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M A R C H 22-28, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 22 • 16 Pages

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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

DFA chief lauds China for Asian economic progress

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. holds a joint press briefing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China.

Photo courtesy of DFA

DATELINE

USA

MANILA — The Philippines’ top diplomat praised the Chinese Communist Party for steering the Asian giant to economic progress and for initiating regional development “not by stepping on others” but by helping other nations achieve their goals.

“It was the work of the Chinese people whose tireless energy and inventiveness had the benefit of direction and focus through the Communist Party. There is no propulsion as strong as people power; but it demands the direction of a single hand, as Thomas Jefferson said. That hand is absent in Western democracy,” Locsin said at a

u PAGE 2

COMPROMISE. President Rodrigo Duterte gives a warm welcome to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari at a meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, March 19. This was their second meeting in a month following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), a measure creating a new Bangsamoro region in Mindanao with greater autonomy. Duterte said that Misuari warned him of war in case government fails to meet the demands of the Moro separatist group. See story on page 5.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

Former DFA chief Del Rosario, Ombudsman Morales sue China’s Xi at ICC Move made on behalf of Filipino fishers ‘persecuted and injured’ by beijing’s aggressive island-building

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Am UC Irvine student confirmed to have died from alcohol poisoning

by JULIET LABOG-JAVELLANA Inquirer.net

MANILA — In an unusual move, two former high-ranking Philippine government officials have filed a case against Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, March 20, before the International Criminal Court, saying the “atrocious actions of Chinese officials in the South China Sea and within Philippine territory’’ constitute crimes against humanity that the ICC can prosecute.

Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio

Student’s father suspects “fraternity hazing” to be the cause as investigation continues

THE Orange County Sheriff’s Department Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and former DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario has confirmed alcohol poisoning to be the Inquirer.net photos cause of death of a Fil-Am college student who was found unresponsive in January following an off-campus university fraternity party.

In a statement released Monday, March

by NATHALIE ROBLES The country’s defense secretary clarified 11, the sheriff’s department said that Noah AJPress that it was a mere proposal to discuss the Domingo, 18, died as a result of “accidental content of the 1951 agreement between the u PAGE 3 PHILIPPINE Department of National two countries. He explained that they have Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenza- yet to draft a line-up of what the discussion na said on Wednesday, March 20, that he would be about. would hold exploratory discussions on the “It is only exploratory talks, there is still mutual defense treaty (MDT) with a senior no talking points there. We only wanted to defense official from the United States. know what they think about our proposal to Lorenzana met U.S. Deputy Assistant open up for discussion what is in the Mutual Secretary of Defense for South and South- Defense Treaty,” Lorenzana said as reported east Asia Joseph Felter on Thursday, March by The Philippine Star.

21, to “open discussions on what is in the A U.S. vessel commanding officer stated Philippine-US MDT.” u PAGE 3

Morales filed the complaint, technically called a communication, on behalf of Filipinos and the hundreds of thousands of Filipino fishermen “persecuted and injured’’ by China’s aggressive island-building and occupation of islands in the West Philippine Sea. “In implementing China’s systematic plan to take over the South China Sea, President Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials have committed crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court which involve massive, near permanent and devastating environmental damage across nations,’’ the two former officials said

u PAGE 2

US and PH to settle defense treaty Malacañang: ICC officials barred from entering PH if caught probing drug war

Photo courtesy of Domingo family

for child pornography

FILIPINO-AMERICAN Joel Aquino Pasay was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on Saturday, March 16, due to his indictment from the United States District Court of Nevada for child pornography charges.

The U.S. court indicted Pasay on May 2, 2017, with his receipt of child pornography as it is in violation of the TItle 18 in U.S. Code 2252 (a)(2). He allegedly distributed copies of child pornography materials. He was nowhere to be found for almost two years.

Manila Police District (MPD) Chief Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. received a tip that the U.S. fugitive was initially seen along Pacheco Street, Tondo Manila. Law enforce-

u PAGE 2

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

LAWYERS on Monday, March 18, blocked Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s motion for partial reconsideration before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office on his sedition case over his alleged provoking comments in 2018.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” Paras, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Manuelito Luna; lawyers Nasser Marohomsalic, Eligio Mallari and Alvaro Bernabe Lazaro were among the complainants.

The group noted that the statement issued by the senator against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on September 5, 2018, cannot be perceived as acceptable despite his po-

u PAGE 3

MENDIOLA AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Monday, March 18, said International Criminal Court (ICC) officials and prosecutors would be barred from entering the Philippines if the nature of their visit is for conducting a probe into President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

“If they say ‘We will be investigating.’ Perhaps they will be denied [entry] by the [Bureau of] Immigration,” said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a press briefing.

“Huwag na. Matulog na lang sila (They should not come here.

They should just sleep),” he added.

However, Panelo said ICC representatives can visit the Philippines as tourists and “guests” but once they make moves to start a probe into the administration’s controversial drug war, they may face deportation.

“I’ll smile at them and tell them nicely ‘you can’t do it here.

If you persist you will be deportFile photo shows Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in a press ed. You will be violating (our conference at the Senate where he stayed pending the sovereignty),” Panelo said. government’s pleas to issue a warrant of arrest against him “You’re interfering with the over the his revoked amnesty.

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo sovereignty. Because when you

Court denies Trillanes’ plea to Fil-Am arrested in PH stop reopened rebellion case

Noah Domingo

by RITCHEL

try to subject a country to your jurisdiction, then you’re interfering with that country because we have our own courts here.

We can prosecute anybody if we feel (they violate or transgress) the law,” he added.

PH never a party to Rome Statute The country officially withdrew from the ICC on Sunday, March 17, though Malacañang insists that the Philippines was never under the ICC’s jurisdiction in the first place.

“Our position on the matter remains clear, unequivocal and inflexible: The Philippines never became a state party to the Rome Statute which created the ICC,” Panelo said on Sunday.

The Philippines might have ratified the Rome Statute that created the ICC, but according to the administration, the government never published that in a newspaper or the official gazette, as required by law.

The ICC is an intergovernmental organization that investigates cases of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression. It was established by the Rome Statute,

u PAGE 2

March 22-28, 2019 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

DFA chief lauds China for...

PAGE 1 joint press briefing with Chinese state councilor and foreign affairs minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

Locsin is in China on an official visit from March 18 to 21 upon the invitation of his counterpart. “That direction the Communist Party has supplied; no other institution anywhere in the world could do it. The Party’s repeated self-criticism and self-reformation, especially against the corrosive effect of corruption on legitimacy, have assured the Party’s continuing credibility, vibrancy and relevance as China’s driving force,� Locsin said. “There is no substitute for it: it is democracy married to reason and animated

by self-sacrifice.�

He said the mutual respect and friendship between President Duterte and President Xi Jinping have “laid the foundation of a revitalized relationship between the Philippines and China, which have always been friends and never enemies; resisting attempts by the Great Powers in the previous century to use our proximity against each other rather than for each other’s benefit.�

Locsin said he was proud to say that he was part of efforts to bring the Philippines and China closer.

Locsin and Wang discussed during their meeting what the two countries have accomplished, the differences Manila and Beijing

have yet to resolve and the need to set them aside as they pursue more enriching and advantageous common goals. “We are happy that our friendship has grown from strength to strength,� Locsin said. “You have our assurance that the Philippines will look out for your people in my country as I have seen China look out for our people in yours,� he added.

In February, Locsin said Chinese workers in the Philippines were not grabbing jobs from Filipinos.

The Chinese embassy in Manila denied China would retaliate if its nationals illegally working in the DWINDLING. Workers check the water level of La Mesa Dam. The dam’s water level dropped to 68.72 meters last week, its lowest in 21 years.

Philippines would be deported. n ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

MalacaĂąang: ICC officials barred from... Former DFA chief Del Rosario, Ombudsman...

PAGE 1 which was enforced in 2002.

The country decided to withdraw its ratification of the Rome Statute because of what officials described as “outrageous attacks� against Duterte by the UN and the ICC. Human rights groups and the president’s critics have already expressed concern that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC would worsen human rights abuses in the country.

Panelo, for his part, dismissed them as “conspiracy theories.� “It is open season of conspiracy theories by the political opposition, the Left and the human rights activists. Suddenly becoming experts in international law and sharing the common advocacy of demonizing the president and his administration on the issue of human rights vis-a-vis the drug war, they make good media copy, which obviously is the intention,� he said.

According to him, the extrajudicial killings were caused by “drug syndicates killing each other either for their own protection or to exact revenge against whistleblowers,� and “turf wars among drug lords and drug pushers.� “The anti-illegal drug campaign is anchored on national survival as well as accountability of those who bring the nation to the precipice of destruction,� Panelo said.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda stressed the court continues to have jurisdiction over the possible crime against humanity committed during the period the Philippines was a state party to the statute.

Photo from Twitter/@Int’l Criminal Court

“There is no culture of impunity under this administration. The country’s criminal justice system continues to be operational and strictly compliant with the constitutional requirement of due process,� he added. n

Fil-Am arrested in PH for...

PAGE 1 ment officials scouted the area and failed to catch him.

On October 29, 2018, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a deportation order for the 56-year-old in hiding. Danao said that they found him temporarily residing in Deca Homes Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga.

“[Pasay] poses risk to public safety and security being a fugitive from justice,� Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The arrest was done with the collaborative effort of the MPD, BI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security via an arrest warrant as they arrive at the

residence of Pasay in Pampanga around 1:30 p.m. on March 16.

Aside from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Manila and Las Vegas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Manila Police District Special Operations Unit (MPDSOU) and the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) also helped in the said arrest. (AJPress)

PAGE 1 in a communication filed with the ICC before the Philippines withdrew from the Rome statute on March 17. “The situation presented is both unique and relevant in that it presents one of the most massive, near permanent and devastating destruction of the environment in humanity’s history, which has not only adversely affected and injured myriad groups of vulnerable fishermen, but present and future generations of people across nations,’’ they said in the communication. “This has seriously undermined the food and energy security of the coastal states in the South China Sea, including the Philippines,’’ they added.

They said the grave consequences of the Chinese actions justify the involvement of the ICC as one of its principles provide that “the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished and their effective prosecution must be ensured.’’ “Though widely publicized, these atrocious actions of Chinese officials in the South China Sea and within Philippine territory remain unpunished, and it is only the ICC that can exact accountability on behalf of Filipinos and the international community, respecting the rule of law,’’ they said. “We urge you to initiate a preliminary examination on this matter, if only so the Court can apprise itself of Chinese crimes committed

not only against the Filipino people but also against people of other nations, which crimes are already known to the international community,’’ they said.

Del Rosario told the Inquirer that the communication was filed at the office of ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on March 15, two days before the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute took effect. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the withdrawal after the ICC opened in February 2018 a “preliminary examination’’ of the crimes against humanity case against him in connection with the bloody war on drugs.

Bensouda stood pat on the ICC’s proceedings against Mr. Duterte even after the withdrawal, saying the court “retains its jurisdiction over crimes committed during the time in which the state was party to the statute.’’ Del Rosario told the Inquirer their representatives filed the communication with Bensouda’s office well before the Philippine withdrawal took effect.

The communication included a 17-page outline of how Xi and other Chinese officials committed crimes against humanity in “implementing China’s systematic plan to control the South China Sea’’ and included testimonies of Filipino fishermen deprived of their livelihood.

They said the ICC’s preliminary examination can be facilitated by the fact that much of the evidence they presented were widespread, highly publicized

incidents of Chinese incursions and included those that were already judicially vetted when the Philippines won the South China Sea arbitration against China at the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in 2016.

The attachments included photos of Chinese bases that were exclusively published by the Inquirer in February last year.

In filing the case, Del Rosario and Morales presented documented cases of Chinese blockade of fishermen in the disputed waters, Chinese destructive fishing activities and dozens of instances where China built military installations on contested islands.

They cited the 1987 China installation of a weather radar in Fiery Cross, seizure of Subi Reef in 1988, occupation of Mischief Reef in 1995 and of Scarborough Shoal in 2012, as well as occupation of islands claimed by Vietnam and Malaysia. They said that from 2013, China has started massive illegal reclamations and building of air and naval bases on seven features in the Spratlys. They said one of the military bases has an anchorage larger than Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor.

The case named as “perpetrators’’ Xi, President and leader of China’s Communist Party, foreign minister and state councilor Wang Yi (as primary promoter of China’s plan in the South China Sea, and as such he defends, promotes and facilitates the crimes) and Zhao Jinhua, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines. n

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 22-28, 2019

US Navy drills to check excessive SWS: Filipinos still trust US the most, ‘neutral’ on China sea claims – commander

by GAEA

ANDRADE Inquirer.net

Facing reporters on board the USS Blue Ridge on Monday, Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer, US 7th Fleet commander, says freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is part of Washington’s national interest.

Inquirer.net photo by Jeanette Andrade

near-collision between a U.S. destroyer and a Chinese missile destroyer in October last year.

The USS Decatur had sailed within 22 kilometers of Gaven Reef when China’s Luoyang approached within 41 meters of its bow, forcing the American warship to change course to avoid a collision.

U.S. officials also said the Chinese warned the Decatur to leave the area.

According to Sawyer, the U.S. Navy has conducted several sailbys after that incident for which Washington had called out Chinese leaders for the “unprofessional behavior.”

He expressed concern over China’s land reclamation and militarization of features in the strategic waterway.

“Not just me, I think there are many navies and countries that are concerned … and probably because of the lack of openness there,” he explained.

Gaven, one of seven reefs

US and PH to settle defense...

PAGE 1 the importance of the 68-year-old agreement among the military forces of both countries as he noted that “sharing contributes to regional security and stability, reinforces our partnership and enhances interoperability.”

During the U.S. Navy warship port call in Manila, USS Chief Lieutenant Commander Frederick Crayton emphasized that they are indeed duty-bound to aid the Philippines in defense and protection as provided by the MDT. “We are excited to make the most of this port visit in the hope of fostering a closer and stronger relationship with the Philippines and interact with the Filipino people we are sworn to defend through our Mutual Defense Treaty,” Crayton said as reported

by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Crayton, who is deemed in charge of the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, said that he and his crew were set to conduct joint activities with the Philippine Navy (PN). The USS Chief has now moored the Manila South Harbor.

