032224 - Northern California Edition

Fil-Am leader Jessica Caloza advances to general election in bid for CA Assembly  FILIPINA

Generational wealth now in reach for rst-time California homebuyers

“With

alliance more than rock-solid – Blinken

UNITED States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, March 19 assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the alliance between Washington and Manila was “more than rock-solid” and that it was President Joe Biden’s “absolute priority.”

Blinken, who arrived in Manila late Monday, March 18 after a stop in South Korea, reaffirmed this commitment during a courtesy call on Marcos in Malacañang.

“It’s the absolute priority of President Biden. That’s why he asked me to be here,” he added.

Blinken also said that Marcos’ upcoming visit to Washington in April would result in a new level of cooperation as the U.S. and the Philippines are set to

“We are working on a number of challenges around the world and have even discussed them with you, but I think [this is] so important to us... that even with dealing with those other challenges, our focus, our engagement, [and] our commitment to the IndoPacific at large and to the relationship [and] alliance between the United States and the Philippines in particular, is more than rock solid,” Blinken told Marcos.

Creation of EDCA site at PH Rise proposed

by DELON PORCALLA Philstar.com

MANILA — The country’s eastern seaboard where the mineral-rich Philippine Rise is located should also be protected from potential intruders, just like the West Philippine Sea where China has been making repeated incursions, a senior lawmaker said on Monday, March 18.

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of the second district of Surigao del Norte proposed the establishment of a naval facility in the province under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States to protect the Philippine Rise. Barbers commended Defense Secretary

Gilbert Teodoro for the establishment of a naval detachment in Aurora to “protect the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Philippine Rise.” The naval detachment in Aurora was part of the country’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

Barbers said the country’s eastern seaboard “lacks enough security and protection and has been subject to China and other foreign intrusions, often becoming a passageway of ships smuggling drugs into the Philippines.”

“The move to build a naval detachment in Casiguran, Aurora plays a vital role in protecting and guarding the country’s eastern seaboard,” he said.

MANILA — The Philippines is the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report.

The country ranked 53rd, up by 23 places from 76th last year.

The report surveyed 143 countries.

The Philippines was edged out by Singapore, which ranked 30th, in the top place for the Southeast Asian region.

Filipinos said they were generally happy when asked to rate their lives using a scale from 1 to 10. Each country's average score was calculated

based on the ratings in the past three years.

The Philippines had an average assessment score of 6.048, up from its previous score of 5.523.

Vietnam placed 54th; Thailand, 58th; Malaysia, 59th; Indonesia, 80th; Laos 94th; Myanmar, 118th, and Cambodia 119th.

China ranked 60th, Japan, 51st, and South Korea 52nd.

Finland topped the list with a score of 7.741, followed by fellow Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.

Malacañang hailed the new report, pointing out that it

hold a three-way summit with Japan.

“We have your upcoming visit to Washington to see President Biden and also to have a trilateral meeting with President Prime Minister Kishida; I think a new horizon of cooperation is also incredibly promising,” the American official said.

“Our relationship between the Philippines and the United States is in hyperdrive if that is a word you’re willing to use, and that is so true; we see it across every domain; it’s something we attach very great importance to,” Blinken added.

Blinken’s visit to Manila, his second since Marcos  PAGE 2

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines was not "poking the bear" or acting at the behest of the United States in countering the growing threat from China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. In an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos said that the U.S. has been very supportive and has shown that it was taking the agreements with the Philippines seriously but Manila would not run to Washington "when something goes wrong."

"That's not the way we treat it. We do this for ourselves. We do this because we feel that we have to do it. And it's not at the behest of the United States," Marcos said.

Asked how confident he is that the U.S. will go to war with China over the dispute in the South China Sea, Marcos said, "To take a step back from that question, that is precisely what we want to avoid."

"We want to do everything we possibly can together

Apollo Quiboloy arrest, detention at Senate ordered

by MAILA AGER Inquirer.net

MANILA — Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been ordered arrested and detained at the Senate following his continued refusal to face the chamber’s investigation of his alleged crimes.

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros issued the order, which was signed by SenatePresident Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday, March 19.

According to a one-page

document released by Zubiri’s office, Quiboloy was “ordered arrested “and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms until such time that he will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt.”

“The Sergeant-At-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this Order and make a return hereof within 24 hours from its enforcement,” the document further states.

In a statement, Zubiri explained that signing the arrest  PAGE 2

alliance more than...

took office in June 2022, is part of his brief Asia tour that also included South Korea.

Marcos thanked Blinken for visiting the country.

“I am happy that...[you had] this chance to come by and visit with us,” Marcos told Blinken during the meeting.

In a press conference before he met with the President, Blinken said Washington stands with Manila and reaffirmed America’s defense commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary

Enrique Manalo thanked the U.S. government’s “consistent support, especially with regard to recent incidents in the South China Sea.”

Blinken’s visit to Manila follows a spate of incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, including collisions, in recent months.

Marcos has expressed “great alarm” over the confrontations that have sparked diplomatic sparring between Manila and Beijing.

Blinken on Tuesday referred to these incidents.

“We have shared concerns with China’s actions that threaten our common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Waterways are critical to the interests of the region, the United States and the world,” he said.

“These waterways are critical to the Philippines, to its security, [and] to its economy, but they’re also critical to the interests of the

region, the United States and the world,” Blinken said. “That’s why we stand with the Philippines and stand by our ironclad defense commitments, including [those] under the Mutual Defense Treaty.”

Manalo said Blinken’s visit comes at an important juncture in Philippine-U.S. relations. “We’ve been on hyperdrive over the past year or so,” he said.

“Engagements across issue areas and between and among government branches have never been better. The challenge now is how to sustain and further elevate our alliance and partnership,” he said.

Manalo said he discussed with Blinken ways to strengthen the defense alliance between the two countries through better coordination at the policy and operational levels.

This is to ensure that it “remains relevant and responsive to current, emerging and cross-cutting challenges in the defense, security and economic spheres, while staying true to our commitment to safeguarding and promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the region, always anchored on the rule of law,” he said.

“We discussed regional issues, especially the situation in the South China Sea, and I stated that the Philippines is committed to managing disputes in accordance with our national interests, the rules-based international order and international law, especially UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” he said.

Manalo added, “We reaffirmed our shared view that a strong and capable Philippines would make a formidable ally for the United States.”

He also underscored the importance of more substantial U.S. investments toward enhancing the Philippines’ defense and civilian law enforcement capabilities.

Washington is keen to improve relations with its regional allies, such as Manila and Seoul, in a bid to deter China and North Korea as tensions rise in the South China Sea, over Taiwan and on the Korean peninsula.

Top U.S. officials have repeatedly said that “an armed attack” against Philippine public vessels, aircraft, armed forces and coast guard would invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty in which Washington is obliged to defend its ally.

