050523 - San Diego Edition

US lawmakers renew bipartisan bill to quickly reunify Filipino WWII vets’ families

WASHINGTON – A group of lawmakers has reintroduced a bipartisan bill to speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans.

The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act was reintroduced April 25 by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Ed Case (D, HI-1) and Jen Kiggans (R, VA-2) to exempt the sons and daughters of Filipino WWII veterans from numerical limitations on immigrant visas.

The law would benefit thousands of people, including those already waiting in the visa application queue.

“Filipino soldiers served our country with

Marcos wants closer ties with US

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought a stronger alliance with the U.S. when he met President Joe Biden on Monday, May 1. Marcos pointed to escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific and how vital U.S. assistance is on resolving the differences. He cited America’s role in maintaining peace, stability and development in

the region.

“We need to find ways to strengthen our alliances and our partnership in the face of the new economy that we are facing post-pandemic,” he said in his opening statement, adding that current geopolitical issues put the Philippines in “arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.”

Because of this, it is “only natural” for the country to “look to its sole treaty partner in the world, to

strengthen and to redefine the relationship” of the Philippines and the United States amid the volatile situation “around the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific region.”

“We have many things that are new that need to be assessed and again our role as partners in the world ... in our worldview of what we are hoping for the future of peace, not only in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific region but in the whole world,”

Marcos: Philippines-US ties rising above ‘turbulent times’

by alexis roMero Philstar.com

WASHINGTON — The longstanding relationship between the Philippines and the United States might have had “turbulent times,” but theirs is a bond that overcomes challenges because of a mutual understanding of their roles and values, President Marcos said.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Philippine embassy at Blair House last Tuesday, May 2, Marcos compared the treaty partners’ relationship to friendships tried by misunderstandings.

“You go through turbulent times when there are misunderstandings, when there are difficulties, when other forces prevail upon both sides of the partnership,” Marcos said.

TWO measures now making their way through the State Assembly aim to improve how California draws new district maps to ensure more participatory elections.

By some accounts, California’s independent redistricting commission (IRC) has set the gold standard for fair elections, wresting control of legislative mapmaking from the archetypal smoke-filled backroom dealmakers who’ve made an art of keeping power to themselves.

But recent examples point to the need for more and better reforms to ensure the state’s elections are open to all.

In Los Angeles, leaked reports of city councilmembers’ racist comments amid redistricting discussions last year exposed how the system still works there. In San Mateo County, the most recent round of redistricting found the Board of Supervisors voting to preserve the status quo even after hearing its own advisory committee suggest needed changes.

In the Central Valley, a steady, unrelenting campaign led by the county’s League of Women Voters and the Dolores Huerta Foundation pressured the Tulare County Board of Supervisors to finally draw fairer maps for the 65% Latino population

IATF to Marcos: No need to bring back mask mandate, other COVID-19 curbs

by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines does not need to bring back its mask mandate and other pandemic restrictions even as COVID-19 cases continue to increase, the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said in recommendations to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Marcos said Sunday, April 30 that the government might consider making the wearing of face masks mandatory again if recommended by health authorities.

“We already recommended to the Office of the President, based on agreements coming from IATF discussions, that we

Airlines asked to prepare as PH airspace shuts down for 6 hours

MANILA — The entire Philippine airspace will shut down for six hours on May 17, from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., to make way for the replacement of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system that failed on New Year’s Day and led to a massive disruption of operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), the country’s main gateway.

Bryan Co, senior assistant general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), in a press briefing on

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don’t need to bring back the mandates,” Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, who recommends wearing masks even if they are not required, said in a briefing on Tuesday, May 2. What Filipinos need, according to Vergeire, is to increase their risk tolerance against COVID-19.

“We need to learn how to protect ourselves and our families,” the health official said.

“Let’s choose to wear masks when we go to high-risk areas, enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. Especially those who are unvaccinated, senior citizens, people with comorbidities, those who are immunocompromised and pregnant

“But between the Philippines and the United States, we have prevailed through all that like a true friendship. And the reason for that, I believe, is that we truly have come to an understanding as to how we believe certain values and what is important, and our role in the world and that has never really been u PAGE 2

Marcos hopes Filipinos in US come home ‘for good in much better PH’

by Daphne Galvez Inquirer.net

WASHINGTON, D.C.

by Daphne Galvez Inquirer.net

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was welcomed by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with full honors at the Pentagon on Wednesday, May 3. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the full honors accorded to Marcos at the Pentagon – where they subsequently held a bilateral meeting –

— President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, May 1 expressed hope that overseas Filipinos residing in the U.S. would come home “for good and retire in a much better Philippines.”

He issued the remark during a meeting with the Filipino community here, saying he hopes to welcome them back to the Philippines “sooner or later.”

“Sooner or later, we will be able to welcome you back home to the Philippines, especially those who have reacquired their

Filipino citizenship,” Marcos said in his speech.

“It’s my hope that some of you will come home for good and retire in a much better Philippines — a Philippines with better airports, Philippines with better roads, better airports, better internet, better governance. ‘Yun ang aking pinapangarap (That’s what I am dreaming of). And that’s why that is what my administration is working for,” he added.

The president also urged them to encourage their children and grandchildren to visit the Philippines to see the richness of Philippine culture and history.

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Toward a more perfect union — California aims higher to ensure people’s voting rights

Bongbong Marcos is 1st foreign leader given full honors at Pentagon under President Biden

STRONGER ALLIANCE. Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Joe Biden meet at the White House on Monday, May

Marcos said his U.S. visit is crucial to strengthen the alliance between the Philippines and the US.

Malacañang photo

by Marianne Bermudez / Philippine Daily Inquirer

MEETING WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with the Filipino American community in Washington, D.C. as part of his five-day official visit to the United States. Marcos thanked Filipinos in the U.S. for all the help they send back home especially in times of calamity and disaster. Marcos also recognized their contribution in the strengthening the U.S.-PH alliance in the past seven decades. Malacañang photo

Marcos: Philippines-US ties rising...

diminished,” he added.

Marcos did not elaborate on the “turbulent times” between the Philippines and the U.S., which have been treaty partners since 1951. However, bilateral ties soured during the time of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who at one point declared the Philippines’ “separation” from the U.S.

But Duterte warmed up to the U.S. at the height of the pandemic, thanking the U.S. government for supplying the Philippines with COVID-19 vaccines.

Marcos said trade relations and partnerships between the two countries must be “continually revisited” to be mutually beneficial.

“I was telling the president, it’s very hard to categorize the partnership between the Philippines and U.S. as one thing. It’s not just in the area of defense; maybe now that’s a prominent one that we hear about but in terms of trade, in terms of education, in terms of culture, in terms of people-to-people as it has come to be known, all of these things have been going on for a hundred years,” Marcos said, recalling his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House last Monday, May 1.

“But it still needs to be continually revisited so we can make the most of our friendship and our partnership… That is why I am very grateful for the invitation of President Biden to come to Washington, D.C. and gain the opportunity to meet the leaders of the government,” he added.

Marcos reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty signed by Manila and Washington in 1951 should evolve because of changes in the environment.

“We are surrounded with changes and we must evolve with that. Therefore it is extremely important that we have these interactions, it’s extremely important that we are in constant communication. It is extremely important that we understand what it is we are trying to achieve,” he said.

In a meeting with Marcos at the United States Naval Observatory last Tuesday, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris cited the importance of further expanding the two countries’ security, economic and people-to-people ties.

”The Vice President and President Marcos also discussed strengthening the U.S.-Philippines economic partnership and noted President Biden’s plan to dispatch a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines to grow investment between our countries,” the White House said in a statement.

The Presidential Communications Office said Marcos and Harris committed to boost work on digital inclusion, clean energy, economy and security.

”During my visit to the Philippines, we discussed many issues including the importance of a clean energy economy. You and I share a passion for that... As well as issues that relate to food security and what we must do around digital inclusion,” she said.

“And on the issue of security of course, the work that our countries are doing together as it relates to the South China Sea, as it relates to

what we must do in terms of continuing to work together through our Coast Guards,” she added.

Also last Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of Filipino-Americans, calling them “a fundamental part of the fabric of the United States.”

He also talked about the role of Filipinos in international relations, citing one of his most senior officials in the State Department, Michele Sison, the assistant secretary for international organizations

The U.S.-Philippines Society, a group of Filipino and American civic and business leaders, also met with Marcos last Tuesday and vowed to pursue greater cooperation on the Philippine economy and development initiatives.

Former U.S. ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte and Filipino business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan serve as co-chairs of the society. Marcos expressed hope that he would see more engagements involving the government and the private sector, especially in mobilizing financial resources for investments in key areas. He said he was pleased with the significant progress that Manila and Washington have made toward boosting their security alliance.

“Yes now, prominent are the security and defense issues, but if you look at what we do in partnership, in coordination with the United States and there’s no sector that isn’t touched by that partnership,” he said.

Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed confidence that American companies looking to expand in Southeast Asia would find it favorable to invest in the Philippines given its “young and growing workforce.”

“The Philippines has a lot to offer foreign investors, including a young and growing workforce, a strategic location and a favorable business environment,” said Romualdez, who called this time a “sweet spot” for achieving the country’s goal of inclusive growth. – Delon Porcalla, Pia Lee-Brago, Michael Punongbayan n

Marcos wants closer ties with...

the chief executive said.

In response, Biden reiterated his government remains “ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including the South China Sea and we’re gonna continue [supporting] the Philippines’ military modernization.”

“Our countries not only share strong partnership. We share deep friendship, one that has been enriched by millions of Filipino Americans and the communities all across the United States,” the American leader stated.

Biden also noted the U.S.’ unwavering commitment to “tackle climate change, workers’ rights, rule of law and economic cooperation” with the Philippines.

Monday’s face-to-face was the second high-level meeting between the two presidents.

