052423 - Southern California Midweek Edition

A FILIPINO American teenager, who was previously reported missing in Moreno Valley, was found dead, according to police.

The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Bureau announced that the remains of 16-year-old Jordan Caoile, a student at Vista Del Lago High School, were discovered on Thursday, May 18 in an open field in Moreno Valley.

The cause of his death has not been announced, but foul play is not suspected and no suspects are being sought, according to Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez.

Caoile was reported missing on May 15, dressed in light grey sweatpants, a blue/ black sweater and an Adidas backpack. A search subsequently was launched for the

‘We adapt or we suffer’ – Marcos

honor at its headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

SEVERAL Asian American community and civil rights organizations recently announced the launch of the Asian American Voter Empowerment Project (AAVEP) in an effort to increase voter education and registration in Los Angeles.

Officially launched on Saturday, May 20 at Eagle Rock Plaza, the project from the Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC), LEAD Filipino, and Asian Business Association Foundation, with the support of CAUSE, AAPI’s for Equity, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), brings together a major and comprehensive sitebased voter registration program across Los Angeles.

The launch of AAVEP is a non-partisan and site-based voter registration program to be spearheaded by multiple Filipina/x/o and Asian American serving nonprofit organizations that will aim to register eligible Asian American voters historically excluded from voter registration and education efforts with the densely populated and often hardto-reach areas of Los Angeles.

Asian Americans are among one of the

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, May 22 said the government will have to implement programs addressing climate change or the country will suffer from its whiplash.

Marcos said the government will ramp up cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to effectively implement the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, with emphasis "on climate

and its intimate relation to the people" and the country's future.

Citing data from the 2022 World Bank report, he said that "climate change will continue to pose a threat to the Philippines."

"Our country recently topped the World Risk Index 2022 which means that we have been found to have the highest disaster risk among the 193 countries on the planet. A highly undesirable distinction that we somehow have come into," he said during the reception hosted by the ADB in his

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net by AJPRESS

"Set against the backdrop of all these worries from realities and statistics, the whole point is the climate change agenda is compelling, not only for the Philippines but for the rest of the world. Our options are limited, we must mitigate, we must adapt, and if we don't do that we must suffer," Marcos warned.

Addressing the impact of climate change is one of the president's priorities, having  PAGE 2

Solon calls for probe into Manila Central Post O ce re

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. on Tuesday, May 23 sought a probe into the recent fire that hit the Manila Central Post Office.

In a privilege speech during the House of Representatives’ 1st Regular Session, Abante pointed to the historical losses caused by the fire.

“I therefore, Mister Speaker, call for a

thorough investigation, not only to determine the cause of the fire. What brought about, or what could have contributed to such cause, and what should be done to ensure the prevention of fire from hitting our landmarks and natural heritage in our future?” said Abante.

“While investigation as to the cause of the fire is still to be concluded, there is no indication that it is caused by nature, then the great possibility, without any intention

 PAGE 4

by KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan cleared businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles of 16 counts of graft in connection with the alleged anomalous use of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s pork barrel fund, but convicted her on separate charges for the misuse of a former Davao del Sur lawmaker’s discretionary fund.

The decisions, promulgated separately by the anti-graft court’s first and second divisions, were made public at the same time on Monday, May 22.

Napoles is presently serving multiple sentences at the Correctional Institution for Women from two earlier convictions in relation to the pork barrel scam,

including life imprisonment imposed by the Sandiganbayan in 2018 for plunder.

In the 223-page decision in the Revilla case, Napoles was found innocent after state prosecutors failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt in all 16 charges of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The case accused Revilla of allocating P224 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund to bogus nongovernment organizations (NGOs) owned by Napoles. He was one of many lawmakers who reportedly allotted their discretionary funds to ghost projects in exchange for kickbacks.

COULD California see its first Filipino American governor?

Attorney General Rob Bonta is “seriously considering” a run for the Golden State’s top office, according to a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle

“Quite a few folks have reached out to me encouraging me to run for governor,” Bonta told the Chronicle

The 50-year-old Democrat, who served as a state assemblymember for five terms, was appointed to the attorney general post by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021 after then-attorney general Xavier Becerra was appointed as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. With the appointment, Bonta became the first Fil-Am to hold the office, and subsequently was elected to a full four-year term last November 2022.

If he throws his hat into the governor race after Newsom terms out in 2026, Bonta would join current  PAGE 2

by ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES Philstar.com

MANILA — Broadcast media giant ABS-CBN Corp. is entering into a joint venture with a subsidiary of the holding company owned by Speaker Martin Romualdez after announcing that it is ceasing operations of TeleRadyo by June 30 due to financial losses.

The joint venture will be instituted with an initial paid-up capital of P40 million, of which

Napoles cleared in one pork barrel case...

The anomaly came to light when Napoles’ cousin and bagman, Benhur Luy, blew the lid on the scam after he was supposedly detained by the businesswoman. The Inquirer broke the story in 2013, prompting several investigations that led to the indictment of then Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Revilla for plunder and multiple counts of graft.

In clearing Napoles, the First Division mainly argued that the graft charges were the same predicate acts of plunder, for which Napoles and Revilla’s chief of staff, Richard Cambe, had been convicted in 2018. Both were raffled off to the First Division, which acquitted Revilla of all charges in 2021.

Same accusations

“The acts imputed to the accused charged in the two sets of cases are the same,” according to the decision written by Associate Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang. “Moreover, the testimonial and documentary evidence adduced by the prosecution were essentially the same in the trial of both cases.”

Citing jurisprudence, the court said it was clear that the legislative intent in passing the anti-plunder law was “to address the procedural nightmare of filing separate charges for the different predicate acts.”

“In other words, the prosecution can incorporate all the predicate acts in one charge of plunder instead of preparing a multitude of information and proving all of them in court,” it noted. “Since the predicate

acts were already used as basis [for] the crime of plunder, then the accused could no longer be charged separately for violation of the antigraft law.”

It did note that the prosecution was able to substantiate evidence that Cambe and Napoles received kickbacks in the ghost projects, “similar to the conclusion reached in the plunder case as it involved the same acts charged here.”

But in allowing both cases to prosper in court, the First Division noted that the prosecution “was simply made to present the same evidence against Revilla, Cambe, and Napoles twice, and the latter were made to defend themselves for the same action twice.”

The division also again upheld that Revilla’s endorsement of Napoles’ NGOs was merely recommendatory and that he was “performing acts that were customary at the time.”

Nevertheless, Napoles’ acquittal effectively cleared her in the criminal cases related to the misuse of Revilla’s pork barrel funds.

The alleged mastermind behind the plunder of P10 billion in public funds still faces a slew of cases before the Sandiganbayan, including those related to the discretionary funds of Senator Estrada and now presidential counsel Enrile.

Guilty verdict

In the decision promulgated by the Second Division, Napoles was found guilty of two counts of graft and two counts of malversation of public funds for conspiring with former Davao del Sur lawmaker Douglas Cagas

and several other public officials to implement ghost projects in exchange for kickbacks.