Beijing has accused Washington of using the Philippines as a “pawn” in the dispute over the waterway and various reefs.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that has declared its stance baseless.

He also stressed that their cooperation is “building on the very strong foundation of our countries” through identical priorities such as economic development, efforts on climate change mitigation, food security, and upholding international law. 

Apollo Quiboloy arrest, detention at Senate...

order against Quiboloy was “ministerial” for him following the rules of the Senate and the rules governing inquiries in aid of legislation.

“We are signing the order to protect our committee system, to preserve the Senate’s power of inquiry with process to enforce it,” he stressed.

“Should the witness appear during the next hearing and purge himself of contempt, there will be no need to order his arrest.”

Zubiri reiterated that the purpose of the arrest order was “not to punish but to make the inquiry potent and compelling.” Quiboloy and his Kingdom of Jesus Christ church have been the subjects of the Senate probe following allegations of sexual abuse, human trafficking, forced labor and other human rights violations.

Before ordering the arrest and detention of the sect leader, Hontiveros’ panel issued a showcause order to Quiboloy so he

could explain why he should not be arrested even after his repeated failure to appear during its public hearings.

Zubiri maintained that the case involving Quiboloy is a “committee matter.”

“Therefore, it is the committee which should determine the sufficiency of Pastor Quiboloy’s response to the show-cause Order,” he said, noting Hontiveros “found no merit in the explanation” given by Quiboloy through his counsel. 

Creation of EDCA site at PH Rise...

PAGE 1

Barbers, who chairs the House committee on dangerous drugs, said there is urgent need to secure Surigao del Norte, which is facing the Pacific Ocean, from drug smugglers and foreign intruders. Barbers said this is the reason

he and his governor-brother, Lyndon, invited Filipino and American military officials to “check Surigao del Norte as a possible EDCA site where the U.S. military can build facilities and preposition supplies, equipment and materiel.”

“Surigao del Norte has a distinct advantage as it is openly facing the Pacific Ocean and has an outlet to the West Philippine Sea. The ships can traverse the country from east to west and vice versa without needing to circle around,” Barbers said. 

Fil-Am leader Jessica Caloza advances to...

PAGE 1

American voters in this district.

In response to the election results, Caloza said, she was “humbled and grateful” to the votes for "believing in our shared vision of building a brighter future that uplifts all voices and communities that don’t always feel heard and seen in the halls of government.”

She thanked the volunteers, supporters, and organizations for supporting her first-time public office run.

She added, "We are going to take this momentum into the General Election because we have so much to fight for—cost of living, affordable housing, homelessness, climate action, gun violence prevention, public education, reproductive freedom, healthcare for all, and so much more. I look forward to continuing to make the case to voters in the coming months why our team can deliver real progress for District 52.”

Caloza is vying to make history as the first Filipino American woman elected to the California state Legislature.

She has served at the highest levels of government at the federal, state, and local levels. Currently, she works as deputy chief of staff for Rob Bonta, the

first Filipino American to serve as the California Attorney General, and previously worked for President Barack Obama.

Before working for Bonta, Caloza served as the first Filipina on the powerful LA Board of Public Works.

The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. 

Filipina American community leader Jessica Caloza File photo

EDD benefit payments now issued on new Money Network prepaid debit

cards

April 15 is the last day Bank of America debit cards can be used

request to Bank of America to be issued a check in the amount of remaining funds. Visit Debit Card (https://edd.ca.gov/debitcard) for more information.

Help us fight against fraud

Closing Bank of America cards

Important deadline: April 15, 2024, is the last day individuals will be able to use their Bank of America debit card in this transition. Customers are encouraged to use or transfer any remaining balance on their debit cards before that date or submit a

available at moneynetwork.com/ edd in 21 of California’s top spoken languages. This includes instructions on how to activate the card, how to avoid fees and locate surcharge-free ATMs in local areas, FAQs, and translations of important “Terms and Fees” in all supported languages. Customers can choose their preferred language by selecting the globe icon at the top of the webpage as shown (see webpage screenshot).

The EDD will never request personal information by text message, email, or on social media. Text messages asking to activate a benefits debit card by selecting a link are scams.

The EDD’s text messages only link to websites that include “edd.ca.gov”. The Department encourages customers to remain vigilant and safeguard their financial and personal information. Visit Help Fight Fraud (https://edd.ca.gov/en/ about_edd/fraud) for tips on how to avoid scams.

Upcoming service updates

Later this year, the EDD is set to implement a new direct deposit option for benefit payments. Details about this option will be provided in upcoming communications.

This service improvement is part of EDDNext, a multi-year transformation effort to improve the EDD customer experience –updating technologies and selfservice choices, streamlining forms and notices, and enhancing staff efficiency through updated policies and procedures. The goal is to make the EDD experience for customers a smoother and faster one. (EDD Release)

Generational wealth now in reach for...

sale, so we can use that money to fund the next generation of new homebuyers.

To be considered a firstgeneration homebuyer, applicants must not have owned their first home in the last seven years, and their parents must not currently own a home — or, if they died, must not have owned one at their passing. Those who were in the foster care system at any time also qualify.

To qualify for the loan, at least one person on it must be a California resident and at least one person must be a first-generation homebuyer, but these need not be the same person. Income limits also apply per county, though they are as high as $287,000 for buyers in Santa Clara County and $280,000 for San Francisco and Marin.

“It does feel a little bit strange that a low-to-moderate-income homebuyer can make that much, but that’s where California is these days,” said Johnson.

Unlike the “first come, first served” first round of loans in 2023, this application period will be a lottery randomly drawn from applications filed between April 3 and April 29, so that funds are distributed more fairly. Although no announcement date for drawn names is set after they’re audited, it will likely be the first or second week of May.

To enter the lottery, firsttime homebuyers will need a credit approval letter from one of CalHFA’s approved lenders. Those who win the loan have 90 days to find and buy a home.

There are so many Californians who have a good income, who have good jobs and credit, but haven’t been able to save up for a downpayment, not having the advantage of intergenerational wealth,” said Johnson. Generational and racial wealth gaps

A disproportionate amount of these homebuyers are from communities of color, said Maeve Elise Brown, Executive Director and Founder of Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA).

In 2023, the homeownership rate for Black U.S. households was at 45.9% — 28.6 percentage points below the white rate of 74.4%. For Latino households, the gap was a similar 25.8% below the white rate.

A 2022 poll with similar results found that 38% of white adults said they’d received at least $10,000 in gifts or loans from a relative for large expenses like a down payment, while only 14% of Black, 16% of Latino and 19% of Native American adults had.

