APRIL 6-9, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 26 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
Duterte threatens to declare revolutionary war by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to declare a “revolutionary war” and arrest his critics until the end of his term. In a speech on Thursday, April 4, the president warned that he would suspend the writ of habeas corpus and go after those who dare critique his methods to end criminality. “I have enough problems with criminality, drugs, rebellion and all, pero pag ako ang pinaabot ninyo nang sagad (if you go too far), I will declare a suspension
of the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you),” Duterte said. The strong-mouthed president warned that he would tag his critics as rebels, criminals and drug addicts should they continue to publicly call out and contradict his decisions. He said that he would act upon those threats “if pushed against the wall.” “Kasama kayo sa mga rebelde, mga kriminal, pati mga durugista. Then pahirapan mo ako (You will be at par with rebels, criminals and drug addicts. If you make it hard for me), I will declare a revolutionary war until
USA
DATELINE US continues to monitor flow of funds to PH FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
A UNITED States Treasury official this week said the U.S. government is monitoring the flow of money into the Philippines. Sigal Mandelker, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said money has come from unidentified sources to finance alleged terror groups. “We continue to monitor terrorist financing related to Manila. But, of course, this scenario is what we continue to watch closely,” she said at a teleconference with reporters. When asked if the flow of funds from terror groups in the Middle East to local groups in Southeast Asia had also been monitored by the U.S., her response was: “I can’t go into the specifics.” “But generally speaking this is something that we monitor very carefully and the subject of information and cooperation with regional u PAGE A2
Trump arrives at US-Mexico border after withdrawing threat to close it PRESIDENT Donald Trump arrived at the southern border in Calexico, California on Friday, April 5 to tour a recently rebuilt section of two-mile fencing and to meet with local law enforcement officials to address what his administration has called a “border crisis.” The visit came a day after he retracted his threat to shut down the entire border. The morning before leaving to the border, Trump reasoned that Mexico had been “absolutely terrific” in the past four days in apprehending migrants. He said Mexico apprehended 1,400 people on Thursday, and 1,000 people the day before. Speaking at a roundtable event with local officials, Trump said that the U.S. system was too full to take in any more migrants. “The system is full. We can’t take you anymore,” said Trump. “We have a system that’s full. It’s just full. When it’s full, there’s nothing you can do. We have to say, ‘I’m sorry, we u PAGE A4
the end of my term. Then pasensiyahan tayo (you have to bear with this),” he added. The leader’s remarks come in light of Senate Franklin Drilon’s advice for the government to be cautious in reviewing and signing deals. “Why should I be careful in reviewing contracts that are not in the interest of the people? And the onerous and (burdensome) provisions there that the people will have to honor, so you think I will allow it? Just because we cannot impair the obligation of our contracts?” the president said.
CAMPAIGNING IN PALAWAN. Thousands of supporters listen as President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Palawan on Thursday, April 4. Malacañang photos by Albert Alcain
u PAGE A2
Trillanes denies involvement on video expose on Paolo Duterte by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
PHILIPPINE Senator Antonio Trillanes IV denied his involvement in a viral video alleging presidential son Paolo Duterte is linked to illegal drugs. Trillanes on Friday, April 5 said he would “congratulate” the people behind the nearly sevenminute video circulating online that links the president’s family to drugs. “The accusations of the witness Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and former Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte Philstar.com photos were very serious, quite pointed
and well-explained,” Trillanes said, adding “Having said that, I really wish I was part of the making of the videos so I could relish these moments but sadly I am not. In the meantime, I am looking forward, (as) everyone else, to the next episode. The senator, who is a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, recalled the time that he was falsely accused of having offshore bank accounts. He compared his past situation to that of the former Davao City vice mayor.
“When you (Duterte) falsely accused me of having offshore bank accounts, I confronted it squarely and didn’t stop until I was able to debunk your lies,” Trillanes stated. “And when you realized na napatunayan ko na hindi totoo ang mga paratang mo, umatras ka at inamin na inimbento mo lang yun. Ano, ganun na lang yun? (I proved that your claims were false, you retreated and admitted you only made it up. That’s it?) Until your next lie?” u PAGE A2
Palace: ICC bent on interfering PH protests illegal Chinese with Philippines’ sovereignty presence around Pag-asa by DARRYL JOHN
ESGUERRA
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Inquirer.net
MANILA—With its continuous move to pursue actions against President Rodrigo Duterte, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is indeed bent on interfering with the sovereignty of the Philippines despite the country’s withdrawal from the tribunal, Malacañang said on Friday, April 5. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the ICC told the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), the complainant of the second communication filed against Duterte, that it will Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo u PAGE A5 Inquirer.net photo
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 4 demanded that China back off from Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), which has been swarmed by hundreds of Chinese ships this week. The president told reporters that he would not let China “occupy” the island as it belongs to the Philippines.
“Pag-asa Island belongs to us. Hindi ako papayag kung pati ‘yung Pag-asa i-occupy nila (I will not allow them to occupy Pag-asa Island). No, of course not,” Duterte said. He said that he would not “plead or beg,” but warned the country to “to lay off Pag-asa because I have soldiers there.” He added that the Philippines would continue to reach a compromise versus going to war be-
u PAGE A3
Four Filipinos on 2019 Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ Asia list by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
FORBES magazine on Tuesday, April 2, named four Filipinos belonging to the “30 Under 30 Asia” list, featuring 300 young people who excel in 10 categories hailing from 23 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. The said Filipinos who made it to the fourth annual list of the American magazine are Earl Patrick Forlales, Zahra Halabisaz Zanjani, Georgianna Carlos and Ken Costales. The young individuals showcased innovation along with other foreign nationals on the list. Forlales and Zanjani are founders of CUBO Modular known for designing and constructing bamboo houses in just four hours.
CUBO Modular co-founders Earl Patrick Forlales and Zahra Halabisaz Zanjani
Georgianna Carlos, founder of the premium pet care brand Fetch! Naturals
Ken Costales, founder and CEO of the performance marketing firm Monolith Growth Ventures Photos courtesy of Forbes
Carlos founded premium pet care brand Fetch! Naturals which is popular for incorporating natural ingredients to suit every pet care needs. Performance marketing firm Mono-
lith Growth Ventures was founded by Costales. At present, it serves global brands for countries such as Singapore and Philippines. The categories include Arts (Art &
Style, Food & Drink); Entertainment & Sports; Finance & Venture Capital; Media, Marketing & Advertising; Retail & Ecommerce; Enterprise Techu PAGE A4
A April 6-9, 2019 • lA WEEKEND ASiAN JOUrNAl
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From the Front Page
Duterte threatens to declare...
PAGE A1 t Such response came a day after Duterte met with the country’s top businesspeople to discuss government contracts with private sectors to ensure that the deals made were at the best interest of the public. Among those present were
Manuel Pangilinan of First Pacific Co. Ltd.; Hans Sy of the SM Group; Robina Gokongwei-Pe of Robinsons Retail Holdings; Alice Eduardo of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp.; Christian Razon Gonzalez of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. and Dennis Uy
of Udenna Corp. Government officials also participated in the meeting namely Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion III. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo emphasized that the move to ensure that the government deals were secured tops the priority list of the president. He clarified that Duterte was stating such to protect the interest of the public despite criticisms from the opposition. “You cannot prevent the government from intervening. It can intervene in anything. As President, it is his duty not only to serve the country but to protect the interest of the public,” Panelo explained. “The problem with critics is it’s hard to understand them. If you did not do anything, they will mock you. If you do something, they will ask, ‘Why only now?’” Panelo said in Filipino during a radio interview on dzMM. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III maintained that the president’s threat to declare a revolutionary war was nothing but a metaphor. He said that the public should not be alarmed since Duterte only said it out of frustration. “Suspension of the writ has proper Constitutional safeguards while a revolutionary war is a metaphor. He is just frustrated. I’m sure he will have a better outlook once his programs vs criminality become more successful,” Sotto said in a message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that Duterte understands the boundaries of his powers as president. “As a lawyer, the president knows the scope and limitations of his constitutional powers and he will always act in accordance therewith,” Guevarra said, adding “only the factual circumstances actually obtaining at the time will determine whether the President’s actions are in accordance with the constitution.” n
CLEAN PASIG RIVER. As a result of the continuing cleanup of the Pasig River, the once polluted major water tributary in Metro Manila is becoming cleaner and serves as an alternative mode of transport. Photo was taken on Wednesday, April 3 along Ayala Bridge in Manila. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Trillanes denies involvement on video... PAGE A1 t he added. The senator urged the president to sign a bank secrecy waiver in order to dismiss the accusations that he has billions of drug money in other countries. He also dared Paolo Duterte to show the tattoo on his back that would signify his involvement in a “triad” or an international crime syndicate. “Kaya ang hamon ko sayo, pumirma ka ng bank secrecy waiver para ipakita na hindi ka corrupt at hindi galing sa droga ang mga bilyon bilyon mo sa bangko. Ikaw naman Polong, ipakita mo na lang ang likod mo, ang dami mo pang arte (That is why I challenge you to sign a bank secrecy waiver
to show that you are not corrupt and your billions of money in the bank did not come from drugs. You, Polong, show us your back, you have too many complaints),” he added. Despite Trillanes’ denial, the presidential son maintained that the senator was somehow involved in the making of the said video. He said that Trillanes is the only one capable of doing such since the latter often “attacks the government.” “He may deny it, but the video supposedly showing my involvement in the illegal drug trade in the country has been clearly stamped with the indelible Trillanes signature of being a desperate mercenary, one
US continues to monitor flow... PAGE A1 t partners,” Mandelker added. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who co-sponsored United Nations Security Resolution 2462 on combating terrorist financing, affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fighting terrorism on March 28. “Money is the livelihood of terrorism,” he said before the United Nations Security Council. He also cited the Philippine government’s initiatives to stop foreign groups from funding terrorist groups in the country. According to Locsin, while
remittance agencies “have been used as a channel for terrorist financing, the challenge is to balance the requirements of counter-terrorism and the needs of OFWs, as remittances account for 9.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.” The need to monitor funds going to non-profit organizations was cited by Locsin as well as the relationship between terrorism and illegal drug trade. Locsin also said he was working on amendments to the Human Security Act to address the exploitation of cyberspace to
who has done nothing good but attack the government,” Paolo Duterte said. Paolo Duterte also refused to show his back tattoo; instead, he stated that he would file cases against the senator for the alleged attempts to ruin his name. “And no, I will not show the tattoo on my back and make things easier for Mr. Trillanes. Instead, I dare him and everyone behind the stupid and empty video exposé to back their claims against me,” Paolo said as reported by The Philippine Star. “I have filed cases against Mr. Trillanes for ruining my name. I will file another string of cases for his continued attempts to destroy my reputation,” he added. n
promote terrorism. The 2018-2022 National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategy were adopted by the country. Regarding the Philippines’ counter-terrorism efforts, Locsin said those were “anchored on respecting human rights because of the country’s overriding responsibility to protect the law-abiding against the lawless and the innocent against those threatening their safety and wellbeing.” (Ritchel Mendiola/ AJPress)
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DATELINE USA
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 6-9, 2019
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Harvard admits highest number of Asian Americans in a decade as it awaits affirmative action lawsuit ruling by RAE
REMEMBERING THE BRAVE. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (2nd from right), together with World War II veterans and members of the diplomatic corps, lays a wreath in observance of Philippine Veterans Week at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Friday, April 5. This coincides with the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9, which marks the fall of Bataan during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
PH protests illegal Chinese presence... PAGE A1 t
cause “we would never win and I would suffer beyond imagination.” “I would just go there to send my soldiers and policemen to be slaughtered. I am not prepared to do that,” the president said. In response to the Chinese vessels, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement that the presence is “illegal” and a “clear violation” of Philippine sovereignty. “Such actions are a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, as defined under international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the DFA said in a statement. According to Malacañang, the DFA is preparing to protest the massive presence of Chinese vessels around Pag-asa, which is part of Palawan. “We call on concerned parties to desist from any action and activity that contravenes the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), as these generate tension, mistrust and uncertainty, and threatens regional peace and stability,” the DFA said. It added that full and effective implementation of the DOC is currently being called for by the Philippines while negotiations
for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea are ongoing. “We cannot emphasize enough the imperative to build and promote mutual trust and confidence, to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities; and to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation and undermine peace, security, and stability in the region,” it said. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said a diplomatic protest is the best approach to the situation to “preserve our sovereignty.” “Otherwise, the Philippines will be deemed to have acquiesced to China’s claim that the waters around Pag-asa belong to China under its nine-dash line claim,” he said in a statement. He also pointed out that Chinese fishing vessels have no right to fish within the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea of the island. “They can only exercise innocent passage in our territorial sea — meaning these vessels must transit in a straight, continuous and expeditious passage. These vessels cannot stop, loiter or even zigzag in our territorial sea,” he said. Additionally, Carpio urged for the filing of diplomatic protests over Beijing’s seizure of Sandy Cay and two low-tide sandbars. “Sandy Cay, a high-tide sand-
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Philstar.com photo
bar, and two nearby low-tide sandbars, are less than two nautical miles from Pag-asa. These sandbars emerged within our 12-nautical-mile territorial sea in Pag-asa. Anything that emerges within our territorial sea is also our territory. That is well-recognized under international law,” he stressed. Failure to file the protests “will be deemed to have acquiesced” to Beijing, the SC magistrate warned. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said a diplomatic protest is being readied after the military’s confirmation of the Chinese vessels’ presence near Pag-asa Island. While Beijing’s Ambassador PAGE A4
ANN VARONA AJPress
THE amount of Asian American students admitted to Harvard University is the highest its been in the last decade, as revealed by the university’s latest admission cycle results for its undergraduate class of 2023. In announcing the demographics for the 1,950 students admitted to the university, 25.4% were Asian American. That’s up from last year’s admission cycle of 22.7% Asian Americans, which was just up less than a percent from years prior. Not included in this year’s count were international students who made up 12.3% of the admitted class last year. The number comes as federal Judge Allison Burroughs is expected to determine whether the university’s admission policies discriminate against Asian American applicants by taking the applicant’s race into account over factors like test scores and grades — a practice widely known and practiced with certain limitations as “affirmative action.” In February, arguments from both sides of the lawsuit alleging the discrimination were heard in a federal court in Boston, repeating much of what was said during a nearly month-long trial that ended in November of last year. The lawsuit dates back to 2014 when anti-affirmative action group Student for Fair Admissions sued the Ivy League univer-
sity for allegedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance. In 2014, the university admitted a percentage of 18.2% Asian Americans with the percentage slightly climbing up in the following years. The group claimed that the university held Asian American students to a higher standard and used a subjective “personal rating” system that may be biased against Asian Americans to limit their admissions. The U.S Department of Justice, in siding with the anti-affirmative action group, once called the scoring system “vague and illusory” and said it scored Asian American applicants lower on the personal rating than white applicants. Harvard, which moved to dismiss the suit, has argued that it looks at university applicants holistically by taking into consideration a wide range of applicant information, including personal essays, which it uses “to understand that applicant’s full life story.” In a previously made statement, it added that the personal rating system looked at information like where the student grew up, what opportunities or challenges they faced in their families or communities, and what “impact they might have both at Harvard and after they graduate, as citizens and leaders out in the world.”
Standing with the university, groups like Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), have also described the university’s admission process as holistic and benefitting to underrepresented minority students, including Asian Americans. Groups in support of Harvard have reasoned that numerical indicators like grade point averages and SAT scores — which data shows Asian American students excelling at — were not colorblind measures of merit. According to College Board data released last December, the average combined SAT score went up 42 points among Asian Americans — a gain much higher than black and white students who saw gains of five points, and Latino and Native American students who saw a decline in points. In a statement made last year, Advancing Justice said, “Research also confirms that the most promising students are not always the ones with the highest SAT scores or the best high school grades and that non-academic factors that predict success like grit, resourcefulness, creativity, and critical thinking are independent of (or even correlate negatively with) these traditional academic measures.” With Burroughs expected to make her ruling in the upcoming months, many are looking at how the outcome may affect the future of affirmative action in higher education. ■
27 pirate sites ordered to pay $27M to ABS-CBN FORT LAUDERDALE — A U.S. Federal District Court in Florida ordered 27 pirate site operators to each pay $1 million for a total of $27 million in damages to media giant ABS-CBN which has scored several victories in U.S. courts this year. The lawsuit, filed last December 2018, targets more than three dozen domain names, including dramaofw.ch, vidco.su, pinoyflixtv.com, pinoytvlovershd. com, and tambayand.com. These streaming portals offer access to Filipino content in the U.S. and abroad, attracting global visitors from all over the world.
“Defendants’ websites are operating in blatant disregard of the rights of ABS-CBN and willfully infringing ABS-CBN’s intellectual property. These pirates will be stopped wherever they are in the world,” according to ABS-CBN Assistant Vice President of Global Anti-Piracy Elisha Lawrence. ABS-CBN’s most recent win follows a pattern of similar verdicts in recent years. With these lawsuits, the company has managed to score dozens of millions of dollars in damages from a wide variety of streaming sites. Moreover, as part of this judg-
ment, any advertising revenue earned by these pirate websites must be handed over to ABSCBN. The permanent injunction in this judgment also requires the domain name registrars and registries of the pirate sites to transfer the domain names to ABS-CBN. Lawrence added: “It is another great legal victory for ABSCBN. This substantial award by the U.S. federal court sends the strong message that the content owner has the legal right to protect its content from being given away for free by pirates.” ■
A April 6-9, 2019 • lA WEEKEND ASiAN JOUrNAl
Dateline USa
Trump arrives at US-Mexico border...
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can’t take you.’” Despite withdrawing his decision to shut down the border, Trump also said on Friday that he was still willing to impose tariffs on Mexican cars and that his decision to not close the border was not final. “I never changed my mind at all. I may shut it down at some point, but I’d rather do tariffs,” said Trump, adding tariffs would be 25% per car. On the border wall, Trump said he was expecting there to be significant progress in its construction — specifically “close to 400 miles” — within the next couple of years. “That’s a lot — 400 miles will cover most of it,” said Trump, adding that the wall was “anticlimb.” “If you want to climb that, it’s pretty sharp up on top, too,” said Trump, according to CNN. “If you want to climb that then you deserve whatever you can get, but it’s very, very hard. It’s meant anti-climb. It’s called anti-climb, so it’s a great wall.” “I think it looks fantastic — very see-through, so you’re able to see the other side, which is
a very important element,” he added. The wall is said to currently be 30 feet tall and roughly two miles long. Trump also on his visit addressed asylum seekers, who he suggested were perpetrating a hoax. “I look at some of these asylum people. They’re gang members. They’re not afraid of anything,” said Trump, according to the Associated Press. “They’re not afraid of anything… It’s a scam, it’s a hoax. I know about hoaxes. I just went through a hoax,” he added, referring to the recently complete special counsel’s investigation. Trump also received criticism on Friday after he incorrectly cited the Flores settlement — which includes rules such as the prohibiting children from being kept in custody for more than 20 days — as being named after a judge. “The Flores decision is a disaster. I have to tell you, Judge Flores whoever you may be, that decision was a disaster for our country,” said Trump. Critics were quick to correct him, clarifying that the settle-
ment was named after the 1985 class action lawsuit plaintiff Jenny Flores, who was 15 years old when she was detained by U.S. immigration enforcement and held in a facility along with adult men and women. Trump, who was in California also to attend an evening fundraiser in Beverly Hills on Friday, also made comments on the state being among the first to challenge his national emergency declaration. “California’s always the first one to complain. And I don’t mean the people of California. They’re fantastic. I’m talking about the politicians in California,” said Trump, as quoted by CNN. “When their forests go up, they complain. They gotta take care of their forests a lot better. But when the wall — they want the wall in San Diego and they’re always the first one. They were the first one to pull the National Guard. And they need the National Guard.” In addition to Southern California, Trump was expected to visit Las Vegas for a Republican Jewish Coalition national leadership meeting on Saturday. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
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New York court sets settlement on Marcos assets by Janvic
Mateo Philstar.com
A FEDERAL federal court in New York will decide next week on the settlement agreement that will divide some $20 million worth of ill-gotten assets by the Marcos family that were recovered in the United States. New York district court Judge Katherine Polk Failla has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday to decide whether to transfer the money to human rights victims under the settlement agreement being contested by the Philippine government, according to American human rights lawyer Robert Swift. “Should the (Philippine) government succeed in upsetting the settlement, the court will enter crippling sanctions for its refusal to produce witnesses during discovery,” Swift told The Star in an e-mail. “Apparently, common sense is in short supply at Malacañang,” he added. Swift is the lawyer of the martial law victims that successfully won the $2-billion class action suit against the Marcos family in Hawaii in 1995. The government, through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), earlier entered into negotiations with the victims on how to divide the fund, which came from the sale of paintings seized from Vilma Bautista, an aide of former
A Feb. 11 court filing reviewed by The Star showed that the lawyers, led by lead counsel Robert Swift and liaison Sherry Broder, have asked U.S. federal judge Manuel Real to allow the third interim award of fees and costs to the counsels for their role in the class suit and subsequent litigations. Philstar.com file photo by Boy Santos
first lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos. In the draft agreement, the victims were set to receive $13.75 million, while the Philippine government will get $4 million. A third party, the Golden Buddha Corp. and the estate of Roger Roxas that allegedly discovered the Yamashita treasure, would also get a portion of the proceeds from the sale of some of the paintings. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Wednesday, April 3, confirmed that it issued a disapproval to the settlement, saying it found its terms grossly disadvantageous to the government and not in accord with ex-
isting Philippine laws and jurisprudence. It said the decision not to proceed with the settlement was later unanimously approved by lawyers from the OSG, PCGG and the Department of Justice. PCGG acting chairman Reynold Munsayac said the Philippine government would instead pursue its claim to all of the recovered properties of the Marcoses in the cases pending before the Sandiganbayan. Swift earlier expressed confidence that the court would approve the settlement, which will enable the distribution of $1,500 to each of some 6,500 members of the class suit. n
Four Filipinos on 2019 Forbes ‘30 Under... PAGE A1 t
nology; Industry, Manufacturing & Energy; Healthcare & Science; Social Entrepreneurs and Consumer Technology. Among the prominent people category on the list per category were: SodaBottleOpenerWala chef-partner Anahita Dhondy, 28; tennis player Naomi Osaka, 21; Sixteenth Street Capital founder Rashmi Kwatra, 30; Nusantara Technology co-founder Steven Wongsoredjo, 26. Heytea founder Neo Nie, 27; Igloohome Pte Ltd Chief Operating Officer Kenny Wang, 30; Cowarobot founders Liu Liyuan, 29, and Liao Wenlong, 30; HealthMatch founder Manuri Gunawardena, 26; Demine Robotics founder Richard Yim, 25; and Pathao co-founder Hussain Elius, 29. Other individuals featured were members of the South Korean girl group BLACKPINK; Chinese actor Liu Haoran, 22; Hong Kong’s eyewear designer Percy Lau, 30; Singaporean band The Sam Willows Anurag Gupta, 29, and Sagar Yamalkar 30; cofounders of India’s DailyNinja Agung Bezharie, 30, Harya Putra, 25, and Sofian Hadiwijaya, 30.
