Hegseth's warning: US not seeking war but ready to defend interests amid sea tensions
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 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.
Defense team eyeing Duterte interim release
MANILA — Detained former President
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. The first of which is the risk of flight, the second of which is
the risk of interference of witnesses with the 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
approves sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets worth $5.5 billion to PH
jets and related equipment to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of the United States.
WASHINGTON — The United States announced on Tuesday, April 1, it has approved a sale of $5.5 billion in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions with China. The State Department reported it was green-lighting the sale that includes 20 F-16
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Philippines of F-16 aircraft,” the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement on Tuesday. DSCA noted it delivered
AFP welcomes possible F-16 sale to PH; expert sees easy US Congress nod
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed Washington’s announcement of the possible sale of F-16 aircraft to Manila, a move which a security expert believes would easily hurdle the required U.S. congressional approval.
green-lighted the sale, which includes 20 F-16 jets and related equipment to the country, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement on Tuesday, April 1.
“Anything that will modernize and propel us to greater heights with our assets, we gratefully welcome that for the Armed Forces,” said AFP spokesperson
interim release before the next ICC hearing in September.
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.
Forbes list: Manny Villar is richest among top 15 billionaires in Philippines
MANILA — Tycoon Manny Villar is the richest Filipino entrepreneur and the 117th wealthiest person globally, according to the Forbes Billionaires List 2025, with a net worth of $17.2 billion (~P984.4 billion).
Forbes, which has compiled the list since 1987, ranked 3,028 billionaires worldwide this year, 247 more than in 2024. It includes entrepreneurs, investors and heirs.
“Not only are there more of them, but they’re richer than ever, worth $16.1 trillion in total — up nearly $2 trillion over 2024,” Forbes added.
Fifteen billionaires from the Philippines made it to the Forbes Billionaires List 2025.
THE Philippine Consulate General in New York held its first quarter Media Hour on Friday, March 28 at the Philippine Center, with the participation of officials from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to present updates on the implementation of the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for the 2025 Philippine national elections. The event followed the threeday Regional Training for North and Latin u PAGE 7 u PAGE 2 u PAGE 2
The U.S. State Department
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
by John Eric MEndoza Inquirer.net
by John Eric MEndoza Inquirer.net
by nEil Jayson sErvallos Philstar.com
by doMiniquE nicolE FlorEs Philstar.com
AFP welcomes possible F-16 sale...
Col. Francel Margareth
Padilla in a radio dwPM interview on Wednesday, April 2.
Padilla then referred to the Department of National Defense (DND) for further details.
“Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in our mission to defend the nation while anticipating future enhancements that will strengthen our ability to safeguard our territory,” she said in another statement.
For his part, Defense Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, the DND spokesperson, told reporters that his agency, which implements the Philippine military acquisition programs, had “not received any official notice of such a decision.”
Adds deterrence
The $5.5 billion F-16 sale will help the Philippine Air Force (PAF) boost its “ability to conduct maritime domain awareness” and “enhance its suppression of enemy air
defenses,” according to the DSCA.
When asked to react to this statement, PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo also declined to comment as she referred the matter to DND.
“The PAF can only comment on issues or give statements regarding assets that had been turned over to us as end-users,” Castillo told reporters.
“Nonetheless, we continue to perform our mandate, as we also look forward to future developments that will further enhance our capabilities to protect our nation and our skies,” she added.
Easy nod on F-16 seen Security expert Chester Cabalza told INQUIRER.net that the F-16 would be a great addition to the PAF fleet, but he reminded the government that it should also invest in rudimentary requirements of such assets.
“Acquisition of F-16 from the U.S. Armed Forces is an add-on force requirement to beef up the Philippines’ air
power and defense system,” Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said in an interview on Wednesday.
“While Manila widens its collection for multi-role fighter jets, it must also set high vision for rudimentary requirements ranging from hardware to software of air power capabilities including more airdrome for expensive aircrafts and professional development aligned in its new strategy on territorial defense and self-reliant defense posture,” he added.
The DSCA said the F-16 sale was sent to the U.S. Congress for approval, and Cabalza expressed optimism that it would easily hurdle Washington’s bicameral chamber.
“Most likely there is a chance that it would be approved as Washington braces itself for a tougher reengagement with Manila to widen their ironclad alliance,” he said. n
Defense team eyeing Duterte...
PAGE 1
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
US approves sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets...
PAGE 1
the required certification, notifying U.S. Congress of this possible sale.
defenses,” it emphasized.
President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to redirect U.S. military efforts to Asia to face a rising China, especially as tensions rise over Taiwan, and to lessen involvement in Europe despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
international ruling that its assertion has no merit.
On a recent visit to Manila, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to “reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region” in light of “threats from the Communist Chinese.”
The sale will “improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” a State Department statement said.
