IN a stark warning to potential adversaries, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared during his visit to Manila that while the United States does not seek war, it stands ready to defend its interests including over contested waters.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Friday, March 28, Hegseth underscored the importance of deterrence against threats from “communist” China.
Hegseth also said that the U.S. stands ready to face any nation that tests its resolve.
“Our partnership demonstrates our commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. As our president often says, we will achieve peace through strength. We do not seek war; we seek peace. But those who long for peace
CORRUPTION has been identified as one of the barriers to trade and investment confronting United States firms doing business in the Philippines, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
In its 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) report to U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress, the USTR said corruption is a pervasive and longstanding problem that U.S. businesses have to deal with in the Philippines.
“National and local government agencies, particularly the Bureau of Customs, are beset with various corruption issues. Both foreign and domestic investors have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in judicial and regulator processes,” the USTR said.
Although the Bureau of Customs launched a modernization program in 2021 to address customs and corruption concerns, the USTR said there are still widespread reports of corruption and irregularities in customs processing, including undue and
Defense team eyeing Duterte interim release
by Neil JaysoN servallos Philstar.com
Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyers are working on a plea for his interim release but have yet to decide when to file it before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to his lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman.
“Interim release is a right. And it can only be tempered by three factors.
of which is the risk of flight, the second of which is the risk of interference of witnesses with the
LAS VEGAS – In recognition of the 250,000-strong Filipino American community’s significant contributions to Nevada’s economic and cultural landscape, Las Vegas city officials are moving forward with plans to establish a Filipino Town Cultural District. Clark County officials are scheduled to vote on the proposed Filipino Town on April 15, 2025.
The initiative, which has received
overwhelming support from local residents, businesses and city officials, aims to create a vibrant and unified district that reflects and preserves Filipino culture and heritage through art, cuisine and community events.
Spearheaded in 2024 by 90-yearold community leader and civil rights advocate Rozita Villanueva Lee, the proposed district is located in the heart of Las Vegas, along a 1.2-mile corridor on Maryland Parkway between Flamingo
evidence and a third of which is the risk of continued crimes,” Kaufman said, as quoted by ABS-CBN News. “None of those factors exist in the present situation. So there is a right for Mr. Duterte to be released. We are working on that, but the timing of when we intend to introduce such an application is yet to be decided,” he added.
Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, earlier said they were looking at his interim release before the next ICC hearing in September.
by JeaN MaNgaluz Philstar.com
MANILA — Members of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet will no longer be attending Senate hearings on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to a letter from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. The letter was released by the office of Sen. Imee Marcos, who has become estranged from her brother, particularly in light of Duterte’s alleged turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity related to the drug war.
Duterte’s ICC arrest prompted Imee to hold a Senate hearing last March as the chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations. Bersamin said that Cabinet secretaries and other pertinent officials had already provided information during the March 20 hearing.
MANILA — Fifteen tycoons from the Philippines, led by property magnate Manuel Villar, made it to Forbes Magazine’s World’s Richest People for 2025.
Almost the same names made the cut this year, although the list from the country is a bit shorter than the 2024 roster, which had identified 16 local billionaires with net worth exceeding $1 billion.
One notable newcomer is Eusebio Tanco, whose wealth was buoyed by the surge in the valuation of online gaming firm Digiplus Interactive Corp. Villar topped the list with an estimated
net worth of $17.2 billion. Recently, the “brown taipan” announced that Golden MV Holdings Inc., the mass housing and memorial park developer that he leads, hit nearly P1 trillion in net profit in 2024 on gains from the assessment of its investment properties, the highest in Philippine history.
Ranking second is ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon, with an estimated wealth of $10.9 billion.
San Miguel Corp. chair Ramon Ang placed third with $3.7-billion net worth, followed by Lucio Tan with $3 billion.
MANILA — The Philippines is grateful for the United States’ enduring support and the exemption of the country’s foreign military financing from foreign aid freeze, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said.
On Friday, March 28, the Philippines hosted U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his first official visit to Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Teodoro emphasized that
his counterpart’s visit showed the importance of the country’s bilateral alliance with the U.S. The Philippines, he said, is gratified by the importance placed on the stability and enhancement of U.S.-Philippines relationship as a linchpin of securing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are grateful for the enduring support of the United States, including the State Department in part, in no small way, through the efforts of
Defense team eyeing Duterte...
Proposed Filipino Town Cultural...
and Desert Inn.
Meanwhile, Kaufman also relayed his client’s wish for supporters and detractors alike to refrain from interfering with the judicial processes before the ICC.
“The political politics is one issue. He’s aware of what’s going on in the Philippines. Politics will take its course. But that has nothing to do with what’s going on here at The Hague,” he said.
PAGE 1 PAGE 1
He added that matters not covered by executive privilege had already been discussed.
There are also four Supreme Court petitions regarding Duterte’s possible arrest, which, according to Bersamin, are closely related to the topic of the Senate hearings.
He said that discussing the matter could constitute a violation of the sub judice rule, as it is still being deliberated in court.
“We must respectfully decline the invitation to attend the hearing. Nevertheless, we remain available to extend our full cooperation through other appropriate channels, should there be any further clarifications required within
Kaufman said the judicial process in The Hague should be allowed to run its course and that all parties should respect the process and allow all parties to make their submissions. Asked about his client’s situation in detention, Kaufman said, “He is in high spirits. And I will maintain that.”
Duterte is being held at the Scheveningen penitentiary for his crimes against humanity case over his war on drugs. n
Marcos Cabinet declines further Senate...
the bounds of the law,” Bersamin said in the letter. Duterte’s arrest has been highly polarizing. Imee Marcos, despite being the president’s sister, has aligned herself with the Duterte clan.
What was initially intended as an inquiry into the implications of the ICC’s actions on foreign relations, however, shifted into a search for who was responsible for Duterte’s predicament. Imee’s preliminary findings from the hearing had little to do with foreign affairs, instead focusing on the Marcos administration’s role in Duterte’s legal troubles.
She even went as far as to allege that there were lapses in the process and that Duterte’s rights had been violated.
Imee made a public exit from her brother’s presidential slate in protest of Duterte’s arrest. The Palace said that if she believed her values were no longer aligned with the administration, then it was for the best that she left.
During the March 20 Senate hearing, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla acknowledged the failure of the justice system in addressing wrongful deaths in the drug war.
Duterte’s drug war resulted in at least 6,000 confirmed deaths, with some estimates going as high as 30,000.
There have only been four known convictions related to the drug war, a mere fraction of the total number of deaths. n
It is a thriving area frequented by Filipinos who patronize Filipino-owned businesses that include the iconic grocery chain Seafood City, world-renowned fast food restaurant Jollibee, Red Ribbon bakery and Chowking.
The Boulevard Mall, which houses a concentration of numerous other Filipino establishments, is a regular gathering place for locals and a popular tourist destination for visiting Filipinos.
The April 15th vote is the final vote for approval by the Clark County Commission after the Paradise Town Advisory Board unanimously approved the initiative in February 2025.
If approved by the Clark County Commission, the Filipino Town Cultural District could become a key landmark in the city and would join other government-recognized Filipino neighborhoods na-
tionwide: the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Heritage District in San Francisco and Historic Filipino Town in Los Angeles.
An official designation as Las Vegas’ Filipino Town Cultural District could potentially attract more businesses, jobs, customers and tourists to the area, thereby strengthening the local economy and ensuring the district’s long-term sustainability.
In her address to the Paradise Town Advisory Board, Lee assured its members that the creation of a Filipino Town in the area will further boost local business.
“Businesses will grow and flourish,” Lee declared to the board and community members who packed the hall where the proposal was approved. “And we hope to have more businesses come in and this will be a flourishing town.”
Lee is a distinguished Filipino American community leader in Las Vegas, Nevada,
with a legacy of public service and advocacy spanning several decades. She has held various leadership roles, including serving on President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, where she influenced the appointments of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) judges at federal, district and state levels. Lee has been actively involved with organizations such as the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), the Asian Community Resource Center and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
As a key proponent of the project to establish the Filipino Town Cultural District in Las Vegas, Lee’s vision includes the establishment of cultural institutions such as a museum of Filipino history, a library of Filipino literature and a Filipino language school. n
Hegseth’s warning: US not seeking war...
must prepare for war,” Hegseth said.
Earlier today, Hegseth met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., where he reiterated the need for allies to work together in preventing conflict and safeguarding freedom of navigation in key waterways.
Hegseth, who serves under Republic President Donald Trump, criticized former U.S. president Joe Biden’s administration for allegedly failing to provide visible support to the Philippines during maritime standoffs.
“What we're dealing with right now is many years of deferred maintenance, of weakness that we need to reestablish strength and deterrence in multiple places around the globe, but pertinently today for this region,” the Pentagon chief said.
When asked about deploying the U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet—the largest fleet com-
prising over 50 ships and 150 aircraft—Hegseth referred questions to Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr.
“I defer to Admiral Paparo and his war plans, real war plans. Admiral Paparo understands the situation, understands the geographic significance, understands the urgency, and is prepared to work with those in the region to ensure we are leaning forward in our posture,” Hegseth said.
Teodoro, meanwhile, avoided direct references to conflict but stressed the need for preparedness. He said the Philippines is entering several visiting forces agreements with like-minded nations. These deals are expected to increaes rotational presence of foreign forces within its borders.