Their first meeting took place at the sidelines of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022 in New York.

Marcos is on a four-day trip that follows last week’s state visit to Washington by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and a White House meeting in January between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Biden greeted Marcos in the Oval Office.

A senior U.S. official said the Marcos visit — which began with a military honor guard outside the White House — was the first “at this level and intensity” between the two countries for decades.

“It is clear that we’re in a deeply consequential period in terms of our Indo-Pacific engagements,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Alarm bells are ringing for Washington and its Asian allies as China moves ever more confidently to assert claims to sovereignty over almost the whole South China Sea, ignoring an international ruling that this has no legal basis.

The stand-off, combined with constant saber-rattling over Taiwan — the democratically run island that Beijing claims but Washington vows to help defend — has prompted the

Biden administration to rapidly bolster its military capabilities.

The Philippines, which lies close to key sea lanes and Taiwan, is of particular interest.

Marcos signaled as he left for Washington that he is wary of being caught between the superpowers, telling reporters, “We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action.”

This month, however, the Philippines identified four military bases — in addition to five existing sites — where U.S. forces will be given access, including one located near the tense Spratly Islands.

The two allies also carried out their largest-ever military maneuvers in recent weeks.

That has alarmed China, which accuses Washington of trying to drive a wedge between Beijing and Manila.

In a reminder of how diplomatic tensions can quickly echo in the real world, a Chinese ship on April 23 narrowly missed colliding with a much smaller Philippine Coast Guard vessel in the Spratly Islands.

The focus of talks between Biden and Yoon last week was on another regional flashpoint: nuclear-armed, communist North Korea.

Expressing disappointment that China has not done more to rein in North Korea, U.S. officials announced that a U.S. nuclear submarine would make a visit to South Korea soon — the first in decades.

During Kishida’s visit, Biden also underlined the U.S. treaty commitment to defend Japan.

Tokyo, meanwhile, is on a shopping spree to buy an

arsenal of U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles.

The senior official briefing journalists ahead of Marcos’ visit said Manila is also “looking for reassurance and a strong desire to maintain peace and stability in this complex period.

“Recent events have caused much greater focus in both capitals on taking the necessary steps to up our game, to improve engagement on the security side between the United States and the Philippines.”

Although giving few details, the official said new “bilateral defense guidelines” would see “a series of steps to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization.”

In an acknowledgment of Philippine sensitivities about the U.S. troop presence, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the sites slated to be used by the United States remain part of the Filipino military and “every single step of the way will be done in complete coordination.”

“It’s about our ability to be better allies to one another and meet our commitments to each other,” he added.

The shifting geostrategic situation in the Asia-Pacific region will be a major topic when Biden visits Japan for a G7 meeting later in the month.

The U.S. official said Biden would also meet separately during that trip in a trilateral format with the leaders of Japan and South Korea.

Biden then heads to Australia for a session of the Quad group: Australia, India, Japan and the United States. (With reports from Agence France-Presse) n

Bongbong Marcos is 1st foreign...

were the first to be given to a foreign head of state or government under the Biden administration, citing the U.S. Department of Defense protocol office. n

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos walk with US Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff as they arrive for a brunch meeting at the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory on May 2 in Washington. Philstar.com file photo

Malacañang photo

ALLIANCE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, May 3 met with members of the U.S. Senate where they discussed a wide range of issues that include security, defense, agriculture, and climate change mitigation, economic cooperation and cyber security. Malacañang photo

US Embassy alerts citizens on rise of diphtheria cases in PH

by Bernadette tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THE United States Embassy in Manila has alerted American citizens in the Philippines on the reported rise of diphtheria cases nationwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease

Malacañang photo

Marcos hopes Filipinos in US...

“Let them see for themselves what the Philippines is about, what is our culture, what is our history. I’m sure the first and second and third generation Filipino-Americans are more than happy to learn about their proud Philippine ancestry,” Marcos said.

He also thanked overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their significant contributions to the growth of the economy through remittances and credited them for “keeping the Philippines afloat” during the pandemic.

“Noong pandemya ay ang bumuhay talaga sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas ay ang mga OFW. Kung hindi po sa inyo ay siguro mas nahirapan po na makabangon ang Pilipinas, kaya’t ulit maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo,” he said.

(During the pandemic, the lifeblood of the Philippine economy was the OFWs. If it were not for you, we would have suffered more, and it would have been more difficult to recover.)

The chief executive also mentioned his recent meeting with U.S. President Joseph Biden, whom he thanked for accommodating Filipinos and providing opportunities for them to thrive.

“Kasama ko po ang ating mga miyembro ng Gabinete upang ipagtibay ang ating

pagkakaibigan sa Amerika, United States at saka ng Pilipinas… Malaking bahagi doon sa usapan namin ay nagpasalamat naman ako sa kanila dahil sa dami ng Pilipino na nandito sa Amerika, na nandito sa U.S. ay lahat naman naging maganda ang buhay at… tinanggap kaagad ng ating mga kaibigang taga-U.S.,” the president said.

(I am with Cabinet members to further strengthen the alliance of the U.S. and the Philippines. A big part of our discussion was my thankfulness to the U.S. because they allowed Filipinos to live here and have a good life.)

“Kaya naman nagkaroon kayo ng magandang hanapbuhay. Nagkaroon kayo ng magandang pagkakataon para tulungan ang inyong mga pamilya, para tulungan ang inyong mga community, para tulungan ang inyong bansa sa Pilipinas,” the president added.

(That’s why you had an opportunity to help your families and communities, as well as the Philippines.)

Marcos reassured OFWs of the government’s sustained efforts to make the Philippines better and vowed to boost the quality of jobs so that time will come when Filipinos would no longer have to go abroad out of necessity. n

Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel health notice on May 1 after “several regions” reported an increase in the number of people infected with the disease. “Vaccination is essential to protect against diphtheria and anyone traveling to affected

areas should be up to date with their diphtheria vaccines,” the embassy said.

It also advised U.S. citizens in the country to “avoid contact with persons with symptoms of diphtheria” particularly fever and sore throat.

Diphtheria is “a serious

infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxins. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death,” according to the CDC website. It recommends “vaccines for infants, children, teens, and adults to prevent diphtheria.” n

Airlines asked to prepare as PH airspace...

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Tuesday, May 2 said the maintenance activity had been coordinated last week to give the airlines “lead time” in recalibrating flight schedules and informing their passengers.

The MIAA will meet with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and other airport authorities on Wednesday, May 3, to hear the plans of the airlines in response to the scheduled maintenance of the Communications, Navigations, Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system.

“These are all proactive efforts to make sure that the CNS/ATM is reliable as an offshoot of what happened earlier this year,” Co said, referring to the Jan. 1 aviation mess that affected around 56,000 passengers and 361 domestic and international flights to and from Manila.

The technical glitch in January that shut down the country’s airspace happened after a UPS unit failed to work because one of its cooling blowers conked out.

On Monday, May 1, the Labor Day holiday, an eight-hour power outage disrupted operations at Naia Terminal 3, leading to flight delays and cancellations that affected more than 9,000 passengers.

Advisory sent early

In an April 28 advisory, Caap informed the public of the corrective maintenance activity

scheduled on May 3, from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., and May 17, from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., that would result in the suspension of operations at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC), which houses the CNS/ATM system.

Caap said the maintenance would involve the repair of the automatic voltage regulator (AVR), replacement of the UPS, and upgrade of the air traffic management system power supply.

“An AVR functions as a protection against surges as it regulates the voltage delivered to devices and a UPS ensures equipment has uninterruptible power supply,” it said.

It will affect the flights at Naia, Clark International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and several flights in 42 other airports operated by Caap.

“The earlier that the airlines can advise the passengers, the better because of these planned changes in their itinerary,” Co said.

For six hours on May 17, he said there would be no activity in the entire Philippine airspace but if the maintenance would be completed earlier, the Notice to Airmen would be lifted immediately and the operations at the ATMC would resume.

“Let’s say the flight is supposed to arrive in Davao by 12 a.m., [the plane] should be there in Davao by 12. So its last flight out of

IATF to Marcos: No need

PAGE 1

women, let’s choose to wear masks,” she added.

Vergeire also called on the public to get vaccinated and boosted to increase their protection against the virus.

In September last year, Marcos made the wearing of face masks outdoors optional. He signed an executive order the next month making the wearing of masks indoors voluntary, except in health care facilities and public transportation.

The DOH had argued against lifting the mask mandate in late 2022, saying it was too soon to do so even if cases were down.

Admissions remain low

to

Manila would be around 10:30 p.m. because … it would take an hour, an hour and a half to get to their destination or to leave the Philippine airspace, whether they are going westbound to Vietnam or eastbound going to the Pacific,” Co said.

In the morning, the MIAA anticipates that the first arrival of inbound flights would be around 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. since the airspace would open by 6 a.m.

MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong, in the same briefing, said they would urge the airlines to notify all passengers about the possible rescheduling of flights “because if the passengers are advised, I don’t think there’s going to be a problem.”

Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said the public could not be blamed if they would suspect that the May 1 power interruption at NAIA 3 was done on purpose to hasten the airport’s privatization.

“The P100-billion unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate the Naia was just recently announced, then we have this power outage. We cannot fault the public for thinking that this was intentional to hasten the sale and privatization of the Naia even if the public was not consulted—yet they will be the ones to shoulder the cost,” she said on Tuesday.

—with a report from Julie M. Aurelio

n

(By Jane Bautista/Inquirer.net)

bring back mask mandate...

Vergeire emphasized the uptick does not translate to more hospital admissions, severe and critical cases, and deaths. Healthcare utilization rates also remain low.