The ship commander also expressed his sadness after visiting the American Cemetery in Taguig City. He commemorated the lives of the 16,000 U.S. servicemen and 600 Filipino soldiers interred in the cemetery.

“Although sad in remembrance, it was a reminder that our relationship with the Philippines is one of the enduring relationships in the Indo-Pacific

region and the Filipinos are our closest friends and partner and allies,” Crayton said.

Lorenzana maintained his position that both countries must address the ambiguities of the MDT to further utilize the alliance of the Philippines and the United States. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that the clarification is unnecessary.

Locsin believed that the ambiguous provisions of the defense treaty would pose as a challenge to China should we encounter territorial conflicts with the neighboring country. However, the defense chief highly doubted such an assumption.

Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute (ADRi) President Dindo Manhit said that Locsin’s perspective reflected his assurance of the U.S.-PH defense relations despite the increasing Chinese impact in the country.

“As our only treaty ally, the U.S. remains invaluable to us, and we need to recognize the significance and importance of this alliance. That said, we also need to recognize that we are required to strengthen our own defense and security capabilities,” former DFA chief Albert del Rosario said.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured the Philippine officials that the U.S. is ready to defend the country “in case of armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea.” n

Fil-Am UC Irvine student confirmed...

PAGE 1 acute ethanol intoxication.” It added that Domingo had a blood alcohol level of approximately 0.331 at the time of his death, more than four times the legal limit.

No additional substances were found in his system at the time of his death.

Domingo was found dead early morning of January 12 at a home near the University of California, Irvine where he was a first-year biology major on path to a career in sports medicine with goals of becoming a Lakers team trainer.

In the released 911 call recording, the caller said Domingo “just drank too much.”

“We remain shocked and saddened by Noah’s tragic death, and we offer our deepest sympathies to the Domingo family for their loss,” the university said in a statement. “His death brings an urgent focus on alcohol and substance abuse, from the cultural pressures that encourage unhealthy behavior to the policies designed to mitigate danger.”

The cause of his death is still under investigation, but many have questioned the role of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which Domingo was a member of. Following his death, the fraternity was put on interim suspension pending the investigation.

CABICO

Washington has always scored a positive trust rating since the first survey in December 1994, FILIPINOS still trust long-time the polling firm noted.

The United States was followed ally and former colonizer the United States the most despite the by Japan, which garnered “good” Duterte administration’s efforts to +34. This was one grade and six warm ties with China, results of a points higher from the “modernew Social Weather Stations sur- ate” +28 in September 2018.

While the net trust rating for vey suggest.

Of 1,440 Filipino adults sur- Australia stayed “good” at +31 in veyed last December, 71 percent December 2018, this was down said they have “much trust” in the by five points from +36 in June U.S., while only 11 percent said 2018.

‘Neutral’ for China they have “little trust” in the suThe same survey found China perpower.

This yielded a “very good” +60 staying in the negative levels with net trust rating, barely moving “neutral” -7 after 39 percent said from +59 recorded in September they have “little trust” in Philippines’ non-traditional ally, while 2018.

by JEANNETTE

DESPITE a near-collision between American and Chinese warships last year, the United States will continue its freedom of navigation operations, or Fonops, until there are no longer “excessive maritime claims” anywhere in the world, according to a top U.S. Navy official.

“It’s simply to make sure that the international rights, not just of the United States but for all countries, are reinforced for everybody,” said Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

“What we do in the South China Sea, we do elsewhere so it really is the same across the world,” Sawyer told reporters on Monday aboard the USS Blue Ridge, his flagship, which arrived in Manila last week for a visit after sailing through the South China Sea. Asked when the Fonop mission might be considered accomplished, he said: “It is continuing. We are continually working on that aspect of it and we will continue to do it until there are no longer excessive maritime claims throughout the world. I don’t know when that will be.”

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest waterways where decades of maritime disputes have been simmering among China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

‘Many navies concerned’ Washington has also questioned China’s expansive claims, bringing it into a collision course with Beijing.

Sawyer said the U.S. Navy made no changes on how to conduct its Fonops despite the

KATREENA Philstar.com

Domingo’s father, Dale Domingo, said in a statement to CBS News that he believed fraternity activities to have been the cause.

“We have discovered the horrifying truth about fraternity hazing,” said the father, according to CBS News.

The father said that the fraternity was holding its “big brother night” ritual where his son was “compelled to guzzle a so-called ‘family drink’ to become part of his big brother’s family.”

“It is why fraternities openly refer to this type of ritual as being one of the ‘deadly nights,’” said the father.

The university’s official campus newspaper, New University, reported that according anonymous sources, the freshman Domingo was attending an event during recruitment week for the university’s fraternities where â”drugs and copious amounts of alcohol” were present.

But the Irvine Police Department said on Monday that it was still actively investigating the case.

“At the conclusion of our investigation, we will present our findings to the District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether charges are warranted,” said Irvine Police Department Lieutenant Mark Anderson. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

transformed by China into militarily fortified islands in recent years, is claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The United States has no claims in the South China Sea, but it has declared that freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of the maritime disputes are in its national interest.

Focus inward “The world needs the goods and the commerce to flow. So pick your body of water, blocking them illegally should be a concern to the entire world, not just the US Navy, not just the United States, not just the Philippines,” Sawyer said.

“It (Fonop) provides security for the area and security pro-

u PAGE 4

31 percent said they have “much trust” in it.

This, however, was an improvement from the “poor” -16 recorded by Beijing in September 2018.

“Net trust in China has been positive in only nine out of 48 surveys since SWS first surveyed it in August 1994. It reached as high as moderate +17 in June 2010 and as low as a bad -46 in September 2015,” SWS said.

The survey was conducted from December 16 to 19, 2018 using face-to-face interviews. It has error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages, and ±5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. n

Court denies Trillanes’ plea to stop...

PAGE 1 sition in the legislation since “he was not performing his official duty” the moment he said it.

“Parliamentary non-accountability cannot be invoked when the lawmaker’s speech or utterance is made outside sessions, hearings or debates in Congress, extraneous to the ‘due functioning of the (legislative) process,” the group explained as reported

by ABS-CBN News.

The lawyers’ group emphasized that Trillanes’ comments were “not absolutely privileged” because it was done outside the senator’s legislative function “as a member of Congress or an officer of any Committee.”

“To participate in or respond to media interviews is not an official function of any lawmaker; it is not demanded by his sworn duty nor is it a component of the process of

enacting laws,” the group added.

The complainants believed that the former mutineer’s criticisms towards Duterte went as far as calling the Chief Executive a “dictator.” They also emphasized that Trillanes perceived the alleged state-sponsored killings as a common occurrence in the country.

They also accused the senator of urging the armed forces and law enforcement not to do anything illegal and unconstitutional.

They cited the former navy officer’s uprisings in 2003 and 2007.

They hinted the possibility that Trillanes could be secretly proposing to the armed forces to launch a coup against the President. However, the group was not able to issue pieces of evidence to back this claim.

Trillanes’ camp maintained that the statements he issued were protected by his parliamen-

tary immunity. He believed that such complaints were done by those loyal to Duterte in order to threaten and harass the leader’s staunch critic.

In a 66-page petition filed before the Court of Appeals (CA) requesting an injunction or a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the sedition case, the senator believed that the complaint charged against him is baseless.

“Petitioner is being needlessly and unduly exposed to the hardship and difficulties not to mention the physical and psychological rigors as well as the anxiety and great expenses involved in a baseless, extended and public trial,” Trillanes said as reported

by Rappler.

The trial for the sedition was scheduled last Wednesday, March 20 at the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150. n

March 22-28, 2019 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

Dateline USa

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Palace prefers to see ‘silver lining’ Dead whale’s plastic-filled stomach a ‘wake-up call’ vs pollution — Greenpeace in US gov’t report on EJK

DESPITE the United States government identifying extrajudicial killing (EJK) as the Philippines’ chief human rights concern, the Palace said it prefers to focus on the positive aspects of the report.

In a statement on Saturday, March 16, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the U.S. State Department’s 2018 report on human rights “reflects the U.S .government’s appreciation of the Duterte administration’s governance agenda anchored on fighting corruption, criminality and illegal drugs.”

“While the political opposition and detractors of the president, including some of those in the mainstream media, would dwell on what they consider as negative observations and milk the same for their political purposes, we prefer to see the glass half full and focus on the positive aspects of the report,” Panelo said.

Panelo then urged the public to read the entire report so “that they may not be deceived by intended negative and false commentaries.”

In his statement, Panelo pointed out how the report mentioned the developments in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“Its assessment is respectful of the government’s deeper challenges, [like the] deaths of many law enforcement officers during operations, even as accountability of those from the same ranks is guaranteed through investigations of ‘any actions taken outside

by GAEA

the rule of law,’” Panelo said.

“It recognizes the sentencing of three police officials involved in the Kian de los Santos killing, even as it noted that 1,274,148 individuals have surrendered for drug rehabilitation and clearance while our unprecedented war against illegal drugs and criminality has resulted in more detainees,” it added.

Panelo then cited how the report acknowledges government efforts to “promote speedy disposition of inmate cases, including the use of plea bargaining.”

Furthermore, Panelo said the U.S. State Department’s report “is also sympathetic to the government’s challenges in the peace process.”

Sawyer said the United States was engaging the Philippines and other countries in the region in bilateral or multilateral military exercises for various purposes, including improving interoperability of their armed forces.

“The more often you get a chance to operate with another nation or nations, the better off you are as a navy and the better off you are to operate with others,” he said.

2-week mission Sawyer said American ships had tried to conduct drills with other navies even while they were en route to a particular destination for scheduled exercises, citing drills with Philippine ships as they sailed for Hawaii for last

CABICO

THE case of a dead whale with 40 kilos of plastic trash in its stomach—said to be one of the worst cases of poisoning—should prod everyone to take drastic action against plastic pollution, an environmental group said on Tuesday, March 19.

A Cuvier’s beaked whale died in Compostela Valley on Saturday, a day after it was stranded in Mabini town. The animal died of starvation and was unable to eat because of the trash filling its stomach. The 40 kilograms of plastic trash included grocery bags and rice sacks.

Abigail Aguilar, Greenpeace Philippines campaigner, said whales, dolphins and turtles

Philstar.com file photo have been reported to have died The report, Panelo said, also in the Philippines, Thailand and touches on the milestones “in ad- Indonesia because of trash in the dressing concerns of vulnerable space of less than a year. “[This] is a clear proof how groups” and “the free, fair and well-organized conduct of the grave plastic pollution affects our local elections for barangay and environment, most especially youth officials in May last year.” ocean creatures,” Aguilar said.

She noted that three whales The U.S. State Department, in its annual global human rights and a dolphin were found dead report for 2018 released March 13, noted a “sharp rise” of extrajudicial killings with the onset of the Philippine government’s campaign against illegal drugs

by AJPRESS in 2016.

However, Panelo reiterated THE United States State Dethat “the president and this govpartment revealed on Thursday, ernment have never sponsored March 15, that there were at any form of violation of human least eight reported cases of rape rights nor will they tolerate allegedly perpetrated by 16 pothem.” (Inquirer.net) licemen between January 2017 and July 2018.

The U.S. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018 year’s Rim of the Pacific (Rim- stated that “many of the rapes” were linked with the highly-critipac) Exercise.

Discussions were under way cized war on drugs of Philippine with the Philippine Navy on President Rodrigo Duterte. It drills this year and in 2020, he stated instances wherein women under police custody were sexusaid.

This year the 7th Fleet is tak- ally abused and assaulted.

However, the US State Departing part in the ongoing Pacific Partnership in Tacloban City, a ment failed to acquire the status two-week humanitarian and civic of the filed rape cases against assistance mission focused on law enforcement officials due to disaster preparedness and resil- limited and confidential data.

“Statistics were unavailable on iency.

It will also send two ships for prosecutions, convictions, and the Balikatan exercises, which punishments for cases filed by will start on April 1, and will par- the Philippine National Police ticipate in the Maritime Training (PNP),” the U.S. report stated as Activity Sama-Sama in June or cited in ABS-CBN News.

The U.S. State Department July, and the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training, or Sea- hailed the responsiveness of the country’s law enforcement in adcat, in August. n

US Navy drills to check excessive sea...

PAGE 3 vides stability and stability allows the countries in the area, in the region to truly be able to focus a little more inward and to focus on things that are bettering their peoples than having to worry about things that are going on outside their borders,” he added.

The U.S. 7th Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, is part of the U.S. Pacific Command, which is tasked mainly with providing joint command in natural disasters or military operations and operational command of all American forces in the Asia-Pacific region, including the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

KATREENA Philstar.com

with plastic in their stomach in Davao Gulf this year.

A sperm whale died in Indonesia last year with nearly six kilograms of plastic waste discovered in its stomach.

A whale also died in Thailand last year after swallowing more than 80 plastic bags. A green turtle, a protected species, suffered the same fate there in 2018.

“It is unimaginable how many more animals are mistaking and ingesting plastic for food right now and how many more of them will be found beached and dead soon,” Aguilar said.

She added: “One piece of plastic found in the stomach of a whale or a dolphin is one piece of plastic too many. How many dead whales, dolphins or sea turtles do we need before we wake up and take drastic action on plastic pollution?”

Call for action vs plastic pollution The death of the whale comes weeks after a study on the country’s pollution problem by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives revealed that around 59.8 billion pieces of

plastic sachets are used by Filipinos a year.

The report also showed that more than 17 billion shopping bags are used across the Philippines every year. The use of smaller, thinner and often transparent plastic bags is at 16.5 billion.

The Greenpeace Philippines campaigner stressed the death of the whale is not just a cause for alarm, but an “urgent call for quick, effective, sustainable and large-scale action against plastic pollution.”

“We can never emphasize enough how urgent it is for corporations to reduce the production of single-use plastic and redesign packaging and systems to minimize plastic waste, for governments to ban single-use plastic products and for citizens to be mindful of a throwaway lifestyle and put pressure to both the government and the industry to take decisive steps to counter this crisis,” Aguilar said.

