050623 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

‘There were abuses’ linked to Duterte’s ‘drug war’ - Marcos

by XAVE GREGORIO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong"

Marcos Jr. acknowledged that “abuses” did happen during the course of the “war on drugs” waged by his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos said on Thursday, May 4 in Washington that these abuses happened because of the Duterte administration’s focus on law enforcement in combating illegal drugs, which the incumbent president said has been taken “as far as we can.”

“What had happened in the previous administration is that we focused very much on enforcement. And because of that, it could be said there were abuses by certain elements of the government that has caused some concern in many quarters about the human rights situation in the Philippines,” Marcos said at a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and

International Studies.

Domestic processes on 'drug war' cases

While this is the farthest that Marcos has come in acknowledging the reported abuses in Duterte's “war on drugs,” his administration still refuses to cooperate with the International Criminal Court that is investigating crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the anti-drug campaign.

The Marcos administration, however, has sent communications with the ICC including appeals against decisions it deems unfavorable to the Philippines and requests to suspend and scrap its investigation altogether. But that was until Marcos said in March that the country is “disengaging” with the international tribunal. No submissions from the Philippine government have come forth since then, but the Department of Foreign Affairs, in a letter to the Senate justice committee, cited Marcos’

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net

WASHINGTON D.C. — Pres-

OMICRON variants are killing 200-300 people a day but population immunity in the U.S. is higher and more stable than a year ago.

The Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco says the number of new COVID-19 cases is decreasing, wastewater infectiousness is relatively low and hospitalizations are going down.

“The state of COVID, at least as far as I can tell, feels reasonably mild compared to what we’ve seen in the past 3 years, and remarkably stable,” says Dr. Robert Wachter.

Wachter briefed reporters on an Ethnic Media Services conference call last week.

He said the biggest surprise about new variants driving the pandemic in the last 18 months has been the relative lack of surprises.

“We are still on the same Greek letter that

Medi-Cal enrollees: Here’s how to verify your eligibility

IF you are enrolled in Medi-Cal, as more than one-third of Californians are, make sure your county knows how to reach you, or you could lose your health coverage unnecessarily.

You will likely hear and see public messages over the coming weeks urging you to update your contact information. Heed them.

Then, sometime between now and next spring, you’ll probably receive mail from the agency that administers Medi-Cal in your county telling you if you are still eligible for the safety-net health insurance program or asking for more information about your employment status, income, and household size. An information request would likely come in a bright-yellow envelope containing a roughly 20-page form about six weeks before the start of your renewal month.

Be on the alert: Medi-Cal is warning about scammers who have been contacting enrollees

China ‘ rmly’ opposes ‘meddling’ in South China after release of US-PH defense guidelines

by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com

MANILA — China said on Thursday, May 4 it opposes what it called “meddling” in the South China Sea following the release of the bilateral defense guidelines of the Philippines and the United States, which aim to

modernize the two countries’ alliance cooperation.

“China firmly opposes any country’s move to meddle in the South China Sea issue to harm China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests by citing the guidelines,” China’s foreign

ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Mao added the South China Sea is a “shared home” for countries in the region, and “not a hunting ground for forces outside the region.”

The guidelines reaffirm

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DOH welcomes WHO decision to lift COVID-19 emergency status

THE Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has welcomed the pronouncement of the World Health Organization that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

WHO made the declaration after the International Health Regulations for Covid-19 met this weekend.

In a statement, the DoH said that the lifting of the PHEIC is an acknowledgment of the effective and collaborative response and the efforts to fully recover and reopen

the economy.

The DoH said that it will convene the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) to "discuss and reassess policies and other guidelines affected by the declaration."

It also said that all factors in determining the country's next action in line with the WHO's proclamation will be considered and discussed for the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (Red Mendoza/ ManilaTimes.net)

ident Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday, May 4 said that relations between the Philippines and the U.S. are “back on the normal role of partnership” with the recent “steady exchange of official engagements” at all levels of the government.

In a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Marcos pointed out that these official engagements include his first

meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in September last year in New York, which is the first visit of a sitting Philippine president to Washington in over 10 years. “I do not quite know how that developed that way as that has been in the case, but we are back on our normal role of partnership, working together hand in hand,” he said in his speech. During his visit to the U.S., Marcos said Manila and Washington have committed to deepening their ties with each other on various areas of

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Pacquiao loses case vs Paradigm, ordered to pay $5.1

million

by

MANILA — Manny Pacquiao has been ordered by a U.S. jury to pay $5.1 million (approximately P282 million) to Paradigm Sports Management (PSM) as the civil lawsuit filed by the latter against the former reached its conclusion.

In a report by Los Angeles-based journalist Steve Angeles of ABSCBN News, PSM won its lawsuit against Pacquiao with a 9-3 jury verdict, entitling them to monetary damages from the Filipino boxing icon.

The lawsuit stemmed from PSM’s claim that Pacquiao committed a breach of contract when he concealed his preexisting agreement with another promotional company, TGB Promotions, which hindered  PAGE A2

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

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao

DINO MARAGAY Philstar.com

‘There were abuses’ linked...

statement as basis for not sending out invites to ICC probers on behalf of the panel.

New strategy

Marcos said in the forum that illegal drugs continue to be “the source of much criminality” in the Philippines, remarking that “syndicates have grown stronger and wealthier and more influential.”

“But instead of going after everyone, we have tried to identify the key areas that we have to tackle, the key areas that we have to attend to so that we can see a diminution of the activity of the drug syndicates,” Marcos said. He said this includes a purge among the top brass of the police force who were asked by the government to submit

courtesy resignations and be subject to investigations on their links to the illegal drug trade, which has so far led to the dismissal of two police generals and two police colonels.

Apart from this, Marcos also stressed the need for rehabilitation of people who use drugs and a “reeducation” campaign aimed to steer the youth away from drug use. 

Pacquiao loses case vs Paradigm, ordered to...

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PSM’s efforts in arranging a fight for him.

The $5.1 million amount that Pacquiao has been ordered to pay PSM reportedly includes $1.8 million in damages and the $3.3 million advance PSM gave to the boxing legend.

Pacquiao entered into an agreement with PSM, which has in its stable Conor McGregor,

with an initial plan to arrange a lucrative fight with the UFC star. The bout, however, did not materialize.

Instead, the eight-division world champion ended up signing a different deal to face Errol Spence Jr., who was then replaced by Yordenis Ugas due to injury. Pacquiao lost to Ugas in 2021 in what turned out to be his last pro fight.

In the trial, Pacquiao’s defense attorney Bruce Cleeland claimed PSM failed to live up to their commitments to the boxing star. But PSM countered by questioning Pacquiao’s credibility.

Pacquiao has not fought professionally since losing to Ugas, but instead figured in an exhibition fight with Korean video blogger DK Yoo in December last year. 

DUAL ROLE. A backpack shields its owner from direct sunlight along Elliptical Road in Diliman, Quezon City on Thursday, May 4. The day’s heat index was a more tolerable 38 degrees Celsius measured from the Science Garden at 2 p.m. as against the 44 degrees in Aparri, Cagayan. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Marcos: PH-US relationship back on...

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cooperation, such as defense, and security among others.

Relations between the U.S. and the Philippines soured after Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the two nations.

The order came after the U.S. suspended the visa of former top cop and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is known to be Duterte’s staunchest ally.

Duterte had not once stepped into the U.S. during his six-year stint as the chief executive, saying he would never visit the country.

Marcos earlier said that the relations between the U.S. and the Philippines endured despite “turbulent” times, saying that it goes through various ups and

The President then noted that the world currently faces many “enormous and complex” challenges, including climate change, food, water and energy crises, and terrorism.

This is why, he said, he is calling to “evolve” the alliance between Manila and Washington.

“We are grappling with both new and traditional threats to our peoples’ security, nowhere more acutely felt than in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Philippines sits squarely at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region,” the President said.

“It is for this reason thaat I called for evolving our alliance—to make it more responsive to present and emerging challenges,” he said.

During a meeting in the White House last Monday, U.S. President Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’ “ironclad” commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including in the South China Sea.

This means that any attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft in the Pacific, including the South China Sea, would trigger U.S. mutual defense commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

China ‘ rmly’ opposes ‘meddling’ in...

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that an armed attack anywhere in the South China Sea, on the vessels, aircraft, or armed forces of Manila and Washington— including their Coast Guards— would invoke the two countries’ commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

In April, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels intercepted the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo. PCG said the Chinese vessels carried out "dangerous

The Department of Transportation said the PCG was "in the legitimate exercise of Philippine rights" in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea inside the country’s exclusive economic zone. The bilateral defense guidelines also chart a way forward to build interoperability

in both conventional and nonconventional domains. The guidelines were released as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. visited the Pentagon. Sought for his reaction to Beijing's remarks, Marcos said in a briefing that the statement was directed to Washington. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis. 

maneuvers" near the BRP Malapascua, posing a threat to the safety and security of those on board the ship.

Meet rst Fil-Am one-star general of California National Guard

SACRAMENTO, California

– U.S. Army Col. Marlena A. DeCelle officially affixed the onestar rank of brigadier general on her uniform last March 31.

Brig. Gen. DeCelle has many family members in the armed service who have served and are serving in various ranks.

Her father is a U.S. Navy veteran, two brothers are officers in the U.S. Army, and several uncles, aunts and cousins have served or are serving.

“I am the 5th generation to serve in the U.S. Army, dating back to the Spanish-American War,” DeCelle told Amanda H. Johnson of National Guard News.

Before the National Guard DeCelle served in leadership

positions at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and the 13th Corps Support Command in Fort Hood, Texas.

DeCelle left active duty in 2005 and was gainfully employed in the financial industry. However, she said she missed the service and “the brotherhood, the sisterhood and camaraderie.”

Decelle commanded 49th Military Police Brigade in March 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic she supervised soldiers’ operations at testing sites, food banks, and mobilization during civil unrest and wildfires. She is married to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ken DeCelle. They have four children. (Inquirer.net)

Medi-Cal enrollees: Here’s...

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and requesting a fee to help people renew coverage. Don’t fall for it. No payment is required to renew your coverage.

But be sure to open your mail and respond to any official request for personal information. And be aware that updating your information could push you off Medi-Cal if your income has risen or if you have access to other insurance.

If you need help with any of this, especially that daunting renewal form, keep reading.

Medi-Cal, the state’s version of the Medicaid health insurance program for low-income residents, has embarked on a 14-month effort to reexamine the eligibility of its nearly 15.8 million members. It is part of the massive “unwinding” being undertaken by all state Medicaid programs after three pandemic years during which their rolls swelled. States had agreed, in exchange for extra funding from the feds, not to boot anyone except in cases such as fraud, death, or a move out of state.

On April 1, Medicaid restarted the annual eligibility checks that had been the norm before the pandemic. It will be the biggest shake-up in U.S. health coverage since the Affordable Care Act, though it cuts the opposite way: Between 8 million and 24 million people will likely be bounced from Medicaid nationally, including an estimated 2 million to 3 million in California.