“We cannot have that kind of low tolerance that when cases increase, we suddenly have a knee-jerk reaction to bring back masking or impose lockdowns. We cannot do these back-andforth policies because we have to balance this with our economy,” Vergeire said.

daily

average—637 cases—last

The Philippines has confirmed over four million COVID-19 infections, with more than 66,000 deaths, since the pandemic began in early 2020. n

A man walks past a COVID-19-themed mural in Barangay Bagong Ilog, Pasig City on April 18, 2023. The STAR / Michael Varcas

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines are on the rise, with the DOH reporting 4,456 new infections in the past week. The

week increased by 42% from the figure logged from April 17 to 23.

County releases equity-centered recommended budget that expands programs and services

SAN Diego County released an $8.11 billion recommended budget on Thursday, May 4 that continues increased spending to fight homelessness; take on mental health and substance use disorder challenges; improve the justice system; help working families and invest in core services like roads, fire protection and parks.

The “Invested in Community” budget is $745.8 million larger than last year’s budget, a 10.1% increase. It also adds roughly 490 new positions, a 2.5% increase over last year. The increase in budget and staff will support new and expanded social service programs and increasing caseloads to assist vulnerable populations. It also reflects investments in critical infrastructure, like a new Public Health Lab and affordable housing projects.

Much of the revenue to administer many of these programs comes from the state and federal government. It also comes from an increase in local property taxes. While this revenue supports the programs in the coming fiscal year, current economic uncertainty may impact future years.

The budget was built with community input and around the values in the county’s General Management System — integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence and sustainability.

The spending plan maintains the county’s essential services – such as public safety, land use and health and social services –while addressing new commitments.

It is also centered around equity. The county’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice implemented a Budget Equity Assessment tool last year. This tool helps County departments by using a series of questions when developing the budget to better understand how allocations affect historically vulnerable communities, people

File

with low incomes or who currently suffer or have suffered from inequality.

The public can learn more about the recommended budget by viewing an executive summary or the full recommended budget plan.

The County invites members of the public to give their feedback in person and online. Two community budget meetings are scheduled, one at 2 pm. on May 16 at the County Operations Center which can be attended in person or online. The second evening meeting will be virtual at 5:30 p.m. on May 18. Visit the open budget page (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/ sdc/openbudget/en/home.html) for more information.

Additionally, you can provide eComments on the recommended budget now through June 21 on our community engagement budget page at Engage San Diego County (https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/ budget).

You can also watch, listen and

Toward a more perfect...

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previously excluded from the halls of power almost completely.

participate in budget presentations, hearings, deliberations and adoption at upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings.

Budget presentations take place before the Board on May 11. Public hearings are 9 a.m. on June 12 and 5:30 p.m. on June 15. Budget deliberations and adoption are scheduled for June 27.

Investment priorities in the recommended budget include:

Mental health and substance use disorder $66.7 million increase for a total investment of $737.9 million for contracted services including:

• $37.5 million mental health services for adults.

• $10.9 million for crisis diversion services including expanding Mobile Crisis Response Teams, the Crisis Line, public messaging awareness and crisis community-based services.

• $9.5 million substance use disorder

Building on the Fair Maps Act

At a recent press conference hosted by California Common Cause to discuss two measures currently grinding their way through the state Assembly, AB 764 and AB 1248, speakers shared these and other stories to demonstrate the ongoing need to improve and expand the state’s redistricting process.

“We have got to institutionalize protection so that communities don’t have to fight tooth and nail for their rights,” said Dora Rose, deputy director of the California League of Women Voters, one of the sponsors of the two bills.

“We’ve got to build on the success of the Fair Maps Act.”

“Otherwise, we end up with older white people in charge, who just don’t reflect the Latino people, the API people, the Indigenous people, the Black people, the youth, that together make up the majority of our vote,” Rose said.

California passed the Fair Maps Act (AB 849) in 2019 to strengthen earlier legislation in 2008 and 2010 that led to the IRC’s formation and its initial implementation following the 2010 Census. Closing loopholes in the redistricting process

But the FMA had “a huge loophole,” said Jonathan Mehta Stein, of California Common Cause: It failed to specifically address incumbent protection.

AB 764 closes that, banning drawing districts “for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against an incumbent or political candidate.”

It goes on to spell out specific, uniform and prioritized criteria for how district boundaries are to be determined up and down the state and compels local IRCs to issue reports explaining their ultimate decisions.

AB 764 also mandates set numbers of public hearings and workshops for the process, including provisions on timing, accessibility and noticing. It requires that draft maps be unveiled in time for the public to effectively respond and clarifies the legal process for resolving disputes.

AB 1248 orders that any county, city, school district or community college district serving more than 300,000 people must establish an IRC by the time the next batch of population data from the U.S. Census comes in to set the redistricting process in motion, as it does every 10 years at the beginning of the decade.

If the jurisdiction fails to form a committee, the legislation provides guidelines on how to meet the requirement.

This will bring into the fold

17 California counties that do not currently have IRCs (five already do), plus the cities of Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Ana and Stockton, 20 school districts and many community college districts, too. It specifies standards for appointments to the commissions such as residency qualifications and an ability to be impartial, as well as prohibitions, for instance, against doing redistricting work outside of public view.

Along with Rose and Stein at the briefing were representatives of the Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California and the ACLU, all of which were primary sponsors of one or both of the measures.

Maps designed to protect incumbents

Also on hand was Nicolas Heidorn, whose report, “The Promise of Fair Maps,” published earlier this year, studied the successes and shortcomings of the Fair Maps Act in the subsequent redistricting process. Heidorn’s findings, Stein said, were foundational in the drafting of the two measures currently under review. He wrote that the FMA improved the transparency of and public participation in the 2020 redistricting cycle, with some jurisdictions surpassing its requirements.

“The FMA was broadly successful in promoting a more transparent and participatory local redistricting process” and producing maps that better reflect the state’s diverse communities, the report found.

But it also noted “ambiguities, loopholes, and deficiencies in the legislation that undermined the law’s important goals and were often exploited to protect incumbents.”

“In many jurisdictions, incumbency protection proved to be the overriding criterion for how maps were drawn.”

“This is a statewide problem that demands statewide solutions,” Stein said.

AB 764 and AB 1248, sponsored by Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan, D-Culver City, and Senator Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, both cleared the Assembly’s Local Government committee on April 26 and will now be taken up by the Appropriations committee.

If approved there, they’ll go to the full Assembly for a vote, and then have to repeat that process through the State Senate before arriving on Gov. Newsom’s desk. (Mark Hedin/Ethnic Media Services) n

US lawmakers renew...

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honor and bravery during World War II. But for too long, they’ve been denied many of the rights and benefits they deserve, including the ability to reunify with their families in the U.S.,” Senator Hirono said in a press release.

More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought under the American flag from 1941 to 1946 when the Philippines was a U.S. colony. In 1990 former President George H. W. Bush granted U.S. citizenship to about 26,000 of them.

However, the law did not grant citizenship or residency to the veterans’ children. To this day, Filipino applicants must wait nearly 20 years before their applications are considered.

In 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services implemented the Filipino WWII Veterans Parole program to reunite veterans with their families. However, the extensive delays are leaving applicants without certainty as dozens of the surviving veterans are now over 100 years old.

The new legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, providing a permanent solution for WWII veterans who were naturalized under the 1990 law or other specified laws.

“To express our gratitude to the brave Filipino service members who fought for our nation in WWII, we should do what is right and fair for our veterans and their family members,” Senator Lisa Murkowski said in a press release. “This bill will reunite mothers and fathers with their children, and honor the service of Filipino veterans who served under the American flag.”

“I’m proud to reintroduce the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act to reunite these veterans with their loved ones,” Hirono added. “I will continue working to support Filipino veterans, their families, and all veterans in Hawaii and across our country.”

Hirono has been leading the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act since 2013. She also led the introduction of the Filipino American History Month (FAHM) Resolution recognizing October as FAHM and celebrating the heritage and contributions of Filipino Americans. Due to her years of advocacy, Congress finally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award from the U.S. government, to Filipino WWII veterans in October 2017, after the Filipino community’s decades of fighting for the veterans’ recognition. (Inquirer.net) n

LIBERATION DAY. The Philippine Veterans Foundation leads the commemoration of the Liberation of Davao City from the Japanese occupation forces, at the city’s Magsaysay Park on Wednesday, May 3. Simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were also held at the Golden Kris Monument, Dambana ng mga Bayani, Rizal Park, Andres Bonifacio Monument, and Osmeña Park. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Dateline PhiliPPines

COVID-19 cases in PH rise by 42%

by Red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines reported a 42 percent increase in COVID-19 cases in the past week, the Department of Health (DoH) said on Tuesday, May 2.

However, the department said it would not reimpose stricter measures on masking and instead urged the public to be tolerant of slight case increases.

In its case bulletin issued on Tuesday, the DoH said 4,456 new cases were reported during the week of April 24 to 30, or an average of 637 cases per day.

Out of the 4,456 new cases, only 22 were severe or critical.

Despite the increase in the number of cases, hospital bed utilization rate remained low, with only 351 severe and critical admissions in hospitals and 15 percent of the 2,021 available COVID-19 intensive care unit beds being used.

Philippines improves in press freedom index but still a ‘difficult’ country for journalists

by Gaea KatReena CabiCo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines climbed 15 notches in this year’s World Press Freedom Index, but it continued to be among the world’s “most dangerous” countries for journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Wednesday, May 3.

The country ranked 132nd out of 180 countries, according to an annual report that was published on World Press Freedom Day. It placed 147th in 2022. Despite the improvement, the Philippines obtained a score of 46.21, keeping it a “difficult” country for journalists.

“The Philippine media are extremely vibrant despite the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment, since 2016, of journalists and media outlets that are too critical,” RSF said.

RSF: New admin ‘loosened constraints’ on media

In its report, the Parisbased media watchdog said the election of Ferdinand

“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as president in June 2022 was “very unsettling” for most Filipino journalists because of the reputation of his father, a former dictator who silenced and controlled the media during Martial Law.