The list was a product of meticulous selection among more than 2,000 entries - researched and vetted by credible reporters and judges. The report emphasized that the listed individuals “stood out for the right reasons.” “The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list this year highlights daring entrepreneurs who are building businesses mostly to solve problems in their industries,” Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ editor Rana Wehbe explained. “Forming 70 percent of the 2019 list, startup founders are using technologies like AI, Big Data and Blockchain to facilitate processes such as matching patients with potentially life-saving medical trials and providing enterprise solutions for SMEs who form the vast majority of businesses in the APAC region,” she added. The American business magazine also dismissed the common notion swept across the young generation. They refuted the idea that businesses built by millennials and Generation Zs (Gen-Z) won’t make it in the long run. “If you think millennials and Gen-Z are just building busi-
nesses for the short-term gain, think again. This year, it was particularly interesting to note that many of these innovators are not just driving change in the region – but working towards cementing its positive effect in the long run, especially in developing and emerging markets,” the report noted. The report noted that those who made it on the list were actively participating in programs that would promote sustainability and environmental protection while simultaneously making money to continuously fund its resources. “It is also remarkable to see many of these changemakers actively working towards sustainability – from supplying affordable green energy in rural areas to cooking and promoting sustainable ingredients and campaigning to reduce the use of plastic straws,” Wehbe said. “From using technology to better their sectors, to helping SMEs thrive through sustainable options when it comes to food and energy – some have been working on innovative solutions to solve problems while building successful businesses at the same time,” she added. n
PH protests illegal Chinese presence... PAGE A3 t
Zhao Jianhua insisted those are merely fishing vessels, Panelo maintained they are militia boats. Reaffirmed commitment The fourth Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea concluded on a good note in Manila despite the concerns over the large presence of Chinese vessels around Pagasa island. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to exercise self-restraint in their activities in the South China Sea so as to not threaten the peace and stability in the region. Leading the Philippine delegation was Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo Montealegre of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs; meanwhile, Chinese vice foreign
minister Kong Xuanyou led the Chinese representatives to the meeting. “In a frank yet cordial and constructive manner, both sides raised specific issues and recent developments and actions in the South China Sea which have raised concerns to either side, and proposed ways to address them in a cooperative manner,” the DFA said in a statement late Wednesday afternoon. “Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate and to continue to find ways forward to strengthen mutual trust and confidence,” it added. Guerilla warfare UP law professor and expert in maritime affairs Jay Batongbacal, however, believes China is basically launching guerrilla warfare at sea as the Department
of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) watch helplessly. In an ANC interview on Thursday, he said: That is real dilemma now to the defense department and Armed Forces. They were not designed to confront this kind of tactics. It’s basically like a guerrilla warfare at sea… and they are now confronted by this kind of possibilities.” He also pointed out that the AFP appeared to be no longer intimidated by the presence of Chinese militia ships. “So I think they reached a certain point already with those tactics. So that is why we are now at a kind of stalemate but we are not reacting to them so we were able to continue on what we are doing in Pag-asa Island,” Batongbacal said. n
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 6-9, 2019
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Facebook: Integrity of upcoming PH midterm elections a priority
RABIES PREVENTION. Pet owners wait for their pets to awaken after their operation during the free spaying and neutering of cats and dogs held at Barangay 29-A, Lao-Lao, Cavite City on Thursday, April 4. OPLAN RED: Rabies Elimination in Dogs, sponsored by the Department of Health 4-A (Calabarzon) was conducted as part of the department’s rabies prevention and control program. PNA photo by Ben Briones
Fixing surprise medical bill problem shouldn’t fall to consumers, panel told by Rachel
Bluth Kaiser Health News
ONE point drew clear agreement Tuesday during a House subcommittee hearing: When it comes to the problem of surprise medical bills, the solution must protect patients — not demand that they be great negotiators. “It is the providers and insurers, not patients, who should bear the burden of settling on a fair payment,” said Frederick Isasi, the executive director of Families USA. He was one of the witnesses who testified before the House Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions subcommittee of the Education & Labor Committee. Surprise, or “balance,” bills happen when patients go to a hospital they think is in their insurance network, but are then seen by a doctor or specialist who isn’t. The patient is then on the hook for an often very high bill — sometimes exceeding thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Surprise billing is one of the rare public policy problems that is both bipartisan and in need of a federal solution. Around 60 percent of people are covered by employer-sponsored insurance, which is regulated by the federal government, and are not protected by the nearly two dozen state laws governing balance billing. “We have people on this committee that have done yeoman efforts to come up with solutions in their own states,” said Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), the panel’s ranking member. “I think we have a head start in understanding some of the pitfalls to stay away from and some of the benefits we can go directly toward.” Several policy solutions have been introduced in Congress and discussed at the White House, but the witnesses testifying before the panel were firm that any answer needed to be worked out between key stakeholders — providers and insurers — instead of forcing consumers to file complaints and go through arbitration processes.
The problem, according to testimony, needs to be solved at the root. Instead of allowing a situation in which patients must negotiate a payment plan after receiving a surprise bill, hospitals and insurers need to remove the incentives for doctors to remain out-of-network. Right now, if doctors opt out of an insurance network, they can charge prices that are “largely made up,” said Christen Linke Young, a fellow at USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy. “We need to limit how much they can be paid in out-of-network scenarios to make it less attractive,” Young said. Experts offered a few solutions, like capping how much providers can be paid if they are out-of-network. Ilyse Schuman, senior vice president of health policy at the American Benefits Council, suggested capping reimbursement for out-of-network emergency services at 125% of what the physician would get from Medicare. Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), an obstetrician, expressed concerns that tying payments to Medicare would disadvantage rural communities like his, where Medicare reimburses doctors less. “We pay our providers less and can keep less than 10% of nurses we train in the area because we can’t pay them,” Roe said. Though Rep. Susan Wild (DPa.) acknowledged surprise billing is one problem that both parties are motivated to solve, she was skeptical that a path forward was on the horizon. “The solutions I’m hearing don’t sound workable in the context of our present medical system,” Wild said. “Isn’t the real problem the fact that we’ve turned over our medical system to private market forces?” she asked. While price transparency is often touted as the antidote to high medical bills, panelists were adamant that more information alone is not enough to stop balance bills. Patients usually can’t shop around for an anesthesiologist, for instance, no matter how
Palace: ICC bent on interfering...
PAGE A1 t analyze the complaint as expeditiously as possible. “With the ICC writing the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers a letter on April 4, 2019 saying that it will analyze the latter’s communication in the context of a situation already under preliminary examination by it, it becomes apparent that this institution is indeed bent on interfering with the sovereignty of our Republic even if it means disregarding the Rome Statute, the very instrument which created it,” Panelo said. The Philippines has pulled out from the ICC after Duterte unilaterally withdrew from the international body after it announced the beginning of its preliminary examination into his brutal war on drugs. Duterte and Malacañang claimed that the international tribunal never acquired jurisdiction over the Philippines as the country’s ratification of the Rome Statute — the treaty that created the ICC — was never published in the Official Gazette. “Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that the Rome Statute became enforceable in the Philippines, the ICC can still no longer exercise its powers over the country as, in such hypothetical case, our withdrawal already became effective last month,” Panelo pointed out. He reiterated that it is only when a criminal investigation has commenced prior to the effective date of the withdrawal that the
ICC can continue with the case initiated. “What the ICC, through the Office of the Prosecutor, is conducting is only a preliminary examination and not a criminal investigation or proceeding,” he stressed. Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, also cited the principle of complementarity which is enshrined in the Rome Statute. Complementarity is a law principle that states that there will be no overlapping in jurisdictions. “According to the Rome Statute, the ICC can only act if there is inability or unwillingness of the State Party to investigate and prosecute its own offenders for the commission of crimes referred thereto,” Panelo said. He further noted that with the “biased and preconceived actions of the ICC, we cannot blame the Filipino people for thinking that it has taken a politically-motivated obnoxious path aimed at maligning not just this administration but the very Republic of the Philippines.” NUPL’s complaint, technically called a communication, was the second one against Duterte’s brutal war on drugs. The first one was filed by lawyer Jude Sabio in April 2017, citing the “continuing mass murder” in the Philippines as shown by the thousands of Filipinos killed in the anti-criminality and anti-drug campaigns that began when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City. n
much information they have. “Notice isn’t enough here; even if the consumer has perfect information, they can’t do anything with that information,” Young testified. “They can’t go across town to get their anesthesia and go back to the hospital.” This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
SOCIAL media company Facebook has reiterated its commitment to ensure the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections in the Philippines and other parts of the world as it braces for abuse and malicious use of the online platform. “One of the things that my team focuses on, and Facebook is focused on, is the elections coming up here in the region and throughout the world this 2019,” Facebook head of cybersecurity Nathaniel Gleicher said in a press briefing last week. “When we think about how to deal with these challenges, we prioritize and focus on the upcoming elections. This type of behavior, you would expect there would be more in the lead up to the elections because that’s when the political candidates are going to be looking for someone to work on behalf of them in this way,” he added. Gleicher was speaking in the context of a recent takedown of a Philippine online network found to be engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior, a form of malicious behavior defined as a group of people or pages that “work together to mislead others about who they are and what they are doing.” He maintained that the takedown was due to the behavior of the network, including the use of fake accounts, and not the actual content posted by the pages and groups that were removed. Similar networks were also taken down in India and Pakistan
Philstar.com photo
over the weekend for coordinated inauthentic behavior. In January, Facebook said it would step up efforts to protect the integrity of the midterm elections in the Philippines. Katie Harbath, Facebook’s director for global politics and government outreach, said they were working closely with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other organizations to help detect and prevent bad actors from abusing the platform. “The goal of Facebook is to make it harder to interfere with elections on the platform, and easier for people to make their voices heard in the political process,” Harbath said. “We are committed to tackling all kinds of inauthentic behavior and abuse on our platform, which we know often intensify during elections – from misinformation, misrepresentation and foreign interference, to
phishing, harassment and violent threats – and we have dedicated teams working on every election around the world,” she added. Harbath said they would partner with the Comelec to conduct training on online safety for field officers, as well as look at ways to best use the platform to share election updates and encourage voter turnout. Fake news Harbath said the company has also invested heavily on addressing issues, including proliferation of false news that may impact the integrity of the elections. “We’ve been investing more in people and technology to better protect our community from false news. This includes investing in artificial intelligence to help us go after fake accounts, which we know can be a significant distributor of false news,” she said. (Philstar.com)
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D ateline PhiliPPines Drug from Philippine plants seen to cure dengue by RainieR
allan Philstar.com
Ronda
MANILA — A team of researchers from De La Salle University-Dasmariñas’ Medical and Health Sciences Institute led by pharmacologist-epidemiologist Dr. Rita Grace Alvero has started Phase 1 of clinical trials on a herbal medicine that can cure dengue. The medicine they formulated from a cocktail of three endemic plants proved to be effective in curing dengue. Alvero, one of the presenters at the National Research and Development Conference 2019 held by the Department of Science and Technology last Wednesday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, said that they were determined to pursue the full drug development process to make the breakthrough drug to help cure and stop deaths from dengue.
“It will be ready by end of 2020. That’s next year,” Alvero said. Alvero said the secret ingredient of the potential dengue drug was culled from three herbal plants found in the country. “They are endemic in the Philippines, not at all endangered,” Alvero told The STAR. “It’s an anti-viral.” The research and development on the potential breakthrough dengue cure was a project of the Alvero-led team of researchers who are teachers at DLSU-Dasmariñas and have formed a health startup-spinoff firm Pharmalytics Corp. Alvero said that animal studies and initial efficacy tests have shown “dramatic” recovery of dengue patients, even those with worse cases with very low platelet count. “We’ve done the pre-formulation tests, we’ve done animal studies, we’ve tested for efficacy. We’ve done the capsule,
we’ve documented the efficacy results,” Alvero said. “We’ve demonstrated in humans already, in pilot cases, that it attenuates the clinical signs of the disease,” Alvero said. “There was dramatic recovery. It was given to patients with very, very low platelet counts who are bleeding already. It reversed (the progression of the disease), and improved the well-being (of the patient),” Alvero said. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, said the agency supports the drug development efforts of Alvero. DOST-PCHRD had provided initial financial grant to the Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III administers to a baby from Barangay Payatas a free measles vaccine during his visit in DLSU-Pharmalytics program to Payatas B Health Center located at Bulacan Street, Quezon City. ManilaTimes.net photo develop the potential dengue cure. Dengue has proven to be a persistent killer disease in the country, with thousands hospitalized yearly. n
Measles cases dropping as Health dept reaches vaccination target by CatheRine
Modesto ManilaTimes.net
THE number of new measles cases decreased in the past weeks, as the Department of Health (DOH) had reached its vaccination target. Data from the epidemiology bureau of the department said there were 596 measles cases from March 20 to 21, lower than the 1,088 recorded from March 13-14. “We’re monitoring right now, we know that the number of cases have been decreasing and in fact some provinces and municipalities have had no new cases in the past few weeks. But the trend has to be validated and it has to be nationwide,” Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said on Friday. Domingo said that the number was going down because response to vaccines got better. The public regained their confidence in vaccines after they got scared of the measles epidemic, which was declared in early February, Domingo said.
Domingo said that parents refused to have their children vaccinated after the Dengvaxia dengue vaccine controversy. He said previously that it “aggravated” the low immunization levels in the country. Dengvaxia was part of the mass immunization program of the DOH in 2016 until its manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur disclosed in November 29, 2017 that the vaccine recipients with “seronegative” status, or those who never had dengue infection, may be at risk of a more serious disease. The DOH said that a total of 891,295 children from Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila were injected at least once with Dengvaxia. The DOH has immunized 3,783,985 children aged six to 59 months after the department had intensified its efforts to control the measles outbreak in five regions —Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Central and Western Visayas.
However, the DOH is catching up to vaccinate five million school-age children, as less than 500,000 have so far received protection against measles, Domingo said. “The coverage is still low. We have not reached 10 percent of 5 million children. They are going to be vaccinated in the community during summer break. When the classes start, we will continue to vaccinate in schools just to make sure that even the older children are covered,” the health official said. He said that the reason why there was still low vaccination rates among children in kindergarten to Grade 6 was because the government health workers just started with school-based immunization. They will continue in June. Domingo also said that the measles outbreak alert has not been lifted. For us to be able to say that it is completely under control, means no new cases for about six weeks, Domingo added. n
Duterte won’t bare list of ‘narco celebrities’ by ChRistina
Mendez
Philstar.com
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte sees no reason to publicly identify the celebrities in the watchlist of those suspected of involvement in illegal drugs. Duterte said the celebrities are not running for public office, unlike the politicians in the watchlist, who must be held accountable to the public. “It will be publicized at an appropriate time, maybe,” Duterte said after attending the 31st annual convention of the Prosecutors’ League of the Philippines last Thursday, April 4, in Palawan. “There is no reason to (name them) since they are not up for election. People have nothing to do with their lives except that they are committing a crime,” he said. Duterte told the convention that he cannot allow the Philippines to become a narco state. He said he is keen on derailing the bid of politicians linked to drugs. “The celebrities (in the list are not) seeking public office. But those who are seeking public office and will someday, if they
win, hold power, that’s the problem, ” he said. Duterte said as President, he is “morally, legally bound to tell the people” the real score about their candidates. “If they still vote for you, fine. This is a democracy. But the people ought to know and that is my solemn duty – to inform the public under the right of information and to know who are the idiots there,” he said. Duterte said he could not invoke public safety in the case of narco celebrities since they are private persons. He stressed he could not just reveal the names of the celebrities in the narco list without proper justification. Duterte said he has yet to review the names of the celebrities in the narco list without proper justification. He said he has yet to review the names of the celebrities amid earlier rumors that a known showbiz artist tagged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) got support from Palace officials. Pressed if he knows the showbiz personalities involved in drugs, Duterte admitted he has
not yet seen the list. Duterte said he has given the authorities a freehand in the conduct of investigation about the drug links of certain personalities. “But on the day that it will be published, I should know so that I have the right answers to give to the inquiring public,” the President said. Duterte’s former political adviser and now senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino has insisted that the celebrity narco list should be made public because they are idolized by many, including the youth. During a recent roundtable interview with The Star editors, deskmen and reporters, Tolentino said the showbiz personalities should always live by example because they are being admired by many of their fans. PDEA chief Aaron Aquino and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde have warned about the involvement of some popular celebrities, including some matinee idols, in drug abuse. But the officials have opted to keep the list secret until given a go signal by the president to make it public. n
Foreign-flagged dredging vessel leaves Batangas MANILA — The foreign vessel manned by Chinese crew has left waters off Lobo, Batangas after the Philippine Ports Authority canceled its anchorage permit. Earlier this week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources suspended the environmental compliance certificate for Filipino firm Seagate Engineering and Buildsystems. In an interview with radio dzMM last Wednesday, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the project of the dredging vessel has an ECC but lacks other required documents such as a permit to transport and
clearance from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. In a separate interview with CNN Philippines, Antiporda said the ECC was issued to the foreign dredging vessel in 2018. Its application for a permit last February was also denied, according to the DENR official. Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros called for an inquiry into the ship’s presence along the shores of Batangas. The Philippine Coast Guard earlier clarified that the dredging vessel, identified as MV Emerald, is based in Singapore but it is also carrying the flag of Sierra Leone.
