042525- San Diego Edition

COMELEC confirms overseas Filipinos can vote until May 12

THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded the public that overseas voting for the 2025 midterm elections is open until 7 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PST) on May 12, 2025.

“The Philippines is a pioneer in overseas voting,” COMELEC Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco stated during the latest episode of CFO Migration Talks, held on April 15, 2025 at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) office.

“Casting our vote is both a right and an obligation–that is why we continue to find ways to make the process more accessible for Filipinos abroad,” Laudiangco added.

The online event titled “e-Boto Mo, Kabayan! Makialam at Makilahok sa Makabagong Halalan,” put a spotlight on one of the most pressing civic issues for

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a fiveyear pause initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans starting May 5, 2025. This action affects over 5 million borrowers nationwide, including many in the Filipino American community.

Why now?

The collections pause, which began in March 2020, was part of the federal government’s emergency relief measures during the pandemic. With the expiration of these measures and ongoing concerns about the federal budget, the Department is reinstating collections to recover outstanding debts.

Who is affected?

Approximately 5.3 million borrowers are currently in default on federally held student loans, including Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) held by the government. Default occurs after 270 days of nonpayment.

What borrowers should know:

1. Fresh Start Program Deadline Has Passed The Fresh Start initiative, introduced in 2022, allowed borrowers with defaulted

Cardinal Tagle is a leading candidate for Pope

by AJPress

descent on his mother’s side and formed by theological rigor in Rome’s Pontifical

MANILA – With the May 2025 midterm elections approaching, lawmakers, digital researchers, and civil society groups are raising concerns over coordinated disinformation campaigns designed to manipulate public opinion and distort democratic discourse online.

A recent report by Israeli cybersecurity firm Cyabra revealed that nearly one-third of social media accounts engaging in conversations around the International Criminal Court’s

by Neil JaysoN servallos Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte will be returning to The Hague with her mother next month to visit her father, detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The vice president said she would be paying the former president a visit on her birthday on May 31 with her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman.

“I promised my mother and father that we’d be together (for my birthday). I will return to The Hague with mom because in our last visit she was unable to

(ICC) investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte were likely inauthentic. These accounts exhibited synchronized behavior—posting identical content with shared hashtags and engaging in aggressive resharing patterns—collectively generating more than 7,200 engagements and reaching an estimated 11.8 million users in a single month.

“This is digital warfare, plain and simple. And the battlefield is not just the internet— it’s the hearts and minds of millions of Filipinos,” said House Deputy Speaker David

by MayeN JayMaliN Philstar.com

MANILA — More international observers are coming to the country to monitor the midterm elections on May 12, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced. Aside from the European Union delegation, which met with the poll body on Wednesday, April 23, Japan and the United States will also send their respective contingents, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said. Additionally, executive board members of the Association of

World Election Bodies (A-WEB), the world’s largest international organization of election management, were expected to arrive in the country on Thursday, April 24.

According to Garcia, A-WEB’s executive board has chosen the Philippines to hold their important meeting.

“Despite the amount of preparation, we accepted this challenge,” he said, noting that around 50 members of the executive board will be coming here to attend the meeting.

Gregorian University and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., his biography reads less like a clerical résumé and more like a map of the modern Catholic world. Ordained in 1982, he rose through the Church not with pomp, but with presence. As Bishop of Imus, he refused a car with tinted windows, preferring to be seen—and to see.

As Archbishop of Manila, he became known for u PAGE 2

VATICAN CITY— Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the president will join a host of world leaders in paying final respects to a pontiff whose leadership and humility touched millions across the globe — especially in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.

Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 following complications from a stroke, was known for his simplicity, moral clarity, and steadfast advocacy for the poor. His death has drawn tributes from faith leaders, politicians, and citizens worldwide, with his funeral expected to be attended by dignitaries including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The funeral, per the Pope’s request, will be a modest affair led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, reflecting the late pontiff’s well-known aversion to excessive ceremony. Pope Francis will be interred at the Basilica of

SAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria has released a $6.04 billion draft budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that aims to close a projected $258 million deficit by trimming city services, cutting jobs, and introducing new fees— all while boosting funding for public safety and shelter services for the city’s growing unhoused population.

The proposal, unveiled ahead of public hearings in May, is Gloria’s most significant fiscal plan to date, shaped by declining tax revenues and inflation-driven costs.

“What we are putting forward at this time is a balanced, draft budget grounded in our economic reality,” Gloria said in his official statement.

Cuts to Libraries, Rec Centers,

Mayor Todd Gloria File photo

Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/@ MayorIndaySaraDuterte

Cardinal Tagle is a leading...

PAGE 1

his deep empathy and stirring homilies, delivered without notes, but always with soul.

The Vatican’s heart in Asia

When Pope Francis appointed Tagle as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2019, it was more than a bureaucratic shift. It was symbolic.

Asia — home to more than half of the world’s population, but a fraction of its Catholics — was now front and center. In Tagle, Rome was signaling that the Church’s future might lie not in its grand basilicas, but in the swelling faith communities of the peripheries.

In 2020, Tagle’s stature rose further when Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of cardinal bishop, the highest title within the College of Cardinals. It was a rare distinction—and a powerful affirmation of the Church’s trust in his leadership.

Now, as Pro-Prefect of the restructured Dicastery for Evangelization, Tagle oversees the Church’s most vital frontier mission: reaching hearts that have never heard the Gospel — and reawakening those who have forgotten it.

The “Asian Francis”?

Tagle’s pastoral ethos mirrors that of the pope who elevated him. Like Francis, he speaks of a Church that listens before it teaches, that heals before it judges. He has spoken candidly about LGBTQ+ persons, urging the Church to avoid “harsh words.” He has advocated discernment for divorced and remarried Catholics, stressing that “every situation is unique.” Yet, he’s no doctrinal radical. His theology is orthodox, his methods tender. In essence, Tagle doesn’t push the Church forward with force—he gently invites it to walk in the shoes of the faithful.

Inside the conclave When the next conclave convenes — behind locked doors and beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes — Cardinal Tagle will be one of the most watched figures.

At 67, he stands at that perfect crossroad: young enough to bring longevity, old enough to command reverence. But what truly sets him apart is his ability to speak not just in Vatican Latin or theological code, but in the shared language of suffering, joy, and hope.

The Church today is wounded—by scandal, division,

and the modern world’s skepticism. Tagle, a man shaped by colonial memory, poverty, and multi-faith realities, understands this pain viscerally.

Fluent in Tagalog, English, Italian, and conversant in French, Chinese, and Latin, Tagle is as comfortable delivering a homily in Tondo as he is addressing bishops in Rome. His message, however, remains the same: “Be near the people. Smell like the sheep. Love with the heart of Christ.”

A consistent contender

Since the last conclave in 2013, and particularly following his elevation to the Roman Curia, Cardinal Tagle has been a fixture in conversations about papal succession.

Analysts and Vatican watchers have consistently placed him on lists of papabili—those considered most likely to be elected pope. His visibility is not born of political maneuvering or geographical novelty, but of what he represents: a deeply pastoral, intellectually grounded, and globally resonant figure.

His leadership in the Evangelization Dicastery, alignment with Pope Francis’ vision, and deep roots in the Global South all reinforce his viability as the Church’s next shepherd.

The Global South refers to regions in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania, often characterized by lower levels of industrialization, development, and income. These areas also carry a history of colonization and economic exploitation, and face challenges such as poverty, political instability, and limited resources. However, the Global South is also a source of emerging influence in global politics, culture, and faith.

From La Croix to The Tablet, Crux to America Magazine— and even secular outlets like The New York Times—Tagle is often described as “the face of a compassionate Church” and “a credible voice for Catholicism in the global South.”

While the Holy Spirit ultimately guides each conclave—and surprises are always possible— Tagle’s regular appearance on these shortlists is no coincidence. It reflects the deep respect he commands, both inside and outside the Vatican. n

Mayor Todd Gloria’s $6B budget plan...

and Jobs

Under the proposed budget:

• All public libraries would close on Sundays and Mondays, with weekly operating days reduced to five.

• Recreation centers would see hours cut by one-third.

• Seasonal closures are planned for park restrooms in lower-use periods.

• 393 city positions would be eliminated, with 160 currently filled. Officials say reassignment opportunities will be explored for those affected.

The San Diego Library Foundation voiced concern:

“It is not sustainable for the San Diego Public Library to continue to serve their communities at the level expected by its patrons when the city continues to slash money from the Library budget year after year.”

Raising revenue: Parking, trash, cannabis fees

To help balance the budget, the city will pursue $157 million in new revenue, including:

• Increases in parking meter rates and citation fines

• A residential trash collection fee (as authorized by Measure B)

• A cannabis business tax hike City officials argue these are

necessary trade-offs to preserve essential operations while avoiding across-the-board layoffs.

Public safety spending grows

Despite widespread reductions, Mayor Gloria’s proposal maintains increases for emergency services:

• San Diego Police Department: +$29.3 million

• Fire-Rescue Department: +$24 million

These allocations are intended to stabilize 911 response times and improve staffing in fastgrowing neighborhoods.

$105M Homelessness

Investment Includes Safe Parking

Site

The proposed budget allocates $105.3 million to homelessness services, including $71.1 million from the General Fund. This includes:

• Funding for a new Safe Parking site at H Barracks, which will provide 190 vehicle spaces for people living in their cars—nearly doubling current capacity.

• Continued support for interim housing, shelters, and outreach programs.

Mayor Gloria has also endorsed Senate Bill 16, introduced by State Senator Catherine Blakespear, which would require counties to share the cost of city-run shelters.

“It’s long past time for all the

cities in this county to do their part and not simply rely on you, the taxpayers of this city,” Gloria said during his State of the City address earlier this year.

Impact on communities

While the budget preserves investments in emergency response and housing access, service cuts are expected to affect thousands of families—especially those in lower-income areas who rely heavily on library programs, park facilities, and after-school centers.

.Next Steps: Public Hearings Begin May 5

The San Diego City Council will hold public budget hearings from May 5 to 9, where residents can offer feedback in person or online. The final vote is scheduled for June 10, 2025.

“Tough times demand tough decisions,” Gloria said. “This budget protects what we value most—safety, shelter, and financial sustainability.”

Public budget hearings – key dates

• May 5–9: Community input at City Hall and online

• June 10: Final City Council vote on FY2026 Budget

• Full budget documents: sandiego.gov/ budget2026. n

KADIWA NG PANGULO. The Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the covered path walk of the Quezon City Hall

His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle Photo from Facebook/@ArchbishopTagle

Student loan collections resume in 2025...

• Calling the Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115 for guidance.