But it noted the change of government “loosened constraints” on the media.

It added the acquittal of Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa in a tax evasion case is an encouraging development.

Despite these, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines stressed that many journalists are still facing threats, and that press freedom in the country remains fragile.

“Nearly a year into the Marcos Jr. presidency and as dominant media adjusts to reporting on an administration that is not openly hostile to the press, it is tempting to consider that maybe the situation for media workers has improved and will continue improving,” NUJP said.

NUJP documented 60 reported violations against journalists from June 30, 2022 to April 30, 2023. These include

two killings—Rey Blanco and Percy Lapid, a popular broadcaster who criticized several government officials.

In the Philippines, journalists who do not toe the government line are tagged as rebels or supporters of the communist movement. Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who had been redtagged and subjected to surveillance, was arrested in a Tacloban City raid in 2020.

“The slow pace of the case— especially in contrast with the quick resolution of other, more high profile ones—is a violation of her right to a quick trial and also deprives the communities on Negros Island that she used to report on and for,” NUJP said.

It added that policies blocking access to alternative news outlets Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly have not been reversed. On World Press Freedom Day, Bulatlat reported its Facebook page has been restricted over alleged violations of community standards. There are also moves in Congress seeking to penalize “fake news.” n

In a briefing on Tuesday, Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire attributed the increase in the number of cases to the increased mobility of individuals, especially during Holy Week, and the presence of highly infectious variants.

“We also see that people test only if they have symptoms and this practice increases the positivity rate. All of these are the reasons why the cases are increasing,” she said.

A decline in the number of cases, Vergeire said, will depend on the behavior of individuals, especially when it comes to masking and vaccinations. Based on projections by the DoH, at least 600 cases per day will be reported until June, when it

will expect a decline.

Vergeire urged the public to be more “tolerable” of increases in COVID-19 cases, as the virus will continue to be present until the foreseeable future.

Her remarks came after cardiologist and health advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon urged the government to bring back the masking mandate in light of increasing COVID-19 cases.

In a message to The Manila Times, Leachon said that masking was a “cost-effective way to reduce the re-emergence of the COVID-19 virus in the medium run.”

“Wearing face masks is the cheapest, most important protective measure and the least disruptive of the minimum public health standards,” he added.

He said that having a mask would also give some hope of removing the need to put the economy into a “switch-on, switch-off mode — which would require many businesses to close, open, and close again on short notice.”

While Vergeire agreed with the value of masking being used to protect one’s self against the virus, she reiterated that it was up to Filipinos to understand their risks on whether they would wear their face masks or not.

“We are not opposed to people wearing their masks. We will encourage that as always. What we need to do is to balance it out, as the national government cannot go back and forth on policies as it affects the other sectors of society,” Vergeire said. She also said that around 390,000 bivalent vaccines would arrive in the country by the end of May from a donor country that she did not disclose. n

PH crime rate down in first 4 months of 2023

MANILA – The country’s crime rate has dropped by 11.36 percent in the first four months of this year, a ranking police official said on Thursday, May 4.

In a Laging Handa briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said a total of 12,226 crime incidents were recorded from January 1 to May 2, as compared to 13,763 crimes in the same period last year.

“Nakapagbaba tayo ng 1,500 plus na krimen at iyan po ay iyong mga eight focused crimes. Kaya nakikita natin, iyong ating different anti-criminality strategies, nakikita naman natin na ito po ay epektibo (We were able to reduce 1,500 plus crimes of the so-called eight

focus crimes. That’s why we see, our different anti-criminality strategies, we see that it is effective),” he added.

The eight focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, vehicle theft, motorcycle theft and rape. Index crimes are serious crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, rape, theft, and carjacking, while nonindex crimes are violations of local ordinances and laws and vehicular accidents.

Maranan said that under PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.’s leadership, the PNP will deploy policemen in barangays identified by the local police forces as crime-prone areas as part of preemptive efforts against

criminality.

“The focus of our new PNP chief, Gen. Acorda, is to assign police to crime-prone barangays. We have already identified that and that will be the priority of our deployment… in the crimeprone barangays. And we have also identified police regional offices that will be the ones to lead because in their area of responsibility, that’s where we saw those barangays with the most crime occurring,” he added.

Maranan earlier said the move is a strategic action plan as the national police do not have enough manpower to guard over 100 million Filipinos across the country.

PARCHED. Farmer Eduardo Rossel, 62, walks on a dried-up rice field in Sitio Maname, Naic, Cavite on Wednesday, May 3. With the El Niño certain to start between July and August, the Department of Agriculture is implementing the Mitigation and Adaptation Plan that includes cloud seeding, irrigation system schedule, water management, rehabilitation of irrecoverable areas, maximized production in non-threatened areas and massive information dissemination.

Outage again at the NAIA

DURING another long weekend, on another start of the month, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was hit by another power outage. Lasting nearly eight hours, the outage hit the NAIA Terminal 3 early on Monday, May 1 stranding thousands of passengers as dozens of flights were canceled or delayed.

As of Monday night, May 1, initial inspection indicated that the outage was due to faulty electrical wiring or a short circuit. The outage occurred exactly five months after another power-related problem shut down not just the entire NAIA but also Philippine airspace. This was on Jan. 1 this year, when a circuit breaker that failed to work caused two uninterruptible power supply units of the NAIA’s Communications, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic Management System to bog down. With the UPS unable to come on stream when needed, the CNS / ATM was paralyzed.

Over 300 flights were disrupted and about 65,000 travelers were stranded at the NAIA for over nine hours before the system came back to life and flights gradually resumed. New UPS units have since been procured. A promise to make heads roll after an investigation is completed, however, has not materialized.

On The Contrary

Antonio P. ContrerAs

AT the outset, and lest people misconstrue my point, it should be stressed that citizens have the right to express their dissatisfaction with the government. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right accorded to us by the Constitution. It is an inherent element of any democratic system.

Yet, many people seem to focus too much on their individual rights, or the benefit of their own groups, without thinking about their responsibilities to the greater community and society. Worse, they delude themselves into thinking, or even intentionally appropriate the line of reasoning, that they are doing this to advance some collective good.

Democracy is not just about freedoms and rights. It is also about our duties. Many people forget that while citizens are sovereign, a responsible and rational exercise of our political rights is also fundamental in a democracy. A representative democracy such as ours depends

In September last year, a problem at the terminal’s power substation resulted in an hours-long outage that delayed at least 31 flights as airlines shifted to manual check-in and immigration processing slowed down. At the time, airport and transport officials vowed to address the problem to prevent its repeat.

In April 2016, the NAIA-3 was also hit by a fivehour outage that was blamed on one broken power generator. Power transmission had tripped briefly in the airport area in Pasay City. Power was restored within less than a minute, but electricity failed to kick in at the NAIA 3 because one of the 10 generators meant to service the main building did not work. This weekend outage canceled 82 domestic flights and delayed 79 international and local flights. The fiasco contributed to perceptions of incompetence on the part of the Aquino administration, with the general elections just weeks away. This was seven years ago. Will NAIA officials

not only on the robustness of our democratic rituals such as elections, but on the quality of our participation in it, either indirectly when we vote, or more directly when we engage in political discourse, or take part in political activities.

Unfortunately, most citizens would rather defer to the actions of their elected representatives and those these officials appoint, instead of actively participating in politics. While our voter turnout is relatively high, the quality of the exercise of these rights is undermined not only by candidates who run not on the basis of platforms, but largely riding on the power of optics and narratives. More fatal to the pursuance of high-quality democracy is the fact that this kind of politics of image instead of substance is enabled by voter behavior. People vote less on the basis of the idea of a common good, but more on preferences that are formed from biases and even blind loyalties. We turn our politicians into brands to whom we have been fixated to patronize regardless of their performance, or the service they offer.

And later, a huge number of voters would, after the regular

ever grasp the critical importance of uninterrupted electricity supply in the country’s premier gateway?

There wasn’t even a weather disturbance that might have affected the power supply at the NAIA

3 on Monday. Transport officials said they were not ruling out sabotage. Whatever the reason, it must be determined quickly so that it can be addressed ASAP. (Philstar.com)

Too much complaining

periodic rituals of elections, retreat into states of passivity and detachment, unless something personal hit them that they would demand action from the government. Only a small minority would actively participate in political activity beyond voting during elections. But this was before the birth of social media, where people did not have access to platforms where they could express their views.

The era of social media has reframed the way people do politics. While it certainly amplified the role of optics and narratives, it also amplified political noise. The noisy minority effectively found an avenue to project their voices, and this created a mirage of a groundswell of opinion that, without social media, would have been drowned by the apathy of the greater number of people.

Social media has become an effective avenue to make politics accessible. However, it also became the launching pad for the propagation and growth of a kind of politics that is driven by hatred and fear. Social media traffic is characterized by people who become peddlers of anger

and intrigue, who feed the gripes of the minority, even if it means spreading lies, misinformation and disinformation. It became worse when what used to be a vocation that would require dedication, where activists are committed to a cause, the monetization of social media engagements has produced a new breed of noisemakers. These are in the form of social media vloggers who turned political commentary into an income-generating commodity. They effectively become merchants of discord, anger and fear. And thus, we end up with a highly toxic political landscape, where what can be seen, heard and read in social media is dominated by rants and complaints, giving the impression of an utter system failure and a government at the precipice of collapse. This, however, does not add up when results of scientific surveys reveal a government earning high trust, approval and satisfaction ratings from four out of five Filipinos. The voice of the noisy minority, those driven by blind loyalties and who thrive on intrigue and discord, and whose

politics subsists on anger and fear, take control, and are in command of the production of political discourse that we mistake to be the pulse of the masses. Yet, it is all a mirage. Unfortunately, their noisy voices are the ones that are picked up not only by mainstream media, but also by politicians who either fear them, or suck up to them to advance their political careers.

