknowledged that the state audit on unspent funds was fair — and “an opportunity for improvement for counties and the state.”

The audit and the Rand study addressed different questions and are not necessarily contradictory, according to mental health advocates. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who wrote the Mental Health Services Act as a state legislator, said he was “thrilled” about the results from Rand but agreed that “in many counties, the money needs to get out faster because the needs are growing.”

“If we invest in early intervention and prevention, if we invest in whatever it takes for the

people who are the most chronic and seriously ill, their lives will be much better and so will our communities,” he said.

One participant told researchers, “I would be dead or a criminal” without the services he was receiving, while another said they helped her accomplish her goal of going one month without being hospitalized for mental health care.

But critics said more accountability is crucial. A program like the one in Los Angeles is successful because it collects and maintains data, said Pedro Nava, chair of the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency.

“Unfortunately, in far too many counties in California, they just don’t do that,” he said.

“What the Little Hoover Commission found … is an unfortunate lack of data and an absence of protocols that allow the state of California to evaluate the programs to see which ones are truly successful.”

Nava said the audit shows that there isn’t enough oversight on how counties spend the money.

“It is another example of the state being unable to adequately monitor what’s happening,” he said.

The Rand researchers also recommended that Los Angeles County improve its data collection and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the services.

“There are reasons to be concerned about how maybe the money is being spent or not being spent,” said Rand’s Ashwood. “But studies like ours are showing there are positive things happening from these programs.”

This story was produced

by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.n

FDA moves to cut nicotine in cigarettes...

PAGE A5 t are often more attractive to children because they mask the harsh taste.

The FDA is considering a number of key questions about implementing the proposal.

Those include: What potential maximum nicotine level would be appropriate? Should a new standard be implemented all at once or gradually? Would limits on nicotine foster the growth of

a black market in high-nicotine cigarettes? Would smokers compensate for the loss of nicotine by smoking more cigarettes?

The FDA will make two additional announcements about proposed tobacco rules, including ones related to flavors in cigarettes and another on so-called premium cigars.

Given that the tobacco industry is likely to fight these proposals, it could be eight to 10

years before reduced-nicotine cigarettes become a reality, said Erika Sward, assistant vice president of national advocacy for the American Lung Association.

The speed with which the FDA acts depends heavily on “the political will of the administration,” Sward said.

This story was produced

by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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A7

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Allow impartial probe on drug war, EU urges PH

by JHOANNA

BALLARAN Inquirer.net

SHORTLY after President Rodrigo Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Union (EU) has called on the Philippine government to allow an impartial and transparent probe on the Duterte administration’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

In a statement sent to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday (Geneva time), March 14 the EU expressed “deep concern” about the high number of killings linked to the

deadly crackdown believed to have claimed thousands of lives since it was launched in July 2016.

The powerful bloc urged the Philippines to comply with due process and domestic and international human rights laws.

“The EU remains deeply concerned about the high number of killings associated with the campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines,” the statement read.

“The EU emphasizes the importance of carrying out the campaign with a focus on public health and in full compliance with due process, national law and international human rights

law. It is imperative to conduct prompt, effective, impartial and transparent investigations of all cases of death leading to prosecution in all cases of unlawful killing,” it added.

The statement came weeks after European Commission Director General for International Cooperation and Development (Devco) Stefano Manservisi said that the EU would continue to fund development projects in the Philippines despite some pushback in the two parties’ relations under the Duterte administration.

Manservisi said that the EU

u PAGE A10

PH army earns int’l recognition for strategy execution

by AJPRESS THE Philippine Army (PA) has been globally recognized as among the best organizations in terms of strategy execution.

On Wednesday, March 14, the PA has been inducted into the “Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame” for executing its transformation roadmap during the “Reimagine Strategy: Palladium Positive Impact Summit 2018” in London, United Kingdom.

In a message, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said the recognition was given after the Army “successfully passed the on-site evaluation process,” headed by David McMillan, Director of the Office of Strategy Management of the Palladium

Group last Jan. 22 to 24.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista received the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy award.

It was conferred by Robert Kaplan, emeritus professor at the Harvard Business School and co-creator of the balanced scorecard.

In his acceptance speech, Bautista said the award “will be a source of pride not only for our soldiers but for the entire country.”

“I would want everyone here to remember the main reason why we bade for the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame.

More than the award is the proof that we have a functioning and world-class strategy. And we promise to continue the journey

so that we will be better of service to the Filipino people as a transformed Army they can truly be proud of,” Bautista added.

According to Villanueva, the Philippine Army has been implementing the Army Transformation Roadmap as its strategy since 2010, which aims to transform the Army into a “credible, reliable, responsive, more capable and more professional” force.

The strategy was anchored on Kaplan and Norton’s strategy management system and its local adaptation called the Performance Governance System (PGS).

In 2014, the PA achieved its PGS institutionalized status. It was followed by the award of “Islands of Good Governance” in 2015. ■

UNTV CUP CHAMPIONS. Senators Sonny Angara (4th from left) and Joel Villanueva, co-captains of the Senate Defenders, present the championship trophy to Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (5th from left) after they won last Monday, March 12, at the UNTV Cup Season 6 finals. The Defenders out-scored the Malacañang-PSC Kamao in game two of the best-of-three finals series, 84-64. Also in photo are (L-R): Senators Win Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Ping Lacson, Migz Zubiri, JV Ejercito and Risa Hontiveros.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

Sinusuportahan ng Loterya ng California

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OPINION

A real tell-all?

FEATURES

JANET Lim Napoles is smiling these days. Last year her conviction for serious illegal detention of her cousin was overturned by the Court of Appeals. She remains in detention without bail for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam in which she is the accused mastermind.

Napoles was convicted of detaining her second cousin Benhur Luy, who blew the whistle on the PDAF scam. Alongside Luy’s revelations, the Commission on Audit also released to the public what it described as a truckload of documents implicating nearly 200 incumbent and former congressmen and senators in the fund diversion scheme. Several of the lawmakers remain in office.

The Office of the Ombudsman has been accused of selective justice for filing PDAF-related plunder cases against opposition leaders during the previous administration but sparing Aquino allies named by Napoles and tagged in the government audit report.

If Napoles is accepted as a state witness, will the nation finally get the full picture? The nation deserves the whole truth, and nothing but; this must be the objective of the justice department in assessing the application of the woman tagged as the pork barrel queen to tell all. (Philstar.com)

Now she might also get off the hook in the scam. The Department of Justice has provisionally accepted Napoles into the Witness Protection Program as it assesses her claims on her role in the pork barrel scandal.

Napoles has denied the accusations against her, saying she was merely tutored by someone else on the intricacies of funneling the pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund of lawmakers to private accounts using bogus non-government organizations. Because of the complexity of the budget process, some quarters have not ruled out the possibility that she is telling the truth, and that someone else designed the elaborate PDAF scheme and tapped her for its implementation.

It also cannot be ruled out, however, that Napoles might be concocting a story to save her neck. Plunder carries a penalty of life in prison, and Napoles is young enough to serve the maximum 40 years for multiple counts of large-scale corruption.

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Balitang America presents ‘Lost and Found’: An original documentary on Filipino orphaned children who found their new homes in America

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS WHEN we see a lot of homeless children roaming the streets of Manila, or kids who have lost their parents tossed from one house or orphanage to another, we can’t help but think about well-off American couples who may have all the material wealth in the world but have not been blessed with children of their own. If only these lost kids could find their way to these couples...

The good news is, some orphaned children have found their new homes, their new loving fam-

ilies, and their new hope here in America. That is the subject of the new Balitang America original documentary “Lost and Found,” written and produced

by LA correspondent Steve Angeles, and filmed by Emmy Award-winning cameraman Jeremiah Ysip.

“Lost & Found” presents the stories of children who were orphaned in their home country, and who have found welcoming homes and their new forever families in a snow-covered community in the Rocky Mountains of Montana.

How did these orphans find

their way to their new homes?

How did they feel about their new lives in America? How did they adjust to a new country, culture, climate, and people who do not look like them?

How were they treated by their adoptive parents? And how did these Filipino orphans change the lives of their new families? Have they finally found the homes and belongingness they used to only dream about?

Steve Angeles spent several days in Bozeman, Montana to get to know these orphans and their new families. As he was filming the documentary, he

shared these insights: “These are difficult times in America right now. The country seems divided on certain issues, hate crimes are so common, but it was refreshing to see how people here are so open and willing to help someone in need.”

BA Executive Producer Troy Espera said this is a “story that resonates with that universal search for home, stability and family – all things that those who are far from home can relate to.”

Angeles added that “Each family’s story shows acceptance and unconditional love regard-

less of culture. These families are just everyday people who’ve opened up their lives and homes to strangers.”

Ysip, who filmed with Angeles in Bozeman, shared that his lens captured children who, while removed from their countries of origin, still have kept a big chunk of their culture in their hearts.

Ysip observed, and was able to capture this on camera, that “even while they have learned to assimilate to their new surroundings, they are still Filipinos at heart and this is what they are also able to impart with their new families.” Both the for-

mer orphans and their adoptive families gain from the new family environment as it mutually expands their horizons to new cultures and experiences.

WATCH the encore presentation of “LOST and FOUND” on Saturday, March 17 at 4:25 p.m. across time zones on The Filipino Channel. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Women authors: Writing is the intersectional expression of their multi-dimensional stories

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. (Continued from last week, Part II of II)

“Not till many years later would I meet again, one evening in San Francisco, my Stanford professor Wallace Stegner. The Wheatland Foundation had organized that summer a conference on world literature, and over seventy writers had come from all over. At his avuncular best, and with the warmth and sincerity that have sent many of us hurrying back to the workbench, Mr. Stegner asked me about the novel I had been working on while at Stanford Writing Center. That was forty years ago! So he did remember! When asked if he were acquainted with writing from the Philippines, an East German poet replied, curiously enough, that he did not feel compelled anyhow to read literature except for pleasure. “You have to seduce us,” he said, which drew murmurs of delight from the audience. From my seat in the next-to-the-last row, I said: “Ah, but one must see the lady first in order to be seduced.”

– NVM Gonzalez, “The Bread of Salt,” 1993.

Part I of this two-part series was dedicated to Cecilia Brainard, Angela Narciso Torres and Irene Suico Soriano, three women authors and why they write. They are part of a Pinay Gathering panel at the Philippine Expressions Bookshop (PEB) in San Pedro, California this Saturday, March 17, 3-6 p.m.

Part II is on Linda Nietes, PEB owner, and Marianne Villanueva, an award-winning author.

A philosopher once said, “A writer and an author must have two best friends, first an editor and second, a bookshop owner.”

I venture to add a third, that a writer and an author must have

Photos courtesy of Linda Nietes

three best friends: a mentor like NVM Gonzalez, or Marianne Villanueva; an editor like Cecilia Brainard, and a bookshop owner like Linda Nietes. Maybe a fourth, a publisher. And even a fifth, a publicist. Nowadays, a social media coordinator.

In “The Writer’s Wives,” edited by Narita Gonzalez (Anvil, 2000), Narita wrote about their family’s lives when the University of Washington, Seattle published “The Bread of Salt” in 1993.

As NVM travelled to many states, his book tour became happy reunions, and Narita writes, “Linda Nietes of Philippine Expression, a bookstore devoted to Filipiniana in Los Angeles, had been with us most days of the tour, but we missed her in Seattle and of course, Diliman as well, when the time came to launch the UP Press Edition of the book at UP’s Bahay Kalinaw. To me, as a writer’s wife, this was a time that might be called rewarding.

Old friends, new friends, faculty members and students – they were all present, demonstrating their affection and loyalty to an aging writer.”

When Narita acknowledged Nietes’ solid friendship and support to NVM, some 25 years ago, must we now follow her lead and celebrate Nietes’ strategic vision, which she articulates, “The Bookshop has provided a home for Philippine writings in America and has pioneered in promoting Philippine books in the U.S. for the last 34 years?”

Nietes described that this once for-profit entity has become a non-profit, “that the bookshop sells culture as well as books. I am happy to have wedded culture and business together!”

Now an octogenarian with a well-coifed silver hairdo, fashionably dressed in her barong, or batik, she recently renewed her marital vows with Robert Little, whom she hails as one of her

solid supporters.

When queried about her pioneering vision and why she founded the bookshop, Nietes shared her own transformational growth, from once pushing the sales of stocks and bonds, to now books and specialty bookshop: “investing in the young Filipino Americans and their future. I dedicated it to them, so that they will have a place to search for their roots and heritage. You know that saying…know thyself first.”

She finds it satisfying in that, “I am able to fulfill my purpose in life – to educate, to inspire and bring about change, small changes compared to what others may be doing but I am able to create some ripples!”

She harks back to her college years when she went to the University of Santo Tomas, named after St. Tomas Aquinas, who believed that “Man should not consider his material possessions his own, but as common to all, so

as to share them without hesitation when others are in need.”

He based his beliefs on charity, as foundational to man’s love of God. Similar to what we presently regard as the common good, an invisible social contract, that we are each other’s keeper, we are each other’s sister!

Nietes also calls it a ministry, as it requires fortitude and determination to keep going no matter what, even if the community’s temperature and quality of support, vacillates from weak to now, stronger. Her wish is that our community’s commitment towards literacy and literature is matched by our growing passions for food.

Nietes’ persistence is paying off though, as her bookshop has transitioned from being a mailorder bookshop in Los Angeles in 1984 to a brick and mortar place at the old Jewish quarter in Wilshire Blvd. between Robertson and La Cienega.

But, after the roof was damaged, the bookshop switched back to its mail-order roots. In 1996, the bookshop moved to Rancho Palos Verdes and in

2016, PEB reopened as a brick and mortar facility in San Pedro, California.

In the last 34 years, Nietes shared the bookshop’s significant presence: LA’s Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture for 26 years and the LA Times’ Festival of Books for 17 years, while its collection has travelled to conferences, including those for Filipino American National Historical Society since 1982, and recently in October 2017, the 4th Filipino American International Book Festival at the San Francisco Public Library.