3. Be aware of collection methods

Starting May 5, 2025, the Department of Education will resume involuntary collections through the Treasury Offset Program, which may include:

• Wage garnishment of up to 15% of disposable pay without a court order.

• Seizure of federal tax refunds.

status. This can be done by:

• Visiting StudentAid.gov and logging in with your FSA ID.

• Offset of Social Security benefits.

Community impact

In Filipino American

communities, especially among first-generation college students, defaulted debt has been a significant burden. Community organizations are urging affected individuals to seek assistance and explore available options to manage their debt. With the resumption of collections on defaulted student loans, borrowers must act promptly to mitigate financial repercussions. Engaging with loan servicers and exploring repayment or rehabilitation options can help restore financial stability. (AJPress)

COMELEC confirms overseas Filipinos can...

Filipinos abroad – accessible, secure, and inclusive overseas voting in the digital era.

Atty. Laudiangco provided an in-depth walkthrough of the overseas voting process, including the enhanced internet voting system designed to make participation more convenient and secure for Filipinos living abroad.

Laudiangco also addressed questions about cybersecurity, data privacy, and contingency measures in the event of technical or connectivity issues, assuring participants that robust safeguards have been put in place.

CFO Chairperson Dante

“Klink” Ang II remains committed to championing inclusive civic engagement for the Filipino diaspora, particularly in providing accessible platforms for dialogue and education, and the integration of digital technologies to connect overseas Filipinos back to the homeland.

“We remain a strong ally of every Filipino around the globe in ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard,” Ang stated.

Atty. Laudiangco was joined by NAMFREL National Chairperson Mr. Lito Averia, Jr., who highlighted the role of civil society in ensuring electoral integrity.

Averia encouraged active involvement not just during the voting period, but throughout the election cycle — from voter education to process monitoring.

“The right to vote is enshrined in our constitution. It’s a right that we have to exercise because it is our chance to choose the

Sara returns to The Hague next...

secure permission to enter (the prison),” the vice president said on Wednesday, April 23.

“So when I talked to President Duterte yesterday (Wednesday), he said he’s waiting for mom’s visit and I told him we’ll see each other on my birthday,” she added.

Duterte also bared that during a phone call with her father, who is being held at the Scheveningen prison for his crimes against humanity trial over the war on drugs, he told her to press the public for votes for the senatorial slate of PDP-Laban.

“We talked yesterday (Wednesday), he called me up. He said to tell the people plainly to vote straight PDP-Laban,” she said.

The vice president said her father also convinced her to change her plans about not joining sorties.

“Yes (I will join sorties). I’m strategizing what to do. My aim was to go around and thank people, but he told me not to beat around the bush, convince people to vote straight (PDP),” she added.

Apart from the 10 candidates of her father’s party, she said she would also campaign for Sen. Imee Marcos and Rep. Camille Villar, who are not part of the slate but represent “the same vision.”

‘Look who’s lying’

Former Bayan Muna congressman Neri Colmenares lambasted on Wednesday

Nicholas Kaufman, lead counsel of former President Duterte in the crimes against humanity case before the ICC, for calling fellow counsels for the victims Joel Butuyan and Kristina Conti “liars,” citing the Duterte camp’s alleged motion to the International Criminal Court for restrictions on the identification process for the victims participating in the case.

Colmenares said Kaufman has gone beyond the ethical standards of lawyers of not attacking counsels on the opposite side.

“I would like to answer Mr. Kaufman that that was part of the request to the ICC, to limit the identification. So, who is lying here?” Colmenares asked.

“Secondly, what did the ICC do? Did the ICC give in to their request? No! It gave in, the ICC favor the victims here. How can he say that we are liars when in fact the ICC sided with us, did not side with them? Kaufman is only saying that because he lost. That’s the problem with attorney Kaufman, he is attacking lawyers or counsels of other party merely because they lost a motion,” he added.

Colmenares said as lawyers strictly observing ethical standards, the victims’ counsels did not attack Kaufman.

“We never attack Kaufman. We never attack the counsels, the counsels of any client. He is different. But it is part of the lawyers to file motions. We

understand him for that. If he needs to file motion, well and good, but the moment Kaufman attacks counsels of the other side, that is a different story,” Colmenares said.

Following his earlier observation that “limiting the range of identity documents” will reduce fraud and improve reliability of the victim identification process, Kaufman maintained that they are not trying to limit victim participation during the proceedings at the ICC.

“That never happened. All I was doing was relying on what the Philippine social security system requires for ID to be verified in the Philippines,” Kaufman said in an interview at The Hague on Tuesday. “This is not a question of the judges rejecting something that the defense asked for. This was a response that the defense made to the VPRS (Victims Participation and Reparations Section), which is the internal court unit responsible for assessing victims’ applications. That’s all we did. We made observations, we didn’t make a request that was rejected. That was a big lie.”

Kaufman specifically called out lawyers Conti and Butuyan, counsel for some of the victims, who earlier objected to the defense’s observations regarding the proposed identification documents that can be accepted in the proceedings. (With reports from Jose Rodel Clapano)

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COMELEC spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco (right) with NAMFREL president Lito Averia Jr. during the CFO Migration Talks episode.

From left: Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II and NAMFREL president Lito Averia Jr. Photos courtesy of Commission on Filipinos Overseas

strong call to action: Overseas Filipinos are urged to register, log in, and vote before the May 12 deadline to ensure their voices are counted in this upcoming election. (CFO Release)

QUIET TIME. Those who stayed behind in Metro Manila savor the remaining Holy Week break at University of Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City on Saturday (April 19, 2025). Regular work and classes resume Monday, April 21. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Richard Nuttall named new president of Philippine Airlines

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL)

has appointed British national and airline industry executive

Richard Nuttall as its new president effective May 29, 2025, signaling the Philippine flag carrier’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and a bolder push in the international market. Nuttall will report directly to Dr. Lucio C. Tan, chairman and chief executive officer, and Lucio C. Tan III, president and chief operating officer of PAL Holdings Inc., the parent company of Philippine Airlines.

Nuttall joins PAL after leadership stints in airlines across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Most recently he served as chief executive officer of SriLankan Airlines, where he led a successful turnaround that saw the carrier return to operational profitability and significantly contribute to the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

In addition, Nuttall served as an executive board member of the SkyTeam Alliance, where he helped reform the Alliance’s governance structure to accelerate decision-making and deepen airline collaboration.

“Philippine Airlines has always been committed to working with the best people across all levels, and I

welcome Richard Nuttall as a worthy addition to an already formidable team. I am confident that he will create and develop sustainable growth for PAL,” said Dr. Lucio C. Tan.

“Appointing Richard Nuttall to Philippine Airlines is an important part of our mediumterm and long-term strategy of building a robust management team and growing our business internationally. As president, he will play an active role in bringing a global dimension to the Heart of the Filipino, and I look forward to working

closely with him in the days and months ahead,” said Lucio Tan III.

Nuttall will succeed Captain Stanley Ng, who has served as PAL president and chief operating officer since January 2022. Ng will take on new responsibilities within the Philippine Airlines Group as vice president of PAL Holdings Inc. and as a member of the airline’s Board of Directors. In these roles, he is expected to provide strategic direction and oversight to bring the flag carrier to a new level of service and profitability.

“I warmly welcome Mr. Nuttall to the PAL Group. I believe that under his leadership, we will sustain the momentum we've built over the past years. Now, I’m ready to take on this new role with renewed focus and commitment,” said Ng.

Nuttall will be supported by Carlos Luis Fernandez, who assumes the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, also effective May 29, 2025. “I am honored to join Philippine Airlines at such a pivotal time. The airline has accomplished so much in recent years, and I look forward to building on that progress as we explore new avenues for growth,” said Nuttall.

Even as the global aviation industry faces increased volatility and uncertainty, PAL remains focused on long-term growth and fleet modernization.

The airline is expected to receive this year the first of nine Airbus A350-1000s, which will serve as PAL’s flagship long-haul aircraft. PAL is also rolling out newly refurbished A321ceos with upgraded cabins this year, and will take delivery of 13 brand-new A321neos starting 2026. Backed by the leadership of Tan and Nuttall, PAL is optimistic about sustaining its momentum in 2025. The airline posted a net income of PHP10.01 billion in 2024, following record earnings of PHP21 billion in 2023. This consistent performance solidifies PAL’s position as a resilient and competitive force in the airline industry.

(PAL Release)

President Marcos to join world leaders in...

PAGE 1

Santa Maria Maggiore, a church he often visited privately before and after his travels.

A personal bond with the Philippines

For Filipinos, Pope Francis’ death brings deep sorrow—and deep gratitude. The pontiff’s five-day apostolic journey to the Philippines in January 2015 remains one of the most powerful moments in the country’s modern religious history.

On January 18, 2015, despite a tropical storm and persistent rain, over six million Filipinos gathered at Luneta Park in Manila to hear him celebrate Mass—a recordbreaking turnout and a reflection of the Pope’s extraordinary appeal.

Earlier that week, he had flown to Tacloban City, which had been devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013. Clad in a yellow rain poncho, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the airport grounds amid another incoming storm. In a moment that deeply moved the nation, he said: “When I saw from Rome that

catastrophe, I felt I had to be here. And on those very days, I decided to come. I am here to be with you—a little bit late, but I’m here… I have come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. And he never lets us down.” (Tacloban, January 17, 2015)

Filipinos affectionately called him Lolo Kiko—a term of endearment meaning “Grandpa Francis.” His warmth, empathy, and unscripted moments of solidarity with the poor struck a deep chord in the nation.

A nation in mourning

In response to the Pope’s passing, President Marcos ordered flags across government buildings to fly at half-mast until the day of the funeral.

“The Filipino people mourn the loss of a man of faith who led with humility and conviction,” President Marcos said in a statement. “We are honored to have welcomed him to our shores, and we now honor him in return with our prayers and presence.”

Across the country, dioceses and parishes have begun holding

memorial Masses, candlelight vigils, and community prayers. At Manila Cathedral, Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula urged the faithful to remember Pope Francis not only as a leader, but as a spiritual companion.

“He showed us what it means to live simply, serve humbly, and love radically,” said Advincula.

Final farewell

The funeral Mass is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Vatican time (3:30 p.m. Manila time) and will be streamed globally. In the Philippines, churches will toll bells at the start of the service, and special Masses will be held simultaneously.

The Vatican has also announced that the Pope’s last handwritten note—left beside his bed—will be read aloud during the funeral. It reportedly contains a prayer for peace in “all places broken by war and indifference.”

While Pope Francis’ physical presence may be gone, his voice—measured, clear, and filled with compassion—will continue to echo in the hearts of the faithful around the world. n

Fake accounts, real impact: Lawmakers, experts...