It is in this political landscape that our policy decisions are now directed by a noisy minority, and where government initiatives sink or swim on the basis of the decibel of their noise. We saw the initiative of modernizing our jeepneys being tanked not on the basis of reason but on the basis of accommodating sectoral interests over the greater good of protecting human and environmental health. I have my own issues with the move to replace our carbon-emitting jeepneys, but these are more on issues of unaffordability as well as the unimaginative design of turning what used to be a cultural icon into a boring boxlike contraption. But what we got instead is the more convenient and populist response of shelving the proposal until

further discussion, which in our political discourse could mean putting it on hold forever.

Then we have the SIM card registration initiative, which is a rational response to the increasing incidence of fraud using unregistered mobile devices. Again, because of internet-generated noise, the government caved, and gave fraudsters a reprieve.

What we end up with is not the image of a government that is responding to people’s concerns and advancing public good, but a political culture that unleashes internet anger and fear being spoiled by a government that bows to their noise, and turns public good into a negotiable, fluid and uncertain construct. We now have turned public interest away from a landscape dominated by reason and informed decisions, into one that is overwhelmed by internet noise. We are turning our democracy into a noisy marketplace of rants and complaints. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

We need to preserve, strengthen, and sustain Filipino language studies

Commentary

EIGHTH-grade student Maya

Masagca at Bessie Camichael

PK-8 School/Filipino Education Center (FEC) recalls her experiences learning Filipino language, history, and culture at her elementary school:

“Filipino foods were part of my fondest memories as a student in the Filipino language program!

During our 5th-grade camping trip, we had a kamayan dinner where tons of food is laid out on banana leaves and everyone eats the food with their hands. At school, we would have potlucks on birthdays, Flores De Mayo graduation, and Christmas! We always ate family-style with traditional foods like lechon, lumpia, and pancit. Food and celebrations helped our classroom community form stronger bonds with each other and with our culture.

The Filipino language program also helped my newcomer classmates from the Philippines feel welcome and safe. Many of my friends are immigrants and

not strong in English. I saw how important this program was for them, especially when my teachers would explain math or instructions in Tagalog.

For a history research project, I discovered that Bruno Mars, Saweetie, and H.E.R. were Filipino. I was surprised because it was the first time that I’d seen someone who was of the same ethnicity as me that was famous.

My middle school Filipino elective teacher says ‘the Filipino language program specifically offers Filipino-American students an opportunity to see someone who comes from the same background as them as a teacher. I think that having a class like this offers students of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn more about themselves and how they connect culturally and linguistically to other cultures.’

The Filipino language program helped me become closer to my immigrant parents and to my culture. The program impacted me so much that I wanted to keep learning about my culture when I went to middle school.”

While the K-5 Filipino language program at Bessie Carmichael/FEC has helped hundreds of students develop love for themselves, their culture, and community, the program has faced numerous challenges especially during fiscal crises.

Due to budget constraints and declining enrollment, the school recently announced consolidating two of the Filipino language classes in the next academic year.

As a parent, I have learned about and witnessed multiple topdown school district decisions to cut back Filipino language studies without involving community voice—this has been an ongoing struggle since the 1970’s. Combining the 4th and 5th grade Filipino language classes in the next school year contradicts the district’s mission to ensure ”meaningful consultation with the parents/guardians, students, and staff…impacted by those decisions.”

The decision backs down from the SFUSD’s commitment to strengthen the Filipino language program—a concession made after the 2019 Feasibility Study found the district lacks the capacity to offer a Filipino Dual Language Immersion Program, which parents advocated for. Weakening the program also fails the district’s pledge of Cultural Competence and Multilingualism —outlined in their Vision 2025 statement—and the state’s Global California 2030 Initiative, whose goal is for students to be proficient in two or more languages.

Filipinos make up a third of the school’s student population. Filipinos are the third largest

ethnic group in San Francisco with limited English proficiency. San Francisco certified Tagalog as the third official language to be used in communicating essential city services. Over the years, the Filipino language program has helped Filipino newcomers adjust to life in a new country, feel more connected to their culture, and gain extra support as they develop English proficiency. The current Filipino program grew out of the Filipino Education Center, one of SFUSD’s first newcomer schools which began in response to Lau vs. Nichols — asserting a child’s right to learn in their primary language. FEC’s inception created equitable language access for Filipino newcomers, which continues today. Consolidating two grade levels into one classroom means that students would get less individualized support while working hard to adapt to a new setting, and limit available seats for students who immigrate during the school year.

The program teaches Filipino American (FA) students about their roots. Positive identity development is particularly important for our FA students who have higher rates of suicidality, as indicated in the district’s 2017 Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In fact, students from all backgrounds

have the opportunity to learn Filipino language, history, and culture—especially at our school site which is located in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District. Last September, the SF Board of Supervisors (BOS) passed a resolution adopting the Filipino Cultural Heritage District’s Cultural, History, Housing, and Economic Sustainability Strategy Report which prioritizes Filipino arts education and programs teaching Filipino languages, history, and culture. A strong Filipino language program clearly aligns with the BOS resolution. Finally, the program also benefits our newcomer parents who can communicate with teachers in their shared language. The Filipino teachers and families are so proud to have such a unique and special program—one of two in the district and in the nation. The program supports the students’ and adults’ sense of belonging in the school community—it’s like an extension of our homes and families. To make cuts and changes to the program is an assault to all the students and adults who have fought hard to keep it going. Closing a Filipino language classroom takes away another opportunity from our students—many of whom are socio-ecomonically

disadvantaged, English language learners, and live in the SOMA. If you care about this issue, please tell SFUSD to maintain its commitment to Filipino language studies at the Board of Education Meeting located at 555 Franklin Street in San Francisco on May 9 at 6:30pm. Join us in-person, remotely, or email a message or video recording to: boardoffice@ sfusd.edu by 2pm on May 9th. For information about the BOE meetings: https://www.sfusd.edu/ about-sfusd/board-education/ board-education-meetings

SFUSD needs to know that students, families, and community members oppose combining the 4th/5th grade Filipino language classes in the 2023-2024 school year! We need to preserve, strengthen, and sustain Filipino language studies!

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

* * * Maya Masagca was part of the Filipino language program at Bessie Carmichael/FEC from kindergarten to 5th grade. She is now in 8th grade.

* * * Ruby N. Turalba is a parent of a middle school student at Bessie Carmichael/FEC. Her child enrolled in the Filipino language program in the 3rd grade.

‘Help achieve justice, TikTok wisely,’ new lawyers told at oath-taking

by KristiNe Joy Patag Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday, May 2 welcomed nearly 4,000 new lawyers as they took their oath before the Supreme Court en banc, sitting in a special session.

Recto proposes total NAIA check-up after T3 power outage

MANILA – House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto on Wednesday, May 3 acknowledged the move of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to audit the electrical system of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after the power outage at Terminal 3 early Monday.

The Batangas lawmaker, however, said a complete check-up of the country’s ailing international airport is more appropriate.

“And whatever work to be done should be submitted as one package, so the remedies will not be several ‘Band-Aid of cures,’ but a wellness package,” Recto said.

He said even if this “light bulb moment” had come too late, after the airport had been hit with electrical crashes, it should be treated as an urgent request.

“Every time NAIA is hit with a blackout, the nation gets a black eye,” he added.

The NAIA management said it would need PHP1 billion for a new electrical system.

“So, if the promised power system audit would validate that request, then the government should buy it, but not necessarily in the amount floated. Panic

buying is the number one procurement sin,” he said. “May pera naman kasi (There is fund really). NAIA is a corporate profit center for the government. It is not a charity.”

The gross revenues of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which runs NAIA, in 2019 was PHP15.2 billion.

Of the given amount, PHP1.8 billion were remitted to the National Treasury as the government’s share of the profits.

This, Recto said, was aside from the PHP2.2 billion tax payments, adding that despite the big deductions, the MIAA managed to post a net income of PHP5 billion.

“Hindi lang MIAA ang kumikita sa airport operations.

Tumitiba rin ang mga ahensyang nag-oopisina sa ating pangunahing paliparan (It’s not only MIAA that profits in airport operations. Other agencies that are conducting offices are also raking gains from our primary airport),” he pointed out.

He cited as an example the “travel tax” exacted from departing Filipino passengers in 2019 where the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise

Zone Authority (TIEZA) collected a whooping PHP7.2 billion.

Recto said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) had also a gross income of PHP10.5 billion in 2019.

He said even the Office for Transportation Security – the ones in charge of the X-ray machines – had collected PHP1.1 billion within a year from Airport Security Fee, which is tucked in with the airline ticket.

“Sabi ng Department of Transportation (DOTR), magkakaroon ang NAIA ng electrical system audit. Kung maraming sakit, bakit hindi gawing complete check-up, para malapatan ng tamang lunas (The DOTR said they are going to have an electrical system audit at the NAIA. If there are many ailments, why not make it a complete check-up, to find the proper cure?),” he said.

Recto noted that because the MIAA is a corporation, there is no need for Congress legislation for them to have the authority to appropriate.

He said DOTR Secretary Jaime Bautista has the experience and the expertise “to undertake NAIA’s urgent to-do list – the ones which are not cosmetic, but essential.” (PNA) n

SC starts public consultations on anti-terror rules

by Neil JaysoN servallos Philstar.com

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) has commenced public consultations for the governing rules on anti-terrorism cases in relation to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, an undertaking that the high court intends to use in protecting the public against potential abuses by state agents.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said on Wednesday, May 3 the SC’s Ad Hoc Committee for the Formulation of the Special Rules of Procedure on Anti-Terrorism Cases, headed by retired chief justice Reynato Puno, has submitted its proposed draft of the governing rules to the high court for review and deliberation.