Hontiveros raised concerns over the plan of the Emerald to dredge 2 million cubic meters of sand from the Lobo River to be used for a runway at the Hong Kong International Airport. “I call on our authorities to investigate this matter and ascertain for sure if the crew of the Chinese dredging vessel has all the necessary documents, permits and clearances from our government. They must be immediately arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law if proven that they are in the area without any legal authority,” Hontiveros said. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)
A Sierra Leone-flagged dredging vessel manned by Chinese crew was supposed to dredge sand from the Lobo River in Batangas. Photo screen grabbed from Google Maps
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 6-9, 2019
A
UP students win international prize for eco-friendly cement by Janvic
Mateo Philstar.com
HOPEFULS. Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates are presented to media at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center. From the 40 bets, six will be chosen to represent the country to the Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe and Miss Grand International pageants. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia
Karapatan raises ‘red-tagging’ concerns with UN officials RIGHTS group Karapatan has filed letters of allegation with United Nations officials over the government’s tagging of legal organizations as rebel fronts and an alleged smear campaign both online and off. In a release, Karapatan said it has sent complaints to UN Special Rapporteurs Michel Forst (Situation of Human Rights Defenders), Clement Nyaletsossi Voule (Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association), and UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour. The letters allege that “there is a surge in the violations on the right to freedom of association and of human rights defenders, including reprisals on those who engage with UN human rights mechanisms,” the human rights group said. The government has routinely dismissed statements of concern from UN special rapporteurs and from international organizations as a form of meddling in Philippine affairs. It also included Victoria TauliCorpuz, UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, in a list of alleged communist terrorists included in a petition before a Manila court to formally declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army as terrorist groups under the Human Security Act. Although the Manila court removed Tauli-Corpuz as a respon-
dent in the petition, the government has stood by the accusation and said in March that she is part of the CPP-NPA’s international network. The Duterte administration, which has permanently terminated peace talks with communist rebels through the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, has accused activist groups affiliated with the national democratic activist movement of being “rebel fronts”. It has asked the European Union to stop giving funding to those groups, saying money is being diverted to the CPP-NPA. The EU has said it will look into the allegations and will pursue and audit this month. Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, said in March that EU’s ambassador to the Philippines had admitted that the regional bloc was supposed to release about two million euros to the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, a group that officials have accused of being a legal front of communist rebels. He claimed that Belgium has also provided 15 million euros to seven Philippine non-government organizations for five years. “We are not saying that all these NGOs are being exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines. We are studying what organizations are benefit-
ing from these funds. But (those are) only two entities, the EU and the Belgian government,” he said. Two Belgian NGOs that have been working with the local organizations that the government has labelled rebel fronts have said they have not found indications that the allegations are true. “The recent circus tour of the [National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict] in diplomatic missions in Europe is a mere frantic attempt by the Duterte government to discredit organizations such as Karapatan, Ibon and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines which are exposing the issues and crimes that this regime wants buried,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said. “This cycle of red-tagging has serious implications, particularly with human rights defenders on the ground. We will continuously denounce these desperate efforts, altogether challenging these malicious claims and smear campaign against our organization,” Palabay said. She said that “governmentinstigated incidents of red-tagging and terrorist-labelling have been used as pretexts for attacks against human rights defenders. These desperate and dangerous ploys is directly inimical to the exercise of our civil and political rights, and to our fundamental rights and freedoms.” (Philstar. com)
A GROUP of civil engineering students from the University of the Philippines recently won an international competition for developing an environmentfriendly concrete that uses recycled and locally sourced materials. The Philippine entry, submitted by students Angelica Anne Munar, Ryan Christopher Ramelo, Paulo Santos and Alexis Declaro, won the first prize of the eco-concrete competition organized by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) in Canada last March 24, the university said in a post on its website on Thursday. Instead of gravel and cement, the eco-concrete developed by the UP students used recycled materials such as fly ash and waste glass combined with pozzolanic tuff, a common type of porous rock found within and around the university campus in Quezon City. “Rapid global urbanization boosts the demand for concrete at an unprecedented rate. This means that the environmental footprint of concrete production can no longer be ignored,” the university said in its description of the invention. “The conventional concrete mix, which consists only of cement, gravel, sand and water, must be revisited to achieve environmental sustainability in the decision-making process,” it added. During the testing of the concrete, an average improvement of 23.9 percent was observed in its environmental performance. It was measured using five parameters: global warming, carcinogenic impact, ozone depletion, ecotoxicity and fossil fuel depletion. UP said further testing showed that the eco-concrete’s strength and durability is comparable with regular concrete, proving that “an environmentally friendly yet strong and durable concrete can be produced.” The students, who were advised by UP Diliman faculty Justin Jesse Limbo Seranilla and Christian Orozco, took home the $750 prize after winning the competition. The delegation to Canada was led by ACI Philippines chapter president Ramon Allado and director Froilan Martillano.
The competition aims to promote the idea of environmental performance in concrete mix design as an important aspect of sustainability, according to ACI. “Teams thus have the mission to develop an innovative concrete mixture, which will have the lowest possible environmental impact while maintaining optimal mechanical and durability performances,” it said. “To achieve this goal, teams
are encouraged to seek out and use local resources of concrete materials such as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), alternative SCMs, fillers, recycled and alternative aggregates and other environment-friendly materials,” it added. The second and third prizes went to student teams from the Universidad de Cuenca in Ecuador and the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Poland, respectively. n
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OPINION
The main plunderer
FEATURES
THERE can be no plunder without the main plunderer. This is the main argument of pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles in seeking a reversal of her conviction for her role in the misuse of P517 million in the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel of former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Last month, the Sandiganbayan affirmed Napoles’ conviction, throwing out her motion for reconsideration. She is expected to take her case to the Supreme Court. In the meantime, people are wondering if any of the lawmakers implicated in the misuse of billions in public funds entrusted to them will ever be found guilty and penalized for plunder. Revilla, who is seeking reelection in the upcoming polls, was cleared by the Sandiganbayan. The anti-graft court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that Revilla actually received kickbacks from Napoles. What was only established, according to the anti-graft court, was that the payoffs stopped at Revilla’s staff member Richard Cambe, who was convicted together with Napoles. Revilla is currently fighting even the return of P124.5 million that he is accused of pocketing. The acquittal of Revilla has raised concern that similar rulings will be handed down by the San-
diganbayan, and all the lawmakers implicated in the diversion of their pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations set up by Napoles would also be cleared. A two-year audit conducted by the Commission on Audit as well as testimony given by scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy implicated nearly 200 lawmakers, many of them still in office, in the scam. Only a handful, however, have been indicted. With only lawmakers’ gofers being punished, it looks like the scam has not diminished the appetite of lawmakers for “pork” — as indicated in the continuing bickering between the two chambers of Congress, which has held up the enactment of the national budget for the year for an unprecedented three months now. Failure to punish lawbreakers guarantees a repeat of the crime and breeds impunity. The courts should not lay the groundwork for this in the pork barrel cases. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Our ‘China syndrome’
Commentary
ANTONIO CONTRERAS “THE China Syndrome” is a 1979 movie which starred Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas. The title refers to a fictional nuclear plant meltdown, where radioactive materials melted through their compartments deep into the earth hitting the groundwater and seriously contaminating the surrounding area, with intensity that was exaggerated to have the potential to “reach all the way to China.” The story was centered on a TV journalist, her camera man and the plant shift supervisor who battled against the nuclear plant management and the TV network bosses in their quest to expose the nuclear meltdown. The movie was about the right of the public to be informed about serious threats to their welfare, and the risks faced by those who endeavor to expose these.
We are having our own “China syndrome” now, except that we are dealing not with a nuclear meltdown, but with a more direct threat that emanates from China itself. And here, even as the public is entitled to be informed of the risks that our apparent obsequiousness to China brings, those who endeavor to do so are in peril of being labeled as “unpatriotic” by presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo. The tamer word being used is “alarmist,” or simply naïve about the realities of international politics. Panelo did not even hesitate to admit our helplessness in the face of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, and that China is already in control of the area. Chinese territorial aggressiveness is confirmed by the Western Command of the Philippine Army. It is reported that around 600 vessels bearing the Chinese flag have set anchor around Pagasa island which is within our national territory. In another part of the West Philippine Sea, at the Panatag
Shoal, incidents of our fishers being harassed by Chinese coast guards continue to be reported. In November last year, the TV crew of GMA News led by Jun Veneracion was harassed by the Chinese and they were prevented from conducting interviews and from filming. And while the government registered a protest, the social media noise from some pro-Duterte bloggers even blamed Jun Veneracion for what was painted as an act of provocation. Others even taunted the news crew as if they deserved the treatment and accused them of having an agenda, considering that the incident happened right before the state visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Apparently, what was lost in the minds of these bashers was that Jun and his crew were only doing their jobs, and Panatag is, at best, a common ground where the Philippines and Filipinos have as much right to engage in activities without interference or asking permission from China. But apparently, like what the
Facebook or Fakebook POOR Nic Gabunada. He is being crucified for being good at Street what he does. Gabunada, a former ABS-CBN research special- Talk ist, is credited with harnessing social media to help President Rodrigo Duterte win in the 2016 elections. GREG B. MACABENTA Recently, the administrators of the social media behemoth took down several Facebook and Instagram pages and allegedly fake accounts “for misleading others who they were and what they were doing.” Instagram is also owned by Facebook. Gabunada has been linked to these accounts. According to media reports, “Facebook removed a total of 220 pages, 73 accounts, and 29 Instagram accounts. Among the pages taken down were Trending News Portal and Filipino Channel Online, which had millions of followers, carried false information, including fake news against known opposition figures. “It also announced the banning of Twinmark Media Enterprises, a digital marketing group from the Philippines for repeatedly violating the social media giant’s misrepresentation and spam policies, through actions that included ‘coordinated inauthentic behavior, the use of fake accounts, leading people to ad farms, and selling access to Facebook Pages to artificially increase distribution and generate profit.’” At a media briefing, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy, said that the accounts and pages “were designed to look independent, but in fact we can see that they were coordinated on the back” and that they “work(ed) together to mislead others about who they are and what they are doing.” Continued Gleicher, “What we saw is this cluster of these pages, groups and accounts – a combination of authentic and fake accounts – that were basically being used to drive messaging on behalf of and related to political candidates. They were
designed to look independent, but in fact they are working together…They would post about local and political news, they will post about the upcoming elections, candidate views. A lot of the messaging were supporting candidates they were working in behalf of, some would be attacking political opponents of those candidates.” Gabunada, while denying any connection with the questionable FB accounts, has complained that he and the group behind the accounts have been unfairly singled out because of their support for Duterte and administration candidates in the forthcoming elections. Indeed, the question that deserves to be asked is: Aren’t the opposition or anti-Duterte social media postings equally questionable? This brings to mind the only truthful statement that has been recently made by a politician, namely presidential daughter and Davao City mayor Sara Duterte to the effect that “all politicians lie.” (in the spirit of truthfulness, she did not exclude herself). In this context, Malacañang spokesman, Salvador Panelo, denied having anything to do with the social media culprits. Said Panelo (with a straight face, we may assume): “I don’t think the President has anything to do with those Facebook accounts, which were initiated during the campaign or even during the assumption of his presidency. He doesn’t know anything about it.” It makes you wonder who is more habitually truthful – Panelo or Trump’s press secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders. With due respect to Gabunada, I don’t think there is any need for him to deny that he has anything to do with the questionable Facebook accounts and to insist that his name was linked to them without his permission or knowledge. He should hold his head high and declare with righteous indignation that anyone who wants to gain an advantage in politics has a right to be better
Philstar.com photo
news team in the movie “The China Syndrome” faced, there are things that make it difficult, even dangerous, for those who would like to inform the Filipino public about what is going on there. Jun Veneracion was publicly defamed, in the same manner that Neri Colmenares was recently attacked in social media for reporting about the harassment of our fishers. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who is at the forefront of exposing the violations of our rights by China, is being painted as a troublemaker, and his legal erudition is being diminished and ridiculed. What is tragic about this are the Filipinos who would rather insult and demean other Filipinos who are critical of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. It is saddening how people who support the President would rather give China their trust, and accord it the benefit of the doubt, while they slam and shame their fellow Filipinos, even those who are just asking for caution in our relationship with China. When Justice Carpio exposed the onerous conditions attached to the Chinese loans for the Chico
River project, otherwise rational Duterte supporters turned into China apologists and accused him of peddling fake news. But when it was proven that indeed those provisions exist, they attacked Carpio’s definition of what patrimonial assets are, thereby making it appear that the Justice is ignorant. And when it appeared that Carpio knew what he was talking about, they cited the case of one loan agreement with France that appeared to contain the same onerous provisions waiving our immunity over our patrimonial assets, thereby claiming that it is actually a standard practice. They forgot that for a practice to become standard, it has to be the rule and not an exception. Two cases out of dozens of loan agreements do not make a practice standard. They also conveniently forgot that France doesn’t have a record of actually seizing territorial or natural resources of a defaulting debtor country, while China has Sri Lanka as evidence. This is characteristic of the “China-loving” behavior that is pervasive among many proDuterte bloggers and influenc-
than competition at harnessing social media. To use a cliché, it’s like building a better mousetrap. Indeed, the administrators of Facebook will have more success cleansing the Aegean stables than strictly limiting the use of social media to positive, pristine, puritanical, truthful, benign and charitable purposes. If they want to be absolutely strict about the truthful usage of social media, President Donald Trump should be forever banned from using Twitter. The Lying King and Lord of the Lies would probably have withdrawal symptoms if he were to stop lying in his tweets. But Trump did not invent the Art of Lying. Nor was he the first to use the Internet and social media, as well as traditional media, as channels for punitive or self-serving political purposes. The euphemism being used before was “communications management,” meaning the technique of managing and influencing the beliefs, attitudes and opinions of targeted publics through the “strategic” placement of messages in mass media. The advent of social media simply made the process easier to implement and the messages more widely and instantaneously disseminated. In this regard, it may be assumed that the Russians have been experts in online “communications management” for some time, at least well before Trump ran for president. They simply spotted a likely asset in Trump because of his obsession with building a Trump tower in Moscow. Like the Facebook administrators uncovering the questionable social media accounts in the Philippines, the team of special counsel Bob Mueller also exposed the Russian troll farm that had deployed moles and assets to influence the U.S. elections. But if you think that the U.S. has been a helpless, hapless victim of the Russians, the Central Intelligence Agency will probably have a good laugh at that perception. Indeed, in this world of contending super powers, the name of the game is Spy vs. Spy. There’s one more online trick that deserves to be uncovered. It’s Google bombing, the tactic of feeding a term or descriptive phrase online and associating it with a specific individual. During the
ers, even as they have only unkind words for those who oppose China’s aggression and who appeal for caution in the face of the risks that come with its debt diplomacy. But the unkindest cut of all is when our very own government feeds these narratives of hate, such as when Panelo labeled Justice Carpio as unpatriotic. It is equally disturbing when officials from government affirm and submit to China’s might either by acknowledging that it has control over the area like the way Panelo phrased it, or by asking us to just give way, like when BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona advised our fishers to just forego their livelihood and avoid going to Panatag Shoal. These are things that paint a meltdown that is worse than a nuclear one. It is a meltdown of our national pride. In exchange for loan monies, we humiliate ourselves as a nation and its shameful legacy we inflict on future generations. Our very own “China syndrome” could not be more tragic because it is real, and not just a movie. (ManilaTimes.net)
incumbency of President George W. Bush, whenever one used a search engine and keyed in the words “miserable failure” or “incompetent,” the name George W. Bush would pop up. That was because these descriptions were purposely and maliciously associated with him. Today, if you were to key in “mass killings in war on drugs,” the Philippines would pop up along with President Rodrigo Duterte. And if you key in “Filipina women,” unflattering entries pop up about our women (“for dating,” “5 reasons why Filipina woman marry older foreign men”). At any rate, it is one of life’s greatest ironies that such a marvelous development as the Internet and social media, with their ability to facilitate instantaneous communications worldwide and to wonderfully reconnect long lost friends and families, are being used to spread lies and disinformation, not just in politics but in everything else that people get involved in. But the good outweighs the bad. Wasn’t it social media that ignited the 2011 uprising against Egypt’s Hosni Mubarack? Would the Arab Spring have been possible without social media? If social media had been available during the long years of the Marcos dictatorship (instead of just the mosquito press), wouldn’t People Power have happened sooner? And speaking of the Marcos dictatorship, during the period of martial law, only a few courageous media people, chief among them Joe Burgos, Jr. of We Forum and Malaya, had the capacity to air their criticism of the regime. But if social media had been available at the time, the flood of attacks against Marcos and his minions would have reached tsunami proportions. Of course, we can assume that the Marcos information machinery would have gone into full gear and would have organized a battalion of trolls, as well as controlled social media accounts, pages and postings. Facebook would have become Fakebook. Doubtless, such sharp minds as those of Kit Tatad and Greg Cendana would have matched the brilliance of Nic Gabunada. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 6-9, 2019
EXCELLENCE IN CULINARY EDUCATION. Chef Thierry Le Baut, technical director of the Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila Institute (LCBAI), holds a cooking lesson during the institution’s launch on Friday, April 5. The LCBAI is an offshoot of the partnership between the Ateneo de Manila University and the Le Cordon Bleu, the world’s oldest culinary school. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
Duterte doubts timely US support if Philippines comes under attack by Darryl JoHn
esguerra
Inquirer.net
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is doubtful of the timely assistance from the United States if the Philippines comes under attack. Duterte made the remark amid the fresh reports of China’s aggression around Philippine-occupied territories in the West Philippine Sea. Speaking during PDP-Laban’s campaign rally in Puerto Princesa
City, Palawan Thursday night, April 4, the president stressed that the U.S. Congress would have to give its concurrence first before it can deploy troops to go to war. “As you know sa America, they can declare war but they have to get the permission of Congress of the United States of America. Kung hindi magbigay?” Duterte said. He noted that he was certain the Americans would be true to their words and would help in
time of war as it has pledged in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. “But will that help be on time? That’s the problem,” he added. In the same speech, Duterte also asked China to “lay off” Pag-asa Island amid reports of a surge in the number Chinese vessels sailing near the area. He said that he would be asking his soldiers to go on a “suicide mission” against the Asian powerhouse should the latter overstep in Philippine territory. n
Most Filipinos doubt Chinese benevolence — SWS survey by Helen
Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — Most Filipinos disagree that the Chinese government has good intentions for the Filipino people, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The poll, conducted from Dec. 16 to 19 last year, found 44 percent of Filipino adults who disagreed with the statement, “Most of what the Chinese government wants to happen in the Philippines is good for the Filipinos.” On the other hand, only 27 percent agreed with the statement, and 29 percent are undecided. This resulted in a net agreement score of -17, classified by SWS as moderately weak. The 44 percent disagreement consists of 22 percent strongly disagree and 22 percent some-
what disagree, while the 27 percent agreement consists of seven percent strongly agree and 19 percent somewhat agree. Those who believe what the “Chinese government wants to happen in the Philippines is good for the Filipinos” was relatively higher in the Visayas, at a neutral -1 (34 percent agree, 36 percent disagree), compared to moderately weak levels in Mindanao, at -19 (24 percent agree, 44 percent disagree), Metro Manila at -20 (28 percent agree, 48 percent disagree) and balance Luzon at 23 (24 percent agree, 46 percent disagree). The December 2018 Social Weather Survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults, 18 years old and above, nationwide. Compared to its last survey, the net agreement that most of what the Chinese government wants
to happen in the Philippines is good for the Filipinos eased by 11 points, from -28 in September 1993 to -17 in December 2018. However, the proportion of those who strongly disagree rose by 17 points from five percent to 22 percent, the SWS said. At the same time, those who somewhat disagree fell from 39 percent to 22 percent. On the other hand, those who strongly agree went up from one percent to seven percent, while those who somewhat agree went from 15 percent to 19 percent. The proportion of those who were undecided fell from 35 percent to 29 percent. The survey was released amid protest from the Philippine government on the swarming of Chinese fishing vessels around Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea. n
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Sara Duterte victim of Facebook purge by Ralph VillanueVa ManilaTmes.net
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, was one of the “casualties” of a “Facebook purge,” a Davao City officer has said. The statement came a week after Facebook shut down hundreds of accounts and pages supposedly supporting Duterte and his administration. In a Facebook post, Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas said the Davao City mayor was locked out of her account. The lockout was caused by her page being “heavily reported.” “Did you know, guys, that Mayor “Inday” Sara Zimmerman
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
Duterte is one of the casualties of the Facebook purge? She’s locked out after her accout was heavily reported,” Tupas said. “It is not doubtful,” he added. Inday is a term of endearment among Visayan folk in Davao and other areas in southern Mindanao. Sara, however, denied that her Facebook account was “purged.” In a chance interview on Thursday, she told reporters that she had not been using her Facebook page for quite a time now. “Even before [the purge] of 200 accounts that were helping the administration of President Duterte, my account was already locked. It always tells me that it is temporarily locked out,” the
ManilaTimes.net photo
mayor said. “I am not complaining because I do not have enough time for Facebook. What I am doing is posting on Instagram,” she added. At least 200 Facebook pages, accounts and groups were taken down by the social media giant for “coordinated inauthentic behavior.” “Today we removed 200 pages, groups and accounts that engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior on Facebook and Instagram in the Philippines, misleading others about who they were and what they were doing,” Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook head of Cybersecurity Policy, said in a statement on Thursday (Friday in Manila). The social media activities, Facebook said, were linked to a network organized by public relations expert Nic Gabanuda.| Gabunada was the manager of the social media group of Duterte’s campaign in 2016. According to Facebook’s investigation, the 200 pages that were taken down consisted of 67 pages, 68 accounts and 40 groups, while 25 accounts belonged to its photo-sharing app Instagram. It also detected that there was a following of 3.6 million of at least of one of the pages, groups and accounts, and 5,300 followed those on Instagram. Malacañang earlier said Duterte had nothing to do with the Facebook accounts and that he did not know anything about it. n
Jinggoy Estrada seeks dismissal of plunder case FORMER senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada is asking the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division to dismiss the P183-million plunder case he is facing in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam. “In the instant case, the Prosecution has utterly failed to prove the gravamen of the offense, having failed to establish that [former] Sen. Estrada received the amount alleged in the Information (charge sheet) or that he had amassed, accumulated, and acquired ill-gotten wealth as alleged in the Information in the amount of at least Fifty Million Pesos,” the defense said in part in a demurrer to evidence, referring to the threshold amount for
plunder. “Otherwise put, the Prosecution failed to establish that any of the supposed rebates, commissions, or kickbacks, or any of the funds arising from the PDAF projects, were actually delivered to or received by [former] Sen. Estrada,” it said on Thursday. A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss challenging the sufficiency of the evidence presented by the prosecution during trial. If a court denies a demurrer which the defendant filed with its permission, he may present evidence in his defense. “Accordingly, as the Prosecution’s evidence adduced during trial do not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt, [former] Sen. Estrada is by law entitled to
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada ManilaTimes.net photo
an acquittal and it is this Honorable Court’s constitutional duty to acquit him,” the defense said. (Reina Tolentino/ManilaTimes. net)
DISCUSSION ON MOTORCYCLE LAW’S IRR. Gordon and LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante met last week after the former wrote to the LTO to offer his experience in the successful implementation in 1985 of a public transport color-coded number system in Olongapo which could help ensure that the law would achieve its purpose. Senate photo
Void China loan deal, SC urged by JomaR
Canlas ManilaTimes.net
THE Supreme Court (SC) was urged by a group of militant petitioners on Thursday, April 4, to cancel the Philippine government’s $62-million loan agreement with China for the Chico River Irrigation Pump Project in the Cordillera region. In a 67-page petition for certiorari and prohibition, the group of party-list legislators from the Makabayan bloc sought to nullify the loan agreement for being unconstitutional. The group is led by Senate candidate Neri Colmenares. Named respondents to the case were President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and National Irrigation Administration Administrator Ricardo Visaya. The Colmenares group sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order to halt the implementation of the deal, where the Philippines stands to lose natural-gas deposits in the Recto Bank or Reed Bank in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) in case of loan default. Associate Justice Antonio Carpio had said China would ravish the natural gas in the area if the Philippines failed to pay the $62million loan. The 20-year deal for the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project was signed by Dominguez and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China Zhao Jianhua on April 10, 2018. The petitioners asked the respondents to produce procurement documents in granting civil
Senate candidate Neri Colmenares files a petition questioning a loan agreement with China before the Supreme Court in Manila on Thursday, April 4. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
works to the Chinese contractor and other relevant documents in connection with the case. They wanted the high tribunal to order all concerned agencies of the government to produce certified true copies, upon request, of all loan agreements executed by and between Manila and Beijing. Meanwhile, two of Colmenares’ fellow candidates for senator opposed Duterte’s order to review the loan deal with China and all other government contracts, saying the power to investigate these agreements might be “weaponized.” In a forum at Adamson University in Manila, former solicitor general Florin “Pilo” Hilbay and Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano likened the review to a “narcolist,” saying it might be used as a means to run after enemies of the government. The government has entered into what Hilbay said were hundreds of thousands of contracts. Malacañang also on Thursday
assured the public that the President was “serious” in his order to review all existing contracts entered into by the Philippine government with private entities, multilateral agencies or foreign countries. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo made the assurance in an interview with radio dzMM after some senators urged the government to exercise caution in implementing the order. Sen. Franklin Drilon said the government should carefully assess existing and binding contracts as these could not simply be classified as onerous and canceled. Drilon said the review of the contracts “must not be used to harass” and should be brought to the Ombudsman if proven to have violated the anti-graft law. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian agreed, saying the assessment should not be meant to scrap contracts as it could tarnish the reputation of the country in attracting potential investors. n
Robredo: Declaring ‘revolutionary government’ unconstitutional by patRiCia louRdes Philstar.com
ViRay
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo said she was shocked at President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a “revolutionary government.” The president said he might declare a war in response to Sen. Franklin Drilon’s statement that the government should exercise extreme caution in reviewing government contracts. Duterte also warned he wuld suspend the writ of habeas corpus “if pushed against the wall.” “Iyong pagdeklara ng Pangulo ng revolutionary government, medyo nagulat ako dahil abogado siya, at alam niya na labag ito sa Konstitusyon (I was a little shocked at the president’s statement about declaring a revolutionary government since he is a lawyer and he knows that violates the Constitution),” Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo
told reporters in Bohol. The vice president stressed that both she and Duterte swore to protect the 1987 Constitution. “Kapag nagdeklara siya ng revolutionary government, ang gusto ba nito sabihin inaabandona niya iyong kanyang pinanumpaan? (If he declares a revolutionary government, does this mean that he is abandoning his oath?)” she added. Robredo said that Duterte’s response to Drilon’s statement was inappropriate. The vice president reminded the president that all government officials face challenges while in office. “Hindi puwedeng dahil parang nag-alburuto ka... parang tatakutin iyong taumbayan sa isang paraan na hindi constitutional (You cannot threaten the country with unconstitutional methods because you are angry),” the vice president said.