She added: “From production, to consumption, to disposal, we have to get our acts together.” n

Rape cases linked to PH drug war - US report dressing rape charges. They emphasized that most police forces treat rape charges “seriously.”

“In August a witness reported a rape and murder to authorities.

Authorities asked the witness to identify the suspects, which he did, and police arrested the suspects in less than 24 hours,” the report explained.

However, they also stated that rape cases in rural communities and remote areas “sometimes used personal relationships with local authorities to avoid prosecution.”

In the Philippines, a convicted rape felon is sentenced to 12 to 40 years imprisonment. The law mandates a lifetime ban from political office for perpetrators in government posts.

The report mentioned that the government had “provided shelter, counseling, and health services to female survivors of rape.” However, it highlighted that victims have a fear of coming forward due to “cultural and social stigmatization.”

In 2017, the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-

ment (DSWD) recorded a total of 7,584 rape cases, a 12 percent decrease from the data in 2016.

EJKs chief human rights concern Another report from the State Department issued on Wednesday, March 13, revealed that extrajudicial killings proved to be the primary human rights concern in the Philippines.

“Extrajudicial killings have been the chief human rights concern in the country for many years and, after a sharp rise with the onset of the antidrug campaign in 2016, they continued in the reporting year, albeit at a lower level,” the report stated.

“Significant concerns persisted about (the) impunity of civilian national and local government officials and powerful business and commercial figures,” it added as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The report noted that “slow judicial processes remained an obstacle to bringing government officials allegedly involved in human rights abuses to justice.” n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 22-28, 2019

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Int’l lawyers note ‘severe’ Duterte threatens to fire water officials rights violation vs PH lawyers the problem leading to the stoppage of the flow of water but they did not resolve to prevent it from PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo happening. They could have simDuterte on Tuesday night, March ply anticipated such shortage 19, threatened to sack officials and could have done something from Metropolitan Waterworks about it,” the spokesman added.

Lawmakers call to dismiss and Sewerage System (MWSS), Maynilad and Manila Water for said officials Several lawmakers urged the the water supply shortage experienced in certain areas of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo disclosed among the media what transpired during the 40-minute meeting of the president with the officials of agencies responsible for the water crisis.

“In a stern message delivered without even once looking at the officials, the obviously outraged president threatened to fire the MWSS officials and terminate the concessionaires’ contracts,” the palace spokesman said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Panelo shared that the meeting became a “presidential monologue” since Duterte disregarded any insights from the other parties noting that “he was not going to listen to their explanation as to why there was a water shortage as such would be just plain excuses.”

“The chief executive told them he was not going to listen to their explanation as to why there was a water shortage as such would be just plain excuses. They simply did not do their job,” Panelo said as reported by Rappler.

‘All they care about is get profit from the water of the people’ and to their sufferance as well. The president told them they could have simply anticipated such shortage and could have done something about it,” he added.

Panelo said that the reprimanded officials were aware of how to resolve the water shortage crisis faced by the Metro Manila residents but they waited for Duterte’s order before doing something about it.

“They had to wait for him to threaten them with personally rushing to Manila from Davao to grapple with the crisis before they moved to end it. The chief executive bluntly told them to ‘shape up or ship out!,’” Panelo said.

“He said the officials knew of

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

A PANEL of international lawyers on Monday, March 18, said there has been a “sharp increase” of rights violations against Filipino lawyers, prosecutors, and judges since the start of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The panel included lawyers from Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and the United States, belonging to international lawyers’ groups International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) and Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation (DELF).

The panel reviewed 13 incidents of attacks against members of the Philippine bar, conducting interviews and conferences with government officials, NGOs, the Commission on Human Rights, legal professionals, victims and families of victims in Metro Manila and Iloilo from March 14 to 18.

Since July 2016, legal professionals have been suffering from attacks. The killing of human rights lawyer Ben Ramos in November last year prompted the panel to come to the Philippines.

“We have visited other countries where there has been a high degree of criminalization of lawyers because of the execution of their duties and defense of people but we have not visited any

According to the fact-finding team, this vehicle seemed to have been tailing them at the Ortigas Center.

Contributed photo

country where there has been such a high degree of extrajudicial killings, harassment and surveillance of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges, and also now we’re learning, paralegals as well whom we consider also to be part of the legal profession,” said lawyer Suzanne Adely from the United States’ National Lawyers Guild.

“That does not mean that we’ve looked into this matter in every country in the world but there are…the reason that we came here in the first place is there have been extensive reports about this,” she added.

Patterns in killings According to the panel’s review of data, there are “patterns” in killings. “[T]here are patterns suggest-

ing a connection between the killings and the actions of the PNP and AFP. There are recurrent elements sustaining such connection,” the data revealed.

Among the elements they noted included Duterte’s public declarations targeting lawyers; lawyers being tagged, harassed and surveilled before being killed; a lack of sufficient investigation; and the killings involving masked, professional shooters on motorbikes who use .22 caliber guns with silencer.

A culture of impunity The panel pointed out that Duterte’s declarations and “almost complete impunity of offenders give police, military and effectively anyone a license to harass and kill.”

u PAGE 8

Duterte: Misuari to declare war if federalism is rejected

by RALPH

EDWIN VILLANUEVA Manilatimes.net

MORO National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari has threatened to declare war against the government if federalism is not passed, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, March 20.

The president said Misuari made the threat during a meeting in Malacañang late Tuesday, March 19.

Misuari met with Duterte upon his return from his trip to the United Arab Emirates and

Morocco.

The MNLF leader told the president that his group wants a federal system because it was an undelivered promise of former President Cory Aquino.

“Misuari said last night that if you do not give it to me, let me be very honest, I will go to war,” Duterte said in a speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino- Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally in Marikina City on Wednesday, March 20.

The president said he assured Misuari that he understands his stand and that the government

would form a panel since the two sides cannot negotiate secretly.

“I told him, day-to-day they will be briefed, how will they want the federal system? Will it be like the Bangsamoro Organic Law or a different type?” he said.

The shift to federalism was one of the campaign promises of Duterte.

The House of Representatives had passed its version of charter change bill but senators had declared that federalism was “dead in the water.” n

president to hold the top officials of the water regulatory board — MWSS — accountable for failing to prevent the water interruptions among residents of Metro Manila and nearby areas.

A member of the House Committee on Metro Manila affairs and Bagong Henerasyon

u PAGE 7

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6

MARCH 22-28, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Out of the ICC

COUNTRIES that withdraw from the International Criminal Court can return, but this isn’t going to happen for the Philippines under the Duterte administration, much to the dismay of human rights advocates. Burundi, The Gambia and South Africa also withdrew from the ICC and remain out.

Indonesia withdrew but later changed its mind, so this can be done by the Philippines.

The Duterte administration is not alone in wanting to keep the country out of the ICC. The United States, China, Russia and Israel – countries that leave large footprints in the global arena – have stayed out of the ICC, mainly over national sovereignty concerns. So have Libya and Qatar.

ICC proceedings leading to a formal probe are not stopped by a notice of withdrawal, which takes effect only a year after the notification is submitted. The Philippine government is expected to argue that the ICC cannot proceed with a formal investigation of President Duterte on charges related to his bloody war on prohibited drugs. The argument is that all three branches of government are still functioning and judicial courts and the legislature are still providing checks and balances to abuses of the executive branch, so the ICC cannot step in.

An alternative for the Philippines is to strengthen the institutions that hold public officials accountable for their actions. The system of checks and balances for all three branches of government

is enshrined in the Constitution and other laws. But implementing the system is weak and unreliable.

Even if a sitting president escapes impeachment, which is a political process and a numbers game, there are laws that can be applied in various cases of abuse of power once a chief executive steps down from office. Those who carry out unlawful orders can also be brought to justice under existing laws.

The challenge is to gather sufficient evidence that can stand in court, and to ensure that justice will be rendered fairly and with reasonable speed.

These are the areas where the country is weak, but such flaws are not beyond repair.

The strength of several of the states that have ratified the Rome Statute is that their institutions are strong enough to allow them, on their own, to prevent their people from committing offenses covered by the ICC, and to punish anyone who breaks the law and abuses power. This must be the ultimate goal of the Philippines. The laws are there; what’s lacking is enforcement. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump’s disapproval rating slides to new low: It is not just the economy, Mr. President — character is important for Americans

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump: “Why will they impeach me? I am doing a great job?”

To which his supporters and fans say, “The American people elected Trump not because he is perfect. They elected him because they know the economy will boom under the billionaire business mogul reality show superstar.”

Or, “Who cares about the issues against him? The economy is doing great! That’s all that matters!”

NO, President Trump! It is not just the economy. Your supporters and ever loyal avid fans may blindly take every word you say without question, but they are not MOST of the American people.

The FACT is, a majority of the American people disapprove of the way you do your job as president. This is according to a new CNN Poll, which is also revealed in previous results of all credible polls.

Your favorability rating is on the negative, Mr. President. A majority of Americans - 51 percent - disapprove of your job performance, the lowest share since CNN began polling at the

beginning of your term.

Only 42 percent of respondents said they approve of your performance, while the remaining respondents said they have no opinion.

IT IS NOT just the economy, President Trump, because the same poll revealed that a majority of Americans- 51 percent -gives you a thumbs up in the way you are handling the economy. What then accounts for the deficit?

It is not just the economy, Mr. Trump. The American people are demanding that the President of the United States has character and demonstrates true leadership as well.

You fail the character test not because of the press and your critics that you love to demonize only because they are demanding accountability from you and calling you out for your incessant lying to the American people.

You fail the character test because you betray the public trust accorded to you as president.

You fail the character test because you insult the intelligence of the American people with your falsehoods and twisting of facts just to fit your narrative which is fabricated to massage your ego and serve your personal inter-

ests, regardless of the facts.

You fail the character test because you discriminate against people, a blatant violation of the Constitution.

You fail the character test because you cannot rise above your pettiness and self-centered mindset that is why you, without shame, attack people who do not bow down to you and feed your insatiable ego.

You fail the character test because you bring out the worst in people, dividing instead of uniting the nation.

It is not just about the economy, Mr. President. Because with your style of governance that is based not on intelligent analysis of facts and data but on the whim, instinct and manipulation of people, and a sense of white supremacy, you are leading this great nation to isolationism. You have pulled down this nation from its leadership position in the world, and you are pulling down the economy because of your myopic and shortsighted thinking.

The economic numbers may be good now, for the well-to-do Americans, but what about the ordinary hardworking people?

What will happen to the economy with the unprecedented budget deficit you created when you

President Donald Trump

give out more handouts to your billionaire and millionaire Americans while depriving quality social services like health care, education, safety nets to the ordinary hard working class?

Do you even care? Perhaps not. During a 2017 briefing with senior officials, you responded to a presentation of charts and

Battles in Syria and revisiting Beirut WE journeyed to Beirut, Lebanon and then to Homs, Syria from PeaceFebruary 25 to March 2, 2019 on invitation by my good friend Alex Maker Fu, a business leader in Australia, China, and the Philippines, and his business partners Tony FORMER SPEAKER Lam, a young Chinese business JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. executive based in Sydney, and Sam Fayad, a Lebanese but has lived in Australia since he was 17 years old.

Mr. Fayad is a leading real estate developer in Australia and is looking for investment opportunities in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. We were joined in this trip by Alex Fu’s lovely Filipina wife, Anne Fu of Davao and Pangasinan, and my Assistant, Aldwin Requejo, who worked as junior executive in the Secretariat of the Philippine House of Representatives for 17 years.

The last time we visited Beirut was some 40 years ago, when we pioneered as prime contractor in port operations in Jeddah on the Red Sea and Jubail on the Persian Gulf (Arab Gulf), as well as in oil drilling, infrastructure, and mass housing in the Middle East and North Africa. So when Alex Fu invited us to join him in Beirut, we thought it was an opportunity to set foot once again in the “Paris of the Middle East” and rekindle old friendships, established more than four decades ago.

Lebanon was once part of the great Phoenician

Empire, composed of states located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea stretching through what are now Syria, Lebanon, and northern Israel. The Phoenicians were considered “the best sailors of the Ancient World, exploring the Mediterranean region and made advances in shipbuilding, maritime trading, and maritime technology.” (Wikipedia) They also invented the alphabet in 1200 B.C., which is the basis of the alphabet we use today.

Today, Lebanon is the most religiously diverse country in the Middle East, composed of the two divisions of Islam (Sunni and Shia) and Christianity (the Maronite Church, Orthodox Church, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Protestant Church, and the Armenian Apostolic Church).

In Beirut, we met with Speaker Nabih Berri of the Parliament of Lebanon, perhaps the longest serving Speaker in the world, as he has been holding the post since 1992 or for 27 years. Berri, a Shia Muslim, is most knowledgeable in geopolitics and religious history. We exchanged ideas on the prospects of peace in the Middle East.

We also invited him to address the 20th Founding Anniversary and 11th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) to be held in Manila next year. The

Photo from Facebook/Donald J. Trump

graphics showing concerns about rising national debt by saying, “Yeah, but I won’t be here”. This was because you did not think it will erupt until after you leave office, according to a source The Daily Beast said witnessed the comment.

It is not just the economy, Mr. President, but even in that de-

ICAPP, which we founded and launched in Manila in September 2000, is now composed of more than 300 ruling, opposition and independent political parties from 52 countries in Asia, including the political parties of Lebanon. In fact, Lebanon’s Future Movement Party and Free Patriotic Movement Party are represented in the ICAPP Standing Committee, which we Chair.

It is interesting to note that in Lebanon, the President must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of Parliament a Shia Muslim. This agreement helps provide unity and stability in a country of diverse religions.

We also exchanged views with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Elie Ferzil, an Eastern Orthodox Christian and former Information Minister, who is also very conversant in geopolitics. Ferzil reminisced to us his visit in Manila in the late 1970s and said he looked forward to visiting Manila again. We also invited him to attend the ICAPP conference in Manila next year.