While the court deliberates on the draft, the SC is holding public consultations, starting with the dialogue on anti-terrorism and counterterrorism financing cases, in Cebu, which began on Wednesday and was to run until Friday, May 5.

During his keynote address on the first day of the dialogue, Gesmundo said the ad hoc committee was able to strike the right balance against competing interests and considerations surrounding handling anti-terror cases in the judiciary.

For example, the Chief Justice noted that while

the Anti-Terror Law introduced an “important” preventive philosophy that penalizes inchoate offenses, he said such preventive approaches “come with the danger of state abuses brought about by overzealous law enforcement.”

“To address this conundrum, the Court found it necessary to promulgate a procedural framework both to demarcate a zone of legitimacy for acts by law enforcers as well as to delineate judicial reliefs against potential abuses of state agents. Creating a procedural framework to balance effective law enforcement and protection of fundamental rights is akin to walking a legal tightrope,” he said.

“Procedures that lean heavily in favor of law enforcement will expose the fundamental rights of persons to the danger of abuses; while those that lean intensely in favor of liberties will expose the population’s lives and safety to the devastating effects of terrorism,” the chief magistrate said.

“In this context, the Rule of Law, as expressed in the proposed judicial rules on anti-terrorism cases, aims to protect the public’s right to life and safety and the individual civil liberties – both essential for the enjoyment of the blessings of democracy as espoused by the Constitution. After all, public interest is but an aggregate of private interests – all of which deserve equal protection,” he added. n

PH crime rate down in...

PAGE 5

Maranan explained that police visibility has been proven as a crime deterrent over the years.

He emphasized the importance of the cooperation of the barangay officials in maintaining peace and order.

He said that strong

coordination between the police and the community lies on the cooperation between the two, adding that it is the police commanders who are given the task to initiate it.

“The PNP cannot deploy policemen in each of the barangay. What we do is to

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, 2022 Bar chairperson, moved to petition for the admission of the successful examinees. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo approved their admission.

A total of 3,992 examinees passed the 2022 Bar exams, yielding a passing rate of 43.37%.

The new lawyers recited the new oath—and is the first batch to do so—that was approved under the recently launched Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability that updated the guide of the conduct and ethics

of lawyers across the country.

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen earlier said the lawyer’s oath was updated to include the most important duty of their profession, which he said, is “to do justice or to even ensure access to justice.”

Message to new lawyers

Caguioa started his message by asking the examinees to remember those who stood by them until they reached this stage.

Caguioa then reminded the Bar passers that the practice of law “is not so much winning, as if that’s the only way to go, rather it is achieving justice in a way that is beneficial to all.”

The Bar chair stressed that in their practice, both parties represent people with stories too and they must thread gently and compassionately.

“Good lawyers must also be true to themselves as to others

and in that honesty, navigate legal problems with creativity, innovation and a healthy imagination of how a resolution can help all,” he said, adding that their courage must be “fueled by love of country, of the law, of others.”

The Bar chair, in his message, also recognized the 24 examiners, top law schools with highest passing percentage and the top 30 passers. He also thanked the deans of the schools that served as local testing centers in last year’s exams, and the SC offices that made its conduct a success.

The 2022 Bar examination was held in four days, within a two-week period in November. This was the second localized— held in 14 testing centers across the country—and digitized examinations.

Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, who will serve as the chairperson of the next Bar exams, also delivered an inspirational message and told the new lawyers that the membership in the Bar is not a self-centered occupation, and that their success is not measured on money or fame or awards.

“In truth, the true golden laurel rests in the lives and livelihood that were secured rights that were protected, the injustices that were rectified and justice that was served,” he continued. Hernando also reminded them to use social media responsibility, guide of which has been included in the CPRA. “Be careful what you click. TikTok wisely. Keep a clean profile. Call out improprieties in Facebook pages and lawyer groups,” the justice said. n

County releases equity-centered...

outpatient, withdrawal management, residential and recovery services.

• $8.8 million for 41 long-term beds.

• $18.3 million for implementation of the CARE Act, a new state program for people with serious behavioral health issues that may provide services, shelter and treatment through a civil court proceeding.

• $7.1 million to address opioid addiction.

Homelessness and housing

• $25 million increase for the Innovative Housing Trust Fund to help build affordable housing.

• $6.6 million increase to support Permanent Local Housing Allocation and HUD entitlement programs.

• $5.8 million increase to prevent homelessness and provide housing stability for families experiencing homelessness.

• $2.3 million for homeless services/housing for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sustainability and fighting climate change

• $3.8 million to continue work on an ambitious Regional Decarbonization Framework that will help communities move the region toward zerocarbon emissions.

• Plan to plant more than 5,000 trees as part of a regional effort to add 10,000 trees throughout the county to naturally remove carbon dioxide from the air and lower temperatures.

• $2.5 million for the design phase of the new Zero Carbon Portfolio Plan for County operations with the goal to reach a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in facilities by 2030.

• $2.7 million to restore land and improve water quality in the Tijuana River Valley.

Justice reform

• $10.6 million to protect the public and help justice-involved people who have substance use disorders and/or behavioral health issues as they reenter their communities by connecting them with treatment, housing and jobs.

cluster the barangay and then we either put up Police Community Precincts, police assistance desks or even a police outpost. We believe that if this is properly implemented, we would be able to reduce the crime, especially in the crime-prone barangays,” he added. (PNA) n

• $12.8 million for court programs to support those with mental health, substance use and other needs, such as Collaborative Courts, Drug Courts, Mandatory Supervision Courts, Reentry Courts, Veterans Courts and Behavioral Health Courts.

• $5 million to provide free legal representation to people who are detained or in alternative detention settings and are seeking asylum or

facing deportation.

• $2 million to keep young people out of the criminal justice system and address underlying causes of their harmful behavior.

Investing in working families

• 354 additional staff years across all Health and Human Services Agency departments to support safety net programs like CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal, and services for behavioral health, public health, seniors, children, and families.

• $141.1 million increase for safety net program benefit payments, higher wages for InHome Supportive Services caregivers, additional employment services and training for CalWORKS and CalFresh recipients and expanding Info Line 211 Access.

• $18 million increase to support foster youth, increase mental health services for transitionage youth and to set up a Prevention Hub to help families avoid the child welfare system and Juvenile Probation.

• $5.2 million of ongoing support for the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Healthy and safe communities

• $18 million to build “One Safe Place South: The South County Family Justice Center,” matching the one opened in North County, to help survivors with restraining orders, safety planning and trauma therapy, and help them get healthcare, food assistance, shelter and housing.

• $3.9 million to bolster Public Health Infrastructure.

• $17 million to build a new Jacumba Fire Station to better protect the entire community and region.

• $35.6 million to build a new Santee Animal Shelter opening in fall 2024.

The county wants to know how to keep you informed as it moves along the budget process. Do you prefer email, text or some other form of communication? Visit the budget page at Engage San Diego County, our community engagement page, and give us your ideas.

To find out more about the recommended budget and upcoming meetings and hearings, visit the County’s open budget site at https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/openbudget/ en/home.html. You can also visit the Clerk of the Board’s website or call 619-531-5434 to get details about hearings and request translation services.

(County News Center Release) n

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SD#0234

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to:

REMOVE AND REPLACE BLINDS AT 13 SITES (GROUP 2)

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023, in front of the main office of Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Marauder Way, San Diego, CA 92126. Upon completion, we will proceed to Gage Elementary School, 6811 Bisby Lake Ave., San Diego, CA 92119. CONTRACTORS MUST BE PRESENT AND CHECK-IN AT BOTH SITES TO BID THE PROJECT. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on MAY 25, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP23-0973-23-00-00 Blinds at 13 Sites, Remove and Replace (Group 2). For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $320,000 and $345,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-61/D-52 or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CP23-0973-23-00-00

SHARING JOY. Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss (middle), his wife Gila (extreme right), and drummers band Rhythmania watch the performance of the foster children housed at the Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. in Quezon City on Wednesday, May 3. The Israeli envoy’s orphanage visit is part of Israel’s 75th Independence Day celebration in the Philippines. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Supreme Court Clerk of Court En Banc Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, a lawyer, administers the Lawyer’s Oath to the successful Bar 2022 passers. Philstar.com photo

ANNOUNCEMENT

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Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for:

CALSHAPE GRANT HVAC ASSESSMENT AND REPAIRS AT 20 SITES (GROUP 2)

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on FRIDAY, May 12, 2023, outside the main office of Ross Elementary School, 7470 Bagdad St, San Diego, CA 92111. Upon completion, contractors will proceed to Chollas-Mead Elementary School, 4525 Market St. San Diego, CA 92102. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on MAY 25, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSDPlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP23-1001-3900-00 Calshape Grant HVAC Assessment and Repairs at 20 Sites (Group 2). For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $1.9 Million and $2.6 Million. This is not a PSA project, however, prequalification is required. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: C-20 or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CP23-1001-39-00-00.

SD#0233

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Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to:

REROOF AND WOOD ROT REPAIR AT JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023, outside of the main office of Jefferson Elementary School, 3770 Utah Street, San Diego, CA 92104. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s new online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on MAY 25, 2023. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP23-0941-52-00-00 Reroof and Wood Rot Repair at Jefferson Elementary School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $40,000 and $80,000 This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Linda Hippe, Director, Purchasing and Contracts, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department CP23-0941-52-00-00.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008039

PL Investments, LP located at 244-A Palomar St., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: PW Inc., 244A Palomar St., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Limited Partnership. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/14/2018.

Signature: Robert Pennell.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/11/2023. AJ 1164 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9009308

DH Haleness located at 815 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Horacio De La Cruz Rodriguez, 527 2ND Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual.

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

Signature: Horacio De La Cruz Rodriguez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/26/2023. AJ 1167 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, and 05/26/2023. AJSD 1167

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008091

Camino Village

Laundromat located at 11275 Camino Ruiz, San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Pablito Sy, 10353 Gold Coast Pl., San Diego, CA 92126.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/11/2023.