The sale will boost “the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct maritime domain awareness” and “enhance its suppression of enemy air
The Philippines and China have seen months of escalating confrontations in the South China Sea.
Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway, despite an
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated U.S. defense commitments to the Philippines, a contrast to the Trump administration’s frequent talk of “freeloading” off the United States by allies in Europe. n
Forbes list: Manny Villar is richest...
They are:
• Manuel Villar - $17.2 billion
• Enrique Razon Jr. - $10.9 billion
• Ramon Ang - $3.7 billion
• Lucio Tan - $3 billion
• Henry Sy, Jr. - $2.3 billion
• Hans Sy - $2.2 billion
• Herbert Sy - $2.1 billion
• Harley Sy - $1.9 billion
• Teresita Sy-Coson - $1.9 billion
• Elizabeth Sy - $1.7 billion
• Andrew Tan - $1.6 billion
• Lucio Co - $1.4 billion
• Susan Co - $1.3 billion
• Tony Tan Caktiong - $1.3 billion
• Eusebio Tanco - $1.2 billion
Forbes found that six of the top Filipino billionaires gained wealth over the past year, while eight saw a decline. Tanco, who chairs STI Education Systems Holdings and DigiPlus Interactive Corp., is a new addition to the list.
Among the top four
wealthiest Filipinos — Villar, Razon, Ang and Tan — all saw an increase in net worth, as did spouses Lucio and Susan Co, who run Puregold Price Club, Inc.
Villar, former Senate president, chairs Vista Land and Lifescapes, a property development company, with its key asset being his stake in Golden MV Holdings, which developed the 3,500-hectare Villar City in Cavite.
Razon heads International Container Terminal Services Inc., a leading port business, while Ang chairs San Miguel, one of the country’s oldest conglomerates.
Tan founded LT Group, which has investments in tobacco, spirits, banking and property development. He also established Asia Brewery, a subsidiary that competes with San Miguel.
The Sy family, heirs to the late Henry Sy Sr., continues to hold significant wealth through SM Investments and SM Prime, but their net worth has declined since
2023, according to Forbes. Still, as a family, they remain the wealthiest in the Philippines for 2024. Most of the country’s billionaires maintain diversified business portfolios, with others focusing mainly on sectors like real estate, logistics, food and beverage, and fashion and retail.
Globally, Forbes reports that the United States leads with 902 billionaires, followed by China and Hong Kong with 516, and India with 205.
The wealthiest individual is Elon Musk, with a net worth of $342 billion, primarily earned from his companies Tesla and SpaceX. He is followed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ($216 billion) and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos ($215 billion), both of whom have also seen their net worth grow in the past year.
Forbes compiled the billionaires list using stock prices and exchange rates from March 7, 2025. n
Former President Rodrigo Duterte saluting to overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong during his visit on Sunday, March 9, 2025. PDP Laban via Facebook
Dateline USa
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 profitminded 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 presentday 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 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
How much will that surgery cost? Hospital prices remain largely unhelpful.
by Daniel Chang KFF Health News
IT’S a holy grail of health care: forcing the industry to reveal prices negotiated between health plans and hospitals — information that had long been treated as a trade secret. And among the flurry of executive orders
President Donald Trump signed during his first five weeks back in office was a promise to “Make America Healthy Again” by giving patients accurate health care prices.
The goal is to force hospitals and health insurance companies to make it easier for consumers to compare the actual prices of medical procedures and prescription drugs. Trump gave his administration until the end of May to come up with a standard and a mechanism to make sure the health care industry complies.
But Trump’s 2025 order is also a symbol of how little progress the country has made since he issued a similar directive nearly six
years ago. Consumers find it only partially useful, and the quality of the information is spotty.
A ‘Bold’ first step that fizzled
The 2019 order was “pretty bold,” said Gary Claxton, a senior vice president at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. “They basically went at the providers and the plans and said, ‘All this data you think is confidential we’re not going to make confidential anymore.’”
What followed was, to consumer advocacy groups, a disappointment. Hospitals and insurers posted on websites voluminous, complex, and confusing data about their prices. The information has been a challenge for even experts in health care pricing to navigate, let alone consumers. Some members of Congress filed legislation to put the force of law behind price transparency requirements; those bills died. And President Joe Biden’s administration was criticized for not more stringently
enforcing the regulations, with one consumer advocacy group even buying a Super Bowl ad featuring the rapper Fat Joe alleging that “hospitals and insurers hide their prices.”
Trump’s new order, signed in February, said that hospitals and health plans “were not adequately held to account when their price transparency data was incomplete or not even posted at all.”
The Government Accountability Office reported in October that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services didn’t know whether prices reported by the health care industry were correct or complete. But CMS, which regulates hospitals, now plans to “systematically monitor compliance” and help institutions understand the requirements, said Catherine Howden, an agency spokesperson. Howden did not answer questions about whether CMS staffers overseeing price transparency compliance have been fired as part of
How much will that surgery cost? Hospital
the Trump administration’s wide-ranging effort to cut the federal workforce.