PAGE 1

“Jay-Jay” Suarez, reacting to the Cyabra report.

Suarez has called on major tech platforms, including Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, to take more aggressive action against disinformation networks.

“They have the tools, the data, and the responsibility. They cannot stay silent while democracy is under attack,” he added.

Push for digital literacy

While there has been no formal congressional resolution directly addressing the Cyabra findings, lawmakers have been advocating for stronger media literacy programs in schools and communities. Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., a proponent of digital education efforts, underscored the need to prepare voters to navigate online content critically.

“Social media is a powerful tool for connectivity and information sharing, but it is also being used to spread malicious content that

can incite violence, mislead the public, and erode trust in democratic institutions,” Gonzales said during a 2024 committee hearing on misinformation.

Gonzales previously backed legislation pushing for the inclusion of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the national curriculum, in partnership with the Department of Education and Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

Protecting rights, countering manipulation The Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), a digital rights group, reiterated that fighting online disinformation should not be conflated with censorship.

“Fighting disinformation doesn’t mean silencing dissent,” the group emphasized in a policy paper published on its website.

“It means protecting the right of voters to make informed choices based on facts—not manipulation.”

FMA continues to partner with

civil society organizations to promote community workshops and online campaigns aimed at educating Filipinos on how to identify false narratives, bot behavior, and manipulated content.

Call for greater accountability Tech experts, including those from Cyabra, warn that without stronger regulatory oversight and platform accountability, fake networks will continue to shape public discourse and polarize communities.

“Fake accounts amplify certain voices while drowning out others, making it difficult for voters to access balanced information,” said Rafi Mendelsohn, Cyabra’s vice president of communications, in an earlier interview.

While critics say platform transparency remains insufficient, companies like Meta and Google have pledged to enhance their automated systems and expand fact-checking partnerships ahead of the polls. n

More foreign election watchers arriving...

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Comelec Commissioner Aimee

Ferolino is currently the vice chair of A-WEB and stands to assume the position of chair for 2026 to 2028. A-WEB is composed of 119 election management bodies.

Similarly, observers from the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) will monitor the midterm elections on May 12.

The group on Wednesday launched an international observer mission to monitor the upcoming elections amid rising concerns over election-related incidents.

“As a global human rights coalition, we are once again deploying the IOM to support Filipinos in protecting their civil and political rights, including the right to free and honest elections,”

ICHRP vice chair Patricia Lisson said in an online news briefing.

She noted that the Philippines has been a hotspot for poll-related violence, particularly in rural areas.

The ICHRP deployed more than 60 observers in the 2022 national and local elections (NLE) where they documented cases of vote buying, misinformation, redtagging, threats and killings.

For this year, the IOM is led by a group of commissioners with long-standing records in monitoring elections. Among them are general secretary Rev. Michael Blair of the United Church of Canada; Sylvain Goldstein, Asia director for general confederation of labor and Colleen Moore of the Peace With Justice at the General Board of Church and Society.

The international mission aims to scrutinize the Philippine electoral process in response to reports of state-sponsored harassment, election-related

killings and fraud.

Meanwhile, Garcia noted that the participation of foreign observers meant that they trust the country’s security.

“We will let them roam on their own so that we won’t be accused of interfering with their work,” he said.

Last March, Comelec issued guidelines requiring local and foreign nationals observing the elections this May to file for accreditation.

Only Comelec-accredited domestic and foreign observers shall be given access to government facilities and polling precincts during the elections.

Precinct Finder now out

Three weeks from election day, voters can now check the number and location of their polling precinct as Comelec on Wednesday made the Precinct Finder publicly accessible.

“Those with internet access, you can already check your names if your registration is still active,” Garcia said.

According to him, they are also expecting attempts to hack the Precinct Finder.

“Surely they will attempt to hack our system because Comelec has maybe the widest database among our government agencies,” Garcia explained.

In the 2022 NLE, there had been 35 million attempts to hack the Precinct Finder.

However, Garcia gave assurance that the Comelec has taken necessary steps to secure the system from hackers.

Final stretch At the same time, Garcia reported that the machine and manual verification of the over 68 million official ballots for the coming elections is 99 percent

complete, noting that only the ballots for Metro Manila are now undergoing the verification process.

The first batches of official ballots have been deployed to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, particularly Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur and the Special Geographic Area.

Official ballots bound for the province of Batanes and Caraga, Soccsksargen, Davao region, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Bicol region, Mimaropa and Calabarzon shall be dispatched on a day-today basis from the Comelec Santa Rosa warehouse. Meanwhile, ballots for the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley will be deployed from April 29 to 30; those for Ilocos Region and Central Luzon from May 3 to 4; and Metro Manila from May 6 to 7. By Friday, April 25, Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) to be used in the coming elections should have been deployed, Comelec said.

The Comelec reported on Wednesday that the 93,629 ACMs and 16,371 contingency units are to be delivered in 110 technical and repair hubs. Those ACMs will later be deployed to 37,525 voting centers across the country. The delivery of satellite communication devices for voting centers and canvassing venues is now at 80 percent, with target completion by end-April. Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec is looking at a 70 percent voter turnout for the May 2025 NLE. (With reports from Emmanuel Tupas)

New PAL President Richard Nutall Contributed photo

In an undated photo, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is seen reverently kissing the hand of Pope Francis during a personal encounter at the Vatican — a moment that reflects his deep respect for the late Pontiff and the spiritual leadership he embodied.

Photo from PBBM’s Facebook page

DAteline PhiliPPines

Marcos: ‘Promise’ of cheap rice coming true in Visayas

MANILA — “P20 per kilo [of]

rice. That was the promise—and today, we begin to make it real, starting in the Visayas.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posted this message on his Facebook and Instagram accounts on Wednesday, Apreil 23, recalling a promise he made in his 2022 campaign to bring down the price of the staple.

Marcos was supposed to announce it at an afternoon event at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, where he flew after a program in Laguna earlier in the day.

He instead held a closeddoor meeting at the capitol with the governors of the Visayas provinces, led by Cebu’s Gwendolyn Garcia, to discuss the initial rollout of the plan next week, barely three weeks before the May 12 elections.

The day before, Vice President Sara Duterte was in Danao City, Cebu, where she thanked supporters of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained in The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in over his brutal war on drugs.

Marcos was accompanied by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Speaking to reporters, Laurel said the program would be launched in Central, Western and Eastern Visayas as well as in the Negros Island Region because

“there are more people in need in these regions.”

“But of course, the eventual intention of this program, once we sort out all logistical issues and figure out how to properly operate and manage it, is to launch it nationwide,” he added.

Excess rice stocks

Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla, who was in the meeting with President Marcos, admitted that launching the program in the Visayas, which has a voting population of about 13 million, may be perceived as politically motivated since the elections were just a few weeks away.

But he also noted that the Department of Agriculture (DA) had enough rice supply that could be sold at a cheaper price.

“Now people are asking if this is sustainable because it might be gone soon. But they have rice — just to quote (the DA) — they have 380,000 metric tons of rice. That’s more than enough. I don’t think we can consume that within the year,” he said.

“So they want to dispose of these. They were in a hurry (and asked us) ‘would you like to sign up now?’ We governors were all blank because this was the first time we heard this. They are accelerating the agreement and the purchase,” he said.

“Why? Are they in a hurry for politicking? No. They have warehouses full. They cannot buy palay from the farmers because they don’t have a place to put it. So they have to dispose of it

Inquirer.net

right away. That is why they are in a hurry. That is the gist of the meeting,” Petilla said.

Aside from Petilla and Garcia, also present during the meeting with the President were Governors JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras, Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan, Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar, Manuel Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental, Jake Vincent Villa of Siquijor, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte, Gerard Roger Espina of Biliran, and Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo.

Board Member Fe Tan Arcales represented Samar province.

Effective until 2028

Laurel said the president instructed the DA to implement the program up to 2028, or the tail end of the Marcos administration, although it was initially designed to last only until this December or February next year.

According to the DA, each family availing of the P20-per-kilo rice may buy a maximum of 10 kilos a week or 40 kilos a month.

Funding for the initial rollout is estimated at P3.5 billion to P4.5 billion, which will come from the national budget, he said.

He explained the program’s launch was also influenced by the need to release the surplus of rice supply from Iloilo.

“Then we also have to move out our stocks from other areas because the other reason that the DA needs to do this is that our warehouses are still really full of rice and palay (unmilled rice),” he said.

Although prevailing retail prices are far from the P20 per kilo level, Tiu Laurel said the DA “has been working day and night to bring this to reality.”

He acknowledged that the goal was unattainable last year as global rice prices hit a 15-year high.

As of Tuesday, April 22, locally produced regular milled rice retailed from a low of P33 to a high of P43 a kilo in Metro Manila markets, lower than the P48-P52 range in the same period a year ago, according to the DA’s price monitoring.

Imported well-milled rice, meanwhile, was being sold at P42 to P48 a kilo. (Inquirer.net)

PH cuts

foreign debt payments by more than half

Government strategy shifts to local borrowing to

by AJPress

MANILA — The Philippine government paid much less on its foreign debt in January, saving billions of pesos and giving the national budget more breathing room.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the country’s debt payments to foreign lenders dropped by over 54%—from $1.75 billion in January 2024 to just $799 million this year. Most of the savings came from a big cut in loan principal repayments, which went down to $79 million from over $1 billion last year. Interest payments, however, went up slightly.

A shift to local borrowing

Experts say this sharp decline is part of the government’s strategy to borrow more money from local sources rather than foreign lenders. This helps avoid problems caused by changing exchange rates and global financial uncertainty.

“The government now

has more room to spend on things that matter to people, like health services and public infrastructure,” said Dr. John Paolo Rivera, an economist at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

The government’s goal is to get 80% of its borrowings from local lenders—a change from the previous 75%.

January budget surplus and regular spending patterns

Because the year started with lower spending and debt payments, the government posted a budget surplus of P68.4 billion in January. That means it collected more money than it spent—although this surplus is a bit smaller than last year’s P88 billion.

The bigger picture: Debt still rising

Even though the Philippines paid less in January, the country still owes more overall. At the end of 2024, total foreign debt reached $137.63 billion, nearly 10% more than the previous year. The debt-to-GDP ratio—

ease budget pressure

how much the country owes compared to what it produces— also slightly increased to 29.8%.

Economists say it’s important for the government to keep an eye on this growing total, even as it works to reduce short-term payments.

Impact on daily life For ordinary Filipinos, this drop in foreign debt payments means the government can focus more on services and development instead of repaying loans. It also shows a shift toward building a more self-reliant economy—one less affected by outside financial shocks.