“We must be prepared to answer and to meet and even to deter any possibility in the future for our mutual defense and the defense of freedom
and international law,” Teodoro said.
'Predator' allegations Prior to Hegseth’s visit, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the Philippines against allowing “predators” within its borders. Teodoro dismissed this statement as hypocritical, accusing Beijing of carving out the South China Sea for itself.
He described China's perspective as coming from a "limited" source.
“You know what the problem is? You will hear me. The United States will hear me. Filipinos will hear me. But 1 billion or more Chinese won't get to hear what I said,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro also rebuffed China’s claim that the Philippines acts as a mouthpiece for other countries. “the Philippines is not a mouthpiece, unlike they themselves, who are mouthpieces of Xi Jinping,” he said. (Jean Mangaluz/Philstar.com)
Duterte’s ICC arrest prompted Senator Imee Marcos to hold a Senate hearing last March as the chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations. Photo from Facebook/@ImeeMarcos
Trump says he’ll stop health care fraudsters. Last time, he let them walk.
by Brett Kelman KFF Health News
FIVE years ago, the CEO of one of the largest pain clinic companies in the Southeast was sentenced to more than three years in prison after being convicted in a $4 million illegal kickback scheme.
But after just four months behind bars, John Estin Davis walked free. President Donald Trump commuted Davis’ sentence in the last days of his first term. In a statement explaining the decision, the White House said that “no one suffered financially” from Davis’ crime.
In court, however, the Trump administration was saying something very different. As the president let him go, the Department of Justice alleged in a civil lawsuit that Davis and his company defrauded taxpayers out of tens of millions of dollars with excessive urine drug testing.
The DOJ alleged that Comprehensive Pain Specialists made such a “staggering” sum from cups of pee that employees had given the testing a profit-minded nickname: “liquid gold.”
Davis and the company denied all allegations in court filings and settled the DOJ’s fraud lawsuit without any determination of liability. Davis declined to comment for this article.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has said he will target fraud in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and his Republican allies in Congress have made combating fraud a key argument in their plans to slash spending on Medicaid, which provides health care for millions of low-income and disabled Americans. During an address to Congress last month, Trump said his administration had found “hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud” without citing any specific examples of fraud.
“Taken back a lot of that money,” Trump said. “We got it just in time.”
But Trump’s history of
showing leniency to convicted fraudsters contrasts with his present-day crackdown.
In his first and second terms, Trump has granted pardons or commutations to at least 68 people convicted of fraud crimes or of interfering with fraud investigations, according to a KFF Health News review of court and clemency records, DOJ press releases, and news reports. At least 13 of those fraudsters were convicted in cases involving more than $1.6 billion of fraudulent claims filed with Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Department of Justice. And as one of the first actions of his second term, Trump fired 17 independent inspectors general responsible for rooting out fraud and waste in government.
“It sends a really bad message and really hurts DOJ efforts at creating deterrence,” said Jacob Elberg, a former assistant U.S. attorney and law professor at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. “In order to reduce health care fraud, you need people both to be afraid of getting in trouble, but also for people to believe in the legitimacy of the system.”
Elberg said considerable fraud in Medicare and Medicaid exists largely because the programs’ “pay-and-chase models” prioritize paying for patient care first and tracking down stolen dollars second. To prevent more fraud, the programs would likely need to be redesigned in ways that would be slower and more cumbersome for all patients, Elberg said.
Regardless, Elberg said the president’s claimed focus on fraud appears to be a pretext for slashing spending that has been legally appropriated by Congress. Trump has empowered the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, which he established and named by executive order, to make deep cuts in federal budgets, halting some medical research and aid programs in addition to cutting spending on climate
change, transgender health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“What’s been the focal point to date of the administration is not what anybody has ever referred to as health care fraud,” Elberg said. “There is a real blurring — a seemingly intentional blurring — between what is actually fraud and what is just spending that they are not in favor of.”
Jerry Martin, who served as a U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee under President Barack Obama and now represents health care fraud whistleblowers, also said Trump’s focus on fraud appeared to be “just a platform to attack things that they don’t agree with” rather than “a genuine desire to root out and combat fraud.”
Even so, Martin said some of his whistleblower clients have been emboldened.
“I’ve had clients repeat back to me ‘President Trump says fraud is a priority,’” Martin said. “People are listening to it. But I don’t know that what he’s saying translates into what they believe.”
The White House did not respond to requests for comment for this article.
A billion-dollar fraud case and needless eye injections Presidents enjoy the unique authority to erase federal convictions and prison sentences with pardons and commutations. In theory, the power is intended to be a final bulwark against injustice or overly harsh punishment. But many presidents have been accused of using the pardon power to reward powerful allies and close associates as they leave the White House.
Trump issued about 190 pardons and commutations in the final two months of his first term, including for some health care fraudsters convicted of schemes with astonishing costs.
For example, Trump granted a commutation to Philip Esformes, a Florida health care executive convicted in 2019 of a $1.3 billion Medicare u PAGE 4
Vida Lin, Asian Community Development Council’s
president & founder, releases statement on DHS’ decision to end USCIS
by AJPress
LAS
VEGAS
– Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly decided to end numerous grants for nonprofits across Nevada. Vida Lin, the Asian Community Development Council’s (ACDC) President & Founder, issued the following statement:
“Late last week, ACDC was notified that effective immediately, our $300,000 grant with USCIS was ordered to stop. This action will have drastic impacts for our community across our state. ACDC has a long history of successfully providing immigration services to our community through
grant funding
collaborations with partners like the Immigrant Home Foundation (IHF) and College of Southern Nevada (CSN). Our plans for the grant were to provide citizenship education classes and services to 200+ individuals during the 24-month grant period with the assistance of IHF. These classes would have provided rigorous background on U.S. history and government, and the naturalization process. The program was designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to successfully navigate the naturalization process and obtain U.S. citizenship.
The entire purpose of this project was for ACDC and its partners to educate immigrants who would not otherwise be served. With the stoppage of this grant, these services will not be able to be provided. Since February 1, 2025, numerous ACDC staff have sadly been laid off and positions have been cut due to the uncertainty of funding at all levels. This is the harsh reality that many nonprofits across Nevada and our country are facing currently as we try to navigate this new Administration. Nevadans will continue to lose access to services and jobs due to decisions like the one DHS made last week.” n
‘Corruption a hindrance to US trade...
costly delays, irregularities in the valuation process, 100 percent inspection and testing of some products and inconsistent assessment of fees.
The USTR said that stakeholders have raised concern over the Philippines’ pre-border technical verification (PTV) and crossborder electronic invoicing (CEI), which are intended to streamline inspections and monitor international trade transactions.
“Stakeholders have expressed concerns about the PTV, citing increased inspection and logistics costs, delayed movement of goods, duplication of other importation processes, susceptibility of inspection agents to corruption in the country of export and its deviation from standard industry practices,” the USTR said.
In addition, the USTR said the implementation of PTV as an integrated package with CEI, which is focused on goods often misdeclared to avoid duties and taxes, shows
that the Philippines may be intending to utilize preshipment inspection for tariff classification or customs valuation, raising concerns under Article 10.5 of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, which discourages the use of pre-shipment inspections.
Biased procurement
The USTR also said the Philippine government’s procurement system generally favors Philippine nationals or Filipinocontrolled enterprises.
“While the Philippines passed amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act on July 20, 2024 which are intended to improve the public bidding process, government agencies are required to prioritize and favor Philippine products and services throughout all stages of the procurement process, including raw materials, ingredients, supplies and fixtures,” the USTR said.
It said that concerns over intellectual property protection and enforcement remain despite the Philippines’ removal from the
Watch List in the 2014 Special 301 Report, which identifies countries with intellectual property problems.
“Stakeholders report issues with online piracy and sales of counterfeit goods, including apparel, shoes, watches, jewelry, perfume and electronics. Such counterfeiting and piracy concerns led to the continued inclusion of Manila’s Greenhills Shopping Center in the 2024 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (Notorious Markets List),” the USTR said. Moreover, prosecution and conviction of cases are slow, the USTR said.
Other barriers cited in the report are sanitary and phytosanitary measures in agriculture and foreign ownership limits in certain sectors.
This year’s NTE report was released ahead of the April 2 unveiling of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs plan targeting all countries, supposedly to address trade imbalances.
u PAGE 4
Cerritos makes history with swearing-in of first all-Asian, female-majority city council
by AJPress
CERRITOS
— In a ceremony marked by unity, pride, and historic milestones, the City of Cerritos formally welcomed its newly elected city council at the Annual Mayoral Transition and Oath of Office ceremony held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
Drawing a record attendance of approximately 700 residents, civic leaders, and dignitaries, the event highlighted a pivotal moment in the city’s evolution toward greater inclusivity and representation.
The evening marked several historic firsts for Cerritos:
• First-ever female majority on the Cerritos City Council
• First time with three Filipino American councilmembers
• First all-Asian City Council in the city’s history
Following the March 5 municipal election, newly elected councilmembers
Mark E. Pulido, Jennifer Hong, and Sophia Tse were sworn in, joining returning members Frank Aurelio Yokoyama and Lynda P. Johnson. Together, they make up a five-member body reflective of the city’s diverse population and civic maturity.
Frank Yokoyama named mayor Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama was selected by his peers to serve as Mayor of Cerritos.