Signature: Pablito Sy.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/11/2023.

AJ 1158 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1158

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007981

California Design Group located at 3985 Riviera Dr., A, San Diego, CA 92109.

Registrant: Jerome Sebastian, 3985 Riviera Dr., A, San Diego, CA 92109. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/26/2007.

Signature: Jerome Sebastian. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/10/2023.

AJ 1160 04/14,

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008530

Ivy Life Solution LLC located at 6546 Windward Ridge Way, San Diego, CA 92121.

Registrant: Ivy Life Solution LLC, 6546 Windward Ridge Way, San Diego, CA 92121. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/18/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9006731

Via Camisia located at 2014 Mount Langley Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: RNB Industries LLC, 2014 Mount Langley Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Mauricio Marasigan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/24/2023.

AJ 1165 04/28, 05/05, 05/12, and 05/19/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9009103

I Am Divine Boutique located at 4098 Boston Ave., San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Clara Isidro Millan, 4098 Boston Ave., San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Clara Isidro Millan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2023. AJ 1169

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008988

Crushed Ice Cream Era De Hielo located at 1993 Harrison Ave., San Diego, CA 92113.

Registrant: Ana M Martinez, 1993 Harrison Ave., San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/05/2023.

Signature: Ana M Martinez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/24/2023. AJ 1166 04/28, 05/05, 05/12, 05/19/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9009527

LEX Athleisure located at 405 Costal Hills, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Registrant: LEX Enterprise LLC, 2127 Olympic Pkwy Suite 1006 #434. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Andrea Aguilar. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/28/2023. AJ 1170 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, and 05/26/2023. AJSD 1170

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9008236

The Shellfish Affair located at 778 South Fox Run Place, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Registrant: AXP Logistics LLC, 408 Nutmeg Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

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

Signature: Adriana Guevara Gluyas.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/12/2023.

AJ 1159 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1159

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007210

JPM Pro Lights And Sounds located at 1345 E. Madison Ave Spc 18, El Cajon, CA 92021.

Registrant: John Paul Merado, 1345 E. Madison Ave Spc 18, El Cajon, CA 92021. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/30/2023.

Signature: Jerome

Sebastian. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/30/2023.

AJ 1161 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, and 05/05/2023. AJSD 1161

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9007622

Gel Touch Nail Spa located at 11948 Bernardo Plaza Dr., San Diego, CA 92128.

Registrant: a. Lee Thai, 5510 Alexandrine Ct., Oceanside, CA 92057.

b. Quoc Nguyen, 10158 Challenger Circle, Spring Valley, CA 91978.

This business is conducted by Co-Partner. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Huiling Xia. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/18/2023.

AJ 1162 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12/2023. AJSD 1162

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9009618

MMG Financial Services located at 1506 Oak Dr SPC 32, Vista, CA 92084.

Registrant: Marietta M Geronimo, 1506 Oak Dr SPC 32, Vista, CA 92084. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2023.

Signature: Marietta M Geronimo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/01/2023. AJ 1171 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, and 05/26/2023. AJSD 1171

Signature: Lee Thai. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/05/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9009783

L ASHEDBYILIEZA located at 1178 Surf Crest Drive, San Diego, CA 92154.

Registrant: Ilieza Reyes Galdiano, 1178 Surf Crest Drive, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by Individual.

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

Signature: Ilieza Reyes

Galdiano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/03/2023. AJ 1172 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, and 05/26/2023. AJSD 1172

Form #NC230) 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 1168

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9009088

Changing Styles Hair Cuts And More located at 1625 Sweetwater Rd Ste E, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: CME INC, 9270 Amys St Unit 26, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Carmen Araceli Rios. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2023. AJ 1173 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, and 05/26/2023. AJSD 1173

Resisting assimilation: C aroline G arcia showc ases Filipino c ultural traditions through video, sc ulpture, and per formance

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

CAROLINE Garcia is a Filipino Australian who has been living in Brooklyn for five years now, exploring and rediscovering her Filipino identity through her art.

Garcia’s Dancing on Axes and Spears a four-month exhibition at the George Segal Gallery of Montclair State University, featured an interactive martial arts gym, virtual and augmented reality artworks, and various forms of choreography.

“I’m very much inspired by indigenous Filipino traditions and ritual, and then fusing that with modern or contemporary technologies and then in my efforts to fuse the two together, I kind of create, new languages or new lexicon to express diasporic experiences, very much shaped by my own life,” Garcia told the Asian Journal.

In the artist’s first solo museum exhibition which ran until April 21, she explored her Filipino identity, assimilation and cultural memory, and Indigeneity through diasporic and feminist perspectives.

Garcia’s parents immigrated to Australia from the Philippines in the 1970s, bringing with them the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. Growing up in Sydney, Garcia was exposed to a blend of Filipino and Australian cultures, which informed her artistic sensibilities and worldview.

After honing her craft, Garcia began exhibiting her work in various institutions in New York City, such as The Shed in Hudson Yards, and Lincoln Center, among others, showcasing her unique aesthetic that fuses traditional Filipino elements with modern techniques.

Through a residency at Wave Hill in the Bronx, Garcia caught the attention of a curator from Montclair, who was impressed by her bold and innovative approach to art.

Currently a resident at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Garcia is continuing to push the boundaries of her interdisciplinary art, experimenting with a variety of media to create pieces that are both visually striking and conceptually profound.

“Garcia reflects on feelings of belonging and alienation from her ancestral homeland in the Philippines and her current home in the United States through a range of media and approaches,” said Jesse Bandler Firestone, Curator and Exhibition Coordinator of Segal Gallery.

“Her reverence for Indigenous

Martial arts play an important role in the Garcia’s life and artistic practice, specifically Kali, an indigenous Filipino martial art that emphasizes fluid movement and flexibility. Through her participation in a collective that practices Kali in New York City, Garcia has found a community that shares their passion for this unique art form.

practices, sensitivity to issues of authenticity, and embrace of corresponding nuances related to her diasporic identity create a complicated, sentimental, and layered exhibition that conveys overlapping issues that are not easily distilled.”

Employing video, performance, sculpture, and installation, Garcia addresses a central theme of “alterity” – an anthropological term meaning “otherness” to mark her position in the diaspora where distance, language barriers, and colonization fracture traditional knowledge.

Garcia’s exhibition invites visitors to stretch their understanding of Filipino cultural traditions, community resilience, and personal identity. She showcases them as emblematic of the ways she resists assimilation tactics within colonized land through unique survival strategies informed by elements of Indigenous Filipino culture and traditions including martial arts and spirituality, technology, and community

collaborations.

Garcia’s exhibition at Montclair State University Galleries built upon these themes and their relationships to larger systems including immigration, self-hood, and safety.

The Move to New York

Garcia moved to New York in 2018 to pursue graduate studies at Parsons, where she finished her MFA. She currently lives in Brooklyn.

Despite being born in Australia and living in the United States for five years now, Garcia remains deeply connected to her Filipino heritage, drawing inspiration from the rich artistic traditions of her ancestors.

Garcia describes her artwork as interdisciplinary and inspired by indigenous Filipino traditions and rituals, as well as popular culture and martial arts.

Martial arts play an important role in Garcia’s life and artistic practice, specifically Kali, an indigenous Filipino martial art that emphasizes fluid movement and flexibility.

“I’ve been trained in Kali, a Filipino martial art, and it has really influenced my movement practice and my art,” she shared. “I think it’s important to acknowledge the cultural heritage that informs my art, but also to bring it into a contemporary context.”

Through her participation in a collective called Chrysalis Kali Collective that practices Kali in New York City, Garcia has found a community that shares her passion for this unique art form.

“When I started Kali, I saw something transformative with this practice for me,” she shared.

“It is like choreography and dance but it’s functional and I also felt like I needed some of these skills living in New York, especially.”

Eugene reveals she thought of entering convent before meeting husband

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

EUGENE Domingo finally opened up about her romance with her husband, Italian film critic Danilo Bottoni, admitting she had already accepted a “life of being single” and was contemplating entering a convent before she met him in Italy.

The actress spoke about this during an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Wednesday, May 3, after show host Abunda asked if Domingo would leave show business for love.

“Yes. At this point, my goodness, I’m a golden girl. This is the second half of my life,” she answered. “I have given the first half to always just about me and helping my family. The second part would be for me and Danilo.”

Although Domingo did not immediately disclose details about their wedding, she called him “my husband” in answering one of the “Fast Talk” questions.

Domingo then narrated how they met each other when she attended the Udine Film Festival

u PAGE 10

By embracing the influences of both her Filipino and Australian cultures, Garcia’s artistic practice reflects a broader theme of cross-cultural exchange. Garcia’s work serves as a testament to the power of cultural hybridity and how different artistic traditions can come together to create something entirely new and beautiful. In this sense, Garcia’s work is not only a celebration of her heritage but a celebration of diversity and how it can lead to innovation and creativity.

Through her interdisciplinary approach to art, Garcia can explore a wide range of themes and subjects, from identity and memory to politics and society. By drawing on traditional Filipino motifs and blending them with contemporary techniques, Garcia can create pieces that are deeply rooted in her cultural heritage and relevant to contemporary audiences.

Garcia’s use of digital technology is particularly noteworthy, as it allows her to create works that are not limited by the constraints of physical space or time. By incorporating digital elements into her work, Garcia can create immersive experiences that engage the viewer on multiple levels.

Overall, Garcia’s work reflects a unique blend of traditional Filipino elements and modern techniques, showcasing the power of cross-cultural exchange and innovation. By embracing her heritage and exploring new forms of artistic expression, Garcia can

identity,

and cultural memory,

States.