We also paid a courtesy call on Maronite Church Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, who told us that our own beloved Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was arriving in Beirut shortly to address the Conference of the Caritas Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa. Cardinal Tagle serves as President of Caritas Internationalis.

We remembered meeting the then Cardinal Patriarch Anthony Peter Khoraish, who became a friend, during our visit in Beirut in the 1970s. Cardinal Khoraish passed away in 1986.

partment, you have already betrayed the American people. *** 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

We were also happy to meet with a dear friend of some 40 years, Hany Salaam, who is one of the successful business leaders in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Hany Salaam, who has been living in London for many years, flew to Beirut to welcome us. His daughter, Ghida, is married to Prince Talil bin Muhammad of Jordan, first cousin of the current King Abdullah II. If we wanted to, with his experience in economics, entrepreneurship, and diplomacy, he could have been a great Prime Minister which had been offered him in the past as were his uncles who served in Lebanon.

In the course of our visit in Lebanon, we drove to Homs Governorate in Syria, a three-hour drive from Beirut and met with its intrepid and farsighted Governor Talal Barazi, who told us that seventy percent of Homs was ravaged during the war with ISIS. We saw up close the atrocious damages in the community. Some residents have returned to their homes and are beginning to rebuild their lives.

As of this writing, some 500 ISIS fighters have surrendered to Syrian military forces in Baghouz, in eastern Syria, near the Iraqi border, the jihadists’ last remaining enclave. We hope the vicious fighting there will have come to a close when this column appears but we are afraid the ISIS cells will move to other regions as they have small cells infiltrating parts of Europe and who recently intruded in force into our Marawi City, leading to its near destruction and is today in the midst of successful rebuilding by the Duterte government. ■

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 22-28, 2019

Sandiganbayan approves Estrada, Napoles plea to dismiss plunder charges

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

THE Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Wednesday, March 20, granted the motion for leave of court that allowed senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada and plunder convict Janet Lim Napoles to file a demurrer to evidence over the multibillion-peso “pork barrel” scam.

“After a careful examination of the totality of the evidence presented by the prosecution, both testimonial and documentary, the court resolves to grant the present motion of the accused, to sufficiently provide him an opportunity to challenge the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence establishing the material elements of the offense charged to support a judgment of guilt,” the anti-graft court said as reported by ABS-CBN News.

All three justices of the Fifth Division namely Associate Justices Rafael Lagos, Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Maryann Corpus-Mañalac signed the two separate but similar resolutions

the rule stated.

“Thereafter, the incident shall be deemed submitted for resolution,” the court said.

Estrada, who is accused of amassing P183-million worth of kickbacks for funneling his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus non-government organizations linked to Napoles, has been out on bail since September 2017.

“Still the prosecution’s evidence show that accused Estrada is the main plunderer having DIALOGUE WITH RIDERS. Senator JV Ejercito together with LTO Chief Edgar Galvante and Col. Darwin Paz of PNP-HPG pose for a souvenir sole and exclusive control over photo with the motorcycle riders after holding a two-hour dialogue with them at the Senate over their complaints against the implementation Senate hoto by Cesar Tomambo his Priority Development Assis- of the new “Doble Plaka” law. tance Fund (PDAF) allocation,” the prosecution said as reported

by Rappler.

He had repeatedly denied having a comeback. I implore our minal 1 before she could board ing any transaction with Napoles kababayans (countrymen) who a Philippine Airlines flight to

by AJPRESS concerning his PDAF. The former wish to work abroad, do not fall Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. senator is currently campaigning The Filipina admitted during THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) victim to these syndicates,” he for a return to the Senate. He is questioning that her real age is one of the senatorial candidates on Monday, March 18, started said.

He instructed BI port operations 21 and not 25 as indicated in her running under the administra- to step up its drive against the tion-backed Hugpong ng Pag- trafficking of Filipino minors in chief, Grifton Medina, to alert BI passport, according to Glenn Ford the wake of reports that traffick- personnel manning immigration Comia, BI TCEU NAIA 1 head babago (HNP) slate.

Napoles, meanwhile, is held at ing syndicates are once again booths at the airport to watch out supervisor.

Comia added that the pasthe women’s correctional facility recruiting minors to work in other for passengers who appear to be minors or below 23 years old as senger only found out that her countries. in Mandaluyong City. n BI Commissioner Jaime Mor- well as conduct strict screening birthdate was changed when she ente ordered immigration officers of departing OFWs to make sure received her travel documents at the Ninoy Aquino International they are of legal age and eligible from her recruiter on the day of her flight.

Airport (NAIA) and other interna- for overseas deployment.

“In cases of doubt, passengers More than a hundred underage urging the authorities to limit men working in the South China tional airports in the country to pork imports in order to prevent Sea land, and the Navotas Fish carefully screen departing over- should be referred to the travel OFWs, many of them minors, control and enforcement unit were reportedly intercepted at seas Filipino workers (OFWs).

African swine fever (ASF) from Port,” Serrano said.

“We can [also] require SPS “This syndicate has stopped (TCEU) for secondary inspection,” NAIA by the BI last year. All of entering the country. them possessed passports with “We’re not saying, for the re- (sanitary and phytosanitary) cer- deploying underaged women, Morente said.

The measure was ordered after falsified birthdates, although they cord, that us stakeholders are tificates for hand-carried meat,” following last year’s numerous interceptions, as well as arrests a 21-year-old Filipina household had valid overseas employment against importations since we he added.

Footbaths were placed in air- by local authorities. However, it worker was intercepted on March permits, working visas, and job have a 94 percent self-sufficiency seems that this scheme is mak- 13 by BI officers at the NAIA ter- contracts. n rate. But if we’ll need to import, ports to block ASF, as well. n we should only import what we need,” said National Federation of Hog Farmers chairman Chester Warren Tan during the Senate hearing.

A temporary total ban on pork imports, meanwhile, was suggested by Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries Chairperson Rufina Salas.

“There is enough [buffer stock for meat] to cover 60 days as of now, so we’re asking for a temporary total ban on importation of pork even from countries...not ASF-infected,” Salas said.

The DA has so far banned pork imports from 15 countries where ASF is present including Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Salas also suggested recalling imported canned goods from China, since ASF virus can survive for 1,000 days even in frozen meat.

“So maybe the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) should recall imported canned goods from China, especially until China is cleared,” she said.

According to the FDA, there are some 38 Chinese products currently on the market shelves.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano, for his part, said the government has implemented strategies to block ASF. “The directive of the secretary (Emmanuel Piñol) is to also keep watch on the ports where fisherfor both of the accused.

As the Sandiganbayan approved the plea of Estrada and Napoles, they were given 10 days to file their respective demurrers, while the prosecution was given 10 days to respond.

The plea could pave the way for the dismissal of the case halfway through the trial, without the accused having to present their counter-evidence.

In a report from The Philippine Star, a demurrer to evidence is a pleading that challenges the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence against the accused. It gives the court a chance to decide if there is enough reason for the case to move forward.

The anti-graft court cited Section 23, Rule 119 of the Rules of Court. According to the said rule, demurrers, if granted, is tantamount to a dismissal of the case.

“A demurrer to evidence is an objection by one of the parties to the effect that the evidence which his adversary produced is insufficient in point of law, whether true or not, to sustain the issue,”

Pork imports may carry African swine fever

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

DR. Eugenio Mende, president of the Philippine Veterinary Drug Association, on Wednesday, March 20, warned that the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus may enter the Philippines through siomai, pork dumplings, and other processed foods being sold by Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen to their local counterparts in the West Philippine Sea. He gave out the warning during Wednesday’s Senate committee on agriculture and food hearing that focused on the possible entry of African swine fever in the country.

According to Mende, there is a possibility that the pork used in the food items sold by Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen may have been infected with ASF. He urged the authorities, specifically the Philippine Coast Guard, to vigorously patrol the area and prohibit the practice.

Ronnie Domingo, director of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry, said their agency’s evaluation of the ASF possibility in the country was “very low,” but he noted that protective measures are most effective in the commercial importation of pork and that the porous areas where the ASF virus may slip through are those in the items carried by balikbayans or returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and foreign tourists.

“In the traditional importation of meat or bulk imports, we don’t see any problem with that. But in the case, for example, of our countrymen who bring meat products from ASF-infected country, that’s where the risk is present,” Domingo said.

Temporary pork imports ban Hog industry stakeholders are

Duterte threatens to fire...

PAGE 5 Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy urged Duterte to appoint a qualified official who can better manage the regulatory board.

“We hope President Duterte appoints a new head of the MWSS who knows the ins and outs of the job. If MWSS top officials cannot find a solution, then they should resign and just enjoy the respite from the strenuous requirements of public service,” Dy said.

Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice said the water crisis cannot be attributed solely to the low supply from the water resources.

He emphasized that the water agencies were fully aware of the challenges but they failed to act on it in a timely manner.

“As early as January, Manila Water already knew that they will be needing (1.7 billion liters), beyond the (1.6 billion liters) allocated to them. Yet they did not do something about it. They waited for the March 6 water service interruption before they acted on it,” Erice said.

Senators also mandated the water concessionaires to provide compensation for all the people who were affected by the said water crisis in the Eastern zone of Metro Manila and Rizal prov-

ince.

Senator Risa Hontiveros shared that aside from the public apology issued, they must “demonstrate its firm commitment to public accountability and restore consumer trust and confidence.”

“While Manila Water’s public apology and act to hold itself responsible for the water shortage are recognized, fair and just compensation to the consumers is in order,” Hontiveros said as reported by The Manila Times.

“With over a million households deprived of access to clean water and exposed to numerous health risks, any apology without compensation is hollow and meaningless,” the senator added.

She also elaborated that it is constitutional to impose penalties once they fail to deliver the service they promised. She emphasized that “all penalties received by the regulatory body will be rebated to affected consumers.”

“Manila Water’s concession agreement clearly stipulates that the regulatory office can impose financial penalties on the concessionaire if its failure to meet its service obligation adversely affects public health or welfare,” Hontiveros added. n

Manila Water Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Perry Rivera, Manila Water Chief Executive officer and President Ferdinand Dela Cruz, Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez, and MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco testify on Monday, March 18, during the House inquiry on the water shortage in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rudy Martinez

BI steps up drive against trafficking of minors

March 22-28, 2019 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Duterte abolishes Road Board

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law an act that abolishes the Road Board that he had once referred to as a “milking cow” of corrupt officials.

Duterte on March 8 signed Republic Act No. 11239, which dismantled the board and required the government to channel the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) into the National Treasury. A copy of the measure was made public on Tuesday, March 19.

Under the new law, the multibillion-peso MVUC will be “remitted to the National Treasury under a special account in the General Fund” to be earmarked solely for the construction, upgrading, repair, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and road drainage to be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. A Congressional Oversight

committee will also be created to monitor the implementation of the law imposing the motor vehicle user’s charge. The committee will be comprised of five members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate.

One member of each chamber should be from the minority.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) will assume all obligations and liabilities of the Road Board — the board’s records, property, assets, equipment and funds will all be transferred to the department.

The public works department will also absorb the employees of the Road Board secretariat without reducing their salaries and benefits.

The proposal to abolish the Road Board had been filled with controversies. It was one of the reasons why the passage of this year’s P3.757-trillion budget was delayed, sparking a quarrel between then budget secretary

Benjamin Diokno and several lawmakers who accused him of inserting some P75 billion in the budget without Duterte’s approval.

Duterte also signed Republic Act No. 11241 or the Philippine Occupational Therapy Law of 2018, which regulates the registration, licensure and practice of occupational therapy and extending the franchise of a broadcasting firm. It was enacted on March 11.

Republic Act No. 11241 creates a board consisting of a chairman and two members appointed by the president to promulgate, administer and enforce rules governing occupational therapy.

Licensure examination will be a requirement for occupational therapists. A general average of 75 percent with no grade lower than 60 percent in any subject should be obtained by an applicant to be qualified to practice. n

MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has cautioned Catholic voters against picking candidates just because they are likely to win in the May elections.

“Voters should not allow surveys to sway them from voting for the best and right candidates to choosing the ‘winnable’ ones,” Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP Public Affairs Committee executive secretary, said in a report on the Manila Bulletin.

“Voters should vote for candidates based on abilities and their stand on issues and not on their association with any popular leader,” he also said.

Earlier this week, Pulse Asia released the results of its February survey on senatorial candidates for the upcoming midterm elections.

The recent poll showed administration-backed candidates leading in a race for 12 seats at the Senate. Administrationbacked candidates Christopher Go, Ronald “Bato dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino—also saw a jump in their survey rankings.

Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, a former Local Government secretary, was the lone opposition bet to make it to the Top 12.

CBCP guidance in past elections Although the CBCP has admitted that there is no “Catholic vote” in the Philippines, it has, in the past, given guidelines that the Filipino faithful can use in electing their leaders.

A month before the 2016 elections, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas advised voters: “Do not choose depending on who is topping or trailing in the surveys.”

“You are called to take courage and make moral decisions. Your vote can make heaven come down and make our country beautiful and good as God desires it,” he added.

Months before the 2013 midterm elections, the Catholic bishops also urged voters not support candidates pushing for passage of the Reproductive Health bill.

In a November 2012 STAR report, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said in Filipino: “If there is a candidate who does not follow Church teachings, we should reject this candidate. We must use the Catholic vote and show them what the real Catholic is.”

On the eve of the presidential elections in 1998, bishops called on Filipino Catholics to “vote for persons who morally,

intellectually and physically show themselves capable of inspiring the whole nation toward a hopeful future.”

They said that electing a womanizer would be a “death blow” to the country’s democracy.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, then vice president and who had made no secret of his womanizing, won the presidential race by a landslide.

Court on pre-election surveys Petitions seeking to stop the release of pre-elections surveys have also been filed in the past.

SWS asked the high court to stop the Comelec from enforcing a provision of the Fair Election Act that held: “Surveys affecting national candidates shall not be published 15 days before an election and surveys affecting local candidates shall not be published seven days before an election.”