Macalintal: Robredo becomes president if ‘RevGov’ declared Election lawyer and senatorial bet Romulo Macalintal, on the other hand, said Robredo would become president if Duterte declares a revolutionary government. “Such act will pave the way for Vice President Leni Robredo to take over the vacant position of president and assume the functions and the Office of the President,” Macalintal said in a statement. Macalintal pointed out that if this happens, Duterte would become the leader of a revolutionary government while Robredo would become president of the duly-constituted government. Declaring a revolutionary government is not a function of the president, the opposition senatorial candidate said. “If President Duterte really declares a revolutionary government, then it will be a show of force between his government and the government led by Robredo, being the successor president of a democratic government,” Macalintal said. The opposition bet also stressed that Duterte’s envisioned revolutionary government cannot be compared with that of former President Corazon Aquino. Duterte’s pronouncements was just a “knee-jerk reaction” against his critics while Aquino’s revolutionary government was a result of the people’s uprising to overthrow an “abusive and graft-laden government,” Macalintal said. “In a word, while President Duterte can declare a revolutionary government, it will still depend upon the people if they will accept such kind of government since the present government is the result of a democratic process as provided for under Philstar.com photo our constitution,” he said. n
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A11
EMERGENCY DRILL. “Injured victims� await rescue during the Simulation Exercise on Bomb Incident and Active Shooting Scenario, held by the Manila Police District at the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church area in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday, April 4. The exercises aim to assess and improve the capabilities of the police force and enhance inter-operability among concerned line government agencies. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Maria Ressa pleads not guilty to tax raps by Reina Leanne
ToLenTino ManilaTimes.net
MARIA Ressa, chief executive officer of news site Rappler and president of Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC), on Wednesday, April 3, pleaded not guilty to the charges that she is facing before the Court of Tax Appeals’ (CTA) First Division. Trial will start on May 15, with the prosecution presenting the first of its six witnesses. “We did nothing wrong and I’m very proud of Rappler and what we’ve accomplished,� Ressa said in an interview after the arraignment. “I still say that these cases are all politically motivated. I mean, where in the world do you come home on a Friday, get arrested, post bail and on a Monday, get another arrest warrant and post bail again? I’ve been arrested twice in a little over a month and a week or so,� she added. Ressa was arrested on March 29 over a charge of violation of the Anti-Dummy Law. She later posted P90,000-bail before the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 265. She posted P126,000-bail on April 1 over a charge before the Pasig City RTC Branch 158. “We will fight every single one [of the cases] and hope for the integrity of the men and women who will handle these cases and that they go as well as today,� she said. The Department of Justice filed four cases before the CTA
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa
in November 2018 against Ressa, who posted bail totaling P204,000 on Dec. 11, 2018 even as there was no court order to arrest her. In two of the cases, it was alleged that the she failed to supply correct and accurate information in the quarterly value-added tax return of RHC for the third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively. These two cases involved alleged deficiency in value-added tax totaling P21.5 million. In one case, it was alleged that Ressa failed to supply correct and accurate information in RHC’s income tax return for 2015. In the other case, it was alleged that the Ressa attempted to evade or defeat tax. This case involved P48.72-million income tax, whose payment was allegedly defeated. “We’re very thankful to the
ManilaTimes.net photo
court for leading us in the stipulation and for the entire proceedings in general. We believe in the fairness and it’s just a matter of time that we will get an acquittal,� lawyer Eric Recalde told reporters in the interview. “We’ve been appearing before the court and based on what transpired this morning, we’re confident that we’ll get a fair trial,� he said. Recalde added that the defense would present several pieces of documentary evidence. “As to the witnesses, it all depends on the evidence that will be presented by the prosecution,� he said. Recalde added that whether Ressa would testify also depended on the prosecution’s evidence. Meanwhile, the court allowed Ressa to travel to Italy and New York from April 3 to April 14.
(Medjugorje, Zagreb, Poland, Budapest, Hungary, Prague CZ) Medjugorje, Black Madonna, Croatia, Budapest, Hungary, Kalwaria, Krakow, Divine Mercy, Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Wadowice, Legnica, Prague, CZ
6HSW Ĺ&#x; ĹĄ Spiritual Director: REV CHIN VAN DANG Sep 14 (Sat) Day 1 Our Pilgrimage begins with a transatlantic journey from Los Angeles International Koscielna Street where the future Vicar of Christ was born and raised. The Place has been turned to a museum and the exhibits comprises of Wojtyla Airport to Split, Croatia Familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former possessions such as an oven, a shelf, a table, tableware, a Sep 15(Sun) Day 2: Split ,Croatia/ Medjugorje, B.H laundry basket, family pictures as well as personal belongings of Father We go through Immigration protocol, Collect our luggage ,meet our guide .Coach is waiting for us , With :RMW\OD D UXFNVDFN D FDSH D SUD\HU ERRN HWF <RX ZLOO Ë&#x2030; QG SKRWRV IURP WKUHH our guide, to take us to Medjugorje for Dinner/overnight (3) visits to Wadowice as the Pope, in an exhibit. The building is situated in the town, near the baroque Church of the Presentation of the Blesed Virgin Mary at the Central Square. Sep 16 & 17 (Mon & Tues) Day 3 & 4: Medjugorje, B H We will have daily breakfast and dinner at our hotel. every morning at 10:00 am. We Possibly even more important is the nearby church itself as the future John Paul II grew up in its shadow, will assemble at St. James Church to attend Holy Eucharist celebrated in English. ZDV EDSWL]HG D &DWKROLF DQG ODWHU FRQË&#x2030; UPHG LQ LW VHUYHG DV DQ DOWDU ER\ DQG SUD\HG GDLO\ KHUH EHIRUH LWV miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gothic chancel dates from 15th century After Mass will meet with our local guide ,to discuss our daily activities. will climb the Apparition Hill (Mt Podbrdo) to see the places marked by the crosses ZKLOH WKH ODWH %DURTXH QDYH DQG DLVOHV ZHUH EXLOW LQ WKH Č V 7KH OHIW DLVOH FRQWDLQV D EDSWLVPDO font where the baby Karol Wojtyla was baptized. Also, the high school where young Karol Wojtyla was ZKHUH LQ -XQH 2XU /DG\ ZDV Ë&#x2030; UVW UHSRUWHG WR DSSHDU WR WKH FKLOGUHQ The next morning we will climb the steep Holy Cross Mountain (Mt Krizevac) for devotions and take in educated has remained in place. Next, we will continue to see the infamous former Nazi concentration the Panorama of Medjugorje below. Free Time to join the nightly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. camp in AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU, as well as its on-site museum. The site remains a chilling reminder of the Confession with multiple Priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please avail yourself to receive holocaust. Transfer to Czestochowa. Dinner and overnight Czestochowa. this Sacrament . Sep 24 (Tues) Day 11: Czestochowa/ Legnica/ Prague,CZ After Breakfast, we attend the Holy Eucharist at JASNA GORA, a monastery in Czestochowa which Sep 18 (Wed) Day 5: Zagreb/ Budapest , Hungary Early morning, we leave for Zagreb , will have early lunchbreak continue visit Marija withstood the repeated onslaught of overwhelming Swedish Forces, during the religious wars of the Bistrica, it is a town in central Croatia, located in the slopes of the Medvednica WK &HQWXU\ 6LQFH WKHQ LWV BLACK MADONNA has been venerated as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Queen of Polandâ&#x20AC;?. We Celebrate Mountain. There is an Old Marian Shrine of Black Madonna visited by hundreds of Holy Eucharist in the Black Madonna Chapel, Fully Escorted visit of the treasury Museum and other thousands of Pilgrims. We will celebrate Mass and after the Mass we will continue part of the Monastery .Then, we drive to Legnica, city in the southwestern Poland. The Bishop of Legnica, =ELJQLHZ .LHUQLNRZVNL DQQRXQFHG RQ $SULO WKDW D UHSRUWHG ȢEOHHGLQJ +RVWČŁ WKDW ȢKDV WKH KDOOPDUNV to Budapest. of a Eucharistic miracleâ&#x20AC;? was approved for veneration in Poland. According to his announcement â&#x20AC;&#x153;On 25th of December, 2013 during the distribution of the Holy Sep 19 (Thurs) Day 6: Budapest, Hungary &RPPXQLRQ D FRQVHFUDWHG +RVW IHOO WR WKH Ë&#x160; RRU DQG WKHQ ZDV SLFNHG XS DQG SODFHG Spend the day with a local expert, who will explain the history and sights of LQ D ZDWHU Ë&#x2030; OOHG FRQWDLQHU YDVFXOXP 6RRQ DIWHU VWDLQV RI WKH UHG FRORU DSSHDUHGČŁ the liveliest and the most cosmopolitan cities of this part of Europe. Start in The former Bishop od Legnica created a commission to study the occurrence. In ideal location, Castle Hill, in the heart of Buda (the portion of Budapest on the February 2014, a tiny red fragment of the Host was seperated and put on a corporal. Danubeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s western bank). From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bastion, The commission ordered to take samples in order to conduct the thorough tests ZH FDQ HQMR\ D SDQRUDPLF YLHZ RI WKH VSUDZOLQJ FLW\ KRPH WR PRUH WKDQ RQH Ë&#x2030; IWK RI WKH +XQJDULDQ E\ WKH UHOHYDQW UHVHDUFK LQVWLWXWHV 7KH Ë&#x2030; QDO PHGLFDO VWDWHPHQW E\ WKH 'HSDUWPHQW population. Visit the 13th- Century ST. MATHIAS CORONATION CHURCH, the Citadel on Mount Gellert, and of Forensic Medicine found: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the histopathological image, the fragments were HEROESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SQUARE are also on the agenda. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll celebrate Holy Eucharist in St. Matthias Church. In the found containing the fragment parts of the cross striated muscle.â&#x20AC;? The test also evening, take a dinner/cruise at the Danube River. Overnight in Budapest.(BB,D) found that the sample â&#x20AC;&#x153;is most simlilar to heart muscle with alterations that often appear during agony. The genetic research indicated the human origin of the tissue.â&#x20AC;? Sep 20 (Fri) Day 7: Budapest/ Kalwaria, Poland Saying the Host â&#x20AC;&#x153;has the hallmarks of a Eucharistic miracle,â&#x20AC;? Bishop Kiernikowksi explained that in January After breakfast,leave Budapest for Kalwaria Poland, is a long drive, relax and enjoy the 2016 he presented the matter to the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In April, in beautiful sceneries on our way to Kalwaria. accordance with the Holy Seeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendations, he asked parish priest Andrzej Ziombrze â&#x20AC;&#x153; to prepare 'URSV RI EORRG Ë&#x160; RZLQJ IURP WKH H\HV RI 2XU /DG\ 2I &DOYDU\ ZHUH QRWLFHG RQ WKH SDLQWLQJ a suitable place for the Relics so that the faithful could venerate it. Celebrate Holy Eucharist, then after, to the Bernardine Fathers in 1641. The veneration of the WeepingMadonna quickly spend sometime praying and venerating the new Eucharistic Miracle. We continue to Prague. Dinner/ became widespread. After the Partitions, the sanctuary at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska united Overnight Prague the Polish nation whose country had been divided before. We will continue to Kalwaria and will celebrate Mass at the chapel of the weeping Madonna. Transfer to Sep 25 (Wed) Day 12: Prague, Infant Jesus of Prague Krakow. Dinner and Overnight. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at Our Lady Victorious Church, home of the Infant Jesus of Prague then after venerate the Icon. We will do some sightseeing tours that reveals why Prague is considered one of Sept 21 (Sat) Day 8: Krakow/ Divine Mercy We start the day with a visit in the SANCTUARY OF LORDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MERCY and the congregation Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most attractive capitals. On our tour, we will visit 1,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; year-old HRADCANY CASTLE, ST. VITUS of Our Lady of Mercy. Holy Mass at the Sactuary of Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mercy in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lagiewniki CATHEDRAL, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous Astronomical Clock, which was once District. Built upon the convent where St. Faustina received the messages and image of WKH HQY\ RI DOO (XURSH $IWHUZDUGV ZH ZLOO VHH DQG ZDON LQ &KDUOHV %ULGJH ,WV FRQVWUXFWLRQ VWDUWHG LQ XQGHU DXVSLFHV RI .LQJ &KDUOHV ,9 DQG Ë&#x2030; QLVKHG LQ WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI the Divine Mercy. The 19th century convent of the sisters of Our Lady of Mercy has now the 15th century. Charles Bridge was the most important connection become a part of the vast sanctuary. Pope John Paul II consecrated the new Basilica in between Prague Castle and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Town and adjacent areas. 2002. The original image of the Divine Mercy and St. Faustinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relics are now housed at The â&#x20AC;&#x153;solid-landâ&#x20AC;? connection made Prague important as a trade route the altar of the new basilica. There are frequent Masses held daily in both the convent between Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge is 621 m long and church and new Basilica along with the chaplet of Divine mercy which is prayed daily at 3 pm in both nearly 10 m wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by the bridge locations. (BB,D)Overnight Krakow towers, two of them on the lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. Overnight in Prague (BB, D). Sep 22(Sun) Day 9: Krakow, Poland We will have a sightseeing tour of Krakow (for centuries, the residence of Polish Kings). We will vist the Market Square, the 14th Century Jagiellonian Univeristy, ST. MARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHURCH, and also visit WAWEL ROYAL Sep 26 (Thurs) Day 13: Prague/ USA Transfer to the airport in Prague and departure to the USA. CASTLE. In the afternoon. We will visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of the largest tourist attraction in End of our Wonderful Pilgrimage!! Poland, registered on the UNESCO list and visited by over a million of tourist every year (BB,D).Overnight Krakow
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Sep 23 (Mon) Day 10: Wadowice/ Auschwitz After breakfast we will go to Wadowice the birthplace of Saint John Paul II. We will visit the new museum RI 6W -RKQ ,, :DGRZLFH VLWH LV FRQQHFWHG WR 6W -RKQ 3DXO ,, 7KH Ë&#x2030; UVW REYLRXV FKRLFH LV WKH KRXVH RI
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A12 april 6-9, 2019 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal
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Journal Artist reveals Nadine Lustre as inspiration behind Marvel’s first Filipina superhero ‘Wave’ “A little trivia. I based my rendition of Wave to Nadine Lustre,” Suayan said in a FaceLAST month, Marvel Com- book photo he posted showing ics announced that a Filipina Wave alongside the Filipina superhero will be gracing its celebrity. pages soon. Wave, Marvel’s Morena-skinned Wave has newest heroine, will appear a black, green, and gold cosfor the first time in “War of the tume and holds two swords Realms: New Agents of Atlas” as her weapons. Her weapons in May. resemble Kampilan, the sword Filipino artist Mico Suayan, of ancient Filipino hero Lapuone of the illustrators behind Lapu. Wave, revealed that actress NaThe new Filipina heroine, dine Lustre was the inspiration similar to the ancient Lapubehind the “mysterious new Lapu, was designed to defend Filipina heroine.” her realm against conquerors. by
Nathalie Robles AJPress
With the story set in Asia, Wave will join forces with Korean Americans Silk and Amadeus Cho, Chinese Shang-Chi, and SHIELD agent Jimmy Woo to fight dark elves terrorizing Earth. The Filipino artist behind Wave acknowledged the other artists who helped conceptualize the new Filipina comic book character. Suayan credited Rain Beredo, who colored the cover, as well as co-creator and designer Leinil Yu, and Comic Odyssey honcho, Sandy Sansolis.
Did Claudine Barretto adopt another child? by
KatRiNa hallaRe Inquirer.net
Claudine Barretto
Philstar.com photo
IS Claudine Barretto now a mother of four? The youngest Barretto first shared a thank you letter penned by her eldest Sabina to her aunt Gretchen, whom she affectionately calls “Mama Nen,” as seen in the actress’ Instagram post on Thursday, April 4. In her letter, Sabina drew their happy family, which included Gretchen and her daughter, Dominique Cojuangco. However, it appears that Sabina drew a new member of their family, besides her mom, brother Santino and sister Quia. The new member was identified as a boy named Noah. A curious netizen named @ barneymarley2 outrightly asked the actress if she had indeed adopted. “sino si Noah ms. claude yong sunod kay Quia (Who is Noah Ms.Claud, the one beside Quia)?”
Another netizen going by @shabbell1983 replied to the former’s query, saying that Noah might be Barretto’s newly adopted baby. The two netizens continued their conversation, with @shabbell1983 pointing out that Barretto said in a previous Instagram post that she wished to adopt again. The post the two were referring to was Barretto’s photo last January, which showed her visiting the CRIBS Foundation—a receiving home for abandoned and neglected children—in Antipolo, Rizal. Barretto then joined the conversation, answering @barneymarley2’s question with, “yes, sweetheart.” Claudine is known to have three other children, namely Sabina, Santino and Quia. The actress adopted Sabina and Quia, while Santino is her biological child with ex-husband Raymart Santiago.