In a press release published in the Asian Journal, “Nietes hopes that by featuring Pinay authors, more and more young people are encouraged to pursue the craft and become the next generation of Filipino wordsmiths. ‘Everyone has a story to tell,’ she said, ‘it’s time for Pinays to come out of the woodwork, so to speak, and write. Write something of value, not just for vanity, but to inspire others and teach us the great lessons of life. Each one of us has a journey worth documenting.’”

I recently attended Writers’

u PAGE A10

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 17-20, 2018

A

CBCP appeals for more discussions on divorce bill

by Dana

SioSon

AJPress

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged lawmakers to “make room for more reasoned debates” on the proposed measure measure seeking to introduce divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country.

In a statement released Tuesday, March 13, CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles appealed to proponents and supporters of the divorce bill to “consider seriously” the “social costs” of an easy dissolution of marriage.

Valles warned that “in a context in which divorce is presented as an easy option, marriages and families are bound to break up more easily,” and “more children will grow up disoriented and deprived of the care of both parents.”

“We merely ask that they [legislators] consider the possibility that divorce, while it may indeed provide quick legal remedies for some seemingly ‘failed marriages’, might end up destroying even those marriages that could have been saved by dialogues or the intervention of family, friends, pastors, and counsel-

now, “speaks volumes about us as a nation.”

“With due respect to (our lawmakers), we beg them to make room for more reasoned debates on the issue,” Valles said.

He also suggested legislators to “submit their personal opinions to a further consultation with their constituents” and consult with experts in various fields.

“Ask people around and they [will] have no second thoughts affirming that the family remains as one of our most valued treasures as Filipinos. Do we really intend to follow the same path taken by so-called ‘progressive CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Romulo countries’ like the U.S. where Valles Inquirer.net photo 4 out of 10 marriages end up in divorce?” he added. ors,” he added.

While acknowledging the exThe House of Representa- istence of “failed marriages,” tives on Wednesday, March 14, the CBCP reiterated its stance approved on second reading against divorce.

House Bill 7303 or the “Abso“Like Catholics in most other lute Divorce Act of 2018.” countries where divorce is leWhile clarifying that the CBCP gal, we wish to assert that nothdoes not mean to interfere with ing, not even a divorce law, can the dynamics country’s legisla- make us give up our faith in the ture, Valles urged legislators to indissolubility of marriage as consider the implications of the a lifetime covenant between a issue. man and woman who have freeHe noted that the Philip- ly said yes to the call to love and pines, as one of the last few commit themselves to God and countries apart from Vatican to each other, through thick and City without a divorce law until thin,” Valles said. n

PNP chief belies PH gov’t’s insincerity on war vs. illegal drugs MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Gen. Ronald dela Rosa on Friday cried foul over allegations that Malacanang is not serious in its war on illegal drugs following the recent dismissal of criminal charges against self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa and businessman Peter Lim. “Para sa mga nagsasabi na moro-moro itong aming war on drugs, ako po ay nagagalit sa inyo. Moro-moro your face.

Kawawa naman yung, on my part, sa PNP, 108 na pulis namin namatay dito, moro-moro pa at ilang tao ang namatay dito. We are dealing with lives, 4,000 plus ang namatay, moro-moro pa rin? (To those who are saying that our war on drugs is ‘moromoro’, I’m mad at you. ‘Moromoro’ your face. It’s a pity, on my part, on the PNP — 108 policemen have died in this ‘moromoro’. We are dealing with lives, 4,000-plus have died and it’s still

moro-moro?),” dela Rosa told reporters.

He also said that the first panel of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors who dismissed the charges filed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) should have requested for more evidence. “(K)ung sa tingin nila mahina, bakit hindi nila kami sinabihan?

Hindi ba magsabi, team tayo.

We are all under, kahit na separate tayo, the pillar of the criminal justice system. We are still under the Chief Executive, sa executive branch of government (If they thought that the case is weak, why did they not inform us? Just tell us, because we’re a team. Even if we are separate offices, we are all under the pillar of the criminal justice system.

We are still under the Chief Executive, the executive branch of government),”dela Rosa said.

He said they are pinning their hopes on the motion for recon-

sideration filed by the CIDG through Director Roel Obusan before the DOJ, which has formed a new panel to take up the case.

“Sana ma-reconsider. I hope ma-reconsider dahil sayang talaga. Pareho tayo ng damdamin ngayon na lahat tayo ay hindi masaya doon sa naging resolution ng kaso (I hope it would be reconsidered because it’s such a waste. We all feel disappointed with the resoluiton of the case),” the PNP chief said.

Earlier, Solicitor General Jose Calida said he believes the affidavits of Marcelo Adorco, Espinosa’s bodyguard, are sufficient for the determination of probable cause, serving as a witness in the case.

The panel of prosecutors insisted the PNP had a weak case, maintaining that only the inconsistent statements of one of the defendants were used as evidence. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)

PROMOTED. President Rodrigo Duterte pins the rank insignia on newly-promoted Philippine Army reserve Colonel Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, March 13.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

PH, Kuwait fail to reach agreement on OFWs — report THE Philippines and Kuwait failed to agree on a final draft for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for better working conditions for Filipino workers in the Gulf state, according to a television report quoting Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

The MOU was a condition set by the Philippines before lifting a ban on the deployment of Filipinos to Kuwait, which President Rodrigo Duterte had imposed.

Duterte gave the order following alleged abuses by Kuwaiti employers against Filipi-

nos, including the death of a domestic who was found inside a freezer a year after she was reported missing.

The employers of Joanna Demafelis, a Lebanese-Syrian couple, has since been arrested after an Interpol hunt. (ManilaTimes.net)

A10 march 17-20, 2018 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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DENR recommends closing Boracay for up to a year for rehabilitation

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

MANILA — Environment Secretary, Roy Cimatu recommended on Thursday, March 15, the closure of Boracay for a maximum of one year to allow the rehabilitation and recovery of the tourist island from its environmental woes.

The announcement came weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte himself blasted local officials on the island for allegedly allowing the degradation of the beautiful tourist destination into a “cesspool.”

The Senate also launched a probe into Boracay’s environmental problems and discovered serious breaches of local environmental and building laws.

The panel that conducted the probe — led by Sen. Cynthia Villar, whose family corporation has real estate projects on Boracay that she says meets environmental standards, stopped short of recommending a total closure of businesses there.

The panel favors shutting down only those businesses found non-compliant with regulations.

In making the announcement, Cimatu said that the closure would pave the way for the implementation of measures that would restore Boracay as a prime tourist destination.

The announcement was released on the same day of a Reuters report saying Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group and its partner Philippine corporation Leisure and Resorts World Corp. are applying for a big-ticket casino project on the island.

“We look forward to working with GEG in bringing a world class resort to the island-paradise of Boracay. If the project materializes as envisaged, it’s going to be a game changer in the Philippine resort and tourism landscape,” LRWC Vice President for Legal and Corporate Secretary Katrina Nepomuceno said in a in a BusinessWorld report on the potential project in December 2017.

Sewage and road system to be improved “For public health, public interest, and general welfare, I recommend to the president the closure of Boracay island as tourist destination for a maximum of one year effective one month after the declaration,” Cimatu said during a meeting with Department of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo. During the closure period, the sewage system of the island would be improved, according to Cimatu.

The needed solid waste man-

agement facilities would also be installed, he said, after it was discovered that the island generated solid waste of between 90 to 115 tons per day despite the local government’s hauling capacity of only 30 tons per day.

Cimatu also said that many illegally-built structures would be removed, and based on his estimates, 900 of these are in forestlands and wetlands while more than 100 are within easement areas.

The roads on the island would also be widened, Cimatu said, with road space pegged at six meters from the centerline on both sides.

The public transport system would also be rationalized, Cimatu announced.

The announcement is sure to affect the thousands of locals who rely on the island’s tourism for livelihood.

However, the problem became so severe that Duterte himself blasted officials on national television for the uncollected garbage and untreated sewage flowing into the sea.

The president has yet to decide on how the government will deal with Boracay and earlier said he would declare a state of calamity there.

A declaration, usually done in the wake of typhoons or other natural calamities, would make emergency funds available. n

PH is the 71st happiest country — World Happiness Report

by GAeA

KAtreenA Philstar.com

CAbiCo

THE Philippines placed 71st out of the 156 countries ranked in the World Happiness Report 2018, only one notch higher from its position last year.

The country has an average score of 5.524 in 2018.

In 2017, the Philippines ranked 72nd out of 155 nations.

It scored 5.430.

Finland took the top spot from Norway as the happiest nation.

The following are the happiest countries in the world: 1. Finland 2. Norway 3. Denmark 4. Iceland 5. Switzerland 6. The Netherlands

7. Canada 8. New Zealand 9. Sweden 10. Australia Burundi, on the other hand, is the unhappiest country in the world.

The following are the unhappiest nations: 147. Malawi 148. Haiti 149. Liberia 150. Syria 151. Rwanda 152. Yemen 153. Tanzania 154. South Sudan 155. Central African Republic 156. Burundi The report also said that the Philippines ranked third in the countries with highest levels of

positive affect.

It explained that positive affect is measured as the simple average of the “day-before” dichotomous variables such as smiled or laughed yesterday, learned something, treated with respect, experience enjoyment and felt well-rested.

The World Happiness Report is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

In a separate global survey by US-based firm Gallup International released last month, the Philippines placed third in the happiest country in the world with a net score of +84.

Fiji is the happiest nation in the world, followed by Colombia. n

RESCUED. A personnel of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Environmental Crime Division checks on cockatoos smuggled into the country.

Authorities seized hundreds of sugar gliders, wallabies and Moluccan cockatoos, believed to be facing extinction in the wild. Four suspects were arrested.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Sotto bares more poll anomalies by bernAdette

tAMAyo ManilaTimes.net

SENATE Majority Leader Vicente Sotto 3rd on Wednesday, March 14 claimed nearly 4 percent of election returns, representing at least 1.7 million votes, were “not transmitted electronically” during the 2016 polls.

Sotto, in a privilege speech, continued his exposé of supposed irregularities in the 2016 elections, heaping two more issues on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and its supplier Smartmatic— the incomplete transmission of election returns and the existence of four “queuing servers.”

On March 6, Sotto sought an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the May 2016 national and local elections, such as early transmissions of votes and “foreign access” to the election server.

The senator claimed there were “early transmission of votes” as well as “remote access” to the election server from the United Sates.

Sotto said the Comelec had assured the public that these “untransmitted votes” were included in the final count by manually tallying of the contents of the SD (secure digital) data storage cards.

But he pointed to the report of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections or Namfrel, which said further clarification was “needed as to the guideline that was observed by Comelec on the chain of custody of these SD cards.”

“Also, were the political parties, accredited citizen’s arm allowed or were asked to observe the manual

tallying of these 3.86% un-transmitted votes? These 1.7 million votes are very crucial to ongoing electoral protests,” Sotto said.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has a pending election protest against Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, who won the vice presidency by a mere 263,473 votes.

Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino is also questioning Sen. Leila de Lima’s victory in the senatorial elections. Tolentino landed outside the “Magic 12” with 12,518,891 votes, while de Lima ranked 12th with 13,793,947 votes.

“In the observance of fairness and due process, the Comelec and Smartmatic can fully and appropriately present their side in a full-blown Senate hearing. It is the proper venue to answer these allegations and to educate us on what really transpired in the 2016 national elections,” Sotto said.

Sotto also pointed to Comelec and Smartmatic’s use of “four queuing servers,” without the knowledge of political parties, candidates and watchdogs.

The senator said the technical process of voting results transmission was that the Smartmatic vote counting machines or VCMs would ask for the IP or Internet Protocol address – a unique address – of the recipient from the Domain Name Server (DNS) so it could transmit the data.

“To reiterate, there were two servers that were functioning during the elections, CNTADNS that is used by all VCMs and CCS (Consolidating Canvassing System), and CNTBDNS used only by

four IP addresses from May 10 to 11 only,” he said.

“Here, all VCM’s queries were communicated only to one server, and that is CNTADNS server. The recipients are the Municipal/City Board of Canvassers, Provincial/ Regional Board of Canvassers, Transparency Servers and the Central Servers,” he said.

This was the procedure done during the peak period of transmissions on May 9 to 10.

Suddenly, on May 10 to 11, the rules changed in the middle of the game, the senator said.

“For some unknown reason, the transmissions from the VCMs did not go straight to the Consolidating Canvassing System (CCS) but instead, went through either one of the four ‘queuing servers’ before reaching the CCS. By then, two servers are now involved in the process,” he said.

Sotto said a new server, CNTBDNSO1, communicated with the queries of the VCMs after they went through queuing.

“In the IT (information technology) world, a queuing server is a device to organize and line up all the incoming data to make sure that what goes in will be sent out so no data is left behind,” he said.

“Also, it is very complex to set up another server, so this cannot be a last minute decision. This second server has been set up and ready to be plugged at the last stretch of the transmission phase.”

“Can the Comelec provide us with a resolution showing that this second server was also tested?

Because as far as I know, there is no second server in the Comelec issued process,” he said. n

Allow impartial probe on drug war...

PAGE A7 t

would continue to raise the concern on human rights in different forums, as respect for human rights continues to be one of the bloc’s key priorities.

He said that the EU has earmarked 170 million Euros (P10.8 billion) for renewable energy and Mindanao development projects.

Duterte on Wednesday announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC, noting that the tribunal has no jurisdiction over him and the supposed killings in the drug war.

He also referred to the “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks” against him and his administration by United Na-

tions special rapporteur Agnes Callamard and UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Zaid Ra’ad al-Hussein.

The President claimed that his right to due process was violated after ICC special prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced to the public the court’s preliminary examination over his anti-illegal drug campaign. n

Women authors: Writing is the intersectional...