The SC held that the assailed provision “imposes a prior restraint on the freedom of expression, a direct and total suppression of a category of expression even though such suppression is only for a limited period, and government interest sought to be promoted can be achieved by other means other than the suppression of freedom of expression.” (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (2nd from left), together with (from left) Sen.Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Nancy Binay, Sen. Joey Villanueva, Sen. Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Sonny Angara look at the scale model of the new Senate building after the ground-breaking ceremony held in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Monday, March 18. The construction of the new Senate home is expected to finish in December 2020.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

CBCP to Catholic voters: Don’t be Filipino academics lament death of honesty, sincerity among officials swayed by bets’ ‘winnability’

by JANVIC

MATEO Philstar.com

MANILA — Filipino academics are calling for the revival of core values among those who hold positions of power, saying the death of honesty and sincerity is at the root of the country’s problems.

Amid discussions on whether or not honesty should be an election issue, the Akademyang Filipino said core values such as honesty and integrity form part of the foundations of strong institutions and sovereign nations.

“At the root of all our country’s problems, our civic decay, and poverty of spirit is the death of honesty and sincerity in the Filipino,” the group said.

“We must come together to revive these core values – the very foundations of strong insti-

tutions, and just and sovereign nations – in our educational system and by the example of our leaders and those who hold positions of power,” it added.

The group issued the statement after presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that honesty should not be an election issue as all politicians are liars.

She made the remark as one of the candidates she endorses, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, face criticisms for lying about obtaining degrees from Princeton University and the University of the Philippines College of Law. Several groups and personalities, including Vice President Leni Robredo, have called out Duterte for her statement.

Founded by National Artist F. Sionil Jose and the late senate president Ed Angara, Akad-

emyang Filipino brings together pre-eminent achiever who have distinguished themselves in the arts, sciences, and professions in service to the nation.

The group envisions a diverse society of purposeful leaders that would start and sustain an ongoing dialogue among the country’s decision-makers.

In addition to Jose, who serves as chair emeritus of the group, other trustees include former ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales (chair), A. Magsaysay Inc. president Doris Magsaysay Ho (treasurer), National Scientist Angel Alcala, Sen. Sonny Angara, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former UP vice president Jose Dalisay, former Far Eastern University president Lydia Echauz, GMA network chairman Felipe Gozon, and former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. n

tive Anti-Illegal Drugs Abuse Council.

Both offenses under Section 30 of the Local Government Code are grounds in which an elective official may be disciplined, suspended or removed from office.

Of the 45 mayors, 15 are from Bicol, seven from Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, five from Cordillera Administrative Region, five from Mimaropa, four from Central Visayas, three from Caraga, three from Calabarzon, two from Cagayan Valley and one from Eastern Visayas.

“Despite several directives from the DILG and the Danger-

ous Drugs Board, the concerned mayors still failed or refused to comply with the said orders and their towns are among those that are without an organized and functional ADAC,” Año said.

In May last year, the DILG and the DDB issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01, mandating all local government units to activate, strengthen and ensure the functionality of their local ADACs, approve a comprehensive local anti-drug plan and appropriate substantial funds for anti-illegal drugs related programs, activities and operations. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

45 mayors face admin raps over absence of anti-drug councils MANILA — Forty-five mayors are facing administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged failure to establish anti-drug abuse councils in their areas.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government filed complaints against 25 local executives on Wednesday, March 20. The latest set of complaints is in addition to the 20 filed on March 14.

In a release Thursday, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the 45 mayors committed grave misconduct in office and gross dereliction of duty for their refusal or neglect to organize their respec-

Court of Appeals affirms ruling clearing Junjun Binay from admin case MANILA — The Court of Appeals upheld its ruling that cleared former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay from administrative charges over the alleged anomalous construction of the P2.28-billion city hall parking building.

The appellate court’s Former Tenth Division junked the Office of the Ombudsman’s motion for partial reconsideration against the court’s Tenth Division on May 8, 2018.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier found Binay and four other city officials guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct for the overpriced procurement of the architectural design, engineering services and construction of the building. The office also dismissed them from government service.

But the appeals court reversed the ombudsman’s ruling, saying that the condonation doctrine applies in the said case.

The said doctrine effectively extinguishes the administrative liability of a re-elected official for an act committed in his previous term.

The Supreme Court in its November 2015 ruling on the preventive suspension order of the ombudsman against Binay involving the same project, abandoned the doctrine.

But the ruling was prospective in application, which means it only covers future cases.

The appeals court on May 2018, rejected the ombudsman’s argument that Binay cannot use the said doctrine because he signed and approved undated disbursement vouchers (DVs) on July 24, 2013 amounting to P429,011 and another DV dated July 3, 2013.

The appellate court said that the vouchers were signed after Binay’s re-election and were related to services pursuant to contracts of the city government in his prior term.

In acting on the ombudsman’s appeal, the CA stood by its earlier ruling that the doctrine applies on the case, “notwithstanding the approval of the aforementioned DVs as these pertained to payment of services contracted during his prior term.”

“While it is true that the Supreme Court’s ruling in CarpioMorales was indeed relative to this Court’s issuance of injunctive reliefs and was not about the OMB’s main findings of administrative guilt against Binay Jr., it cannot be negated that the abandonment of the condonation doctrine—declared prospective in application by no less than the Supreme Court— should not be given any retroactive effect as to prejudice Binay Jr. for the acts he allegedly committed when said doctrine was still in effect and duly recognized,” the CA held.

Meanwhile, in the same ruling, the court also ordered the deletion of the award of back salaries and other emoluments for Emerito Magat, Nelia Barlis, Raydes Pestaño and Leonila Querijero, whose offenses were earlier downgraded to suspension of six months from dismissal of service.

Binay is running against his sister, Makati Mayor Abigal Binay, for the mayoral seat in Makati, the family’s bailiwick. (Kristine Joy Patag/ Philstar.com)

Int’l lawyers note ‘severe’ rights...

PAGE 5 They urged Duterte to “refrain from publicly attacking lawyers and instead publicly condemn all attacks against lawyers, prosecutors and judges.” They also urged the government to cease redtagging and public disclosure of drug lists, as well as ensure the safety of lawyers and the independence of the judiciary.

Under the Philippine jurisprudence, red-tagging is defined as “the act of labelling, branding, naming and accusing individuals and/or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists or terrorists (used as) a

strategy... by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived to be ‘threats’ or ‘enemies of the State.’”

“We learned that lawyers in the Philippines have been redtagged for defending human rights, defending political dissidents, and defending victims of human rights violations,” the panel said.

No hand in killing Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, for his part, dismissed the panel’s findings.

He said they should not attribute the deaths to the president as the

killings “could be personally motivated.”

“They cannot attribute the lawyers’ killing to PRRD (Duterte) and his administration. The killing could be personally motivated,” he said.

“What do they mean by their statement that the Administration should refrain from attacking lawyers? The administration has not attacked any lawyer in any way and/or manner. Coming as it does from lawyers who should know better, blaming the administration for the lawyers’ deaths is gross intellectually challenged,” he added. n

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Mindanao to be placed under Comelec control

by MAYEN JAYMALIN Philstar.com

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The entire Mindanao aside from Abra as well as Jones town in Isabela and Lope de Vega in Northern Samar have been added to the list of election hotspots under category red by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The category red classification may warrant the declaration of Comelec control over the areas,â&#x20AC;? Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said yesterday.

Jimenez said the declaration was due to security threats and election-related incidents in two

DRY SEASON. A teenager walks along a parched rice filed in Baliuag, Bulacan province. The El NiĂąo dry spell might last up to June, delaying the onset of the rainy season, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa Deputy Administrator Flaviana Hilario said the forecast indicated the onset of the rainy season toward late June instead of the usual late May to early June.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

Philippines is the 69th happiest country on earth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; report

by GAEA

KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

The country, with an average score of 5.631 in 2019, slightly moved from its place last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Philippines at 71st out of the 156 countries is the 69th happiest country in ranked. the world, according to a UnitThe Philippines ranked higher ed Nations report released on than its Southeast Asian counthe International Day of Hap- terparts like Malaysia (80th), Inpiness. donesia (92nd), Vietnam (94th),

Laos (105th), Cambodia (109th) and Myanmar (131st).

Meanwhile, war-torn South Sudan is the least contented nation. Other conflict-ridden countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic also featured at the bottom of the list. n

Measles cases breach 20,000 mark

by MAYEN JAYMALIN Philstar.com

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The prevalence of measles nationwide continues to rise despite the ongoing massive immunization drive.

The latest Disease Surveillance Report from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that incidence of measles in the country increased to 21,396, including 315 deaths, from January to March 14.

The DOH said the figure was 4,417 higher compared to the number of measles cases recorded during the same period last year.

The number of measles fatalities also went up by 43 compared to 2018.

Calabarzon accounted for the biggest number of measles cases with 4,401, including 87 deaths, followed by the National Capital Region with 4,266 and Central Luzon with 3,409.

According to the DOH, 60 percent of the measles patients were

not given vaccines.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded health workers nationwide to continue making measles vaccines more accessible to the people as the number of those with potential infection continues to increase. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the capability. We have the manpower, the funds and logistics. There should be no excuse (not to give vaccine),â&#x20AC;?

Duque stressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to collectively ensure and commit to bring back herd immunity to 95 percent.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be 10 steps ahead so we can prevent the spread of this vaccine-preventable disease,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Last Monday, Duque called an emergency command conference with the local government officials of Rizal to discuss plans to reduce, if not eliminate, measles cases in the province.

Duque stressed the need to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated against measles since it is the most effective

strategy to protect them from the potentially deadly disease. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be worse if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do this,â&#x20AC;? Duque told the local officials.

From Jan. 1 to March 19, the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit reported a total of 2,737 measles cases, including 121 deaths in the province of Rizal. Last year, the province only recorded 13 measles cases.

Antipolo City has the highest number of measles cases in the province with 1,007 and 32 deaths followed by the municipalities of Rodriguez with 308 cases and seven deaths.

Eduardo Janairo, DOH Calabarzon regional director, said they have deployed additional health workers to undertake house-to-house immunization in areas with high prevalence of measles.

Janairo said they have already vaccinated over 330,000 or more than 95 percent of the target population in the province of Rizal. n

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previous elections.

Jimenez said there is also a reported presence of armed groups such as the New Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf, Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in areas under category red.

He said the poll body might order the augmentation of police and military personnel as the need arises.

The Comelec had earlier placed Daraga in Albay and Cotabato City under Comelec control.

There are four categories under the Comelecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current sys-

tem of classification.

Under category green are areas with no security concern while under category yellow are those with a history of electionrelated violence or intense partisan political rivalry without the participation of local terrorist groups.

Areas with a history of violent incidents and intense partisan political rivalry and armed threats posed by local terrorist groups are under category orange.

Category red are areas where factors of category orange and threats posed by armed groups under category yellow exist. n

Aquino pushes water department

by BERNADETTE

TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net

SEN. Paolo Benigno â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bamâ&#x20AC;?

Aquino IV has raised the need to create a Department of Water and solely address water distribution issues and avoid a repeat of the water crisis that burdened thousands of Metro Manila residents.

The reelectionist senator filed Senate Bill 2216 seeking the creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The creation of the Department of Water is a long-term solution to prevent a repeat of the water shortage, not only in Metro Manila, but also in other parts of the country,â&#x20AC;? Aquino said.

Aquino said the Department of Water would rationalize water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation resource management.

Currently, several agencies are responsible for water, irrigation, sewage and sanitation management, such the National Water Resources Board, Local Water Utilities Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Irrigation Administration, local water districts and rural waterworks and sanitation associations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With regulation and management of our water resources currently lodged with various units and agencies of the government, we are faced with challenges in terms of implementing national policies and plans on water, sewage, sanitation, and irrigation,â&#x20AC;?

Aquino said.

He said the proposed department would improve water resource planning to ensure

A man fills a drum with water in Tondo, Manila.

sustainable, fair allocation and efficient use of water resources, including but not limited to domestic and municipal use, irrigation, power generation, farming, fisheries, commercial and industrial use.

Sen. Joseph Victor â&#x20AC;&#x153;JVâ&#x20AC;? Ejercito, meanwhile, pushed for the construction of more dams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we should pursue the completion of delayed water dam projects to address the shortage. The Angat Dam and La Mesa Dam are the only sources of water for Metro Manila. Our population is getting bigger, we must find new water sources,â&#x20AC;? said Ejercito, who is seeking reelection in May. Also on Tuesday, MalacaĂąang said it would study the proposal of a Japan-based company for President Rodrigo Duterte to revisit a safer and cheaper option to increase water supply to Metro Manila.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Global Utility Development Corp. asked Duterte to push through

ManilaTimes.net photo

with the construction of a lowlevel dam in Kaliwa River.

This comes after the Duterte administration awarded the New Centennial Water Source Project Kaliwa Dam to a Chinese company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will leave it to his (Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) judgment call. But if you will ask me personally, if the advantage is so clear, if it is true that the Chinese proposal is onerous, I think we should look into it,â&#x20AC;? Panelo told reporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will ask this particular Japanese entity or firm to give us a copy of their proposal, and then my office will look into it. And then I will make a recommendation to the President,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System said the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) had approved the Kaliwa Dam project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the approval of the highest level at the NEDA (National Economic Development Authority), done deal na yan (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a done deal),â&#x20AC;? MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco said. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 22-28, 2019

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA CARE to dance?

Most people have rhythm embedded in their DNA. Music moves them emotionally and physically. Music is a powerful gravity-defying force that can speak to the soul.

Watch when people listen to an upbeat Michael Jackson tune or even a Strauss waltz piece and before long, they will transform any empty space into a dance floor, dancing by themselves, or even trip the light fantastic if they are lucky enough to be with someone who shares their love for music and dancing.

Test yourself if you have rhythm in you. See if a few strains of any kind of music move you emotionally and get you busting a few moves yourself.

Want to see real honest to goodness dancing? Check out the video on youtube titled “Old movie stars dance to Uptown Funk” sang by Bruno Mars. It is this wonderfully edited and seamlessly spliced YouTube video of the Hollywood stars of a past golden era, exhibiting real talent in dancing. I just love watching the mixing of dance talent and current modern beat. The video editor, whoever he or she may be, deserves praise. Kudos!