‘Zombie’ rates and other inconsistencies Meanwhile, independent researchers have found numerous problems with the quality of price data both hospitals and health insurers do share with consumers.
A recent report from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker found that data reported by four health insurers in New York City often included prices that they say they pay hospitals for services that those health providers don’t — or can’t — provide. These are called “ghost” or “zombie” rates.
For example, the health plans reported dentists, optometrists, and audiologists receiving payments for knee replacements, gastrointestinal exams, and other procedures unrelated to their specialties. In other cases, the data included different prices for the same service paid for by the same insurer at the same hospital. UnitedHealthcare, for example, reported paying New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center three rates — $47,000, $64,000, and $70,000 — to treat a heart attack.
Or, the insurers reported paying the same price for vastly different services.
Aetna, for example, said it paid exactly $6,292 to Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital for the treatment of respiratory infections, heart attacks, cancers of the digestive tract, kidney and urinary tract infections, and psychosis.
Neither UnitedHealthcare nor Aetna addressed the discrepancies in the data. Cole Manbeck, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare, said the insurer has met price transparency requirements and urged members “to use our cost-estimator tools for exact costs based on their specific health plan.”
Aetna spokesperson Shelly Bendit referred questions to AHIP, a lobbying and trade association for insurers.
Health insurers have “strongly supported” price transparency, said Chris Bond, a spokesperson for AHIP. The group will work with the Trump administration to provide transparency “in a way that is meaningful for the end user, while also promoting a competitive private market,” Bond said.
What’s a consumer to do?
Estimates and total
prices aren’t very useful for consumers, who are mainly interested in what they’ll ultimately have to pay out-of-pocket, said David Cutler, a professor of applied economics at Harvard University. That can vary by health plan, depending on deductibles, copayments, and other fees.
“Most of the price transparency information doesn’t have that,” he said. It also doesn’t give consumers information about the quality of care, Cutler added, which can lead to an old bias. “It’s kind of like wine when you go to the restaurant,” he said. “People assume that the more expensive wine is better.”
Cutler said he’s skeptical that price transparency will lower costs for patients. But he said it may offer insight to hospitals and health plans about what their competitors are charging and paying for services — knowledge that could inadvertently lead to price increases if hospitals that receive a lower rate than a competitor demand higher reimbursement from health plans.
Trump’s recent executive order notes that the top quarter of the most expensive health service prices have dropped by 6.3% a year since his 2019 order.
However, the same research referenced in the executive order showed that the bottom quarter of services got more expensive, at a rate of about 3.4% per year, according to the analysis by Turquoise Health, a health care price data firm that examined rates at more than 200 hospitals in the 10 largest U.S. markets.
Some patients say that with research and persistence, they’ve been able to make price transparency work for them.
Theresa Schmotzer, 50, of Goodyear, Arizona, said she used hospital price data to save nearly $3,000 on outpatient surgery to have a fibroid removed last year.
Schmotzer, who has health insurance, said the hospital first told her she would owe $3,700 for the procedure and wanted the payment upfront. But she was skeptical. She said her health insurer was unable to quote a price for the procedure or specify how much she would owe.
The morning of the surgery, Schmotzer said, she found a spreadsheet online at PatientRightsAdvocate.org that included different prices
paid by insurers, including hers. The reported price for the procedure was closer to $700, she said.
Schmotzer said she took a printout of the spreadsheet to the hospital and presented it during preadmission. She paid her $300 deductible and told the hospital to bill her for the rest.
A few months later, she said, the bill arrived in the mail for the remaining $400, which she paid.
When people go for surgery and aren’t clear upfront what the cost will be, it stokes fear, she said. “Because they’re going in blind.”
Next steps
Hospitals say they want to work with federal regulators and comply with reporting requirements, said Ariel Levin, director of coverage policy for the American Hospital Association, which represents about 5,000 institutions. Levin said consumers should be given the price of services and “a more comprehensive estimate” that represents an entire episode of care and the amount they’ll owe out-ofpocket, based on their health plan.
CMS has developed rules since Trump’s 2019 order to make price information reported by hospitals and health plans easier to understand, and the agency has fined more than a dozen hospitals for failing to comply.
Federal rules allow hospitals to report an estimate, a price range, or a historical rate for their services, while health plans can adjust prices based on factors like the severity of the case, the length of treatment, and a patient’s age.
KFF’s Claxton said that such flexibility doesn’t allow for “apples-to-apples comparisons” and that the data must be reliable before researchers can use it to better understand health care costs. “It doesn’t seem to be that yet,” he said.