Photo from Facebook/Mico Suayan
Wave
Photo from Instagram/@leinilyu
B APRIL 6-9, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Did Joshua and Julia admit Gretchen Fullido appeals dismissal dating for 2 years? of libel rap vs. colleagues by Niña
V. GuNo
Inquirer.net
COULD cryptic selfies finally be Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia’s admission of a relationship? “Dalawang taon (two years)” is all they both had to say of their selfies posted on Instagram Stories on Wednescday, April 3. On April 4, 2017, Barretto and Garcia attended a Coldplay concert together. By then, there were speculations that sparks were flying between them after they starred in the 2016 romcom “Vince and Kath and James”. Over the years, both have shown affection to one another in public and on social media. For the most part, they have been coy about their status. There have been bumps along the way, such as when Garcia
“complimented” a girl on Instagram for her picture in April 2018. He said on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” that he apologized to Barretto for the tension that it caused. “Syempre nagsisi rin ako, Tito Boy, kasi nagalit yung mahal ko sa buhay,” he said in the interview. (Of course I regret it Tito Boy, because the love of my life got angry.) In a July guesting on the same show, Garcia said he would marry Barretto in 10 years. Back in December, there were speculations that Barretto had confirmed their status as she called Garcia her “gamer boyfie” on Instagram Stories. The two have starred in movies together such as “I Love You, Hater” and “Love You to the Stars and Back”, as well as the TV show Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto “Ngayon at Kailanman”. Photo from Instagram/@juliabarretto
by CoNsuelo
Marquez Inquirer.net
THE camp of television news anchor Gretchen Fullido has filed motion for reconsideration after the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the libel case against her colleagues in ABS-CBN. In a statement on Thursday, Lawyer Eldrige Marvin Aceron, Fullido’s legal counsel, said they filed the motion to keep the cases alive. “We have filed this afternoon our Motions for Reconsideration on the resolutions of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office regarding the cases filed by Gretchen Fullido for Libel,” Aceron said. “Please do not be misled into believing that the cases have been dismissed with finality. The filing of the Motions for Reconsideration, ten days from receipt, keeps the cases alive,” he added. In October 2018, Fullido filed a sexual harassment complaint against former ABS-CBN news executive Cheryl Favila and news segment producer Maricar Asprec. The news anchor accused Favila and Asprec of sending her “text messages that were loaded with sexual innuendos, which amounted to requests for sexual favors.” She also filed libel raps against ABS-CBN news executives Cecilia Drilon and Venancio Borromeo, and reporter Marie Lozano for damaging her reputation Photo from Instagram/@loveyourself.ph “when they stated that she filed a similar sexual harassment complaint against Favila and Asprec with ABS-CBN management to
Pia Wurtzbach
Gretchen Fullido
Photo from Instagram/@gretsfullido
leverage her employment status with ABS-CBN.” Meanwhile, Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the libel charge and cited the “doctrine of privileged communication” which means statements may not be actionable for libel if the following requisites are present: (1) The person who made the communication had a legal, moral, or social duty to make the communication, or at least, had an interest to protect, which interest may either be his own or of the one to whom it is made; (2) The communication is addressed to an officer or a board, or superior, having some interest or duty in the matter, and who has the power to furnish the protection sought; and (3) The statements in the com-
munication are made in good faith and without malice. Aceron, however, said their motions will “essentially dispute that all the requisites have been satisfied.” The lawyer noted that they refused to accept that the respondents in their case have moral and social duty to state in a verified affidavit that Fullido “cannot write” or imply that she deserves to be harassed. Aceron also said “bystanders who have nothing to do with the sexual harassment case should not be allowed to join the fray, put down the victim with disparaging comments and claim it’s a social and moral duty.” Aceron added that if the motion is denied, a petition for review will be filed before the Department of Justice.
and Kyline Alcantara). “It’s hard because of the time difference…almost eight hours. He lives in Ireland.” It was music that brought them together. Glaiza was vacationing in Siargao early last year when she heard somebody (who turned out to be David) playing a song that happened to be her favorite. In that instant, she and David developed a connection. Glaiza is also into music (she has released albums).
Glaiza has met David’s family in the UK and vice-versa. “As of now, I am ready for whatever happens. But it’s better if we just enjoy muna our time together.” Incidentally, Glaiza has just also been hired as ambassador for Ever Bilena (EB) Advance, chosen because of her fiery personality. “She speaks her mind. She takes on very challenging roles.
Pia Wurtzbach: Getting tested for HIV/AIDS a form of self-care Glaiza de Castro ready to get married
reporters at a press conference for Lazada’s recent anniversary concert, “Super Par7y,” which IT has been two years since Pia she cohosted. Promoting awareness about Wurtzbach passed on the Miss Universe crown to her successor. HIV/AIDS, for instance, remains But being a beauty queen, she her advocacy. “Getting yourself tested is already a form of selfstressed, doesn’t really stop. “The work continues—that’s care and love. It means that you what I’m trying to do. Just be- care about your health and your cause my reign had already loved ones,” pointed out Pia, who ended doesn’t mean that I have has been taking on acting and to forget the things I have done hosting jobs since her reign. “I like it when I get invited to as Miss Universe,” the modelactress told Southeast Asian events like this, because it helps by allaN
PoliCarPio Inquirer.net
me hone my hosting skills. I feel like the work I have done in the Philippines has helped me become better,” she said. “I’m glad I’m here—that means I’m doing a good job.” Meanwhile, asked how she stays in good shape amid all the traveling she does for work, Pia said: “When you’re traveling a lot, you can’t help but try all the wonderful food. I don’t deprive myself. But I do try to stay active. It’s more about the lifestyle, not diet.”
April 7 @ 6pm 1440 E Broadway Glendale CA
Buy online www.ryanryan.eventbrite.com
by riCky lo Philstar.com
GLAIZA de Castro admitted that she’s ready to get married to David Rainey, her Irish boyfriend. They started going steady in September last year. “We’ve been in a long-distance relationship,” Glaiza told the movie press when she signed a contract as the new ambassador for Symply G Hair & Skin Care (after Diane Medina
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 6-9, 2019
DREAMS OF A FAIRYTALE WEDDING ENDED UP IN A NIGHTMARE OF BATTERY AND ABUSE. Anne entered the U.S. on a fiancé (K-1) visa, hoping to build a beautiful, love-filled life with her U.S. citizen petitioner. But the marriage turned into a nightmare, when the husband became verbally and physically abusive. Battered and abused, Anne reached out to leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch as Anne was able to escape the chains of abuse, through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition that the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel filed and was able to get a green card for Anne….on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Derek Ramsay now a Kapuso by Jan
milo SEvEro Philstar.com
ACTOR Derek Ramsay is now officially a Kapuso. In GMA Network’s Instagram account, the Kapuso network has announced on Wednesday, April 3, its official welcome for Derek as a new addition to its roster of celebrities. “JUST IN: @ramsayderek07 signs with the Kapuso Network #GMAWelcomesDerek,” GMA wrote. Derek said his family plays an important role on his decision to sign with the Kapuso network. He also said that he likes how GMA respected his decision to take some time to think before accepting the offer. “They respected the fact that ‘Sige, when you’re ready.’ And so I went back and talked to my parents. And my family was the one really said ‘you should do this.’ And I said ‘wow’ and they are very close to me so when my family felt, when I felt close to them, sabi ko perfect fit na talaga to,” Derek said in GMA’s Instagram story. Also in GMA’s Instagram story, Derek was seen signing his contract for the network with GMA’s Chief Executive Officer Felipe Gozon. “Siyempre tayo ay nagagalak.
Derek Ramsay
Derek is a very welcome addition to our stable of artists. Magaling siyang artista,” Gozon said. Before signing with GMA, Derek was previously with ABSCBN’s Star Magic and then with
Photo from Instagram/@ramsayderek07
TV5. He is known for his roles in movies such as “No Other Woman,” “A Secret Affair,” All of You,” “English Only, Please,” “Trophy Wife” and “Kasal,” to name a few.
by Jan
milo SEvEro Philstar.com
Marian Rivera
Photo from Instagram/@marianrivera
After 2 failed marriages, Snooky Serna developed phobia by ricky lo Philstar.com
CALL time for the pocket interview was 3 p.m. on a Sunday and…surprise, surprise!... Snooky Serna showed up at 2:10. “Actually,” said Jun Lalin who set the interviews, “I intentionally told Snooky that the schedule was 2 o’clock so if she arrived late, she would still be on time.” Told about it, Snooky was simply amused. “I have changed,” confessed
A life-changing spiritual journey by Emil
PErito
FOR Christians, setting foot in the Holy Land is more than just a dream, it is a life fulfillment. There is nothing quite like experiencing God’s word come alive while traversing the Holy Land of Israel and the surrounding Mediterranean. The Holy Land is home to amazing locations like the Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan, Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, the tomb where he was laid, and the classic city of Jerusalem — all of which are found in the Bible. Pilgrims can make their way through the places where Jesus was born and baptized, where he taught and performed his miracles, where he was convicted and hung on a cross before rising again on Easter Sunday.
Journeying through the Holy Land is a profound and enlightening experience. A pilgrimage here not only gives one new knowledge about the Bible and ancient history, but it also impacts one’s beliefs and deepens the understanding of an authentic Christian lifestyle. A trip to the Holy Land is a life-changing opportunity to strengthen one’s faith and recommit to living a Christian life. Countless of accounts exist saying how a Holy Land sojourn has reshaped their character and attitude to everyday living, giving them newfound love and appreciation not only for the people around them but also for the Holy Family. Ravi Zacharias, the author of numerous Christian books, once said: “if you look at Him through the world’s eyes, you’ll never see a glimpse of Him. But
if you look at the world through His eyes you will get a glimpse of the Him, and the world as well.” Pilgrims who only have their blind faith end their sojourn in the Holy Land with a softened heart, renewed faith, and indelible memories that will last a lifetime. From October 20 to November 2, 2019, you can have the perfect opportunity to touch and see physical manifestations of your faith as Air Plus Travel will be having a “Journey to Holy Land, Jordan, & Dubai” pilgrimage. Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our pilgrimages to the Holy Land and a private tour to other places. For more information, contact air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624, or visit us atwww.airplustravel. net. (Advertising Supplement)
Glaiza de Castro ready to get...
Marian Rivera sizzles in maternity shoot ACTRESS Marian Rivera looks dazzling in her maternity shoot for a local magazine. In her Instagram account, Marian posted photos of the maternity shoot for Mega Magazine. Photographed by Mark Nicdao, the photos show Marian wearing a pink maternity dress surrounded by flowers and framed just like a painting. “Nothing compares to the joy of motherhood. Thank you for all your well wishes for our family. I am grateful to be blessed twice with baby number two on the way...” Marian wrote. The magazine described Marian as an image of grace and serenity as they tapped the actress to grace the cover of their magazine this April. “With an ethereal beauty distinctly her own, Marian Rivera (@ marianrivera) is an image of grace and serenity in light-as-air pink fashion. In this issue, the expectant mother shares what she holds on to, self-love, and a pursuit of the creative with Beautéderm Home,” Mega said. Marian is expecting her second baby with husband Dingdong Dantes. Their eldest daughter, Zia, celebrated her third birthday last December.
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the actress once jokingly called a pagong (turtle) because she moved oh-so-slow (or taking her own sweet time) that she was often late for shoot or appointments. “That was before, my past. I thank GM 7 for giving me a chance to set my life in order. Since five years ago when GMA signed me up for the soap My Faithful Husband, I have never been idle. Sunud-sunod na ang projects ko.” The latest is Sahaya where she plays the mom of Benjamin Alves and for which Snooky is getting good reviews.
Since she grew up in the public eye when she started her career at age three (“The truth,” according to Snooky, “is that I was only two and a half years old. They just added a few months to my age to avoid any labor issues”), it’s sometimes hard to reconcile the reality that she’s now 52 and has survived two failed marriages, first to actor Ricardo Cepeda (now with model-actress Marina Benipayo) by whom Snooky has two grown-up daughters and the second to a band member. PAGE B5
PAGE B2 She’s for women’s rights. And with the brand being more vocal about this direction, we wanted someone who is an embodiment of that,” shares EB Advance brand manager Creole David. Glaiza admitted that her desire to stand out in the entertainment industry has earned both praise and criticism from the public. “People sometimes misin-
terpret me, especially since I’m not good at masking my emotions. But I’ve been in this industry more than half of my life and I’ve learned to ignore criticisms that won’t help me grow as a person.” Glaize de Castro
Photo from Instagram/@glaizaredux
B4 APRIL 6-9, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Gretchen Ho on being stood up by Mayweather: ‘How to be a billionaire po?’
for his own press conference scheduled to be held at Resorts World Manila on Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines — KaGretchen, who was supposed pamilya host Gretchen Ho aired to host the event with Andrei her experience on the recent Felix, documented her expericontroversy regarding Floyd ence in her Instagram account M a y w e a t h e r J r . ’ s n o - s h o w after waiting for the undefeated by JAN
MILO SEVERO Philstar.com
boxer for eight hours before the organizer announced that Floyd will not be able to attend. “‘A tragedy is always a good story to tell.’ Me on Mayweather’s no-show at the presscon after 8+ hours of waiting. Now, I can tell my grandkids, I was once stood up by Floyd. Good thing we a pro,” Gretchen wrote. Reports said that the scheduled press conference was at 3 p.m., but people waited for Floyd until 10 p.m. Insiders claimed that after Floyd arrived in Manila from Boracay, he proceeded to Greenbelt to shop at Louis Vuitton and buy a pair of Nike shoes instead of going to the press con. “Waiting for Mayweather be like....8 hours & counting Nagpa Belo, bumili ng LV at sapatos, kumain ng inasal sa MOA, at nagfrefreshen up muna raw #LikeABoss How to be a billionaire po?” Gretchen wrote in another post.
Gretchen Ho Photo from Instagram/@gretchenho
Happy birthday, Mr. President
edness that run into millions, and yet within three years, he had paid of more than half of its debts and left the city completely by MYLAH liquidated. He is said to be the first mayor DE LEON to bring order into the monuments of the city’s inhabitants. He has succeeded in making them cross streets only at proper points and has forced them to behave more A PRESIDENT wears a presdecorously in public, belying tigious crown. The protocol, linthe fact against those who think guistics, and circumlocution are of him as just another rabble intimidating at first, but then bedouser. What comes to mind now comes a second language. There among his constituents is that is something about the aura of he has fearlessly fought the high president that makes everyone and the mighty, and he has no behave in a reverential manner. less incurred the wrath of squatEveryone, including his inter, drivers and nermost circle, pedestrian. Onwhich consists of ly history can say lifetime friends, What used to be the valued gentility of the how his adminisstart to perceive tration has been him in high reold school political aristocrats, courtly and imaginative spect. T h i s m a n , polished; were rudely rapped by the rowdy new e n o u g h . A n d among men, age of Duterte as legends sprang up about his that he was by far, a great extalks to you with virility; his physical courage has been equally ecutive, now as his mental fly unbuttoned. He blazoned. He has displayed the common touch the president, the man’s charhas sedulously that became so endearing to the masses. acter exudes cultivated the the same traits “astig-tigasin” governing. Nostyle, but one suspects that the bristles on the in some places, both the rival body can argue that his years in Davao had transformed the city surface do not go all the way factions wanted him. In Davao, we’re told as the as attractive as the other capitals down. He comes from a good family mayor, he held meetings in a of the country. The current belief, however, and went to the right schools, cockpit, and if there were no talks like a stevedore when un- microphones he would tell the is that the country needs a man necessarily provoked. From his crowd, to hell with speeches, lets of action, rather than vision and early political campaigns, he just get some tubaand just drink President Rodrigo Duterte seems was already startling the nation instead. So they sat down and got to have the advantage over the with his high leaps and fast pace, drunk, and all his meetings were other presidents, of being able to display some fruits of his ability and his general air of rough- successful. In cities, old folks who could no as an executive. ness, toughness, and vitality. He He is known, he is familiar, seemed to be a new kind of politi- longer walk carried themselves cian — far from the gentility of the from far away barrios, because people still think of him as young old school, elegant eloquent, and they wanted to see the mayor and his actuations are vigorous impervious rather than being a (then presidential candidate), with youth. Age has not withered jaded man of the new world. His before they died. There so many nor custom stalled his infinite strenuous style to this day is more touching incidents when he was profanity, and even his admirers mayor that proved him right in will argue that his face looks far affectionate than accurate. from new. He seemed to be a brute politi- deciding to run for president. Undoubtedly, he was a crowd It is, on the other hand, a face cian hurtling through a wasteland of old world elegance of suave, drawer. He had an impressive that’s news! *** and grand manners that no longer record when he assumed office E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. awed the community. What used as mayor of Davao City. The city to be the valued gentility of the has accumulated a public indebt- com
MOONLIGHTING
old school political aristocrats, courtly and polished; were rudely rapped by the rowdy new age of Duterte as legends sprang up about his virility; his physical courage has been equally blazoned. He has displayed the common touch that became so endearing to the masses. Not famous for humility, he merely considers himself as better than any other presidential candidate. He knows that his name had a potent appeal throughout the archipelago, found out that it’s not the political parties that matter, but family factions. He even noted that during the presidential campaign
Cervical/throat cancer and oral sex Health@Heart World Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. Photo from Instaragm/@floydmayweather
PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS THE rate of throat cancer in the United States has not declined, compared to most head and neck malignancies. I suspect that the statistics could also be true, when extrapolated, for other countries, like the Philippines, since most Filipinos are westernized in their lifestyle, habits, and behaviors, etc. The most logical explanation why cancer of the throat has not diminished has been attributed to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a bug that causes a sexually-transmitted disease. HPV is popularly known to cause genital warts and most cancer of the cervix (mouth of the womb). It has only been recently when scientists discovered and identified HPV transmission through oral sex as an etiology of throat cancer. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston reported that its research team found “the incidence of throat cancer (in the United States) to be stagnant and even rising in some populations, defying a downward trend in other head and neck cancers linked more closely with smoking.” The American Cancer Society reports that the greatest risk factors in head and neck cancers are smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, 90 percent of them either smokers or tobacco chewers and about 80 percent of them also imbibed a lot of alcohol. The good news is that a trend analysis in head and neck cancers in the United States shows a decline the past twenty years, trailing a decrease in smoking prevalence, which started in the 1970s, by 10 to 15 years. The bad news is that oro-pharyngeal cancers (which include the tonsils, base of the tongue and soft palate, and side and back of the throat) have been up in some population in the United States, and probably among people in other parts of the world who practice oral sex, where HPV takes its toll. “The findings underscore the importance of research aimed at determining if the newly available HPV vaccine is effective in males,” stated researcher Erich Sturgis, MD, MPH, to WebMD, as reported by Salynn Boyles. Sample of the vaccine referred to is Gardasil, which is genetically engineered, and which blocks infection caused by two of the more than 100 types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), strains 16 and 18. These two
sexually-transmitted viruses are responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancers. HPV, in one form or the other, afflicts about 20 million Americans. The other strains of the virus cause painful genital warts, and sometimes, cervical cancers too. Let us momentarily discuss cervical cancer, since the HP virus is implicated in its causation in almost three quarters of this malignancy. How prevalent is cervical cancer? In the Philippines, there are about 7190 new cases of cervical cancer each year, with a death rate of about 4088. Annually, more than 13,000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in the USA and around 4,250 of them die. However, more alarming than that is the fact that there are between 10,000 to 25,000 women walking around (not seen by physician) who have undiagnosed pre-invasive lesions in their cervix. If diagnosed early, these women could be saved. For every four survivors of breasts cancer, there are less than 3 women who survive cervical cancer, which shows how virulent cervical cancer is. What causes cervical cancer? Human Papilloma Virus (HPV, also known as genital herpes virus) accounts for most cervical cancers. At least 50% of sexually active men and women are infected with genital HPV, especially those with multiple partners. There are about 20 million American men and women infected with HPV, many linked with abnormal pap tests, genital warts and cervical cancer. It is estimated that at least 10,000 new cases of cervical cancers are discovered annually. Between half a million to a million Americans have genital warts, transmitted thru sexual contacts. Is the cure for cervical cancer? Better than the cure! A vaccine (Gardasil) that prevents cervical cancer, vulvar and vaginal cancer that was approved by the US-FDA in 2006 was found to be “effective 100 percent, in the short term, at blocking the cancer and lesions likely to turn to cancer” (like the pre-invasive lesions), according to Gardasil manufacturer, Merck & Co. “To have 100 percent efficacy is something that you have very rarely,” Dr. Eliav Barr, Merck’s head of clinical development for Gardasil, told The Associated Press. The UK’s version of the vaccine is known as Cervarix. How early should the vaccine be given? Students in grammar school, middle school and high school should be vaccinated before they become sexually active, because once they catch HPV infection, there is no cure; herpes is for life.