To minimize the number of enrollees dropped unnecessarily, California’s Department of Health Care Services, which runs Medi-Cal, has launched a $25 million advertising and outreach campaign that will send messages in 19 languages. The department is enlisting the assistance of nearly everyone who has contact with Medi-Cal enrollees: county offices, health plans, medical providers, advocacy groups, and volunteers. And it got $146 million in supplemental funding to help counties cope with the unprecedented number of renewal decisions.

But some patient advocates, health plan executives, and community clinic administrators worry it will not be enough to help all enrollees who could lose coverage if they can’t be reached or don’t respond — especially transient and homeless people and those with language or cultural barriers.

Less than two months before the start of the unwinding, multiple counties, including Fresno and Sacramento, reported staffing shortages and the need to train eligibility workers.

Laura Sheckler, deputy director of policy at the California Primary Care Association, which represents about 1,300 community clinics statewide, says the nearly $60 million in state funds earmarked for “navigators” to assist MediCal enrollees is not enough for her group’s members to provide all the help that will be needed. The

Biden administration issues new warning about medical credit cards

by NOAM N. LEVEY KFF Health News

THE Biden administration on Thursday cautioned Americans about the growing risks of medical credit cards and other loans for medical bills, warning in a new report that high interest rates can deepen patients’ debts and threaten their financial security.

In its report, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that people in the U.S. paid $1 billion in deferred interest on medical credit cards and other medical financing in just three years, from 2018 to 2020. The interest payments can inflate medical bills by almost 25%, the agency found by analyzing financial data that lenders submitted to regulators.

“Lending outfits are designing costly loan products to peddle to patients looking to make ends meet on their medical bills,” said Rohit Chopra, director of CFPB, the federal consumer watchdog.

Nationwide, about 100 million people — including 41% of adults — have some kind of health care debt, KFF Health News found in an investigation conducted with NPR to explore the scale and impact of the nation’s medical debt crisis.

The vast scope of the problem is feeding a multibillion-dollar patient financing business, with private equity and big banks looking to cash in when patients

and their families can’t pay for care, KFF Health News and NPR found. In the patient financing industry, profit margins top 29%, according to research firm IBISWorld, or seven times what is considered a solid hospital profit margin.

Millions of patients sign up for credit cards, such as CareCredit offered by Synchrony Bank. These cards are often marketed in the waiting rooms of physicians’ and dentists’ offices to help people with their bills.

The cards typically offer a promotional period during which patients pay no interest, but if patients miss a payment or can’t pay off the loan during the promotional period, they can face interest rates that reach as high as 27%, according to the CFPB.

Patients are also increasingly being routed by hospitals and other providers into loans administered by financing companies such as AccessOne.

These loans, which often replace no-interest installment plans that hospitals once commonly offered, can add hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest to the debts patients owe.

A KFF Health News analysis of public records from UNC Health, North Carolina’s public university medical system, found that after AccessOne began administering payment plans for the system’s patients, the share paying interest on their bills jumped from 9% to 46%.

Hospital and finance industry officials insist they take care to educate patients about the risks of taking out loans with interest rates.

But federal regulators have found that many patients remain confused about the terms of the loans. In 2013, the CFPB ordered CareCredit to create a $34.1 million reimbursement fund for consumers the agency said had been victims of “deceptive credit card enrollment tactics.”

The new CFPB report does not recommend new sanctions against lenders. Regulators cautioned, however, that the system still traps many patients in damaging financing arrangements. “Patients appear not to fully understand the terms of the products and sometimes end up with credit they are unable to afford,” the agency said.

The risks are particularly high for lower-income borrowers and those with poor credit.

Regulators found, for example, that about a quartaer of people with a low credit score who signed up for a deferred-interest medical loan were unable to pay it off before interest rates jumped. By contrast, just 10% of borrowers with excellent credit failed to avoid the high interest rates.

The CFPB warned that the growth of patient financing products poses yet another risk to low-income patients, saying

association has asked lawmakers for another $60 million.

Some Medi-Cal members already know where they stand.

Anthony Kelley, a 53-year-old single dad, is one of them. Kelley, who lives with his 14-year-old son, Nicholas, in Pacifica, California, temporarily lost his job as a driver for a concrete company in the early days of the pandemic and signed up for Medi-Cal. He got his job back about a month later, along with access to employersponsored health coverage, but he has stayed on Medi-Cal for the past three years. His son has been on Medi-Cal since he was born. When San Mateo County sent Kelley a renewal form, he called and was told his $58,000 annual income likely meant he and his son would lose Medi-Cal coverage. Now, he’s waiting for that to happen.

“It sucks for my son,” Kelley says, adding that he fears Nicholas could lose his doctors. “But we’ll deal with it.”

If you are anxious or uncertain about what you need to do, don’t fret. Help is available.

You can call or visit your local Medi-Cal office to update your personal information or ask for assistance. The Department of Health Care Services (www.dhcs. ca.gov) lists on its website all county Medi-Cal agencies, with addresses, phone numbers, and links. You can also call Medi-Cal’s help line (800-541-5555).

If you want to avoid potentially long lines or telephone hold times, consider signing up for an account at www.benefitscal.com or www. mybenefitscalwin.org. Doing so will allow you to update your personal and financial information online and find your renewal date.

Another great resource is the Health Consumer Alliance (8888043536 or www. healthconsumer.org), which can help you navigate the complexities of renewal, or contest a termination decision you think is unwarranted.

Community clinics, which provide care for nearly one-third of Medi-Cal enrollees, often have navigators on-site who can help fill out forms and answer questions.

L.A. Care, the largest Medi-Cal health plan, has 11 centers across Los Angeles County that will offer help to anyone who needs it, not just its members. Fresno County has 14 such centers. Check with your health plan for similar resources.

Under a state law, SB 260, if you are bumped off Medi-Cal but still have income low enough to qualify for an insurance subsidy through Covered California, the state’s insurance marketplace, you will be auto-enrolled in a plan the exchange deems to be the best value at the lowest cost.

Once notified of the plan selection, you will have 30 days to accept it, choose another plan, or decline coverage altogether.

“This doesn’t need to be all doom and gloom for people who have Medi-Cal,” says David Kane,

YULO LEADS PH GYMNASTICS TEAM. Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo will spearhead the Philippine gymnastics team in Phnom Penh, with Juan Miguel Besana, Jan Gwynn Timbang, John Ivan Cruz, Justine Ace de Leon and rookie Jhon Romeo Santillan joining him. Yulo will only be able to vie for medal events in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this month due to to the handicapping system of Cambodia, which limits gymnasts to just two apparatuses for the biennial meet. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Brig. Gen.Marlena A. DeCelle has many family members in the armed service who have served and are serving in various ranks.

PH improves in press freedom index but still a ‘di cult’ 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 Paris-based 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.”

PAUNAWA NG

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Ang Panukalang M na Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee ng Metro (Oversight Committee) ay magsasagawa ng pampublikong pagdinig sa ika-10:00 a.m., Hunyo 7, 2023. Maaaring makinig ang mga miyembro ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa: (888)251-2949 at ilagay ang Access Code: 8231160# (Ingles) o 4544724# (Espanyol).

Ang Oversight Committee ay itinalaga sa ilalim ng Panukala M, na kilala rin bilang Ordinansa sa Pagpapahusay ng Trapiko ng County ng Los Angeles, na nagpataw ng kalahati ng isang porsyento (.5%) sa mga transaksyon at gamitin ang buwis upang pondohan ang mga pagpapabuti ng transportasyon sa County, na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2016. Ang Oversight Committee at proseso ng oversight ay itinatag upang matiyak na ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumusunod sa mga tuntunin ng Ordinansa. Ang proseso ng oversight ay kinakailangang magsagawa ng taunang audit upang matukoy ang pagsunod sa mga probisyon ng Ordinansa na may kaugnayan sa pagtanggap at paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta sa taon ng pananalapi. Ang mga audit ay dapat ibigay sa Oversight Committee upang makagawa ito ng mga ulat sa natuklasan kung ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumunod sa mga kinakailangan ng Panukala M. Bilang pagsunod sa Ordinansa, nakipagkontrata ang Metro sa BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) para isagawa ang independiyenteng audit ng Special Revenue Fund ng Panukalang M at nakipagkontrata sa Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson para i-audit ang pagsunod ng County ng Los Angeles (County) at ang 88 lungsod (mga Lungsod) sa loob ng county.

Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay makatanggap ng mga pampublikong komento sa mga resulta ng mga independiyenteng audit na isinagawa sa Iskedyul ng Mga Kita at Paggasta para sa Pondo ng Espesyal na Kita ng Panukala M at Pagsunod sa Mga Kinakailangang Naaangkop sa Local Return Guidelines ng Panukala M mula Hulyo 1, 2021 hanggang Hunyo 30 , 2022, at ang taunang ulat ng Komite sa mga pag-audit na ito. Ang taunang ulat ay makikita sa https:// www.dropbox.com/s/4y4si1rjzcjgb99/MMITOC%20Annual%20Report%20FY22.pdf?dl=0.

MGA ULAT NG INDEPENDIYENTENG AUDITOR

Audit ng Special Revenue Fund ng Panukala M

Isinagawa ng BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) ang pag-audit ng pagsunod alinsunod sa auditing standards generally accepted sa United States of America at ang mga pamantayang naaangkop sa mga pag-audit sa pananalapi na nakasaad sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-atas na ang BCA ay kailangang magplano at magsagawa ng audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung ang Iskedyul ng Panukala M na mga kita at paggasta ay walang materyal na maling pahayag. Napag-alaman sa audit na sumunod ang Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2022.

Mga Audit sa Pagsunod ng County at Mga Lungsod ng Panukala M Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng mga audit ng pagsunod sa Local Return Guidelines alinsunod sa auditing standards generally accepted sa United States of America at ang mga pamantayang nakasaad sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-atas na ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay kailangang magplano at magsagawa ng mga audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung nagkaroon ng hindi pagsunod sa mga kinakailangan sa Ordinansa na maaaring magkaroon ng direkta at materyal na epekto sa programa ng Panukalang M sa Local Return. Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP ay nagsagawa ng audit ng County at 39 na Lungsod, at ang Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng audit ng iba pang 49 na Lungsod. Nalaman ng Independiyenteng mga Auditor na ang Metro at ang County kasama ang mga Lungsod ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto sa mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2022.

Ang mga audit ng pagsunod sa Panukala M sa Local Return Guidelines ng County at 88 mga Lungsod ay nakakita ng labing-anim (16) na lokal na hurisdiksyon na may mga isyu sa pagsunod. Lahat ng natuklasan ay nalutas na. Ang mga natuklasan sa audit ay nasa dalawang pangunahing kategorya tulad ng sumusunod:

Wala sa Oras na Pagsumite ng mga Form: Labing-isang (11) natuklasan ng mga Lungsod na hindi nagsumite ng mga form sa oras. Ang Form M-One at Form M-Two ay kinakailangang isumite ng mga Lungsod sa Metro na tumutukoy sa badyet at mga paggasta ng kanilang mga proyektong pinondohan ng Panukalang M sa Local Return.