Much remains to be done before price transparency lives up to expectations that it will increase competition and lower costs, said Katie Martin, chief executive of the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit research group.
Price transparency alone is not a silver bullet, Martin said. It’s “a critical first step” for employers, lawmakers, regulators, and others to better understand how money flows through the health care system and how to make it more efficient, she said. “It’s not the whole thing.” n
Hegseth's warning: US not seeking war...
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 comprising 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 increase 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)
Trump says he’ll stop health care fraudsters...
PAGE 3 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, according 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 rankand-file 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.
Features OpiniOn
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 buy-and-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.
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
Digital technology allows the public to 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. There are people who are skeptical that the initiative will amount to anything. The Comelec must show that the skepticism is unfounded.
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)
US Defense Secretary Hegseth: Deterrence through strength
between our two nations.
We were encouraged to hear this during our inperson 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 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 well-respected 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 Indo-Pacific 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.
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Babe’s Eye View
BaBe Romualdez
Dateline philippines
Government execs skipping
Imee’s
probe on Duterte’s arrest
by alExis roMEro Philstar.com
MANILA — With their “extensive disclosures,” it may no longer be necessary for executive officials to attend the next hearing of a Senate committee on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang told Senate leaders in a letter.
In a letter to Senate President Francis Escudero and Senate foreign relations committee chairperson Sen. Imee Marcos, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said officials from various agencies dutifully attended the inquiry held on March 20 and answered all the questions to the best of their knowledge.
“We believe that further participation may no longer be necessary at this time, especially considering that the honorable chairperson has publicly relayed her comprehensive findings thereon,” Bersamin said in the letter dated March 31.
Imee saddened Malacañang’s decision was “saddening,” Senator Marcos said in reaction.
“There are still questions that need answers.”
In a chance interview, she said she had asked Malacañang to reconsider its decision.
“This is an opportunity for them to explain to the people what really happened. By not attending, it will make people speculate that they are hiding something,” Marcos said.
Last week, she released the preliminary findings of her committee, which cited “glaring violations” of the rights of Duterte, who is now awaiting trial in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity.
According to the senator, the constitutional safeguards guaranteeing liberty and due process of law were not observed during the arrest.
She said the government enforced the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) based on an “unverified diffusion notice” sent by the tribunal to the International Criminal Police Organization or
Interpol.
Since the diffusion notice states that it was only for a “provisional arrest” rather than an “arrest and surrender,” the Philippines had no obligation to turn over Duterte to The Hague, the senator said.
Bersamin reiterated Malacañang’s stance on the extent of executive privilege as relayed to the committee through a letter dated March 20.
“We believe that all matters not covered as executive privilege have already been extensively discussed,” the executive secretary said.
In the March 20 letter, Malacañang invoked executive privilege against the disclosure of information related to presidential communications solicited and received from the President’s advisers, particularly discussions held in closed-door Cabinet meetings on matters covered by the Senate hearing.
According to Bersamin, such information is classified as privileged.
But Senator Marcos said executive privilege in congressional inquiries can be invoked only on a caseto-case basis and cannot be used as a “blanket excuse” for skipping the probe.
At a press briefing last Monday, April 1, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos won’t prevent Cabinet members and other officials from attending the Senate probe, provided that it would not violate executive privilege.
PH Consulate General In New York holds...
Pending petitions
Bersamin also noted that there are four petitions pending in the Supreme Court involving Duterte’s arrest that are closely intertwined with items being deliberated in the hearings of the Senate foreign relations committee.
“Accordingly, further discussions on the matters in the agenda of the hearing may constitute violation of the sub judice rule, which could unduly influence the ongoing proceedings,” the executive secretary said.
The petitions questioned the validity of Duterte’s arrest and pointed out that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute in 2019.
The ICC maintains that it has jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal from the statute.
“In light of these considerations, we must respectfully decline the invitation to attend the hearing,” Bersamin said.
“Nevertheless, we remain available to extend our full cooperation through other appropriate channels, should there be any further clarifications required within the bounds of the law,” he added.
On Meta, Senator Marcos posted a quote card showing Bersamin’s and Castro’s conflicting positions on the issue.
“Is this an April Fools’ joke? Whose order should be followed?” Marcos said.
(Marc Jayson Cayabyab)
American Foreign Service Posts on the administration of overseas voting through the new online system, held in New York from 26 to 28 March 2025.
COMELEC Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino, along with Director Ian Michael G. Geonanga and Director John Rex Laudiangco, briefed members of the Filipino-American media on the conduct of overseas voting under the OVCS. They responded to questions regarding system features, cybersecurity measures, voter verification procedures, and efforts to ensure accessibility for overseas voters.
For his part, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile emphasized the crucial role of the media and Filipino community leaders in raising awareness about the overseas voting process. He called for their continued partnership in encouraging voter participation, especially as the new system is
introduced to Filipino voters abroad.