This was the recommendation of Dr. Gloria Bachmann, director of The Women’s Health Institute at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Brunswick, NJ who said this vaccine is a “phenomenal breakthrough.” Prophylaxis Gardasil vaccination comprehensively eliminates HPV 16 and 18 associated non-invasive and invasive cervical cancer. The vaccine also cuts down infection with HPV 6 and 11, the causes of 90% of genital warts. How about throat cancers? Of the 45,000 head and neck cancers in the US each year, about 10,000 of them are oropharyngeal cancers, and tongue cancers among young adults have also increased. The evident conclusion is that the cause is the HP virus. “Over the last five years, 35% of the throat cancer patients treated at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center had no history of smoking, and that close to 90% of patients who had never smoked showed evidence of oral infection with HPV,” says Dr. Sturgis on Web MD. The researchers felt that “vaccinating only females against HPV, which is currently the policy in the United States (for 11- to 12- year-old girls, and for women up to age 26 who have not received it), could result in a missed opportunity to prevent throat cancers.” Currently, “the HPV vaccine is being offered to males in Australia, Mexico, and some other countries, but there is, as yet, no clinical proof that it works to prevent HPV infection in men”, according to Debbie Saslow, PhD, of the American Cancer Society. Studies on the vaccine among males are underway, aimed at an over-all protection of both populations. The use of kitchen cling plastic wrap placed over the woman’s groin has been advocated as a practical option by some to prevent HPV transmission. Mouth, tongue, and other throat cancers could be as grave and deadly as most other forms of cancers. I do not know how to put this more seriously, more effectively, and more delicately, but medically speaking, a moratorium on unprotected oral sex is prudent. Oro-pharyngeal malignancies are a miserable cancer and could be fatal. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)
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Liza Soberano withdraws from ‘Darna’ by KriSSy
aguilar Inquirer.net
LIZA Soberano has withdrawn from her movie project “Darna,” citing medical reasons. ABS-CBN announced the news in a statement on Thursday, April 4. “ABS-CBN and Star Cinema regretfully announce their acceptance of Liza Soberano’s decision to withdraw from the ‘Darna’ movie project due to medical reasons,” the statement read. The network said Soberano suffered a finger bone fracture at the set of her drama fantasy series “Bagani” last year. The 21-year-old actress is still undergoing treatment and recovering from the trauma.
Liza Soberano Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano
“Unfortunately, after consultation with her doctors, it was deemed best for Liza not to pursue the project as the injury shall hamper her from effectively doing the movie stunts required,”
ABS-CBN said. “ABS-CBN and Star Cinema understand Liza’s condition, respect her decision, and wish her well on her recovery,” it added. ABS-CBN said it remains committed to continuing the preparation for “Darna” alongside Star Cinema and “have started the selection process for the new actress who will bring the iconic character to life on the big screen.” Soberano started filming “Darna” in July 2018 when director Erik Matti still handled the project. Matti stepped down as director of the film in October 2018 due to “creative differences” with Star Cinema. He was replaced by director Jerrold Tarog. John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual
ABS-CBN photo
‘Eat Bulaga’ executive breaks silence Piolo Pascual thrills netizens with on Maine Mendoza’s absence possible John Lloyd Cruz comeback by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Tape Inc. executive Malou Choa-Fagar revealed the real reason behind “Eat Bulaga” host Maine Mendoza’s recent absence in the longest-running noontime show in the country. In her Instagram account, Malou posted a photo of the “Eat Bulaga” family while in Jordan. “Dabarkads at Petra. Missing Maine,” she captioned the photo. In the comments section, fans of Maine asked the executive when the “Phenomenal Star” will return to the show. “Depende sa sked nya. Ask
Dabarkads
the manager please,” Malou replied. She also revealed that Maine is already in the Philippines and pointed out that she is still a member of the “Dabarkads.” “We did not take her out. It’s her sked that does not permit her to attend the show,” the executive explained. Recently, Maine’s manager Rams David debunked rumors that the “Eat Bulaga!” host will transfer to the Kapamilya network. Maine Mendoza “Kesyo Suspended, Tinangal at Lumipat. Wala pong totoo kahit ano po dyan. #lovelivelove mga Beshie,” Rams wrote in his Facebook account, setting the record straight on rumors that Maine was suspended and kicked out from the show.”
Photo from Instagram/@allan_klownz
Snooky Serna and former Bulacan Vice Gov. Mon Villarama, her boyfriend of four years. Philstar.com photo
After 2 failed... PAGE B3 She’s now in a relationship with former Bulacan Vice Gov. Mon Villarama. “We have been friends for 28 years now,” clarified Snooky, “and we began being sweethearts only four years ago.” Asked about the possibility of them living happily ever after in wedded bliss, Snooky said no. “I think I have developed a phobia for marriage…after two failed marriages,” adding that she and Mon are not even living together. “He lives in his own home and I live with my daughters in my condo unit.” Introduced by Lino Brocka in the 1970 family drama Wanted: Perfect Mother (obviously inspired by The Sound of Music), Snooky soon became a superstar (the female equivalent of Niño Muhlach who was touted as The Child Wonder), earning big bucks from movies that she did one after another. Unlike Niño’s earnings that his dad Alex Muhlach invested in real estate and in business (Super-
melt Ensamayda, etc.), Snooky wasn’t wise handling money. “I’ve learned my lesson. I used to just buy this and buy that. Magastos ako. But now, I know how to save, thanks to Mon who taught helped me how. Mahusay siya humawak ng pera. I can say that I am now in a good financial status…with my own money ha.” She’s in a good place, thank you. She’s “civil” with Ricardo and, although “friendly” with Marina, she wouldn’t call her “a friend.” Adding, “She takes good care of my children who love her to death. Ricardo naman takes our daughters out.” (In fact, Snooky’s daughters sometimes eat out with their dad, together with Marina and her own two sons by her ex-husband.) With marriage not in her radar, Snooky said love has a lot to do with her life now. “As I said, Mon has been a good influence to me. It sounds corny but he is happy being the wind beneath my wings.”
by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
ACTOR Piolo Pascual thrilled people on social media as he hinted a showbiz comeback for on-leave fellow actor John Lloyd Cruz. In his Instagram post, Piolo posted a photo of a man resembling John Lloyd in a silhouette, with a caption that says, “Ang Pagbabalik...” The photo also has a logo of Philstar.com photo
a shawarma brand, which Piolo and son Inigo endorse. “If thats you i’m happy coz ur my brother. welcome to the family!” Piolo captioned the photo. “Wow John Lloyd Cruz,” an Instagram user commented. “Lodi kau pareho!! Bat di kau magsama sa pelikula,” another user commented. John Lloyd took an indefinite leave from show business in October 2017. Since then, he
lives a private life away from the limelight with partner Ellen Adarna and son Elias Modesto. Recently, John Lloyd’s artworks were exhibited in West Gallery’s four-man exhibition. He joined other artists such as Kaloy Sanchez, Tatong Torres and Kawayan de Guia. Titled “Void,” John Lloyd’s exhibit featured images the actor reportedly took almost two years ago, around the same time he filed an indefinite leave.
B APRIL 6-9, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Features
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COMMUNITY Journal
A green card is still possible despite the petitioner’s death LOSINGg a beloved family member is one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. And this tragic event can become even more heartbreaking if it also means that you also lose the privilege of being granted permanent resident status in the U.S. (green card). This additional upsetting element is because the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) says that an approved visa petition is automatically revoked if the petitioner dies before the beneficiary is issued a green card. However, despite this automatic revocation, a person may still be eligible for their green card despite the petitioner’s death. First, Section 204(l) of the INA says that people may still apply for their green cards from within the U.S. in certain situations, a process called “adjustment of status.” Section 204(l) requires the foreign citizen attempting to obtain their green card to prove that they resided in the United States at the time of the petitioner’s death and that they are continuing to reside in the U.S. The ability to still be granted a green card because of your residence in the U.S. is a major benefit to many immigrants. Previously, only certain widows and widowers who were petitioned by their U.S. citizen spouse were granted the opportunity to obtain permanent resident status after the death of the petitioner. How does a person meet the “residency” standard? As stated above, the beneficiary of the visa petition must actually reside in the U.S. at the time of their family member’s death. They will not be eligible under INA 204(l) simply by being physically present in the U.S. on the exact day that their relative passed away. Rather, it is required that they maintained a residence in the U.S. at the time of the petitioner’s death. However, it is not required that they were physically present in the U.S. on the date of death. Thus, an immigrant beneficiary may still be eligible
Your Immigration Solution deVin M. connolly for adjustment of status if they were actually abroad when the petitioner died, so long as they can establish that they were actually residing in the U.S. at the time of the petitioner’s death. It is also important to note that the law does not require that they be legally residing in the U.S. at the time of death. In addition to residing in the
“ It is also important to note that the law does not require that they be legally residing in the U.S. at the time of death.” U.S., the beneficiary must also demonstrate that they deserve a favorable exercise of discretion and also that they have an acceptable substitute sponsor. The INA does not permit anybody to serve as a substitute sponsor. Rather, the INA provides a list of possible family members that may serve as a substitute sponsor, such as sibling, child, etc. Section 204(l) of the INA is obviously beneficial to many people. Unfortunately, though, not everyone qualifies. For those beneficiaries who are not eligible to apply for adjustment of status under INA 204(l), they still have the opportunity to apply for “Humanitarian Reinstatement.” “Humanitarian Reinstatement” provides hope for those family members living abroad that waited patiently for their opportunity to immigrate to the U.S. A request for “Humanitarian Reinstatement” is a request
that the petition be reinstated on humanitarian grounds. If the request is granted, then the beneficiary and their spouse and children will be able to continue with the Immigrant Visa process and will be able to reunite with their remaining family members in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service will consider several different factors when making a decision on a request for “Humanitarian Reinstatement.” These factors include potential hardship to U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residents; whether there will be a disruption of an established family unit; whether the beneficiary is elderly, has strong family ties to the U.S., or is in poor health; and whether there was an undue delay in the processing of the petition. It is undeniable that the death of a loved one can devastate a family. And for some prospective immigrants the death may also make it more challenging for them to obtain a green card. But it is important to remember that immigrating to the U.S. may still be possible despite the death of your close family member. An immigration expert can offer advice and practical solutions to being granted permanent resident status after such an untimely death. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
Tax Tips
C
Should you file an extension to file your tax returns?
APRIL 15 is an annual anniversary of sort – tax deadline for some, a date to file extensions for most. It has become a habit for those who procrastinate like you. I see the same taxpayers come to my office to file after April 15 year after year. It’s against their religion to break tradition. After four decades of counseling taxpayers, I look back at so many reasons why taxpayers don’t file on time - not having enough funds, missing tax documents, or having a refund anyway. Let’s discuss nine reasons why you should file on time. 1. File on time if you have items that you don’t want disturbed in an IRS audit. 2. You save a penalty for failure to file of 5% per month versus only ½% for failure to pay; therefore, it is better to file even if you don’t have funds. 3. You may also need to file early to apply for student grants,
loans, or aids such as FAFSA. 4. You may need current tax returns for a loan application or loan refinance. Don’t miss this opportunity to lock in 3% to 4% interest rates for the next 15 to 30 years. We may not see these historically low rates again in our lifetime. 5. The statute of limitation for the IRS to audit your tax return expires after three years (five if you fail to report 25% of your income). The statute does not expire if you don’t file. They can get to you anytime, forever actually! 6. Filing on time facilitates offers in compromise or installment agreements. During decades of working with the Collection Division of the IRS, I have experienced an easier time settling accounts of compliant taxpayers, but not of delinquent ones. 7. Request an installment payment plan by filing Form 9465 if you owe taxes of $50,000 or less. Approval is virtually automatic for compliant taxpayers with liabilities of less than $10,000. The IRS has recently been more reasonable in evaluating and approving installment requests.
The Prophetic Voice
On taming down a culture of cruelty and condemnation
Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS SO much condemnation goes on in our society today, especially in social media, television, and digital world. People condemn each other for their different opinions on social, political, religious, and cultural issues. Because of this milieu, one either choose to be courageous, timid, or silent about presenting his or her thoughts and feelings. Of course, as a democratic society, we exercise our freedom of speech. But often we abuse it through vulgar, rude, cruel, indecent, and disrespectful words. Some of our leaders who we ex-
pect to be models of decency and diplomacy are the first ones that abuse this right. And we excuse them for doing it anyway because of our belief in their political causes. What is crude or cruel now in speech seems to have become “normal” or “cultural.” If this is the trend in our society now, I’m afraid for the children we are raising as adult citizens of one’s nation. This may be one of the disadvantages or pitfalls of social media and populism in politics. Schools, universities, churches, temples and local communities play a vital role in taming down and eradicating this culture of hatred, violence, and condemnation. By fostering the age-
8. Installment sale reporting is automatic, but don’t use it if you don’t need it. You won’t be able to elect out of installment sale if you don’t file on time. 9. The Franchise Tax Board charges cost recovery and collection fees. These penalties stick if you ignore them, even if you subsequently don’t owe anything. In summary: Unless you have better reasons, file on time. Do it for peace of mind. Do it to relieve stress. You’re going to file anyway. Good luck! *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)
old values of respectful dialogue, decency, diplomacy, empathy, compassion, mercy and forgiveness, they would help restore a morally decaying society. In the Gospel this Sunday, we find the same culture of condemnation and hatred. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman they caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, hoping that he will condemn her too by urging the crowd to stone her to death according to the Mosaic Law. As the Gospel relates, the scribes and Pharisees also wanted to test him. So, they put him in a situation where he may appear to be in conflict with Moses and the Law so that they might have some charge to bring
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Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales Do I have a community property tax, freak accident seek bankruptcy relief interest in a house which my spouse Freak accident liability I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. The first client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have never encountered a case like this before in the last 30 years. The client has a rental condo that needs plumbing repair because of a water leak coming out of the walls. He hires a plumber that he knows from work. The plumber determines that the leak is coming from a water pipe that is inside the wall, so he cuts a hole through the wall big enough for him to work on the leaking pipe. He uses a blowtorch to seal the leak. The blowtorch accidentally sets the inside of the wall on fire. They try to stop the fire from spreading. They fail to stop the fire from spreading. The condo burns down. The fire spreads to the other condos in the building. Eventually, the entire building is on fire and is destroyed. The building has a master insurance that covers the repairs for building so the building is reconstructed and everybody gets their condos back in shape. So what is the problem for the client if the insurance has paid for everything and all the damage caused by the fire? The problem, of course, is that the insurance company will sue the client to recover whatever they can and the client does not have liability insurance for the fire. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what else to call this but a freak accident. This is potentially a multimillion liability for the client in the future. If the client qualifies for Chapter 7 relief then he has no worries anymore because it will just wipe out all of his potential liability for the damage caused. If he does qualify, he can wipe this out and have a fresh start. What we can learn from this accident is that if you should have a plumbing problem and the plumber uses a torch, you better stand behind him with a big fire extinguisher! So, just in case the same thing happens, you can immediately use the fire extinguisher on the fire to kill it and prevent your house from being burned down by a plumbing problem. Wage garnishment The second client is 63. She had car repossession some time ago. As far as she knows, the repo deficiency was about $25K â&#x20AC;&#x201D; must have been an expensive car with that kind of deficiency. She has just received a wage garnish-
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng ment order for $40K based on the repo deficiency judgment! She still works and earns a gross of $5K monthly. How does the wage garnishment work? It will take 25 percent of her gross wages, or $1,250 a month until the $40K is fully paid at a legal interest of 10 percent a year. She canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live with such a big deduction from her wages. She wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to pay her rent of $1,100 if the garnishment is done. She also owes about $30K of credit cards. She needs Chapter 7 relief to stop the garnishment, wipe out the judgment of $40K and all of $30K of credit cards. She will get a fresh start without the burden of accumulated debt. She will be able to reestablish credit immediately. She still has a car payment. She will also be able to get new credit cards as soon as she is done with her bankruptcy because there are banks that specialize in giving new credit cards to debtors who have just come out of bankruptcy. Huge sales taxes The third client is 66. He operated a business for several years but did not pay sales tax for his products as they got sold. He owes $120K of sales tax. He closed his business last year. However, before he closed his business, he was audited by the State and it was determined that he owed $120K in sales tax. Well, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bad news. Nobody wants to owe $120K of sales tax at the age of 66; in fact, no one at any age would want to owe that much in sales tax. I mean, at 66, you get full benefits from social security but if you owe $120K of sales tax, then your social security will just go to pay the sales tax. Now, what kind of retirement is that? That would be like living in the twilight zone, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it? Now the question is, are sales taxes dischargeable in Chapter 7? In California, sales taxes are dischargeable. The reason they are dischargeable is because they are transactional taxes. They are not taxes, which are held in trust by the debtor. If they were held in trust by the debtor then there
would be a fiduciary relationship that was breached and that would make the tax not dischargeable. So sales taxes are not excepted from discharge, therefore they are dischargeable. The caveat is that the legal prerequisites to discharge the sales tax must be met. Credit cards If you owe credit card debt that eats up a significant portion of your net income, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get rid of them now with a Chapter 7 wipe out or a Chapter 13 reorganization. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get a fresh start and become productive again. If you owe $30K of credit cards, the minimum payment is $1K a month just for interest payment to keep them current. In three years, you will pay $36K of interest but still owe $30K of principal. Get out of financial quicksand now with Chapter 7 or 13. Owe nothing but keep all your assets, your house, your cars, your retirement accounts and everything else you own and more of your net income for your future financial well being and the financial well being of your family. Even Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice before he became successful. Hershey also filed for Chapter 7 before his Hershey chocolate business became successful. Orange County also filed for bankruptcy to protect itself a decade ago. Several Catholic dioceses filed for bankruptcy protection from child molestation lawsuits just several years ago. So, if there is too much debt, bankruptcy is a prerequisite for future success and productivity. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the right step to take and the simplest and best solution to take. *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with Attorney Yang. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
acquired before our marriage?
GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under family code section 760. How do you characterize real property purchased prior to marriage but with the mortgage principal paid down using community income or funds during the marriage? The community in this situation acquires a pro tanto interest in the ratio that the payments on the purchase price made with community funds bear to the total payments on the purchase price and any appreciation should be apportioned accordingly. Marriage of Moore (1980) 28 C3d 366, 371, 373, 168 CR 662, 664, 665. Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance. In essence, the real property would accumulate both a separate property and a community property component by the date of separation. The appropriate remedy in this situation where separate property is subsequently paid with community funds is â&#x20AC;&#x153;apportionment.â&#x20AC;? The process of apportioning between the separate and community property component is laid out in the Marriage of Marsden. In that case, the court determined the ratio or percentage in which the mortgage loan principal was reduced during the marriage and applied that percentage to the appreciation of the real property during the marriage. The community property component would then consist of the reduction in the mortgage loan principal during the marriage plus the portion of appreciation during the marriage applying the ratio discussed above. In the Marriage of Marsden, the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage. The original mortgage was $30,000. By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the
Barristerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage. Marriage of Madsen (1982) 130
funds. Marriage of Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, 257 CR 397. In litigation, the community interest in the situations mentioned about is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA. Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property acquired prior to marriage, one has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own property and you are contemplating of getting married. There are several ways of avoiding the creation of a community interest on your separate real property. One, you can sign a prenuptial agreement. Two, the parties can execute a postnuptial agreement if the parties are already married. Three, the parties can execute a transmutation agreement with a waiver of any family code section 2640 reimbursement claim. If your divorce case involves complex issues of asset distribution, it is best to retain the representation of competent counsel. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.