PAGE A8 t

Bloc Presents book talks on Pete Souza and Robert Reich. Souza had a full-house of over a thousand folks, queuing quite early at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, and those who attended had two to three books in their arms; while Robert Reich had a Writers’ Guild theater attendance of over 400 and with folks buying books, not just one, but two or three.

However, we also know as a community that we can rally over 6,000 folks to attend an ASAP event featuring the latest celebrities from the Philippines and even fill up the Hollywood Bowl with 13,000 watching the celebrities from the Philippines and FilipinoAmerican artists, like Apl.de.ap.

As a challenge to all of us, should we not cultivate our love for books in the same full measure as our passion for celebrities?

Marianne Villanueva, author of “Mayor of Roses” It seemed to me that this piece was being written, inspired by my mentor, NVM Gonzalez.

When I started to look for what might connect Nietes to Marianne Villanueva, aside from their friendship, the designation of Villanueva as a former Stegner Fellow in Creative Writing at Stanford stood out. Why? NVM Gonzalez (also Nietes’ friend) was once a student of Wallace Stegner.

It is no surprise that Villanueva’s latest work, “Mayor of Roses,” is included in Good Reads and one reviewer, Valerie Miner, rated her book as five stars, with this feedback: “Marianne Villanueva is a provocative and versatile writer. I fell in love with MAYOR OF ROSES when I first read it. Since then I have taught it in several university classes and the student response has been very enthusiastic. The title piece, in its unblinking painfulness, draws the readers right into the narrative and also leaves us reeling with the truth Villanueva bravely tells about women’s lives.

I love the family stories--genuine,

deep and moving. This is a haunting, dramatic, tender book which I highly recommend.”

Villanueva asserts that she develops herself by writing, “I teach myself. I teach myself by writing. I teach myself what I know.

I am actually, in real life, a very disorganized person. I’m always getting lost, or forgetting to do something or get something. In my writing, I know immediately what my goals are: to explore.

And I’m confident (when I’m writing). I understand the world better when I’m writing. For that reason, I try to always be writing.

Because it’s for my sanity, you know? I’ve written three collections of short stories, and a novella. My most personal book is ‘MAYOR OF THE ROSES,’ which Miami University Press published, their first time publishing fiction.”

From a place of pain, following the death of her older sister, Paz — who passed away at 34 years old with her youngest child just six months old — Villanueva emerged “self-sufficient, by writing these stories and writing helped kept myself together,” as she revealed what she went through.

“I had a byline, at six” For her sixth birthday, her mom got her an Olivetti typewriter. She started “banging stories on that thing,” writing one paragraph stories (flash writing).

Nena del Rosario, her mother, knew someone who worked for a Filipino newspaper and submitted her work. All her stories got published, “I had a byline, at six.”

“In Ateneo, I wrote plays and they were staged in the Ateneo cafeteria. One of my plays was produced in Dulaang Sibol,“ she shared.

After graduating from Ateneo, she applied for her master’s degree in Chinese studies in Stanford. While there, she enrolled in a creative writing workshop taught by John L’ Heureux (di-

rector of the creative writing program) who encouraged her to apply for the program. She got accepted.

Villanueva’s story, “Silence,” according to her Good Reads bio, “was first published in the Three Penny Review, was shortlisted for the 2000 O. Henry Literature Prize, and ‘The Hand’ was awarded first prize in [the] Juked 2007 fiction contest. She has edited an anthology of Filipina women’s writings, ‘Going Home to a Landscape,’ which was selected as a Notable Book by the prestigious Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize.”

The Manila native now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she teaches writing and literature at Foothill College and Notre Dame de Namur University.

Perhaps, instead of waiting to be seduced as this German poet revealed in the above quotes, could it be that NVM Gonzalez is challenging us to develop a habit of the mind, of looking for the lady muse? Might he be talking about a metaphor and for us to recognize that the lady muse has always been waiting for us, if we can simply turn the pages and be captivated by its beauty?

But, first, let the reading of books begin. Happy Women’s History Month! *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years.

She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine.

Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

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Aguirre on way out? DOJ chief not quitting

by Marichu

VillanueVa Philstar.com

MANILA — Denounced by both friends and enemies of the administration after his prosecutors cleared suspected drug lords, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II may be on his way out – with the coming midterm elections likely to provide the door for a graceful exit.

This was revealed the other night to The STAR by President Duterte, who also admitted he is not satisfied with the performance of his Cabinet as his administration wraps up its second year in office.

“I’m not happy (with Cabinet performance), yes,” the President replied when asked for his thoughts on his official family.

“One of them better run (in the coming May 2019 elections).

I said go ahead, buti nga para sya matalo (serves him right if he loses),” he told a group of 12 selected media personalities in a “meet the press” at Malacañang.

He did not name the official.

Aguirre is believed to be eyeing a Senate seat.

The former Davao City mayor described his campaign promises to fight corruption and drugs as being on track.

He conceded though some of his officials have failed to deliver on his campaign promises, citing his having fired several Cabinetranked officials and his own appointees, starting with former interior secretary Ismael Sueno, former urban poor presidential adviser Terry Ridon, among others.

Some of the dismissed officials had even campaigned for him in 2016.

“I have fired so many of my friends. I have been firing and hiring good ones to replace them,” he pointed out.

In the case of Aguirre, the President reiterated his extreme displeasure at the dismissal of criminal charges against the three accused drug lords by a panel of DOJ prosecutors.

Being a former prosecutor before he turned to politics, the President expressed irritation at the DOJ’s handling of illegal drug cases amid corruption issues in the country’s criminal justice system.

The DOJ dismissed last December the drug charges against Cebuano businessman Peter Lim and self-confessed drug trader Kerwin Espinosa and several

others.

The resolution, which the media learned of only last Monday, sparked outrage among both political allies and foes of the administration.

“The President was clearly upset by the decision of the DOJ and he wants a full review,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said at the same forum.

“Obviously, he wasn’t happy with the decision. It’s an expression of dissatisfaction so there is a need to review,” Andanar said when asked to comment on Duterte’s remarks to have Aguirre put behind bars if Espinosa and the others are released.

Not resigning But even after reportedly irritating his boss, Aguirre has made it clear he has no plans of resigning.

The latest controversy came two years after the P50-million bribery scandal involving two Bureau of Immigration (BI) deputy commissioners and Chinese gaming tycoon Jack Lam. The DOJ has jurisdiction over the BI. “Why should I resign? Did I do anything wrong?” he told The STAR yesterday.

The DOJ chief revealed that he had already discussed the latest controversy with Duterte.

“We in the Cabinet only serve at the pleasure of the President.

I talked with the President about this (Peter Lim) case and we’re OK,” he said.

Aguirre also shrugged off the reported warning of Duterte that he would have the DOJ chief replace Espinosa and Lim in jail if the two are exonerated.

It was “part of his (President’s) character as those who know him would know,” Aguirre pointed out.

Aguirre, law school classmate and lawyer during the 2016 presidential election, said he believes he still enjoys the trust and confidence of the Chief Executive.

The STAR also learned from Palace sources that Aguirre and Duterte discussed the drug case over the phone Tuesday evening.

The DOJ chief had reportedly asked the President to accept his resignation if he was no longer considered fit for the job, but the latter told him to “stay put and do your job.”

Aguirre is reportedly among those being eyed by the ruling PDP-Laban for inclusion in its senatorial slate in the midterm

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II

elections next year.

The DOJ chief again distanced himself from the dismissal of the charges against Lim and Espinosa, saying his office “has no hand nor say” on the resolution prepared by an investigating panel of prosecutors.

Under DOJ procedures, the secretary of justice only decides on criminal charges once the cases are elevated to his office via petition for review or automatic review in cases of dismissed drug charges.

Outrage Pro-administration lawmakers have joined their leftist counterparts in urging President Duterte to fire Aguirre.

They said the President and his justice secretary are ultimately responsible for the drug dealers’ exoneration.

“At the minimum, the exoneration of the drug lords shows the justice secretary’s incompetence.

At the maximum, this is malfeasance and protection of drug dealers,” Rep. Antonio Tinio of Alliance of Concerned Teachers told a news conference.

He said Duterte has to let go of Aguirre or the President would be suspected of coddling drug lords.

“If he does not sack his justice secretary, all his supposed anger over DOJ’s clearing of drug personalities is just for show,” he said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the President and his DOJ chief could not wash their hands of the drug lords’ exoneration.

“Drug lords are being absolved, while the poor get killed by the thousands in the Duterte administration’s fake war against illegal drugs. The President has to answer for this,” he said.

He said drug lords feel they are untouchable because many of them had testified against detained senator and Duterte critic Leila de Lima. n

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Journal

‘No words to express Manila visit’ – Drew Barrymore Kim Atienza continues fight against rare disease

by Iza IglesIas

by Jan

MIlo severo Philstar.com

ManilaTimes.net

FilipinoS fans welcomed Hollywood bigwigs Drew Barrymore and Timothy olyphant with deafening cheers as they walked the red carpet on monday, march 12, at the Sm mega Fashion Hall for the premiere of netflix’s hit series, “Santa Clarita Diet.”

Even though they had to brave horrendous traffic before the event, the two were still very happy to mingle with fans, signing autographs and even taking selfies and groufies with them. overwhelmed by such love in the philippines, the sweet, sweet lady from Hollywood said, “We’ve been practicing how to say i love you, i think it’s mahal kita!”

“There are no words for a moment like this. This is not like real life when you wake up everyday and try to take care of your kids wearing sweatpants. it’s surreal and it’s beautiful and it’s overwhelming, and i know a moment like this will stay with me forever because it is like a dream to be here. But this is real and we are honored to be here and we are honored by your presence. Really and truly, i will never forget this moment for the rest of my life,”

Kapamilya TV host Kim atienza recently shared on his instagram account a photo of him hospitalized for a rare disease, with his family by his side.

“Today, the last day of February is celebrated as Rare Disease Day. i’m sharing this as a way of helping create awareness for rare diseases. a few years ago i was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious autoimmune disorder,” Kuya Kim posted on his instagram.

Kim almost died twice: from a stroke in 2010, and from GBS in 2013.

Overwhelmed by this welcome, the Golden Globe-winning actress tries to accommodate as Guillain-Barré syndrome hap- Kim Atienza (center) with his family in a hospital’s intensive care unit. He was hospitalized many selfies as she can during the ‘Santa Clarita Diet’ red carpet premiere at Mega Fashion for a rare disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Philstar.com photo PAGE B2 Hall.

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian she added as cheers grew louder and louder.

This manila visit was not the first time for both Barrymore and olyphant. The Golden Globe-winning actress, who shot to fame as an adorable little girl in “ET” and later, “Charlie’s angels” and “The Wedding Singer” among others, was in the country two years ago to survey the market for her cosmetics brand Flower. olyphant, on the other hand,

Barrymore and ‘Santa Clarita Diet’ co-star Timothy Olyphant enjoy the ‘Pinoy dirty ice cream’

surprised the audience when he confessed he lived in Davao when he was young. “i used to live here [in the philippines]. i lived in Davao. When i was young my father worked in Del monte so we lived here for a little bit. and also, my great grandfather, he was the head of Engineering at the University of the philippines,” the 49-year-old producer and former theater actor shared.

Family show according to netflix, they chose manila for the regional premiere as a way of thanking Filipinos for their overwhelming patronage.

Santa Clarita Diet is a comedyhorror series that explores the struggles of a flesh-eating zombie in suburbia. Season 2 takes viewers back to the life of Sheila Hammond (Barrymore) and her family as she tries to control her more advanced and more aggressive undead state. With the help of her husband Joel (olyphant), and their daughter abby (liv Hewson), they try to discover the origins of the virus to keep it from spreading and to save humanity—all the while trying to maintain a normal life.

“We try to kill bad guys so there PAGE B3

B2 MARCH 17-20, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Hikari Sushi is all about quality at its new Montrose location

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

HAVING just opened less than a year ago, Hikari Sushi has already been getting rave reviews from satisfied customers praising them for their high quality ingredients and excellent customer service.

The restaurant is located just off the CA-2 freeway in Montrose, and is becoming a go-to spot for sushi fans — especially those looking for a great all you can eat deal.

“Our bluefin tuna, our yellowtail, our halibut… It’s all fresh,” said Jin, manager of Hikari Sushi.

Hikari Sushi takes their sushi seriously, having their fish delivered six days a week to ensure customers get the freshest selection each time they come in.

While many may not expect much from an All You Can Eat (AYCE) sushi spot, first timers of Hikari Sushi can expect a whole new high standard.

For one thing, you won’t find sushi pieces that have been idly sitting out on buffet displays for who knows how long. Instead, all your orders are served directly from the tsukeba (sushi kitchen) to your table, ensuring fresh and untouched sushi each time.

“We don’t cut the fish until the customer orders,” explained Kang. “That’s the difference between us and the other All You Can Eat spots.”

Hikari Sushi’s AYCE menu

consists of over 140 different tempting choices of sushi. Whether you want something classic like their Spicy Tuna or California rolls, or something different like their deep fried Golden Tiger Roll or their baked Albacore Roll — the choices seem endless.

But the menu doesn’t stop there. Aside from their soups and tempuras, they also have 24 appetizer choices including takoyaki, agedashi tofu, chicken teriyaki, shishito peppers, and gyoza.

Popular orders are their Rainbow Roll which tops a classic California roll with assorted sashimi, and their Dragon Roll which is also a California roll topped with eel and avocado. Other customer

favorites are their riceless Honeymoon Roll of shrimp, avocado, and cucumber wrapped in crab meat; and the Nichelle Roll of salmon wrapped crab meat and white fish, topped with scallop.

You’ll also of course find classic nigiri — healthy cuts of fish like salmon, yellowtail, tuna, and mackerel laid on perfectly flavored sushi rice. Be sure to try their bluefin tuna nigiri that is topped with the perfect amount of fresh kizami wasabi (grated wasabi root steeped in soy sauce).