COMELEC officials underscored the significance of the 2025 elections as the first time the Philippines will implement internet voting for registered overseas voters. “We are the first in Asia to use internet voting,” said Commissioner Ferolino, highlighting that the system was developed to improve accessibility and to address longstanding issues such as postal delays and low voter turnout.
Registered overseas voters may cast their ballots online after completing a one-time enrollment process, which includes uploading any one of five acceptable Philippine IDs and a selfie for facial recognition. Those without valid Philippineissued IDs may still enroll through in-person or live video verification, using any acceptable proof of identity. Assistance will be made available through the Philippine embassies and
consulates.
COMELEC conveyed its assurance that the OVCS complies with Philippine election laws and international standards. They noted that the system underwent a rigorous certification process and a source code review by relevant government agencies and election stakeholders to ensure its integrity and reliability.
Consul General Mangalile also took the opportunity to announce a series of upcoming events by the Consulate. These include Sari-Sari Storytime on 5 April 2025; 80 Years of Valor: Honoring the Heroes of the Liberation of Manila on 8 April; Filipinnovation in Wealth Building on 24 April; The Filipino Nonprofit Leadership Playbook on 26 April; Philippine Graduation 2025 on 24 May; and the Evelyn Mandac Documentary Screening and Kundiman Masterclass on 29 May. (Philippine Consulate General)
From left: COMELEC Director Ian Michael G. Geonanga, Director John Rex Laudiangco, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino, and Consul Ricarte Abejuela III during the Media Hour discussion on the overseas pre-voting enrollment process.
Photo by Sherlyn Roxas
Sen. Imee Marcos leads a panel review of guidelines for the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program on Feb. 3, 2025. Senate SMU / Voltaire Domingo
New York PCG and COMELEC officials with Fil-Am media and community leaders who attended the first quarter Media Hour. Former Consul General in New York and retired Ambassador Mario L. de Leon, Jr. (standing, center) was also present at the event.
Photo by Sherlyn Roxas
Gov’t extends aid to Duterte ralliers arrested in Qatar
by Jane Bautista Inquirer.net
MANILA — Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Doha are coordinating with authorities in Qatar following the arrest of 20 Filipinos for allegedly participating in an unauthorized political demonstration in support of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said on Sunday, March 31.
Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega confirmed to the Inquirer that 20 Filipinos had been arrested in Qatar, with one released over the weekend.
“Embassy officials are at the police stations and are talking to them. Legal counsel will be provided if they are charged,” De Vega said in a Viber message.
Under Qatari law, organizers and participants of gatherings without a permit could face imprisonment of up to three years.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) earlier said
that its Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Qatar was closely monitoring the case and ensuring the welfare of the arrested Filipinos, some of whom are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“The DMW, in coordination with the [DFA] and the Philippine Embassy in Doha, sent its labor attaché (also a lawyer) to the police station to provide all necessary assistance to the affected OFWs,” the agency said in a statement on Saturday.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac assured the affected OFWs of the department’s continued support and full assistance.
He also reminded all OFWs to respect the laws and customs of their host countries, particularly regarding public gatherings and political expressions, to prevent similar incidents.
Birthday rallies Duterte is currently in detention in the Netherlands after the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest for alleged murder as
a crime against humanity relating to the thousands of deaths during his administration’s drug war.
As he turned 80 on March 28, his supporters staged rallies here and abroad and clamored for his return.
That same day, the Philippine Embassy in Doha confirmed that several Filipinos had been arrested and detained for “suspected unauthorized political demonstrations” in Qatar.
Overseas Filipino group Migrante Middle East expressed concern over the arrest of the OFWs, urging the Marcos administration to provide urgent legal assistance to the detained workers and avoid politicizing the issue.
“The immediate focus should be on securing the release of those arrested, without any partisan agenda,” the group said in a statement on Saturday, March 30.
“While we acknowledge that every individual has the right to express their
SEEKING MORE CONVICTIONS. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, calls for tighter enforcement and improved conviction rates in the government’s fight against the illicit trade of tobacco and vapor products, during the hearing at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Gatchalian underscored the importance of coordination among enforcement agencies, urging the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, and Department of Justice to operationalize concrete plans to secure convictions against smugglers.
PNA photo by Avito Dalan
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 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
Marcos hails Alex Eala’s ‘historic’ Miami Open run
by KristinE daguno-BErsaMina Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" 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
Gov’t extends aid to Duterte ralliers...
PAGE 8
opinions, even if we may differ in our political beliefs, we emphasize that this should not compromise their safety or jeopardize their employment abroad,” Migrante said on its Facebook page.
While the group clarified that it had a “different political view” from those who were arrested, it urged the administration of President Marcos to provide urgent legal aid and avoid “politicizing the issue, especially in cases involving OFWs who may have supported the Duterte administration.”