This particular case accused Cagas of unilaterally choosing and endorsing Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation, one of Napoles’ NGOs, to implement a fake livelihood project worth P8 million.

Also convicted were Technology Resource Center (TRC) officer Belina Concepcion and Napoles’ liaison Mylene Encarnacion for the graft charges, and TRC staff Maria Lacsamana and a certain Evelyn de Leon for the malversation charges.

‘Appalled’

They were all sentenced to serve six to 10 years in prison for the graft cases, and 12 to 17 years for the malversation charges. They were also asked to return P7.7 million to the government and pay the same amount as fine.

Sought for comment, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said she was “appalled” upon learning that the Sandiganbayan has acquitted Napoles in 16 criminal cases.

In a statement, Castro said this was shocking as she hoped that it would not set a precedent for the junking of the other cases against Napoles.

“I hope this acquittal of Napoles won’t be a prelude for the fate of other cases and I hope that this won’t be used to cover up other people involved in the pork barrel scam. If this happens, they might end up pocketing trillions of pesos,” Castro added. g

Attorney General Rob Bonta ‘seriously...

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and former State Controller Betty Yee who have announced their intentions to run for governor.

Despite the consideration to run for governor, Bonta told the Chronicle that he will continue to be focused on “being attorney general” and that the decision to run for the state’s top office is not “something that I’m making a decision on today.” g

‘We adapt or we suffer...

repeatedly issued reminders to various government agencies to intensify climate change planning and programming.

The inclusion of the climate agenda in the PDP was also proof of the government's ramped up efforts to combat global warming. The program is anchored on three main strategies: increasing climate and disaster risk resilience of communities and institutions; enhancing ecosystem resilience; and enabling transition to a lowcarbon economy. "As the 'climate bank' of the Asia and the Pacific, the ADB has proven its reliability in extending strategic financing and technical assistance for climate-responsive projects," the president said.

He added his administration has strategically integrated the climate agenda into its plan, boosting annual public infrastructure spending to 6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), consistent with its Build Better More agenda. The government aims to

incorporate the elements of sustainability, climate resilience and disaster-proofing in all phases of societal and infrastructural planning, design and construction, up to operation and maintenance.

"It will be implemented in our water sector, in our sanitation, energy and transportation systems, including agriculture and food production, and many other essential areas. Climate change will be the lodestar for our integral national policies and investment decisions," Marcos explained.

The ADB has extended developmental assistance programs for decades.

Marcos said that in his ninemonth tenure, three strategic programs were signed with the ADB, and there are "many more" in the pipeline, all calculated to strongly support the pursuit of high-priority developmental goals.

The Marcos administration is awaiting the release of the Country Partnership Strategy for 2024-2029, which shall clearly spell out the ADB's recommended medium-term

development agenda for the Philippines.

It is guided by the theme, "Investing in Climate, Filipinos and the Future," consistent with the Philippine Development Plan.

The ADB was the Philippines' top source of Official Development Assistance (ODA) among 20 development partners in 2022, accounting for 34 percent ($10.74 billion for 31 loans and 28 grants) of the $31.95 billion of the total active ODA.

From 2010 to 2022, ADB's annual loan financing for the Philippines averaged at $1.4 billion.

Three loans amounting to $1.10 billion were signed with the Bank in the first nine months of the Marcos administration.

The additional loan assistance in the pipeline amounting to $11.55 billion for 2023-2025 is for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project ($1.07 billion), Malolos-Clark Railway Project Tranche 2 ($1 billion) and South Commuter Railway Project Tranche 2 ($1.75 billion). g

Attorney General Rob Bonta

Photo from Facebook/@RobBonta

California’s fentanyl problem is getting worse

CALIFORNIA has allocated

more than $1 billion in recent years to combat its opioid crisis.

Much of the money has been used to distribute fentanyl test strips and the overdose reversal drug naloxone, as well as deliver medical care to people who are homeless. The state has an opioid awareness campaign tailored to youths and recently called on the National Guard to help detect drug traffickers.

Yet the problem keeps getting worse.

Driven largely by the prevalence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine, drug overdoses in California now kill more than twice as many people as car accidents, more than four times as many as homicides, and more than either diabetes or lung cancer, according to California Health Policy Strategies, a Sacramento consulting group. And the state’s overdose surveillance dashboard indicates most opioid overdose deaths involve fentanyl.

Provisional data for last year from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a small annual increase in overdose deaths in California, to nearly 12,000. Across the U.S., overdose deaths again topped 100,000.

“As a parent, it scares the hell out of me. As a governor, I see it, I recognize the nature of what’s occurred on the streets,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said May 12 in announcing more funding for California to produce its own naloxone.

Despite all the state is doing to reduce drug overdose deaths, public health policy experts say there are no easy or clear answers. Drug policy experts applaud California’s effort to make naloxone as commonly available as fire extinguishers in schools, bars, libraries, and gas stations, but they also recommend diverting more offenders from prisons and jails into treatment and encourage ramping up the use of antiaddiction medication.

“Even if we do a lot of things right in policy, we’re going to have a fair amount of deaths in the coming years,” said Keith Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University

and a drug policy expert. He said lawmakers should examine the underlying, complex causes of addiction if they want to make lasting change. Lawmakers have created a Select Committee on Fentanyl, Opioid Addiction, and Overdose Prevention and are advancing a bill to create a Fentanyl Addiction and Overdose Prevention Task Force. The bill would require the task force to start meeting next year and submit an interim report by January 2025 and recommendations by July 2025.

“It really is something, like covid, that we have to focus on and make some permanent structural changes, like to health care, mental health care, and funding to deal with addiction,” Humphreys said.

Newsom acknowledged as much, saying, “We have a lot more work to do.”

The Democratic governor was joined last month by Attorney General Rob Bonta in calling on the California National Guard, California Highway Patrol, and state Department of Justice to crack down on fentanyl dealing in San Francisco, where fatal overdoses jumped more than 40% in the first three months of this year over 2022.

The move was criticized as “a law enforcement-first approach to matters of public health” in a joint statement from 28 organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.

While the governor has focused on fentanyl trafficking and making naloxone more readily available, state lawmakers have recently been debating whether and how to stiffen punishments for dealers.

Several proposals have already stalled, such as one to send dealers to jail for up to nine years if they sell fentanyl on a social media platform and another warning dealers they could be charged with murder if someone dies taking their drugs.

Lawmakers kept alive two bills to boost punishments for dealers of large volumes of fentanyl and those who carry a gun.

Democrats who control the legislature’s public safety committees are reluctant to support tougher penalties for fear of sparking a new war on drugs or reprising steep penalties on crack cocaine that criminalized

Black people disproportionately. Black and Latino Californians experienced an increase in overdose deaths of more than 200% between 2017 and 2021, according to Konrad Franco, who conducted the research for California Health Policy Strategies. Black people make up 6% of California’s population but accounted for 13% of its overdose deaths in 2021.

“We cannot go backwards and fill our prisons with kids of color,” said Assemblymember Liz Ortega, a Democrat from San Leandro, during a special hearing last month on fentanylrelated bills.

Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, questioned the effectiveness of increased penalties for people who are largely controlled by their addictions.

Benjamin said lawmakers should instead support drug courts that promote treatment programs over incarceration, though he said incarceration may be needed to protect the public mostly from violent offenders who refuse treatment and harm others.

Humphreys pointed to the Honest Opportunity Probation With Enforcement and 24/7 Sobriety programs as models. They combine regularly testing offenders for drugs and alcohol with short penalties for violations.

“You use the criminal justice system in a way that in the long run actually reduces incarceration rather than increasing it,” Humphreys said of the approach. Yet Tanya Tilghman, a Black woman from San Francisco, supports tougher penalties for fentanyl dealers and said the issue crosses racial lines. She became an activist with Mothers Against Drug Addiction and Deaths after her son became addicted to methamphetamine and more recently to fentanyl.

“When people are doing drugs, it doesn’t see color or racial boundaries,” she said. “It’s killing a lot more people and it’s killing a lot of Black people.”

Daniel Ciccarone, a drug policy expert at the University of California-San Francisco, said enforcement efforts may be popular with the public but “simply don’t work as well as we want them to.” At minimum, he said, any crackdown should be PAGE 4

ABS-CBN strikes deal with Prime...

PAGE 1

Prime Media Holdings Inc., as the majority stakeholder, will invest 51 percent while ABS-CBN, as the minority stakeholder, will own 49 percent.

“(I)ntending to find ways to continue providing news to the public, ABS-CBN is entering into a joint venture with Prime Media Holdings Inc. The new company will produce various programs, which will be supplied to broadcasters and other third-party platforms, including Philippine Collective Media Corp.,” ABS-CBN said.

Under the agreement, the joint venture will be incorporated with an initial capital stock of P100 million consisting of 100 million common shares with a par value of P1 apiece.

“This gives some of our former personnel a chance to find job opportunities. It is also a way to continue providing accurate and balanced news and information to the country,” the broadcast media giant said. The joint venture will be led by a board of directors made up of nine members, five of whom will be appointed by Prime Media, while the other four will be designated by ABS-CBN.

The undertaking will also offer employment opportunities for personnel affected by TeleRadyo’s closure.

For ABS-CBN, the partnership with Prime Media provides it with an additional revenue stream through equity investment and share in the projects of the joint venture.

The network is trying to return to profitability after falling in the red all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Media is a subsidiary of RYM Business Management Corp., a holding firm owned by Romualdez.

TeleRadyo off air by June 30

ABS-CBN earlier announced that it is shutting down its lossincurring TeleRadyo by June 30, marking another setback for the network after losing its free TV franchise in May 2020.

In a regulatory filing, ABSCBN announced that it could no longer finance TeleRadyo’s operations moving forward, leaving it with no choice but to shut down the platform starting June 30.

TeleRadyo has sustained financial losses since ABS-CBN went off the air in 2020, during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, after

legislators led by SAGIP partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta denied the network a fresh franchise. This resulted in the transfer of television and radio frequencies previously assigned to the network.

Since then, ABS-CBN has taken a different path in preserving its business, signing deals with international channels and online sites.

The network has also signaled its commitment to go digital, putting into question the future of its traditional platforms, including radio.

While the company continued to operate online and through its cable channels, the non-renewal of its franchise led to the closure of its regional networks and the layoff of thousands of employees.

“The company is deeply saddened by this closure and having to part ways with the many passionate and committed people who have made Teleradyo an important source of news and information for many Filipinos,” ABS-CBN said. Romualdez was among the 70 lawmakers who voted in favor of a congressional resolution to deny ABS-CBN of a new franchise. g

NO LIMITS. Bigay Buhay Multipurpose Cooperative in Caloocan City helps persons with disabilities (PWD) fend for themselves by providing gainful employment. On Monday, May 22, the Philippine News Agency witnessed some PWD go about their daily tasks, unmindful of their physical limitations. PNA photos by Joan Bondoc

Asian American Voter Empowerment...

1

fastest growing ethnic groups, with more than 18 million living in the United States today, and represent the country’s fastestgrowing voting bloc.

In California, Asian American communities hold a 16.3% share of the electorate with the citizen voting age population in Los Angeles standing over 1 million. Despite these statistics, gaps in voter contact with Asian communities continues to create disparities. In the 2022 Asian American Voter Survey, 56% of Asian Americans reported receiving no contact or were unsure if they received contact about the election.

“The voice of Asian American Angelenos must be an equitable part of the decision making process of Los Angeles to be a successful and thriving city.

The Asian American Voter Empowerment Project will support our community to overcome language and other barriers to participation through outreach and education that is designed for the specific cultures and diversities of our community,” states Aquilina Soriano Versoza, Executive Director of PWC. AAVEP organizers began registering hundreds of eligible voters in Los Angeles, particularly focused on engaging Asian Americans ahead of the 2024 elections. The voter registration program efforts will strive to register a majority of eligible voters that identify as Asian American or with an Asian ethnic background. (AJPress)

US keen on upping support to PH creative industry

by Ramon Royandoyan Philstar.com

THE head of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is eyeing opportunities on how they could boost their support to the Philippines’ creative industry, which is still reeling from pandemic-induced woes.

Kathi Vidal, the director of the USPTO and Commerce undersecretary, lauded the Philippine government's efforts to pass legislation to support the country’s creative industry.

“The ability to grow jobs in

the Philippines through the creative industry is phenomenal, given your workforce, given how young they are, given how talented they are in that space,” she told Philstar.com in a limited engagement with the news media on Monday, May 22.

Republic Act 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act lapsed into law on July 27 last year. The measure is geared towards aiding the development of the creative industry sector. This sector contributed 7.3% to the country’s gross domestic product last year. This is equivalent to P1.6 trillion, leapfrogging 12.1% year-onyear as the creative industry largely benefitted from the easing of mobility restrictions towards the end of 2022.

Vidal’s three-day tour in the Philippines, alongside a meeting with the head of the country’s intellectual property office, marked a first of sorts. This was her first visit to the Philippines as director of the superpower’s patent office, part of a broader initiative of the United States to strengthen its economic alliances amid the backdrop of regional tensions against China. The USPTO has been active in the region since the mid-1970s.

“What we plan to do in the next meeting is a listening session, I wanna hear how we can support the Philippines more, how we can support artists in the Philippines, not just the larger organizations that might show up to a meeting like this but all the artists out there that are not showing up,” she said.

“That’s something we’re solving for in the US as well,” Vidal added.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding with the USPTO in 2021.

Intellectual property woes

As it is, the creative industry sector’s prominence could grow larger in the coming years, as the Marcos Jr .administration believes so. In the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the government trained its sights on this sector to fatten its contribution to economic growth and drive innovation.

Vidal spotlighted that the Philippines could attract more investments provided the country fosters growth in its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem.

Data provided by the USPTO revealed the United States is the top patent filer in the Philippines, with patent filings growing 9.3% in 2022.