A longtime resident of Japanese and Filipino heritage, Yokoyama brings a deep commitment to public service. First elected to the council in 2017 and re-elected in 2022, he holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, and balances his civic duties with work as an attorney, real estate broker, and small business owner.
A former Planning Commissioner and youth sports coach, Yokoyama
emphasized public safety, fiscal stewardship, and community enrichment as key priorities for his mayoral term. His leadership reflects both professional experience and a longstanding dedication to Cerritos’ continued success.
Lynda P. Johnson appointed Mayor Pro Tem
Lynda P. Johnson, who made history in 2022 as the first Filipina American elected to the Cerritos City Council, was appointed Mayor Pro Tem. With a background in law enforcement as a former field deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and prior service on the ABC Unified School District Board, Johnson brings a grounded, community-first perspective to the council. Her priorities include youth engagement, small business development, and public safety.
New faces, deep roots
The council welcomed:
• Jennifer Hong, a 39year Cerritos resident and small business owner with a long record of civic involvement through local commissions and nonprofit organizations.
• Sophia Tse, a healthcare professional and former ABC Unified School District Board Member, who brings nearly two decades of experience in education and public service.
• Mark E. Pulido, a
Philippines grateful for US military...
Secretary and the rest of the team, for a waiver of foreign military financing for the Philippines,” Teodoro said.
The U.S. exempted a “portion” of its military assistance to the Philippines from its foreign aid freeze.
Hegseth met with President Marcos and Teodoro.
The result of the meetings, Hegseth said, was an understanding of how to not just continue with the status quo, but to “accelerate the progress in the U.S.-Philippines alliance.”
“And as Secretary Hegseth said, we are going to work very closely, not only with our treaty ally, but with other like-minded partners in reestablishing deterrence,” Teodoro said.
“This will mean increase interoperational activities, joint exercises, realistic training in a myriad of scenarios to mirror what may be possible in the future, God forbid. However, we must be prepared to answer and to meet and even
to deter any possibility in the future for our mutual defense and the defense of freedom and international law,” he said.
On Friday, Hegseth announced that the U.S. and the Philippines have come together to work toward reestablishing military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The four-piece plan, which Hegseth said would build upon the U.S.’ late July 2024 commitment of $500 million to modernize the Philippine military, includes an agreement that the U.S. will deploy additional advanced military capabilities to the Philippines, plans for bilateral training between both nations for high-end operations, an agreement to prioritize bilateral defense industrial cooperation, and an agreement to launch a bilateral cyber campaign.
The Pentagon chief said that the U.S. intends to send additional capabilities to the Philippine military.
The Defense Department
will provide the Philippines with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, for Exercise Balikatan.
Chinese foreign ministry ‘robotic’
The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s “robotic” quality of statements is a product of limited worldview of a closed society, Teodoro said on Friday.
“We don’t practice propaganda in this country. We practice free speech and democracy. The Philippines is not a mouthpiece, unlike they themselves, who are mouthpieces of Xi Jinping,” Teodoro added.
China warned the Philippines ahead of Hegseth’s visit to Manila last week, urging the Philippine government to “stop serving as other countries’ mouthpiece” and refrain from being used as “chess pieces” in regional power games.
Beijing has also warned that nothing good can come from opening the door to a predator. n
15 Philippine tycoons led by Villar among...
Sy family
All the six children of the late SM group founder Henry Sy Sr. landed on the list individually: Henry Jr. ($2.3 billion); Hans ($2.2 billion), Herbert ($2.1 billion), Harley ($1.9 billion), Teresita ($1.9 billion) and Elizabeth ($1.7 billion).
Andrew Tan had $1.6 billion credited to his name, followed by Lucio Co ($1.4 billion), Susan Co ($1.3 billion) and Tony Tan Caktiong ($1.3 billion).
Tanco rounded up the list with an estimated wealth of $1.2 billion.
The list
The 15 tycoons and their estimated net worth are as follows:
returning councilmember first elected in 2011 as the city’s first Filipino American councilmember. A twotime former mayor, Pulido returns after a brief hiatus with renewed dedication to education, community empowerment, and civic progress.
Reflecting a changing Cerritos
This historic council makeup—all five members of Asian descent, with three of Filipino heritage— symbolizes a city embracing its multicultural identity.
More than a symbolic victory, the election outcome reflects years of civic engagement, generational leadership, and community trust.
Incorporated in 1956, Cerritos operates under a council-manager form of government with five at-large councilmembers elected to staggered fouryear terms. The mayor and mayor pro tem are selected annually by the council from among its members.
The city now holds its municipal elections in even-numbered years, aligning with statewide elections to encourage voter participation.
Located in southeast Los Angeles County, Cerritos is celebrated for its masterplanned neighborhoods, award-winning library and schools, and robust parks and recreation system. Once an agricultural hub, the city has grown into a model suburban community, known for its civic stability, prudent fiscal management, and active community involvement.
An evening of significance
Adding to the evening’s historic weight, California Attorney General Rob Bonta — the state’s first Filipino American to hold the office — administered the oath of office to Councilmember Pulido. Bonta commended Cerritos’ progress and spoke of the shared responsibility of public service, particularly within the Filipino American community.
The ceremony concluded with a celebratory reception where residents, city staff, and local leaders gathered to honor the city’s new leadership. As the city looks to the future, the newly installed council has pledged to work collaboratively to address everyday challenges, foster civic pride, and shape a more inclusive and forwardlooking Cerritos. n
1. Manuel Villar, $17.2 billion
2. Enrique Razón Jr., $10.9 billion
3. Ramon Ang, $3.7 billion
4. Lucio Tan, $3 billion
5. Henry Sy Jr., $2.3 billion
6. Hans Sy, $2.2 billion
7. Herbert Sy, $2.1 billion
8. Harley Sy, $1.9 billion
9. Teresita Sy-Coson, $1.9 billion
10. Elizabeth Sy, $1.7 billion
11. Andrew Tan, $1.6 billion
12. Lucio Co, $1.4 billion
13. Susan Co, $ 1.3 billion
14. Tony Tan Caktiong, $1.3 billion
15. Eusebio Tanco, $1.2 billion
Elon Musk tops global list
Forbes announced a record-breaking 3,028 billionaires with collective wealth of $16.1 trillion on its 39th annual World’s Billionaires list.
Elon Musk dethroned French luxury goods titan Bernard Arnault for the top spot, as the former’s net worth grew by 75 percent to an estimated $342 billion. His jump in wealth followed big new valuations of xAI and SpaceX, and a 12-month rise in Tesla stock, despite the recent selloff.
Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is the first person on the planet to reach the $300 billion mark.
On the other hand, President Trump more than doubled his net worth to an estimated $5.1 billion, due to the upswing in shares of Trump Media & Technology Group and big cash inflows from his recent crypto ventures.
“It’s another record-breaking year for the world’s richest people, despite financial uncertainty for many and geopolitical tensions on the rise,” said Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes Senior Editor, Wealth.
“And, from Elon Musk to Howard Lutnick and the other billionaires taking over the U.S. government, they’re growing more and more powerful.”
Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg took the No. 2 spot with an estimated net worth of $216 billion, followed by Jeff Bezos at No. 3 ($215 billion), Larry Ellison at No. 4 ($192 billion) and Bernard Arnault & family ($178 billion) rounding out the top five. (Inquirer.net)
‘Corruption a hindrance to US trade...
PAGE 3
Tariff war downplayed Recently, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the looming reciprocal tariffs are unlikely to have a significant impact on Philippine trade.
“We feel that we will not be affected. We’re allies. And also our trade deficit with them is very minimal. So it’s not something that we can worry about for now,” she said.
While it is business as usual for now, she said she
had asked for a meeting with her U.S. counterparts to discuss trade matters.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said in an email that the proposed reciprocal tariffs and other protectionist policies could lead to higher U.S. import tariffs and eventually retaliatory trade wars, which could slow down global trade and world economic growth. As the Philippines does not
have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, he said the U.S. is likely to match tariffs on its exports.
“In view of these risks, there is a need to further diversify the Philippine export markets to include more goods or products and also more export destinations, especially in reducing reliance on the U.S. as the biggest market for Philippine exports,” he said. (Louella Desiderio/Philstar. com)
Trump says he’ll stop health care fraudsters...
and Medicaid fraud scheme.
After he was sentenced, DOJ announced in a press release that “the man behind one of the biggest health care frauds in history will be spending 20 years in prison.” Trump freed him 14 months later.
Trump also granted a commutation to Salomon Melgen, a Florida eye doctor who was serving a 17-year prison sentence for defrauding Medicare of $42 million. Melgen falsely diagnosed patients with eye diseases, then gave them unnecessary care, including laser treatments and painful eye injections, according to DOJ and court documents.
“Salomon Melgen callously took advantage of patients who came to him fearing blindness,” said a DOJ news release after Melgen was sentenced in 2018. “They received medically unreasonable and unnecessary tests and procedures that victimized his patients and the American taxpayer.”
DOJ: $70 Million Spent on ‘Excessive’ Urine Testing
Despite the flurry of pardons and commutations at the end of Trump’s first term, the leniency he showed Davis was unique. Davis was the only convicted health care fraudster to receive clemency while the Trump administration was simultaneously accusing him of more fraud.