“This is good news in the short term,” said Michael Ricafort, chief economist at RCBC. “The government is managing its finances better, and that helps build confidence in our economy.” Still, experts warn that global problems like inflation and rising interest rates could make borrowing more expensive in the future. That’s why careful planning is needed moving forward. n

Senate detains for 2 days special envoy in Duterte arrest

by CeCille suerte Felipe Philstar.com

MANILA — The Senate has taken into custody the special envoy on transnational crime, who has been cited in contempt for allegedly lying about details in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and turnover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Senate secretary Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed that Markus Lacanilao will be under Senate custody for two days, following the April 21 order by Senate President Francis Escudero.

“He’s OK, and based on the last medical check this morning, he remains fine. And as per our medical director, the ambassador was not complaining about anything,” Bantug said.

Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, was not happy with the two-day detention of Lacanilao.

“Ambassador Lacanilao was cited by the committee for direct contempt. Lacanilao should have been detained immediately since the rules do not even mention a need for a showcause order. However, instead of immediate detention, Lacanilao was given 11 days before he was eventually ordered to be detained. In contrast, it took the administration only several hours to arrest and whisk Duterte out of the country,” Marcos said.

“Furthermore, to add insult to injury, Lacanilao is to be detained for only two days. While ordinary people are locked up until they purge themselves of the contempt, as sanctioned by Section 18, Resolution No. 5, Series of 2010, as amended, Lacanilao is given an ever-so-gentle slap on the wrist,” she added.

Senate spokesman Arnel Jose Bañas said the Senate President decided to place Lacanilao under the Senate’s custody after “having failed to

satisfactorily explain, through a clear statement of facts, why his answers during the hearing were not evasive.”

Bantug noted he has yet to receive a report or request to visit Lacanilao, who drew the ire of Marcos and other proDuterte senators, including Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, for allegedly lying about details of Duterte’s arrest and turnover to the ICC.

Bañas said the order of the Senate President mentioned a period not exceeding two days. He noted that a copy of the order was sent to the Office of the Special Envoy for Transnational Crime at 3 p.m. yesterday, after which Lacanilao’s legal counsel immediately proceeded to the Office of the Senate Secretary to confirm the order.

“Ambassador Lacanilao voluntarily presented himself before the Senate to personally receive and comply with the order. He went through the standard procedure and was checked by the medical and dental bureau,” Bañas noted. n

OPiniOn FeAtures

Requiem for Pope Francis

FROM his first day as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, Pope Francis signaled his desire to break from tradition. He walked around in his old orthopedic shoes rather than switching to the iconic red loafers of the pope. He moved into the Vatican hotel rather than the Apostolic Palace, and made his own phone calls. He was driven around in compact cars.

Conservative critics scoffed at the moves, but many others saw the gestures to be in keeping with the man who rose from humble beginnings in his native Argentina and became the first pontiff to pick Francis for his papal name, after St. Francis of Assisi, who renounced wealth and dedicated his life to the poor. It soon became clear that the changes Francis wanted went beyond his personal arrangements. The man who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio 88 years ago to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires reinvigorated the Catholic Church with his compassion for the downtrodden and his inclusive policies, which resonated among those who were dismayed by the remoteness and rigid conservatism of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.

Editorial

away the faithful from the Church, Francis fumbled in his handling of a case in Chile. Although he later moved to make amends, other cases remain unresolved and the sex scandals have festered.

Still, Pope Francis’ efforts, combined with his natural warmth, gained him global admiration as he addressed problems troubling not only Catholics but all of humanity, from armed conflict to climate change and the many forms of social injustice.

In the Philippines, which he visited in January 2015, Pope Francis prayed for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, which killed thousands and devastated much of the Visayas in 2013. He also memorably highlighted the social costs, especially to the family, of Filipinos who found it necessary to work overseas.

Francis’ policies, however, including his efforts to address the financial and other scandals rocking the Vatican bureaucracy, also drew increasing criticism from traditionalists in the Church. And despite his sincere efforts to address clergy sexual abuse scandals that have driven

While he fell short of allowing the ordination of women, Francis gave women a greater role in the Vatican and Church life. He allowed divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion, and approved “blessings” for same-sex couples as well as baptism for transgender believers.

Pope Francis stressed that homosexuality is not a crime. Asked to comment on gay Catholics, he famously said, “Who am I to judge?” Whether the Church will sustain the direction

Commentary

EnriquE dE la Cruz

DISCLAIMERS first. I am not a practicing Catholic, although I was baptized as one. Faith is a deeply personal matter, and I am suspicious and skeptical of organized religion, for I see it as primarily self-serving: i.e., its leaders see themselves as primarily charged with promoting the organization and insuring its long term survival. These are not unlike the mandate of a typical CEO. Except that religious organizations have a constituency, its faithful, who depend on it for spiritual and moral guidance, and thus, enlightened leadership. Perhaps I am biased by the knowledge of friar abuses during the Spanish colonial period.

I understand that Pope Francis emerged as a viable candidate for the papacy, from his remarks during the conclave about the most pressing issues that should be addressed by the Catholic Church and the papacy. The conclave apparently agreed, and elected him pope.

The news of Pope Francis’s passing, while not unexpected given his recent struggles with pneumonia – an opportunistic illness that pounces when one is tired and fatigued – is still sad

and mournful. We have lost an exemplary human being, known for his humility and compassion, and a shining role model for everyone, regardless of creed, class, cultural or ethnic identity. Even as I distance myself from the church, I have friends within it, priests and parish CEOs whom I admire. I keep these relations personal and separate from their religious ministry. I respect them as individuals, and recognize their talents and achievements, even as I see them as advocates for a religion. But this is because I have met them personally, even breaking bread with them, so to speak.

Pope Francis is somehow different. I only know of him through press coverage as the CEO of the largest faith-based organization on Earth. It is thru these that I recognize his efforts to transform the Catholic Church (e.g., his efforts to enlarge the role of women in the organizational hierarchy, and his recognition of LGBTQ individuals as rightful members of his congregation). While he did not extend the Sacrament of Marriage to them, he recognized civil unions among them. Also notable are Pope Francis’ efforts to root out pedophilia covered up for decades by the church’s all-male hierarchy. I actually find it disgusting

Pope Francis: In memoriam

that the hierarchy has sought to hide these crimes from the faithful. For an organization to engage in cover-up, when its claim to legitimacy is its moral leadership, demonstrates that it has lost its sense of direction and mission. Pope Francis, as the church’s CEO, sought reform, even rooting out corruption and entitlement in the Vatican. But these are acts normally expected of a CEO of any organization, including the Catholic Church. What I find surprising is the level of resistance that Pope Francis encountered in these efforts.

As the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has consistently championed the less fortunate and disadvantaged in society. Lately, he has added immigrants seeking to escape political oppression and grinding poverty to this list. During his travels he has made it a point to highlight their condition while asking for compassion and mercy from those in power.

We are all familiar with the pope’s soft spoken and measured speaking style.

Perhaps because he is most aware that as pope, his words are regarded as oracle, measured, and precisely weighted. Social media postings about encounters with the pope have actually been more revealing

about this pope’s humility and humanity. These are his “unofficial” acts: The delight he takes in interacting with children, exhibiting genuine compassion for their fears and uncertainties, and yet able to offer reassuring wisdom.

His humanity and total lack of affectation and ego are remarkably illustrated by an incident shortly after his release from the hospital, when he sought to mingle with the crowds at the Vatican square, incognito, seated on a wheelchair with his oxygen tank, and dressed only in a white shirt and a blanket on his lap, bereft of any identifying official vestments or accessories.

Even though he exercises tremendous moral authority, he is non-judgmental, as shown by his openness to meet with anyone who seeks audience with him, even though he is well aware that many of these individuals are seeking to legitimize themselves via a photo-op with him. This is obvious in the recent visit of a high political official, known to be petty and vindictive.

Pope Francis’ efforts to be among the faithful in Vatican square during the holiest period of the Catholic year, and his efforts to continue to perform duties expected of him during this period despite failing health

and great physical difficulty are selfless and heroic. It is a special privilege to be living in a period when a human being like Pope Francis also existed.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints

and

* * * Enrique de la Cruz, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of

Horizons Duterte, demagogues, and the middle class

“THE test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function,” F. Scott Fitzgerald famously argued, emphasizing the inherently dialectical nature of genuine intellect. More importantly, however, genius is ultimately about “the ability to put into effect what is on your mind.”

By all indications, Fitzgerald’s fellow Princetonian, Walden Bello, exhibits “genius” in ways unparalleled by any fellow Filipino intellectual since Isabelo de los Reyes. Author of a dozen global bestsellers, including one that coined the very term ”deglobalization,” Bello’s impressive range of indepth political analysis over the past half-century covers much of the world. But what makes

him even more compelling as a public intellectual is his praxis, namely the unparalleled courage to repeatedly risk his life for a greater cause, both in his home country and beyond. The newly published “Global Battlefields: My Close Encounters with Dictatorship, Capital, Empire, and Love” (Ateneo de Manila University Press) provides a precious insight into the works, life, and loves of one of the most prolific thinkers in the post-colonial world. It’s a surreal combination of literary elegance, personal reflections, and political analyses. On one hand, it’s an excellent overview of his oeuvre—a “Walden Bello for Dummies.” Moreover, it reads like a “Forrest Gump” drama, except one told from the perspective of an activistsociologist, who happened to repeatedly find himself in the middle of some world-historical event, either by chance or design.

From his accidental entry

into the world of activism at the height of the Indo-China Wars to his decade-long engagement with the anti-Marcos resistance movement, and, ultimately, pivotal role in various antiglobalization movements across much of the post-colonial world, Bello’s soulful memoir is a peerless panoramic view of our contemporary world and its discontents.

Arguably, the most trenchant element of the book, and Bello’s overall oeuvre, is his pioneering analysis of the reactionary side of the middle class, beginning with his doctoral work on the tragic demise of the Allende administration in Chile.

Contrary to standard political science literature, Bello found that, “when the poorer classes were being mobilized with a revolutionary agenda, the middle classes could become a mass base for counterrevolution” as in early 20th-century Germany and Italy, and, a century later, in places as varied as Thailand,

Türkiye, Brazil, India, and Indonesia.

Comparative empirical evidence shows how “middle classes were not necessarily forces for democratization” but instead a “Janus-faced class,” which could be a force for good when “fighting elites defending their power and privileges” but also a reactionary force “when confronted with lower classes seeking a revolutionary transformation of society.”

Throughout the book, Bello repeatedly returns to this theme, since it explains both the failures of the Philippine Left and, crucially, the rise of what my fellow columnist Randy David has described as “Dutertismo.”