Pagkabigong Makakuha ng Pag-apruba Bago Gumastos: Pitong (7) lungsod ang nabigong makakuha ng pag-apruba bago gumastos. Ang mga lungsod ay kinakailangang kumuha ng pag-apruba ng proyekto bago gumastos ng mga pondo sa pamamagitan ng pagsusumite ng isang Form M-One na naglilista ng pangalan ng proyekto, halaga ng mga pondo ng Panukala M Local Return na ibabadyet para sa proyekto, paglalarawan ng proyekto, at dahilan ng proyekto, na kinakailangan para sa proyekto na susuriin ng Metro para sa pagiging kwalipikado ng Panukalang M Local Return ayon sa Local Return Guidelines.

Taunang Ulat ng Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee ng Panukalang M Napag-alaman ng Komite na: (1) ang mga audit ay isinagawa alinsunod sa Ordinansa na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2016; (2) Sinunod ng Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, ang mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala M para sa taong natapos noong Hunyo 30, 2022; at (3) ang County at Mga Lungsod ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto sa Ordinansa at mga alituntunin ng Panukala M na naaangkop sa programa ng Panukala M Local Return para sa taong natapos noong Hunyo 30, 2022. Natagpuan sa audit ang labingwalong (18) mga pagkakataon ng hindi pagsunod na ayon sa mga tauhan ng Metro, ay naresolba na lahat.

Ang mga nakasulat na komento sa usaping ito ay tatanggapin hanggang Hunyo 6, 2023 ng ika-5PM. Maaaring i-email ang mga komento sa BoardClerk@metro.net na may Paksang "

KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO PARA SA PANUKALA M HUNYO 7, 2023" at isama ang numero ng item na iyong binibigyang komento. Ang mga komento sa pamamagitan ng koreo ay dapat ipadala sa: Board Administration, LACMTA, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-3-1, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952.

Ang mga kopya ng Mga Ulat ng Independiyenteng Auditor at ang Taunang Ulat ng Oversight Committee ay makikita sahttps://www.dropbox.com/s/4y4si1rjzcjgb99/MMITOC%20

Annual%20Report%20FY22.pdf?dl=0 at ang mga hard copy ay maaaring makuha sa Records Management Center ng Metro sa LACMTA Plaza Level sa (213) 922-2342.

Senators welcome Moderna’s plan to set up facility in Philippines

by CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE Philstar.com

MANILA — Senators on Friday, MAy 5 welcomed a plan of vaccine manufacturer Moderna to establish its shared service facility for pharmacovigilance in the Philippines, which will be its first in Asia and third in the world.

Sen. Bong Go expressed belief that Moderna’s plan to establish a facility in the country is a “vote of confidence in the improving business climate in the country.”

Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, said it is important that the health services needed to make Filipinos healthy, safe and productive are closer to the people.

“This is a welcome development and indeed a step toward the right direction,” Go said. “We thank President Marcos for enticing foreign investors to the Philippines. More investments mean more jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.”

Go gave assurance that he would continue advocating for the passage of measures that seek to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines and give the country the capability to produce its our own vaccines.

Sen. Nancy Binay also welcomed Moderna’s plan to establish a facility in the country, saying this will mean additional employment and access to vaccines not only for COVID, but for other diseases. 

American, Saudi rms may hire displaced OFWs

by CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE Philstar.com

SOME American and Saudi Arabian firms are willing to look at the credentials of Filipinos affected by the conflict in Sudan for possible employment, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople said the US employers who are interested in hiring the rescued Filipino workers include Patty Jeffrey, executive vice president for International Operations of MedPro International; Magsaysay People Resources and Magsaysay Maritime Corp. under Doris

Magsaysay-Ho and John Padget, president and chief experience and innovation officer of cruise operator Carnival Corp.

“They’re willing to look at the profiles of those who came from Sudan. I said these are skilled workers. I said, there are international school teachers, nurses, construction workers and engineers,” Ople said at a press briefing here.

“We have met with the US-based employers. The prospects for employment are very bright. They truly appreciate the excellence of the Filipino worker and they also appreciate the encouraging words of our President,” she added.

Ople said some employers in Saudi Arabia are also open to hiring Filipinos who were displaced by the clashes in Sudan. According to her, the DMW is working with PEACEME, a recruitment industry association in Saudi Arabia, and the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development on the possible hiring of workers. Some DMW officials are traveling to the Middle Eastern country this month to discuss the matter with local authorities. Hundreds of Filipinos have been affected by the crisis in Sudan, which stemmed from

Medi-Cal enrollees: Here’s how to verify...

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a senior attorney at the Western Center on Law & Poverty. (Bernard J. Wolfson/KFF Health News)

This article was produced by KFF Health News, formerly known

as Kaiser Health News (KHN), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health

policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

Biden administration issues new warning about...

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they should be offered financial assistance with large medical bills but instead are being routed into credit cards or loans that pile interest on top of medical bills they can’t afford.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the

independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

Are we out of the woods with...

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we were since December 2020,” Wachter said, referring to the Omicron variant whose name derives from the Greek alphabet.

Since March, the World Health Organization has been monitoring the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, aka “Arcturus.” The variant has a higher transmissibility than previous ones but doesn’t appear to be more dangerous. The new strain accounts for about 10% of COVID-19 cases worldwide. People who get it tend to have a fever and some get pink eye. Both symptoms don’t last very long.

“The last year or so really feels like new variants are a little scary and then they turn out not to be that big a deal. And so I think, if past is prologue, that’s likely to be what happens with this newest variant,” Wachter says.

Staying safe even as COVID-19 restrictions fade

Dr. William Schaffner, Professor and Chair, Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, says that while Covid can still be deadly, the risk of severe infection has diminished.

Dr. William Schaffner, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center still wears a mask in crowded places, as does Wachter.

“Many of our population have experienced COVID. Many people have been vaccinated, and of course many people have experienced both, and so our level of protection is very high, and these Omicron variants seem to be spreading, producing milder disease,” Schaffner says.

“The therapies, the testing, the treatments that we’ve gotten used to all work about as well as they have for the last 18 months. In some ways the biggest changes are political and sociological. It’s clear that any

rules and restrictions are pretty much gone,” Wachter says.

Americans have largely stopped wearing masks or hung them on their car mirrors just in case they may need them.

Schaffner says we need to keep our guard up. Older and immunocompromised people, as well as the unvaccinated, are the COVID patients who end up in the hospital. Vulnerable people need to get vaccinated, boosted, and wear masks.

“It turns out that the quality of the mask and the fit is important,” says Schaffner. The N-95 mask fits securely around your nose and chin. In the early days of the pandemic they were hard to find and controversy about wearing masks created a lot of confusion. Masks are no longer mandated except in hospitals and other places where the risk of infection remains high and it remains high for certain people.

“The other early mantra – that it’s really about protecting others and not you – it’s also wrong. It is about protecting others, but it certainly protects you, too.

It’s probabilistic. It lowers the chance of getting infected,” Schaffner says.

“If we’re not masking… I would say condoms prevent babies, masks prevent infectious disease. You’ll hear a lot of arguments about wearing both of them. But that doesn’t mean they don’t work,” says Dr. Ben Neuman, Chief Virologist of the Global Health Research Complex at Texas A&M University.

Arcturus variant likely not a game changer

Neuman said the Arcturus variant is different enough from the current vaccine strains that it has the potential to evade them because “it’s about as different from Omicron as Omicron was different from Delta and so just like we saw the Omicron wave come through, there is at least

the potential for that.”

Wachter doesn’t think the new variant will be a gamechanger though. For one thing, enough people have immunity now so the possibility of a superspreader event is unlikely.

“The vaccine and the booster still work reasonably well in about the same way that we have thought for the last 18 months or so.” Paxil still works reasonably well, your home test still works reasonably well, Wachter says.

“The risk of getting very sick is probably not any different now than it will be in 3 years… so we all have to come up with strategies that allow us to live our lives as fully as we can while mitigating the risks in a way that’s practical and sustainable. And that’s different than two years ago, when we were all trying to get through it,” he says.

Wachter and Schaffner told reporters that they get boosted regularly. They are waiting for new vaccines that will be available in a few months for flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Long COVID

For people who get reinfected, the danger of long COVID increases, especially for women. Wachter’s wife, a former reporter who now writes books, has long COVID and she is learning to live with it.

“A year ago she was not disabled in any way in terms of getting through her days. Certainly, many people have it worse than she does,” Wachter says. “But most days at about one or two in the afternoon, she will text me and say I’m hitting a wall. I need to take a nap. She never had to do that before.”

A little bit of brain fog is making her “a little less good than she was” but it’s a consolation to know what’s causing it, he says. (Peter White/Ethnic Media Services)

BEAUTIES. Portrait shots of Binibining Pilipinas 2023 candidates are on display at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City on

The exhibit is open until the coronation night on May 28 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

‘PH should focus on economy, not COVID-19’

MANILA — Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion emphasized the need for the country to focus on the economy instead of stricter COVID-19 measures as people are already aware of taking care of their own health.

“People may not die from COVID but they can die from hunger,” Concepcion said in an interview Wednesday with “The Chiefs” on One News.

“The economy is what we have to focus on. We have to get tourism back on its feet, and we want to see mobility. How do you expect our GDP to grow unless consumer spending happens?” he said. Concepcion said that the economy and job creation are now the priority.

Concepcion has been vocal against re-imposing mask man-

dates in the country after it was floated as a possibility following the rise in COVID positivity rates.

Earlier this week, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases announced that it would not mandate the wearing of face masks amid an uptick in COVID positivity rates.

“If we go creating unnecessary fear, then the tourists and investors will have second thoughts,”

Concepcion said, adding that the Philippines must send the right signals to the world by showing that the country has learned to live with COVID.

“All over the world, people are no longer talking about COVID,” he added.

Concepcion explained that the rise in positivity rates has

not overwhelmed the country’s health care system, unlike during the height of the pandemic.

Go Negosyo cited earlier data from OCTA Research which showed the positivity rate in the National Capital Region rose to 18.8 percent last May 1 but noted zero deaths from COVID in the NCR in the past weeks.

It added that health care utilization rate in the NCR as of endApril is at 22 percent, which is still very low.

Concepcion said even his parents, who are in their 90s, caught COVID but have managed well.

He also said that it might be time to trust that people can take care of their own health.

“By now, people already know how to manage their own situations,” he said. (Philstar.com)

American, Saudi rms may hire displaced OFWs

PAGE

a power struggle between the Sudanese armed forces and a paramilitary group. Ople said some 600 Filipinos have been evacuated from Sudan via different exit routes. She added that 777 Filipinos have sought help or have reached out to the Philippine embassy in Cairo.

“But others want to stay on. Others are hoping the conflict will subside. Of course we cannot force them. That is their decision. But if they would ask our advice, the

best way really or the best time for them to leave is now. And we also welcome news that the United Nations will be stepping in soon. So we do hope that the UN will step in and establish these humanitarian corridors and safe zones as soon as possible,” Ople said.

The DMW meanwhile reported that 72 more Filipinos, including four children, have returned to the Philippines.

Toby Nebrida, the agency’s spokesman, said the OFWs

were accompanied by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Arnell Ignacio on board the Saudia flight SV 8621.

He added that each of the returning OFWs would receive P100,000 in financial assistance from the DMW and OWWA.

DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia reported that over 6,300 applicants in the Labor Jobs Fair initiated by the agency have “qualified” for possible employment abroad. 

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.