As CEO of Comprehensive Pain Specialists from 2011 to 2017, Davis oversaw a rapid expansion to more than 60 locations across 12 states, ac-
cording to federal court documents.
He was indicted in 2018 for using his CEO position to refer Medicare patients in need of medical equipment to a conspirator in return for kickbacks paid through a shell company, according to court documents. He was convicted at trial in April 2019 of defrauding Medicare.
Three months later, the DOJ filed a fraud lawsuit against Davis and CPS that piggybacked on the claims of seven whistleblowers. The lawsuit alleged that CPS collected more than $70 million from federal insurance programs for urine drug testing, most of which was “excessive,” and that an audit of a sampling of the tests had found at least 93% “lacked medical necessity.” Typically, government insurance programs pay for urine testing so pain clinics can verify that patients are taking their prescriptions properly and not abusing any other drugs, which could contribute to an overdose. Patients could be tested as little as once a year or as often as monthly depending on their level of risk, according to the DOJ lawsuit. But Comprehensive Pain Specialists performed “myriad urine drug testing on virtually every CPS patient on virtually every visit” then conducted “at least 16 different types of tests” on each sample, and sometimes as many as 51, according to the lawsuit.
Trump commuted Davis’ sentence for his criminal conviction in January 2021 as the DOJ was finalizing a settlement in the civil lawsuit. The commutation was supported by country music star Luke Bryan, according to a White House statement. Months later, with President Joe Biden in office, CPS and its owners agreed to repay $4.1 million — less than 10% of the damages sought in the suit — and the case was closed.
In the settlement, Davis agreed not to take any job where he would ever again bill Medicare or other federal health care programs. He was not required to personally repay anything.
Martin, who represented one of the whistleblowers who first raised allegations against Davis and CPS, said the leniency that Trump showed to him and other health care fraudsters may discourage DOJ employees from pursuing similar investigations during his second term.
“There are a lot of rank-andfile people who are operating at the lowest point in their professional careers, where they’ve seen a lot of their work essentially be water under the bridge,” Martin said. “That’s got to be really demoralizing.”
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
HISTORY IN SESSION. The City of Cerritos’ first all-Asian City Council poses after the 2025 swearing-in ceremony. From left to right: Jennifer Hong, Lynda P. Johnson (Mayor Pro Tem), Frank Aurelio Yokoyama (Mayor), Mark E. Pulido, and Sophia Tse. Photos courtesy of Cerritos Mayor Pro Tem Lynda Johnson
History in Session — The newly seated all-Asian Cerritos City Council convenes during the Mayoral Transition ceremony on March 26, 2025, at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, marking a new era of inclusive leadership.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta delivers remarks during the Cerritos City Council swearing-in ceremony, celebrating a historic night of leadership and representation.
DAteline PhiliPPines
Escudero reminds OFWs: Follow host country’s laws
by CeCiLLe Suerte FeLiPe Philstar.com
MANILA — Senate
President Francis Escudero reminded Filipinos in Qatar, as well as others working overseas, to observe the laws of their host countries to avoid legal woes.
Escudero made the reminder after Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Vega reported that one of the 20 held by Qatari authorities, for holding a political rally, was released through the intervention of the Philippine embassy in Doha.
“We remind our fellow citizens always to follow the laws and regulations of the countries they are in. However, what’s important
is that they are freed as soon as possible. For me, what they have experienced is enough of a lesson on this matter,” the Senate leader said in Filipino. In Qatar, any type of political rally is prohibited, and any individual found guilty of violating the law could face imprisonment of up to three years, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Escudero has commended the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for providing assistance to the 20 Filipinos who were arrested in Qatar for taking part in an unauthorized political demonstration. He said the swift action by DFA and DMW officials has led to the release from
Philippines readies
detention of four Filipinos, including three minors, who participated in a political demonstration in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte that coincided with the latter’s 80th birthday last Friday, March 28.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the country’s labor attaché in Qatar, who is a lawyer, is providing legal assistance to the detained Filipinos.
Duterte is currently in custody at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity.
Escudero said he expects Philippine authorities to work for the release of the rest of the Filipinos held in detention. n
P5.7 million
for Pinoys in quake-hit Myanmar
by CriStina Chi Philstar.com
MANILA
— The Philippine government is preparing at least $100,000 (roughly P5.7 million) in financial assistance for Filipinos affected by the deadly earthquake in Myanmar, focusing on the roughly 150 Filipinos in Mandalay near the quake's epicenter.
A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, devastating Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, the capital Naypyitaw, and parts of Sagaing Region and southern Shan State.
The death toll has climbed to 1,700, with over 3,400 injured and more than 300 missing as of Sunday, March 30, according to Myanmar's military junta. Independent sources cited in a Myanmar Now report suggest
casualties may be much higher, potentially reaching 10,000 deaths.
"The (Philippine) embassy is requesting the financial assistance authorization ... (for) over $100,000 that will cover the expenses or the needs of our countrymen," Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said during a press conference on Monday, March 31.
"There are Filipinos asking for assistance. Not because they're injured but maybe they need to move to another place or they lost their job," De Vega added. Four Filipinos remain missing in the aftermath of the quake. De Vega told reporters that these individuals may have been trapped under a collapsed condominium building in Mandalay.
"God's mercy, the number
of missing Filipinos has not yet gone up. We hope for the best," De Vega said in mixed English and Filipino.
The DFA undersecretary said the Philippine government doesn't have a set limit on financial assistance for affected Filipinos. But it typically provides around $1,000 per person and covers shelter expenses if needed.
"We don't have a cap. But usually, we will give 1,000 dollars for assistance and we are paying for shelter if needed. Like what we did in Turkey," De Vega said, adding that plane tickets would also be covered if necessary.
The Philippines similarly provided financial aid for Filipinos affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey.
Rescue teams on their way as junta calls for aid
Marcos hails Alex Eala’s ‘historic’ Miami Open run
by KristiNe bersaMiNa Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Alex Eala for her "historic" performance in the 2025 Miami Open, calling her a source of pride and inspiration for Filipinos.
Eala, 19, entered the tournament as a wildcard and pulled off a stunning run, defeating three Grand Slam champions—Jelena Ostapenko (Round of 64), Madison Keys (Round of 32) and Iga Swiatek (quarterfinals).
Her campaign ended in the semifinals after a hardfought match against world No. 4 Jessica Pegula, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3.
"We would like to congratulate our tennis phenomenon, Alex Eala, on her historic and amazing run in the 2025 Miami Open," Marcos said in his Instagram post on Saturday, March 29.
"Truly, what you did showed the whole world what a Filipino athlete is all about–determined, steadfast
and never the one to back away from any challenges," he added.
Marcos praised Eala’s determination, saying her performance showcased "what a Filipino athlete is all about–determined, steadfast and never the one to back away from any challenges."
“More importantly, Alex’s unprecedented feat serves as an inspiration to everyone, especially to ordinary Filipinos who face life’s daily challenges with the same grit and determination,” the president said.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) also commended Eala for bringing pride to the country, saying that her journey proves that "anything is possible through persistence."
“Alex surmounted a string of setbacks in her journey to be among the best in the Miami Open 2025. Through her sheer persistence, Alex proved that anything is possible,” the PCO said.
The PCO also highlighted that Eala’s success came during Women’s Month,
recognizing her as a Filipina excelling on the global stage.
“Isang napakagandang laban ang iyong ipinakita sa buong mundo. Ngayong Buwan ng Kababaihan, isa na naman Filipina ang nagpakita ng kagitingan ng ating lahi buong mundo.
Mabuhay ka Alex at ang iyong coach at buong team,” the PCO said.
Marcos, meanwhile, believes this is only the beginning for the young star.
"We are one with the entire nation in thanking Alex for her sacrifices and hard work in her quest for glory and honor.
I'm sure that the elusive championship title is within reach soon," he said.
By reaching the semifinals, Eala is set to receive US$ 332,160 (P19 million) in prize money and gain 390 WTA ranking points.
This milestone puts her on track to break into the Top 100 and boosts her chances of qualifying for upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. n
SUMMER FUN. A group of boys swim at Manila Bay on Tuesday, April 1. Frequent baths are recommended during the hot dry season but not in prohibited areas such as this.
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
OPiniOn FeAtures
National vote-buying capital region
THE Commission on Elections hesitates to call it the vote-buying capital of the country, but Metro Manila has consistently topped all regions in the number of vote-buying cases, according to Comelec officials.
Several possible reasons for this have been raised.
Among these is that the National Capital Region is the most densely populated region and accounts for a hefty 31.2 percent of gross domestic product – the largest – which also makes it the wealthiest in the country.
Editorial
But the NCR, despite accounting for the largest contribution to GDP, also has a large number of people living below the poverty line, who are the most vulnerable to the buyand-sell of votes.
Another possible reason is that there is high public awareness in the NCR of election rules and offenses, and greater civic responsibility to report offenders.
Regardless of the reason, if vote buying is rampant in the NCR, the region can also serve as a model in efforts to clamp down on the vote buyers. Digital technology allows the public to
THE visit of Defense
Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Philippines is a clear signal of how important our alliance is with the United States and the security of our region. There is absolutely no doubt that the two-day trip to Manila –Secretary Hegseth’s first trip outside the United States –is indicative of the continued upward trajectory of the bilateral relations between our two nations.