Indigeneity through

video, performance, sculpture, and installation,

a central theme of “alterity”

Garcia wants the exhibition guests “to have a critical engagement with violence”.

“Violence is a topic that can be quite confrontational, to have and it is especially important and feels significant for AAPI women and femmes to have because statistically, they are most at

risk,” she said.

Garcia believes it is crucial to have a critical approach towards violence, where we recognize its presence in our daily lives.

“This acknowledgment should inspire us to learn practical skills to defend ourselves, prioritize self-preservation, and understand that our lives hold value and we have the right to exist,” she added. n

Garcia’s featured works are emblematic of the ways she resists assimilation tactics within colonized land. These unique survival strategies are informed by elements of Indigenous Filipino culture and traditions including martial arts and spirituality, technology, and community collaborations.

Caroline Garcia’s Dancing on Axes and Spears is the artist’s first solo museum exhibition in the United

Garcia’s works explore her Filipino

assimilation

and

diasporic and feminist perspectives. Employing

Garcia addresses

– an anthropological term meaning “otherness” to mark her position in the diaspora where distance, language barriers, and colonization fracture traditional knowledge. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya create works that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Danilo Bottoni and Eugene Domingo Photo from Instagram/@eugenedomingo_official for her 2013 film “Barber’s Tales,” recalling how she thought he was a “stalker” when he first approached her. “I was alone. I was exhausted in general, in life,” she said. “I was already surrendering [to] a life of

City of San Diego outlines next steps for development of citywide cultural plan

Effort will guide arts and culture investments

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego is creating its first-ever comprehensive cultural plan to guide investments in arts and culture in neighborhoods across the city. Recently, staff published a framework that will help facilitate the development of the cultural plan, Creative City, which will advance arts and culture in every community, and foster greater opportunity and sustainability for all San Diegans.

The Creative City cultural planning process will result in a seven to 10-year plan aligning art and culture with the priorities of the city with a focus on goals outlined in the framework. Residents are encouraged to get involved in the planning process and share insights to capture San Diego cultural traditions and creative assets. Ultimately, the plan aims to propel San Diego and the entire San Diego-Baja megaregion forward as a more equitable place of inspiration and prosperity.

“This is an important milestone in our work toward the cultural plan,” said Jonathon Glus, Executive

Director, Arts and Culture.

“Developing the plan involves listening to individuals and communities, gathering and analyzing information and building consensus on a shared vision for arts and culture. The framework outlines our phases to build an ambitious and achievable cultural plan to serve our entire city and the creative communities for years to come.”

San Diego’s arts and cultural ecosystems are vital in their vision and impact. Yet, they face ongoing challenges related to the pandemic and the rising cost of living and doing business. With the right plan, the San Diego creative economy will power growth and success led by creatives in every industry and by artists from visual and performing arts to film and music.

The framework and project website – sdcreativecity. com – provide information and an overview of the planning process. Starting with preplanning and research, which began last winter, the process moves into listening and engaging sessions with

San Diegans. The final plan is expected to be completed by March 2025.

“The cultural planning process is an unprecedented opportunity for residents to get involved and plan San Diego’s creative future together, charting a course for how our city can continue to grow as a cultural capital,” said Christine E. Jones, Chief of Civic Art Strategies, Arts and Culture. “This Creative City cultural plan will help us align arts and culture with city priorities, and San Diegans will have multiple opportunities to inform the aspirations and objectives for the plan, from participating in Creative City forums to hosting their community conversations with our toolkits.”

The City of San Diego is leading this effort in collaboration with an industryleading consulting firm based in San Diego and serving the fields of arts and culture, Cultural Planning Group, LLC. Topic areas for the citywide cultural planning effort include analyzing existing conditions and identifying opportunities for city programs and initiatives, creative economy investments, city-owned cultural facilities, cultural equity and tourism.

Starting in June, the engagement process will include two Creative City public forums. Public discussion pop-ups will be held in nine City Council districts through July, along with the launch of a public survey. Visit the project website, follow the city on social media and sign up for ongoing updates to learn more.

The City of San Diego advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and the institutions and systems that amplify creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/ arts-culture.

(City of San Diego Release)

A concert to remember:

‘The Champions’ with Joel Sebag live at Pechanga Resort Casino, May 21

IT’S a night to remember!

Three seasonal top Filipino singers dubbed as ‘The Champions’ along with Joel Sebag, a renowned singer cum pianist, will perform on stage live at Pechanga Resort Casino on May 21, Sunday at 6 p.m. Pechanga Resort Casino, conveniently located off Highway I-15 in Temecula Valley, Southern California wine county, is well-known for hosting only the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers aimed to provide the ultimate experience, especially to its FilipinoAmerican patrons. Mark your calendars as wholesome live entertainment will come straight from multifaceted artists and singers in the likes of Klarisse De Guzman, Marcelito Pomoy, Mitoy Yonting, and Sebag.

Klarisse, a composer, host and judge of “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” a local (Philippine) show, also rose to prominence when she capped first place during the initial season of the famed Voice of the Philippines in 2013. She later on placed third in another reality singing competition, “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” in 2021.

Internationally recognized Marcelito Pomoy, known for his ability to sing in tenor and soprano, was the grand winner in the second season of “Pilipinas Got Talent.” He took part later on in “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” finishing fourth overall.

Popularly named ‘Mitoy’, Michael Yonting carved his career in various capacities as a singer, comedian, actor, and lead vocalist for his band, “The Draybers,” where he rose to fame after bagging the title in the first season of “The Voice of the Philippines” in 2013. This catapulted his career and he became part of the Philippine Ballet Theatre’s two-night concert.

Inspired by the ‘transforming power of God’s grace that continues to manifest in his life and gospel songs, Joel Sebag, a physical therapist who graduated from Boston University, has been a wellknown pianist since the age of

7, and his passion for music exemplifies his love as a true believer of the Lord. He went as far as Eureka Springs, Arizona and Kimberting City, Missouri to perform live with other inspirational piano concert bands.

What are you waiting for?

This event only happens once in a lifetime! Get your tickets now from the Pechanga Box Office, or by calling 888-810-8871, or visit www.pechnga.com.

Pechanga Summit features a 40,000-square foot area for entertainers, concerts, live sporting events, trade shows, weddings, or any large groups to book. In total, Pechanga now offers 274,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor contemporary meeting and event space, which significantly enhanced the amenities, space and visibility of Pechanga’s event offerings. Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and

most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,400 of the hottest slots, 152 table games, a 1,100 room and suite hotel, dining, luxury spa, and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @ PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)

County could see more housing dollars with ‘prohousing’ designation

SAN Diego County could see more money for housing after it was named one of 11 additional cities and counties to receive a “prohousing” designation from the state for being committed to building more housing, faster. Cities and counties that earn the prohousing designation receive additional points for state housing funding programs and are eligible for additional funding through the $25.7 million “Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program.”

The designation is awarded to cities and counties that implement zoning and land use policies that favor development, accelerate housing production timeframes, reduce housing and production costs, and provide financial subsidies and is another tool to use in addressing regional affordable housing supply needs.

San Diego County has taken numerous actions in recent years to add affordable housing and fight the housing crisis. It is currently working to build a roadmap, or Housing Blueprint, to guide its response to the housing crisis. This month, the County Board of Supervisors made $25 million available for affordable housing developments through the County’s Innovative Housing Trust Fund, administered by the County’s Housing and Community Development

Services.

In October 2022, the county announced a goal of working with the City of San Diego to build 10,000 affordable housing units by 2030 on publicly owned land.

The county also spent millions of dollars and worked with numerous other cities and organizations last year to build housing to help people with low incomes, people experiencing homelessness, seniors and veterans. There were affordable housing communities in City Heights, in Carlsbad, Vista and downtown San Diego. In a first-of-its-kind project for the County, it used its own surplus property to begin transforming an empty lot into a site for low-income affordable housing.

File photo/www.countynewscenter.com

Since 2017, the county has leveraged about $1.9 billion in federal and state funding by investing more than $241 million on 50 affordable housing projects in 30 communities. Many are completed, others are under construction, and more are on the way.

Beyond funding the development of housing units, the county, through its Planning & Development Services, is streamlining permitting processes, providing ADU fee waivers and pre-approved ADU plans, working to identify areas where the development of housing may be incentivized and taking other steps to facilitate housing production.

(County News Center Release) n

Eugene reveals she thought of entering...

PAGE 9

being single or maybe I could enter the convent.

‘Yun na talaga ‘yung iniisip ko (I was really thinking about that).”

“All of a sudden, he appeared in front of me and I was scared because baka (maybe he was a) stalker or something. ‘Yun pala (But) he was a film critic,” she stated, adding that Bottoni asked her for an interview.

Domingo did not immediately say yes to his request, but they eventually had the interview, during which she got to appreciate his eyes and physical appearance. Domingo then admitted that she did a search for his e-mail address, reached out to him, and their friendship—which would later turn into romance—started.

“Nung umuwi ako from Italy tapos hindi ko na siya nakita, sabi ko, ‘Yun na ‘yon e. Papalampasin ko pa ba e naramdaman ko na?’ So ayon, ni-pursue ko,” she said.

(When I came home from Italy and was no longer able to see him, I told myself, “That was it. Why would I let this go if I already felt it?” So, I pursued him.)

Meanwhile, Domingo was also asked in the interview about her friendship with Dolly de Leon who earlier revealed that Domingo had paid for the tuition of the latter’s son for three years. Domingo said she did not know how to react to this revelation, noting that it was something she considered a “secret.”

Domingo then teared up after Abunda handed her a letter from De Leon which the “Kimmy Dora” actress read aloud. A part of the letter says that De Leon is “looking forward to 2025,” which prompted Abunda to ask why. “We wanted to do a play together. We’re looking for producers, but we already asked Harlene Bautista and she said, ‘Go na ‘yan!’” Domingo then revealed. n