A looming El Niño

PEOPLE in this tropical country are no strangers to periodic droughts, even as the planet has been getting progressively warmer over the past decades. The adverse impacts of the regular dry spells, however, have worsened with each passing year as the population booms with no corresponding expansion in fresh water resources.

This week the United Nations warned the world about a return of El Niño, which last occurred before the pandemic in 2018-2019. The weather phenomenon brings unusually heavy rains in some parts of the planet, and a dry spell that can become extreme in most other areas including the Philippines.

Editorial

Even during the normal dry season in this country, there is stiff competition for fresh water allocations for human consumption and agricultural use. The failure of the government to develop new sources of fresh water for the National Capital Region has led to shortages in the years before the pandemic, with water rationed in large sections of the NCR.

These days, 24-hour water supply is again not available in many areas in Metro Manila because of high turbidity as water levels go down, requiring more intensive treatment. The water concessionaires are upgrading treatment plants and rolling out additional ones including modular facilities, but El Niño is likely to aggravate the supply problem.

The UN warned that the looming El Niño could bring record temperatures and persist until next year as it urged governments to prepare mitigation measures. For the long term, the Philippines must fast-track the development of new fresh water sources, not only for Metro Manila but also for other areas in the country. There are still many families with no water piped directly to their homes. For the short term, more effort is needed to promote efficient water management, including the use of recycled gray water. This is being done by countries like Singapore without their own fresh water source.

The most obvious response is to limit the use of water for non-essential purposes. Some quarters are urging local government units to encourage curbs on the use of water for swimming pools, carwashes and golf courses. What is clear is that water consumption cannot continue with business as usual. (Philstar.com)

of solid economic growth over the past decade, attributable in significant part to its hospitable attitude toward free enterprise and private initiative.”

The May 2 White House welcome for Marcos Jr. was devoid of frills and soaring rhetoric.

(ODA).

“IT’S been a while since you’ve been here,” U.S. President Joseph Biden greeted President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., 65, as he and his official party were welcomed at the White House on May 2, Tuesday, Manila evening time.

Forty-one years ago, in 1982, Bongbong Marcos was a dashing young man when his father, President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr., and mom, the First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, were treated with a pomp-and-circumstance South Lawn welcome ceremony (I was there), a substantial one-on-one talk with U.S. President Ronald Reagan and a glittering garden state dinner later in the evening.

Reagan was an unabashed Marcos admirer. “The Philippines and you, Mr. President, play an important role in addressing the problems of economic development in the world,” he told the Filipino leader. “Under your leadership at home, the Philippines can boast a record

Reagan also acknowledged Marcos’ and the Philippines’ role in this world. He said:

“Our security relationship is an essential element in maintaining peace in the region and is so recognized. This relationship, one of several we have in the Western Pacific, threatens no one but contributes to the shield behind which the whole region can develop socially and economically.”

The American leader added:

“Mr. President, under your leadership the Philippines stands as a recognized force for peace and security in Southeast Asia through its bilateral efforts and through its role in ASEAN, which is the focus of our regional policies in Southeast Asia.”

In reply, Marcos Sr. declared from memory: “Destiny has decreed that the United States of America be the trustee of modern civilization against the threat of a possible second Dark Ages. And America cannot fail,” he told Reagan. “If America fails, then the world is lost.”

challenge the meaning of mutual benefit when emergencies and emotions are running high.

Philippine-U.S. relations have evolved, “as we faced the challenges of the new century,” Marcos Jr. has said.

Biden agreed. He told his barong-clad guest: “We are facing new challenges. I can’t think of any better partner to have than you... This relationship has to continue to evolve. And together, we’re tackling climate change, we’re accelerating our countries’ transition to clean energy and we’re standing up for our shared democratic values and workers’ rights and the rule of law. And together, we’re deepening our economic cooperation, which is going to continue to deepen and I think is mutually beneficial.”

Biden declared what is music to Marcos Jr.: “The United States also reminds ironclad in our – remains ironclad in our commitment to the defense of the Philippines, including the South China Sea, and we’re going to continue to support the Philippines’ military modernization goals. Mr. President, our countries not

only share a strong partnership, we share a deep friendship –one that has been enriched by millions of Filipino Americans in the communities all across the United States of America.” Marcos replied: “In the difficult times that we are facing, ahead of us, we need to find many ways to strengthen our alliances and our partnerships in the face of the new economy that we are facing post-pandemic. Beyond that, there are also the issues, geopolitical issues that have made the region where the Philippines is, possibly, arguably the most complicated geopolitical situation in the world right now.”

BBM explained: “It is only natural that – for the Philippines to look to its sole treaty partner in the world, to strengthen and to redefine the relationship that we have and the roles that we play in the face of those rising tensions around the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions.” Today’s Filipino American friendship is not all about war and geopolitics, however. There is the question of money. Money that creates jobs and economic activity – as in trade, investment, official development assistance

In 1979, Marcos got compensation for the two major bases, Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base: $500 million a year – $200 million in economic support, $250 million in military credits and $50 million in grant military aid. That agreement expired in 1999.

Marcos Jr. has allowed the US access to four more military bases in the Philippines where it can store weapons and rotate troops, on top of the five agreed to previously by past administrations, for an unprecedented total of nine. The four new bases include two in Cagayan, one in Palawan and one in Cagayan de Oro where there are already operating ports or airports.

Aware perhaps that the U.S. must have gotten much (nine bases) by paying virtually nothing, Biden told Marcos Tuesday: “I’m sending a firstof-its-kind presidential trade and investment mission to the Philippines” with the highest caliber U.S. business leaders and, as the White House explained, “to enhance U.S. companies’ investment in the Philippines’ innovation economy, its clean

second look at America

WHEN nations relate, there are two guiding principles –mutual respect and mutual benefits. The details may change from time to time on the benefits side, as needs and aspirations shift with circumstance. But the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefits must remain consistent to keep the relationship thriving.

Ours is not a perfect world, though. Challenges come and go, challenges that all too often make partner nations struggle to adhere to mutual respect and mutual benefit. There are internal conflicts in each nation that would spill over to international relations. Opposing domestic political and economic interests can draw sympathy from allies in another nation, then trigger friction where none was intended on the international level.

Or, some disruptive event with far-reaching repercussions like the global pandemic or the Russian war against Ukraine.

Some of these unexpected but radical happenings can

True, there was a time when the United States, with the use of cunning, deception, and superior force, imposed its will on the Filipino people. The deaths related to that conflict are staggering to a country that had not been steeped in a history of violence and war. Even from just a review of what happened 125 years before, there is still a tinge of pain and utter distaste in me.

But just as true, there was an age of colonization and expansionism world-wide.

Bigger, stronger, richer nations at that time did participate in a conquest movement – and most succeeded. That meant a lot of blood flowed, some from the invaders, but mostly from the natives – including Filipinos.

Under the rule of the Americans, Filipinos must have been shocked that colonizers could actually bring material benefits in a very short time.

The Americans were builders, not just rulers, and Americans were used to free speech – which Filipinos like Rizal realized the Spanish were not. Education was introduced and not just to the elite like before.

The vestiges of freedom were there more than the vestiges of slavery. In other words, whatever brutality was used to invade and subdue a native population, there was a serious effort to apply American efficiency and professionalism as well. It was as if the United States wanted to prove that their invasion was justified, that they thought Filipinos were not capable of ruling themselves at that point.

Then, material and technological progress was complimented with entertainment for Hollywood. That was the clincher –Hollywood entertainment addressing the fun and fiesta culture of Filipinos.

The horror of horrors came when Japan invaded the Philippines in World War II. I know it was because the Philippines was a colony of the Americans. But I also know Japan invaded other Asian countries not ruled by the United States – which then places the total onus of war on the invader at that time.

The United States released the Philippines from its formal authority in 1946, at a most crucial time when we had to

rebuild from a recent war. But Filipinos, by and large, were happy to be free, and, more importantly, had little resentment against America. In fact, a lingering movement for American statehood continued for decades.

My parents and grandparents saw the latter part of Spanish rule and the whole part of American rule. I remain grateful, whether it was just our part of the country or even just the clan of relatives and friends, that what was passed on to us were more positive stories than tales of horror – except for the Japanese occupation. Ironic that from their invasion and occupation of the Philippines, America showed enough of its values and capacity to convince Filipinos, up to today, that freedom and democracy are worth it.

Yes, the Americans did have some bases until the early 90s. My generation was here when the Philippines was struggling to manifest its first ever independence in living memory (pre-Spanish colonization was too long ago). I can tell everybody that the American bases were not in control of our freedom and independence,

just of their coveted PX goods. I remember the Americans only when I wanted items being sold in Clark or Subic, not to ask permission for my decisions as a Filipino citizen.

About 20 years later, a renewed agreement covering more American bases was drawn up; now, through EDCA, it is being expanded. After 6 years of the past administration that tried to tell us America was not so nice but China was a friend, the Philippines and the United States want a deeper relationship that included not only military bases but more of them. Most Filipinos welcome the renewed relationship. Even the traditional vociferous antiAmerican forces are not so belligerent.

Because China has not been so friendly, except to targeted Filipino officials. Maybe China believed that having special friends in the highest positions was enough to continue bullying the Philippines and grabbing sovereign territory. Maybe China felt it was protected from the top, so to speak, felt free to control even the fishing in Philippine waters, occupy Philippine islets and build military facilities on them.

energy transition and critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people.”

Aside from giving $500 million yearly for the use of Clark and Subic, the U.S. used to be the Philippines’ No. 1 trade partner, No. 1 investor and No. 1 source of tourists. Not anymore.

As of June 2020, the U.S. is the top destination of overseas Filipinos. About 4.21 million Filipinos live in the U.S., making them the biggest source of OFW remittances.

In 2022, net FDI amounted to $250.39 million. For January 2023, net FDI from the U.S. was $10.18 million.

The U.S. remains an important source of ODA, mostly in health, peace and humanitarian assistance. In 2021, US ODA was $629.69 million, 1.95 percent of its total ODA. The US is seventh in ODA sources (loans and grants) and No. 1 in ODA grants to the Philippines. (Philstar.com) * * *

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

* * *

Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com

There is great wealth from the natural resources of gas, oil, and maritime life within the Western Philippine Sea. China has warned us that we cannot exploit and develop them without China’s permission. How is China a friend?

Without China bullying the Philippines (and other Asian neighbors), there is no urgent need for EDCA and the additional American bases on Philippine territory. Perhaps, no need at all. EDCA is the second serious consequence of China’s expansionism and bullying. The first was the UNCLOS ruling on the case that the Philippines brought before it. Both were China’s doing, from China’s lust for power. The U.S. is not a guarantee that China will not prevail. But it is a guarantee that the Philippines is not alone. Beyond our mutual defense considerations, though, lies the deeper, living bond between Filipinos and Filipino Americans. That is most reassuring of all. (Inquirer.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.

ManilaTimes.net photo

JOSE MA. MONTELIBANO

Glimpses

PH crime rate down in rst 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.

Survey shows low SIM registration compliance

MANILA — A Social

Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in March found low compliance with the law mandating the registration of SIM cards. Results of the survey released on Wednesday, May 3 found that only 56 percent of SIM card owners registered as of the survey period of March 26 to 29, or about a month before the initial deadline for SIM registration on April 26.