The facts speak for themselves. During both the 2016 and 2022 elections, preelection surveys and exit polls clearly show that a far larger share of the “ABC” voters fell for the “strongman” rhetoric of the victorious candidates than the most marginalized sections of

the society. It’s quite telling that per a privately commissioned authoritative survey last month, liberal-progressive candidates, such as former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, enjoy the highest support among E (35.4 percent) and D voters without property (33.5 percent) — but lowest support among ABC voters (25.3 percent).

The reactionary sections of the Philippine middle class not only supported oligarchic “liberals” who supplanted the Marcos regime, Bello observes, but also served as the most eloquent apologists of the Duterte dynasty in the past decade. Perhaps better than any other social scientist, Bello has shown that time and again, the Filipino middle class either failed to sustainably coalesce around progressive candidates or, worse, served as the resource-rich backbone of authoritarian demagogues. The “bobotante myth” therefore, masks a far starker reality:

the dark legacy of the elitist sections of the Filipino middle class, which clearly lacks both political critical thinking and class consciousness. Arguably, the fate of our democracy hinges on politically educating and effectively organizing our middle classes.

Above all, “Global Battlefields” shows what makes Bello most admirable as an intellectual: genuine humility and constant self-examination against the rough texture of complex social reality. No wonder then, his ultimate hero is Albert Camus, who once lamented: “Everyone wants the man who is still searching to have already reached his conclusions.” (Inquirer.net)

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

* * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

ManilaTimes.net photo

Taken by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, last September 23, 2015 when she was invited, along with 500 journalists to cover Pope Francis’ visit in the White House, representing Asian Journal Press

that he took or return to traditionalism will be known in the selection of his successor. In the meantime, the world pauses to mourn the passing of a beloved shepherd of the faith.

expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs

viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

Asian American Studies at California State University, Northridge.

Go tops senatorial race for April, says SWS survey

by Javier Joe ismael ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — Sen. Bong

Go emerged as the leading candidate in the most recent senatorial preference survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) between April 11 and 15, which Stratbase Group commissioned. With a voter preference of 45 percent, Go has firmly established himself in the top position, showcasing robust public backing ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

This recent figure indicates a steady and consistent upward trend in his rankings over the past few months, increasing from 32 percent in December 2024 to 37 percent in January 2025, then climbing to 38 percent in February, advancing to 42 percent in March, and now reaching 45 percent in April.

Regarding the survey results, Go thanked Filipinos nationwide for their enduring trust and encouragement.

“Thank you again to our countrymen for your continued trust and support,” Go said.

“Your continued support in my service in every part of the country — Luzon, Visayas, and

Mindanao — is tireless.”

He quickly stressed that these numbers were not cause for complacency, but a call to work harder and serve better.

“This inspires me to do more in my work, service, and compassion, especially for our poor fellow citizens,” he continued.

Ateneo, UP top PH universities – 2025 Asia university rankings

by luisa Cabato Inquirer.net

MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines (UP) are the top universities in the country, according to the 2025 Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings.

Both are placed in the 501–600 bracket out of 853 universities from 35 countries and territories in Asia, based on results released Thursday, April 24.

rank as last year.

Go then reiterated that his primary concern remains the welfare of ordinary Filipinos, especially those who need the most help.

Although they are in the same bracket, Ateneo ranked higher based on five key indicators: Research Quality, Industry, International Outlook, Research Environment, and Teaching.

“You can count on me to always put the nation’s interests and the welfare of our poor fellow citizens first. Diligence, compassion, and more service are all I can offer to our fellow Filipinos,” Go affirmed. “We will try to bring our services closer to our fellow citizens, especially medical services for our poor patients.” n

DepEd to launch summer learning programs to boost student literacy

by ZaCariaN sarao Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, April 22 said it will be launching summer learning programs meant to boost literacy and foundational skills of students nationwide.

According to a statement from DepEd, four summer learning programs will be launched in May: the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP), Literacy Remediation Program (LRP), Summer Academic Remedial Program, and Learning Camp (LC).

All four programs, said DepEd, are designed to provide “targeted support and instruction” involving reading abilities for students across various grade levels.

Education Sec. Sonny Angara said the four programs are meant to “rebuild the foundations of learning, one reader at a time.”

“We call on our partners and stakeholders to stand with us in

this missin,” Angara said. “Every Filipino child deserves the chance to read, to understand, and to succeed—and it will take all of us working together to make that happen,” he added. DepEd said the pilot test for BBMP will be in Zamboanga Peninsula, targeting around

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75,000 Grades 1 to 3 students identified as struggling readers.

From May 8 to June 6, 2025, the BBMP will feature daily reading tutorials and engaging activities led by about 7,500 teachers and volunteer tutors.

Pre-service education students can volunteer for relevant experience, receive training, and help implement support like free snacks and vision screening for learners.

Meanwhile, the LRP will be conducted nationwide, targeting 59,627 Grade 3 learners identified as “Low Emerging Readers in English.”

The students will undergo twohour daily remediation sessions from May 13 to June 6 under 14,023 trained teachers.

“A cascade of training activities for educators is scheduled from late April to early May. Participating teachers will receive service credits and a daily meal allowance for their involvement,” DepEd said. n

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However, it dropped in this year’s ranking, as it was in the 401–500 bracket in the same category last year. Meanwhile, UP maintained its position in the same

Joint

Other universities from the Philippines that were included in the rankings were De La Salle University, Mapua University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, and the University of Santo Tomas, all of which were in the 601+ bracket.

Fifteen other institutions were listed as “reporters,” or those that have submitted data but were not eligible to be ranked.

China’s Tsinghua University and Peking University ranked first and second, respectively, followed by Singapore’s National University of Singapore in third place. n

PH-US drills a ‘full battle test’

by FraNCes MaNgosiNg Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States kicked off their biggest military exercises on Monday, April 21 to conduct for the first time a “full battle test,” where the capabilities of both forces will be measured in multiple scenarios.

The exercises come as regional tensions simmer in Asia over China’s activities in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, which neighbors the Philippines.

The annual “Balikatan,” or “shoulder-to-shoulder,” drills, which will run until May 9, will involve more than 17,000 Filipino and American troops simulating mock invasions on enemyoccupied islands in areas facing Taiwan and the South China Sea as part of a “rehearsal” of a defense plan that has been previously drawn up by the two longtime treaty allies.

Nineteen nations, including Australia and Japan, are taking part as observers.

Beijing in recent years has stepped up its aggressiveness in the South China Sea, which it claims almost entirely, and around Taiwan, which it has not ruled out taking by force.

The drills have evolved a lot

since their inception in 1991.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, the guest of honor at the opening ceremony, said that when he attended the opening event in 2009, the focus of the exercises was counterterrorism.

“Times have indeed changed. The geostrategic environment is more complex and increasingly vulnerable to miscalculation,” he noted.

Officials did not identify China by name in its exercises, but Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier called Beijing as “the biggest disruptor” of peace in the region, with its increasing aggression in the South China Sea.

“Balikatan is not against any nation, but it is joint training with the forces to increase our capability in securing our territory. And of course, it will increase our capabilities and our preparedness and responsiveness to any eventuality,” the Philippines’ Balikatan exercise director Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo said in a briefing after the event.

His American counterpart, Lt. Gen. James Glynn, said the design of this year’s exercise was more for the South China Sea rather than Taiwan.

“We’re looking at elevated tensions in regional security in

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the larger region, in this case focused on the South China Sea,” he said.

Advanced weapons

This year’s exercises will see many firsts on top of the inaugural deployment of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System antiship missile launchers in the Luzon Strait close to Taiwan as part of “maritime key terrain security operations” (MKTSO) or island retaking from an enemy force. A similar MKTSO exercise will be held in Balabac, Palawan, facing Philippine and Chinese outposts in the West Philippine Sea, or Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

The United States will also send overseas for the first time the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (Madis), a sophisticated air defense system designed to counter drones and other unmanned aerial systems. The Madis will be used in the integrated air and missile defense system live-fire in Zambales, another exercise taking place for the first time, where combined forces will shoot down an outlaw drone while at sea. President Marcos will witness the event from an undisclosed location. n

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Signature: Igor Kozak. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/23/2025. AJ 1678 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1678

FOR RENT

KETTNER CROSSING – ABOT-KAYANG RENTANG PABAHAY PARA SA EDAD 62+ Ang KETTNER CROSSING, isang bagong abot-kayang pabahay na komunidad para sa mga matatanda na edad 62 at pataas, ay tumatanggap ng mga aplikasyon para sa listahan ng paghihintay (waitlist) simula Lunes, ika-21 ng Abril, 2025 hanggang Biyernes, ika-2 ng Mayo, 2025. Ang Kettner Crossing ay matatagpuan sa Little Italy na pamayanan ng San Diego, at ito ay nag-aalok ng 63 na studio, 1-, at 2-silid na rentang pabahay para sa mga kabahayan na kumikita ng mula sa 30% hanggang 50% ng Area Median Income (AMI). Ang mga kasamang amenities ay BBQ area, isang kuwarto na pang-komunidad, labahan at mga energy-efficient na kagamitang pambahay. Upang magaplay, bisitahin ang www.kettnercrossing.com simula ika-21 ng Abril, 2025. Lahat ng aplikasyan ay kailangang na-isumite sa petsang ika-2 ng Mayo, 2025 upang ito ay mai-konsidera. Lahat ng mga aplikasyon ay aayusin sa random na paraan at isang loterya ang gagawin sa petsang ika-5 ng Mayo, 2025. Para sa mga katanungan, tawagan ng diretso ang Kettner Crossing sa numero (619) 432-7193. Ang mga paghihigpit sa edad, kita at iba pa ay mag-a-aplay. EHO.

Victoria @COMM22 Apartments, a quality affordable housing community, is accepting pre-applications for its waiting list starting Monday, May 12th 2025 This established property offers 30 HUD-subsidized 1-bedroom units to individuals and households with at least one-member aged 62+.

The pre-application period to be placed on the waiting list for Victoria @COMM22 Apartments is open 05/12/2025 – 06/09/2025. Applications are available on our website at www.victoriaatcomm22apartments.com or in-person at our Leasing Office located at 690 Beardsley St. #100, San Diego, CA. Office hours are Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM. Amenities include a community room, laundry facilities, library, and elevators. The community is adjacent to the San Diego Trolley. For more information, call us at (619) 241-2427. Income, age, and other restrictions apply. Equal Housing Opportunity.

SD#0415

Sen. Bong Go

Photo from Facebook/@SenatorBongGo

Education Sec. Sonny Angara Inquirer.net file photo

Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines are the top universities in the country, according to the 2025 Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings. Ateneo de Manila University photo

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 25CU016166C

Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1658

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9007193

M ONTELETRICAL located at 1158 Wildwood Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Frank Cas Monte, 1158 Wildwood Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2024.