It also advised OFWs of the “critical importance of thoroughly studying the laws and regulations of their respective host nations [and] exercising safety in all expressions of opinion.”
The group also urged Filipino migrant workers to critically examine political issues back home, saying it was time to “stop idolizing
US
PAGE 6
political leaders, particularly those from political dynasties, who abandon their campaign promises and duties once elected.”
Government protection
Labor leader and senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman on Saturday likewise called on the DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Qatar to aid in securing the release of Filipinos detained there.
“I am calling on the Philippine Consulate in Qatar and the DFA to do everything to help and release the detained OFWs for holding
a rally,” De Guzman said in Filipino in a statement.
De Guzman, a staunch critic of Duterte, said that the arrested Filipinos deserve assistance from the government.
“Though we may have different perspectives on Duterte, they are Filipino workers [who] must be protected by our government,” he pointed out.
Last week, OFWs calling for the former president’s release threatened to stop sending money home in protest of his arrest. n
Defense Secretary Hegseth...
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
“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 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
Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac PNA photos
Senate President Francis Escudero answers questions from the media on October 29, 2024. Senate of the Philippines via Youtube
FOLLOWING the success of last week’s episode, “Citizen Pinoy” presents Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” at Ling Nam Restaurant. More customers – and even the restaurant’s owner – had the rare opportunity to ask leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel their most pressing immigration questions. This special episode continues to provide vital legal insights for Filipinos seeking clarity on their immigration status and options in the U.S.
Among the guests was Tim Schulze, Associate COO of Seton Medical Center, who highlighted the demand for highly trained Filipino nurses in the U.S. He asked Atty. Gurfinkel about the process of bringing more of these skilled
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
professionals into the country to help fill critical staffing shortages in healthcare.
Jowana Lynn raised a heartbreaking family matter. Her cousin had been petitioned by his mother, but she passed away before the immigration process was completed. She wanted to know if her cousin could still immigrate despite this unfortunate turn of events. Atty. Gurfinkel explained the legal implications of such situations and whether there were any options available to keep the petition moving forward.
Brandon Lim, owner of Ling Nam, inquired about employment-based immigration, asking whether his restaurant could petition family
PAGE 12
system. Jowana Lynn (top photo, right) raised a heartbreaking concern about her cousin’s petition, which was in progress when his mother passed away, asking if he could still emigrate. Tim Schulze (bottom left photo), Associate COO of Seton Medical Center, asked about the process of bringing highly trained Filipino nurses to the U.S. to address healthcare staffing shortages. Meanwhile, Ling Nam owner Brandon Lim (bottom right photo) inquired whether his restaurant could petition family members from the Philippines to work in the business. Atty. Gurfinkel provides expert insights into family-based petitions, employment sponsorships, and immigration pathways for Filipino professionals. Do not miss Part 2 of this timely and informative episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, April 6 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
The ‘ionizer’ fraud
Health@Heart
PhiliP S. Chua, md, FaCS, FPCS
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 side-effects. 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
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, 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 de-acidify 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!
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.
14
Gloria Diaz still speaks her mind
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
approaches her 74th birthday on April 5, her birthday wish is: ‘Health, wealth, and time to spend it.’
Photo from Instagram/@regalfilms50 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.
Citizen Pinoy continues immigration Q&A...
PAGE 11 members from the Philippines to work in the business.
With family-run establishments being the backbone of many Filipino American communities, his question would surely resonate with many entrepreneurs seeking ways to support both their businesses and loved ones abroad.
Atty. Gurfinkel breaks down the complexities of immigration law, offering practical advice on family-based petitions, employment sponsorships, and opportunities for Filipino professionals seeking to live and work in the U.S. Whether you are an employer, a family member, or someone navigating the immigration process, this episode provides valuable
insights you will not want to miss.
Be sure to watch Part 2 of this “Your Tanong, My Sagot” episode filmed at Ling Nam on Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, April 6 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
As former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz
Jowana Lynn (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Tim Schulze, Associate COO of Seton Medical Center (left), with Atty. Gurfinkel
Ling Nam owner Brandon Lim (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Family, survival, immigrant struggles: The Cleaning Lady continues to shine a light on the undocumented experience
by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress
IN a television landscape where stories about women of color are still too rare, The Cleaning Lady stands out as a thrilling drama that does more than entertain— it confronts societal ills head-on. At its core, the show is about survival, resilience, and the sacrifices women make for their families. But it also shines a necessary spotlight on systemic injustices, from the struggles of undocumented immigrants to the harsh realities of power imbalances in America.
Led by a powerhouse cast that includes Elodie Yung and Martha Millan, The Cleaning Lady is one of the
few shows that celebrates and highlights women who fight back, take control, and refuse to be erased. The two women’s journey continues on its fourth season, after a hard and challenging third season.