The government later approved a 90-day extension for Filipinos to register their SIM cards. Most of those who have yet to register were in Mindanao (50 percent of SIM card owners), followed by those in balance Luzon (45 percent), Metro Manila (38 percent) and the Visayas (36 percent).

Non-registration was also highest among non-elementary and elementary graduates (49 percent), followed by junior high school graduates (44 percent) and senior high school, vocational and college graduates (39 percent).

Among those who already registered their SIM cards, some 72 percent said they found the process easy, while 28 percent described it as either somewhat or very hard.

More SIM registrants in

Mindanao found the process difficult at 46 percent. It was also difficult for 27 percent among those in the Visayas, some 25 percent in Metro Manila, and 22 percent in the rest of Luzon.

The number of those who found it difficult to register their SIM cards was also higher among those in rural areas (35 percent) compared to those in urban areas (25 percent).

Cellphone ownership

The survey also found that 73 percent of the respondents own at least one cellphone, with a majority saying they only use one SIM card.

About one in every five cellphone owners said they own two SIM cards.

Asked about their network providers, Touch Mobile emerged as the most subscribed to among respondents in balance Luzon (31 percent) and Mindanao (48 percent), while Talk ‘N Text has the most subscribers in the Visayas (39 percent).

Meanwhile, Smart and Globe dominated in Metro Manila at 34 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

Among all respondent cellphone owners, new player DITO only had two percent as its subscribers, compared to Touch Mobile’s 30 percent, Talk

‘N Text’s 26 percent, Globe’s 25 percent and Smart’s 23 percent.

The First Quarter 2023 SWS survey had 1,200 respondents and a sampling error margin of +/-2.8 percent.

With the SIM card registration deadline moved to July, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) observed that the pace of registration has again slowed down.

Data released by the DICT showed that 94.31 million SIM cards, or 56.13 percent of the total 168.98 million, have been registered as of May 3.

Earlier, President Marcos announced the extension of the deadline on April 25 by 90 days, during which DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy aims to hit 70-percent registration.

Uy said the targeted percentage represents the actual number of active SIM card subscribers since the remaining 30 percent is comprised of inactive numbers from subscribers using disposable SIMs.

The SIM Card Registration Act mandates the deactivation of unregistered SIM cards, rendering them unusable for voice calls, text messaging and mobile data services. (Janvic Mateo/Philstar.com)

Health care frontliners call for better bene ts

by RED MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

HUNDREDS of private and public health care workers marched in Manila on Friday, MAy 5 to demand an increase in salaries, job security, and prompt release of COVID-19 benefits.

The protest march organized by the Health Workers United For Wage Fight (HWUWF) is in line with the observance of National Health Workers' Day on Friday.

The group marched from España Boulevard to the foot of the Mendiola bridge.

Robert Mendoza, president of the Alliance of Health Workers and convenor of the HWUWF, said it was ironic that health care workers are being called "modern-day heroes" while they are being neglected by the government when it comes to their rights and welfare.

The group noted that in government hospitals, regular health workers only receive P13,000 per month under Salary Grade 1, while private health care workers only receive P570 per day.

Salome Ejes, president of the Philippine Heart Center Employees Association-AHW, said that their monthly pay is not enough for the increasing cost of daily basic needs and expenses.

"How can an ordinary health worker live decently? Our ATM

cards are already pawned in order to survive. It is just rightful for us to demand for a wage increase amounting to P33,000 as entry salary for SG-1 public health workers and P1,100/day for private health workers," Ejes added.

The group also called for the continued payout of their Health Emergency Allowance and Performance-Based Bonuses for the year 2021 and 2022, while other health care workers in the private sector, local government hospitals, and other health facilities are still waiting for their One Covid Allowance and Health Emergency Allowances from July to December 2021 and January to June 2022. They also deplored the rampant

“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 crimeprone 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.

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

Recto proposes total NAIA check-up after T3 power outage

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, May 1.

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 P1 billion for a new electrical system.

The gross revenues of the Manila

International Airport Authority (MIAA), which runs NAIA, in 2019 was P15.2 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 P2.2 billion tax payments, adding that despite the big deductions, the MIAA managed to post a net income of P5 billion.

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. (PNA)

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 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)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID

LACMTA will receive Bids for OP48505 - Pest and Bird Control at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or electronically at: bids@metro.net.

A Virtual Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 12:00 p.m.

All Bids must be submitted to LACMTA in one of two ways: either (1) one hard copy original sealed envelope and marked with the IFB No. OP48505 of the entire proposal, including all submittal forms, submitted by mail or hand delivered to the reception desk, One Gateway Plaza, 9th floor V/CM Department, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or (2) submitted electronically via email to bids@metro.net on or before Monday, June 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Local Time. Bids will be opened and publicly read at a time after receipt of bids. Bids received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Shannon Thoene at thoenes@metro.net.

5/6/23

CNS-3697738#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

hiring of contractual, job order, and contract of service health care workers, while some of them are experiencing overwork due to the overcrowding of some government hospitals, which worsened during the pandemic.

The group has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to heed their long-standing demands, noting that the situation has been "alarming" as the health care system is now in "deep crisis." Sought for comment, Acting Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they will continue to support health care workers, noting that they have discussed with Congress ways on how they could be dissuaded from leaving the country. 

SC starts public consultations on anti-terror rules

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) has commenced public consultations for the governing rules on antiterrorism 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 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 antiterrorism and counterterrorism financing cases, in Cebu. 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 antiterrorism 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. (Philstar.com)

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

Health

Asian Journal WKND

Emergency interview and an expedited visa for Don Tagala’s mother on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

DON Tagala, the awardwinning reporter on TFC News, desperately wanted his mother, Vinia, to come to the U.S. because his sister, Almira, became critically ill in 2019. His mother could be there for her children for emotional support and to make crucial lifedecisions.

The hospital where Almira was on life support even emailed the U.S. Embassy explaining the circumstance

and requesting for a visitor’s visa for Vinia. However, the Embassy instructed the hospital to go through the normal process.

Time was running out, so Don went to leading U.S.

Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel to seek his assistance and expert advice. Confident that Vinia would abide by the terms of her visa and return to the Philippines, Atty Gurfinkel immediately

sought an emergency visitor visa and expedited interview, so Mommy Vinia could arrive in the U.S. as soon as possible. Unfortunately, while all preparations were going on, Don’s sister passed away on June 24. The visitor visa application was updated, asking the Embassy to still expedite the visa to now enable Don’s mother to attend the funeral, instead of the original request to visit Almira at the hospital.

Atty. Gurfinkel was able to secure an emergency interview on June 26 (where the earliest available appointment would have normally been August 13) and an expedited visa was also issued the same day.

On June 28, 2019, Mommy Vinia arrived in New York, four days after her daughter passed on. She was able to attend the funeral and be there for Don. While it was a bittersweet reunion for Don and his mother in the U.S., it is important to know what to do and where to seek help if an emergency arises.

Watch this encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, May 7 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

CONSUMER GUIDE COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

John: Celebrities getting bashed is proof of effectiveness

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” actor John Estrada shared his opinion on actors getting bashed by the public because of the roles they portray. John plays Rigor Dimaguiba on the show, and his portrayal of the character has drawn the ire of fans, who call Rigor “violent and lacking compassion.”

In a media conference for “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” held at Luxent Hotel on Thursday, May 4 he was asked what he thought of receiving bashing remarks because of his portrayal.

“Dahil artista kami, if you’re called for that kind of role and maraming nag-react, nagalit, that means you’re effective as an actor,” explained John.

The actor hopes he will not be typecast into similar roles in the

future and said that he excels in playing Rigor because he gets to act opposite Coco Martin.

“I’m not gonna be plastic in saying na gagawin ko ‘to para sa lahat ng bida ko,” continued John as he cited his years in the entertainment business. “I think I have the right also to choose kung sino pagko-kontrabidahan ko.” John also shared that he

Gloria explains why she doesn’t agree with new Miss Universe rules

By earl D.C. BraCamonte Philstar.com

MISS Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz shared her ideas on Miss Universe Organization’s expanded eligibility rule that now includes married or divorced women and single mothers. After Miss Universe Spain 2018 Angela Ponce’s successful breakthrough into the Miss Universe pageant, transgender women have also been included in the new eligibility rule.

With the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, as well as the 72nd Miss Universe edition, fast approaching, the first Filipina Miss Universe shared what she thought about this new rule.

Dapat Universe na lang, huwag na Miss. Kasi, hindi naman Miss ‘yun, di ba? I think they even included transgenders. Syempre, going with the times. Pero, my personal opinion - which is not to be taken in the negative way - is dapat may sarili silang contest.

May Mrs. Universe, may lesbian universe, may tranny universe. There is room for so much. Oo, mga category na ganoon, ganyan.

Tapos, kasi, even sa Mrs. Universe, andaming magaganda diyan na nanganganak na. So, okey lang ‘yun!” reacted the beauty queenturned-actress on mothers being allowed to

join the Miss Universe.

“Kasi, actually, pag 28 ka na, dapat may career ka na, hindi ba? Dapat nga... Like during my time, from 17 or 18 hanggang 23, lkaw na ang pinakamatanda. In fact, noon, ‘pag may 23 years old, sasabihin nilang ‘and the oldest candidate, 23-year-old...’ ganyan, no? Bukod tanging ikaw ang pinakamatanda.

“Pero ngayon, nakaka-28 na yata, puwede pa rin eh. It’s hard. It’s a very new idea para sa akin... not very acceptable. Dapat kanya-kanya. O, sige, ‘di at least it gives people more chances, ‘di ba? Kasi, you’re representing this country. Eh, kung may mas magandang babae o mas magandang tranny, mas mahirap kalabanin ang tranny.

“Kasi, I’ve been a judge sa Super Sireyna. Ang gaganda talaga nila. At talagang palaban sila. Kaya nilang magsirku-sirko d’yan, ‘di ba?” intoned the highly opinionated beauty queen.

A lot of pageant fanatics agree with Gloria Diaz’s opinion. But since the new rules have been announced to commence with the El Salvador pageant, supporters can only wish for the best outcome.

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant will unfold toward the end of 2023 in El Salvador. Stay tuned! g

Saweetie is sweet and sexy in Francis Libiran

IN case you missed it, Saweetie, one of the hottest female rappers of this generation, made a statement at the media conference of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw last week by wearing a stunning outfit designed by Filipino fashion icon Francis Libiran.

As a proud Filipina, Saweetie intentionally represented her heritage in her fashion choices.

Saweetie’s outfit was a lilac-deep sweetheart neckline corset dress with a dupioni silk skirt that cascaded around her curvacious figure and finished off with an impressive thigh-high slit.

The sweet and sexy cocktail dress truly captured Saweetie’s unique attitude and style.

marks Saweetie’s first performance in the Philippines, and she was joined by other Filipino household names that graced the event.

Meanwhile, the designer behind Saweetie’s stunning outfit, Francis Libiran, is considered one of the Philippines’ premier fashion designers, with over two decades of experience.

He specializes in custom-made and ready-towear wedding gowns, evening gowns, dresses, menswear, corporate wear and accessories.

Instagram on

announces her

entrepreneur Jeremy

Saweetie showcases pride in her heritage through this stunning outfit.