The high level of quality and customer service comes from the restaurant’s highly experienced team. Johnny, the restaurant’s owner, has been in the business for

around 18 years and has opened four other sushi restaurants prior to the Montrose location. Jin, who also has extensive restaurant experience, joined him 13 years ago.

“He really cares about how the food is served,” said Jin. “How its prepared, how its stored… He does not skimp on anything.”

And as for the people making the sushi?

“We don’t just hire anybody. You can tell by how they cut the fish,” said Jin, referring to the expertly cut slices.

Hikari Sushi’s head sushi chef in Montrose has over 25 years of sushi making experience, five of which he’s had with Johnny.

While many enjoy the restaurant at dinner time from around 6 to 9 p.m., the hours leading up present a peaceful and relaxing ambience that is great for any occasion. Its spacious area also makes it a perfect venue for big groups whether it be for birthday parties, company parties, or other large get togethers.

Hikari Sushi is already earning a reputation for its high quality, but affordably priced sushi. Despite being less than a year old, it is sure to become a name in its new community.

Hikari Sushi is located at 2064 Verdugo Blvd, Montrose, CA 91020 and is open from 11:30 am to 10:00 p.m. on most days, or 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Visit them online at www.hikarisushiglendale.com, or call them at (818) 957 - 1800.

(Advertising Supplement)

Rhian Ramos tries hardcore action

by LHAR

SANTIAGO ManilaTimes.net

FAR from the dramas and the rom-coms she’s been used to doing, Rhian Ramos is thick into shooting a hardcore movie this time. She’s the new leading lady of Jolo Revilla who is making an acting comeback after six years of focusing in politics.

As challenging as her role in one-third of what will be an action trilogy for the big screen [the other two star Jolo’s brothers Brian and Luigi in the lead], Rhian swears she’s enjoying the experience.

“Gusto ko ‘yung may mga takbuhan at barilan,” volunteers the slim and mestiza actress. “Nag-train kami ni Jolo for this and I really enjoyed every part of it—inaabot na kami ng gabi pero tuloy pa rin.”

When Showbuzz visited Rhian and Jolo on the set all the way in Navotas, they were in the middle of an action-packed scene and both so concentrated. A good take, they had hardly warmed their seats to rest when they were called again for the next scene.

Neither had any complains.

“Why should I complain when I enjoy what I’m doing,” Rhian reasons out. “This is an opportunity for me to show my other side—na hindi lang ako pang-drama at pang rom-com. I feel good whenever our production people tell me I’m doing good in my action scenes.”

Rhian plays the role of Alexa, a member of the police force assigned to work with PDEA agents in a big anti-drug operation. She is partnered with Jolo’s character from the anti-drug enforcement side.

“We brave all sorts of danger in the operation… I really love this project and the people I work with.

I realize that the production team in action projects are different. Iba ang atmosphere sa set… sobrang astig!”

Recalling how she got into the Revilla brothers’ project, Rhian

Rhian Ramos

GMA photo

narrates, “It was Direk Dondon Santos who called me. He was our director in ‘Indio,’ the TV series I did with Senator Bong Revilla in 2013 for GMA Network. He asked me if I would be interested in doing a movie with Jolo and explained the story and my role.

“I was interested right away because I’ve been wanting to do a real hardcore action film for a while now and I also wanted to work with Direk Dondon again. So I asked my management to talk with the production team, and before I knew it, I already had a call slip for the shooting.”

As for working with Sen. Bong’s son, Rhian admits she’s been very impressed with Jolo’s ways.

“I’ve never experienced on my first shooting day, pagdating ko sa set, I was given a bouquet of flowers. Jolo is very easy to work with. Medyo close na kami because nagkakakwentuhan kami pag nasa stand by area. He’s very nice to everyone. He always sees to it that everyone’s OK on the set, kung nakakain na ba lahat, kung meron bang problema.”

Kim Atienza continues fight...

PAGE B1 pens when the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells in one’s peripheral nervous system.

This leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling. It can eventually lead to heart and blood pressure problems and paralysis.

According to research, the exact cause of Guillain-Barré is unknown, but it is usually triggered by infectious diseases like

lung infection or stomach flu.

In a Twitter post, Atienza clarified that he is no longer suffering from GBS and was healed in 2013.

He, however, posted the picture from five years ago to advocate for other GBS sufferers.

The “It’s Showtime” host assured that he is now doing well.

“God worked his miracle through the doctors who looked after me. I’m now doing great,” he reported.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 17-20, 2018

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Daylight Adult Day Health Center: Providing the best adult care services

AFTER ENTERING THE US IN THE BACKSEAT OF A MINIVAN, PINA’S NEXT HURDLE WAS HOW TO LEGALIZE HER STATUS. Pina (center) entered the U.S. in 2001 through the Canadian border, while seated in the back seat of a minivan. Border patrol asked the driver a few questions, but never spoke with Pina, and let them pass through.

Pina was petitioned by an employer, and eventually married her U.S. citizen husband, John (left), who also petitioned her. Both cases were denied based on the way she entered the U.S. Although she consulted with Attorney Gurfinkel several times, she retained other attorneys, and her case was denied.

She finally retained Attorney Gurfinkel, who was able to obtain her green card through “provisional waiver.” Watch how Attorney Gurfinkel came to the rescue, and help Pina achieve her American dream, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

‘No words to express Manila visit...

PAGE B1 are morals. I think at the end of the day the show is about a family who fights to stay together and make it work. And I think that’s relatable to anyone in the planet whatever the circumstances are.

It’s optimistic and funny and happy show about this couple who has such crazy circumstances going on around them while trying to live their normal daily life,” Barrymore explained during the red carpet premiere.

The former child star furthered that while shows about the undead are nothing new these days, they are proud that they have received so much support from people around the world, the reason why they stepped up the second season.

“All you ever think when you’re trying to make something is, will anyone see it or will they enjoy it, or can we make something that helps you escape or laugh or be grossed out in this particular show’s case? This feels like maybe sometimes we’re working and there’s no one else around that feels very private and strange, and after that you wonder if anyone will ever see our show. Obviously, you guys are here and we are

literally making this show for you to entertain you and to try bring a smile in you face,” Barrymore said.

Changing times During an exclusive roundtable interview with local media earlier in the day, the duo—who are also executive producers of the series—shared in between the light banter how on demand streaming services has changed the viewing habits and the entertainment industry in Hollywood.

Answering The Manila Times’ question that brought about the topic, Barrymore declared, “The fact is, it’s the home theater where entertainment is right now. The only reason people go to the movies is because they want to see big, 10-fold comic type of films on the big screen and have that collective experience as fans of the genre.

“But the movie industry is very [much]in trouble [these days]because most people wait until they can watch it in their big flat screen home movie theater, where they can pee whenever they want and they don’t have to pay $40 for tickets and popcorn.

And I really do think that movie theaters should have a change

of policy because it’s a miracle anyone goes to a movie theater anymore,” she added.

Meanwhile, Olyphant, whose acting career spans over two decades, singled out online streaming devices like netflix as the industry’s game changer.

“For me, I’ve done TV shows but no TV show [has]ever sent me to the Philippines to promote the show [until now]. And that’s a game changer,” he presented his case.

Barrymore seconded, “I also think, honestly, they [netflix] are not afraid. They are extremely confident and they’re not worried about an opening weekends or what their audience wants. They do not pander; they are literally like, ‘we know it works; we are going with our guts. If there’s a problem we’ll change it and deviate and move to Plan B.’ “I think people in Hollywood right now are very concerned about being able to make their money back or be an award type of movie, so I just think there’s sort of a confidence and a playfulness and the willingness to take risk that this company is doing,” she averred.

In line with its mission to serve others and make a difference, Daylight Adult Day Health Center (ADHC) is always available for senior citizens and disabled adults to help them in their situation and cater to their needs.

Daylight ADHC offers a sanctuary to its Filipino adult participants. It has community adult programs that focus on the participants’ physical, mental, emotional as well as spiritual well-being. Meals served by welcoming and warm-hearted staff are prepared according to their nutritional requirements. Daily activities include board games, group interactions, and light exercise to foster friendships and promote good health.

Due to its deep concern for those who have needs but low family income and those who have been neglected by their families, Daylight ADHC opened

its doors in the City of Glendale, California in 1998 and has become a pioneer in the industry since then. It serves over 600 seniors a day in different locations — the city of Glendale, Hollywood, and Los Angeles.

It has received various awards and certificates from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the mayor of Glendale, senators, councilmembers of the community, and the Housing authority of Los Angeles.

“Having attended the center for over a year, we can say that this is the best place for us to spend our senior years. Firstly, the staff are so caring, loving, efficient, and service-oriented. The Program Activity Director has varied activities which are suited to the seniors’ physical, mental, and emotional needs. Everyone has lots of fun especially the games. Secondly, our physical health is properly and regularly

monitored; exercise is religiously carried. Thirdly, the food are delicious and they are serving us Filipino food. Lastly, we are enjoying our stay here through the camaraderie of fellow Filipinos from different regions of the Philippines, from different walks of life. We believe that this center will grow and be a blessing to all of us by extending our lives for a few more years. We salute Daylight Adult Health Center,” Tre’s Lomas Seniors Participants at Daylight Center shared.

For over 20 years, Daylight Adult Day Health Center’s mission has always been to empower a diverse community of older adults to live well, feel well, and age well in the community with dignity and respect. For more inquiries, you may contact Antonio Garcia at 213-505-0277 or via email at antoniog@daylighthealth.org.

(Advertising Supplement)

LizQuen now ‘exclusively’ dating

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

A DAy after celebrating their fifth anniversary as an on-screen love team, Liza Soberano said that she and love team partner Enrique Gil are “exclusively” dating.

Asked if all the stars of their latest fantaserye “Bagani” are already taken, the 20-year-old actress replied with a yes. This response drew cheers from the crowd present at the press con-

Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil Photo from Instagram/@enriquegil17

ference as it hinted that they are date each other, the actress said: officially in a relationship. “no date. It’s coming soon.”

However, during an ambush On Wednesday, March 14, interview, Soberano and Enrique Soberano took to social media clarified that they are only exclu- to thank the fans of their lovesively dating. team dubbed “LizQuen” as they “We’re exclusive,” the Kapami- celebrated their fifth year as onlya stars said. screen partners.

But asked when they started to PAGE B4

B March 17-20, 2018 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS What are aphrodisiacs?

Aphrodisiacs are pro-sexual drugs or substances that will heighten libido (sexual desire), orgasm (ecstasy and pleasure) and performance in males and females, not partner-specific. As society gets more liberal and permissive, these medications and all other so-called sex enhancers become more in demand. are these substances new?

No, the cultural quest for aphrodisiacs has been the obsession of man, from ancient to modern times. Natural substances such as belladona, datura and henbane were key ingredients in the sexual orgies of ancient fertility cults.

Today, we have medications that have gone through stringent laboratory testing and are refined and definitely safer. are ED pills aphrodisiacs?

No, not in the strict medical sense, Viagra does not directly increase the libido (sexual desire) or orgasm (sexual pleasure), although it improves sexual performance of the male with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) —inability to maintain erection. Viagra acts by dilating and filling the veins in the penis with blood, causing engorgement and erection. Indirectly, it enhances sexual performance by maintaining erection and better penetration. If there is no sexual desire between the partners, Viagra does not help.

Aphrodisiacs, on the other hand, are substances that make a person want to have sex, almost an uncontrollable sexual desire with practically any person.

What other items have “aphrodisiac effect”?

Vitamin E, ginseng, oysters, mandrake plants in medieval Europe, L-Dopa and Pergolide Mesylate (two drugs used for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease), Quaalude, Apomorphine, Nomifensine and Bupropion (anti-depression drugs), Bethanechol, Afrodex (combination of Yohimbine, testosterone and strychnine), Clomipiramine, Fluoxetine, Chinese Chan Su, “Love Stone,” “Hard Rock,” “Stud 100” are some of the food, drugs, or substances that have been claimed to have some aphrodisiac effect.

Many of them have undetermined side effects and complications.

Why take the chance when proven safe erectile dysfunction drugs are available today?

What are causes of impotence?

There are a variety of causes of

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Aphrodisiac dangers impotence. It could be psychogenic (stress or psychological problem), neurogenic (nerve injury), vascular (poor circulation), medication-related (as those patients taking high blood pressure pills), or anatomical (severe deformity of the organ), and, of course, aging (which normally reduces libido and the ability to maintain erection because of very low testosterone level, etc.).

The commonest are due to stress, medications for high blood pressure, and aging. Fortunately, today, these conditions could be helped by Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, the 3 most popular ED medications. are ED drugs safe?

As I said in my article on Viagra (Generic name: Sildenafil) on June 18, 1998, this drug had been prescribed to millions around the world for male Erectile Dysfunction and has been found to be as safe as any drug, provided it was taken under the supervision of a physician, and taken strictly as directed.

Today, after two decades of experience with these ED medications, their safety and effectiveness have been nothing but impressive. We have also sounded the warning, and repeating it again today, that patients on any form of nitrates (drugs used by heart patients to open the arteries) should not take Viagra, as this could lead to shock and death. Nitrates come in various forms, sublingual (taken under the tongue), skin patches, tablets or injection. Some of brand names are Imdur, Isosorbide, Nitroglycerine, Peritrate, and many others. Consult your physician before taking any medications.

What are the side effects of ED drugs?

The most common reported side effects of ED meds are sensation of warmth, headache and fullness, slight blurring of vision, which are all temporary and wear off after four hours or so, varying in each person. The side effects are due to vasodilation (opening of arteries) all over the body, giving more blood to all parts of the body, especially to the penis. They were originally designed for dilating the coronary arteries of the heart to prevent heart attack, but serendipity revealed their wonderful side effect of penile engorgement and erection (and less coronary dilation) in laboratory mice.

Is there any aphrodisiac that is effective and safe?