“The fact that you’re not on the 301 list, the fact that you’re committed to IP, creative industries, makes it a very ripe area for investments,” she said.

The Philippines has stayed out of the U.S.’s watch list of countries with IP violations for a decade now. As it is, counterfeiting and piracy remain a perennial problem across the world, as the Philippines has made considerable efforts to curb them.

The European Commission flagged four markets in the country, Greenhills Shopping Center and Divisoria counting tagged as two, as hotspots of counterfeit goods. g

California’s fentanyl problem...

PAGE 1

coupled with an equal public health approach.

“We’ve thrown tens of billions of dollars at the war on drugs over two generations, almost three generations now, and believe it or not, drugs across category — from marijuana to cocaine to heroin/ fentanyl — drugs are ever more pure and ever cheaper despite impressive levels of effort,” Ciccarone said. “The most honest answer is there’s no clear answer as to what to do about the fentanyl crisis.”

He recommended California allow supervised consumption sites where opioid users could legally inject drugs, an idea Newsom vetoed last fall but that Ciccarone said can ease people into treatment. Other harm reduction strategies, including expanding the use of test strips and other chemical analyses to check drugs for contamination with fentanyl, can also save lives, he said.

Humphreys led a 17-member commission that examined the opioid crisis and made recommendations including expanding the availability of prescription drugs such as buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone to ease addicts’ cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Still, some parents of children who have experienced opioid addiction say tougher penalties must be part of the response.

“What they don’t understand is that fentanyl has changed the drug landscape like no other drug has in the history of the United States of America,” said Jaime Puerta, whose only son, Daniel, died from fentanyl in 2020 at age 16.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Solon calls for probe into...

PAGE 1

to point finger, that it could have been prevented.”

Abante also wants an evaluation of the integrity of iconic landmarks and national heritage sites as soon as possible, as they link generations and bridge the past and the future.

“Failing to restore this

landmark, would result in a fragment of our identity shattered, a hole in our collective memory, a chapter in our story left incomplete,” said Abante.

Fire broke out at the Manila Central Post Office Sunday night, Damage was pegged at 300 million. g

Missing Fil-Am teen found...

PAGE 1

teenager with flyers being shared on the ground and on social media. His parents, Randy and Karen Caoile, took to social media to announce their son’s passing.

"We want to thank everyone who has been helping with our search for Jordan. The support we received from the community and social media has been tremendous. We cannot thank you all enough,” they wrote in a post. They provided the update that “he has been found but with a heavy heart unfortunately he is no longer with us.”

The post added,"Please continue to keep Jordan in your thoughts and prayers. We ask as a family if you could please assist with removing any posters or flyers you come across."

"Please respect our privacy as we come to terms with our loss,” they wrote.

A GoFundMe (www.gofundme.com/f/caoile-family-fundraiser) has been started to help the Caoile family with expenses associated with their loss. (AJPress)

Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of the Pilipino Workers Center (front center), is joined by community leaders and members on Saturday, May 20 at Eagle Rock Plaza for the launch of the Asian American Voter Empowerment Project, a comprehensive site-based voter registration program across Los Angeles.

Photos courtesy of the Asian American Voter Empowerment Project

Fil-Am community leader Jessica Caloza speaks during the launch of the Asian American Voter Empowerment Project.

Dateline PhiliPPines

Immigration modernization bill in line with PBBM economic agenda

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 23 approved on second reading a priority bill of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) that proposes to modernize the Bureau of Immigration (BI). During her sponsorship speech, Committee on Justice chair Juliet Marie Ferrer said the passage of the proposed immigration modernization law under House Bill 8203 is in line with the economic agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

"The improvement and modernization of our immigration system -- making it more efficient and effective -- will boost economic growth, attract more foreign investments, encourage tourism and create more jobs," Ferrer said.

Ferrer said it is imperative for the government to provide the BI and its personnel with the necessary funding and tools in order to improve their services and enhance their capabilities as

the country's first line of defense on Philippine borders.

"Our immigration officers are the frontliners in our country's fight against terrorism, human trafficking, illegal recruitment and other illegal activities perpetrated by foreigners on our soil and against Filipino citizens," she said.

Ferrer recognized the hard work of immigration officers during the pandemic as they made sure that Filipinos were safe while traveling to and from the country, while minimizing the effects of the global pandemic on Philippine shores.

"We have seen our immigration officers exert herculean efforts to protect our citizens from human trafficking and illegal recruitment, as well as preventing terrorists, sex offenders, and other undesirable foreign nationals from entering the country," she said.

She pointed out that the immigration officers are among the lowest paid employees in government service with the

China harassment continues in WPS

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

asa Island.

Senate concurrence

entry level IO-1 position holding Salary Grade 11.

The measure, she said, seeks to upgrade the salaries of immigration officers and other BI employees, as well as provide additional benefits and incentives.

Ferrer said an Immigration Trust Fund shall be created for the modernization and professionalization of the bureau, including new equipment and facilities.

"With this bill, we will be giving the bureau and its personnel the resources to perform their functions to the best of their abilities," she said.

The bill seeks to harmonize existing immigration laws, such as the Commonwealth Act No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, in order to make them more responsive and in touch with international developments in the 21st century. The chamber approved House Bill 8203 through voice voting. (PNA)

THE China Coast Guard (CCG) continues to harass Filipino troops in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) which has sometimes resulted in the delayed delivery of provisions to soldiers stationed at the Ayungin Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Groups (KIG).

Brig. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief of staff, confirmed the "continuous harassment" by the CCG when he faced the Commission on Appointments (CA) for the deliberation of his ad interim appointment on Tuesday.

The CA later on approved his appointment and of 49 other senior AFP officers.

"There's always continuous harassment of our troops at [the] Kalayaan Island Groups and sometimes the provision of our troops there is always delayed, depending on the situation," he said.

"When there is lots of news about the conflict at the WPS that's the time also that they usually are very aggressive and not allowing some of our ships to go there," Gaerlan said.

He added, "Nevertheless, our ships continue to attempt to go there until such time that they are able to pass through."

"However, sometimes these maneuvers are very dangerous, especially to our Navy men, who are using the ships and it may cause damage or even loss of lives if there will be a lot of miscalculation," Gaerlan said.

The Philippine military in 1999 ran the BRP Sierra Madre aground at the Ayungin Shoal or Mischief Reef, some 196 kilometers from Palawan, in response to China's illegal occupation of the area.

The CCG last February 8 beamed a military-grade laser light on a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship also in Ayungin Shoal which was on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre. The incident caused temporary blindness to the PCG personnel.

The PCG had also reported the presence of a People's Liberation Army Navy, CCG, and 42 suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels within the surrounding waters of the Pag-

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Tolentino said the potential defense agreement between the Philippines and Japan may need the concurrence of the Senate.

The senator noted that Manila and Tokyo are reportedly preparing preliminary consultations before starting the formal negotiations for a Reciprocal Access Agreement or (RAA) or a visiting forces deal.