Fred Astaire, in my opinion, is beyond compare. There will never be another Astaire on earth who can take to the dance floor and make it look so easy. Sigh …

The music he danced to seemed welded into his bones. But such perfection in movement didn’t come without a price. He must have practiced until his bones and muscles at the end of each rehearsal day cried out for mercy. He must have burned out so much energy that accounted for his lean physique and lightness of feet.

But we don’t’ have to be that great of a dancer to enjoy the music and move to its beat. Dancing is exhilarating. If you want real justification to ‘bust a move’ as they say, dancing is real good exercise and is fun! Exercise, as you probably know, is one of only 2 ways (laughter being the other one) that the body naturally

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS B WISE, B safe Vitamin B is one of the most essential vitamins our body needs, but excess of this vitamin is unhealthy. Many food items in the market are fortified with Vitamin B, and some people who take a one-a-day multivitamin/minerals pill which already contains vitamin B and take added vitamin B supplements are overdosing on B. This could lead to obesity or difficulty in losing weight for those who are overweight, skin blemishes, nerve damage, kidney issues, etc.

The B-complex (8 of them) includes B-1 to B-12 (there are no B-4, B-8, B-10 and B-11). Their names are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and cobalamin.

The kidneys normally filter out excess vitamins, but they could only do this to a certain level, and kidneys of individuals vary in efficiency. The best is to B careful and B well informed, not only about B vitamin but about all other vitamins, including minerals.

The formulation of most onea-day multivitamins/mineral pills meets the daily requirements for most people. Read the label or Google them, or check with your healthcare provider. For those diagnosed with specific deficiencies or extra needs, the attending physician would prescribe accordingly.

Liquid candy: a toxic drink All varieties of soft drinks, cola or un-cola — regular or diet, caffeine-free or not — are all toxic to our body. Phosphoric acid is a major component of cola drinks, and citric acid, of the un-colas. Carbonated water provides the carbonic acid in soft drinks. Phosphoric acid is used to flush out car engines and for cleaning toilet bowls. It dissolves calcium, as it does in our body as we consume soft drinks adversely affecting our bones and teeth. The caramel coloring for coke is a contaminant from 4methylimidazole, a carcinogen to

The Bucket List Let the Music Move You 10th of a Series

“ … And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”

— Ascribed to Friedrich Nietzsche produces endorphin — that feelgood, healthy hormone that is still by far, the best medicine for both body and spirit. We all have it in us and is absolutely free.

So go ahead, even if you have two left feet, and tend to step on your partner’s feet when dancing. Shed your inhibitions and DANCE! Let the music move you. With dedicated repetition and practice, you might even surprise yourself one day with a dance routine.

Cut back the time spent online. We fritter away much of our time browsing and imbibing toxic things from the internet that wear away and erode the joy of our souls during our time here on earth. Get off your backside and listen to music that resonates with your body as you cook, clean your car, clean out the garage or do other mind numbing chores.

If all else fails, start humming as you work. My cousin, who has been a dentist for decades and has just retired in her early eighties, used to hum as she worked on her patients’ mouths. She was passionate about her work and it showed. The music pours out of her. When her husband was still alive, they would hit the dance floor at parties whenever they could.

Music makes things easier as the arduous tasks get done. If you do mental work like writing or analysis that needs intense focus and you tend to get easily distracted, listen to soft, unobtrusive instrumental music so the words don’t get in the way. On hot summer nights when sleep is elusive and the air conditioning is busted, listen and fall asleep to the sounds of gentle rain on your smartphone. It’s hypnotic.

This beats having to drink those dangerous sleep aids with horrid side effects.

Not all music soothes the soul

though. Choose wisely. There is a smorgasbord of music to choose from and like anything else, our choices determine the outcome. It is no wonder that the younger generations who grew up listening to that so-called music genre of troubling, raspy, jagged sounds that focus on the seedy side of life such as blood, sex, violence, gang culture and others have strayed so far away from what is good.

It was said that there were celestial strains of music by a host of angels floating above the stable in Bethlehem at the time Christ was born more than two thousand years ago. My wild guess is it may have been musical strains of Handel’s “Messiah.”

Was there music in the Garden of Eden? Perhaps yes before sin came to be and Eden went dank and dark. And if you are living and trying to get to heaven, you may wonder if there is going to be music and dancing there as well.

If lightness of being and freedom from the stranglehold of gravity and earthly concerns characterize life beyond death, the answer is probably a big resounding YES. So while alive and your body and limbs are functional, dance with sheer abandon as you let good music move you. It is purely speculative but I have a gut feeling there is going to be a lot of dancing on an immense celestial dance floor as you bust your heavenly moves on a conga line.

Stand aside, Fred. You’ve got some serious competition up there.

Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List… *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Vital medical tips

humans, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. And so with the artificial sweeteners in diet drinks. All soft drinks are unhealthy for everyone, especially for children.

They increase the risk for dental carries, osteoporosis, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, obesity, heart attack, and stroke in the long run.

Unlike cyanide poison, which kills instantly, soft drinks do it softly and slowly, the reason people don’t care…until the disaster hits.

Obesity kills This is another subtle killer.

Obesity (mostly from eating too much, exercising too little or not at all…some due to genetic defect). The following health problems are more common among those who are overweight or obese: High blood pressure, diabetes T2, heart disease, sleep apnea, stroke, osteoporosis, increased blood pressure and Caesarian rate (toxic pregnancy) among obese mothers, kidney disease, fatty liver, and some cancers. Those who are overweight or obese also have higher mortality risk for surgeries and, in general, less healthier and have shorter longevity. Besides whatever strategy one is using to maintain normal weight, there is one simple common sense technique my wife, Farida, and I learned from our famous professor in medical school, the internationally renowned Filipina Pediatrician, the late Dr. Fe Primitiva del Mundo, which is safest, most effective, and cheapest: “Push yourself away from the table less than full.”

As far as I can remember, she always appeared to be no more than 110 pounds.

To digress a bit: This amazing icon was treating patient up to age 94 on her wheelchair, and died August 6, 2011, two months shy of 100. She was the first woman admitted to Harvard Medical School in 1936, founder of the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines, and the inventor of the Bamboo Baby Incubator for rural areas without electricity. She was honored with the Lakandula Award and the Ramon Magsaysay Award (Phil-

ippine equivalent of the Nobel Prize).

The basic principle in weight maintenance is caloric intake must be equal to caloric output via exercise, etc. If food intake is more than exercise, the result is obvious. So, I strongly recommend we all push ourselves away from the table less than full. A bit hungry is healthier.

And drinking water can fill in the gap, making the kidneys happy too.

Hot multi grain cereals I have been eating old-fashioned Quaker Oats since I was a kid and just switched to Bob’s Red Mill 5-grain rolled hot cereals (whole grain oats, barley, rye, wheat, triticale, and flaxseed) last year. Having multigrain cereal with berries and nuts for breakfast and snacks, instead of rice or bread and bacon, ham, or sausages, is healthier. The rice flake and corn flake cereals contain too much sugar, which is not good for us, especially for children. For cold cereals, those made of barley, oats, millet, quinoa, are best. Also, watch out for unhealthy fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and additives. Always read the food labels. For me, nothing beats hot multi-grain cereals. They also maintain a healthier gastrointestinal microbiome for better metabolism, boosting our immune system, and lowering our risk for cardiovascular illnesses and cancer.

Red meat and pancreatic cancer Worldwide, there were 460,000 cases of pancreatic cancer, highest in Hungary. In the United States, 55,440 adults have been diagnosed to have this malignancy. Incidence appears to be 25 percent higher among black than white. Because of its anatomical location, pancreatic is hard to diagnose.

Among those diagnosed early (10 percent of them) where the pancreatic cancer is removable, the 5-year survival rate is 32 percent, 12 percent if it has spread to the surrounding tissues, and 3 percent after it has already metastasized to distant parts of the body.

A new study reveals that eat-

11

Patricia Peralta, 83

P

atricia Peralta, 83 years old, passed away last February 9 at her sister Menchie’s condo in the Upper West Side. Patricia was born in Hong Kong and in New York she worked for the United Nations until her retirement.

She was cremated and her ashes will be brought to Manila next month. There will be a memorial mass at the Church of the

Blessed Sacrament (152 West 71st Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam) on Saturday, March 23 at 6:45 pm. A reception will follow at the function room of The Coronado, her condo on 70th St (off Broadway and half a block from the church).

Patricia’s sister Menchie will also have a memorial mass at the Sanctuario de San Antonio church in Forbes Park, Makati with a reception following right after the mass.

Calendar of Events across

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 M A R C H 23

Free oil filter and motor oil recycling event in Rosemead, CA ATTENTION ALL SAN FERNANDO RESIDENTS – Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters in exchange for a free new oil filter on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at AutoZone (8350 Garvey Ave. Rosemead, CA 91770). Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. So, don’t miss out – we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.

MARCH 30

Philippine Medical Society of Northern California installation of officers in Foster City, CA The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California will hold its 47th anniversary and installation of officers for 2019-2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on Saturday, March 30. For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Clementina Manio at drtina0427@gmail. com or visit https://www.pmsnc.org/.

United Bicolandia Los Angeles induction in Montebello, CA United Bicolandia Los Angeles will hold its 45th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on Saturday, March 30. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Lanie Berrei at lanieberrei@hotmail.com or (818) 281-3169.

City of San Fernando, La Union Association-USA ball in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando, La Union Association-USA will hold its 29th Fiesta Ball — “A Reunion to Remember” — on Saturday, March 30 at the Embassy Suites (900 East Birch Street) in Brea, CA. It will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 12 midnight. For more details, you may contact ball chairman Noel Nabua at (949) 323-3873 / nsnabua@gmail.com; outgoing president Samuel Chee at (909) 662-7501 / samnlynnndchamp@yahoo.com; incoming president Vicky Neri at (562) 394-6293 / vickybneri@gmail.com; and director Vangie So at (626) 485-3110 / vangieso@aol.com.

APRIL 7

Ryan, Ryan! The Maestro and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Glendale, CA Recently proclaimed National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s works will be showcased on Sunday, April 7 at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center (1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205) at 6 p.m. by his multi-talented singing group, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers joined by some local artists like Mon David, Annie Nepomuceno, Louie Reyes and many more. Come and hear how his work that spans five decades has made an indelible impact on Filipino culture. Co-presented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a 501 (c) 3 organization that brings exemplary Filipino Artists to U.S. stages. For ticket information ($35-$125) visit www.philpatrons.org and to learn about other tour stops in Las Vegas (April 7), San Diego (April 12) and Seattle (April 14).

APRIL 13

2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit in LA The 2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at The Center of Cathedral Plaza (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). In partnership with the LA County of Department of Mental Health, registration begins on March 11. This is a FREE event for all. Breakfast and lunch included with registration. Please email FilipinoWellBeing@Gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook. com/FilipinoWellBeing for more updates.

A P R I L 22

West Ranch Music Masters Tournament in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School’s Instrumental Music Program is excited to announce their inaugural Golf Tournament fundraiser to be held on Monday, April 22 at The Oaks Club at Valencia, CA. Check-in and breakfast starts at 10 a.m. with a 12 p.m. shotgun start. The $125 per player fee includes: 18 holes of golf, use of golf cart, practice facilities, lunch and dinner.

There will be an optional Mulligan and Magic Putt package for purchase. Additionally, a wide array of silent auction and raffle baskets will be available. The awards dinner will be served starting at 5pm and will feature students performing live jazz music. For those who wish to attend only the dinner and award festivities, the cost is $50. All proceeds go directly to support the West Ranch High School Music Program. To register for the tournament or for more information contact Jean Conway at westranchband@gmail.com or visit westranchmusic.com.

Deadline to register is on April 11.

A P R I L 25 -28

Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.org/.

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 ing processed meats like bacon and sausage (or red meat in general) increases the risk for the development of cancer of the pancreas by 29 percent, compared to those who do not eat them.

Nitrosamines as food additives and N-nitroso compounds in cigarettes catapults the risk for pancreatic cancer, while diets free of red meat and high in vegetables and fruits lower the risk.

Cooking meats on a grill, pan, or broiler at high temperature produces heterocyclic amines

(HAs), which are carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).

Even frying meats at over 300 F increases cancer risk. Barbeque fumes resulting from oil drips from the meat down to the coal fire below produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which is also a toxic chemical.

Using charcoal is worse than propane. The black burned parts of the meat are also suspected to be carcinogenic. It is best to scrape or cut off those burned parts. The use of the new copper-color grill

liners could help prevent oil from dripping onto the fire below. Better still is to limit or avoid eating red meats. Life is precious. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

12

MARCH 22-28, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BOBBY T. YALONG THE Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL), a Jersey City-based (501) (C3) community service-oriented organization has been annually observing this monumental event for years, worthily distinguishing the full potential and incredible achievements of the female populace.

This year’s PACCAL International Women’s History Month Gala and Awards Night is slated on Saturday, March 30 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Newark, New Jersey to celebrate and seal the global observance of this significant event.

Meet the last batch of the 2019 PACCAL Women’s History Month Achievers: Lirazen Rose “Excellence in the Performing Arts” Lirazen Rose (or Ara, to friends) is a multi-instrumentalist, singersongwriter, and a Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production and Entertainment Technology from The City University of New York. She has been performing around the Big Apple’s entertainment circuit and various Fil-Am events since her foray in the music arena in 2011.

Ara has ably opened shows for a number of Filipino artists like Aegis, Ariel Rivera, and Jennifer Cuneta. In addition, Ara is also an audio engineer, video editor, and a private music and voice teacher who’ll represent NY to the 2019 WCOPA talent Olympics come July in Long Beach, California.

Janette Alberto “Excellence in Nursing Management” A Nephrology Nurse by profession in the State of New Jersey, Janette previously held a Nurse Manager position at DCI (Dialysis Center Incorporation). She is a Transplant Designee for organ donation and transplantation. Janette’s mother is currently a kidney transplant recipient now on her second kidney transplant. Janette supports various humanitarian organizations: she’s formerly Vice President of Ocean County Right to Life, serves as a liaison to promote human life especially for children, and just recently, in partnership with Jojo Sayson of Project Michel Angelo, she created the “Mission Braille” for the

EMPLOYMENT

PeoPle & events

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

PACCAL observes the international celebration of Women’s History Month (Third of three parts)

blind in the Philippines together with her younger daughter Ysabella Marie Alberto.