“Though homeownership has been a generational economic driver, property values are outpacing our ability to pay them” — the average California home price is over $765,000 as of March 2024 — “and the debt people of color carry, especially student debt, creates a downpayment and safe loan credit barrier,” said Brown. Black bachelor’s degree holders, for instance, have an average of $52,000 in student debt, and four years after graduation they hold nearly twice as much debt as their white

peers. 46% of Black student borrowers are likely to put off buying a home due to this debt.

As this wealth gap expands, the racial homeownership gap is stagnating, said Ria Cotton, a broker and owner of Cotton Realty.

As of 2022, 72% of white Americans, 63% of Asian Americans, 51% of Hispanic Americans and 44% of Black Americans owned a home.

While the overall American homeownership rate rose from 64.7% a decade prior to 65.5% in 2022, the Black-white homeownership gap rose from 26% to 29%, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“The Dream For All loan lets people historically disadvantaged from buying a home leverage that generational wealth, but we can’t stop there,” explained Cotton. “We have to start with helping communities build credit, minimize debtto-income and save for a downpayment, and talk about what happens after you buy — from foreclosure prevention, to developing more property, to using your credit for equity, like buying a car for lower interest rates.”

“Our message with this loan program is: ‘There’s hope. It’s still possible to buy a house in California,’” added Johnson.

“We have a wealth gap in this country that’s driving unequal homeownership, and this loan shows us how much your generational legacy matters in powering through it,” said Cotton. (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Servies)

Memorial held for Filipino American teenager found dead in Newark Bay

by Jun nucum Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO – The death of 18-year-old Filipino American student Hayley Alvarado, whose body was recovered from Newark Bay in New Jersey earlier this month, has prompted an outpouring of tributes.

Hayley’s father, Stephen Alvarado, fondly remembered his daughter’s “contagious laughter” and “the way her eyes (lit up) with joy whenever she played in the park near our home.”

“Watching Hayley grow into the remarkable person she had become was a true blessing,” he said. “She faced challenges with grace and resilience, and her determination to always strive for the best inspired us all. These memories are just a glimpse into the beautiful life Hayley lived.”

Hayley, who had been missing since she left her Jersey City home on Dec. 17 last year, was found dead in Newark Bay near a park in Bayonne. The medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death.

A memorial for Hayley was held on March 18 at the Greenville Memorial Home in Jersey City, followed by a funeral mass on March 19 at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.

“(Hayley’s death) pains me every day,” said Hayley’s aunt, Yul Avestruz, who described the teenager as “the rose of our family…sweet, adorable and charming in many ways.”

Avestruz has been making arrangements for Hayley’s “homecoming” in Tacloban, the family’s hometown, where Alvarado’s cremated remains will be buried.

Avestruz recalled their recent family trip to the Philippines, where Hayley “was ecstatic to frolic on the beautiful sand of Bohol.”

“Our two-week vacation was the most memorable for me. Since then, she had randomly messaged me about her life’s updates and I couldn’t be prouder (of her achievements),” Avestruz wrote in her online tribute. “I love you more than words can say.”

Hayley’s cousin Ayra Alvarado said she felt proud when Hayley graduated summa cum laude in high school and recalled how Hayley “was fond of hugging me…how caring and kind she was as a little girl.”

Another cousin, Alika Eloisa Alvarado, remembered how Hayley’s smile “could light up the whole room.”

“I will miss you, our sweet Angel. Ate Alika loves you and I will forever cherish our moments together,” she wrote.

Hayley’s public speaking mentor, Meghan Gill, described the teenager as “one of the dearest, most talent -

ed and brightest lights in our world, shining so brilliantly for those who had the honor of knowing her.”

“Lee won the ‘excellence in public speaking’ award in my class last summer. Her topic was ‘eat the rich,’ putting 100 percent of her entire self, her passion and intellect into the presentation,” she wrote.

“May the Lord embrace and hold her close, now and forevermore.”

Teacher Roya Saqib recalled how Hayley was not only a talented student “but also a wise and compassionate individual who possessed a depth of knowledge beyond her years.”

“She cared deeply about creating a better world for all and was a staunch advocate for social justice,” she wrote. “Lee’s commitment to fighting against racism and discrimination was truly inspiring. Despite her young age, she astounded me with her profound political awareness.”

Hayley’s friend and classmate, Milo Ferrara, recalled how he mistakenly thought Hayley was shy. “She might have taken a day or two to warm up, but Lee quickly showed herself to be outspoken, bantering confidently with us and our teacher. Lee was possibly the funniest person I’ve ever known, Ferrara wrote.

Another friend, Anjilena Osenenko, said she will always cherish the time they spent together, “every project, every book we read, every game we played, every show we watched, every moment in class.”

“Half of all that I am, the half I am proud of, is because of my best friend and the precious memories that we shared. I hope you rest peacefully, Lee,” Osenenko wrote.

In an interview with Inquirer.net USA, Stephen Alvarado shared his message for Hayley’s peers and to the youth, in general:

“I hope this message stays with you during our time in this beautiful world. Balancing school and life can indeed be challenging, but I urge you to remain focused on your education,” Alvarado said.

“Every obstacle you encounter is a chance for growth and learning. Embrace these challenges, stay determined and never doubt your ability to overcome them. Keep moving forward, and always believe in yourself.” g

PH second ‘happiest’ country...

PAGE 1 coincided with the rise in the satisfaction, trust, and approval ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Social Weather Stations survey conducted from December 8 to 11, 2023 showed 65 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the president. Meanwhile in the OCTA

Research Group's "Tugon ng Masa" survey conducted on December 10-14, 2023, respondents gave the chief executive a score of 76 percent trust rating and a 71 percent approval rating.

The bottom 10 countries are Yemen, Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Congo, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. g

defense treaty. I don't think anyone wants that," he said. Signed by the Philippines and the U.S. in 1951, the MDT is a defense pact that unites the two allies to help defend each other from aggression. g

LABOR OF LOVE. Two prospective overseas workers finish processing their documents at the Department of Migrant Workers main office in Mandaluyong City on Monday, March 18. The DMW walls are painted with murals depicting the lives of Filipino workers, like a father leaving behind his wife and two children for another tour of duty abroad.

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Dateline PhiliPPines

Scrutiny of Quiboloy’s assets prompts call to publicize ex-President Duterte’s SALN

by Cristina Chi Philstar.com

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman should release the long-withheld Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of former President Rodrigo Duterte now that allegations of money laundering have hounded Duterte in connection to his ties with controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy, a Makabayan bloc lawmaker said on Monday, March 18.

Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers) said that Duterte’s new role as property administrator of the assets of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ — the church founded by Quiboloy, his close ally and spiritual adviser — has “(raised) more doubts about the connections of the two and talk of money laundering issues between them.”

Duterte's 2017 declaration was his last SALN to be made public. Throughout most of his presidency, which ended in June 2022, the Palace had asserted that the president is only required to file his SALNs with the Office of the Ombudsman, which decides whether to publicize the SALN or not.