Tolentino said that if the agreement will be in a form of a treaty, then it must be done precisely in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, and "must be ratified" by the Senate.

Once approved, the proposed RAA would allow Filipino and Japanese forces to deploy troops on each other's territory for training and other operations.

Tolentino said the supposed deal will boost defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific zone amid concerns over escalating tensions in the South China Sea region, particularly along the disputed territories located in the WPS.

Tolentino, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, had this year proposed the conduct of a multilateral show of maritime security cooperation with the United States and neighboring

countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) amid a series of reported escalations near the WPS.

He said that expanding the conduct of joint patrols — to include other claimant countries in Southeast Asia — will help ensure the freedom of navigation, exercise of fishing rights, and, somehow, pacify existing tensions due to territorial disputes hounding the South China Sea region.

Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito expressed concern over the continued aggression experienced by Filipino soldiers stationed at the Ayungin Shoal. "We are trying to shore up, we cannot fight China, of course, but at least, we can put up the minimum credible defense posturing that we all aspire for," Ejercito said.

Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada on Monday called on fellow senators to support the cause of the brave men and women of Pag-asa Island in the KIG and help uplift their living condition.

Estrada, who personally visited the island on May 18, maintained that it is their moral obligation, as public servants, to ensure that Pag-asa Island residents have access to basic necessities such as education, health care and u PAGE 7

A gutted national heritage

This National Heritage Month, a century-old landmark in the city of Manila was gutted by fire. Only the concrete shell of the Central Post Office was left after the conflagration was finally put out on Monday, May 22 seven hours after the fire started at 11:41 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 in the basement reportedly housing the General Services Office.

Apart from letters and parcels, the fire destroyed the Philippine Postal Corp.’s entire library of antique and commemorative stamps – a national heritage – along with artworks used for designing stamps. PhilSys

Editorial

National ID cards that were being readied for delivery were also destroyed.

With such precious but highly combustible items, it is disheartening to find out that the building lacked fire alarms and water sprinkler systems, as noted by Bureau of Fire Protection personnel who responded to the blaze. Firefighting capability was also reportedly hampered by the lack of water. While about 80 fire trucks responded, it took more than seven hours to put out the inferno. BFP personnel said the enclosed space quickly dried up water. Fire trucks had to get additional water from the nearby Pasig River and even from the water fountain system in Liwasang Bonifacio across the building.

The five-story structure with soaring ceilings was designed by architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. Built in the neoclassical style in 1926, it was destroyed during the Battle of Manila

during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1946. On Nov. 24, 2018, the National Museum declared the building as an Important Cultural Property. This designation obviously failed to inspire efforts to boost fire safety measures in a heritage building that houses so many precious items made of paper and other highly combustible materials. The landmark managed to rise from the ashes of World War II, but was then allowed to gradually fall into disrepair. Other countries pour resources into preserving such structures or enclaves. Countries with high awareness of the economic importance of travel and tourism almost always have “old towns” where significant investments are poured into the preservation, restoration and proper maintenance of heritage structures.

In the Philippines, the focus is on razing such structures to give way to mixed-use property development where the concrete jungle is the favored model. Perhaps this tragedy that has befallen the postal office building for the second time will serve as an eye-opener on the importance of preserving the nation’s heritage. (Philstar.com)

US, Philippines update defense guidelines

tional and non-conventional domains.”

training exchanges, exercises and other operational activities.

THE U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, nearly 75 years old now, is being dusted off in the light of “current and emerging threats” to the two countries – read: China’s increasing belligerence about Taiwan and its own maritime claims over almost the entire South China Sea.

Last May 3, newly-crafted Bilateral Defense Guidelines (BDG) were released by the U.S. State Department, which assert the treaty’s “enduring relevance” by “modernizing alliance cooperation in the service of the… shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Specifically, the BDG reaffirm that an armed attack in the Pacific, “including anywhere in the South China Sea,” on either of their public vessels, aircraft or armed forces – which include their Coast Guards – “would invoke mutual defense commitments under Articles IV and V of the (MDT).”

Such attack threats include land, sea, air, space and cyberspace – through “asymmetric, hybrid and irregular warfare and grey-zone tactics.” Big words that need to be explained by experts, for which the guidelines would “chart a way forward to build interoperability in both conven-

To strengthen U.S.-Philippine “combined deterrence in an evolving security environment,” the guidelines set the following objectives:

• Foster common understanding of roles, missions and capabilities within the alliance framework to face regional and global security challenges (which are mainly U.S. concerns);

• Unify efforts across all areas of bilateral security and defense cooperation to sustain focus on principal regional security concerns; and

• Guide priority areas of defense cooperation to address both conventional and non-conventional security challenges of shared concern.

To advance these objectives, the guidelines say they need to:

• Modernize defense capabilities – Closely coordinate on the AFP modernization program by completing a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap; identify priority “defense platforms and force packages” that would bolster combined deterrence and capacity to resist coercion [presumably from China]; prioritize procurement of interoperable defense platforms (weaponry) “sourced from U.S. programs” and the Philippines’ national defense procurement and funding initiatives and expand investments in non-weaponry defense capacity-building, via education and

• Deepen interoperability –Orient bilateral exercises and activities around improving/ combining ability to counter armed attacks on either country as well as threats in space and cyberspace, while expanding the scope, scale and complexity of exercises; expand cooperation on maritime security and maritime domain awareness, by continued conduct of maritime activities, including but not limited to joint patrols (in the SCS/WPS); under the EDCA, strengthen interoperability, through infrastructure improvements, enhanced joint use of facilities, advancing additional maritime security, maritime domain awareness and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities; and rotational U.S. access to EDCA sites.

• Enhance bilateral planning and information sharing – Conduct coordinated analysis, tabletop exercises and training/ exercises to reinvigorate bilateral planning and coordination efforts; assess bilateral requirements and advance common objectives and approaches to shared challenges; develop adaptable decision-making processes and communication procedures to support flexible, timely, whole-of-government bilateral coordination and action to respond to conventional and non-conventional warfare.

Broaden information-sharing on early indications of threats to

It will be a family brawl

fore the next presidential elections may no longer be as remote, and two years before the midterms can just feel as if it is already here.

we have not been given that privilege by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

the peace and security of both countries, to ensure preparations to address principal challenges confronting the alliance; strive toward real-time information-sharing in collaboration with other departments and agencies to support deeper interoperability and operational coordination; enhance information security via consultations on policies, practices and procedures to protect classified defense and military information.

• Combat transnational and non-conventional threats – Improve cyber defense and cyber security cooperation to secure critical infrastructure and protect against attacks emanating from state and non-state actors; pursue capacity-building activities to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-related attacks and to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Prior to the adoption of the guidelines, the U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in Washington (involving the two countries’ defense and foreign affairs chiefs), issued a joint statement on April 11, 2023.

The two sides committed to do the following:

• Strengthen bilateral planning and interoperability through conducting “high-impact and high-value” joint military exercises. These characterized the largest-ever Balikatan live-fire war games held in April involving

more than 17,000 American and Filipino troops, including a few Australian soldiers.