Benilda Ramos “Excellence in Health Service” A BSN alumna of Perpetual Help University and BSA from Far Eastern University, Benilda Ramos was already equipped with technical and practical know-how in the field where she has passionately devoted her life. Her long list of pragmatic and hard-earned knowledgeable skills have distinctively proven her worth as a compassionate and nurturing health providing practitioner, having gained initial experiences from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center as a Registered Nurse in ICU, CCU, Recovery and Operating Rooms, followed by gaining more from a military hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where she became the one of the Senior Nurses, added her being a nurse in Cardio Thoracic for both adult and pediatric and in Fort Tryon Nursing Home in Manhattan.

Demi Habon Kondracki “Excellence in Nursing Profession” A registered nurse and BSN degree holder from the Far Eastern University, Demi Habon Knodracki was affiliated with St. Luke’s Hospital for 2 years before re-establishing her roots in the US in 1973 that took of at the Temple University Hospital. A multi-tasker and expert juggler, she expanded her career at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She developed clinical expertise in various fields in nursing, received numerous awards and recognitions, steadfastly involved in various religious and community outreach activities, and journeyed far profoundly honored, and emulated, not to mention her earnest involvement in various fundraising events and being a Eucharistic Minister. Demi’s other side reveals her world of Glitz & Glam with impressively distinct titles graciously attached to her moniker: Ms. Glamorous Phil-USA 2009, Ms. Ageless, Timeless Queen Phil-USA 2017, Ms. Prominent Senior Ageless Timeless Queen Phil-USA 2018, and many others. Currently Demi is blissfully married to Architect Joe Kondracki, blessed with two professional daughters and two grandkids.

Karlene Grace P. Binuya “Excellence in the Teaching Profession” Grace arrived in the United States in 1995 freshly armed with a Bachelor of Science Degree, (major in General Science) from the Philippine Normal University where she romped off with a Cum Laude distinction. To further pursue her career, she took a master’s program for Early Childhood Education at City College that paved way to her employment at the NYC Department of Education for permanency and security.

P.S. 48 in the Bronx gave her the first break to become a strong and influential teacher to students and colleagues. She took up another master’s degree in TESOL at City College of New York and later obtained a professional license for TESOL and eventually became part of Bilingual/ESL Teacher Leadership Academy (BETLA) scholars at Bank Street College for two years. Recently, she passed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for English as a New Language. Currently Grace is affiliated with the Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood Education as an instructional coordinator.

Dr. Marilyn Umali-Dizon “Excellence in Physical Therapy” One fast-rising name in the field is Dr. Marilyn Umali-Dizon, a native of Quezon Province and co-owner of Silver Lake Therapy Clinic in Belleville, New Jersey. The confidently caring physical therapist received her Bachelor of Science degree from Calayan Educational Foundation in Lucena City (2009) and her doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Utica College in New York (2012). For her selfless commitment to excellence in her chosen career, plus her up-to-date knowledge, effectual practice, and caring ways, she was commended with “Top Doctor” award by New Jersey’s NJ TOP Docs and was once again recognized as one of NJ Top Docs Living Well Providers for 2019.

Jeanette Marco “Excellence in Social Media & Event Producer” A graduate of Mass Communications from the University of the Philippines, and acquired her Master’s Degree in Business and

EMPLOYMENT

Marketing from the University of Liverpool, Jeanette has scrupulously molded herself to be a marketing strategist whose passion for writing drove her to pursue a career in journalism. Jeanette is an event producer and organizer with 17 years of masterful experience in publication, travel and hospitality industry both in New York, UAE, Japan, and Australia. Aside from being the producer of a lifestyle reality show “Get Reel TV,” she is currently the President of the Basilia Women’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports victims of domestic violence; the Executive Director of Marco Art NYC and Marco Not Polo; the Global Advisor of Project Pearls which helps the poorest of the poor children in the Philippines; Director of Events and Special Programs of Manup Campaign; National Director of the World Championships of the Performing Arts-(WCOPA); the Marketing Director of the International Film Festival of Manhattan, elected Presidential Advisor of the JCI in Queens, New York; and a volunteer host of a feeding program for the homeless at the C.H.I.P.S Soup Kitchen in Brooklyn, New York.

Joy Mendoza “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” The power to venture into business turned Mariejoy’s maiden obsession into a thriving industry. She took the path that her heart dictated after heeding to her mother’s request for her to take up nursing at St. Louis University in Baguio City. She disposed of her nursing practice with a heavy heart and treaded the path to where her instinctive inclination was leaning to, which was buy and sell business. She successfully managed to distribute office supplies for five years throughout the Ilocos Region. Joy innately possesses that right attitude towards building company with keen determination, straightforward focus, and genuine clench. Her strong business sagacity and exceptional display of public camaraderie urged her to seek for luck and fortune in the US in 1997. With the same level of intensity in product distribution, Joy conscientiously invested her hard-earned capital in buying and delivering / shipping all sorts of goods in-demand not only here

Cherry Marmes Smyth & son Brady

Lirazen Rose

Dr. Marilyn Umali-Dizon, DPT

Janette Alberto

Karlene Grace P. Binuya

Benilda Ramos

Mariejoy Mendoza

Demi Kondracki

Jeanette Marco

in the US but also in the Middle East and Europe.

Cherry Marmes Smyth “Most Influential Woman of the Year.”

A beauty queen with a magnanimously generous heart, a dynamic community leader and organizer, an open-handed philanthropist, and an enterprising businesswoman, Cherry Marmes Smyth is incredibly a renaissance woman.

Independent and business-minded Cherry (now Griswold, Connecticut-based) is innately charismatic.

Her altruistic and philanthropic ways easily create for her a gigantic image that make her stand much taller than what she actually is. Seeking to promote the welfare of others through generous dona-

tions and fundraising events, the indefatigable KIDS Philippines, Inc. (KPI) founder finds joy and fulfillment having accomplished her personal mission to her countrymen, together with the able support of her equally benevolent husband, KIDS Philippines, Inc. is fast becoming one of the most reliable among the many youthoriented organizations providing quality education to children in need, helping and guiding them reach full potential that they may be instruments to diminish, if not totally eradicate, poverty and juvenile criminality in the next generation.

For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

SERVICES

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Immigration Corner

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 22-28, 2019

13

April 2019 priority dates US Embassy charges crewmen with “fraud” for The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ First Preference

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

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

April 08, 2008

April 08, 2007

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, (2A) Spouse and in the Visa Bulletin, the priority March 01, dates for that particular month, Second Preference minor children (below December 15, 21 years old) of green 2017 2017 for the various family and emcard holder ployment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place (2B) Unmarried sons in line” for a visa, meaning imand daughters (21 March 01, August 01, migrant visas (or green cards) years old or older) 2008 2007 of green card holder would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If Married sons and September 01, June 01, 1996 daughters of US your priority date was “current,” Third Preference 1997 Citizens. but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa Brothers and January 15, June 01, 1996 was issued (or before you adjust- Fourth Preference sisters of US 1998 Citizens. ed status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes curApplication Visa Issuance LABOR CERTIFICATION: rent again.

Filing Date Date Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin Second Preference Advanced Degree Current Current (Masters) changed, in that a new column was added, called the “ApplicaMarch 01, Professional/ tion Filing Date.” If a person’s Third Preference July 01, 2018 2018 Skilled Workers priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they Non-Skilled March 01, can already file for adjustment Other Workers July 01, 2018 Workers 2018 of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its This could allow people to obtain wait for the priority date to be website it will use the Applica- work authorization much sooner current (in the Visa Issuance tion Filing Date for that month). than before, where they had to Date column) in order to both file

A CREWMAN WHO JUMPED SHIP WENT HOME TO THE PHILIPPINES ON AN APPROVED PROVISIONAL WAIVER, BUT WAS CHARGE WITH FRAUD FOR OVERSTAYING, AND COULD NO LONGER RETURN TO THE U.S. Jimmy (right) entered the U.S. in 1999 and jumped ship. When the provisional waiver regulations came out, allowing crewmen to legalize, (which also included crewmen), Jimmy applied for it immediately in his desire to “do the right thing” and legalize his status. He traveled back to the Philippines for his medicals and immigrant visa interview, thinking he would be back in the U.S. in a few weeks. However, the new 90-day rule implemented by the U.S. State Department resulted in Jimmy being charged with fraud, unable to return to the U.S. to his wife who is comatose. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney “Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) never left Jimmy’s side and kept fighting for him. Witness a heart-tugging homecoming and reunion on an all-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

overstaying, despite an approved provisional waiver -- on an all new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’

JIMMY entered the U.S. as a crewman in 1999 and jumped ship. When the provisional waiver regulations came out (which included crewmen as being eligible), Jimmy applied and was approved.

This allowed him to go back to the Philippines for his immigrant visa interview without being subject to a 10-year bar. Crewmen are not eligible to be interviewed for their green card in the U.S. (even if married to a U.S. citizen) unless they had been petitioned before April 30, 2001.

When Jimmy went for his interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila,

he was shocked when the Embassy charged him with fraud for having “overstayed” his 29-day crewman visa and having worked within 90 days of his arrival in 1999. In other words, he was being charged with fraud for overstaying, even though the provisional waiver “forgave” him for that same overstay.

What Jimmy thought would be just a few short weeks stay in the Philippines for his immigrant visa interview, turned out to be a lot longer, because the U.S. Embassy required him to now file a fraud waiver. Jimmy faced a mountain of uncertainties. He was diabetic, and

his insulin supply was only good for a few months. At the same time, his wife lay in comatose after suffering a stroke.

All this time, leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel never gave up on Jimmy. He staunchly defended Jimmy, fought for him, and stood by his side all the way, enabling Jimmy to finally return to the U.S. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday 6:15 p.m.PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on

the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

(Advertising Supplement)

14

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people events arts culture entertainment

HOMEBOUND/ALAALA SET TO PREMIERE AT THE JOYCE IN NYC

Fil Am choreographer’s latest work inspired by family’s journey

A

BY

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS

NEW dance for Ballet Hispánico called Homebound/Alaala, created by Bennyroyce Royon, a Filipino American director, choreographer and dancer will premiere at The Joyce Theater from March 26 to 31.

Royon describes Homebound/Alaala as “a deeply personal work rooted” in who he is as a Filipino American and “explores the intersection of the Latinx and Asian cultures through ideas including the spirit of communal unity (bayanihan), the resilience of women, overcoming hardship, and the quest for home.”

The show’s music is by Perfecto De Castro, Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor, Grace Nono, and Pinikpikan and the costumes will feature woven scrap fabrics that were provided by ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, a social and cultural enterprise in the Philippines working to preserve local weaves through contemporary and zero waste design to sustain livelihood.

Royon is proud to honor the rich weaving traditions of the Philippines and to connect his cultural heritage by integrating these woven scrap fabrics into the costume design.

Fabrics include Stripe Kantarines, Binakol, Tiniri, Tiniri Stripe, and Plain Kantarines woven by women artisans of Mang Abel Ti Abra; Native Ethnic Design woven in Benguet; and Ramit woven in Mindoro by the Mangyan tribe.

He worked closely with costume designer Amanda Gladu to represent the rich history of the Philippines, including some strong influences from Spain and the

United States.

Royon’s Journey Royon was born in San Pedro, Laguna in the Philippines. He moved to Auburn in Washington when he was 12 years old.

“My mom was putting herself through nursing school and my dad was a truck driver at the time,” Royon recalled.

At the age of 16, he discovered ballet and became obsessed with

dance ever since. But before that, he remembers that his first introduction to movement was through learning Filipino folk dances when he was in grade school back in the Philippines.

Royon got accepted to attend The Juilliard School at the age of 18, after only training for 2 years. After Juilliard, he joined The Metropolitan Opera Ballet for a season and danced for numerous dance companies touring the US, Canada, and Europe.

In early 2018, Eduardo Vilaro invited Royon to be part of Ballet Hispánico’s Instituto Coreográfico, a choreography institute for Latino artists, to create culturally specific work in a nurturing learning laboratory of dance.

Vilaro opened the institute to Asian choreographers like Edwaard Liang and Royon.

“I’m really inspired by my family and the

Bennyroyce says Homebound/Alaala is special for him because it is a deeply personal work rooted in who he is as a Filipino American. The show also explores the intersection of the Latinx and Asian cultures through ideas including the spirit of communal unity (bayanihan), the resilience of women, overcoming hardship, and the quest for home.

Photo by Kuo Heng Huang

Bennyroyce Royon during rehearsals for Homebound/Alaala, a show he created that was inspired by his family’s journey.

Photo by Laura Fuchs

experiences we’ve gone through to get to where we are now. So I wanted to create a work that told our journey,” Royon shared. “I see a lot of myself in this work, but this story is not just my story. It’s our story as a human race reorienting, loving, healing, celebrating, and moving forward together amidst any obstacles.”

Royon thought a lot about his roots and where he came from during the process of creating this

work.

“I became inundated by feelings and memories from my childhood in the Philippines. The word “homebound” came to mind and made a lot of sense,” he shared.

Then Mr. Vilaro asked him to also consider finding an alternative title in Tagalog.

Royon really liked the word “alaala” which means “remembrance” or “souvenir” so he

decided to just use both as a title to represent the two worlds that he comes from.

If money were not an issue, Royon’s dream project is a fully produced evening of his choreographic work in a major theater like Brooklyn Academy Music.

For now, he looks forward to showcasing his latest work and he hopes the community comes out to support him.

The show will premiere at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue) and will run from March 26 to 31. Photos by Laura Fuchs and Justin Chao

Julia Barretto, Gerald Anderson paired up in new film

By KRISSY

AGUILAR Inquirer.net

Angel Locsin

JULIA Barretto and Gerald Anderson will be starring in a film directed by Jason Paul Laxamana titled “Between Maybes.”