Signature: Wissam Gibo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/10/2025.

AJ 1665 04/18, 04/25, 05/02, and 05/09/2025. AJSD 1665

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

NO. 2025-90006396

HELLO! SAN DIEGO! located at 6012 Village Center Loop Rd Unit 34, San Diego, CA 92130.

Registrant: Columbus Junior INC, 6012 Village Center Loop Rd Unit 34, San Diego, CA 92130. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/03/2025. Signature: Su Jung Shin. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/28/2025. AJ 1671 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1671

CASE NUMBER: 25CU016817C TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Mark Anthony Delgado filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Mark Anthony Delgado to Mark Anthony Delgado Cruz Martinez. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 05/28/2025 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: APR 02, 2025 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT

Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1662 04/11, 04/18, 04/25, an 05/02/2025 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1662

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9006976

ABIDECARE located at 3403 E Plaza Blvd Ste L, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: ABIDECARE LLC, 3403 E Plaza Blvd Ste L, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Camilo Gallego. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/08/2025. AJ 1666 04/18, 04/25, 05/02, and 05/09/2025. AJSD 1666

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9007645

One-Stop Commercial Refrigeration located at 981 East J St, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: One-Stop Commercial Equipment Services, 981 East J St, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/17/2025. Signature: Kristina Balderama. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/17/2025. AJ 1972 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1672

CASE NUMBER: 25CU017762C TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Jenna Marie Cloer filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Jenna Marie Cloer to Jenna Marie Solis. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 06/02/2025 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: APR 07, 2025 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT

Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1663 04/11, 04/18, 04/25, an 05/02/2025 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1663

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9007406

a. TECH N FIX located at 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd Kiosk 9125 & 9126, National City, CA 91950.

b. SILVER 24 located at 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd Kiosk 9125 & 9126, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: SHILVI ELECTRO LLC, 1836 Via Las Palmas #1, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2020. Signature: MD JAHANGIR HOSSEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/15/2025. AJ 1667 04/18, 04/25, 05/02, and 05/09/2025. AJSD 1667

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9005182

Kim Van located at 11041 Kika Court, San Diego, CA 92129. Registrant: Phi Van C. Nguyen, 11041 Kika Court, San Diego, CA 92129. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/13/2025. Signature: Phi Van C. Nguyen. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/13/2025. AJ 1673 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1673

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner Sujin Park and Andy Kelsey

oh behalf of a minor child filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Alexandrea Jinju Kelsey-Park to Jinju Alexandrea Kelsey-Park. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 05/22/2025

Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: MAR 28, 2025 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT

Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1664 04/18, 04/25, 05/02, and 05/09/2025 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree

Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1664

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9006961

AVV located at 1055 Georgia St Apt #14, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. Registrant: Armando Vera Vega, 1055 Georgia St Apt #14, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/08/2024. Signature: Armando Vera Vega. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/08/2025. AJ 1668 04/18, 04/25, 05/02, and 05/09/2025. AJSD 1668

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-90006756

Excel Fitness located at 13007 Seiler Street, Poway, CA 92064. Registrant: Juan Gabriel Castro, 13007 Seiler Street, Poway, CA 92064. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/12/2025. Signature: Juan Gabriel Castro.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/04/2025. AJ 1674 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1674

CASE NUMBER: 25CU020114C TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Apolonio Paulino Rosas Hernandez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Apolonio Paulino Rosas Hernandez to Apollo Rosas. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 06/17/2025 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: APR 21,2025 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Maureen F. Hallahan Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1675 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained from the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION

and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1675

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9007583

S.LUX TRANSPORT located at 5296 University Ave Ste F, San Diego, CA 92105. Registrant: Mohamed A Faqi, 3620 S. Barcelona St Unit 7, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/17/2025.

Signature: Mohamed A Faqi. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/17/2025. AJ 1669 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1669

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9005159

Deluxe Snack Bar located at 600 Anita St., SPC 64, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Maria I Prieto, 600 Anita St., SPC 64, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Maria I Prieto. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/13/2025. AJ 1676 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1676

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9004089

Baja Coastal Bites located at 1247 Poplar Spring Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91915. Registrant: Edward Christian Lomibao, 1247 Poplar Spring Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91915. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Edward Christian Lomibao. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/27/2025. AJ 1659 04/04, 04/11, 04/18, and 04/25/2025. AJSD 1659

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9006466

a. FLOWERHOUSE located at 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950. b. TASTEFUL ARRANGEMENTS located at 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950. C. FLOWERHOUSE FAMILY FLORIST & BALLON BOUTIQUE located at 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: FAMILY FLORIST LLC, 19 Osborn Street, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/01/2025. Signature: Vilayphone Lynnda Ratsachak. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/01/2025. AJ 1660 04/04, 04/11, 04/18, and 04/25/2025. AJSD 1660

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9006441

Blossom Thai Massage And Spa located at 432 E St, San Diego, CA 92101. Registrant: Blossom Thai Massage And Spa LLC, 19 Osborn Street, 112 Channing St, Redlands, CA 92373. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/01/2025. Signature: Worawalan Seele. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/01/2025. AJ 1661 04/04, 04/11, 04/18, and 04/25/2025. AJSD 1661

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9007500

TP TEA located at 4711 East Clairemont Dr Suite 42, San Diego, CA 92117.

Registrant: PB&MILK Concepts LLC, 10845 Bonjon Ln, San Diego, CA 92131. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/01/2025.

Signature: Kerry Tu Linh Kwan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/16/2025. AJ 1670 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1670

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9008031

First Choice Home Builders located at 9552 Larrabee Ave, San Diego, CA 92123. Registrant: Igor Kozak, 9552 Larrabee Ave, San Diego, CA 92123. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/23/2025. Signature: Igor Kozak. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/23/2025. AJ 1677 04/25, 05/02, 05/09, and 05/16/2025. AJSD 1677

SAN DIEGO

Nora Aunor Laid to Rest at Libingan ng mga Bayani with State Honors

National Artist Nora Aunor, the iconic voice of Philippine cinema and culture, was laid to rest on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani with full state and military honors.

It marked a historic moment not only for the entertainment industry but for the country at large, as the nation bid farewell to one of its most transformative artists.

The solemn ceremony included a 21-gun salute—an honor rarely accorded to cultural figures—and was attended by government officials, fellow artists, and thousands of fans.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared April 22 a “Day of National Mourning,” recognizing Aunor’s unparalleled contributions to the Filipino soul.

“She was more than a star. She was a national treasure who reflected the hopes, struggles, and stories of our people,” President Marcos said in his official message.

A Life That Shaped a Nation

Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Aunor’s rise to stardom began in the late 1960s.

Her remarkable talent—both as an actress and singer—broke barriers and elevated the voices of

the marginalized. From her early days as a singing champion to her era-defining performances in Himala, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Bona, and Thy Womb, she challenged the norms of beauty and fame, favoring substance, truth, and emotional depth.

Her body of work reflected the struggles and resilience of everyday Filipinos, and she became an enduring symbol of integrity and authenticity in art.

A Nation Mourns

On the morning of April 22, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) hosted a necrological service titled “Raising the Nation for Nora Aunor” at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

The event brought together fellow National Artists, cultural leaders, and longtime collaborators in a solemn tribute to the Superstar’s artistic legacy. Through heartfelt eulogies and stirring performances, the program traced the arc of Aunor’s influence across decades.

The Metropolitan Theater stage— adorned with wreaths and a large

by AJPress

portrait of Aunor—served as the nation’s symbolic altar for collective remembrance.

Final Honors

Following the service, Aunor’s flag-draped casket was escorted in a funeral cortege to Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, where she was laid to rest with full state honors. Crowds lined the streets, waving flags, holding candles, and placing flowers in tribute.

As members of the Armed Forces rendered a 21-gun salute, the country stood still in reverence— honoring not just a cultural icon, but a woman whose life and art elevated the Filipino spirit.

A Legacy That Lives On Nora Aunor was conferred the title of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, but her influence had long been woven into the nation’s creative fabric.

Her voice, presence, and fearless pursuit of truth shaped Philippine cinema—and gave voice to the voiceless.

While the ceremonies have drawn to a close, her influence remains— alive in classrooms, echoed in film retrospectives, and in every Filipino story still waiting to be told.

The National Commission for Culture (NCCA) and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) honored National Artist Nora Aunor in a necrological service held April 22, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theater.

Photo Courtesy of NCCA and CCP

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos paid their respects to National Artist Nora Aunor during her wake, honoring her enduring legacy in Philippine arts and culture. Photo Credit : Philippine Information Agency

Family, friends, loved ones, and fans bore witness to the full military honors given to the National Artist before being laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Photos courtesy of NAAC and CCP

My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)

Rogelio Constantino Medina

THE late Jaime M. Fernandez Jr., popularly known as Jim Fernandez, was a native of Masbate City. He was a Philippine comics writer, novelist, and illustrator. He was considered one of the greatest Philippine comics book writers. He began his comics illustration career in the early 1950s and was mentored by Filipino illustrator Tony S. Velasquez. The first Philippine comics he illustrated was the “Batas ni Sumakwel,” published by Marte Komiks. Later, Jim also drew comics novels. The first comics novel he illustrated was “Mga Haragan,” published by Liwayway Magazine.

Jim illustrated many comics novels from various publishers and drew famous works by known graphic novelists, including Mars Ravelo’s Darna Series, Captain Barbel, Flash Bomba, Haydee and Tiny Tony. In 1967, he made cartoon strips for the Manila Times newspaper titled “Feathers.” A year later, he wrote and illustrated his comics narrative, “Reverend Fr. Romano Guerrero, the Fighting Priest,” published in Hiwaga Comics, and it became well-known among comics book enthusiasts. Jim discovered at this point that he could also write engaging novels. In 1970, he began focusing on them. He produced many novels and established himself as a prolific writer. He also collaborated with various Philippine comics book illustrators. He developed another engaging comics novel narrative, the “Zuma” series which became popular with readers and it was eventually made into a film. His novels like Nunal sa Balikat, Farida, The Dormitory, Life Everlasting, Kingpin, Brutus, and Kambal sa Uma had been adapted into films. ABS-CBN aired an adaptation of his novel “Galema, Anak ni Zuma” in 2013.

Certainly, Jim Fernandez made substantial contributions to the Philippine comics industry and left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of comics fans.