• Accelerate the implementation of EDCA projects and increase investments in U.S. facilities inside Philippine military bases to further support combined training exercises, interoperability and civilian-led Philippine disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

• By the end of fiscal-year 2023, the U.S. is expected to have allocated $100 million toward infrastructure investments at the five existing EDCA sites and to support the “swift operationalization” of the four additional sites approved by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month.

• Complement combined military training exercises with USAID community-based activities in EDCA-related projects, including increasing access to safe water supply, education and health care.

• Expand cooperation, exchange best practices and increase “strategic convergence” in counter-terrorism and addressing grey-zone challenges, including protecting strategic infrastructure against attacks emanating from state and non-state actors; fostering “civilian-led, non-military counter-terrorism initiatives, where feasible and effective, using an inclusive, rights-based, victim-centered and whole-of-society approach.”

These are so many propositions

needing to be fleshed out, thoroughly examined and critiqued –from the perspective of Philippine national security, economic and social well-being. Regarding U.S. funding support for the “swift operationalization” of the four additional EDCA sites, none so far has been reported onstream.

AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino admitted Wednesday that no “EDCA-related construction” has started neither on the Balabac, Palawan site (140 nautical miles from Panganiban Reef, now a Chinese military outpost), nor on the two sites in Cagayan and one in Isabela.

However, the AFP has begun building a three-kilometer runway and a concrete pier with beaching ramp in Balabac, which Gen. Centino checked on recently. The runway project is funded by the Philippine government at P700 million, for joint use by the Philippine Air Force and the Balabac municipality, while the pier (cost: P305 million) is being built at the Narciso del Rosario Naval Station.

Both projects will be offered for further development by the Americans as part of their EDCA site facilities in Balabac. (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.

I'VE said it before, and I will say it again. The political opposition that we used to know, which we colored yellow, pink and red, will no longer be the place from where the challenger will emerge. I would add another layer of crystal ball scenario-making to that prediction. Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is term-limited, the battle to succeed him will be an open political warfare not between his coalition and the now diminished political opposition. It will be a rumble from within his supermajorities in Congress.

And the battle for succession has now begun. Some say it's too early. That would be so for many of us who think of politics as a rational game of principled men and women. But when unbridled ambition takes over politicians, which is often, then there is nothing that could be too early. Five years be-

We are not privy to the transcripts of power grabs and backstabbing that may be happening in the corridors of power. What we only witness are the revelations coming from overt acts and coded statements, including one cryptic post of former senator Panfilo Lacson about a coup that is too early. I am of the belief that Lacson was not referring to the military.

What we saw is the unceremonious demotion of former president, former speaker and now former senior deputy speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from what many believed is a ceremonial position to now become just one of the many deputy speakers, which is actually also another array of ceremonial positions which I dare say are just one too many for a House of Representatives that is smaller than the parliament of India, or of Indonesia or even of Thailand. A demotion deserves an explanation from the one who ordered it, and

But what is more instructive is the political noise in the aftermath, with Arroyo stating that she had no intention of ousting Romualdez — this while party after party which are members of the supermajority came out expressing their loyalty to Romualdez. In politics, the events may not necessarily give you a direct answer. You will have to excavate it from the deflections, denials and affirmations of support. Romualdez must have an important reason to relieve Arroyo of her largely symbolic role. At the top of the list would probably be because she did something naughty and not nice. Arroyo admitted it herself. She said that her intentions were probably misinterpreted. And then Vice President Sara Duterte made a move that only aggravated the speculation. Her resignation from Lakas-CMD, a party to which she, Arroyo and Romualdez all belong, is like that two red lines that indicate a positive test

result, except that this one is not about a virus, but about a rift that the vice president didn't want to be a part of, which she referred to as political toxicity. Duterte is a known ally of Arroyo. However, while one can interpret her move as a sign of protest at what her party did to Arroyo, it can also very well be, as she said, her way of extricating herself from being embroiled in a political melee.

One needs to be reminded that Duterte and Arroyo have a history of figuring prominently in the ouster of one speaker named Pantaleon Alvarez. Tongues are wagging that it may not be farfetched that either that is what has happened, or to be fair to Duterte, that kind of talk may be the reason why she resigned from the party and detach from the toxicity to avoid being accused of doing the ouster dance once again.

There is another woman politician who was labeled by media then as a member of a formidable trio. Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda "Imee" Marcos is also close to both Duterte and Arroyo. She is fighting another war of her own on social media. She is caught up in this vitriolic clan cyberwar

between Marcos loyalists, renegade Marcos loyalists and diehard supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte. There are allegations made by Marcos loyalists who blame Senator Marcos for the actions of some of her loyal supporters and friends on social media involved in a take-down of the first lady, and for sowing divisive intrigue, including the allegations that the former spokesman for former vice president Maria Leonor Robredo is now somewhat already connected in Malacañang.

And then you end up with perfect material for our own version of "Game of Thrones," a political drama that whips the political fanbase who devote much of their precious time sowing and devouring intrigues from their favorite vloggers. The plot is just too delicious to conjure.

The three women are probably suspected of making their moves now. And there is pushback. Meanwhile, the remnants of the vanquished opposition watch on the sidelines, cheering what they think as an implosion, a fracturing of the unity of the Marcos base hoping that it would benefit them.

Even if it is true, which I am not saying it is, it would not benefit them.

After all, the fight is within the family, or rather, within the coalition. All the parties involved in the controversy, including Gloria Arroyo, Sara Duterte and even Imee Marcos on one side, and for the lack of a better word, the Romualdez loyalists, and even the party of the die-hard Duterte loyalists, the PDP-Laban, remain loyal to and supportive of President Marcos.

My fearless forecast, for now, is that the 2025 midterm elections and the next presidential election cycle will be an internal brawl to succeed President Marcos. All of them will remain supportive of him, even as they would tear and smear each other.

But things can still change. The political opposition may just find itself being in bed with disgruntled Marcos or Duterte supporters. And we won't be a bit surprised if that happens. (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.

‘War on drugs’ victims’ kin ‘unanimously’ support International Court investigation

MANILA — Families of the victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s "war on drugs" unanimously support an investigation by the International Criminal Court into alleged crimes against humanity committed in the country.

The ICC’s Victims Participation and Reparation Section (VPRS) has submitted to the Appeals Chamber a report on May 22 on victims’ representation on whether the investigation into the Philippines should be confirmed, amended or reversed.

Drawing from five victim representation on behalf of 350 individual victims and 165 families, the VPRS said it found that “victims unanimously support an ICC investigation into crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the context of the [“war on drugs”] in the Philippines.”

“As a result, victims request the Chamber to confirm the Article 18(2) Decision,” it said. The chamber recently denied the Philippines’ request to suspend the international court’s investigation on the drug war. Principal counsel for the

victims Paolina Massidda has earlier echoed the request of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan in asking the Appeals Chamber to dismiss the Philippine government’s plea and uphold the Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision to resume investigation into the Philippines. In the report, the VPRS illustrated how local institutions still fail to serve justice even under the new administration. “In the words of the victims, ‘justice and accountability in the Philippines remain largely elusive and victims and victims’ families face enormous difficulties in seeking accountability using available domestic legal remedies,” it said.