We were encouraged to hear this during our in-person meeting at the West Wing of the White House last January with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Alex Wong and National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Ivan Kanapathy, shortly after President Trump’s inauguration where we reaffirmed the robust ties and the enduring alliance between our two countries.
In preparation for
THE latest available opinion poll gave President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a mere 14 percent approval rating. Sara Duterte enjoys nearly triple that rate.
The political grapevine is abuzz with talk of an even more recent poll – still embargoed – that puts the president’s approval rating at single digits. That is an appalling measure.
No sitting Filipino president has ever scored so low in the public opinion polls. It is hard to imagine how President BBM could manage to climb out of that resounding rejection by the public.
Approval ratings, by inference, measure another thing: political capital.
The polls are clearly indicating that the president’s political capital
record possible vote buying activities. The Comelec must carry out an extensive information campaign instructing the public about prohibited acts that can be documented on cell phone cameras, and how to alert the poll body about the illegal activities. Most people would want anonymity in reporting, so the Comelec must provide the mechanics for this. At the same time, the Comelec must ensure that it will act swiftly on the information and go after suspected vote buyers. Comelec hotlines and dedicated email addresses for reporting possible violations must be widely disseminated.
The Comelec is also working with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and e-wallet service providers to clamp down on the movement of large amounts of cash particularly in the week before election day, when vote buying is most rampant.
Secretary Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines, I met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Dr. Andrew Byers, to discuss closer security cooperation against the backdrop of regional and global challenges. A wellrespected figure in the Defense establishment, Dr. Byers has worked in counterproliferation, counterterrorism and homeland security as well as technology development. In his current role, he serves as the principal advisor for policy on the development and implementation of defense strategies for the South and Southeast Asian region.
During his visit, Secretary Hegseth emphasized that the partnership between the Philippines and the U.S. “not only continues today, but we are doubling down on that partnership. And our ironclad alliance has never been stronger,” he said, highlighting that the key next step would be to “reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.” These efforts, he added, “build on an ongoing $500-million commitment
to foreign military financing and other security assistance to support the Philippines’ military modernization. First, we agree that the United States will deploy additional advanced capabilities to the Philippines,” he said.
“The fact that you have come to the Philippines as your first stop is a very strong indication and sends a very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue to work together, to maintain the peace in the IndoPacific region within the South China Sea,” President Marcos remarked during the courtesy call of the U.S. Cabinet official in Malacañang.
The president also lauded its only treaty partner for its continued support for peace, describing the U.S. as “the greatest force for peace” in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the South China Sea.
“Peace through strength is a very real thing,” the U.S. official said, emphasizing once again that “deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese and
people who are skeptical that the initiative will amount to anything. The Comelec must show that the skepticism is unfounded.
that friends need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there’s free navigation.”
As I have told our friends in the media, the U.S. Defense secretary’s visit only proves that we are part of the overall mutual defense strategy which also serves as a tacit recognition of the important role our country plays in the overall deterrence factor, together with our other allies such as Japan and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region.
At the same time, the visit exemplifies the commitment of the Trump administration to strengthen the military ties between the United States and the Philippines, with focus on “deterrence through strength,” which underscores the need for the Philippines to boost the capability of its armed forces and enhance interoperability through joint exercises and other activities.
This was highlighted by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who said that “because of the increased interoperability activities, we expect increased rotational presence of likeminded and allied troops in the Philippines. With our strategic basing initiative, we
will also expect a heightened tempo of the Philippine armed forces for external and territorial defense to put in our share of deterrence.”
As I have said on many occasions, we do not wish to instigate any conflict, practicing maximum restraint, pursuing preventive diplomacy and keeping communication lines open to de-escalate the ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea, primarily because of the aggression and harassment by the China Coast Guard and militia vessels.
“We don’t seek intervention. President Trump has made it clear we don’t seek war. We don’t seek to nation-build. We don’t seek to use chess pieces and move them around the board. All we seek is peace. All we seek is freedom and cooperation and mutual benefit. And we find that in friends like our friends in the Philippines,” Secretary Hegseth underscored.
In the same vein, he also issued a stern warning: “Do not mistake our friendship, do not mistake our belief in peace and our desire for peace, for a lack of resolve. Too many have. And America
still stands strong today and will continue in the future,” he said, adding that there has been “a long line of countries in the past who have attempted to test U.S. resolve. We are resolved at this time, at this moment, to work with our partners to reestablish the warrior ethos, to rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence and come alongside our allies and partners, first and foremost, in this region.”
Let me be clear: while we seek to resolve conflict through diplomacy and wish to pursue good relations, no amount of coercive actions and misleading comments from China can undermine the enduring partnership between the United States and the Philippines, which has been reinforced over the years through agreements such as the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. In other words, our alliance with the U.S. is – and will continue to be – ironclad. (Philstar.com)
* * *
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.
*
* * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
US Defense Secretary Hegseth: Deterrence through strength Depleted
is severely depleted. If the presidency were a bank, this one invites a bank run. Political capital is what enables political leaders to accomplish things. It makes the leader capable of drawing public support for his initiatives. With his political capital almost fully depleted, the nation is in peril of leadership paralysis – if that has not already happened.
The president’s rating has been declining over the past few months over the worsening state of the economy. One poll says more people report involuntary hunger than during the depths of the pandemic. Over the past few months, his approval ratings have been on a tailspin. The precipitous drop in President BBM’s approval ratings happened after the crude arrest and hasty deportation of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Last Friday, March 28,
underreported by the mainstream press, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos throughout the archipelago and in many places across the globe turned out to protest the treatment of Duterte.
The detained former president has become a lightning rod for all the discontent building up because of what many perceive to be a do-nothing presidency. It was bad enough that President Marcos was described as weak and indecisive. Now more and more people see him as completely unmotivated.
To compound things, judging from available photographs, several doctors see signs of Marcos’ deteriorating health. This could invite all sorts of political adventures, producing even more uncertainty in our political situation.
I have it on good source
that a “legacy campaign” has been ordered by the Palace to boost the president’s image. But what this presidency has is not a public relations problem. It is a performance problem.
The president’s ratings are tailspinning. His political acceptability is on a free fall. The sloppy handling of Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is not the root cause of this. It is simply the spark that set off what now seems to be a roaring prairie fire.
In the face of what appears to be a rapidly failing presidency, every political faction will behave according to what serves their respective interests best. With its depleted political capital, the ruling faction will not have much – except for hard cash – to manage the unfolding of events.
The pro-Duterte politicians will try to use the former president as a rallying point to improve
their political positions. It will be to their advantage to deepen the public’s discontent.
The ambitious politicians identified with the president’s camp will act more frantically to arrest the political collapse. In their haste, they will be prone to make even more tactical errors.
The yellows, the pinks and the reds have no ability to determine tactical outcomes. They will cling to the fringes of the Marcos camp for lack of any other option.
Businessmen are severely disappointed by the way the national budget was mangled to serve partisan goals. They are bothered by what seems to be a rising tide of corruption that will ultimately make the domestic economy untenable.
The poor has increasing difficulty coping with inflation. While the aggregate inflation numbers may suggest a moderation of
the problem, food inflation runs rampant. This is what harms the poor most. What might save the Marcos presidency eventually, even as it merely crawls along towards the end of its term, is the sheer lack of a viable political alternative on the horizon. The price for solving the problem of phlegmatic political leadership might be one most of us are unwilling to pay. There are more and more people willing, entirely out of exasperation, to deal with the possibility of an institutional break from the prevailing order. Whatever such a break might look like, no one seems ready to fully elaborate.
If nothing dramatic happens over the next period, then the nation will be interred in a political purgatory. In this twilight zone, we have leaders but no leadership. We have PAGE 7
Babe’s Eye View
BABe RoMuAldez
There are
Beyond reporting vote-buying statistics, the Comelec and its partners must move to stop this form of poll fraud and prosecute the perpetrators. (Philstar.com)
Romualdez calls for stronger monitoring of produce prices
by gaBrieL PaBiCo LaLu Inquirer.net
MANILA — A stronger monitoring of produce prices is needed as some traders were reported to be selling above the real market data from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday, April 1.
He said this after some industry stakeholders raised concerns about food products such as large chicken eggs being sold at P9 to P12 per piece, when the DA’s Bantay Presyo data pegs the price at P8 to P9 per piece.
According to the House leader, a difference of a peso or two would go a long way.
“May price monitoring mechanisms ang ating mga ahensiya pero dapat siguruhin nating nakikita sa pamilihan ang nakasaad na presyo sa monitoring na ito. Sa ngayon kasi, mukhang hindi akma ang estimate sa price monitoring sa tunay na presyo sa mga pamilihan,” Romualdez said in a statement.
(Our agencies have price monitoring mechanisms, but we have to ensure that we can see the prices stated in these monitoring activities in our markets. Currently, it seems that the price estimates based on monitoring do not correspond to true prices at the markets.)
“ Nakikita natin na sa wet markets, ang ganitong mga itlog ay nabibili sa P9–P11, at sa ilang supermarket, umaabot pa sa P12,” he explained. “ Bakit may diperensya sa presyo, kahit piso lang ?”
Romualdez said that he understands that DA is doing everything it can to monitor prices, but there might be a need to put extra mechanisms in place to ensure that consumers’ rights are protected.
“Every peso is important. We have to correct this so that we can rectify prices at the markets,” he added.