However, in 2020, the Office of the Ombudsman under Ombudsman Samuel Martires

restricted the public’s access to officials' SALNs, only allowing its release if the requester is an authorized representative, acting on a court order concerning a pending case or part of the Office of the Ombudsman’s factfinding investigation team.

As this essentially allowed Duterte and other public officials to keep their SALNs from the public eye, critics of Martires’ circular pointed out that it went against the principles of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which require all public officials to file their SALN.

Castro said that the public remains clueless about “how big (Duterte’s) assets have grown since he became president.”

“How many billions of confidential and intelligence funds has he had access to, but none of these have been subject to proper accounting,” Castro said in Filipino.

“Now that he’s designated as the caretaker of Quiboloy’s assets, we can’t blame the public for thinking there is a money laundering arrangement between (Quiboloy and Duterte)," she added.

The lawmaker added that the ombudsman can “settle such talks” by publicizing Duterte’s

SALNs during his whole presidency or from 2016 to 2022.

The former president said he volunteered to manage the assets of KOJC to help Quiboloy — who he described as his "friend" — deal with the controversies brought by the congressional hearings about his alleged abuses, according to his interview with vloggers last week.

Sexual abuse and fraud allegations against Quiboloy came to light in 2021 after a United States court charged the self-appointed “Son of God” with conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

These were once again brought up when the Senate launched an investigation into the sexual abuse and trafficking allegations against Quiboloy and other KOJC leaders in January, which Quiboloy refused to attend even after he was cited in contempt by Senate women and gender equality panel chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

At one of these Senate hearings, some former KOJC followers testified that they were sexually abused by the KOJC founder for years. A number of overseas Filipino workers who were formerly part of KOJC also said that the KOJC required them to fork over 90% of their earnings to the church, forcing some to give up their homes in the process.

Quiboloy has repeatedly denied these allegations and has continuously invoked his right to due process in refusing to attend committee hearings about his and his KOJC leaders’ alleged crimes. However, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate panel leading the investigation against him, recently reminded Quiboloy’s camp that the Senate has respected the pastor’s right to due process by allowing him to attend hearings and giving him a 48-hour timeframe to respond to a show cause order for why he should not be cited in contempt. g

Duterte-China ‘deal’ on Ayungin ship probe ‘a waste of time’

by Gabriel PabiCo lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — Ex-presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it would only be “a waste of time” to investigate the supposed agreement between ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and China on the removal of the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.

The lawyer maintained that such a pact was non-existent and that the matter had already been addressed before.

“That was already (responded) to – no promise was made and China has NOT substantiated its [claims] that there was a commitment by whoever,” Panelo, who also served as Duterte’s legal counsel, told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

This writer sought the former Palace official’s comment on ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro’s call for the House of Representatives to schedule hearings for House Resolution (HR) No. 1216, which seeks a

probe into the alleged promise of Duterte to China that the grounded BRP Sierra Madre will be removed from Ayungin Shoal.

In her statement, Castro alluded to Duterte as the one behind the deal, given the former president’s close ties with China.

But Panelo said congressional hearings are “a useless undertaking” and that Castro’s plea was merely intended for her own publicity. Instead of holding hearings, Panelo said Castro should condemn terrorist groups in Maguindanao del Sur who killed four soldiers last Sunday, March 17.

“Congressional investigation is a useless undertaking, a waste of time and taxpayers money. Intended by that lawmaker for her own publicity,” Panelo said. “She should focus on lawmaking. Also she should condemn the killing of the [four] soldiers in Maguindanao [d]el Sur by the terrorists,” he added.

In August 2023, when tensions

were high over the disputed portions of the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Ayungin Shoal always belonged to China and that the Philippines illegally occupied the area by placing BRP Sierra Madre there. China then claimed a former Philippine president promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded that he was not aware of any deal on the disputed waters, adding that if such an agreement existed, it is now rescinded.

In August 2023, Senator Robinhood Padilla also defended Duterte and said the former president did not enter into such agreement, as relayed to him by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Padilla’s remarks came after two former presidents – Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – have categorically denied making such a promise to China. g

Tulungan na Hubugin ang Kinabukasan ng Inyong Komunidad!

Ang Contra Costa County Consortium, na kinabibilangan ang mga lungsod ng Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, at ang County ng Contra Costa (bilang representasyon sa lahat ng iba pang mga bayan at lungsod sa Contra Costa), ay tumatanggap ng pederal na pondo para sa HOME, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), at Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) bawat taon. Sa loob ng limang taon, ang mga pondo na ito ay aabot sa higit sa $60 milyon!

Ang mga pederal na pondo na ito, na pinamamahalaan ng Kagawaran ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod (HUD), ay maaaring gamitin upang magtayo ng bagong abot-kayang pabahay, ayusin ang mga bahay para sa mga may mababang kita at senior na may-ari ng bahay, pagbutihin o itayo ang mga pasilidad ng publiko at mga parke, ayusin ang imprastruktura sa mga komunidad na may mababang kita, magbigay ng training sa trabaho at tulong sa mga may-ari ng maliit na negosyo, magbigay ng iba’t ibang mga serbisyo para sa mga pamilyang may mababang kita at indibidwal, at mga taong walang tirahan, at marami pang iba!

Gusto naming marinig ang inyong mga boses... Tuwing limang taon, IKAW, ang iyong mga kaibigan, kapitbahay, at komunidad ay may pagkakataon na tumulong sa pagkilala sa pinakamalalaking pangangailangan ng inyong komunidad at tukuyin kung paano gagastusin ang mga pondo upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan na ito. Mangyaring maglaan ng ilang sandali upang punan ang isang online na survey sa pamamagitan ng pagbisita sa www.cccounty.us/ conplan at pag-click sa “Community Needs Survey”. Ang survey na ito ay tatagal ng mga 20 minuto, kaya’t mangyaring maging handa upang bigyan ito ng maingat na pagpapansin.

Bukod dito, siguraduhin na dumalo kayo sa isa sa mga pampublikong pagpupulong na gaganapin sa inyong lugar (tingnan sa ibaba). Ang inyong feedback ay bahagi ng proseso upang lumikha ng Consolidated Plan ng Consortium para sa paggamit ng mga pondo na natanggap mula sa pederal na Kagawaran ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod (HUD).

SALAMAT sa pagmamalasakit sa inyong komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng feedback upang tulungang patnubayan ang pagpapondong pederal sa susunod na limang taon!!

Iskedyul ng Pampublikong Pagpupulong

West County

Lunes, Marso 18, 2024, Pumasa/Natapos Na

City of Richmond – City Council Chamber Room

East County

Huwebes, Marso 28, 2024, 6:30 PM

City of Antioch – City Council Chambers

200 H Street, Antioch, CA 94509

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring tawagan si Andrea Mateo sa numero (925) 779-7000 x7037.