From police refusing to authenticate documents their offices have previously issued to stories of how authorities would make them sign a document agreeing to close the case of their loved ones because they do not know who the perpetrator was—families of those killed under Duterte’s “war on drugs” recounted their difficult experiences in trying to seek justice back home.

“If they had helped us here in the Philippines, if we had felt

their care, assistance, support, this wouldn’t have escalated and reached a court outside the country,” one statement from a victim read.

The victims also reported feeling unsafe as there are still instances where police intimidate them even in their communities, while others say they have been pressured not to file cases— affecting their morale.

They also raised that even with the new administration under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., “inaction continues” and no prospect to obtain justice at domestic level is seen in the current government. The UP Third World Studies Center's latest report showed there have been 294 total reported drug-related killings under Marcos Jr., with 11 recorded just last May 8 to 15.

“President Marcos has not eschewed Operation Tokhang and has made no overt action to prosecute or hold accountable any of the top officials or to review the policy,” one of the victim representations said.

(Kaycee Valmonte with Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

US awards P240-M grants

biodiversity

MANILA – The United States government has awarded P240 million worth of grants to support the biodiversity conservation efforts of 11 select civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced Tuesday, May 23.

The amount will fund grants under the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Investing in Sustainability and Partnership for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems (USAID INSPIRE) project, some of which would focus on wildlife protection and implementation of natural climate solutions.

The Mabuwaya Foundation, one of the recipients, plans to use their grant to protect the intact forests of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Cagayan by addressing illegal logging and conversion of forest lands for agricultural use.

Xavier Agricultural Extension Service Foundation’s grant, on the other hand, will strengthen

for

conservation in PH

community-based initiatives to restore and protect the mangrove forests and other marine ecosystems in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The nine other recipients are BaiAni Foundation, CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Diliman Science Research Foundation, Impl. Project Philippines, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, Surigao Economic Development and Microfinance Foundation, Tanggol Kalikasan, and University of Santo Tomas Research and Endowment Foundation.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson affirmed the critical role that CSOs play in translating conservation agreements into actions.

“Through these grants, we are advancing sustainable local solutions that will help communities address the unique climate challenges they face. These grants contribute to our

Fitch revises PH credit rating outlook to stable

by Lawrence agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA — Debt watcher

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the credit rating outlook of the Philippines from negative to stable due to improved confidence that the country is returning to strong mediumterm growth after the COVID-19 pandemic.

comes despite some relative deterioration over the last years in credit metrics that previously had been strengths, including in government debt, to gross domestic product and net external debt to GDP.

create upside potential for growth.

shared goal of a more resilient future where both people and nature thrive,” she said in a ceremony announcing the grant on Monday. For more than six decades, USAID has partnered with the Philippine government and local organizations to conserve the country’s rich biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Since 2021, the embassy said it has provided more than PHP620 million to CSOs to amplify their efforts in achieving environmental sustainability and uplifting the lives of Filipino communities.

The grants were announced in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, also on Monday.

The ceremony was also attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna and Gerry Roxas Foundation Executive Director Glen de Castro. (PNA)

At the same time, it noted sustained reductions in government debt that substantially increased in recent years.

Fitch retained the country’s credit rating at BBB or a notch above minimum investment grade. A stable outlook means the rating is likely to stay over the medium term of 12 to 18 months.

“The revision also reflects our assessment that the Philippines’ economic policy framework remains sound and in line with ‘BBB’ peers, despite its low scores on World Bank Governance indicators,” it said. According to the credit rating agency, the revision

The country’s economy would continue to be resilient with a GDP growth of above six percent over the medium term despite the slowdown in the first quarter to 6.4 percent from 7.1 percent in the fourth quarter and eight percent in the first quarter of last year, Fitch said in a statement.

“We forecast real GDP growth of above six percent over the medium term, considerably stronger than the ‘BBB’ median of three percent, after a record outturn of 7.6 percent in 2022, reflecting normalization of activity after the pandemic and the government’s investment program,” it added.

The slowdown in the first quarter was attributed to the fading post-pandemic recovery.

Fitch said the ongoing reforms to the business environment and investment regulations

The credit rating agency expects the general government deficit to narrow to 2.8 percent of GDP in 2023 and 2024 from an estimated 3.3 percent of GDP in 2022 and 4.6 percent of GDP in 2021.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the revision is testament to the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of the country, “as evidenced by the economy’s strong growth performance in 2022 at 7.6 percent and 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023.”

The Philippines incurred higher debt and wider budget deficit at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the GDP shrinking by 9.6 percent as the economy stalled due to strict quarantine and lockdown protocols.

The Marcos government is projecting a central government deficit of 5.1 percent of GDP by 2024, with most of the consolidation coming from spending efficiency gains and capital spending reductions. g

China harassment continues in...

livelihood.

A total of 350 civilians are currently living on Pag-asa Island, 73 of them children.

Ejercito said the Senate has been very supportive of the

AFP modernization, especially now that the focus of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is already external defense. He added, "Rest assured that we will support our men and women in uniform, especially the

Marines and the Navy who are stationed there."

"We commend them. My salute for holding the ground, for fighting for our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Ejercito said. g

BREAK TIME. Employees at an office in Manila spend lunch time with their mobile phones on Tuesday, May 23. Data by statista.com 2022 showed the Philippines ranked 12th globally in 2022 among nations with the most number of mobile phone users at 69.7 million, with China (974M), India (659M) and the United States (276M) occupying the top three spots. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

The Asian Journal MDWK

Wednesday MAY 24, 2023

Olivia Rodrigo celebrates 2 years of ‘Sour,’ teases an upcoming album

By Ryan Del RosaRio Inquirer.net

OLIVIA Rodrigo seems to be cooking up something new for her fans, as she teases about a new song and a second album that are coming soon.

The 20-year-old breakout star posted an email newsletter to her fans on May 20. The newsletter contains a handwritten note about the two-year anniversary of her debut album, Sour. The note also includes a hidden message.

“I cannot believe it’s been 2 years since Sour came out. That album will always be so so special to me & I’m so grateful to you guys for embracing it the way you have,” wrote Rodrigo. can be observed that “forward” and “2” are emphasized. She also capitalized the letters “O” and “R” and then made the number “2” bolder. That somehow hints that a new music and a second album are in the works.

Bea,

Jodi, Marian vie for Asia’s

Iconic Actress of the Year

By Jan Milo seveRo Philstar.com

CELEBRITIES Bea Alonzo, Jodi Sta. Maria and Marian Rivera will battle it out for Iconic Actress this year at the Asia’s Golden Icon Awards (AGIA).