The rapper’s Filipino roots trace back to her Filipino-Chinese mother from Tondo, Manila. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw

Saweetie’s choice to wear a Filipino designer at the event not only showcases her pride in her heritage but also helps to promote Filipino fashion to a broader audience. It is a great example of how fashion can be used to celebrate and highlight cultural identity. (ManilaTimes. net)

Angeline shares love story, life as a mommy

By nathalie m tomaDa Philstar.com

ANGELINE Quinto said that when her adoptive mom, Sylvia “Mama Bob” Quinto, passed away, she lost all desire to work and perform. But then, motherhood happened. It gave the singer-actress a newfound purpose in life.

Her son Aziel Sylvio, who was named after her Mama Bob, just turned one last April 27.

“The happiness na in-expect ko, mas sobra pala. Iba pala talaga. Siguro ang masasabi ko, hindi siya madali. But yung pagbalanse ng oras sa work and sa anak, yun ang talagang mas inayos ko. (The happiness that I expected turned out to be more. It’s really different. Maybe what I can say is, it’s not easy. Balancing my time between work and caring for my child, that’s what I really worked on more),” Angeline told The STAR in a recent interview.

The first time she saw her baby boy, the 33-yearold newbie mommy was so scared to hold him. “Kasi ang

liit-liit niya. Sabi sa akin ng isang nurse, ma’am hindi kita tuturuan (paano hahawakan siya) subukan mo lang. Tapos pagbuhat ko sa kanya marunong pala ako. (Because he was so small. And then a nurse told me, ma’am I won’t teach you how to

hold him, just try. When I carried him, I actually knew how to do it),” she recalled.

ko lang in-expect na parang kakawala lang kasi ni Mama, wala pang one year, nung nalaman kong buntis ako. Pero sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kasi dumating siya. Kasi pagkawala ni Mama, hindi ko kakayanin. (It’s not that I didn’t want to, but I just didn’t expect it because Mama had just passed away, less than a year from when I found out I was pregnant. But I am very thankful that he came. Because after losing Mama, I couldn’t handle it.) She continued, “It got to the point where I didn’t want to work, I didn’t want to sing, I didn’t want to do anything. When Mama was gone, I thought, for whom am I working hard for? Para kanino ako nagpapagod?”

“Yun din ang tinanong ko sa Diyos, kung wala ang Mama, ano ang purpose ko sa buhay?

Pia Wurtzbach weds Jeremy Jauncey in surprise beach wedding

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

PIA Wurtzbach delighted her fans and followers with her surprise beach wedding to Jeremy Jauncey on Friday, May 5. The Miss Universe 2015 winner also changed her Instagram name where she posted the video clip of their intimate wedding ceremony in

5. Photos creengrabbed from Instagram/@ an undisclosed location. Both she and Jeremy shared the clip on their respective Instagram Stories and Reels. Pia’s Instagram account now includes her married name. She simply captioned the post as “Mr & Mrs Jauncey 24.03.2023.”

Pia and Jeremy revealed they were dating in 2020. They announced their engagement in May 2022. g

Celeb moms tap Maris after viral babysitting post

By jan milo severo Philstar.com

MARIS Racal’s photos taking care of a baby aboard a flight drew positive and witty remarks from fans and fellow celebrities.

The actress shared photos and a video of her with the baby on her lap and giving the child milk from a feeding bottle.

Nagpadede, nagpatulog, at naging instant ina po tayo sa biyaheng pa Manila,” Maris wrote on Instagram.

“When I saw na may baby akong katabi, my heart leaped out of my chest. Idk (I don’t know) but i just love babies and i love baby sitting huhu!” she said.

“Glad to have helped a kababayan Mom during this trip! Yes masaya po ang tulog niya! See last photo. So happy I met these two beautiful people,” she added.

Jolina

Magdangal teased

Singer-actress Maris Racal Photo

Maris in the comment section, Ay nagpapraktis na!” while new mothers, actresses Iza Calzado and Angelica Panganiban, jested about tapping her as a babysitter for their newly born daughters. g

Eugene reveals she thought of entering convent before meeting husband

By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

While Sylvio came unexpectedly into her life, she could say she was ready for his arrival.

“Hindi sa ayaw ko but hindi

Dimples shares parenting style: ‘I don’t allow jealousy nor envy’

By mariDol ranoa-BismarK, Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

DIMPLES Romana continues to show who is the girl boss in the nightly action-packed show “The Iron Heart.”

Her Selene character is not far from the real world as the actress is definitely a woman who wears many hats, on- and

off-camera.

On camera, she’s Selene, the tough boss of a criminal group. It’s tough for the mother of three because she is filming the series in Cebu City where the show is set, while rearing for her third child, Elio, who turns one next

Eto na pala yun. Ito yung sagot sa akin ni Lord. (That’s really what I asked God, with Mama no longer with us, what is now my purpose in life? This is the Lord’s answer to me),” she further said of motherhood. g month.

When motherhood and career can be daunting, the actress does not see it that way. On her Instagram, fans can see her uploading clips of her bonding with Elio, who has started walking, her second son and her eight-year-old Alonzo. Her eldest, Callie, might be building her career as a pilot in Australia, but the 19-year-old remains to be her mother’s grown-up baby. Her daughter is quite an achiever, who passed her Private Pilots License exams last year in Australia. Callie is her mother’s daughter, for sure, as Dimples, herself has not stopped learning at 38.

Thirst for knowledge

The actress enrolled in online classes in a U.S. school at the height of the pandemic.

“I don’t want to stop learning,” she explained. “I want everything I say to have basis. I want to have an educated answer every time someone asks me anything.”

Dimples turned night into day by catching up on sleep, while her multi-racial classmates on the other side of the world took their lunch break (classes were 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., Manila time). She likened her routine to that of her father and grandma, former government employees who napped during their lunch breaks. The rewards outweigh the sacrifices, she shared.

“I learned so much! It’s nice to get different mindsets from those who are not living in the Philippines. It opens more horizons and opportunities.”

By studying again, Dimples hopes she will make her children, Callie and Alonzo, proud of the fact that Mommy is still learning, even in her late 30s. She wants to show them that money is not the only denomination in the world. Time is, as well.

So she squeezed in an hour from her busy schedule for her studies.

“I’m taking marketing classes because I don’t want to speak without factual basis.”

Raising her children right

This mom can also speak with authority when it comes to raising children. Dimples told the press she enforces good old Catholic discipline at home, where she and husband Boyet encourage Callie and Alonzo to express themselves with respect.

“It’s their responsibility to be kinder. They treat our angels (house help) the same way they treat us. And they have to be their own competition. I don’t allow jealousy nor envy at home. I don’t want my kids to live with envy,” she revealed.

The actress also shared that she told her children they can always commit mistakes at home, because it is their training ground. And their parents will love them, no matter what. g

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 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 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

from Instagram/@mariesteller

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

marriage to

Jauncey on

May

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz Philstar.com photo

Photo from Instagram/@francislibiran

Angeline Quinto and non-showbiz partner Nonrev Daquina celebrate the first birthday (April 27) of their son Aziel Sylvio. Photo from Instagram/@loveangelinequinto

Actress Dimples Romana

Glaiza de Castro, Mike Tan team up for another family series

By Jerry Donato Philstar.com

GLAIZA de Castro and Mike Tan display once more their flair for essaying characters with multi-faceted and layered storylines in GMA 7’s The Seed of Love. They will be known to viewers as the young couple Eileen and Bobby, who consider starting a family via in-vitro fertilization, when the show premieres on May 8 at 4:05 p.m. and airs weekdays thereafter.

“What we have learned from it (doing the series) is to pick up different motivations from different trees.”

As for Mike’s part, he shared that sometimes one’s passion for work might wane, “especially if you’re tired (and weary) and awake (working for hours).”

The Kapuso actor added that his family and the thoughts of coming home and spending time with them are some of his motivations. All this has made Glaiza and Mike to always be in the zone and keep themselves on their toes, work-wise.

Aga Muhlach recalls being down-and-out, looked down upon by actors: ‘Nasa baba ka na, aapakan ka pa’

By anne PasaJol Inquirer.net

AGA Muhlach looked back on his years in the showbiz industry and revealed that there were fellow actors who treated him unkindly when he was at a low point of his career.

During his and his wife Charlene Gonzalez’s interview with broadcaster Karen Davila, the actor recalled doing his first movie “Bagets” at age 13 and eventually “getting lost” because of the fame.

“Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari then [the movie] became so big and I got so lost there. 14 years old solo na ako, nakatira na ako mag-isa and nagre-rent ako ng apartment,” he recounted.

(I did not know what was going to happen, then the movie became so big and I got so lost there. I was already living alone and renting an apartment when I was 14 years old.)

When asked why he left home at an early age, Muhlach admitted, “I just thought this was life already.”

“I thought this was the good life until you learn it [that] fame is different from finances. It does not mean na sikat ka, yayaman ka,” he continued. (Even if you are famous, it does not mean that you will be rich.)

Muhlach disclosed how he then came to a point when he had no money and was being

Davila kicked out of his place because he could not pay the bills and rent.

“Bagsak ako that’s why inayos ko ‘yung sarili ko (I was down, so I fixed myself).

In 1990, 1991, that’s when I said, ‘No, this is not right,’” he recalled. “I was really downand-out and there were actors before who would…talagang… grabe (really, it was too much).”

“Inapi ka (Did they mistreat you)?” Davila asked, to which he replied, “Grabe, oo.” (Yes, it was too much.)

While Muhlach opted not to name any specific actors, he said that this experience made him vow to himself that he would never be like those celebrities despite the fame.

“Kaya sabi ko, ‘pag sumikat talaga ako ulit, never kong gagawin ‘yon talaga. Kaya I’ve always been the kindest to any artist na kasama ko—bago, matanda,” he stated. “I learned from that kasi nakita ko ‘yung sakit nung ginawa sa akin ‘yung nasa baba ka na, aapakan ka pa.”

(That was why I told myself that when I rise to fame again, I will never do such. That’s why I have always been the kindest to any artist that I work with, may they be new or older celebrities. I learned from that [experience] because I felt how painful it is to be shoved further when you’re already at your lowest.)

The status quo will be shaken up as new personalities, bringing their own interests and intentions to the main narrative, enter the scene. It leads to some twists and turns that show how intricate Eileen and Bobby’s life is.

“True, ang daming nangyari (a lot has happened),” said Glaiza of how complex and dynamic her Eileen and Mike’s Bobby are, in terms of story and characterization, based on The Seed of Love’s trailer and music video presented during the recent virtual group interview. That’s why she and Mike were asked how they get and stay motivated in taking on emotionallydemanding roles.

The Seed of Love taping commenced back in 2020 and was halted by the pandemic. Good thing is, the new normal has given its cast and crew the chance to resume production.

“Minsan nawawalan na kami ng resources (Sometimes, we run out of resources),” shared Glaiza. “Some of the techniques that we use don’t work… but if you love what you’re doing, you remain motivated and I (also) just want to keep on growing.”

Glaiza and Mike will be known as the couple Eileen and Bobby, who consider starting a family via in-vitro fertilization, to viewers once the GMA 7’s The Seed of Love premieres on May 8. The Sparkle GMA actors take on the challenges of playing complex and dynamic characters and staying themselves motivated. All this shows their commitment to the craft.