* * * Basketball coach-sportscaster

Frederick Francisco often joins a “senakulo” presentation in Cainta, Rizal during Holy Week, enacting the role of Pontius Pilate in Samahang Nazareno, Inc., the only senakulo group in the Philippines bestowed by the Gawad CCP Award for Arts and Culture.

Frederick Francisco is the

Jim Fernandez, a great Filipino comics writer

* * * Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended recently a thanksgiving mass, officiated by Cardinal Jose Advincula, for D. Edgard Cabangon’s 61st birthday at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

* * * The White House held an observation of Holy Week with U.S. President Donald Trump participating in a number of events to celebrate and honor the holiday “with the observance it deserves.”

* * * Advanced birthday (April 24) greetings to Michael Isip, Lapu Films photographer-videographer, who is based in Hawaii.

For as long as he can remember, it has been his passion and aspiration to capture fleeting experiences and spontaneous moments that he has able to go back and share with friends and family. This also translates into his wedding photography and videography, where he aims at giving each couple an authentic experience and delivering a wedding photo album and wedding film they can truly call their own.

“My main goal is to bring timeless and elegant wedding photos and films which allow couples to relive their special day. I have a great and professional team that’s all dedicated and committed to capturing every important detail and moment in its raw and honest form, and translating those moments into a cinematic masterpiece,” he says.

He further says, “We take pride in our passion. We revel in our growth. As a team, we are in a relentless quest to raise the bar higher. We are a group of dedicated artists who thrive in your love stories, and we consider it a great honor to be a part of them.”

For further details, you may see https://www.lapufilms.com or email him at michaelisip@gmail. com.

* * *

A pre-mature miracle baby Franklin Racelis, son of Francis and Abigail Racelis, recently turned one year old in Suisun City, California.

This amazing little warrior has given his parents’ strength and so much joy to this child’s grandparents Wally and Josephine Racelis.

I am joyful and praise the almighty Father for this miraculous

God’s handiwork. Indeed, it is stated in Hebrews 13:5: “I will be with you.” God said He will never leave us. He is with you always. You are never alone.”

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, it says, “I will be your strength.” So when I am weak, He is strong.

* * * There are some 9 accredited civil surgeons by the USCIS in Northern California: Dr. Yolanda Petrofsky at North Bay Occupational Health in Fairfield and Vacaville; Dr. William T. O’Connor Jr. at William T. O’Connor Jr. M.D. in Vacaville; Dr. Luis Cousin at OLE Health in Napa; Dr. Jeffrey Brooks at California Medical Center in Napa; Dr. Daniel Andrews at Heart & Health Center in Napa; Dr. Clifford Hoffman at Clifford Hoffman DO MPH in Benecia; Dr. Biqi Gao at Dr. Gao Medical Clinic

OPM loses another icon: Hajji Alejandro dies at 70

Just a little over a week since the passing of Pilita Corrales, Asia’s Queen of Songs, and days after the world bid farewell to Superstar Nora Aunor, the Philippine music industry is mourning the loss of another pillar: Hajji Alejandro, the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” and one of the founding voices of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 70 following a battle with stage 4 colon cancer. His family confirmed his passing on April 22. The news came as a heavy blow to fans and artists alike, many of whom had been following updates on his recovery after he was hospitalized earlier this year.

In January, during a trip to Vigan, Alejandro began experiencing bloating and shortness of breath. Tests revealed advanced colon cancer, leading to emergency surgery in February. Though he suffered complications including seizures and infection, he returned home and was said to be regaining strength. In early April, daughter Rachel Alejandro shared that her father had begun singing again.

He died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, including his longtime partner Alynna Velasquez.

From Stage to Standard-Bearer

Born Angelito Toledo Alejandro on December 26, 1954, in Alaminos, Pangasinan, Hajji Alejandro rose to prominence in the 1970s as the original lead vocalist of the Circus Band, a pioneering music group that helped shape Manila’s live performance scene.

In an interview, he recalled that it was veteran balladeer Basil Valdez who discovered him and brought him into the group. He soon found himself performing alongside future icons such as Tillie Moreno and Pat Castillo.

In 1978, Hajji’s solo career soared after performing “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” a Ryan Cayabyab composition that won the inaugural Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop). The song became a cultural milestone, helping launch what would become the golden age of Original Pilipino Music—a period in the late 1970s and 1980s when Filipino songwriting, performance, and identity flourished on the mainstream stage. Many of Hajji’s best-known songs were written by some of the country’s most revered composers, including Cayabyab, Jim Paredes, and Willy

Cruz, who penned “May Minamahal” for Hajji’s 1977 album Magic. The romantic ballad would later inspire the 1993 hit film of the same name starring Aga Muhlach and Aiko Melendez. He followed with other enduring hits, including: • “Panakip Butas” • “Nakapagtataka” • “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan” With his smooth vocals and emotionally resonant ballads, Hajji became known as the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala,”

DeLara. After their separation, Díaz returned to the Philippines and married politician Charlie Cojuangco before passing away from colon cancer in 2004. From his first marriage to Myrna Demauro, Hajji had two daughters: Rachel Alejandro, a singer and theater artist, and Barni Alejandro, a professional chef. He also had another daughter, Michelle Alejandro. In recent years, Hajji shared his life with longtime partner Alynna Velasquez, who remained by his side throughout his illness. Enduring Influence In his final years, Hajji remained active in tribute concerts and legacy performances, continuing to represent an era when Filipino ballads carried both artistry and depth. He maintained a youthful energy and toured frequently with his contemporaries the

in Concord; Dr. Jose Arias-Vera at J. Arias Medical Group in Concord; and Dr. Mubasher Rana at Pacific Health Clinic Inc. in Antioch.

* * * April Joy Samantha “Sam” Ayson, 24, was surprised when a group of his friends in a Bible fellowship threw her a simple birthday celebration in Hiddenbrooke in Vallejo, California. As Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

* * * Thanks to La Visual Corp. (especially to Ms. Lalaine), Janice Israel Delima and Alegre De Pilipinas for including me in the New York City Time Square billboard this April 2025 for three forthcoming awards: 2nd Sovereign Seal of Business Triumph & Remarkable

Achievers; 3rd Philippines Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers; and 3rd Southeast Asian Prewmier Business and Achiever Award. Others included are as follows: Edwin Lisa Brows and Aesthetics, Phisavong World Travel and Tours, SCPM Trading & Roofing Solutions, Bhylinns Modern Fashion, JP Catering Services, Gown and Events Management by Touting, Jamin Lim, Renaissance Credit Collection and Recovery Solutions Corporation, Sheanne Roll Up Construction Service, Gabriel John Rimando, Genuine Diamonds PH, Pink Muhly Beauty and Cosmetics, White Jade Glutathione Film Strip, Jammybox’s BBC Geoinstruments, Audrey Gorriceta, Alfonso delos Santos, Salvacion “Salvie” Collado Paparon, Saleha Pangarungan

Nora, Pilita, Gloria to receive Presidential Medal of Merit

The late National Artist Nora Aunor, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales and movie queen Gloria Romero will be posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Merit, Malacañang confirmed yesterday.

The honorees will also include internationally acclaimed chef Margarita Forés.

The awarding ceremony, to be spearheaded by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will be held at Malacañang Palace on May 4, as reported by ABS-CBN News’ report from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Established under Executive Order 236, the Presidential Medal of Merit is awarded to individuals — Filipino or foreign — for achievements that bring “prestige for the country in an international event, in the fields of literature, the sciences, the arts, entertainment, and other civilian fields of endeavor that foster national pride and artistic excellence.”

Personalities and artists from the Philippine showbiz that received the Presidential Medal of Merit in the past included Broadway and West End star Lea Salonga, Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap and classical pianist Cecile Licad.

Nora, dubbed as the Philippine entertainment industry’s “Superstar,” passed away on April 16 at the age of 71 due to acute respiratory failure. She was laid to rest with state funeral honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Tuesday,

Puno, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga, and Marco Sison as part of the retro pop group Hitmakers.

He also reunited occasionally with former colleagues from the Circus Band and New Minstrels, and performed in solo concerts—often joined onstage by his daughter Rachel, who inherited not only his voice but his passion for music and performance.

His music—especially songs like “Panakip Butas” and “Nakapagtataka”—remains part of the Filipino musical canon, played across generations, reinterpreted by younger artists, and cherished by fans at home and abroad.

As his fans bid farewell to Hajji Alejandro, they do so with the same quiet sorrow found in “Nakapagtataka” —a song that captures the kind of parting too painful to put into words.

Philippine Star

April 22, which was also declared as by President Marcos Jr. as a Day of National Mourning.

In 2022, through Proclamation 1390 signed by then President Rodrigo Duterte, Nora became the first female actor to be inducted to the Order of National Artists, the highest honor given to Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to Philippine arts.

Just a few days before Nora’s passing, the nation mourned the death of Pilita, dubbed the “Asia’s Queen of Songs.” Known for her signature “liyad” or backbend pose while performing, Pilita captivated audiences with timeless hits such as Kapantay ay Langit and A Million

Thanks to You, and a career that spanned over 60 years, during which she recorded over 100

albums in various languages.

In January, the entertainment industry also bid farewell to Gloria, often referred to as the “Queen of Philippine Cinema.”

She starred in films now regarded as classics, such as “Kasintahan sa Pangarap” (1951), “Dalagang Ilocana” (1954), “Nagbabagang Luha” (1988), “Tanging Yaman” (2000) and Rainbow’s Sunset (2018). With a successful TV and movie career spanning seven decades, she received multiple acting and lifetime achievement awards.

Chef Forés, who passed away in early February, was a known figure in the local culinary scene, recognized for promoting Filipino cuisine globally and honored as Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016.

AJ columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina in New York City’s Time Square billboard. Photos compiled by Rogelio C. Medina

Jim Fernandez (right) with son Jay in Canada.

The White House Faith Office and faith leaders from across the country joined President Trump to pray in the Oval Office.

UCAL (Universities and Colleges Athletic League)

broadcast panel: (from left) veteran sportscaster Benjie Santiago, court side reporter Avia Zunic and basketball coach-sportscaster Frederick Francisco.

(From left) Sharon Tan, celebrant D. Edgard Cabangon, Cardinal Jose Advincula, Pres. Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

(Seated, from left) Victoria Isip, Rosita Medina, Victoria Toribio, and Anna Toribio Isip; (standing, from right) Al Marquez, Henry Roxas Ayson, Claire Beltran, Cheeya Isip, Arvin Tanjuaquio with child Matti, celebrant Sam Ayson, Anita Marquez, David Isip, Rogelio Constantino Medina, Roland Isip, Vincent Isip, and Hermin Bernardo.