Huwebes, Abril 4, 2024, 6:00 PM

City of Brentwood – Community Center

35 Oak St, Brentwood, CA 94513; Room A/B

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring tawagan si Daniel Davis sa numero (925) 655-2884.

Central County

Huwebes, Marso 21, 2024, Pumasa/Natapos Na

City of Concord – City Council Chamber Room

1950 Parkside Drive, Concord

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring tawagan si Leng Power sa numero (925) 603-5838.

Lunes, Abril 22, 2024, 6:00 PM

City of San Ramon – San Ramon Community Center 12501 Alcosta Boulevard, San Ramon, CA 94583; Fountain Room

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring tawagan si Daniel Davis sa numero (925) 655-2884.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon sa limang taong proseso ng pagpaplano at iba pang mga pagkakataon na lumahok, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development sa numero (925) 655-2708 o bisitahin kami sa web sa www.cccounty.us/conplan.

Ang Konsorsiyum ay magbibigay ng mga makatarungang pasilidad para sa mga taong may kapansanan na nagplaplano na dumalo sa mga pulong na ito; makipag-ugnayan sa mga nakasaad na kontak nang hindi bababa sa 24 oras bago ang pagpupulong.

Ang Konsorsiyum ay magbibigay ng tulong sa pagsasalin sa mga pulong na ito para sa mga taong makikipag-ugnayan sa mga nakasaad na kontak nang hindi bababa sa 72 oras bago ang pagpupulong.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte with controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy. Philstar.com file photo

Saving the salt industry

In 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was “obsessed” by the “unacceptable” fact that the country has to import round scad or galunggong, the so-called poor man’s fish. He should consider it even more shameful that the country, which has the eighth most extensive coastline in the world, has to import 93 percent of its salt requirements.

This is about 550 million metric tons a year – a huge jump from the average salt importation of just 15 percent annually in the 1990s.

Editorial

Today the country produces only 100,000 MT a year, according to the Philippine Association of Salt Industry Networks. In contrast, neighboring Vietnam, whose coastline is 11 percent smaller than that of the Philippines, produces 1.1 million MT of salt a year.

Industry players blamed the plunge in domestic salt production to a combination of the conversion of salt beds for other purposes as well as the passage of a law requiring the iodization of all food-grade salt sold in Philippine markets. Republic Act 8172, the 1995 Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide or ASIN Law, aimed to address iodine deficiency especially among children, which is one of the causes of brain stunting. But marginal salt producers could not afford to invest in the iodization machines and raw materials, and lacked the technical knowhow for salt iodization.

Now the president has signed another law,

THERE is absolutely no question the foreign trips that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have been undertaking are going a long way in enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening our security relations with likeminded nations who believe in the ultimate goal of maintaining peace and stability in the IndoPacific region.

During the president’s visit to Canberra in February, Australia and the Philippines signed several memoranda of understanding to enhance defense and maritime cooperation, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying they will “collaborate even more closely to protect our shared vision for the region, including in civil maritime security, marine environment protection, maritime domain awareness and promoting respect for international law.”

In his important address to the Australian Parliament, President Marcos highlighted shared concerns on defense and security and underscored the need to

With Due Respect

ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN

MARCH 18 is the 96th

birthday of Fidel Valdez Ramos, fondly known as “FVR,” or more intimately as “Eddie” by his buddies. He is dubbed as the “first and only Protestant President of Catholic Philippines,” the only general to ascend to the constitutional title, “Commander in Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines,” and arguably, the “Best President of the Republic” complete with a grand vision of “Philippines 2000.”

PRESIDENT RAMOS HAS A

SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.

He plucked me from anonymity and conscripted me, though thoroughly unworthy, to the highest court of the land without passing through the judicial ladder. Let me reminisce briefly about how and why.

On the morning of June 16, 1992—when his election was already assured but before assuming his office on June 30, 1992—on my way to the City Hall of Manila to attend a court hearing, he rang my huge, extra heavy mobile phone connected to my car. To my surprise, the caller said, “Is this Attorney Art Panganiban? This is Eddie.”

the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which aims not only to address the deficiencies in the ASIN Law and attain salt selfsufficiency, but also to turn the country into a net salt exporter.

Some quarters have described salt production as a “dying” industry in the country. The new law sets up an inter-agency council chaired by the Department of Agriculture, which will craft a roadmap to revive, modernize and industrialize the salt industry.

The annual national demand for food-grade salt is placed at 683,000 MT, with another 300,000 MT needed as fertilizer for coconut trees. That’s an enormous demand needing to be met – if the local salt industry can be saved from its death throes.

Under the new law, tariffs on salt imports will be used to create a Salt Industry Development and Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. It will be used to build salt farm warehouses and other storage areas as well as provide salt producers access to equipment such as sea water pumps, salt

“join forces, together with our partners, in the face of threats to the rule of law, to stability and to peace,” and thanked Australia for standing with the Philippines and giving its consistent and unequivocal support for our maritime claims.

Australia also announced $42 million in funding for maritime security at the recent AustraliaASEAN Summit in Melbourne, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledging that “what happens in the South China Sea, in the Taiwan Strait, in the Mekong subregion, across the Indo-Pacific, affects us all.”

Germany also assured the Philippines of its continued support and underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and upholding international laws, in particular the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea during the president’s working visit to Berlin.

In his remarks, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he believed it was important for each and every one to adhere to legislations that are in place, emphasizing that Germany supports the Philippines in

A little irritated that someone unfamiliar knew my private number, I asked, “Eddie who?” He half-laughingly replied, “Eddie Ramos … I would like to invite you to a one-on-one meeting tomorrow, June 17, at 7 a.m. at my private office, Room 202, 845 Pasay Road, Makati.”

And so, at the appointed time and day, I knocked at the white door marked simply as “202.” It was promptly opened by a stocky gentleman who introduced himself, “I am Joe Almonte. Please come in. The president is waiting for you.” He ushered me to a big conference room with only the presidentelect and me in attendance. After an hour of exchanging views on my philosophy of law and the people’s expectations of their new leader, he asked me to be his secretary of justice. He added that he was also inviting, IMHO, a worthier Catholic lay leader, Henrietta “Tita” De Villa, to join his government.

TAKEN ABACK AND PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, I mumbled, “Thank you, Mr. President. However, I do not think I deserve to join your Cabinet, because I did not campaign for you. I believe that only those who campaigned for you and believe in your program of government should be included in your official family.” He smiled and

graders and harvesters, salt iodization machines, bagging machines and dump trucks.

Let’s hope nothing gets lost between the

enactment of the new law and its implementation. The local salt industry urgently needs to be moved out of the ICU. (Philstar.com)

ensuring that rights are being protected.