A press release from the DA, posted by the Philippine
Information Agency on Tuesday, showed that the department, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, is closely monitoring egg prices to ensure they do not rise to “unreasonable levels.”
According to Laurel, there are suggestions to implement a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on eggs, but “as with goods like rice and pork,” they would have to consult stakeholders first “so as not to shock the industry.”
The DA revealed during a Jan. 15 hearing of the House Quinta committee, which probed the rising prices of basic goods, that the department intended to place a P58 per kilogram MSRP on premium grains.
According to the DA, it intends to create a ripple effect, wherein the prices of well-milled rice and regular-milled rice do not differ much. This would, therefore, force sellers to lower the prices of cheaper variants.
On Monday, March 31, DA set the MSRP of imported rice at P45 per kilogram.
Lawmakers, however, have raised concerns about the MSRP. ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said that the DA is placing a cap that is higher than the price of rice sold at the market during that time.
Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin called out the DA for seemingly pulling out the P58 per kilogram MSRP out of thin air.
Synchronized approach Romualdez also noted that the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have their own monitoring systems, which could be strengthened if both agencies synchronize their activities.
“May monitoring ang DA. May monitoring ang DTI. Dapat nagkakaisa ang mga ahensya para makuha natin ang tunay na larawan ng presyo sa pamilihan. Ito ang magiging susi para sa isang maayos at matatag
na ekonomiya,” he said. (DA has its monitoring. The DTI has its own. We have to unite the initiatives of these agencies so that we can get the actual prices inside marketplaces. This is key for a strong economy.)
“Alam natin na hindi lang itlog ang apektado. Ang presyo ng karne at poultry ay patuloy na tumataas dahil sa mga isyung tulad ng African swine fever, kakulangan sa storage facilities, at init ng summer. Hindi ito maaaring balewalain,” he added.
(We know that not only eggs are affected; meat and poultry prices continue to rise due to issues like the African swine fever, shortage in storage facilities, and the summer heat. We cannot set these issues aside.)
In February, the DA said there may be an egg supply shortage from April to May as many local producers suffered losses due to oversupply and lower prices in 2024.
According to Romualdez, these issues must be addressed before the Holy Week, which is set from April 13 to April 20 this year.
“Hindi natin puwedeng palipasin pa ang Mahal na Araw bago natin solusyunan ang mga problemang ito. Kailangan agad nating gumawa ng hakbang para sa ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
(We cannot let the Holy Week pass by without solving these problems. We need to take steps for our people.)
“Tayo’y magtutulungan upang matiyak na abotkaya ang bilihin ng bawat sambayanan,” he declared. “Hindi ito laban ng iisang ahensya o grupo—ito ay laban nating lahat para sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan.”
(Let us help each other to ensure that prices of goods are affordable for our people. This is not the fight of a single agency or a group — this is a fight for all of us, for a better future.) n
Philippines readies P5.7 million for...
The Philippines is also sending a humanitarian contingent to assist in rescue efforts in Myanmar this week.
With its death toll continuing to climb, the Myanmar junta has issued a rare call for international aid, breaking with the military's typical rejection of foreign assistance during disasters.
"We will send a humanitarian contingent, doctors, experts on earthquakes, recovery of survivors, the same team that went to Turkey," De Vega said. "They should be there the next day or two."
The deployed Filipino team will need to take an indirect route to reach the affected areas, De Vega said.
"They're ready to be deployed today or tomorrow.
The thing is, I think they will have to fly to Thailand first before they go to Myanmar," he said.
The humanitarian mission would assist all earthquake victims, not just Filipinos, De Vega said.
"When they go there, it's not deliberate only to look for Filipinos. This is for anybody because that's the nature of rescue," he said.
De Vega said Myanmar has acknowledged its limited capacity to handle
PAGE 6
extensive cash aid programs to buy popularity but no break-out plan for the nation’s development. With each passing day, opportunities will pass us. We have the poorest infrastructure and transport investments in the region. Internal trade is hampered by protectionist policies such as cabotage that brings profit for local shipowners but expensive
the disaster. "Myanmar admits that they don't have the means to recover people from the buildings. And there's a lot of damage."
Damaged roads, communication outages and closed airports have hampered the delivery of aid to affected areas in Myanmar, according to reports.
Myanmar has been in conflict since the junta overthrew its democratically elected government in 2021. Parts of the country are under the control of rebel groups, particularly in border regions, where they have established their own administrations and resist the junta's authority.
Scale of devastation
De Vega expressed sympathy for the people of Myanmar, noting that the earthquake had also claimed the life of a foreign service officer from the Myanmar Foreign Ministry who was crushed by a collapsed wall in his office.
The official said all 151 Filipinos in Mandalay are considered affected by the earthquake, as it was the area closest to the epicenter. "I would say all of them are affected because that's the worst-damaged place," De Vega said.
Most Filipinos in Myanmar
Depleted
food for everybody else. Our education system cannot prepare the next generation of Filipinos for the next economy. Two years ago, we had a presidency that did not have the political will to undertake the radical reforms to pull up our agriculture from subsistence mode. Now we have a presidency that does not have the political capital to do it. Filipinos are tenaciously
‘More time needed’ shallow reason for slow impeachment start
by Jose rodel ClapaNo Philstar.com
MANILA — It’s “shallow reasoning” for Senate President Francis Escudero to hold off the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte just because Congress is on recess and the Senate needs more time to prepare the rules, according to a former elections chief and one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution.
“Senate President Francis Escudero said he needs to prepare the rules on impeachment. What is he talking about? The Senate has already engaged in an impeachment. There are already rules. You have to edit or add or subtract a few, but they could have started earlier,” Christian Monsod said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News on Tuesday, April 1. Monsod said the Senate received the Articles of Impeachment on Feb. 5, but did nothing. “It was postponed and the trial will be on end of July. Well, we will see what happens. I hope the results of the elections will be positive rather than negative,” he said.
The former elections chief stressed an impeachment trial of Duterte is a very important matter because it involves corruption and plunder of public funds.
“For me, it’s very shallow reasoning about the need for more time and so on, and there were several opinions that the Senate is on recess, therefore that cannot be interrupted. What a shallow reasoning, we are talking here about the impeachment of the vice president, for corruption and so on,” he said.
“That is very important and I think the senators, no one wanted a trial, to start a trial before the elections because it will reveal who they are,” he added.
The Senate being a continuing body, Monsod said newly elected senators can participate in the impeachment trial of Duterte in the 20th Congress.
Monsod said the 1987 Constitution provides for separate articles on legislation and impeachment and on accountability of public officials.
“There are people who are saying the president can call a special session for impeachment, they are wrong,” he said.
He explained the Constitution states that the president can only call for a special session for discussing legislative matters and not for impeachment.
“I think they should have done that immediately,” Monsod said, referring to the convening of the Senate as an impeachment court. n
work as professionals, according to the DFA official. The four missing Filipinos are teachers.
"Most of the Filipinos we know there (in Myanmar) - 700 plus - are working professional fields. Some are teachers, some are in office work. Some are travel agents. Matataas ang tungkulin (They have highranking jobs)," he said.
While no Filipinos have requested repatriation so far, De Vega said the government is prepared to handle evacuations if needed.
De Vega urged Filipinos who have lost contact with relatives in Myanmar or Thailand to reach out to the concerned embassy.
Filipinos in need of assistance to contact the Philippine embassies in Myanmar and Thailand can reach the following numbers:
• Philippine Embassy in Thailand hotline: +66 81 989 7116
• Philippine Embassy in Yangon hotline: +95 998 521 0991
The DFA official also said Filipinos can send a message to the Overseas Filipino Help Facebook page — the DFA's official emergency help page for overseas Filipinos in distress. n
optimistic. But today there is little for our hopefulness to cling to. Dynastic politics, with the culture of corruption on which it thrives, denied our people the firm, determined and clear-sighted leadership the nation needs. (Philstar.com)
by
and staff.
Senate President Chiz Escudero Senate fIle photo
FRESH PRODUCE. Buyers pick from various fresh produce sold at Divisoria Market in Manila on Tuesday, April 1. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the upward price pressures for March are expected to be offset by lower prices of rice, fruits and vegetables, due to favorable domestic supply conditions. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Gloria Diaz still speaks
MISS Universe 1969
Gloria Diaz, known for her unfiltered comments whenever she’s interviewed, mused that she’s trying to dial down her bluntness — but it’s proving to be a challenge.
On the sidelines of the media conference for Regal Films’ horror movie “Untold” premiering on April 30, Gloria appeared aware of an observation that while she’s fearless, many are afraid of the things she says.
“I know, that’s what they say,” she quipped in response to the notion that her candor had caused some stir. She noted that even her daughter, Isabelle Daza, has even joked about it, commenting on her mom’s Instagram back in 2018, “Without filter since 1969.”
But Gloria admitted that she’s making a conscious effort to be more careful with her words. “No, I try. Because nowadays, I always have to try to lower… not say everything kasi napapahiya sila,” she said, explaining how sometimes her comments are misinterpreted. “Or I’m quoted… sometimes, taken wrongly.”
Despite her best efforts, Gloria confessed that it’s not always easy to keep her honest thoughts to herself. “In a way, I’m able to explain why I said this and why I said that. But in truth, I’m trying very hard,” she shared. “Not always successful to be more, you know, sedate, more careful, medyo filtered. But it still comes out.” But
P.E.P.