Michael Isip, a product of Los Angeles Film School, owns Lapu Films, a photography and videography business in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Racelis Family: (from left) Francis, Franklin and Abigail.

columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina (extreme left) is blessed to

with the members of the Racelis family (from right) Wally, Josephine, Francis with child Franklin and Abigail in Suisun City.

Gilbert

Los Santos, Shirley

Belangel, Jigo Postolero, Marc Logan, Earlo Bringas, Annabelle Surara, Wej Cudiamat, singer

Nabus,

by PAtriciA DelA rocA The

by AJPress

Hajji Alejandro, the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala” and a pillar of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), passed away following a battle with colon cancer. His timeless hits, helped define a generation of Filipino ballads.

Hajji and daughter Rachel Alejandro, an accomplished singer/actress All pictures from Hajji Alejandro Official Instagram Page

The Hitmakers : Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuniga

From left: National Artist Nora Aunor, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales and movie queen Gloria Romero.

Mayor Gloria secures council approval to move forward with H Barracks Safe Parking site

Sitewilladdnearly200spacesforpeopletosleepintheirvehicles; nonprofitJewishFamilyServiceselectedasoperator

SAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria on Tuesday, April 22 secured City

Council approval of a contract with nonprofit Jewish Family Service of San Diego to continue operating the city’s Safe Parking Program, including the new 190-space Safe Parking Program site at H Barracks near San Diego International Airport. The new lot will dramatically increase the space available for families and individuals to sleep safely and legally in their vehicles as they work to end their homelessness.

“The individuals and families served through the Safe Parking Program are our neighbors, and many are experiencing homelessness for the first time – needing just a little bit of help to get back on their feet,” said Mayor Gloria. “Programs like Safe Parking give us a chance to intervene early and get folks on a path back to housing, and with the H Barracks site, we’ll be able to help hundreds more struggling San Diegans. I thank Jewish Family Service for continually stepping forward to partner with the city on this extremely successful program.”

Tuesday’s City Council approval is a step forward in nearly doubling the existing 200-space Safe Parking Program, which also includes 19 camper trailers specifically reserved for families at the city’s Rose Canyon site. The one-year contract with Jewish Family Service will continue operations at the three existing Safe Parking sites, plus the new location at H Barracks. This latest location will provide 190 spaces for overnight parking, including room for oversized vehicles (RVs).

“The Safe Parking Program traditionally serves a different population than what we often see at our shelters or in our Safe Sleeping Program,” said Sarah Jarman, director of the city’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department.

“We know from the latest Point in Time Count that the need here has grown and not just for cars, but for oversized vehicles too. Investing in

they are.”

The city will enter into a separate agreement with Jewish Family Service for the existing Safe Parking site located off Balboa Avenue at Jewish Family Service’s administrative campus, due to the ownership of the underlying property.

The Safe Parking Program provides individuals, seniors, and families a secure place to stay while accessing services and pursuing permanent housing. Sites include restrooms, housing navigation, mental health services and job training, and participants work with case managers to create individual housing goals.

“The Safe Parking Program is a powerful example of what we can achieve through partnership,” said incoming JFS CEO Dana Toppel. “We are deeply grateful to the City of San Diego for their continued collaboration and support, which allows us to provide a safe, dignified space for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Together, we’re offering not just

a place to park — but a pathway to stability, hope, and a brighter future.”

As the name implies, H Barracks was previously military barracks, and the site is the future location of a planned San Diego Pure Water treatment facility. The crumbling buildings were removed earlier this year, and paving was completed this month. Mobile office trailers for program staff have been added, with electrical work and lighting upgrades to be completed soon. Site preparation should conclude by the end of April, and the city anticipates opening the site in May.

The H Barracks site could be open through 2029. The city has four one-year options to renew the operating agreement, before planned construction for a San Diego Pure Water treatment facility is set to begin in the area. According to the most recently available data, the number of San Diegans sleeping in their cars across the county increased by 44% compared to the previous year –underscoring the need for additional overnight safe parking options.

(City of San Diego Release)

City of San Diego’s first-ever Mobility Master Plan adopted

PlanpromotessafestreetdesignstoimprovehowSanDiegansmovearoundthecity

SAN DIEGO

– On Tuesday, April

22, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved the city’s first-ever Mobility Master Plan, which is designed to create a balanced, equitable and sustainable mobility system for the City, focusing on areas with the greatest needs for transportation improvements. It also promotes safe street designs that will help decrease pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and deaths, as intended by the city’s Vision Zero plan.

The Mobility Master Plan, more than two years in the making, included input from community members and local leaders, and involved the work of multiple city departments. The goal of this ambitious undertaking is to bring a cohesive approach to mobility planning to the city, and to expand opportunities and safety for everyone, whether they are walking, rolling on a wheelchair, scooter or skateboard, bicycling, taking public transit, driving or using some other mode of transportation.

By encouraging safe and enjoyable alternative ways to get around without a personal vehicle, the Mobility Master Plan also advances the goals of the Climate Action Plan to reduce congestion and pollution and make San Diego a more livable city.

“This Mobility Master Plan is

a major step toward making our streets safer while protecting our environment,” said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, chair of the Council’s Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “It lays out a strategy to improve climatefriendly transportation and help prevent traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. This plan moves us closer to a city where everyone can walk, bike and use transit easily and safely.”

“The Mobility Master Plan represents an important step toward a more coordinated approach to achieving a transportation system that is well-connected, sustainable and enjoyable for all San Diegans,” said City Planning Director Heidi Vonblum. “By prioritizing safe, equitable and climate-friendly transportation solutions where they are needed the most, we can best ensure that every resident –regardless of income or where they live – has safe and enjoyable ways to get around.”

While developing the Plan, the city had numerous community outreach opportunities in 2023 and 2024, including information booths at local community events, recreation centers and libraries, a virtual open house and presentations to community groups. Residents also had the opportunity to submit comments online. The public feedback was

incorporated into the Plan, which now includes clear performance metrics and monitoring, as well as projects that meet the transportation needs of all ages and abilities, and neighborhood-scale traffic calming improvements.

Some notable aspects of the Plan include community profiles, which provide a snapshot of the Plan’s focus areas, along with a list of over 300 mobility projects and 15 mobility programs to make it easier and more enjoyable to get around, and which advance the city’s Vision Zero and Climate Action Plan goals.

The first draft of the Plan was publicly released in October 2023 and a revised draft was released in October 2024, following additional feedback from community members. The City Council’s Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recommended the Plan for approval on Feb. 20, 2025.

With the plan adopted, the city now has a comprehensive source for identifying the best ways to invest in the city’s transportation system, from street improvements to bike lanes, to improve the transportation experience for all San Diego residents and visitors. The Mobility Master Plan can be viewed on the city’s website at https://www.sandiego.gov/ sustainability-mobility/mobility/ mobility-master-plan. (City of San Diego Release)

Applications open for teen summer camp focused on public health

A POPULAR summer camp for local high school students who want to learn more about public health is accepting applications. For the third year in a row, the county’s Health and Human Services Agency and the San Diego County Office of Education are teaming up to offer Public Health Advocate Camp. The no-cost, fiveday summer camp runs from June 23 to June 27 and explores the world of public health. Students will receive hands-on, project-based training from public health professionals who work with critical public health issues daily. Topics include Tuberculosis, Epidemiology and Immunization Services, HIV, and Mental Health. Instructors include public health professionals and doctors from the county’s Public Health Services department. The agenda is designed to expand students’ understanding of health careers beyond hospital systems, providing an excellent introduction to public health careers and a professional network.

“This is a great opportunity for us to engage and inspire the next generation of public health professionals,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, county interim public health officer. “Students will leave this camp with real examples of how their work can keep the communities they live in safe and healthy.”

Eligible students must be a sophomore or junior in high school during the 2024-2025 school year. The application deadline is May 2. For details and to register, visit SDCOE (https://www.sdcoe.net/cteinnovation/home/health-biotech). View camp video Public Health Advocate Camp 2023 at https:// www.countynewscenter.com/ inaugural-public-health-advocatecamp-inspires-teens/. (Anita Lightfoot/County of San Diego Communications Office) File photo/www.countynewscenter.com

County pet licensing easier, adds services with DocuPet

CUSTOMERS who buy a dog license, either as a new adoption or for renewal through San Diego County Animal Services are getting added value with a new free 24/7 lost pet service that helps keep animals out of shelters and gets them safely back home.

The new DocuPet system makes it easier than ever. Pet owners can license their pets online, by mail, phone, or in person. Through this partnership, San Diego County gains a powerful tool to improve efficiency, boost pet reunification rates, and enhance public compliance.

“This innovative system streamlines pet licensing and improves animal welfare across our community,” said Vaughn Maurice, County Animal Services director. “With fewer pets entering shelters, we can focus more resources on those that truly need our care. We’re thrilled to launch this partnership with DocuPet.”

Dog licensing and an up-to-date rabies vaccination is required in San Diego County, but too many pet owners overlook this essential step. The easier system could boost participation while providing a more convenient and beneficial experience for pet owners.

“We’re proud to partner with San Diego County to support responsible pet ownership,” said Grant Goodwin, CEO of DocuPet. “Pets with DocuPet tags spend little to no time in shelters, compared to unlicensed pets. This partnership is a meaningful step toward reducing shelter intake and increasing return-to-owner rates.”

With the new system, residents can choose from hundreds of colorful, designer tags—or even create their own using a simple customization tool. Every tag includes DocuPet’s free HomeSafe® lost pet service, which links the tag’s unique code to a secure online profile. If a pet goes missing, the finder can use the tag to instantly file a Found Pet Report, while owners can do the same if their pet is lost. DocuPet’s 24/7 dispatch team is always available to help reunite pets with their families.

Come adopt your new best friend at county animal shelters. This month, you can name your own adoption price for adult animals as part of Spring Break-Out for Shelter Pets. And if you dress in your favorite beach attire — think Hawaiian shirts, board shorts, or a

straw hat — you’ll receive a free beach party kit to get the party started. Plus, county shelters are offering 25% off adoption fees for puppies and kittens.

County Animal Services’ top priority is to protect the health, safety and welfare of animals and people. The department responds to the needs of the community and animals, promotes the humane and responsible care of pets, and works to find forever homes for every healthy and adoptable shelter animal.

DocuPet provides pet identification, licensing, and lost pet recovery services with the mission is of ensuring every pet has a safe, happy home.

Leia, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever hound is available at the South Shelter in Bonita.

Photos courtesy of County News Center

sunny

(Yvette Urrea Moe/County of San Diego Communications Office)

Lola, 2, is looking for a home. The Siberian Husky is at the Northern shelter.

San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria File photo/www.sandiego.gov multiple types of sheltering options is key to meeting people where