Medical research and studies on aphrodisiacs have been ongoing for centuries, and have expanded in the modern times. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has not approved any drug as an aphrodisiac per se. Drugs for the treatment of some illnesses, with

“aphrodisiac-effect,” as mentioned earlier, have not been officially approved and recommended for use as aphrodisiacs. Most of the reports on their effectiveness are anecdotal.

The main problem, even in the case of Yohimbine, is the absence of a definite and convincing medical proof of the consistency in its efficacy and safety. Some people have died from using the so-called “aphrodisiac” drugs.

What can enhance the mood for romance?

Feelings, situation and atmosphere are important, especially among females, in setting the mood for a romantic sexual rendezvous.

There must be mutual liking and desire, and both partners must be in a happy frame of mind. All problems must be temporarily set aside. There must be good hygiene (both partners must have clean and good smelling body, no bad breath). If ED med is needed, it must be taken about an hour to an hour and a half prior to sexual activity. And remember, protection, when needed, is very important for the peace of mind for both parties.

The fear of sexually transmitted diseases is always a downer.

The ambiance must provide security, privacy and serenity, preferably with romantic music in the background. The bedroom encounter must be at least 3 to 4 hours after a meal, and, perhaps, following a glass of wine or an after-dinner drink for a more relax mind. Joyful flirtation and kind compliments, and touching from both sides would definitely help set the mood. During the act, uninhibited and spontaneous verbal expression of ecstasy on both partners will tremendously help enhance the pleasure. Females love to be wooed and foreplay is most essential. And don’t underestimate the value of passionate kissing, as part of the foreplay and during the act itself.

Both must try to be as natural and as spontaneous as can be. Some form of communication and body contact must be maintained after the act, so the partner does not feel abandoned “after use.” This, today, might be the safest “aphrodisiac” of all. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Presenting the premiere collection of Michael Leyva at LA Fashion Week

By Monet

Lu

I HAVE always been a fan of Filipino designers. Aside from their penchant for unique and intricate styles and materials, there is always a backstory to their success that makes them even more admirable. Such as the story of this Filipino fashion designer, who is set to present his collection in the U.S. for the first time at LA Fashion Week.

Rey Michael Leyva is a wellknown designer for the wardrobes of celebrities like Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, Kris Aquino and Pia Wurtzbach. He’s been a fashion designer for almost eight years and is considered one of the most sought-after designers in the industry. Leyva began his career in the early 2010s and has become known for his designs in the wedding circuit. He dreams of one day having actress Jennifer Lopez and former First Lady Michelle Obama wearing his creations.

His most recent fashion show dubbed “Fashion and Artistry” was held last year in Manila in celebration of Metro Magazine’s 28th year which also featured young Filipino designers Patty Ang and Mark Bumgarner. In 2015, he debuted his Fall/Winter Collection at the Manila Fashion Festival.

Leyva’s pursuit of fashion design began when he decided to continue the legacy of his late brother Brian Leyva, who was also a known fashion designer. Rey would often watch his brother play with dolls and sewn gowns when they were little. Brian, who was gay, made a name for himself as a designer and started a couture business.

After much struggle, his father eventually accepted his sexual orientation.

Growing up, Leyva looked up to Brian because of the courage and hard work. He was heartbroken when his brother’s life was taken by a mugger on his way home.

Leyva pursued a pursued a career as a flight attendant but was disqualified from the train-

ing. Not long after, he decided to follow his brother’s footsteps of being a fashion designer. It wasn’t easy measuring up to what his brother has started. There were disappointments along the way but he persisted and succeeded in the end. Leyva went to London to complete his studies in fashion design.

“It was unfortunate that my brother died – he would not be able to continue his dream. It was time for me to fulfill his dream to become a fashion designer.”

Leyva said in an interview.

Leyva has designed wedding gowns for famous celebrities and received numerous commendations. “Designing a wedding gown is extremely challenging because this is no ordinary occasion. It shouldn’t just look timeless and elegant, it has to make the bride feel beautiful, too. And this is where my strength, I believe, as a designer lies,” Known for his meticulous eye for detail, romantic silhouettes, and exquisite use of tulle, lace, and embroidery, Leyva knows how to make women look and feel divine.

While he is greatly respected in the local fashion industry, Leyva also looks up to other designers such as Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and fellow Filipino designer Michael Cinco. Like them, he wishes to transport women to another

LizQuen now ‘exclusively’...

PAGE B3 LizQuen first worked in the film “Must Be…Love” in 2013.

They also led primetime series “Forevermore,” “Dolce Amore,” and “Bagani.”

world with gowns that capture their imaginations.

Beyond the wedding circuit, Leyva has dressed some of the biggest names in the industry but there is one woman he hopes to dress up one day: Michelle Obama. “She’s the epitome of class and elegance.”

As I said in the beginning, I am fascinated by Filipinos’ creativity.

But I am even more awed by our resilience and determination. I admire Leyva’s work ethic as much as I love his works of art. As I was browsing through this young designer’s creations, I can help but feel emotional knowing what he went through to be where he is. Especially now that he is about to introduce his collection outside the local market, I can imagine his brother smiling and saying how proud he is of him. Well, Michael, we all are. Keep up the good work and good luck in the international fashion world. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

The on-screen partner had been coy in confirming the status of their relationship. They, however, said they are now mature enough to comfortably discuss it.

“I think we’re just really happy where we are,” Gil said.

Gil and Soberano admitted that they are in a “relationship with no labels” in Yes! Magazine’s July 2017 issue.

Seafood Tofu Soup and Beef Bulgogi

Kaju Bibimbap

Kaju Soft Tofu in Buena Park offers fresh, authentic Korean comfort food perfect for the winter WITHIN the last few years, Korean food has become a hit in the United States, and it’s not very surprising to see why. It’s just so good. There is no other way to put it!

Given the rise of Korean food in the U.S., the options have exponentially expanded, giving food

lovers their choices of restaurants serving bulgogi (grilled beef), galbi (marinated short ribs) and bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and sauteed vegetables) to name a few Korean food staples.

So the question remains: where can I get the best, most authentic Korean food?

Well, if you’re in Northern Orange County, look no further than Kaju Soft Tofu in Buena Park, which serves up one of the tastiest and diverse menus of all Korean food establishments in the area.

Owned by the Park family, Kaju Soft Tofu reigns supreme when it comes to consistent flavors. The owners make it a point to serve up the freshest ingredients and have never deviated from their soft tofu soup recipe, which has been a staple in the business since first

opening up their Garden Grove location two decades ago.

The tofu soup — which is a wonderful option to fight the chilly weather — is offered in seven spicy levels (white, mild, medium, spicy, very spicy, very very spicy and triple spicy), ensuring that your soup is tailored to your preference.

Kaju also offers a wide range of tofu soups, including classics like galbi tofu soup, assorted tofu soup (clam, oyster, shrimp and beef)

and seafood tofu soup (clam, oyster and shrimp). Vegetarians may also indulge in Kaju’s flavorful tofu soups with the mushroom tofu soup (shiitake and enoki mushrooms), wild sesame seed tofu soup (mushrooms and ground pe-

Seafood Tofu Soup

Mushroom Tofu Soup and Spicy Pork Bulgogi

Galbi - BBQ Beef Short Ribs

Mushroom Bibimbap

rilla seed) and the vegetable tofu soup (carrots, corn, peas, green beans and enoki mushroom).

Each tofu dish is topped with green onions and served with fresh rice (or multigrain rice) and a perfect ratio of soup to tofu.

One of the standouts from Kaju, though, isn’t the delicious tofu soups. The beef short rib soup is a rich, full-bodied broth with glass noodles, vegetables and, of course, beef short ribs. Filipino customers familiar with sinigang will feel at home with Kaju’s beef short rib soup.

Per the Korean restaurant tradition, a variety of side dishes are served fresh, including cucumbers, bean sprouts, potatoes, anchovies and, of course, kimchi.

Kaju Soft Tofu doesn’t just specialize in terrific food, but also great customer service. The staff — many of which are members of the Park family! — are friendly, eager to help and ready to give suggestions. One thing is certain of your visit to Kaju Soft Tofu: you will be treated wonderfully.

Kaju Soft Tofu’s Buena Park location is available via delivery through GrubHub. Bring in this issue of the Asian Journal for a sweet discount on your next meal at Kaju!

Kaju Soft Tofu is located at 7232 Orangethorpe Ave. Buena Park, CA 90621 and they’re open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Garden Grove location is located at 8895 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92844 and it is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 17-20, 2018

COMMUNITY CREDIT CARD Journal

Child Status Protection Act expanded in recent court decision THE Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) will benefit even more children (and their parents) as the law’s protections were expanded by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals February 14, 2018 decision in Margarito Rodriguez Tovar v.

Jefferson Sessions. The decision overruled the Board of Immigration Appeals interpretation of the CSPA and holds that the age adjusting/protecting provisions of the CSPA applies to “immediate relative” children of naturalized U.S. Citizens.

The CSPA was passed by Congress in recognition of long visa processing times and backlogs and was designed to provide some protection against the problem of children “ageing-out” from visa eligibility upon their 21st birthday. A child-beneficiary who reaches the age of 21 will have their visa category converted and thus will face much longer waiting times. The CSPA provides a mechanism which allows certain children to remain children statutorily despite reaching the age of twenty-one.

Two provisions of the law were at issue in the Tovar case. First, the CSPA states that children who are the beneficiary of parental visa petitions whose parents naturalize before the child reaches 21 will have their age locked in as of the date of naturalization thereby forever (barring other issues) preserving eligibility for a visa in the immediate relative visa category where there is no backlog for visas. Second, a separate provision of the CSPA provides that a child beneficiary’s age can be reduced by the amount the amount of time a visa petition was pending to determine their CSPA adjusted age for purposes of visa eligibility. The BIA had long held that the first provision only applied where the child’s biological age on the date of parental naturalization was under 21.

For years the BIA’s interpretation created a disincentive to naturalization for parents who had filed petitions for minor children

Your Immigration Solution Ben Loveman and nancy miLLer in the F2A visa category (children of permanent residents) who reached the age of 21 while waiting for a visa to become available or to finish processing their case. Even worse than creating a disincentive is the fact that the BIA’s interpretation created a landmine and severe penalty for unsuspecting persons who naturalized without being advised of the consequences. For these people, they would naturalize only to turn around and find out that the joy of becoming a U.S. citizen would cost them years of separation from their children as the BIA’s interpretation only allowed for the visa to convert from the F2A category to the F1 category (unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens). The F1 category has wait times of ten or more years depending on country of birth and thus the naturalization would lead to years of familial separation.

The Ninth Circuit decision in Tovar removes this landmine by allowing the age-reducing formula of the CSPA to applied to the age of the child-beneficiary on the date the parent naturalizes. If the resulting calculation results in a CSPA adjusted age under 21 then the child will eligible for the visa in the immediate relative visa category and years of familial separation can be avoided. The Ninth Circuit found that the BIA’s interpretation, and the penalty it has long imposed, could not stand as it has led to absurd results and was not in accord with the clear intent of the CSPA. The Tovar decision, if fully implemented, will serve to protect families from needless unwarranted separation and will serve

to allow the intent of the CSPA to be more fully realized. Families who were previously told that they must wait years because of the petitioner’s naturalization may now seek a visa as an immediate relative if eligibility can be established under Tovar. However, questions remain about whether or how the decision will be implemented. The decision could still be appealed by the government to the Supreme Court. Such an appeal would likely result in delayed or uneven implementation of the Tovar holding. Further, even if there is no appeal, it is possible the government would only apply the Tovar holding within the geographical jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In that case, the BIA’s holding would apply in the rest of the country. In any event, The decision in Tovar is a positive step and those wishing to benefit form that decision should not necessarily wait until all uncertainty is removed from the situation.

If you or a loved one may be impacted by the expanded CSPA protections of the Tovar decision it is recommended that you speak with a reputable and experienced immigration attorney to determine the best options for your situation.

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*** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon When your financial circumstances are forcing you to declare bankruptcy, bankruptcy can be one way of dealing with debts that you can no longer manage on your own. Of course, the decision should not be taken lightly and it is best to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to see if it is best for your situation.

The truth is that filing bankruptcy is no longer the taboo that it used to be when people were less informed about the legal process. Now with information readily available on the internet, people are able to educate themselves much faster and can do their own “research” to get some general ideas about bankruptcy before they even see an attorney.

Tax Tips victoR sy, cPA, mBA

HOW did I get selected for an audit?

• Random selection and computer screening – how your return compares to norms.

• Related party examinations transactions with partners, investors, or audits of other entities.

How will IRS notify me of audit?

• IRS will notify you by mail.

• They do not start any audit by telephone. They never do.

How will the IRS conduct my audit?

• By mail or in-person interview.

• Interview may be at an IRS office (office audit) or at your home or place of business (field audit).

• The best place for you: your accountant’s office.

What should I provide?

• The IRS will provide you with an Information Document Request (IDR) – a list of needed records.

• Work systematically to locate documents requested. Don’t be disorganized.

• Check off your list as you locate each document.

• Clean up your dining table and sort documents by groups. Label

Community Journal

Bankruptcy: Making the law work to your benefit In our current economy, I’m sure you know someone in your family or perhaps at work who had no choice but to file bankruptcy in order to save their home, reorganize their finances or simply to wipe out their debts and start all over again.

Did you know that every year, more than 1.5 million people in the United States file bankruptcy in order to take advantage of the fresh financial start that the law provides to those who are eligible for relief? Contrary to what creditors may lead you to believe, these are honest, hard-working every day people just like you who simply got buried in debt with no other way out.

Bankruptcy is never a fun thing to do or just an easy way out for people who simply want to run away from their obligations. The fact is that most people want to do the right thing

and pay their creditors but their situation has gotten so bad that without bankruptcy, they would simply be trapped in debt forever. Thus, with no means to pay their debt, it may be their only chance of ever recovering financially.