MARCH is Women’s History Month. I will feature women from all walks of life. I asked the female respondents (last batch): What is the significant role of women in our society?
Their replies are as follows: Having served as president of St. Scholastica’s College for six years and dean for 18 years, prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the Manila Priory and national chairperson of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, one of the 100 Most Inspiring Persons in the World at the centennial of International Women’s Day: “Women like men have to be agents of change especially in our Philippine society that is plagued with many social issues like corruption in all levels of society, lack of a sense of common good shown in the concentration of power in family dynasties, weaponization of law, loss of moral fiber, etc. Women should raise their voices against these issues, take active part in the implementation of laws and in raising consciousness not only about women issues but about the social issues mentioned above. Women’s place is not only in the home but in the struggle – for social transformation.”
The late Pres. Cory Aquino’s appointments secretary Margie Penson Juico, a product of St. Theresa’s College: “Gone are the days when women were referred to as the fairer, weaker sex. We have transformed into architects of society, domestic engineers and molders of the hearts and minds of the young. We have championed passionately family causes that threaten the moral fabric of society. We have emerged to occupy the highest positions of power and wielded immense influence in government and governance. And we still continue to propagate our race even as we
her mind
in the end, she said, “I also always say what I want.”
She clearly spoke her mind when asked about possibly sharing “untold” stories from her life in a memoir.
“No. Too many men, too little time,” she quipped. On the current state of beauty pageants, Gloria didn’t hide her reservations about the overemphasis on training and preparation.
“I don’t like too much yung training-training-training,” she said. “Ayoko yung masyadong trained na pati turning, pati tingin, pati tayo, I don’t like that… I want to see a more natural person.”
She’s neither in favor of candidates being judged solely on their answers.
“I also don’t like that they are judged by what they answer. Because sometimes, the answer is so complicated I myself always cannot
understand what they’re saying.
“This is not an IQ contest. It’s a beauty contest. It’s okay with me, all the plastic surgery and all that. I don’t care.
“But I don’t like these very parang genius answers and people think just because you could speak English, magaling ka na. Hindi.”
Gloria said that she prefers that candidates speak in Tagalog, Bisaya or whatever their local language is so that the answer is “more from the heart.”
"I always wanted them to speak in their language, whatever they’re comfortable with…
“I’m not impressed with those big words na diaspora, serendipity. Parang balewala naman iyan sa akin, hindi ba?
As for the evolving Miss PAGE 9
‘Game of Thrones’ actor Iain Glen says filming Quezon biopic is an adventure
by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net
“GAME of Thrones” star Iain Glen described his work experience in the production of the upcoming historical Filipino film “Quezon” as a thrilling “adventure.”
Through a recent post on Instagram, Glen gave a glimpse into his character in the movie, Leonard Wood, a physician and former governor-general of the Philippines.
One of the images he shared was him in a fullwhite ensemble seated in a wooden chair surrounded by the production crew. The post also included another snap of him in his military uniform.
The Scottish actor also posted an image of him posing with Filipino actors Jericho Rosales, Benjamin Alves and Mon Confiado.
“Shooting a film, #Quezon, in the Philippines, playing their last Governor General, Leonard Wood, as the country sought independence from American rule. Really wonderful cast and crew. What an adventure. More to follow,” he captioned the post. In the comments section, Glen’s co-stars also extended their enthusiasm having the chance to work with the Hollywood star.
“Honored and privileged! You are an amazing actor! ” wrote Confiado.
Leonard Wood was an
Sr. Mary John Mananzan: ‘Women
scatter and make a difference in many parts of the world. We break ceilings in fields normally occupied by men and make a difference in the lives of a lot of Filipinos. This is what is in the heart of every Filipino woman!”
Sovereign Seal of Business Triumph and Remarkable Achievers awardee Salvie Collado Paparon, CEO of Sheanne Roll Up Door Construction Services: “Women are the pillar of strength of everything. Without woman, a home is empty. Nobody can replace a woman in a family.”
Former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez-Belen: “A woman has many roles in life but for me the most significant is being a mother, to nurture her children to become responsible and caring members of human society.”
Angela Valdez, little Talia’s mom (she’s expecting another child) who has been working for a company for over 12 years: “Women do everything. If a woman chooses to become a wife and mother, she is the essentially the core unit of the family. If she chooses a career path, her possibilities are endless. Many women in our society choose both. Women are often expected to play a certain role in life and are looked down upon if they’re not able to meet those expectations. Most women will persevere and push through these challenges to prove that she can. Women need society’s support so they can help lead the younger generation.”
Rochie Cuevas, assistant laboratory director at the Napa-Solano-Yolo-Marin County Public Health Laboratory in Fairfield: “Women as leaders. Many of the public health laboratories in California are currently led by women. They introduce new technologies at critical times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This incredibly increases the laboratories’ capacities to provide diagnoses when we needed it the most. At the beginning of the pandemic, the laboratories could give out results two weeks after samples have been submitted. But now,
testing for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus takes under 2 hours. Aside from introducing new technologies, women leaders in the public health laboratories invest in people. A lot of our time and effort are spent in nurturing the next generation of laboratorians through mentorship and technical training. I guess this is part of our being mission-oriented. Solano County Public Health’s vision is ‘Healthy People - Healthy Community.’ By continually providing opportunities for microbiologists to practise the profession, we contribute to safeguarding the community from communicable diseases. Women leaders are inclusive. They embrace diversity and use it at an advantage to make public health laboratories great places to work in. Women are effective leaders because they seek work-life balance... A person’s worldview is highly influenced by the teachers that he/she encounters. I think women shape society because they teach children. The mother is often a child’s first teacher. Most schoolteachers I have encountered are women too.”
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Vicky Manalastas Toribio, who used to work at Central Bank in the Philippines as technical assistant for 20 years, migrated to the U.S. in 1978 as a professional worker. A product of the Far Eastern University in Manila (she obtained a degree in commerce with a major in financial management), she is now retired. All her children, Amado Jr., Anna, and Raymond are now living in the United States. She has been actively involved in the Christian community and has been participating in Christian missions in the Philippines, the latest of which was last February this year in a medical mission in Antipolo, Rizal. Her group also went to San Fernando, Pampanga.
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Thanks to Lily Nguyen from Vietnam of Kim’s Salon & Spa and Denise Magana of Great Clips, both located on Business Center Drive in Fair-
American Army general who served as the governorgeneral of the Philippines from 1921 to 1927. He played a significant role in the political and economic decisions that preceded the Philippines’ independence from colonizers.
Given his historical influence, two major roads, in Baguio City and in Zamboanga City, and a public school in Mandaue City were named after him.
Glen, on the other hand, rose to fame for his performance as Ser Jorah Mormont in the hit series “Game of Thrones” alongside
Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, and Peter Dinklage, among others. He’s also known for his role as Dr. Alexander Isaacs in the “Resident Evil” film series, Sir Richard Carlisle in “Downton Abbey,” and Larry Winters in “Silent Scream,” for which he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Meanwhile, Rosales was earlier announced as the lead star of “Quezon,” where he will portray the titular Manuel L. Quezon with Alves set to play the younger version of the character.
like men have to be agents of change’
Rogelio ConstAntino MedinA
Tessie Ang See (left) and Margie Penson Juico (right) stand in front of a framed poster of former President Corazon Aquino.
Sr. Mary John Mananzan
Photos compiled by Rogelio C. Medina
Multi-awarded CEO Salvie Collado Paparon
Former Central Bank of the Philippines technical assistant Vicky Manalastas Toribio
Angela Valdez with daughter Talia
Former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez-Belen
AJ columnist Rogelio Medina with his hair stylist Denise Magana
Scientist and former radio show co-host Rochie Cuevas Rosita Medina with her hair stylist Lily Nguyen
AS far as health is concerned, the majority, if not all of us, want the best health minus the sacrifices needed to achieve it effectively and safely. We want to be healthy without exercising, dieting or abstaining from smoking and without disciplined alcohol intake. We want to have good blood pressure and good cholesterol level without skimping on our salt and fat intake and quitting cigarettes. We want to lose weight without cutting down on our calorie intake and exercising daily. Everybody wants to get to heaven without dying!
For expediency, any pill or juice or gadget that comes along with the claim that it is good for our health becomes a “must-buy” crutch, believing it will confer upon us good health and longevity, without lifting a finger, moving a muscle, or getting off the couch and putting down the remote control and the potato chips.
Unfortunately, the manufacturers of these “health” lotions, potions, pills, juices and gadgets are mostly interested in making their bank accounts healthy, and least interested in the health of its consumervictims. Otherwise, they won’t continue to prey on the unsuspecting public and sell their useless products, which may even have severe long-term sideeffects. And organ-failure and cancer are some of those possibilities!
It is one thing to pay for a very expensive pill or juice or machine and find out years from now that it was not effective. It is another to discover years down the line that its use has caused a debilitating or deadly disease.
Now comes the water ionizer, the “ionized” alkaline water it produces, the “special drinking water.” Not only are these marketed waters and the ionizing machines expensive, but they are, according to scientists, “medically baseless and worthless.” Most of the good effects these manufacturers claim for their products are available in healthy food items, like fish, fruits, bran, wheat, nuts, vegetables, and water purified by the most advanced multiple-stage reverse-osmosis filtration system. It might come as a surprise to many but boiled water, minus its sediments,
The ‘ionizer’ fraud
is safer than some of this expensive drinking water. Using the commercially available home water filtration pitcher or the below-the-sink multiplestage reversed osmosis filtration system, and then boiling the water will even double the protection. This will certainly not cost $1500-$2500 like the ionizers.