The president’s state visit to the Czech Republic also demonstrated the European nation’s close ties with the Philippines, with Czech President Petr Pavel unequivocally stating that with regard to the South China Sea issue, they “fully support the Philippines when it comes to their entitlement to free movement of goods and also very intense support because that’s a principle that not only we all respect, but which also secures global and regional stability.”

To those small-minded, “penny wise, pound foolish” individuals with zero understanding of geopolitics who continue to criticize the president’s trips without seriously thinking how important presidential global diplomacy is in getting as many nations as possible to join us in our multilateral approach for peace and stability in our region, I say to them – think about the serious dangers we face in the South China Sea and our fisherfolk’s livelihood. This is not about the U.S. vs China – this is about our survival as a nation. During his foreign visits and in his continuing meetings and

demurred, “I know you did not campaign for me. You did not even vote for me. You voted for your mentor Jovy Salonga. But that’s alright. I want to have a nonpartisan Cabinet. I want to be president of all the people, not only of those who voted for me. I will give you two weeks to think it over and consult your family and friends. Because of our association in Rotary, I know you to be a brilliant lawyer and a capable executive.” Munching his unlighted tobacco, he recollected quite impressively, “We both entered the Rotary Club of Manila in 1983. We privately chatted on current events during its meetings … I was extremely pleased at the way you ran the Club during your presidency in 1990-1991. You started with a vision, ‘Love God, Serve Man,’ and outlined in a printed manual the 78 projects you proposed, together with the committees you created, the huge budget you needed, and a week-by-week timeline on how those projects were to be fulfilled within your term. A year after, during your valedictory, you circulated a printed report with a spreadsheet on how these projects were accomplished. Quite impressive, even as you were given a standing ovation after your speech.”

TO CUT THE LONG STORY

engagements, the president is doing a tremendous job of strengthening diplomatic, security and economic ties with the international community, simultaneously convincing foreign investors to consider the Philippines as an investment hub. Economic security is another dimension to our survival and we should not be dependent on one country alone.

Undoubtedly, the United States continues to be our top ally, as demonstrated by the arrival of a trade delegation led by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who said $1 billion in investment pledges from the American companies that joined the delegation are “already underway,” while some are “underway shortly.”

Secretary Raimondo assured that “these U.S. companies are committed. They have signed agreements to move forward with the investments.”

She also acknowledged the president’s commitment to make the necessary changes in the regulatory structure, cutting red tape, fighting corruption and being transparent, saying that “all these things are steps in the right direction, which will make

SHORT, I respectfully declined his kind offer as secretary of justice but happily accepted his alternative, as associate justice of the Supreme Court.

I owe my appointment solely to President Ramos (to him only, as I had no padrinos or “sponsors”). Nonetheless, he respected my independence and never influenced me directly or indirectly throughout my more than 11 years in the Court. Though I voted against some cases and even authored one decision contrary to his perceived wishes, he never voiced or even hinted at his displeasure, much less urged me to vote one way or the other. Truly, a gentleman of the highest caliber.

When he finished his term on June 30, 1998, he sent me an edifying letter, “On behalf of the Philippine government and the Filipino people, I wish to convey to you my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the exemplary service, professionalism, and deep commitment to our people’s well-being and national interest which you have shown in your capacity as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court during the Ramos Administration.”

I replied, “I have tried my very best to discharge my duties consistent with the excellence and high-mindedness that I believe you expected from me.

the Philippines as an even more attractive place to do business for American companies.”

The commitment made by President Biden during the visit of President Marcos to Washington in May has certainly been fulfilled with the arrival of the high-level, first-of-its-kind U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission that brought some of the largest companies in the United States. The U.S. Department of Commerce also disclosed that American companies that were unable to join the trade delegation have also signified their intent to undertake projects in the Philippines or expand their investments. Certainly, we can expect more business to come into the Philippines. A lot of activities are also going to take place, starting with the visit of U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken – his second visit to the country – with the discussion to focus on economic cooperation and resiliency, which are key components in attaining economic prosperity, which is essential to national security.

Needless to say, the visit of Secretary Blinken reaffirms the alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines.

When I spoke before the American Chamber of Commerce earlier this week during their first ever AmCham PH Security Summit, I assured those present that more and more like-minded countries are joining our efforts to maintain peace and security in the region. We are facing diverse and complex security threats, but we are boosting bilateral partnerships, actively engaging in minilateral mechanisms, highlighting the critical role of multilateralism in thwarting these threats. These enhanced partnerships, plus the support from likeminded nations, help us rest easy at night. Like what former President George W. Bush once said – either you are with us, or against us. And from where I am sitting, I take comfort in the fact that there are certainly a lot more nations that are with us, rather than against us. (Philstar.com)

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

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Former President Fidel V. Ramos Inquirer.net file photo

I thought that the best way to respond to your trust was to fulfill my duties in the Supreme Court with moral courage, integrity, and dedication.”

Every year, during my incumbency, I wrote a book to report on the fulfillment of my duties. My book for 1998 titled “Battles in the Supreme Court,” was dedicated to him in this wise.

“To President Fidel V. Ramos, Leader, Reformer, Builder, Peacemaker, and Gentleman.”

Upon receipt of my book, he quipped, “I may be off to see the sunset, but don’t be too surprised to see me there, with you, at the next sunrise.” (Inquirer.net)

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

* * *

Comments to chiefjusticepanganiban@ hotmail.com

‘So historic’: ‘It’s Showtime’

cially airing on GMA starting April

by KRISTOFER PURNELL Philstar.com

Timog Avenue was hosted by ABS-CBN's Robi Domingo and GMA's Iya Villania (Iya was previously with ABS-CBN from 2004 to 2014).

In attendance were "It's Showtime" hosts Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Kim Chiu, Ogie Alcasid (also returning to GMA), Karylle, Amy Perez,

Jhong Hilario, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta, Ryan Bang, Ion Perez, Darren Espanto, Jackie Gonzaga, MC Lassy, and Cianne Dominguez.

Carlo expressed his gratitude to the GMA executives for welcoming them into the family, and praised the "It's Showtime" team and fans for their endless love and support.

Gilberto reciprocated the warmth to the ABS-CBN executives and guests, acknowledging the happiness and joy that "It's Showtime" has brought to the Philippines for the past 15 years.

Felipe teased that Carlo vowed the noontime variety show would steadily improve given it had the backing of two networks, also quipping that ratings could see an immense rise.

Vice spoke on behalf of the "It's Showtime" hosts to repeatedly thank GMA for accepting them, "This is just so historic, so iconic, this is mothering! Who would have thought... na mangyayari ito, na

magsasama ang ABS at GMA?"

Ang pag-ibig daw nagsisimula sa spark, pero 'yung sa inyo sumasabog," Vice said, comparing the two networks to volt capacities brought together by a transformer. "Congratulations to all of us."