Can you just imagine what would happen if someone was hopelessly buried in debt with no way out and creditors were just breathing down on this person’s neck every single day? If he works, creditors can garnish his wages. If he puts what little money he has in the bank, creditors can levy his bank accounts. If he decides to purchase a home, they can put a lien on the home. He can’t even answer his phone and is always afraid to open his mailbox. Every time someone knocks on the door, he cringes in fear thinking that he’s being served a lawsuit.

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs I heard this beautiful story last week from a group of Lebanese Maronite Catholics during my visit to St. Maron’s Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery.

Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”

“Nonsense” said the first.

“There is no life after delivery.

What kind of life would that be?”

Barrister’s Corner

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Q&A: What to expect during an IRS audit and “Post It” notes with bold pen.

What if I can’t respond right away?

• Contact the auditor assigned to your audit to request an extension.

• For audits by mail - fax your written request to the number shown on the IRS letter you received.

• If you don’t have a fax, mail your request to the address shown on the IRS letter.

• IRS routinely grants you a onetime automatic 30-day extension.

Use it only if necessary.

• Caution: There is no extension for “Notice of Deficiency.”

• You have to petition the U.S. Tax Court within 90 days.

• Caution: 90 days refer to date of receipt, not date of mailing.

How long will the audit take?

• It depends on type of audit, • Complexity of the issues, • Availability of information requested, • Your agreement or disagreement with audit results.

What results do I expect?

• No change: No bill, no pay, you win.

• Agreed: You agree with the changes and pay or apply for installment plan.

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• Disagreed: You disagree with the changes. Go to appeals.

What happens if I agree with audit findings?

• Sign the examination report, pay, and end your misery.

What happens if I disagree with the audit findings?

• Request a conference with an IRS manager (almost never works).

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

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Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes For most people, being served with divorce papers by your spouse is probably one of the biggest surprises in your life. The spouse in the receiving end of the divorce sometimes are not offered any explanation for the divorce petition by their spouse. You may start getting upset about how this can happen to you and start doing things that are going to be seriously detrimental to your divorce case later on in the proceeding. Here are seven things you should not do.

1. Do not confront your spouse and commit domestic violence Many spouse feel very angry and upset upon receiving the divorce papers. You may start blaming your spouse and attacking your spouse. You may even yell, threaten, scream, or even physically assault your spouse.

This type of confrontation is called “domestic violence.” You may be arrested criminally if your spouse calls law enforcement. Your spouse may also file a domestic violence restraining order against you. Either one would compromise your ability to seek custody of your children, child support, and spousal support. It would also affect your credibility as a witness for future

On listening in silence to God’s voice The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.”

The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible.

And eating with our mouths?

Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.” The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”

The first replied, “Nonsense.

And moreover if there is life, then why has no one ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion.

It takes us nowhere.” “Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.”

The first replied “Mother?

You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?”

The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her this world would not and could

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Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign? proceedings. In addition if you do this in front of the children, this may be looked at as domestic violence and abuse against the children. The incident may be reported to Child Protective Services for investigation.

2. Do not run to the bank and empty out all your bank accounts or sell assets except for funds necessary retain legal representation in the divorce.

If you have assets, do not run and empty out your bank accounts with the goal of securing it from your spouse. The divorce petition and summons includes certain automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROS) which prohibits transferring and encumbering assets. You will be in violation of the ATROS if you do this. Your spouse may also make a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against you. However there are certain exceptions to withdrawing funds such as funds necessary for your living expenses and funds you need to retain an attorney.

3. Do not cut off your spouse from any insurance policies One of the ATROS prohibits you from removing your spouse from health insurance coverage and other insurance policy. It would be a violation of ATROS to do so. You need to maintain your spouse on all existing insurance until the divorce is finalized or the status of marriage is dissolved in a bifurcated trial.

4. Do not take off with your child and move out of state or out of the country If the child has been living in this state, California Court has jurisdiction over your child even if you leave California after being served the divorce. Your spouse can get an order from the California court to return the child to California and get sole physical custody of your child.

This can be enforced through law enforcement in other states.

In addition, this would also be an ATROS violation. Such a move would seriously undermine your claim for custody of the children.

5. Do not use your child as a messenger to communicate with your spouse Divorce process is a very difficult process for the children.

Children often blame themselves for the divorce of their parents. Children sometimes manifest this through their academic performance during the divorce process. Do not involve the children in your divorce case. Using the children to communicate messages to your spouse puts them in a difficult and very stressful situation.

This will also affect your claim for custody of your children if you regularly involve your children in your attempt to communicate with your spouse. In addition, you should not say

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Community Journal

Reporting undocumented workers to ICE by employer’s representative is unlawful In 1995, José Arias, an undocumented immigrant, began work as a milker for Angelo Dairy. Two years later, Arias wanted to accept a job offer with another dairy company.

The employer threatened Arias that if he left to work at the other dairy, the employer would report the other dairy to federal immigration authorities as an employer of undocumented workers. Arias stayed.

In 2006, Arias sued Angelo Dairy in California state court in a class action for failing to provide overtime pay and rest and meal periods. Before the state court trial in 2011, the employer’s attorney, Anthony Raimondo, contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) to take Arias into custody at a scheduled deposition and then to deport him. (Apparently, Raimondo had a pattern and practice of contacting ICE when his employer clients were sued by undocumented employees so that ICE could deport these employees.)

Arias came to know of these plans. Fearing that he would be deported and separated from his family, Arias suffered anxiety and emotional distress.

One month before trial, Arias entered into a settlement with the employer due in large part to the threat of deportation.

Arias later sued his former employers and their attorney (Raimondo), in federal court for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) when they retaliated against him.

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

The client is 65. He operates a service-oriented business with three outlets in strip malls. He has been in business for eight years.

Of the three outlets, two are losing money, while the third has some profit that subsidizes the loss of the first two, and provides the client with some disposable income that is barely enough to cover his monthly living expenses. The gross receipts from one outlet total to about $10,000 a month. Forty percent goes to rent, 50 percent goes to labor, so what else is left? The gross receipts from the second outlet are $4,000 a month, barely enough to cover rent. The third outlet, which turns a profit, keeps the client from becoming a homeless person and puts food on the table.

So, it’s not a great business but allows the client to survive.

He has no retirement accounts, no 401K or pension, and is expecting minimum social security when he turns 66 next year.

In other words, the client still needs to keep the business going beyond retirement, just so he can live a decent life in a rented home. He doesn’t even own a house.

The problem with client’s business is that a service is performed by individuals who are not technically speaking, employees. When the service is rendered, the client takes a cut from the receipt and gives the rest to the individual who performed the service. Let’s just say that these individuals are more independent contractors than employees. Business owners, if they can get away with it, prefer the independent contractor to the employee. Independent contractors are paid on a per customer basis. If a customer walks in and the service is performed, the client just gives the independent contractor his share of the payment for services rendered. If there is no customer, there is no salary to pay. In addition, there is no overtime pay to worry about.

For instance, trucking companies prefer to have their drivers buy their own trucks so they can classify them as independent contractors. As independent contractors, drivers do not qualify for employee benefits and do not get paid a salary. Instead, they get a check for each delivery they make. At the end of the month, they probably get about $10,000.

From that amount, they deduct their operating expenses. What-

Aside from federal law, California also makes it unlawful Protecting for an employer to engage in Employee unfair immigration-related practices against any employ& Consumer ee in order to retaliate against Rights the employee’s exercise of a protected right. “Unfair imAtty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. migration-related practice” means any conduct undertakAngelo Dairy and its owners en for the retaliatory reasons eventually settled with Arias and such as threatening to file or were dismissed from the case. filing a false police report, or Raimondo also asked the court threatening to contact or conthat he be dismissed because he tacting immigration authorishould not be liable for retalia- ties, among others.

California specifically protion against someone who was never his employee. The trial hibits employers’ attorneys court agreed with Raimondo from reporting or threatening and dismissed the case against to report suspected immigration status of employees him. Arias appealed.

The Court of Appeal had to or their witnesses (or famianswer this question: Can an ly members) simply because employer’s attorney be held li- these persons exercised their able for retaliating against his employment rights. client’s employee because the *** employee sued his client for violations of workplace laws?

Under the FLSA, it is unlaw- The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, ful for any person to discharge Jr. welcomes inquiries about this or discriminate against any em- topic. All inquiries are confidential ployee because such employee and at no-cost. You can contact the has filed any complaint related office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. to their labor rights. The FLSA joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page also defines “employer” to in- Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. clude “any person acting direct- is an experienced trial attorney who ly or indirectly in the interest of has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands an employer.”

The appellate court conclud- of employees and consumers. He ed that the FLSA’s anti-retali- was named Top Labor & Employment ation provision applies to “any Attorney in California by the Daily person,” which would include Journal, consistently selected as a “legal representative.” There- Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles fore, the attorney, Raimondo, Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s may become liable for econom- Community Champion Award for 2016.] ic damages in this retaliation claim.

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Business owner files Chapter 7 due to $1-M labor lawsuits

ever is left is their net profit for that month. Are truck drivers employees of the trucking company or are they independent contractors? The same thing can be said for Uber drivers. They own their cars. But Uber gets them the passengers and cuts them a check for each ride. I have clients who make $2,000 a month gross with Uber by driving part-time. Some make $4,000 a month gross. Are drivers employees of Uber or are they independent contractors?

The IRS uses the “control” test. If the business owner has control over most of the time of the individual, that individual is deemed an employee, not an independent contractor. Going back to the client, he has four individuals who perform the advertised service for client’s business.

He takes a cut from the gross receipt, then, gives the balance to the individual. There are no set “work” times (9 to 5). If a customer comes in at 9:30 p.m., the individual performs the service for the customer and then client and individual split the gross receipt for services rendered. The client has operated his business using this method for eight years.

Certainly, he considers the individuals independent contractors, and for eight years, the individuals appear to agree. But recently, all four individuals filed four separate state court lawsuits for overtime and back pay with each claiming $250,000 of unpaid overtime and back pay!! That’s $1 million of overtime of back pay. Where will the client get $1 million? If he had that money, he would probably just close his business and retire somewhere in the world where no one knows him and where he can live like a king. Maybe in the Caribbean or some remote island country where there’s plenty of sunshine every day, and live the rest of his life in peace. Last he checked, he only had $1,000 in his business checking account. He’s just short $999,000.

The client opts for Chapter 7 for a fresh start to discharge the $1-M in lawsuits. But can bankruptcy wipe out claims for unpaid overtime and back pay? It sure can. They are not exempted from discharge; therefore, they are dischargeable. Even if plaintiffs attempt to prove that these claims are not dischargeable under say, “intent to cause damage” or “fraud,” the client would prevail because client’s intent was to enter into a business contract with these individuals and

these individuals voluntarily and freely agreed to this business relationship between client and them. The client did not put a gun on their heads to force them to perform the service. It’s clearly a business relationship that worked for both client and plaintiffs for eight years.

Seniors with $48K in credit card debt The next client is 68 with equity in his residence of $150K but owes $48K of credit card debt.

He started getting social security payments of $1,800. His wife gets social security of $1,200. After the house payment of $1,500 and necessary expenses, there is no money left to pay minimum credit card debt of $1,400 monthly. This is a no-brainer. The client and wife opt for a fresh start as seniors to discharge $48,000 of credit card debt, which they carried for 20 years. They only paid $312,000 of interest for 20 years and they still owe the same $48,000. If they did a Chapter 7 even 10 years ago, they still would have saved $156,000 of interest! Since the client is 68, his equity exemption is $175,000.

That is more than enough to cover his equity of $150,000, so there’s no problem with his house. He keeps everything he owns but got rid of $48,000 of credit card debt. It’s a great deal and gives them a fresh start in their retirement, and in another three years, their credit score will be over 620. In five years, it will be 690. In seven years, 720. In 10 years, there is no record of their Chapter 7 petition filing. ***

Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader.

There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

(Advertising Supplement)

On listening in silence to God’s ...

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not exist.”

Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.” To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.”

May our celebrations of Lent,

Holy Week, and Easter allow you to listen to the voice of God! May you hear his voice in the sacredness and solemnity of the liturgies and in the Person of Jesus Christ, His Son, Our Lord and Savior!

in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, *** Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 From a Filipino immigrant family, Rever- years. His term as Associate Director end Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary Seminary began in July 2014.

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 17-20, 2018

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Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases Under Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited an injured person’s right to recover for past medical expenses.

In light of the Howell decision, it is even more important for a person who suffered injury to develop his/her claim for other economic damages.

The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.”

Civil Code Section 1431.2(b) (1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by inexperienced counsel.

Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/ she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/ she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven?

Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider.

After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting

documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns.

The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings.

If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Bankruptcy: Making the law work to...

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If you were in this situation, you would almost feel like a criminal with no chance of ever rebuilding your life and learning from your mistakes. So a long time ago, Congress decided that there had to be away for people in this situation to be able to get back on their feet financially when no other options exist. So, that’s how the bankruptcy laws started, you see.

Of course, they’ve evolved over the years to keep up with the changing times but the concept remains the same: The honest debtor who got in too deep in debt is given a fresh financial start free from the burden of debt so he can be a free

person again! Wow! Thank God we have laws like that in this country. What a blessing, don’t you agree?

Again, bankruptcy is NOT for everyone and people who can pay their bills should do so.

But if you’ve tried everything and your best is just not good enough, remember that you may be eligible for relief under our bankruptcy laws. It may not seem like it but the legal process does work and it can work for you if you want it to!

Starting over after bankruptcy is not going to be a walk in the park, but it’s also not as bad as most people think. Never lose hope! Rebuilding your credit and your life will take some ef-

fort and strategy on your part but it is not impossible. You can turn bankruptcy to your advantage and regain control of your life.

For a free consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos, and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

(Advertising Supplement)

C4 MARCH 17-20, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse ...

PAGE C2 t disparaging remarks about the other parent to your children.