â&#x20AC;&#x153; Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance. In essence, the real property would accumulate both a separate property and a community separation.â&#x20AC;? CA3d 426, 181 CR 910. During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation. The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage ($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%. This percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s separate property. The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component. The Marsden apportionment method is also applicable to situations where a community real property is later transmuted into one spouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s separate property through execution of a quit claim by the other spouse but is subsequently paid using community
*** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail â&#x20AC;&#x153;mailto:kenneth@kenreyeslaw. comâ&#x20AC;? kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
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C
On taming down a culture of cruelty... Unwanted robocalls and text messages: Have you had enough? PAGE C1 t
AS a cellphone owner, you have most likely experienced unwanted calls from telemarketers, robocallers, and spammy text messages. There are common measures you can take to minimize unwanted calls. CNN Business detailed a list of free applications and software available from major cellphone carriers that you can download to your phone (or that may already come preinstalled) to block unwanted callers. Verizon’s Call Filter app is free to download on iPhones and Android devices. The app offers some free features that included auto-blocking calls from known fraudsters, showing warning banners for suspicious calls, and a spam reporting tool. AT&T’s Call Protect has similar free features. T-Mobile phones come loaded with Scam ID, which warns customers about suspicious phone numbers. It’s also free to activate Scam Block, which automatically rejects calls from those numbers. Sprint’s Premium Caller ID, which comes pre-installed, looks up unknown numbers and filters and blocks robocalls for a fee. All the above carriers offer enhanced features for a monthly fee. If none of these apps work to deter persistent unwanted calls, you can always file a lawsuit. In 1991, the U.S. Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA). The TCPA, including
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon NITONG nakaraang April 1, 2019, ang U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) ay nagsimula nang tumanggap ng mga H1B Petition na bilang sa Fiscal Year 2020 cap. Ang H1-B nonimmigrant category ay nagbibigay sa dayuhang empleyado ng panandaliang propesyonal na trabaho dito sa U.S., sa pamamagitan ng pag-sponsor ng isang U.S. employer. Sa H1-B program, ang U.S. employer ay maaaring kumuha ng dayuhang empleyado na may propesyonal na krendensyal para sa mga trabahong tinatawag na “specialty occupation.” Ang “specialty occupation” ay trabahong nangangailangan ng teoretikal at praktikal na aplikasyaon ng napaka-dalubhasang kaalaman kaya’t karaniwang nangangailangan ng bachelor’s degree o mas mataas na degree, o katumbas ng degree na ito, sa isang partikular na pinagdalubhasaan, bilang minimum requirement para sa pagpasok sa trabaho sa U.S. Ang job offer ay kailangang totoo at batay sa pangangailangan ng U.S. employer sa serbisyo ng dayuhang empleyado para sa specialty occupation. Kailangan din magbayad ang U.S. employer ng prevailing wage para sa trabahong iyon at kailangang ang pagkuha ng dayuhang empleyado ay di makakaapekto sa working conditions ng mga magkatulad na empleyado na U.S. workers sa lugar na iyon. Para masabing ang trabaho ay isang specialty occupation, kailangangang ipakita ng U.S. employer na ang trabaho ay pumapasok sa isa sa apat na criteria na ito: • Ang bachelor’s degree, o mas mataas na degree, o katumbas ng degree na ito, ang karaniwang minimum requirement para matanggap sa posisyong ito; • Ang degree requirement ay karaniwan sa industriya para sa magkatulad na posisyon at magkatulad na kumpanya. Maaari rin ipakita ng U.S. employer na ang partikular na posisyon ay kakaiba at mahirap, kaya’t kinakailangan ang isang empleyadong may bachelor’s degree o mas mataas na degree, o katumbas ng degree na ito; • Ang U.S. employer ay karaniwang nangangailangan ng may degree para sa posisyon; o • Ang katangian ng katungkulan para sa trabaho ay napaka-dalubhasa at mahirap kaya’t ang kaalaman na kailangan para magawa ang mga katungkulan sa trabaho ay karaniwang kabakas sa pagkamit ng bachelor’s degree o mas mataas na degree. Ang dayuhang empleyado naman ay kailangang may kalidad para magtrabaho sa specialty occupation dahil siya ay mayroong bachelor’s degree or mas mataas na degree, o katumbas ng degree na ito, sa specialty occupation. Mapapatunayan
One and its affiliated companies was sued in a class action Protecting by consumers who received Employee non-emergency telephone calls on their cellphones via an auto& Consumer matic telephone dialing system Rights or an artificial or prerecorded voice, attempting to collect on a Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. credit card debt. The litigation lasted several years and was later amendments, restricts the settled for $75,455,098.74. In the case of text messages following: Initiating any telephone call that are transmitted for marketto any residential telephone line ing purposes, the law requires using an artificial or prerecord- that the sender must first reed voice to deliver a message ceive clear “written consent without prior express consent of before telemarketing call or the called party (a.k.a. telemar- text message is made, regardless of whether there is an esketing, robocalling). Sending unsolicited advertise- tablished business relationship ment to a person’s fax machine, or not.” On your own initiative, you unless the sender has an established business relationship with can help stop the unwanted rothe recipient sending unsolic- bocalls by informing class acited text messages transmitted tion attorneys who can seek injunction in court against these for marketing purposes. TCPA also limits the use of companies. automatic dialing systems and *** artificial or prerecorded voice messages. Solicitors are re- The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. quired to maintain a company- welcomes inquiries about this topic. All specific “do-not-call” (DNC) list inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. of consumers who asked not to You can contact the office at (818) 291be called. Solicitors must also 0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or honor the national Do Not Call our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Registry established by the FCC Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced A person who has received trial attorney who has successfully more than one telephone call recovered wages and other monetary within a 12-month period that damages for thousands of employees violates any provision of the and consumers. He was named Top Labor TCPA may sue for damages, and & Employment Attorney in California by receive up to $500 in damages the Daily Journal, consistently selected for each violation, the actual as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles amount of damages, or which- Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s ever is greater. Community Champion Award for 2016.] Violating the TCPA has some (Advertising Supplement) serious consequences: Capital
The H1-B petition ang kalidad ng dayuhang empleyado sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakita na siya ay: • May bachelor’s degree o mas mataas na degree na kailangan para sa specialty occupation, na galing sa isang accredited na unibersidad sa U.S.; • May foreign degree na napatunayang katumbas ng U.S. degree; • May unrestricted state license, registration o certification para mag-practice ng specialty occupation sa lugar ng trabaho; o • May edukasyon, dalubhasang pagsasanay, at/o may progresibong karanasan sa trabaho, na tinuturing na katumbas ng U.S. bachelor’s degree o mas mataas na degree. Ayon sa H1B Visa Report, ang mga sumusunod na mga posisyon ang karaniwang H1B specialty occupations: Programmer Analyst, Software Engineer at Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Assistant Professor, Project Manager, Database Administrator, Physical Therapist, Accountant, Network Engineer, Architect, Financial Analyst, Data Analyst at Data Scientist. Ang H1-B classification ay maaaring aprubahan ng USCIS na valid para sa tatlong taon. Maaaring magfile ng extension ng H1B para sa kabuuang anim na taon. Kung gumawa na ang U.S. employer ng hakbang patungo sa pagkuha ng green card para sa dayuhang empleyado, maaari pang ipagpatuloy ng lampas ng anim na taon ang H1-B Petition para sa dayuhang empleyado. Kung ang dayuhang empleyado ay may asawa at anak na wala pang 21-anyos na gulang at walang asawa, sila ay maaaring maging H4 dependents niya. Ang US Department of Labor (DOL) ay may listahan ng mga U.S., employer na disqualified para lumahok sa H1B program dahil sa resulta ng H1B investigation/final agency action. Ang mga willful violator employers ay maaari ding mapasailalim sa random investigations ng DOL ng hanggang limang taon mula sa panahon na nalaman na sila ay willful violators. Marami ring mga H1B fraud schemes na naganap noong nakaraan kaya laging mag-ingat sa mga nagbibigay ng offer of employment para sa H1B. *** The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has started accepting H1B Petitions under the Fiscal Year 2020 cap on April 1, 2019. The H1B visa category applies to alien workers who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation. The job must meet the following criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation: • Bachelor’s or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum entry requirement for the position; • The degree requirement for the job is common to the industry or the job is so complex and unique that it can be performed only by an individual
with a degree; • The employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position; • The nature of the specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree. For the alien worker to qualify to accept a job offer in a specialty occupation, the alien worker must meet the following criteria: • Have completed a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university; • Hold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a higher degree in the specialty occupation; • Hold an unrestricted state license, registration or certification which authorizes the alien worker to fully practice the specialty occupation and be engaged in that specialty in the state of intended employment; • Have education, training or progressively responsible experience in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of such a degree, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty. According to the H1B Visa Report, the following are most common specialty occupations: Programmer Analyst, Software Engineer at Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Assistant Professor, Project Manager, Database Administrator, Physical Therapist, Accountant, Network Engineer, Architect, Financial Analyst, Data Analyst at Data Scientist. The approved H1B Petition can be valid for a maximum period of three years, and can be renewed for another three years. The U.S. Department of Labor has a list of disqualified employers due to results of H1B investigation/final agency action. The willful violator employers may also be subject to random investigations for a period of five years. As there have been a lot of H1B fraud schemes that have been discovered, it is recommended that the alien worker exercise due caution when accepting an H1B offer of employment. *** Atty. Rhea Samson is a partner at Lindain & Samson Law Firm. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are licensed attorneys both in California and the Philippines. They are also professors. Lindain & Samson Law Firm aims to provide excellent and effective legal representation to their clients, and support them in achieving their dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson strive to educate the younger generation as they believe that education is the way for progress and to attain success in life in order to serve other people. Visit us at our office at 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 or contact us by telephone at (213) 381-5710 or email attorney@ lindainsamsonlaw.com.
against him. To the surprise of the scribes, Pharisees, and the bystanders, Jesus did the most diplomatic, decent, and respectful act. Bending down quietly and writing on the ground, as if carefully thinking of a response, he asked the crowd, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then one by one, beginning with the elders, went away. In this Gospel, Jesus models for us the proper response to one’s critiques and enemies. We must pray and carefully think about our defenses and responses. Are they born out of love, charity, mercy, empathy, and respect? Or do they manifest arrogance, self-righteousness, ha-
tred, disrespectfulness, rigidity, and unforgiveness? Ultimately, each of us, on whichever side we are on, needs to be honest about one’s feelings and thoughts. Yes, it’s one thing to express one’s views in the light of freedom of speech, but it’s another thing to attack a person indiscriminately. It’s one thing to fight for a cause, it’s another thing curse one’s opponents to death. The Gospel this Sunday provides some tips to prevent selfrighteousness and hatred towards one’ neighbor. First, look at our shortcomings and imperfections first before condemning anyone. Then we realize that we too are not perfect as we think we are. Second, always have the mind and heart of Jesus Christ
who regards everyone with dignity, love, compassion, and respect. May we grow in charity, compassion, mercy, and compassion both in words and actions this time of Lent! Amen. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
C4 APRIL 6-9, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Calendar of Events across
America
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Ryan, Ryan! The Maestro and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Glendale, CA Recently proclaimed National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s works will be showcased on Sunday, April 7 at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center (1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205) at 6 p.m. by his multi-talented singing group, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers joined by some local artists like Mon David, Annie Nepomuceno, Louie Reyes and many more. Come and hear how his work that spans five decades has made an indelible impact on Filipino culture. Copresented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a 501 (c) 3 organization that brings exemplary Filipino Artists to U.S. stages. For ticket information ($35-$125) visit www.philpatrons.org and to learn about other tour stops in Las Vegas (April 7), San Diego (April 12) and Seattle (April 14).
APRIL 13
2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit in LA The 2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at The Center of Cathedral Plaza (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). In partnership with the LA County of Department of Mental Health, registration begins on March 11. This is a FREE event for all. Breakfast and lunch included with registration. Please email FilipinoWellBeing@Gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoWellBeing for more updates.
Recycling used motor oil event in Los Angeles, CA Attention all Florence Firestone residents! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters in exchange for a free new oil filter on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will take place at AutoZone at 1262 Firestone Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90002. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and helps our water stay clean. So, don’t miss out - we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.
A P R I L 22
West Ranch Music Masters Tournament in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School’s Instrumental Music Program is excited to announce their inaugural Golf Tournament fundraiser to be held on Monday, April 22 at The Oaks Club at Valencia, CA. Check-in and breakfast starts at 10 a.m. with a 12 p.m. shotgun start. The $125 per player fee includes: 18 holes of golf, use of golf cart, practice facilities, lunch and dinner. There will be an optional Mulligan and Magic Putt package for purchase. Additionally, a wide array of silent auction and raffle baskets will be available. The awards dinner will be served starting at 5pm and will feature students performing live jazz music. For those who wish to attend only the dinner and award festivities, the cost is $50. All proceeds go directly to support the West Ranch High School Music Program. To register for the tournament or for more information contact Jean Conway at westranchband@gmail.com or visit westranchmusic.com. Deadline to register is on April 11.
A P R I L 25 -28
Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.org/.
M AY 4
Kulintang festival in Oakland, CA As part of the as part of the celebrations of Asian American Heritage Month, Gongster’s Paradise — a kulintang party — will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center where the father of Filipino-American Kulintang music, Danongan ‘Danny’ Kalanduyan was once an artists in residence. This year’s line up will feature a new generation of Maguindanaon Master Artists from Cotabato City, Traditional groups from all over the United States and Contemporary groups from all over the world including Toronto, Philippines, Seattle, Virginia, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Alongside non-stop kulintangan, Gongster’s Paradise will feature visual artists, vendors, and dancers to showcase movements related to kulintang music rooted from all over Mindanao. A feast will be served throughout the evening to be prepared and served by Chef Eric Pascual, rising star and owner of Eats By E and will be joined by collaborator and sponsor, Ramar Foods. It will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (388 9th St., Oakland, CA 94607).
M AY 1 7-1 9
Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 12th Global Reunion in Honolulu, Hawaii The Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Global Association (SMISGA) and the Santa Marians of Hawaii are sponsoring the Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 12th Global Reunion in Honolulu, Hawaii from May 17-19, 2019. The festivities will start with a meet and greet on May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom to be followed by a gala night on May 18 at 5 p.m. at the Dole Cannery Pomaikai Ballroom. A picnic is also scheduled at Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island on Sunday, May 19 starting at 10 a.m. The ticket to attend all the events is $130.00 per person. Due to limited space, reservations must be made not later than March 31, 2019. Hats and tshirts will also be on sale for $20. For further information, call Nena Empleo at (808) 384-0394, Carlito Soria at (808) 487-3370, Alex Pena at (702) 373-9522 or Orlino Baldonado at (865) 7898324. Leave a message if there’s no answer. Additional information is also on SMISGA.com and Facebook @ SMISGA19FB. Proceeds from the events will be for various projects in Santa Maria Ilocos Sur and in Hawaii. Donations are tax deductible since SMISGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization approved by the Internal Revenue Service.
M AY 25
Marist School Marikina to celebrate 55th anniversary in Buena Park, CA Marist Alumni Abroad, coordinated by Arthur ‘Jojo’ P. Armada ‘77, invites alumni, family and friends, and the public who are interested, to the 55th anniversary grand reunion of the Marist School Marikina, to be held on Saturday, May 25, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620). The event’s theme is “Celebrating Our Marist Life...The Legacy Continues,” hosted by Marist Alumni Abroad. Dinner and dance: 6 pm to 11 pm; donation: $55/pax (per person). Contact person is overall chair Jojo P. Armada at (626) 216-3529 or email: armadaarthur@yahoo.com.
M AY 25 -26
Bulacan high schools reunite in Rosemead, CA The 2019 Global Gathering of Marcelo H. Del Pilar High School (MHPHS) of Malolos, Bulacan will be held on May 25-26, 2019 at the Double Tree Hotel in Rosemead, CA. For further information, please contact any of the following: Lourdes Ople-Smith at lourdesosmith@gmail. com / (310) 662-1948; Charito Aldaba-Gabriel at chato_gabriel1019@yahoo.com / (818) 6536047; Leni Flor Cruz-Florentino at lenflorcruz529@yahoo.com / (818) 282-0928; Tristan Zafra at tristan@trisoftco.com / (714) 686-3345; Gerry Torres, Jr. at gerrytorres50@gmail.com / (213) 249-1633; and Perfecto T. Martin at perfecto.martin@gmail.com.
JUNE 1
7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival in LA The 2019 Global Gathering of Marcelo H. Del Pilar High School (MHPHS) of Malolos, BulacThe 7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival Committee (7KPFC) announced that it will holding the 7th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in commemoration of the 121st PH Independence Day on June 12, 1898. This will be the 7th Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Historic Filipinotown, as the first was held in 2013 in cooperation with the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles. This is the only Independence Day parade and Festival in Los Angeles and is held every year in Historic Filipinotown. For more information, please call Freddie at (818) 220-2075 or email at jfavusa8@gmail.com.
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People and Events
7 reasons to watch “Ryan Ryan: The Maestro and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers” on April 7 IF you have heard of the music of Ryan Cayabyab, you should go watch the concert on Sunday, April 7 in Glendale. Use the discount code FACCHO on www.ryanryan.eventbrite.com to help FACCHO raise funds. Tickets start at $35 up to $125. If you have NOT heard or don’t know the music of Ryan Cayabyab, you SHOULD go, because: • MrC brings his entertaining triple-threat vocal group The Ryan Cayabyab Singers; • As a multi-awarded musical director, he selects a repertoire that works for all audiences, whether you listen to music in Filipino or not; • As TV host of his longrunning TV show “Ryan Ryan Musikahan” he knows how to set up what may be new music to you; • You may have seen at AMC Theatres last Jan 2018 the movie musical “Ang Larawan” which he wrote, and recently won the Asia Pacific Film Festival for Best in Film Scoring; • Watch or discover the guest artists: An exponent of his teen pop group Smokey Mountain, Geneva Cruz, who popularized the song “Paraiso” whose most powerful lyric is “…this tired and hungry land could expect some truth and hope and respect from the world”; highly acclaimed jazz artists Mon David and Louie Reyes; if you have not heard them sing, you should; From the cast of MrC’s numerous musicals and operas, Annie Nepomuceno, Miguel Vera and 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Opera, Tenor Sal Malaki; Fellow legendary Filipino singer-songwriter, Odette Quesada, who is the Carole King of the Philippines; Folk dancers Kayamanan ng Lahi will collaborate with young hip-hop dance group The Riot using MrC’s music; • Watch and be inspired by Philippine artists and culture with collaboration with local artists, as experienced their past tours. This is the Ryan Cayabyab Singers’ third concert tour, and the first after MrC was conferred the title National Artist for Music, a lifetime achievement government award, the Philippine version of the Kennedy Center Honors. MrC received this not
Odette Quesada
Geneva Cruz
Mon David
Annie Nepomuceno
only for his music, but for his Elements, Songwriting Camp, Philpop Songwriting Competition, Akapela Open Acapella singing competition, and the Music School of Ryan Cayabyab. • His 40-year career as a composer, music director, orchestrator and conductor all started with his award-winning song which goes “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Ito ay atin, sailing atin, at sa habangbuhay, awitin natin.”
The concert will be at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center, 1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205 on Sunday, April 7 at 6 p.m. If you had been to Music Arts Events productions at the Ford Amphitheatre, Valley Performing Arts Center, Aratani Theatre, and Alex Theatre, you would know that we don’t do Filipino time. Get your tickets online on eventbrite.com and don’t forget to use code FACCHO, and tell your friends and family! ■
Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers
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How deep will USCIS dig when Upward GDP revision ‘masking you file for naturalization? slowing growth momentum’ — ING
Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ MANY people think that once they obtain their green card, they are now “home free” as far as eligibility and entitlement, and that if they pay their taxes and do not commit crimes for the next five years, they can file for U.S. citizenship and be approved without any problem. Such optimism may not be justified or accurate. If there were any issues in connection with obtaining your green card, or your green card was issued in error or by mistake, the USCIS could uncover those issues or mistakes when you file for naturalization. Depending on the nature of the issue or mistake, USCIS could not only deny your naturalization but could also take steps to revoke your green card and/or put you in removal proceedings. Under Pres. Trump, USCIS has become very tough in connection with processing and approving petitions and applications. When a person files for naturalization, USCIS will pull their file and go back to analyze how they got their green card, even examining issues from when the person may have initially entered the U.S. If USCIS overlooked a potential issue when granting the green card, they would take the position that you obtained your green card “unlawfully,” and therefore, were not entitled to it. If you’re not entitled
to the green card, you are not entitled to naturalization and could be subject to deportation/removal. Some issues that may have been overlooked (or were not caught) when the person’s green card was approved include: • They were petitioned by an employer, and while the case was pending, they changed employers without notifying USCIS. • They were petitioned as a spouse, but before getting the green card, the couple separated or divorced, without them notifying USCIS. Or the person got a conditional green card and when they filed a joint petition to remove conditions two years later, the couple was already separated or divorced, and they did not advise USCIS. • The person committed some form of fraud which was not disclosed or discovered when the green card was approved, such as: getting a green card as “single” when they were secretly married; submitting fake diplomas, transcripts, experience letters, etc.; having gaps in status before adjustment was granted, such as having stopped working for an employer while supposedly in H-1B status or stopped going to school while holding a student visa, etc. • Having committed fraud, but being approved for green card without submitting a fraud waiver USCIS will definitely thoroughly examine the case in detail, with an eye towards evaluating whether
the green card was approved in error. If you are considering filing for naturalization, you should consider first consulting with an attorney who can evaluate your case, spot potential problems or issues, and assist in helping address or resolve those issues, to greatly increase your chances for approval and avoid the stress or aggravation of unnecessary investigations. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINE (Advertising Supplement)
Business Quote of the Week “What we need to do is always lean into the future; when the world changes around you and when it changes against you - what used to be a tail wind is now a head wind - you have to lean into that and figure out what to do because complaining isn’t a strategy.” — Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon
This file photo taken on Dec. 20, 2018 shows traffic in Manila, Philippines.