What one could glean from the Kapuso actress’ train of thought is, an actor should find a source of motivation, which ranges from making the scene better and compelling to going home early, and is also subject to change every time.

“You can’t afford not to be motivated or not to have one (motivation),” said she.

However, on set, they both acknowledged the significant contributions of director Ricky Davao and fellow actors to be in the scene and surpass the challenges the latter presents.

“Of course, there’s the guidance of direk, who never gets tired of sharing what he thinks should be done in each scene, but he is not imposing it on you,” said Mike. “He would tell us, ‘It’s just my take, which serves as your guide.’ As actors, it’s still up to us (to consider it) and do (the scene and the character based on our understanding).”

With the trust Ricky, an actor’s director, has given to the cast, thespians, as Mike put it, will offer something new in their performances.

Even if some roles appear similar to previous ones, new dramatis personae have their own unique qualities and post challenges that real acting troupers like Glaiza and Mike willingly embrace.

“Nakaka-humble din yung experiences namin dito (We’ve had humbling experiences in the show). You can’t say that I’ve already

Eugene reveals she thought of entering convent before...

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. g

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Danilo Bottoni and Eugene Domingo Photo from Instagram/@eugenedomingo_official

Aga Muhlach

Screengrab from YouTube/Karen

Ara Mina on sister Cristine’s newfound romance with Marco

by Dolly Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

ARA Mina and her hubby, Dave Almarinez have great teamwork in marriage and business as well. They recently launched a holding company, Aforce Ventures, which aims to help entrepreneurs jumpstart their business.

“For now, our new venture is our baby,” Ara points out. “But we’re hoping to have a baby soon, though we don’t want to pressure ourselves about it.”

She’s also busy preparing for her lifestyle magazine show on Net 25, “Magandang ARAw.”

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Ara beams. “After 30 years in show biz, I will do the interviewing instead of being the one interviewed.”

As for the newfound romance of her sister Cristine Reyes with Marco Gumabao, Ara says, “I want her to be happy. Hopefully, Marco is going to turn out as her ‘Dave,’ so both of us will live and love happily ever after.”

Scintillating reality show Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the sexiest of them all?

Find out in the scintillating reality show directed by Paul Basinillo, “PantaXa Laiya” (now streaming on Vivamax).

Angelica Hart, Audrey Avila, Aiko Garcia, Apple Dy, Aria Bench, Aila Cruz, Armina Alegre and Cess Garcia will undergo physical, mental, sensual and sexual challenges on the serene beach of Laiya, Batangas.

Maui Taylor and Katya Santos

serve as the girls’ mentors, while Wilbert Ross and Rose Van Ginkel host the show. Let the “PantaXa” ladies make you simmer in summer hotness.

Here are quotes from Maui (M), Katya (K) and Paul (P):

M: All the eight girls have star quality. It was amazing to see their transformation as the show progressed.

K: The girls are all palaban, so Maui and I didn’t have a hard time mentoring them. Since game na game sila magpose and project, our focus was more on teaching them how to deal with show biz people and having the right attitude.

P: Out of 100 applicants, the eight girls were singled out. The show serves as their training ground for future projects.

M: The girls remind Katya and me of our Viva Hot Babes

days. They have different personalities, so clashes are inevitable. But just like us, they remain as sisters. It’s healthy competition.

K: Competition is tougher now than before when Maui and I were newbies. That’s because of social media. The girls are easy targets for bashing, but I told them not to let bashers affect them. They must embrace their imperfections and be their authentic self.

P: I gave the girls equal exposure. I did not let any of them be a scene-stealer.

What it’s like dating ‘afams’

When a friend is dating a FilAm guy, I ask her in jest “So since he’s half American, is it his lower or upper-half that’s American?”

The joys and woes of dating a foreigner is explored in “Afam”

(now streaming on Vivamax).

Directed by Linneth Zurbano, it is topbilled by Robb Guinto, Jela Cuenca and Nico Locco. Robb and Jela portray besties who fall for the same guy, a foreigner played by Nico. He presents himself as perfect, but in reality, he’s a fraud. When he comes to Manila to meet the two girls, they are startled about their situation. His deception is a red flag, yet the besties turn into rivals to win him over. Love turns them into “sinister sisters.”

Here are quotes from Robb (R), Jela (J), Nicco (N) and Linneth (L):

R: Love knows no race or color. What matters is your feelings for each other.

J: When people see Pinays with afam boyfriends, they tend to judge that the Pinay is after his money. We hope our film will erase that stigma.

N: I watched “Tinder Swindler” to prepare for my role. In real life, I’m a onewoman man. I’m a retired chickboy.

L: Since my ex and my current boyfriend are foreigners, I’m a certified “afamista,” so I owned the material of the film, which is my debut. I incorporated my personal experience into my portrayal.

R: In real life, I won’t ruin a friendship just because of a guy. I will give way to my friend if ever we fancy the same man.

J: Hooking up with an “afam” is considered an improvement of the race. When you are half-

Iza Calzado is keeping it cool in her new mommy era

By Mj MArfori Philstar.com

FRESH from giving birth

just three months ago, new mom and one of the country’s most prominent actresses, Iza Calzado, emerged from her maternity “lockdown” and met up with the press — mostly mothers like me — for her firstever endorsement as a mom, that is the app for parents called Edamama.

The Mama Mary-esque beauty, who was in a white dress, laughed so hard when we threw her a very Filipino opening line, “Parang hindi ka naman nanganak!” Iza said she doesn’t honestly know what to make out of it because “in my head, I’m like, what’s that supposed to mean? I’ll just take it as a compliment… I’ve been getting the compliment, but I try not to get attached (to it).”

Iza added that motherhood has made her more fully present in the moment, but during her event she could not help but think of her daughter. “In my head, kamusta si Deia? Gising na kaya siya?”

She gave birth last January to a beautiful baby girl named Deia Amihan, which she just shared with us three months after. As for her reason, she said, “There is a cocoon stage of the first three months, and it’s for the baby and mother. The first three months, it’s crucial also for the mother to regain strength and not just physical strength, but also emotional and mental strength. And for the baby, it’s quite fragile for the first three months and to be honest, I would’ve kept her a little longer to myself but it was weird to go back to social media and not share her.”

Iza also said that she was being cautious for her family amid the free speech on social media and decided on not sharing her daughter while she was still a newborn and fragile. “She was born 5.5 lbs, so hindi ko rin siya nilalabas.”

The actress also prioritized the celebration of welcoming a child when she announced

that she had a baby rather than focusing on showing who her daughter looks like and what not.

Though the challenges as a new mom such as difficulties of breastfeeding and sleepless nights, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a new parent are so blatant for Iza as with any mom, she seems to be fluid with how she handles these things. Iza credited the challenges she had in her past for preparing her for the daily grind as a mom. “I am a woman who has been through a lot and wisdom is gained through experience, my mistakes and all the other things,” said the actress, who also shared her lessons learned that show the selflessness that has developed in her.

“First wisdom about motherhood is, it’s not about me, it’s the baby and what is best for the baby. How I wanted to give birth to her didn’t work out that way, but that was what’s the best for her,” she said.

“Nice and slow” is how Iza wants to nurture her baby and even though maternity leave in the usual calendar ends at three months, it is very different for the actress.

“Before I gave birth, I said after three months, babalik ako agad sa pag-arte,” she shared.  Nanganak ako tumawa na lang ako. Joke’s on me. Girl, you did not know! Tinatanong ako ni Noel (Ferrer, my manager) and sabi ko, ‘Kapatid, relax. Seven months? A year? I don’t know. Nanamnamin ko muna.’”

Iza’s candidness and honesty about her experiences have resonated with fans and have helped break down the unrealistic expectations that society often places on new moms, most especially those in showbiz.

Keeping it real is what Iza does best. Taking on the role day by day and not forgetting to love herself ground her and allow her to perform her best as a new mom. g

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Ara Mina (left) and Dave Almarinez

Iza Calzado emerges from her maternity leave to promote her first-ever endorsement as a mom. Philstar.comphoto

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend Rodel G.

The way to God

BalaGtas

“I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

(John 4:6)

These words of Jesus are some of his famous words. They speak of our fundamental Christian belief that the way to the Father is Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, for Jesus and the Father are one.

But, deep in our hearts, do we believe these words of Jesus?

It’s an essential question each of us must answer because our Christian faith is not merely sentimental or ritualistic but is an ascent to a firm belief that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is indeed the only and true Way to God, the Father.

We all long to be with God at the end of our earthly lives, except for atheists. St. Augustine describes the human “restlessness” in his muchquoted dictum: “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

This divine state of a fully “rested” or peaceful heart is something we long for, not

only after our earthly life but even in the here and now. Every day we long for a life free from anxiety, fear, anger, and sadness amidst any health issue, financial problem, or threat of recession and world war.

In his book, Wrestling with God: Finding Hope and Meaning in Our Daily Struggles to be Human, Ronald Rolheiser explores this human heart longing, drawing from Karl Rahner’s explanation of what we desire explicitly and what we want implicitly. He writes: “Our instincts and natural desires draw us toward various explicit things—love for another person, friendship, a work of art or music, a vacation, a movie, a good meal, a sexual encounter, an achievement that brings us honor, a sporting event, and countless others—that, on the surface at least, would seem to have nothing to do with God and are drawing our attention away from God. But, as Rahner shows, and is evident in our experience, in every one of those explicit desires, there is present implicitly, beneath the desire and as the deepest part of that desire, the longing for and pursuit of something more profound. Ultimately, we are longing for the depth

that grounds every person and object: God.”

Might not this be the disciples’ longing in their “troubled hearts” in this Sunday’s Gospel (John 14:1012)? Jesus told them not to let their hearts be troubled, for they have found Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It’s their profound belief and relationship with Jesus that would bring peace, joy, and order to their lives and, ultimately, eternal life with God.

But to believe and to follow Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the life entails living a life of love, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, humility, generosity, and service to God and humankind. The road to this way of life is narrow, but by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit, we can walk this challenging road until we reach our eternal home with God.

* * *

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.

* * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Aga Muhlach recalls being...

Having been in show business for decades, Muhlach has been part of several films and TV

shows including “Oki Doki Doc,” “Basta’t Kasama Kita,” “Kung Ako na Lang Sana” and “Dubai,” among many others.

Meanwhile, Muhlach has been married to Gonzalez since 2001. The couple have twins, namely Atasha and Andres. n

Glaiza de Castro, Mike Tan...

done (the role) or the scene and that I’m familiar with it,” said she. “You can’t be complacent. This (The Seed of Love) is a new experience, which entails a new (acting) process, presents new characters and requires new approaches.”

“With the characters that we play, they have different experiences,” added he. “The challenge is how you’re going to do it (to tell those experiences).” If one may add, it’s another way for any actor to stay motivated.