6. Do not stalk your spouse in social medias such as Facebook or Twitter.

Your spouse probably stopped informing you as to what is going on in his/her life at this point. You may be curious if your spouse hooked up with a third party or an old flamer.

You may be curious what your spouse are telling your friends and family. Do not stalk your spouse in social media such as facebook. Do not hack into your spouse’s e-mail. This is a crime. Your spouse can also file a domestic violence restraining order against you for stalking.

Most of the evidence obtained illegally is not admissible in court anyways. If you have been unfriended by your spouse, let it be.

7. Do not quit your job voluntarily If you think you can dodge child support and spousal sup-

port by quitting your job voluntarily, it is not going to happen. Your spouse’s lawyer will argue that there was no legitimate reason for you to leave your employment and may seek the court to impute income on you. Your spouse may seek vocational evaluation for purposes of determining your earning capacity. In addition, the amount of income you will lose by quitting is substantially more than the money you will owe in child or spousal support. Even if you are successful in dodging the support orders by quitting your job, your spouse can modify them back up the moment you go back to the work force.

If you have been served with divorce papers and are unsure how to react, seek professional help before you dig yourself deeper in the hole. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as

Calendar of Events across

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.

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

People and Events

Health insurance is more than an insurance card: Tips for using your coverage

*** 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 has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS MARCH 19

Glenn Miller Orchestra to perform in Stevenson Ranch, CA The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing into the Santa Clarita Valley for a special one-night only event to be held at West Ranch High School (26255 Valencia Blvd. Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381) on Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. The most sought-after big band in the world will take the stage with bandleader Nick Hilscher at the helm, performing beloved hits from their extensive library, which includes “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000.” Hosted by West Ranch High School’s music program, the concert will be an event for all ages and offers the chance to experience history, enjoy the magical melodies and walk away knowing you’re supporting a new generation of talented musicians in the processes. Tickets are $25 for seniors/students, $30 for general, and $35 for VIP. Prices increase by $5 at the door the day of the event. Tickets are available online at westranchmusic. com, by phone at (661) 222-1220 ext. 645, or at one of the locations: Nick Rail Music - 25868 McBean Pkwy., Valencia, CA, (661) 288-2345; Nationwide Insurance, 23236 Lyons Ave. #205, Newhall, CA, (661) 254-1714; Innovations Salon - 25830 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA. (661) 255-5580; or Bella Cucina - 27911 Seco Canyon Rd. in Saugus, (661) 263-1414.

M A R C H 29

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be a FREE immigration forum on Thursday, February 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. Attendees will be able to get information on the following topics: How to find H-1B/green card sponsoring companies, tips for a successful H-1B interview, job placement assistance for qualified applicants with start-ups in Orange County, and a list of top 100 H1-B employers in the OC. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families. Refreshments will be provided to all attendees. For more information about Global Law Centers, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.

APRIL 14

SALIDA: Simbolo at Kultura in Queens, NY AFTA presents its latest fundraising event - “SALIDA: Simbolo at Kultura” – a cultural dinner show featuring the internationally recognized dance troupe from the Philippines, the Leyte Dance Theater, which will kick off their USA TOUR 2018 in NYC. The event is on April 14, 2018, 3:00 pm at the Rock Church in Woodside, Queens. “Salida” aims to raise funds and awareness to support the flagship projects of the Association of Fil-am Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA) with their partners: The Rock Churches Worldwide and the Leyte Biliran & Samar Federation. Proceeds of this fundraiser will finance AFTA’s projects in the Philippines like Adopt a School (Marawi City, Biliran and Albay, Adopt a Scholar, and Balikturo). For Sponsorship opportunities, contact Roxanne at 347-932-6631 or Nitz at 862-368-1706 or any AFTA officer/board member.

Philippine Medical Association of Southern CA to hold inaugural ball in Anaheim, CA The Philippine Medical Association of Southern California (PMASC) and its auxiliary will be holding its biennial inaugural ball on Saturday, April 14 at the Anaheim Marriott (700 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA). This grand occasion will be attended by several Filipino physicians and its guests to raise funds for humanitarian purposes, specifically its outreach programs including medical missions to the Philippines and Southern California. The association has been conducting such purposes for 46 years since its founding in 1971. For more information and tickets, please contact Dr. Emma Arella at (661) 794-3322, Dr. Ellen Abejuela at (909) 859-4865 or PMASC Executive Office at (562) 572-2481.

APRIL 14

East West Players’ 52nd Visionary Awards & Silent Auction in Los Angeles East West Players celebrates its 52nd Anniversary at the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. The Visionary Awards laud the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft. Proceeds from the gala will benefit East West Players’ educational and artistic programs. It will be held at the Hilton Universal City (555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608) on Monday, April 30. At 5:30 p.m., VIP Reception*, silent auction, and registration begin. Dinner and awards show begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/east-west-players-52nd-anniversary-visionary-awards-dinner-and-silent-auction/.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

You enrolled in health insurance through Covered California, and now you have a pathway to receiving the health care you need and deserve.

So what comes next?

“Health coverage means more than just having an insurance card from the carrier you’ve chosen,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “It means you can get real care, at the right time and at an affordable price. We want people to use it.”

Here are a few things to know: • After you enroll and pay your first premium, your health insurance company will send you a welcome packet with important information about your coverage and a member ID card.

• If you have not chosen a primary care physician within the first 60 days of coverage, one will be chosen for you to get you started on the path to wellness.

Contact your health insurance company to find an in-network provider. It will cost you less than a provider not in your network would.

• Make an appointment to see your doctor and bring your mem-

ber ID card with you.

• Your health plan includes free preventive services for you and your family, helping you detect and prevent small problems before they become big health risks. Free services include blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, tests for common diseases like Type 2 diabetes, mammograms and cervical cancer screenings, and breastfeeding support and equipment. For children, vision and hearing screenings and common vaccinations.

• There may be additional costs for some services. At doctor’s visits, you could be responsible for a copay. This is your share of the costs for the care. Contact your health plan to learn more.

“Because of the Affordable Care Act, and through Covered California, health care is no longer a privilege but a right,” Lee said. “And the time to use your coverage is now.”

For more information about your health coverage and how to use it, please go to https://www. coveredca.com/members/usingyour-plan/.

Open enrollment ended recently with 423,484 plan selections, which represents a 3 percent in-

crease over last year. Since 2014, more than 3.4 million people have purchased health insurance through Covered California, and nearly 4 million have enrolled in the state’s Medi-Cal program.

Together, the gains have cut the rate of the uninsured in California from 17 percent in 2013 to a historic low of 6.8 percent as of June 2017.

Although open enrollment for coverage in 2018 has ended, you or someone you know may still qualify to enroll in a quality, affordable health plan through Covered California if you’ve experienced a qualifying life event.

Qualifying events include losing your Medi-Cal coverage or losing your employer-sponsored coverage, exhausting your COBRA coverage, turning 26 years old and no longer being eligible for a parent’s plan, moving to or within California, or having a baby or adopting a child. For other qualifying events, visit: https://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/special-enrollment/qualifying-life-events/.

Medi-Cal enrollment is yearround, so you’re encouraged to shop any time.

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 17-20, 2018

People and Events

UERMMMC ’78 celebrates 40th reunion University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC) ’78 celebrated the ruby 40th reunion in Punta Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo, Philippines. The core group planning committee that made this happen are Dr. Jesus M. Tamesis Jr., Dr. Socorro Cruz Yanez Head Department of Pathology UERMMMC, Dr. Rose Tongson Pang, Dr. Nini Torralba De Guzman, Dr. Susan Pelea Nagtalon, dean of St Lukes College of Medicine, Dr. Lilet Cid, Dr. Cecille Corder Evangelista, Dr. Josie Cadorna Carlos, Dr. Marvin Basco, Dr. Dulce Reyes Sahagun,

Dr. Eric Nagtalon, and Dr. Joel Melocoton Abanilla, director of Philippine Heart Center. Classmates from the Philippines, U.S., Australia, and Hong Kong attended this event. The reunion from Feb. 9-12 included a tour of historic Iloilo City, the famous churches, historic ancestral home Balay na Bato, pasalubong from the famous Panaderia de Molo and Panaderia de Iloilo, taste of “batchoy”, the cultural presentation of the Dinangyang and visit to Guimaras Island. It was an event to remember that will last in the memories of batch ’78. Mabuhay batch ’78! (Pictures courtesy of Dr. Teresita Lu Melocoton)

The group in front of the Medical City Iloilo.

UERMMMC ’78 at Punta Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo with the Dinagyang Festival 2018 winners

Batch ’78 at the St. Joaquin Parish Church in San Joaquin, Iloilo. The chuch was completed in 1869. Well-known for its pediment featuring a military battle, the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tetouan, the church was declared a national treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.

Batch ’78 inside the church

Batch ’78 at Punta Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo

Follow us on

All 78 classmates forming the batch number

UERMMMC ’78 gala at Fairmont Hotel in Makati

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C6 MARCH 17-20, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

& The April 2018 Priority Dates

Immigration Corner

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

First Preference

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

October 1, 2007

January 1, 2006

September 22, 2017

May 1, 2016

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

September 1, 2007

November 1, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

June 15, 1995

March 22, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

March 1, 1995

December 15, 1994

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

January 1, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

January 1, 2017

*** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a

prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Remittances surged to $2.7-B in January

by DAXIM

L. LUCAS

to an increase in funds sent home Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas by both short- and long-term Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. DOLLAR remittances from ex- workers based on land and at said hard currency sent home patriate Filipinos rose sharply in sea, the central bank said on by these workers reached $2.7 the first month of the year, thanks Thursday, March 15.

PAGE D2 Inquirer.net

Business Quote of the Week “Doing a mall is not only construction of the physical place: what is important is the merchandising mix. We strive to serve the convenience of the public. We want shopping at our malls to be a unique and an enjoyable experience.”

- Henry Sy Sr., founder of SM Group

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 17-20, 2018

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Marketplace

D MARCH 17-20, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Payoneer picks PH as Southeast Asia hub China aims to be top Philippine goods importer by iRis

gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA — Payoneer, a New York-based cross-border payments company for digital services, platforms and small and medium businesses, has identified the Philippines as its regional hub in Southeast Asia amid the country’s growing economic fundamentals.

Payoneer CEO Scott Galit, who is in the country for a visit, expressed confidence in the continued growth of the business here and the rest of the region.

“Growth in the region has been a significant contribution to

Payoneer’s global business, along with its impact on the growth of freelance and outsourcing industries,” Galit said.

Payoneer connects businesses, professionals, countries and currencies with its cross-border payments platform. It enables businesses and professionals from more than 200 countries to reach new audiences by facilitating seamless, cross-border payments.

Services are fast, flexible and secure, allowing businesses and professionals in both developed and emerging markets to pay and get paid globally as easily as they do locally.

Among the leading corpora-

tions that use Payoneer’s platforms are Amazon, Google, Airbnb, UpWork and Getty Images.

Since its 2016 launch, Payoneer Philippines has seen a 472 percent surge in the number of active monthly users, leading to a record 483 percent growth in monthly core payment volume and 663 percent year-on-year billing service payment volume growth.

Payoneer regional head Miguel Warren said the steady global rise of the freelance economy fuels Payoneer’s phenomenal growth.

He said the company’s expansion has empowered small businesses.

stephen C. Canivel Inquirer.net

HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (Hari), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, saw a slight decline in total sales in February due to lower sales of its light commercial cars.

According to Hari data, the Hari sold 2,649 units in February this year, sliding 0.2 percent from the 2,653 unit sales it reported in the same month in 2017.

This was dragged down by a 5-percent year-on-year decline in sales of light commercial vehicles for the month of February, offsetting the 2-percent growth in the sale of passenger cars.

PAGE D1

For the first two months, however, the company reported a 1.5-percent sales growth to 5,552 units from 5,470 units in the same period of 2017.

“February gives us a consistent start in 2018. This only shows the trust and commitment our customers have to our high-quality, best-in-class, and customer-focused products and services,” Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Hari president and CEO, said in a statement.

This marks the first two months of implementation of the new excise tax rates under the TRAIN law.

The TRAIN law, the first of a series of tax packages under the Duterte administration, low-

MeRCuRio Philstar.com

MANILA — China is seeking to dislodge Japan as the top importer of Philippine products as the relationship between Beijing and Manila continues to warm up.

China emerged as the country’s top trading partner in 2017, the first full year of the Duterte administration, with total bilateral trade valued at $23.82 billion, an increase from $21.9 billion in 2016.

The balance of trade between the two countries, however, still heavily favors China since the Philippines imports more products from the world’s second largest economy.

China was the country’s fourth biggest export market and its top import source last year.

“China is proud to be number ered the personal income tax of millions of Filipinos while rais- one trade partner of the Philiping consumption taxes, including pines. But the fact is, the Philippines still suffers a deficit,” Chinese the excise tax rates for cars.

The car industry expects flat Ambassador to the Philippines growth this year, partly because consumers had most likely already bought their cars last year ahead of the implementation of the higher excise tax rates.

The passenger car segment is still the main driver of company

by Miguel R. CaMus sales, accounting for almost threeInquirer.net fourths of the total units sold, or INTERNATIONAL think tank 4,002 units year-to-date. This, DQ Institute has revealed the initial however, is 4 percent lower than the 4,157 units in the first two results of a new study that showed young Filipinos scoring below the months of 2017.

Light commercial vehicles sold global average in terms of discipline 18 percent more in January and in using the internet.

The 2018 DQ World study meaFebruary. sures the so-called digital quotient of the youth, defined as those aged 8 to 12 years old. The initial results were presented last month to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to DQ partner Globe Telecom.

The study is meant to benchmark the “digital intelligence” of a given country. DQ gave the Philippines a screen time management score of 96. The global average stood at 100.

A score between 100 and 115 meant that children were more responsible while a score below 85 signaled high exposure to cyber risks and “unhealthy habits of digital usage.”