"It's Showtime" takes the spot vacated by Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc.'s "Tahanang Pinakamasaya" which is now off-air.

Last July, "It's Showtime" moved to GMA's subsidiary GTV after it declined TV5's offer to move to a delayed telecast at 4:30 p.m. to give way to then-show "E.A.T." hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, which now goes by "Eat Bulaga" after the trio claimed the rights to the name.

"It's Showtime" will begin airing on the main GMA channel beginning April 6, the first Saturday after Holy Week, then every Monday to Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m.

by MJ MARFORI Philstar.com

FINALLY, we HAD a Miss Universe sighting! For the first time since her management, Cornerstone Entertainment, shared with the universe about the challenges the relationship between its talents, Catriona Gray and Sam Milby, has been facing and which they have been actively working out.

She wore a bright yellow dress with a huge local woven bow that was as big as her smile, energy, and happiness that day.

Now usually, whenever we see celebrities going through a major challenge in their personal lives that the public suddenly dips on, the celebrity would shy away, ignore or not even entertain the press in an event sighting.

With Queen Cat, it was the opposite. She indulged and stayed all throughout the program and had a conversation with us one-on-one afterwards.

Catriona was still not wearing her engagement ring. But prior to the interview, it was nice enough of her team to courteously relay that enough had been shared about her and Sam, and that she was just grateful to talk about all other issues that would be of more concern.

Just last week, their friend and fellow Cornerstone artist John Prats shared photos on his Instagram where Sam and Cat were spotted playing pickleball. We threw some questions to her, and boy, did she eat up the microphone on these topics.

First up, the faux pas that has been surrounding the Miss Universe Organization (MUO)

since the leaked video of coowner Anne Jakrajutatip went viral. For those who don’t know, the video was about Anne allegedly saying on video that the pageant’s efforts to promote inclusivity are just but a form of “communication strategy” and it does not mean that the ladies who fall under the category would stand a chance to win.

This is a big no-no for the Miss Universe 2018 as she shared, “I just hope that the brand would really take accountability for it. Inclusivity is not just a token for the pageant community.

“Like yes, we’re inclusive, but just for the look of it and sana na-embrace naman nila Inclusivity is not a token thing. It is something that needs to be embraced.”

She continued, “I love the movement of inclusivity because I have always believed what pageantry is and why should we afford (the opportunity to) women who fit in a certain shape

and perception of beauty, which is ever changing in our society?

“I don’t know what actions were taken after that video happened, sana accountability was taken.”

Catriona didn’t stop there. She also had her own opinion on the “divisive” viral video of the legendary tattoo artist Apo Whang-od touching actor Piolo Pascual’s crotch.

Since her pageant days, Catriona was very much close to ethno-linguistic groups and she has been actively helping communities have better living conditions and growth opportunities.

So, for Queen Cat, she has a positive take on the video that circulated widely online.

“It’s a great way to boost and invite people to learn more our tribes, our ethnic linguistic groups because we are so diverse and if it is not as accessible to people and to be able to invite our people to learn more as a positive thing,” she concluded.

SF opens first-ever career center at city hall

The new center builds on strategic efforts to streamline the hiring process in the city, fill job vacancies, and support existing employees

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor London N. Breed and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) on March 14 announced the grand opening of the new City Career Center at City Hall’s Room 110. This innovative space serves as the main onboarding point for newly-hired City employees and the principal career development location for current employees.

A first-of-its-kind for city employment, the Career Center is an integral component of San Francisco’s broader strategy to streamline and create more transparency in the hiring process, remove barriers to hiring, and create better access and awareness about the various pathway programs the city offers for prospective employees.

Staff at the Career Center will help candidates navigate the city’s hiring process and offer a wide range of resources, including information on how to prepare for the civil service examination process. This City Hall extension for DHR will also serve as a drop-in center for one-on-one career counseling and an access point for both applicants and city employees to receive tips on how to write a resume and interview, among other services.

“Our workforce makes our city run and delivers the services our residents rely on,” said Mayor Breed. “This Career Center will help us to attract new workers in the future and support our current

employees as we work to create a stronger, more resilient workforce. This is just one part of our broader efforts to expedite and improve hiring and support workers across San Francisco.” Through the Government Operations Recovery Initiative (GovOps), a government efficiency operation launched by Mayor Breed and led by the Offices of the City Administrator, Controller, and DHR, San Francisco has seen significant improvements in hiring times over the last year and a half. In addition, this initiative has improved contracting and financial operations, making city government more efficient and effective in delivering services for residents.

The achievements of hiring initiatives by GovOps include a nearly 50 % increase in applicants for vacant city positions and 36 % decrease in the vacancy rate compared to last year.

“We are thrilled to launch the City and County of San Francisco Career Center. This is the culmination of years of work to ensure that we are able to effectively recruit new employees to the city workforce and retain our employees by supporting them throughout their career with the city – and this is just the beginning,” said Carol Isen, Human Resources Director.

In April 2022, San Francisco launched a new Careers website and DHR recorded over

1.8 million unique visits to the page in calendar year 2023, the highest since the city began recording visitor data.

“As we face the challenges of rapidly changing technologies, new kinds of work, and barriers to advancement due to systemic racism, we must create pathways for workers to advance and upgrade their skills, knowledge and capabilities,” said Theresea Rutherford, President of SEIU Local 1021, the largest union with the city representing more than 13,000 employees. “City employees are the backbone of our local economy and deserve to have the opportunity to advance in their careers for the benefit of themselves, their families and the City of San Francisco. This Career Center is a proactive step in that direction.”

“The City Career Center is an intentional and proactive approach to economic and workforce development,” said Vince Courtney Jr., Assistant to the Business Manager, Northern California District Council of Laborers. “The grand opening coupled with continuing equitable training pathways like Apprenticeships marks the beginning of a journey towards empowering local workers with the knowledge and expertise necessary to excel in their chosen fields and paves the way to goodpaying jobs, including union jobs.”

PAGE 12

On Monday, March 11, 2024, Mayor Juslyn C.

cook. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, March 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Recipe for a green card: The journey from poverty in the province to being a chef with a green card on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

JONAS grew up poor in Bacolod. He was one of 10 children raised by his father, who was a farmer. Jonas had big dreams and left for Manila to seek greener pastures.

While jumping from one odd job to another, Jonas realized that he enjoyed working in restaurants the most. His father used to teach him how to cook when he was still in Bacolod.

Jonas was already married and had one child when he brought his family to Pampanga and found a job as a janitor at a mall. Life was still hard, and Jonas struggled.

One day, Jonas saw a “Now Hiring Cooks” sign outside the Gerry’s Grill branch at the mall where he worked. He applied and prepared pinakbet when he was asked to show his cooking skills. He was hired right away and was asked to start the next day.