ter of 2018 was at 6.3 percent, by MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO Manilatimes.net higher than 6.1 percent that the Philippine Statistics Authority THE upward revision on the (PSA) initially reported. Despite the revisions, the PSA Philippines’ gross domestic product figures for the final three said economic growth for the enmonths of 2018 showed that state tire 2018 was still at 6.2 percent, spending drove growth last year below the state’s 6.5-6.9 percent amid sagging consumption and goal for the year and the weakest investment, a global bank said in three years. “Growth was supported by govThursday, April 4, adding that the adjusted GDP “masks slowing ernment spending which offset weaker consumption and fixed growth momentum” GDP growth in the fourth quar- capital investment, with the revi-
Philstar.com file photo by Edd Gumban
sion masking slowing growth momentum,” Nicholas Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank in Manila, said in a commentary. In a bid to fight capital outflow and keep inflation in check, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) lifted its policy rate by a cumulative 175 basis points last year. High inflation and surging borrowing costs have sapped consumer spending, which has traditionally been the driving force PAGE D2
Philippines aims to become Southeast Asia’s top creative economy by 2030 by LOUELLA
DESIDERIO Philstar.com
Philippines (CECP), which contains plans and programs to make the Philippines the number one THE government plans to de- creative economy in the Southvelop advertising, film, animation, east Asian region in terms of size game development and design as and value of creative industries, priority sectors in line with the as well as the competitiveness country’s aim to become the top and attractiveness of creative talcreative economy in Southeast ent and content in international markets. Asia by 2030. The roadmap, which covers In a statement, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said cultural domains such as cultural it has received the creative econ- and natural heritage; performomy roadmap submitted by the ance and celebration; visual arts Creative Economy Council of the and artisan products; books and
press; audio-visual, broadcast and interactive media; and creative services, as well as other related domains including tourism, and sports and recreation, was submitted to the DTI to get more inputs. To achieve the goal of becoming the top Southeast Asian creative economy by 2030, CECP president Paolo Mercado said advertising, film, animation, game development and design particularly, graphic and digital design, PAGE D2
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Number of priority projects raised Business watches as Duterte orders review of gov’t contracts Gov’t to spend P7.4T to accelerate infrastructure development by Ben
O. de Vera Inquirer.net
THE Duterte administration has increased to 9,816 the number of priority programs and projects worth P10.9 trillion it intends to roll out within its six-year term to sustain strong economic growth and ultimately slash the poverty rate by 2022. The latest updated 2017-2022 Public Investment Program (PIP) submitted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and both houses of Congress on March 28 showed that the number of priority programs and projects was higher than the 582 worth P7.8 trillion as of September 2018. The smaller number of projects in the September 2018 version of the PIP was because only “major priority” projects with project cost of P1 billion and above were included in the list. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 36th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on April 1, 2019. Presidential photo Under the updated PIP as of disadvantage or in violation of Nabil Francis, president of the March, the government wanted by Ian nIcOlas cIgaral the Constitution.” European Chamber of Commerce to spend P7.4 trillion on 7,807 Philstar.com While it was unclear how many of the Philippines, said that while priority projects that will accelerPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte contracts would be up for review, his group understands the inten- ate infrastructure development, on Monday, April 1, ordered a Justice Secretary Menardo Gue- tion behind the presidential di- as mandated under the mediumreview of all government con- varra said contracts including rective, they hope the Philippine term socioeconomic blueprint tracts with companies and other “concession agreements on pub- government “can continue to upcountries — a development that lic utilities and foreign loan con- hold the sanctity of contracts.” “It may be too early to tell how business leaders said they would tracts” are to be prioritized in the such a directive will affect invesclosely watch amid uncertainty review. “Even if it is executed, if it’s in tor sentiment but we will contin- PAGE D1 t over the directive’s effect on inviolation of the Constitution, you ue to monitor the situation as we behind growth in the Philippines. vestor confidence. Socioeconomic Planning SecAccording to Malacañang, Du- can rescind and strike it down. will need to observe how it will terte put the Office of the Solicitor We’ll ask the court to rescind it,” be implemented,” Francis said in retary Ernesto Pernia early this year said the government expects General (OSG) and the Depart- presidential spokesman Salvador an interview. According to the 2019 edi- household consumption to recover ment of Justice (DOJ) in charge Panelo told a press conference. Sanctity of contracts tion of the World Bank’s report as inflationary pressures subside, of the review that would “deterHonoring contracts has been on economies’ competitiveness adding that policymakers remain mine whether there are onerous provisions in the contract that one of the top concerns among in ease of doing business, the vigilant of inflation risks. But Pernia flagged global headwould put the Filipino people in investors. PAGE D3 winds that may dampen the domestic economy, including the U.S.-China trade war and rising as animation, game development, trade and investment opportuni- interest rates. PAGE D1 t In the same commentary, ING have been identified as priority and film would complement the ties even for micro, small and meBank’s Mapa said a strong pickup sectors which would need action creative economy. dium enterprises. plans. Once the roadmaps are in place, With a roadmap, the country in household consumption will The priority sectors were iden- he said the priority sectors could can develop its creative indus- be needed this year to counter tified after Trade Undersecretary be given tax incentives under the tries such as tourism, information the “slowing momentum” seen and Board of Investments (BOI) upcoming Strategic Investments technology – business process in other sectors of the economy, managing head Ceferino Rodolfo Priority Plan (SIPP) 2020 to 2023. management and other creative as government spending takes a said during a meeting between Under the proposed second services to increase their contri- back seat amid delays in the enactment of the 2019 budget bill. the DTI and CECP that there is a package of the government’s tax bution to the economy. He added that capital investneed to define the creative econ- reform program, the BOI has In addition, the roadmap is omy within the Philippine context been tasked to formulate the SIPP seen as a tool to achieve a sustain- ment may also struggle due to and specify five sectors for the which will identify activities eligi- able creative economy given the tightening liquidity conditions and crafting of specific action plans of ble for incentives. ongoing fusion of physical and as the BSP’s rate hikes work their the roadmap. A roadmap is being crafted digital technologies as a result of way through the economy. “In coming months, the econRodolfo said making concrete for the creative industries as it is the Fourth Industrial Revolution omy will look to tried and tested roadmaps for priority sectors such serves as an important source of or Industry 4.0. n
Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022. The investment requirement for infrastructure alone accounted for more than two-thirds of the total investment targets for the six-year period. For the year 2020, the government is looking to spend more than P1.9 trillion on infrastructure, the bulk of the P2.8-trillion total investment target under the PIP for next year. To fast-track human capital development, the government plans to invest P1.1 trillion between 2017 and 2022 while it has programmed P609.1 billion on programs and projects aimed at reducing the vulnerability of individuals and families. The updated 2017-2022 PIP showed that the 818 priority programs and projects with a nationwide scope amounted P6.5 trillion or nearly 60 percent of the total investment targets. In terms of number of projects, 8,684 worth P2.7 trillion are region-specific, mainly to be hosted in the National Capital Region (900 projects worth P905 billion), Davao region (397 projects worth P331.2 billion), and Central Luzon (498 projects worth P222.3 billion).
Meanwhile, 314 interregional projects amounting to P1.7 trillion will also be rolled out until 2022. Next year, the government is planning to implement P1.3 trillion in nationwide projects, P953.3 billion in region-specific projects and P531.7 billion in interregional projects. According to Neda, 9,565 priority programs and projects under the 2017-2022 PIP will be funded by the national budget and implemented through the traditional mode of procurement under Republic Act (RA) No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. Official development assistance (ODA) will finance 205 priority projects, while public-private partnership (PPP) and joint ventures will be the source of financing for 46 projects. The PDP 2017-2022 aims to reduce the number of poor Filipinos to 14 percent of the population by the time President Duterte steps down from office. The poverty incidence rate stood at 21.6 percent in 2015 and the Duterte administration targets to cut it by more than seven percentage points through its 10point socioeconomic agenda. n
Upward GDP revision ‘masking slowing...’
Philippines aims to become Southeast...
Filipino purchasing power to deliver the goods in 2019 and keep GDP above the 6 percent threshold,” Mapa said. Last month, state economic managers slashed their 2019 GDP growth forecast to 6 percent-7 percent from 7 percent-8 percent originally as the government operates on a reenacted budget and catch up with spending. the overnight reverse repurchase rate (RRP) to counter recent tightening in monetary conditions while providing some support to growth,” ANZ Research said. It expects a 25-basis points (bps) rate cut to be ordered during a May 9 policy meeting, to be followed by two more 25-bps cuts that would bring the RRP to 4.00 percent by the end of 2019 from 4.75 percent. The research firm also said the BSP could quicken the pace of reducing banks’ RRR by as much as 400bps over the next four quarters. The RRR is the proportion of deposits that banks need to keep
with the Bangko Sentral against the sum they can loan out to borrowers. Currently at 18 percent following two cuts last year, it is still considered as one of the highest in the region. There is also a risk that import growth will stay strong and delay the correction in the country’s external imbalance, ANZ Research continued. “These ultimately will result in further Philippine peso weakness,” it added. Latest available data showed that imports were up 5.8 percent to $9.03 billion in January, resulting in a trade gap of $3.76 billion. A wider trade gap last year dragged the country’s current account deficit to an all-time high of $7.9 billion. The currency ended 2018 at P52.58 versus the greenback, down sharply from its 2017 close of P49.93:$1. It closed 17 centavos weaker at P52.61 to the dollar on Wednesday. n
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Government on track to meet population, DOF: Estonian firms interested to participate in national ID rollout development goals — Ernesto Pernia by Catherine
talavera Philstar.com
THE government is on track to reach its medium-term demographic-economic goals as policies on population and development are already in place, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said. Speaking at the 52nd Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in New York, Pernia cited policies such as the issuance of Executive Order 12 (s.2017) to achieve and sustain zero unmet need for modern family planning by 2022, as well as the inclusion of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RA 10354), as among the government’s initiatives on population and development. Pernia also mentioned the recent approval of the intensified implementation of the National Program on Population and Family Planning. “Even in the face of challenging political and cultural factors, our country has achieved significant milestones at the outcome and policy levels. For one, access
to maternal, neonatal, and child health care services has improved over recent years,” Pernia said. Pernia explained that while Filipinos continue to increase in number – around two million annually – population growth rate in the Philippines has declined by 1.76 percent. He added that the country’s current total fertility rate is at 2.7 children per woman, which declined from 5.7 in 1975, 4.3 in 1990 and three in 2013. Pernia attributed the decline to the increased use of modern family planning methods. Government aims to further bring this down to 2.4 children per woman on average, according to Pernia.
Meanwhile, Pernia said the government continues to pursue policy interventions to reach for and optimize the demographic dividend. “An important part of the strategy, as laid out in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, is to set in place measures that improve and develop our human capital to full potential,” Pernia said. He cited the recent enactment of the Universal Health Care Law, which mandates citizens to enroll into the National Health Insurance Program and expands the Program’s coverage to include free medical consultations and laboratory tests. He added that the government also continues to institutionalize education reforms through the K-12 Program, as well as the provision of free tuition for tertiary students of state universities and colleges. “Despite remaining gaps, we will vigorously pursue strategic ways to ensure people-centered, self-sustaining development towards the realization of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda in the Philippines,” Pernia said. n
with government,” he continued. ‘Business as usual’ The Palace said Duterte issued the order after the president himself discovered “an onerous provision” contracted by the Ramos administration when the government entered a deal with water service provider Maynilad. “In that contract the Republic of the Philippines was prohibited from interfering into the terms of contract,” Panelo said. “And that’s why we lost in the arbitration tribunal, and I think we were made to pay 3.5 billion pesos because according to the ruling, the government intervened and by reason of intervention Maynilad suffered damages,” he added. In a statement on Wednesday, April 3, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said “extreme caution must be exercised” in implementing the Duterte’s directive to review all government contracts and loan agreements. “I must caution that existing and binding contracts cannot simply be classified as oner-
ous and cancelled,” Drilon said. “The government must avail of the procedure outlined in the contract.” “The government must respect the sanctity of the contracts. Otherwise, no country or entity would enter into contracts with us because we cannot be trusted to honor our obligations,” the senator added. Sought for comment, Union Bank chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said “it will be business as usual” despite the review. “Well, I am assuming that all these contracts have been entered in good faith and are actually fair to both our government and whoever the other party is. Therefore, there are, I believe, no significant unfavorable impact particularly on the private sector’s perception and general investing sentiments,” Asuncion said. “Unless, of course, if there would be flagged and probably suspicious findings and/or results from the pending contracts reviews,” he added. n
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia Philstar.com file photo
Business watches as Duterte orders...
PAGE D2 t Philippines ranked 124th out of 190 economies tracked, down 11 places from 113th in the previous year. Under the “enforcing contracts” indicator — which gauges time and cost to resolve a commercial dispute and the quality of judicial processes — the Philippines slipped to 151st from 149th in the World Bank’s “Doing Business” report. “Any party to a contract can review its terms and settle disagreements according to provisions agreed to in the contract. But how is ‘onerous’ determined?” John Forbes, senior adviser at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said in a separate interview. “We hope international best practice will be observed and the Philippine low ranking of 151st of 190 countries for contracts in Ease of Doing Business will improve,” Forbes added. “We will be very interested in the conclusions of this review and hope they will not discourage private sector partnership
ID SAMPLE. A Philippine Statistics Authority employee presents at the House a sample of the ID to be issued under the national ID system. Inquirer.net photo by Jam Sta. Rosao by Ben
O. de vera Inquirer.net
ESTONIAN firms are interested to participate in the government’s implementation of the national ID system, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Thursday, April 4. “We are aware that the Philippines is about to implement the digital ID and provide their citi-
zens with this. It is indeed a good time to come here and demonstrate what you could possibly be able to implement provided the digital ID is properly secured in place,” Estonia’s ambassador-designate to the Philippines Vaino Reinart was quoted by the DOF as telling Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III during a recent meeting. In response, Dominguez wel-
comed the interest from Estonian companies and invited them to bid for the contract to rollout the national ID system. “Our number one interest right now is the national ID, and we are going to be putting out the international tender docs pretty soon,” Dominguez told the Estonian delegation, which DOF said included firms that developed PAGE D5
Diokno-signed bills out in ‘three months’ by Mayvelin
U. CaraBallO Manilatimes.net
PESO bills bearing the signature of new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno will soon be out in circulation. Diokno told reporters late on Monday, April 1, that banknotes bearing his signature would be released “in about three months.” The central bank did not provide further details. The BSP is currently circulating New Generation Currency Banknotes Series that replaced the decades-old New Design Series banknotes. Diokno, who was formerly Budget and Management Secretary, was appointed as new Bangko Sentral chief on March 4 to serve the unexpired term of the late Nestor Espenilla Jr., who succumbed to tongue cancer on February 23. His term will end on
BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno
July 2023. The new BSP chief has come out in favor of easing policy following last year’s rate hike spree, pointing to easing inflation, but also said that any decision would be data-dependent. At his first rate-setting meeting on March 21, the central bank’s
Manilatimes.net file photo
policymaking Monetary Board decided to keep key interest rates unchanged despite lower inflation. Most analysts expect rate cuts to be announced before the end of the first semester, with some forecasting adjustments as early as May. n
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Uber unveils $1.5 million Clark support center BIR cuts 2019 collection goal to P2.271 trillion by maRy
GRace Philstar.com
Padin
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue has trimmed its 2019 collection target to P2.271 trillion from the original goal of P2.33 trillion following the passage of a watered down tax amnesty law, according to a BIR official. In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, April 3, BIR deputy commissioner and spokesperson Maria Cabreros said the agency wants to raise its revenue to P2.271 trillion for 2019, 16.3 percent higher than the agency’s actual collections of P1.952 trillion in 2018. However, this is lower than the original target announced earlier by the BIR, which was at P2.33 trillion.
In a text message to The STAR, Cabreros said the reduction in the BIR’s target came after the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) revised its 2019 fiscal program. Cabreros said this was a consequence of President Duterte’s move to veto the general tax amnesty provisions in the recently signed Republic Act 11213 or the Tax Amnesty Law. “There was a slight reduction in the goal as the DBCC has a recomputation of the economic assumption,” Cabreros said adding that “we must remove the goal on general amnesty because it was vetoed.” The bicameral conference committee approved the Tax Amnesty Bill in December last year, but it lacked the provisions on the relax-
ation of the Bank Secrecy Law and the automatic exchange of information, as proposed by the DOF. Estimates from the DOF showed that the final Tax Amnesty Law is expected to raise P27.54 billion in additional revenue this year, 56.63 percent lower than the P63.5 billion initially expected by the DOF under the original proposal. As a result, the country’s economic managers decided to cut the government’s revenue program to P3.15 trillion for 2019 from the previous goal of P3.208 trillion. Earlier, Finance undersecretary Antonette Tionko said the DOF and the BIR is planning to roll out within the month the tax amnesty program on delinquencies. Tionko said the program will run for one year. n
ADB cuts ’19 PH growth forecast
Philstar.com file photo by Richmond
meRcuRio
Philstar.com
GLOBAL mobility platform Uber unveiled Thursday, April 4, its latest investment in the Philippines, strengthening further the country’s position as a strategic hub for shared support services. With the Philippines already housing Uber’s largest Center of Excellence (COE) facility globally which is located in Manila, the company decided to further ramp up its support services operations in the country with a $1.5 million investment in Clark. The Clark COE is designed to provide specialized support for critical incidents that require immediate attention. It will employ teams of “solution-oriented and trusted advisors” to support millions of customers across the Asia Pacific region and around the world. Located in Skytech IT Park in Pampanga, near the business district of Clark, the 2,919-square meter facility will initially employ 165 customer service specialists
who will provide world-class support to the Uber community once its starts operations this month. Uber intends to more than double the facility’s workforce and bring it to 400 by yearend. “The Philippines is already home to Uber’s largest Center of Excellence globally, and I’m delighted to unveil our second center today, in Clark, and reaffirm our commitment to the Philippines, and the Asia Pacific region, through this significant investment,” Uber global head of community operations Troy Stevenson said. “It’s good just to have multiple sites sometimes. It means that if there is a weather problem or some issue where we just need redundancy of coverage, it’s helpful to spread out a little bit,” Stevenson said. Uber said the Clark COE would provide support via multiple channels – email, phone, video chat and social media – to ensure seamless customer experience before, during, and after the ride.
The new Clark COE, while technically located in Mabalacat, is named after the closest port of entry following a tradition in Uber offices around the world and provides an easy landmark reference for worldwide operations. Uber’s first Asia Pacific COE opened in Manila in 2015 in a 5,500 sqm office in Bonifacio Global City. The facility employs over 1,182 team members at present. “It was an easy decision to deepen our investment in the Philippines and open a second Center of Excellence in Clark, complementing our existing Manila team,” said Wen-Szu Lin, Uber’s director of community operations for Asia Pacific. “We’re pleased to be able to create new economic opportunities for talented professionals with the goal to more than double the team in Clark by the end of the year, while expanding our global support services from this strategic location,” Wen-Szu Lin said. n
Lender cites slowing export demand from advanced economies, agricultural losses from El Niño by Ben
o. de VeRa
Inquirer.net
AMID slower global demand and the potential negative impact of the prolonged dry spell due to El Niño on the economy, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cut its 2019 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.4 percent. However, ADB country director for the Philippines Kelly Bird pointed out during a press conference on Wednesday, April 3, that even as the Manila-based multilateral lender’s updated gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection for this year was lower than the previous forecast of 6.7 percent, it was higher than the actual economic expansion of 6.2 percent last year. Across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), only the Philippines and Brunei were the two countries expected to post faster growth this year compared to 2018, the ADB’s Asian Development Outlook 2019 report showed. Bird said it helped that the Philippines was not export-intensive, unlike its Asean neighbors, making the country less vulnerable to PAGE D3 t nia, where the electronic video lish-speaking Filipino workers for a sharp slowdown in exports. The government’s ambitious the European country’s electron- communications tool Skype was its booming technology sector. “We would like to encour- “Build, Build, Build” infrastrucic governance system such as developed, 99 percent of public Aktors, Cybernetica, Ecomatic, services are available digitally, age you to look at us as poten- ture program is also another including the filing and payment tially your demographic partners shield from external shocks, Bird GoSwift, and RaulWalters. here. I think Filipinos around the added. In a statement, DOF noted of taxes,” it said. Under Build, Build, Build, the For his part, Dominguez en- world have a relatively good repEstonia as “the world’s most adjoined the Estonian government utation,” according to Domingu- government will roll out “gamevanced digital society.” changing” projects, with around “In the Baltic nation of Esto- to hire young, skilled, and Eng- ez. n
DOF: Estonian firms interested...
half expected to be completed during President Duterte’s term, to usher in “the golden age of infrastructure” by 2022. The massive infrastructure spending in the medium term is expected to keep Philippine growth well above its neighboring countries, he said. Bird said that slowing export demand from advanced economies on top of agricultural losses resulting from the El Niño phenomenon would temper the country’s growth prospects this year. In the case of the impasse in Congress on the P3.757-trillion 2019 national budget, Bird said the ADB expected the budget delay impact to be “minimal” if the government would fast track spending for the rest of the year. Last month, the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee slashed its GDP growth target for 2019 to 6-7 percent from 7-8 percent previously as the government operated on a reenacted budget in the first quarter, limiting spending on public goods and services. According to Bird, robust domestic investment and consumption, to be boosted by slower consumer price increases, would offset external downside risks. The ADB sees inflation easing to 3.8 percent this year and returning within the government’s 3-4 percent target range for 2019 “as global oil prices moderate, food supply improves with a recent law replacing quantitative restrictions on rice imports with tariffs, and
last year’s monetary tightening continues to be effective,” it said in a statement. Headline inflation averaged at a 10-year high of 5.2 percent last year due to higher excise taxes slapped on consumption, food supply bottlenecks and skyrocketing global oil prices. Bird said the easing rate of increase in prices of basic goods would boost domestic demand. “The Philippine economy is on a healthy growth trajectory, with public and private investment sustaining strong growth for the economy this year and next. The risks to the growth outlook are tilted on the downside, with rising local investments likely offsetting any impact from a faster-thanexpected slowdown in the global economy,” he said. “The rollout of priority public investments in infrastructure such as bridges, expressways, ports and railways nationwide will ensure that prospects for private investment remain bright, given better access to markets and job opportunities. Momentum in private construction is expected to be sustained by continued strong demand for office and retail space and housing,” the ADB said. “In addition, the services and manufacturing sectors will also be the main growth drivers in the near term. Strong retail trade and expansion in business process outsourcing will continue to spur growth in services,” it added. n
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