Given their years of work, plus the commitment to the craft, Glaiza and Mike are among GMA’s reliable actors. Some think that the family-and-relationship themed series is their forte or strength. When asked about it, Glaiza said with a smile that she might be

EMPLOYMENT

‘Poor performance’ does not excuse employer retaliation against whistleblower

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

atty. C. Joe sayas, JR

WALLEN Lawson worked as a territory manager for two years for PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc. (PPG), a paint manufacturer. Lawson sold and stocked PPG paint products in Lowe’s home improvement stores in Southern California. PPG used two metrics to evaluate Lawson’s performance: his ability to meet sales goals, and his rapport with Lowe’s staff and customers, which was evaluated and scored by his direct supervisor, Clarence Moore. On the first evaluation not attended by Moore, Lawson received the highest possible rating. Lawson, however, frequently missed his monthly sales targets. In spring 2017, PPG placed Lawson on a performance improvement plan.

In the same period, Moore began ordering Lawson to intentionally mistint slowselling PPG paint products (i.e., tint the paint to a shade the customer had not ordered). Lowe’s would then be forced to sell the paint at a deep discount, enabling PPG to avoid buying back what would otherwise be excess unsold product.

PPG fired him because he blew the whistle on Moore’s fraudulent mistinting practices. PPG asked the court to dismiss the case, saying that PPG had shown that it had a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason for the firing, namely, Lawson’s poor performance. In dismissing the case, the trial court concluded that Lawson had failed to produce sufficient evidence that PPG’s stated reason for firing Lawson was pretextual (pretend reason to cover up the real reason). Lawson appealed.

In the court of appeal, Lawson argued that all he had to show was that his whistleblowing activity was “a contributing factor” in his dismissal, and that he does not have to prove that PPG’s stated reason was pretextual. The federal court of appeal asked the California Supreme Court to clarify the law.

Under California law, a “whistleblower” is an employee who discloses information to a government or law enforcement agency, or to a person with authority over the employee, or to another employee with authority to investigate, discover, or correct the violation or noncompliance, or who provides information to or testifies before a public body conducting an investigation, hearing or inquiry, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that there is

1) a violation of a local, state or federal law; or

if the employer had a genuine, non-retaliatory reason for its adverse action, the employee only has to show that the employer also had at least one retaliatory reason that was a contributing factor in its decision to fire or demote an employee.

The California Supreme Court ruled that where the employee has shown, “by a preponderance of the evidence,” that retaliation for their protected activities was a “contributing factor” in the termination, the employee need not prove that the employer’s stated legitimate reason is a pretext for discrimination or retaliation.

Once the employee has shown that the employer also had at least one retaliatory reason that contributed in its decision to fire the employee, the employer must then demonstrate, “by clear and convincing evidence,” that it would still have fired the employee even if they had not engaged in protected activity. This analytical approach is favorable to an employee who seeks to prove that their termination is unlawful retaliation.

* * *

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.

heading to that path. But with Mike, he shared, “I can’t say it’s already my forte. Nagkakaroon lang ng ibang depth kasi nadadagdagan yung experience ko because I’m a family guy (My being a family man and the experiences that come with it give depth or a different texture to my portrayal) .”

As an actor, he added there are many varied characters Mike wants to portray. “For me, I want to do bida and kontrabida roles. Ang dami ko pang gustong subukan at ang dami ring pwedeng ibigay sa akin (There are roles that I want to try out and that could be given to me).”

Whatever acting genre or role is presented to the two Sparkle GMA Artist Center talents, Glaiza and Mike can hold their own and show what they are made of. g

Lawson did not agree with this mistinting scheme and filed two anonymous complaints with PPG’s central ethics hotline. He also told Moore directly that he refused to participate. The complaints led to an investigation. PPG eventually told Moore to discontinue the practice, but Moore Re4emained with the company, where he continued to directly supervise Lawson and oversee his evaluations. By this time, Lawson’s evaluation scores have been low. Some months later, Lawson was fired for poor performance.

Lawson sued, alleging that

2) an issue related to unsafe working conditions or work practices in the employee’s employment or place of employment.

A whistleblower may also be an employee who refuses to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of law.

An employer may not retaliate against an employee for exercising their rights as a whistleblower. The law requires whistleblowers to show that retaliation was a “contributing factor” in their termination or demotion. Even

EMPLOYMENT FOR RENT

* * * The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine for 11 years, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)

Can I get a green card if I had a previous marriage petition denied based on fraud?

“open-and-shut” case in favor of denial. However, you still have hope of getting a green card—a person can apply for and get his immigrant petition approved despite the prior finding of “marriage fraud” under certain circumstances.

Epy Quizon admits struggle of being compared to dad Dolphy: ‘How can you fill in a shoe that’s that big?’

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

EPY Quizon spoke about the “misconception” the public has on celebrity offspring like him, including the notion that it is easier for them to be in the showbiz industry because of their celebrity background.

Epy, one of the 18 children of Dolphy, opened up about being a child of the late King of Comedy during an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Thursday, May 4. Joining Epy in the interview was his “Voltes V: Legacy” co-actor and fellow celebrity offspring Gabby Eigenmann.

“Akala nila madali para sa amin na makapasok ng industriya kasi anak ka ni Dolphy or anak ka ni Mark Gil,” Epy said. “Akala nila ang dali pero actually mas mahirap kasi madali nga makapasok pero pagpasok mo do’n, ikukumpara

ka agad sa mga kapatid mo, sa tatay mo. ‘Yun ‘yung maling expectations ng tao at misconception.”

(They think it is easier for us to enter the showbiz industry because [I am Dolphy’s son, Gabby is Mark Gil’s son]. But actually, it is harder because when we got in, we were compared to our siblings, to our fathers. That’s a flawed expectation and a misconception among the public.)

“Sa tatay ko talaga [madalas ako ikumpara] at ‘yun ‘yung pinakamahirap,” he continued. “Dolphy agad? Ang hirap no’n. How can you fill in a shoe that’s that big?”

(I have been frequently compared to my dad and that’s the hardest thing. Being compared to him is hard. How can you fill in a shoe that’s that big?)

When asked about the similarities he has with the late

comedian, Epy said they both know the “lingo of the streets,” which made it easier for them to get along with anyone. Epy then noted that although fans would always say that he took after his dad, Dolphy was “for sure” a better person as well as an actor than him.

With his trademark humor, Epy joked that if he were to speak to his dad again, he would greet him and say, “Hi dad! Pahinging pera.” (Please give me money.)

During the interview, Epy also confessed that he does not aspire to become a “superstar,” adding that success for him is being fulfilled and content with what he can offer to the public.

“I mean, when you do something, when you do a role and you are fulfilled with what you did, alam mong masaya ka at alam mong mapapasaya mo ang tao, that alone is contentment and fulfillment,” he noted. g

Ara Mina on sister Cristine’s...

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Pinay and half-afam, you stand out… just like Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray.

N: I’m sick of generalizations about afams like me. It’s a case-by-case basis. There are afams

who are scammers, but not all of us are like that. My girlfriend is Pinay, and we’re in a good place.

L: My takeaway from our film is to be proud of our race and not to be intimidated by foreigners, even if they come from first-world countries. g

DEAR Attorney Tan, I recently married a US Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition could not be approved since the USCIS had determined that I previously entered into a fraudulent marriage to get a green card several years ago. My exhusband previously filed an immigrant petition on my behalf several years ago, which was denied since USCIS determined that I only married him to get a green card. My second husband and I truly love each other. What are my options? -- In Love but Out of Status

Dear In Love but Out of Status, Under INA Section 204(c), a person who “attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage” in order to receive permanent resident status in the US is prohibited from obtaining USCIS approval of an immigrant visa petition. Simply stated, Section 204(c) prohibits approval of any immigrant visa petition if there has been a finding of “marriage fraud” in a prior marriage-based petition.

Based on the above law, your case seems at first glance like an

You may ask, how is this possible? Isn’t Section 204(c) straightforward? Not quite. The answer lies in the fact that USCIS must independently examine the prior finding of “marriage fraud” in considering the subsequently filed immigrant visa petition. Before invoking the Sec. 204(c) bar to approval of a subsequent visa petition, USCIS must make an independent determination of fraud based upon the record, including but not limited to any evidence gathered during adjudication of the prior visa petition, but may not parrot or rely on the conclusions made by other adjudicators.

USCIS must have “substantial and probative” evidence of “marriage fraud.” Matter of Tawfik, 20 I. & N. Dec. 166, 168.

The determination is to be made by the USCIS district director while adjudicating the subsequent visa petition.

Matter of Samsen, 15 I. & N. Dec. 28, 1974 WL 29995 (B.I.A. 1974). The district director should not give conclusive effect to the determinations made in the prior proceedings, but should reach his own independent conclusion based

on the evidence actually before him. Matter of F-, 9 I. & N. Dec. 684 (BIA 1962).

Therefore, in cases such as yours in which the USCIS has indicated it intends to deny the subsequent immigrant visa petition due to the prior finding of “marriage fraud,” new evidence can be submitted that demonstrates that the prior finding of “marriage fraud” was incorrect—i.e., evidence that shows that the prior marriage petition was based on a bona fide marriage, or that explains that the prior denial was based on an incomplete or inaccurate assessment of the facts. In cases in which the subsequent immigrant visa petition has already been denied, this new evidence should be submitted as part of a motion to reconsider. I recommend that you seek an experienced attorney to assist you in properly presenting the law and facts to the USCIS adjudicator to address the Section 204(c) bar.

* * * 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.

* * * Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

MANY people are of the perception that simply downloading a prenuptial agreement from the internet and signing it with their fiance offers them a bullet proof protection from a divorce. What many people do not know is that certain statutory requirements must be met in order for the prenuptial agreement to be valid and to withstand attack in court by your future spouse’s lawyer.

Family Code Section 1615 provides that a prenuptial agreement is not enforceable if the party against whom enforcement is sought proves either of the following (1) that party did not execute the agreement voluntarily or (2) The agreement was unconscionable when it was executed and, before execution of the agreement, all of the following applied to that party: (A) That party was not provided a fair, reasonable, and full disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party.

(B) That party did not voluntarily and expressly waive, in writing, any right to disclosure of the property or financial obligations of the other party beyond the disclosure provided.

(C) That party did not have, or reasonably could not have had, an adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations of the other party. The issue of unconscionability shall be decided by the court as a matter of law.

A prenuptial agreement shall be deemed not executed voluntarily unless the court finds in writing or on the record all of the following:

(1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or, after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly

waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. The advisement to seek independent legal counsel shall be made at least seven calendar days before the final agreement is signed.

(2) One of the following: (A) For an agreement executed between January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. (B) For an agreement executed on or after January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and the time the agreement was signed, regardless of whether the party is represented by legal counsel. (3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations the party was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The

explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that the party received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information. (4) The prenuptial agreement was not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement. Having both you and your fiance represented by separate counsel during the drafting and execution of your prenuptial agreement can help avoid any of the problems noted above which will can result to your prenuptial agreement being found to be invalid by the court during your divorce proceeding and your assets divided according to California community property law.

* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a

Having both you and your fiance represented by separate counsel during the drafting and execution of your prenuptial agreement can help avoid any of the problems noted above which will can result to your prenuptial agreement being found to be invalid by the court during your divorce proceeding and your assets divided according to California community property law.

“The answer lies in the fact that USCIS must independently examine the prior finding of “marriage fraud” in considering the subsequently filed immigrant visa petition.”

Epy Quizon and Dolphy Quizon

Photos from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@