Production house Black Sheep shared behind-the-scenes Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin videos of the project via its Instagram account on Tuesday, March 19.

Laxamana gave a glimpse of what the film is about and shared how Saga, Japan’s “brand of quietness,” served as inspiration for him to write the about this character! I (love) story. that her weapon of choice is a “‘Between Maybes’ is a story Kampilan, w/c is believed to be the of two people who have lost sword Lapu-Lapu used to strike control of their own lives. One down Ferdinand Magellan. So, is a famous actress, and one (thumbs up) for that! is a son of parents who were Regarding her costume, I deported from Japan. These wonder what’s the inspiration two lost souls encounter each behind the design?” Angel wrote other in Japan. In their unusual on her Twitter account. relationship, they learn how to Leinil replied to Angel, saying regain control of their lives,” PAGE 15

Angel Locsin tapped to portray Marvel’s first Filipina superhero

By JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

ACTRESS Angel Locsin was offered to portray Wave, Marvel’s first ever Filipino superhero.

Leinil Francis Yu, Wave’s Filipino designer and co-creator, said he would love to see Angel giving flesh to Marvel’s first Filipina heroine whose alter ego has been named Pearl Pangan. “The

General’s Daughter” star, however, declined the offer.

“Tapos na ko sa superhero roles hehehe :) but kilig na nag reply ang creator :),” Angel replied to a fan asking her to accept the role.

Angel shared in a Twitter post that Wave’s weapon was based on what a Filipino hero historically used to defend the country from conquerors.

“I’m excited to learn more

Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto

Laxamana said in the video.

“What inspired me to write ‘Between Maybes’ is the location itself— Saga, Japan. Kasi nung nagpunta kami doon, there’s this brand of quietness na never ko naranasan dito. And it’s a perfect place to isolate yourself from everything,” he added.

Photo from Twitter/@jplaxamana

In the upcoming film, Barretto plays a famous actress named Hazel Iligan who has “no control over her life.”

Barretto bared she can relate so much to the character, saying: “This is what I do every day and I love my craft…Hazel PAGE 15

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EntErtainmEnt

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 22-28, 2019

15

‘The Last Interview’ pays tribute to Mayor Antonio Halili

By IZA IGLESIAS ManilaTimes.net

John Lloyd Cruz and Kaye Abad

TANAUAN City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili made headlines for his treatment of suspected criminals, particularly those involved in drug-related crimes. In 2016, he became the center of attention after he ordered drug suspects and thieves to be paraded around the city, in a campaign that was dubbed the “walk of shame.”

However, his campaign was criticized by human rights groups and other politicians.

Philstar.com photos However, on July 2, 2018, during flag raising ceremony at the newly constructed municipal hall, Halili was shot by an unidentified sniper. The bullet hit a mobile phone in Halili’s pocket and pierced his chest.

Halili was declared dead just less siya ‘yung tipong kapag okay than an hour after the shooting. na siya, ay okay na siya. Alam The 72-year-old was on his niyang hindi ito ang gagawin second term as mayor when the niyang pangkabuhayan. incident happened.

Kumbaga nakaipon na siya, The Philippine National gagawa siya ng business. Hindi Police (PNP) said that a regional ‘yung pag-aartista ang gagawin special task group had been niyang source of income,” she convened to investigate the added. killing, and was considering the Directed by FM Reyes parade of suspect the motive and Marinette Natividad-de behind his assassination.

Guzman, “Nang Ngumiti ang However until now, no suspect Langit” is led by premiere actors has been jailed.

RK Bagatsing, Cristine Reyes, A movie has been made Kaye Abad, Enzo Pineda, Pilar by journalist and film director Pilapil, Ces Quesada, Matet de Caesar Soriano who happens to Leon, and Keempee de Leon. have interviewed him less than a Also joining the daytime series day before the assassination. are child stars Heart Ramos, Soriano is a former Chief Miguel Vergara and Krystal Mindanao News Bureau of ABSMejes.

CBN. He also worked as a news anchor in DZIQ Radyo Inquirer 990 AM. Currently, he is the news anchor for “Ulat Bayan,” a weekend news program of PTV4. He also hosts “Magandang Gabi Pilipinas” and “Isyu One On One.” He produced the movie under his GreatCzar Media Productions. The outfit, established in 2016 that specializes on social awareness shows through television and film, produced his film debut, “Ang Misyon: A Marawi Siege Story” in 2018.

According to Soriano, the interview was supposedly geared toward the plan of making a biopic of the controversial mayor. In the said interview, the mayor poured out his strong staunch against Yasmien Kurdi Photo from Instagram/@yasmien_kurdi illegal drugs, the controversies surrounding his walk of shame parade campaign, his private life and all his dreams and aspirations for his dear town.

In his movie “The Last Interview: The Mayor Antonio Halili Story” starring John Estrada, Ara Mina and himself, it depicts about the colorful life of Halili told in the point of view of the last journalist who managed to have an in-depth interview with the departed mayor. This movie serves as a tribute for the well-loved Tanaueño who will forever live in his town folks’ hearts.

When asked why he thought of doing the life story of the mayor, Soriano shared during a press conference and premiere, “When I was a reporter, I was very fascinated and obsessed in understanding the harsh and not normal parading of drug pushers and drug users. I came to know that this mayor was accused of human rights violations, parading the drug pushers and users.”

“So, I wanted to know Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte why was he doing that, what me to do things by myself... I would ask him to go with me to take tests in the hospital because I’m very paranoid. He would tell me, ‘You know, you have to learn PAGE 14 how to do things and be strong. the collaboration is between him, Do it on your own, hindi pwedeng co-creator Greg Pak and the Marvel lahat lagi kang naka-ano sa tao,’ editorial team. so ‘yong mga ganon so, I’m really “It’s a collaboration of ideas lucky that I met someone that between me, greg and Marvel made me stronger and (made editorial:). Would love to see you me) face my fears.” as wave, Angel!” Leinil replied.

Kaye Abad offers explanation on ex John Lloyd Cruz’s showbiz hiatus

kami nagkikita rin,” Kaye said.

“Baka ayaw na ng tadhana na magkita kami kasi maayos KAYE Abad said she and na ang mga buhay namin,” she former on- and off-screen added. partner John Lloyd Cruz have Kaye admitted that her not yet seen each other in Cebu. husband Paul Jake and John Speaking before the media Lloyd’s partner, Ellen, are good during the press conference friends. of “Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit,” “Hindi na kami in touch ni Kaye was asked if she already Lloydie. Si Ellen and si Paul Jake, saw John Lloyd in Cebu. friends sila pero hindi naman The former “Tabing Ilog” love barkada talaga na like they team is now Cebu-based since hang out. Kasi may anak na rin Kaye got married with Paul Jake siya, kumbaga lahat kami ay may Castillo while John Lloyd is now pamilya na,” she said. with Ellen Adarna.

According to Kaye, she has “Palagi naman akong known John Lloyd as someone nasa labas pero hindi ko pa who wished to not to rely on rin siya nakikita. Ang daming showbiz forever for livelihood. nagtatanong niyan pero hindi pa “Kasi before pa alam ko na

By JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

Yasmien Kurdi graduates from college

By JAN

MILO SEVERO

Philstar.com

ACTRESS Yasmien Kurdi is set to graduate from Arellano University this April with a Political Science degree.

In her Instagram account, the “Starstruck” alumna posted her graduation photo wearing a white Filipiniana dress.

“Little girls with dreams become women with vision. #Filipina,” she wrote.

Celebrities such as Sue Ramirez, Angelica dela Cruz, Rita Avila, Kyline Alcantara, Dianne Medina, Valerie Concepcion and Gina Alajar, to name a few, congratulated Yasmien on her

milestone.

“Congratulations Yas!!! You are an inspiration to many of your fans and colleagues… keep up the good work… cheers,” Gina commented.

Apart from being a college graduate, Yasmien also shared on her Instagram story that she has been the recipient of Outstanding TV Actress of the Year from the Laguna Excellence Awards 2019.

“It is such an honor to be (recognized) by the Laguna government thru Laguna Excellence Award. I am very much humbled and inspired to continue to do my best in my chosen field and career,” the “Hiram na Anak” told GMA.

Heart Evangelista reacts to being called ‘spoiled,’ ‘super sheltered’

By JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Heart Evangelista answered people’s assumptions that she is a “super sheltered” spoiled brat.

In her video blog or vlog titled “Reacting To Your Assumptions About Me” posted on her YouTube channel, Heart admitted that she was “spoiled.”

“I was spoiled growing up.

My dad would really spoil us. He would bring us to high-end stores and ask us to please try on those clothes. He’d make us try on all the pretty clothes, modeling like that... He liked dressing us up, my dad and my mom they loved dressing up,” the actress shared.

But as she was going through life, Heart said she realized she has to adjust to harsh realities.

“So yes, I was spoiled, but as you go through life and you don’t always get what you want, you start to realize that you have to adjust to life. So as I got older, I adjusted to life. You can’t, it’s just wrong to be a brat. Spoiled, yes; brat, no,” she said.

She also admitted that she is sheltered and she is very happy

Heart Evangelista

she ended up with husband Chiz Escudero.

“Sheltered, I’d probably be plastic if I said ‘no.’ I think I am, but I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone. I have been and I’m very proud of myself,” Heart said.

“That’s why I’m very happy that I ended up with my husband, because he’s not the type to say ‘you can’t do this.’ He would push

expected na magkakatambalan.”

Anderson, on the other hand, plays the role of Louie Puyat, a son of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who were deported from Japan.

“Louie. Very simple guy.

Anak siya ng dalawang OFW na unfortunately were deported sa Pinas and doon nagstart ‘yung pain sa buhay niya,” Anderson said.

“Lahat naman kasi tayo, we have times in our lives na

Ara Mina as Gina, the wife of Mayor Halili.

Journalist and film director Caesar Soriano

Contributed photos

motivated him, what was the reason, what was his driving force why he had to parade these drug pushers and users?

So, to me, it’s very interesting, especially there’s this war on drugs of President Duterte. I find it so interesting dahil isa siyang mayor na marami ring kalaban. I interviewed him and I told him, I will do a movie na ganito. For many weeks, naghaggle kami about his story. He was still alive then. That very night, for four hours, he agreed to be interviewed, and finalized our production of the movie,” the filmmaker-journalist shared.

The director also mentioned that Halili had no second thoughts of having his life made into a movie.

“Kahit na magdalawang isip siya, talagang in-insist ko siya. He had no choice!

So, yun, for four hours, he revealed everything. It was so unfortunate that the following day, he was assassinated! And in that interview, he already sensed na parang iba yung magiging kahihinatnan, because our questions were like, ‘O, pinatay na si Parohinog, Espinosa… baka ikaw na ang kasunod,” he recalled.

“On my way home that early morning, he called me.

Sabi niya, ‘Caesar, can I have a meeting with you tomorrow after the flag ceremony? Sabi ko, ‘Wala namang problema, mayor.’

Hindi ko ma-imagine na may natanong ako sa kanya, ‘Ano kayang magandang ending ng pelikula mo, mayor?’ He told me, ‘Bukas, malalaman natin ang sagot diyan.’

“So, when he was assassinated, wala na! Parang ayoko na, kasi, wala na siya,

eh. But he kept on appearing in my dreams. Parang, ‘Ano ba, bakit hindi mo gagawin (ang pelikula)?’ So, nag-decide akong gawin para maipakita ko na there is this mayor who served his town, booted out from the list of mayors na kailangang bigyan ng security. Because he was involved in drugs, na nasa Drug Watch List ng Presidente.

But it was so interesting to know that fateful morning during the flag ceremony, he was assassinated. Who killed him? Why was he killed? And what’s the story behind?”

Soriano added.

Meanwhile, the director shared that while the movie is a biopic about the late mayor, he promised that the audience will get to learn a lot of lessons.

“Gaya ng sinabi ni mayor, hindi natin dapat katakutan ang ating kamatayan. Life is so short. While we are in this world, huwag tayong matakot gumawa ng kabutihan. Lalabas at lalabas ang katotohanan. So, for all the public servants, sa mga mayor na may mga [death] threats, or parang natatakot sa sinasapit ng mga mayor ngayon, ganun talaga ang public service eh. Yung isang hakbang mo, nasa hukay na,” he said.

“Si mayor, marami ang nainspire na mga taga-Tanauan because of its development.

Marami siyang natulungan.

Iba ang kind of leadership niya. Marami siyang projects,” Soriano ended.

Aside from Estrada and Ara Mina, the film stars Martin Escudero, Yayo Aguila, Mon Confiado, Michael Flores, Phoebe Walker, Zandra Summer, Kenneth Paul Cruz and Kate Alejandrino.

Angel Locsin tapped to portray...

Julia Barretto, Gerald Anderson...

PAGE 14 feels like she has no say in anything.”

“But I feel like for her, acting is her home, so kahit na lumayo siya nang gaano katagal pa ‘yan, uuwi at uuwi siya sa home niya which is her craft,” the 22-yearold actress added.

Barretto also talked about being paired up with Anderson. She said: “It’s a fresh new tandem. I don’t think it’s anything that anyone ever

John Estrada as the late Tanauan City, Batangas mayor

parang gusto natin ng tahimik.

Gusto nating lumayo sa mga kung ano ‘yung magulo sa buhay natin, sa trabaho natin, minsan sa personal life, sa family natin.

‘Yun talaga yung base at ‘yung foundation nung story na ‘to,” he added.

“Between Maybes” marks Laxamana’s second project with Black Sheep after the 2018 romantic comedy “To Love Some Buddy” starring Maja Salvador and Zanjoe Marudo.

Social media users entertained the fact that Angel might be the first Filipina to be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the actress turned down the idea.

Dubbed as the country’s “Action Drama Queen,” Angel also declined offers to once again don the costume of Filipina superhero Darna since she just recovered from a spine injury.

Marvel unveiled the first image of Wave early this month.

According to reports, Marvel included Wave and other Asian superheroes in the comics series “War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas” to be released this May.

Wave

Photo from Instagram/@leinilyu

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