The heart and strength of Thony
At the center of The Cleaning Lady’s gripping narrative is Elodie Yung’s portrayal of Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian doctor (married to a Filipino) who turns to unconventional means to survive and protect her son, Luca.
“When they called me to say ‘We are renewing it,’ I was ecstatic, I was extremely
happy,” Yung told the Asian Journal. “And it's been a really good season, because I think all of us cast in crew, we felt the that we were very privileged and lucky to be back again.”
Yung’s performance has been lauded for its depth, intensity, and the raw vulnerability she brings to the character.
“She is absolutely fearless,” Martha Millan said of Yung. “The way she plays Thony—with so much grit and heart—it’s incredible to watch.” Thony’s journey from an undocumented immigrant cleaning hospital rooms to navigating the dangerous world of
organized crime is one of resilience, intelligence, and fierce maternal love.
Yung herself has spoken about how meaningful it is to bring Thony’s story to life, especially as a Southeast Asian woman leading a primetime drama. “This is the kind of representation we need more of,” Yung said. “Thony is complex, she’s layered—she’s not just one thing, and that’s what makes her so compelling.”
This season she also gets a crack at getting behind-thescenes, directing her first episode.
“It was the best experience, the best artistic experience for me,” she shared. “But you know, I'm someone who love connecting deeply with people and I realized that about myself and then being put in this position of director, you get to connect with absolutely every artist on the show, every department.”
Her dynamic with Millan’s Fiona is another highlight of the series. The sistersin-law share a bond that is tested by circumstance but remains unbreakable. “It’s such a special relationship,” Millan noted. “They love each other, they fight, they challenge each other—but at the end of the day, they have each other’s backs.”
Fiona’s next chapter
With The Cleaning Lady securing a fourth season, Millan admitted she was “dumbfounded” by the renewal. “Season 3 was such a journey, and I honestly didn’t know where else they
could take us,” she says. But Fiona’s story is far from over.
After being deported and fighting her way back, Fiona is now focusing on her own version of the American dream. “She has nothing to lose at this point,” Millan said. “She’s just incredulous about her situation. But she’s also taking control of her life in the best way she can.” That means pushing forward with her unconventional rideshare business and, more importantly, supporting her children’s futures.
While The Cleaning Lady is known for its highstakes plotlines, Fiona’s personal journey is equally compelling. “She’s going back to her roots as a mother. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about—fighting for her kids to have a better life.”
Millan sees Fiona’s evolution as a reflection of the perseverance of many real-life immigrants. “For me, Fiona represents so many women I’ve met, so many moms, so many
workers who are just doing everything they can to survive,” she said. “She’s had moments of fear, but this season, I think she’s stepping into herself more.”
Lea Salonga’s ‘villainous’ guest appearance
When The Cleaning Lady announced that Broadway icon Lea Salonga would be joining Season 3, Millan couldn’t believe it. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, no way!’” she recalled. “She’s a legend.” But beyond the excitement of working with a musical theater icon, Millan found herself deeply impressed by Salonga’s warmth and professionalism.
“She was so down-toearth and so generous in every scene,” Millan said. “That intimidation I felt at the beginning quickly disappeared because she just made everything easy.” Their on-screen dynamic, however, was anything but easy. Salonga’s character Rose, a wealthy Filipina businesswoman, embodied
Martha Millan as Fiona De La Rosa Elodie Yung as Thony De La Rosa
Elodie Yung on her character Thony Dela Rosa: When you look at Tony, I think she's been a very reactive character so far, because she had been thrown into this underworld of Vegas, this criminal world and the mob and the cartel, and she had to react. This wasn't her world. Her world, when she left the Philippine was being a surgeon. She's an educated woman, she is a healer, she helps people. She
Sr. Mary John Mananzan: ‘Women like men have to be agents of change’
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 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 SARSCoV-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 worklife 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.”
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.
* * *
Thanks to Lily Nguyen from Vietnam of Kim’s Salon & Spa and Denise Magana of
Great Clips, both located on Business Center Drive in Fairfield, California for our new cut hair.
It was a long worthwhile walk passing through several nice houses in villages and a beautiful park before reaching the salons.
* * *
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.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
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, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA,
a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was 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, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Sr. Mary John Mananzan Photos compiled by Rogelio C. Medina
Multi-awarded CEO Salvie Collado Paparon
Former Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Martinez-Belen
Tessie Ang See (left) and Margie Penson Juico (right) stand in front of a framed poster of former President Corazon Aquino.
AJ columnist Rogelio Medina with his hair stylist Denise Magana
Angela Valdez with daughter Talia
Scientist and former radio show co-host Rochie Cuevas
Rosita Medina with her hair stylist Lily Nguyen
Former Central Bank of the Philippines technical assistant Vicky Manalastas Toribio
Alden Richards says no to politics
by jessicA Ann evAngelistA Inquirer.net
ACTOR Alden Richards 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
‘I can help people without being part of the government,’ Alden Richards says. Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02
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.