The objective was to score above 115 “which means children can Dollar remittances from expatriate Filipinos rose sharply in the first month of the year, thanks to be considered as relatively discian increase in funds sent home by both short- plined users of digital media and and long-term workers based on land and at sea, technology.”

“Since the Filipino students’ the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Thursday, March 15.

Inquirer.net photo screen time management is lower tances because banks attribute than average, it is recommended the origin of funds to the most that students learn about safe digital use before they own any mobile immediate source.

Hyundai vehicle sales down in February

by Roy

by RiChMond

Zhao Jianhua said on Thursday, March 15.

With the improving political and economic relationship between the two countries, Zhao said China has the potential to be number one importer of Philippine products.

“I am confident that sooner or later, China will be the number one importer of Philippine products,” he said.

Last year, China was the fourth largest importer of Philippine products behind Japan, U.S. and Hong Kong. Japan was also the top importer of Philippine products in 2016.

The top products which China imported from the country last year included storage units ($1.26 billion), digital monolithic integrated circuits ($1.12 billion), nickel ores and concentrates ($494.35 million), semiconductor devices ($329.74 million), and coal ($296.14 million).

“China is going to further open up our market and economy and

we will go to prosper with all our trading partners, including the Philippines,” Zhao said.

With Philippine exports to China increasing by 9.73 percent last year, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is optimistic the trend would continue in the coming years.

“We have the orders from them.

It is now up to us to supply,” he said.

Lopez said among the products the country is eyeing to export more to China include fresh agriculture produce as well as processed marine and agriculture products.

By the end of the Duterte administration, Lopez said the Philippines hopes to balance trade with China, which President Xi Jinping earlier called for.

“Achieving that balance may take time. But assuming continued good and cooperative stance, maybe three to four years, hopefully within the term of President Duterte,” he said.

Internet-savvy? Filipino youth more at risk to pitfalls of digital media

Remittances surged to $2.7-B...

billion in January, representing a 10.8-percent jump from a year ago.

Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of a year or more totaled $2.1 billion, higher by 8.4 percent than the level recorded in January 2017. Meanwhile, those from sea- and land-based workers with work contracts of less than a year rose by 15.3 percent to $500 million.

Cash remittances from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks rose to $2.4 billion in January, representing a 9.7 percent year-on-year growth.

Remittances from both landbased ($1.9 billion) and sea-based ($500 million) workers increased by 8.4 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively.

By country source, the bulk of

cash remittances came from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar, Canada, Kuwait and Germany.

The combined remittances from these countries accounted for more than 80 percent of total cash remittances.

U.S., Canada, Singapore, and UAE were the major contributors to the growth in cash remittances for the month. Remittances from the U.S. grew by 14.3 percent, contributing 4.6 percentage points to the 9.7-percent overall growth.

The data is imperfect, however, since a common practice of remittance centers in various cities abroad is to course remittances through correspondent banks, most of which are located in the U.S., which thus shows up to be the main source of remit-

A study revealed that an average Filipino child spent 34 hours per week (4.85 hours per day) in front of digital screens for entertainment—about two hours more than the global average.

Inquirer.net photo

device or actively engage in digital media,” Globe said in a statement.

DQ also had a slew of Philippines-specific data highlighting online risks faced by the country’s youth.

It noted the average Filipino child spent 34 hours per week (4.85 hours per day) in front of digital screens for entertainment— about two hours more than the global average.

Over 53 percent of the country’s youth access the internet through mobile phones, in line with the globe average. Another 41 percent access the internet through their family computers.

In a separate study in 2017, DQ noted 73 percent of young Filipinos were exposed to at least one cyber

risk, the most prevalent of which was cyber bullying (61 percent) followed by online sexual behavior (29 percent). Other risks included meeting online strangers and video game addiction.

The Philippines was behind Oman (78 percent) in terms of cyber risks but ahead of Argentina (73 percent), Egypt and Indonesia (71 percent) and Vietnam (68 percent).

Japan’s youth were the least at-risk with a score of 16 percent.

Apart from screen time management, DQ’s study covered other factors, including digital citizen identity, privacy management, critical thinking, digital footprints, digital empathy, cyber security management and cyber bullying management.

Marketplace

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EVA to launch daily TaipeiChiang Mai flights on July 1

One-stop connections make travel to Northern Thai City easy TAIPEI, TAIWAN – EVA Air will launch daily nonstop flights between Taipei and Chiang Mai, starting on 1 July, 2018. The airline will serve the route with an Airbus A321-200 configured in Business and Economy Classes for 184 passengers. The new route will give passengers on EVA’s 82 weekly flights from North America more convenient access to the largest city in Northern Thailand via easy, one-stop connections through Taipei.

With its rich history, cultural attractions and laid-back atmosphere, Chiang Mai was selected as one of the 25 Best Destinations in the world by TripAdvisor and listed in the Top 10 Best Cities worldwide by Travel + Leisure.

UNESCO recently designated Chiang Mai as a Creative City for its crafts and folk art. And its abundant natural resources, Route Taipei-Chiang Mai Chiang Mai-Taipei

from the lush green countryside, and mountain ranges to primitive rainforests and majestic waterfalls, lure tourists to discover its beauty as they hike, bird watch and make new friends at an elephant sanctuary.

EVA’s new Taipei-Chiang Mai route makes travel from North America to Northern Thailand easier than ever. Chiang Mai arrival time is early enough in the day for passengers to enjoy some sightseeing. Return flights to Taipei are scheduled so that passengers can make one-stop connections to all of the major cities EVA serves in North America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and New York.

Travelers can learn more about all of EVA’s routes and services and book travel at www.evaair. com.

Flight No.

Frequency

EVA Air, a Star Alliance member and one of 10 SKYTRAX-rated 5-Star Airlines worldwide, was established in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. It is part of the respected Evergreen Group and a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 70 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to more than 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America where gateways are Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. With just one easy stop in Taipei, travelers can connect onward to every major city in Asia, including 17 destinations in China. Travelers can learn more about EVA and book, buy and reserve seats at www. evaair.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Departure

Arrival

BR257

1.2.3.4.5.6.7

07:25

10:25

BR258

1.2.3.4.5.6.7

11:30

16:45

Henry Sy spending P11-B to expand banking units

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA — The family of retail magnate Henry Sy is spending P11 billion to finance the expansion of their banking empire.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the family’s investment holding arm SM Investments Corp. said the amount would finance the capital expenditures of BDO Unibank Inc. and China Banking Corp.

The bulk of the budget or P9.2 billion will go to BDO, while P1.8 billion will be used by China Bank.

The amount accounts for about 17 percent of the P66.3 billion capex budget set by the SM Group for 2018.

Sy’s empire controls both BDO and China Bank. BDO is the country’s largest bank in terms of assets, capital, deposits and loans based on statistics by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

BDO’s net income went up by seven percent to a record P28.1 billion last year from P26.09 billion in 2016 on strong growth across all business segments.

It opened 76 branches last year, bringing its total footprint to 1,180 branches and 4,000 ATMs nationwide – the largest distribution network in the country. It also has 26 overseas remittance and representative offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

“For 2018, BDO believes that its focused growth strategy, robust business franchise and solid balance sheet and capital base place the bank well-positioned to

Sy’s empire controls both BDO and China Bank. BDO is the country’s largest bank in terms of assets, capital, deposits and loans based on statistics by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Philstar.com photo

tap opportunities in growth sectors benefiting from the country’s favorable demographics and the government’s infrastructure buildup,” BDO earlier said in a statement.

Alexander Escucha, senior vice president and head of investor and corporate relations group at China Bank, said the bank has allocated P1.8 billion for capital expenditures this year, mostly branch expansion and renovation, and technology initiative.

“China Bank’s capex for 2018 is in line with average capex budgets from 2014 to 2017 of P1.8 billion,” he said in a text message.

About 45 percent of the amount would fund technology projects and initiatives, while 38 percent would go to branch expansion and

renovation, he added.

China Bank, the country’s seventh largest lender, booked a 14.5 percent rise in profit to P7.4 billion last year from P6.4 billion in 2016 on the back of sustained growth in core and fee-based businesses.

China Bank, founded in 1920, has 596 branches to date, including the 160 branches of its retail bank arm China Bank Savings.

It is looking at raising up to P50 billion through a peso funding program covering a combination of long-term negotiable certificates of deposits (LTNCDs), retail bonds and commercial papers.

Aside from banking and financial services, Sy’s business interests also cover retail, property, mining and gaming, among others.

Pacquiao invests in cryptocurrency firm, is set to launch PAC Coin SENATOR Manny Pacquiao is venturing into cryptocurrency as an investor in blockchain firm Global Crypto Offering Exchange (GCOX).

GCOX, a Singapore start-up, claims it is the first cryptocurrency exchange of its kind as it enables celebrities to create their own cryptocurrencies, which they’ve dubbed Celebrity Tokens.

The Celebrity Tokens can be used to buy exclusive goods and services in relation to the celebrity on GCOX’s platform. It also provides fans access to their favorite stars through interactions such as meet and greets and live streaming via a service called Celeb-Connect.

Another service, Celeb-Charity, allows fans to donate to celebrities’ causes using the digital coin.

The cryptocurrency value is determined through “open market forces” and is supposed to be indicative of the star’s popularity.

Aside from investing in the start-up, Pacquiao will launch the PAC Coin as the first celebrity to create a token on the platform, reports Finance Magnates.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

Per his 2016 statements of assets, liabilities and networth (SALN), the boxing champion has a net worth of over P3 billion.

He owns over 100 real properties and has P250 million worth of investments.

American boxer Floyd Mayweather, who infamously defeated Pacquiao in 2015, has also thrown his support for cryptocurrencies by promoting blockchain firm Stox before its initial coin

Inquirer.net photo

offering (ICO).

His Instagram post featured him with stacks of $100 bills and the caption, “I’m gonna make a $hit t$n of money on August 2nd on the Stox.com ICO.” This is despite the Stox Token sale being unavailable for him as it wasn’t intended for American citizens.

The company raised $33 million in 34 hours, reports Finance Magnates. (Niña V. Guno /Inquirer.net)

China eyes to set up industrial park in PH within 2018-2019

MANILA -- China eyes to establish its first industrial park in the country within the year or next year, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said on Thursday, March 15.

On the sidelines of China International Import Expo Information Mission, Zhao told reporters that China aims the first industrial park here to be larger than its eight industrial parks in Southeast Asia.

He said China has industrial parks in other member states of

Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), but has none in the Philippines.

Last year, the Philippines and China signed an agreement to partner in putting up the industrial parks in the country.

Zhao said by partnering with Philippine industries through the Chinese investment for industrial parks here, more jobs would be created for Filipinos while increasing the production capacity of the country.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said China would be looking for local partners to develop its first industrial park here.

On the other hand, other countries could also locate within the Chinese industrials park, added Lopez.

The trade chief said five locations are being considered for the establishment of the Chinese industrial parks, which include three locations in Luzon and two in Mindanao. (Kris Cismundo/PNA)

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PH, Japan ink $935-M loan deal for Metro Manila subway project MANILA — The government of Philippines and Japan signed Friday a loan agreement for the construction of the agreement for Phase of three-tranche Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the biggest project under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

The initial tranche of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounted to JPY104.53 billion (USD935 million) with an interest rate of 0.10 percent per year for non-consulting services and 0.01 percent yearly for consulting services to be repaid within 40 years inclusive of a 12 year grace period.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada signed the loan agreement. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan for the Philippine government, outgoing Chief Representative Susumo Ito and Japanese Embassy representative Noboru Kageyama also attended the event.

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Phase 1 of the 25-kilometer, underground railway has an estimated cost of PHP356.96 billion (USD7.05 billion) and will have 14 stations from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City up to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Dominguez said in his speech after the loan signing.

Dominguez said the loan deal is “a very generous package from JICA.” The Finance Chief said there is a plan to have a North Zone extension for the underground railway system that will run up to Bulacan and a South Zone that will reach Cavite.

He said initial operation of the project is targeted to start by 2022 for the first three stations namely Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and North Avenue while full operation of the whole Central Zone has been set for 2025 and is expected to serve around 370,000 passengers daily in its opening year.

“The timely completion of the subway project will crown the aggressive infrastructure program the administration of President

Duterte has initiated. It will likewise crown the achievement of the economic diplomacy the Duterte administration has undertaken,” he said.

The Finance chief said signing of the two succeeding tranches “will depend on how fast we implement the first project and how quickly we can get it operational.”

He also said that spaces in the stations will be maximized as this will be leased and revenues from this will be used to pay off the loan.

For his part, Wada said the project is seen as one of the major solutions to Metro Manila’s traffic woes, which a JICA survey shows had an economic cost of around PHP3.5 billion a day.

“As the Philippines’ trusted partner in development for many years, JICA offers our support to the construction of the subway project so that Philippines can sustain its growth trajectory, and improve the quality of life of many Filipinos through seamless mobility and connectivity,” he said.

Some of the rail system’s sta-

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The government of Philippines and Japan signed on Friday, March 16 a loan agreement for the construction of the agreement for Phase of three-tranche Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the biggest project under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

Inquirer.net photo

tions will be built near government agencies.

Batan, for his part, said “Previously thought by many to be impossible, today’s milestone in realizing the Philippines’ first subway project is a testament to the adage that bold problems require bold solutions and that bold solutions require bold and visionary leaders to deliver.”

He said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has instructed his officials to ensure that stations

of the underground rail system will be “as close as possible if not on government property.”

“This is in connection with a strategy that we have been following - - of trying to capture value from this investment. So we are going to invest a lot of money in building the project and making that investment will create value as a consequence. And as much as possible we selected station locations that will maximize the return of that value to the government

coffers,” he said.

Batan said some of these stations will be the North Avenue station, which near Veterans Memorial Medical Center; the Katipunan station, which will be at a Camp Aguinaldo property; and the Bonifacio Global City station, which will be near the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) office in Taguig and the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. (Joann Villanueva and Aerol John Pateña/PNA)

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