Jonas kept improving his kitchen skills and eventually he became Cook in Charge of the branch in Batangas. In 2016 and 2017, Jonas became the

champion of the company’s annual cooking competition. It was then that Gerry’s Grill owner, Gerry Apolinario, put Jonas in the short list of his staff who

would be sent to the U.S. to run the branch in Houston, Texas. Gerry hired leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael PAGE 12

Manilatown Heritage Foundation hosts Caroline Cabading’s ‘Sugilanon’ CD release event

GET ready for an unforgettable evening of live music, poetry and dance at the International Hotel Manilatown Center when Manilatown Heritage Foundation resident artist Caroline Julia Cabading presents her anticipated album “Sugilanon,” which is inspired by the Kalinga epic poem “di Ullalim,” on Friday, March 22 at the International Hotel (868 Kearny Street) from 6 to 8 p.m.

This in-person event will bring together jazz music lovers, spoken word artists, and Philippine ancestral music enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. Don't miss out on this incredible evening of music, friends, and good vibes in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown-North Beach district!

Joining Caroline at the event will be the Manilatown Jazz Ensemble, and the Sugilanon Ensemble with special guest Soloist Melecio Magdaluyo.

This is a FREE family-friendly celebration; register for the event at http://tinyurl.com/ sugilanon03222024.

The commission and production of this CD Release is made possible in part by the Gerbode Foundation Special Award in the Arts program.

Caroline Julia Cabading, a 4th-generation San Franciscan, is an actively performing jazz and

R&B vocalist, indigenous Philippine percussionist, composer and traditional arts educator with over 20 years experience performing, touring and teaching. She has been commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) the California Arts Council (2018, 2020, 2022), Zoo Labs (2021) and the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (2022) to compose original music contributing to the Filipino-American jazz genre and she has been funded by the California Arts Council (2018, 2020, 2022) and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (2021, 2022) to teach and present pre-colonial Philippine music to the local San Francisco Bay Area community. Caroline currently leads the jazz ensemble “The Autonomous Region” and the traditional Philippine ensemble, the “Manilatown Ancestral Ensemble.”

The Manilatown Heritage Foundation produces a variety of affordable family-friendly programming at the International Hotel Manilatown Center. As a multipurpose gallery that honors the I-Hotel Eviction and Historic Manilatown legacies, it stands as both a museum to these legacies and a community gathering space offering programming relevant to today's community.

SF opens first-ever career center...

PAGE 11

“For far too long, it's felt like job seekers in our communities needed to know someone who already worked for the City & County in order to gain access to inform them of the unique hiring process and insider terminology – no longer,” said Dion-Jay “DJ” Brookter, CEO of the Young Community Developers, a 50-yearold non-profit organization endeavoring to break the cycle of generational poverty for Communities of Color by offering education, workforce development and housing programs. “At YCD we believe that every individual should have the right to sustainable and generational economic mobility and the Career Center’s workforce training programming will help invest in residents of historically underserved neighborhoods and

further transform life changing career opportunities.”

As of March 1, 2024, the City and County of San Francisco has 35,200 full-time employees –the largest workforce in city history. For more information about the new City Career Center and to learn about job opportunities in San Francisco, please visit https://www.sf.gov/ city-career-center. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)

Minding Your Finances

Atty. RAymond BulAon

READ this if you owe the IRS money and can’t pay. IRS problems have a way of ruining all aspects of your life. They take a toll on you FINANCIALLY, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. They’re there when you go to bed at night and they’re there when you wake up in the morning. The IRS is relentless and is the WORST CREDITOR you can have.

People with IRS problems are always looking over their shoulders for the IRS. Once you owe the IRS money, they become very aggressive in their collection attempts. They can: (a) Take all the money you have in your bank account through a BANK LEVY; (b) Serve your employer a WAGE GARNISHMENT order; and (c) Take your assets and sell them at an auction (d) File a federal tax lien against your home.

If you own a small business, PAYROLL TAXES are the worst. The IRS can close your business, sell your assets and hold you PERSONALLY LIABLE for the unpaid taxes.

The IRS leaves no stone unturned in its never-ending quest to collect taxes. Imagine having the IRS attack your pension, retirement or Social Security Check!

Taxpayers with IRS problems can never build up retirement funds or assets. When you have IRS problems, there is NO END IN SIGHT! You get up every

Solving your IRS problems

day with this incredibly large problem on your shoulders. You wonder if today might be the day when the IRS shows up at work, at home, or if they decide to take your money in the bank or your paycheck. This is a HUGE BURDEN TO CARRY EVERY DAY!

SOLUTION: Are there ways out of IRS problems? Yes, there are. But you must make the decision to end them and no one else can decide that for you. When you decide that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and you want the things that everyone else has and YOU’RE READY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, there are options available to you!

1) You may qualify for tax debt forgiveness depending on what the IRS sees as your “reasonable collection potential.” This takes into account assets, property, and your income.

2) You may qualify for CNC or “currently not collectible status.”

If you have no money to pay now because you are unemployed or have limited income, the IRS may leave you alone until your situation gets better.

3) You may qualify for an installment agreement to pay based only on what you can afford to pay. In some situations, you may not even have to pay the full amount.

4) You may qualify for penalty abatement. Did you know that in some cases, a big chunk of what you owe is due to penalties? By having some of the penalties waived, your tax debt could be reduced significantly.

5) Are you a non-filer? Do you have multiple years of unfiled returns and are afraid to face the

IRS? By voluntarily admitting that you have failed to file your returns for years, the IRS can be less forgiving and allow you to get back on track. Remember, it is not a crime to owe taxes. But it is against the law to willfully evade taxes by not filing a tax return when required.

The above scenarios are typical, and I see them every day. My office specializes in ending the misery of debt problems, including IRS problems. We do all the talking with the IRS. We will handle all the meetings and correspondences with the IRS. We will keep the IRS away from you and your family so that you can go to work and carry on a normal life. Your IRS problems will not go away by themselves. Let us help you understand your options in ending your IRS nightmare!

If you owe the IRS, the State, EDD or State Board of Equalization, my office can help you find the best solution to resolve your tax liability. You will never have to speak with the IRS again. I will review your case and help you make the best decision for yourself and family.

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

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None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.  Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE  1-866-471-8272. (Advertising Supplement)

Recipe for a green card: The journey from...

PAGE 11

J. Gurfinkel to work on Jonas’ petition as Senior Line Cook, and in less than two years, Jonas acquired his green card. It has been 20 years since Jonas was hired by Gerry’s back in Pampanga, and even now, he cannot believe how dramatically different his life has been from the days he was struggling in Bacolod, when he could hardly put food on the table, to the present, where he is able to provide food, shelter, and a better life for his family.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, March 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)