Family, survival, immigrant struggles...
the tensions that exist within immigrant communities— particularly the divide between those who have privilege and those who struggle to make ends meet.
“There’s always that one person who looks down on you,” Millan acknowledged. “It was written so well— there’s that condescending tone, that quiet judgment.”
Even Salonga herself agreed, telling us in a conversation, “You and I have met these people before.” The complexity of this portrayal wasn’t lost on Millan, who found that their scenes together reflected real-world issues. “It’s a reality in our culture and in many others— the idea that some people forget where they came from once they’ve ‘made it.’”
But one of Millan’s favorite aspects of The Cleaning Lady is its ability to showcase the full spectrum of Filipino culture, from its community
dynamics to small but meaningful details, like the food and language used on screen. In one episode, we see Fiona devouring a huge jar of ube butter, in another one, she and Thony were rolling lumpia. “We are a Southeast Asian family from the Philippines,” she said. “It’s important that we show that—not just in how we look, but in how we talk, what we eat, and how we live.”
Breaking barriers for women of color
In an industry where TV shows led by women of color still feel rare, The Cleaning Lady is breaking barriers. “Not only are we faced with challenges of feeling of being a minority, being marginalized, but also the fact that we are unapologetic in who we are as women, and at the same time, we'll fight for better opportunities for our children, no matter what, clearly, in this show at
Kathryn Bernardo is single, mom Min says
by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
AMID speculations on Kathryn Bernardo’s relationship status, her mom Min Bernardo set the record straight, saying that while the actress has many suitors, she is single at the moment. Min spoke about this during an ABS-CBN “On Cue” interview with entertainment reporter MJ Felipe, in which she emphasized that she lets the actress explore and decide for herself on matters of the heart. “Hinahayaan ko lang siya pero nandyan pa rin ako sa side na bumubulong, ‘Hindi tama ‘yan; hindi okay ‘ yan’ — mga gano’n,” Min admitted. “Pero at the end of the day, mahirap kasi sa isang nanay na may sinasabi ka [pero] hindi ka pinakikinggan.”
“Ngayon, ina-accept ko na lang na ‘sige na nga, matanda ka na. Ikaw na magdesisyon by your own, pero sana isipin mo hundred times kung sino man ‘yan, ano man ‘yan kasi mahirap magkamali,'” she continued. “Especially sa stature niya ngayon, maraming naghihintay na magkamali siya.”
Felipe then asked, “May
nanliligaw? Marami?” to which Min responded with a nod and a giggle.
“Syempre naman. Ang panget ba naman ng anak ko kung walang manliligaw, ‘di ba?” she said.
Felipe then made a followup question, “Tsaka single naman siya, ‘di ba?”
Min replied, “Yea, oo.”
Min then said that she is ready whenever Kathryn decides to settle down, with the celebrity mom revealing that she had even advised her children to get married at the age of 25.
“Pero wala`g nag-asawa nang 25,” she said, laughing.
“Si Kath sabi niya last year siguro mga 33, tapos pausod nang pausod Nung isang araw narinig ko nga 34 daw.”
Speaking about how Kathryn is as a woman, Min said, “Independent na siya Strong woman siya.”
Just last month, speculations linking Kathryn to Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala were further fueled after actor-showbiz insider Ogie Diaz cited an anonymous source who supposedly confirmed to him the pair’s relationship. Kathryn and Alcala have yet to comment on these claims as of this writing.
Gloria Diaz still speaks...
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all costs,” Millan said.
The show’s representation doesn’t stop at its leads. It extends to the world they inhabit—from the Filipino dishes that appear on screen to the mix of English and Tagalog in everyday conversations. “It’s real,” Millan said. “I do that with my sister—throw Tagalog into an English sentence. So many Filipino Americans do.”
That sense of reality also extends to the show’s themes, particularly in how it tackles the struggles of undocumented families. Millan notes that while The Cleaning Lady is ultimately a drama, it provides an unflinching look at the constant fear and difficult choices faced by those without legal status. “It’s entertainment, yes, but it also gives people a look into the fear and struggles that undocumented families face every single day,” she said. n
“Not always successful to be more, you know, sedate, more careful, medyo filtered. But it still comes out.” But 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 Universe competition, Gloria acknowledged the changes but admitted she wasn’t fully on board. “The Miss Universe now, I think, basta iba, iba na talaga. They made it more, how do you say that?
Inclusive, hindi ba?”
She noted the inclusion of older women and nontraditional contestants.
“But I’m not really for
that. Because Miss Universe should be mga ganun, 18 to 25, 26… During my time, when you’re above 23, 24, 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)
Kathryn Bernardo. Image Photo from Instagram/@bernardokath