When it comes to health, there is no better guide than our modern science, where extensive and rigidly controlled laboratory testing, and double-blind, randomized, human clinical trials are the standard before any medication or device gets official approval and goes out to the market.
Anecdotal reports (usually solicited) or testimonials (usually from paid endorsers) are not scientific proofs. These are misinformation used to market the product with some semblance of “truth.” Candidly, these are nothing but deception to sell. If not approved by the United States’ FDA, the Philippines’ BFAD or any other similar national health agencies, any product is a potential suspect. So, public, beware! As far as the water ionizer is concerned, here is “the bottom line” as objectively explained in a detailed scientific paper, which aims to educate and protect the public:
“Here, in a nutshell, are few basic facts that anyone with a solid background in chemistry or physiology would concur with: (1) “Ionized water” is nothing more than sales fiction; the term is meaningless to chemists; (2) Most water that is fit for drinking is too non-conductive to undergo significant electrolysis; (3) Pure water can never be alkaline or acidic, nor can it be made so by electrolysis; (4) Ground waters containing metal ions such as calcium and magnesium can be rendered slightly alkaline by electrolysis, but after it hits the highly acidic gastric fluid in the stomach, its alkalinity is gone; (5) The idea that one must consume alkaline water to neutralize the effects of acidic foods is ridiculous; we get rid of excess acid by exhaling carbon dioxide; (6) The claims about health benefits of drinking alkaline water were not supported by credible scientific evidence; (7) There is nothing wrong with drinking slightly acidic waters such as rainwater. Body pH is a meaningless concept in this context because different parts
of the body (and even individual cells) can have widely different pH value; (8) If you really want to deacidify your stomach (at possible cost of interfering with protein digestion), why spend hundreds of dollars for an electrolysis device when you can take calciummagnesium pills, AlkaSeltzers or Milk of Magnesia, under your doctor’s care?; (9) Electrolysis devices or ionizers are generally worthless for treating water for health enhancement, removal of common impurities, disinfection and scale control.”
Talking about liquids, here is a warning: Soft drinks (cola or un-cola, diet or regular), for instance, are poison to all of us, especially to children; they cause metabolic syndrome, which leads to major chronic illnesses. They are killing us softly! Among “killer foods,” processed foods, especially meats (almost all deli), increases the risk for cancer; and sweets and sugars are inflammatory foods and most unhealthy for us, responsible for most major chronic illnesses among us.
To protect our health and our pocketbook, we must use wisdom and do due diligence, especially in today’s world of materialism and greed. Caveat emptor!
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* * 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.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
*
* * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, health advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, Astronaut Gus Grissom, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Shining a light on Filipina excellence: ‘The Impact Book’ celebrates women who lead with purpose
by Bev llorente
LAS VEGAS — There are women who enter a room — and then there are those who shift its very energy.
In The Impact Book, a powerful anthology curated by community leader Gloria Caoile, the spotlight turns to Filipina trailblazers who’ve done just that. These women have broken barriers in politics, business, and community service — all while replying to group chats and showing up in heels.
At the heart of this celebration is not just a collection of stories, but a reflection of resilience, courage, and transformation. And on this special episode of Ano Na Bev, we honor the women whose lives and legacies are woven into The Impact Book — an offering that does more than inspire; it uplifts, empowers, and reminds us all of what is possible.
"When you look back at your journey," the conversation begins, "was there a single moment that changed everything for you — when you realized your voice, your purpose, or your impact?"
Each guest shared intimate moments of awakening — experiences that sparked their purpose and propelled them to leadership despite the odds. Through tears and laughter, the episode peeled back the layers behind public achievements to reveal personal sacrifices and steadfast hope.
“What kept you going,” I asked, “when giving up seemed easier?”
It’s a question many women wrestle with silently. Yet in this space, vulnerability became a badge of honor. What emerged were tales of deep faith, support systems, and an inner fire that refused to be extinguished.
Before moving forward, I couldn’t help but pause: “Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how incredible this studio is right now?” The atmosphere was electric — strong, brilliant, resilient women sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. It was living proof that even those we deem powerful didn’t always feel that way.
“Sometimes,” I said, “all it takes is one voice saying, ‘I see you. I believe in you.’ And that changes everything.”
As Ano Na Bev continued, we dove into the quieter stories — the unsung heroes who first believed in these women, the mentors who ignited self-worth, and the emotional journey of telling one’s truth in print.
“If a young girl reads your story today,” I asked gently, “what’s the one lesson you hope she carries with her?”
The answers were deeply moving. Some wished to teach courage, others, selflove. One thing was clear: these stories weren’t just about individual victories — they were blueprints for future generations.
Segment after segment, the stories stacked up like bricks in a legacy built by
love and grit. The question
“What does impact mean to you?” drew thoughtful silence, then honest answers — not as a buzzword, but in the quiet moments when no one is watching. For many, impact meant mentoring others, showing up even when unseen, and making choices rooted in purpose. Others opened up about forgiving past versions of themselves and those who once stood in their way.
“To all the women still going through it,” I offered, “we see you. If it feels like everyone else has a character arc and you’re stuck in the pilot episode — trust that your comeback season is loading.”
Mascara may smudge. But the spirit? Waterproof.
The episode closed with a heartfelt conversation with Gloria Caoile, the woman behind The Impact Book. When asked what she discovered through this project, she didn’t just reflect on others’ stories, but on her own journey — her legacy, her purpose, and the gratitude she holds for those who shaped her voice.
“To the women featured,” I concluded, “you are the story. The light. The proof that from struggle, purpose is born.”
Gloria Caoile didn’t just collect stories — she preserved legacies. And in doing so, she’s empowered a new generation of Filipinas to stand taller, speak louder, and believe that yes — they, too, can make an impact.
ards revealed he received persistent offers to run for office but politely declined all of them, saying he could still help without having to be a part of government.
Richards emphasized his disinterest in politics during the recent contract signing between Viva Group of Companies and his company, Myriad Entertainment, for a joint venture.
“There have been offers po for me to run. But for me, at this point in my life, I respectfully decline po,” he said.
The “Hello, Love Again” actor underscored that his refusal is not because of the system but because he believes he can help without being part of it.
“Lagi ko pong sinasabi (I always say) even though there’s a lot of clamor for me running for politics, I can help people without being part of the government. It’s not because ayaw ko siya dahil mayroon akong mga hindi maganda (I heard bad things) about the system. It’s not about that. The platform that I have right now is more than enough to reach out to people who are in need,” he explained.
Richards remarked that his decision might have been good for the long term. “Masaya po ako dito, nama-maximize ko po ang
pagtulong (I’m happy here I can maximize ways to help). At the same time, nagagawa ko rin po ang mga bagay na gusto ko (I can also do things I want). If the question is running for politics, for now, ayaw ko po (I won’t) […] Baka po (maybe) for good,” he said. On top of political offers, Richards also shared that he received a scholarship from an aviation school in Clark, reiterating his dream to become a pilot. As the CEO of Myriad, Richards partnered with VIVA for business ventures in relation to his restaurant as well as acting projects, including upcoming films with Anne Curtis and Julia Barretto.
ARNEL Pineda slammed the fake videos circulating on social media and claiming that the Journey lead vocalist was “sentenced to life imprisonment” in the United States.
The fake claims stated that Pineda was supposedly convicted in a San Francisco, California, court due to an apparent “pattern of predatory and abusive behavior.”
These claims have been spread online through videos on YouTube which used an edited photo of Pineda wearing a prison uniform. These clips have garnered thousands of views.
Pineda then seemed to have subtly dismissed this through his Instagram page last Saturday, March 29, as he showed himself enjoying the view of Metro Manila from a high-rise building.
“Heatwave in Metro Manila won’t stop me from enjoying my unfiltered sunsets,” he captioned his post.
One netizen then left a comment on this post, asking, “What’s going on with the YouTube video about you being sentenced to life?”
Making an outright response, Pineda
wrote, “Well I’m somewhere nice and the sentence was in [San Francisco]. Do the math,” adding a kissing face emoji.
Another netizen urged the singer to take legal action against those who disseminate such false claims to teach them a lesson.
Pineda did not immediately respond to this.
Pineda was introduced as the lead singer of Journey, replacing the band’s original vocalist Steve Perry in February 2008.
they always say, ‘And now, the oldest candidate for Miss Universe, 24-yearold something-something!’ Right? “So parang naninibago ako. But I try to adjust, kasi marami namang magagandang 28 years old… But I’m not crazy about, you know, all the changes happening. Gloria, nevertheless, still holds Miss Universe as the top pageant, despite the rise of many others. “Siyempre
Miss Universe pa rin. And there’s nothing next.” Meanwhile, the veteran actress is turning 74 on April 5. She shared her birthday wish: “Health, wealth, and time to spend it.” She revealed that her celebrations have traditionally been intimate, usually involving dinner with her long-time partner, banker Mike de Jesus. This year, she plans to still keep things low-key and celebrate at home with her family. (Philstar.com)