Actors Ian Veneracion, Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual will clash for Iconic actor while KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), FiLay (Barbie Forteza and David Licauco) and DonBelle (Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano) will fight for Iconic Loveteam. Darren Espanto, Iñigo Pascual and Juan Karlos Labajo

are nominated for Asia’s Iconic Male Singer while Sarah Geronimo, Morisette Amon and Julie Ann San Jose are nominated for Asia’s Female Singer. The AGIA will host an annual awards night that honors individuals and companies that have made a significant impact on the community or demonstrated excellence in their field.

Backed by a notable organization dedicated to fostering public relations excellence and nation building, the AGIA 2023 aims to recognize successful campaigns of organizations, government

sectors as well as individuals that define Asia’s cutting edge of work as transformational inclusive leaders in the 21’st century.

Dr. Ronnel Ybañez, celebrity entrepreneur and chairman of the awarding body, said that the winners will be judged independently by a panel of senior experts from inside circles, including incognito professionals, to avoid narrowmindedness and unconscious bias.

The awardees are carefully selected by the jury to maintain the right balance of competence, experience and

Continued on Page 9

Back in January, Olivia gave Livies a sneak peek into the process of creating new music through a short clip that shows her with music producer Dan Nigro. The caption read, “Working on so many new songs I’m excited to show u. Thank u for everything.”

Olivia won her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. The critically acclaimed ‘Sour’ album was famously known for singles such as “driver’s license,” “good 4 u,” “deja vu,” and

“traitor.” Some of the singles gained popularity on the short-video platform app TikTok. The new music and the new album might be out there anytime soon. But for now, we could say that it’s ‘good 4’ us to be happy and healthy while waiting for it to come.

Coco Martin confirms 12-year relationship with Julia Montes

By HannaH MalloRca Inquirer.net

FINALLY, Coco Martin and Julia Montes fans may now rejoice!

Martin has finally confirmed that he’s in a relationship with Julia Montes for 12 years, putting an end to longstanding speculations about their romantic status.

The “Batang Quiapo” star made the revelation on ABSCBN’s TV Patrol on Tuesday, May 23, where they were asked about the status of their romance.

Napakasarap ng pakiramdam namin dahil 12 years na kaming magkasama, pero pareho pa rin tulad ng dati. Nilo-look forward namin kapag may project na magkasama kami and then kapag may pagkakataon, nakakalabas kami, nakikita kami ng mga tao pero name-maintain namin ang privacy sa buhay namin,” he said.

This means that the

celebrity couple started dating in 2011.

The actor also maintained that he and Montes wanted to keep their relationship private, saying they find value in keeping their romance away from the public eye.

Basta kami, hindi naman na kaming mga bata. Kung ano ‘yung nakikita at iniisip ng mga

tao, ‘yun na ‘yun. Mas masarap ‘yung pakiramdam na pribado ang buhay namin, tahimik. Walang mga issue. Ito, masaya kami,” he added. Meanwhile, the “Mara Clara” star seconded her partner’s statement, saying they are thankful to the Lord for keeping their romance alive.

Continued on Page 10

South Bay community celebrates caregivers at 2nd annual Mayfest in Carson

CARSON – The South Bay community saw what was a well-attended event celebrating caregivers at Mayfest this past Sunday, May 7. Award-winning Filipino pop rock band Introvoys headlined the Main Stage at Mayfest 2023 at the Carson Civic Center this past Sunday May 7. On the outdoor stage, Wish USA artists such as ZupaNova, Avon Rosales and DJ Morgan Ashley performed outside the Wish Bus flanked by an array of cars from classic cars to import tuners. Ther well-attended indoor and outdoor family-friendly event boasted two stages of amazing performances, a car show, a fashion show, featuring Miss Philippines USA and Los Angeles Kids Fashion Show, games, awards and prizes. WIth the help of City of Carson Councilmembers Jim Dear and Arleen Bocatija Rojas and Mark Alipio of Ca Care Association, Mayfest recognized caregivers, agencies and care providers who are exceptional leaders in care and whose services are valuable to the community.  This fundraiser event for CA Care Association was brought to you by W Group Foundation and Mic Diaz Presents with the support of co-presentors Wish USA, Asian Journal, Paco’s Place and So Jannelle TV, and is sponsored by Winners Insurance and Financial Services, Ophir Administrative Services, Avanti Home Doctors Inc., Remitly, Avanti Home Doctors Inc., Marketing in Care, Sleep M, Touching Hands, Elegant Care Villa JM Homecare Solutions, Inc., Accelerated Health Home Care, Inc., WYCOTAX, Divine Care Services, LLC and Keller Williams Costa Mesa, Miss Philippines USA, MovEssential, ZupaNova, Kahoy Kollection, Olivia Quio Clinical Skincare, Avon Rosales, Michelle Molina, Humble Castle, CARROA, L.A. Rose Cafe, Sisig Restaurant, The Noypitz, Caviteña Bistro and Kusina Filipina Los Angeles.

Local dance groups such as The Project, Wreckognize, Drowzy and Teezy Fam, Hollywood Dance Moms, Broadway Jazzers, Make Your Mama Dance and iDance Line Dancers, fitness enthusiasts Movessential Jump Crew,award-winning Filipino-American rapper

C-Tru who has collaborated with rappers DMX and Snoop Dogg joined the lineup of new talents and some of the best performers in the community including the Carson High School Marching Blue Thunder, South Bay Coastliners, The Jive, Imelda Bosing, Caren Mempin, International R&B recording artist Honore, D E N E Y, Playback Jukebox and many more. This fundraiser event is for the CA Care Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of California’s most vulnerable residents in assisted living communities. They promote self-determined and person-centered home and communitybased programs to preserve, develop and enhance licensed adult and senior care. To show our appreciation for caregivers, agencies, and care providers, who make incredible contributions to individuals and the community, we are asking you to donate to the efforts of CA Care Association by donating at www.mayfest.care/donate!

For information about the Mayfest event and donations to CA Care Association, please contact event organizers, Wallace Goodwin of W Foundation at (818) 447-9374, and Mic Diaz of Mic Diaz Presents at (213) 677-9768.

Olivia Rodrigo Photo from Instagram/@oliviarodrigo

Bea Alonzo, Jodi Sta. Maria and Marian Rivera

Philstar.com photos

Julia Montes and Coco Martin ABS-CBN photo

Councilman Jim Dear of the City of Carson thanks Mic Diaz and Wallace T Goodwin III for holding a night of music and dancing, car show and fashion during the annual May Fest. Beneficiary is CA Care Association represented by Mark Alipio.

Photo by Andy Z. Edralin

Modifying down child and spousal support obligation after a divorce

Barrister’s Corner

Pechanga Resort Casino shoots hole-in-one with newly named LPGA sponsor, course ambassador Gabriella Then

PECHANGA Resort

Casino has officially partnered with professional golfer Gabriella Then to act as their Ambassador to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Bill Anderson, Pechanga Resort Casino’s Chief Marketing Officer, announced the sponsorship at the CM Pro-Am Golf Tournament in April. He remarked about

Then’s unique story, citing her perseverance as a source of inspiration to young golfers around the world. The partnership serves to support Then’s tour and her efforts as she promotes the sport to young girls and women everywhere.

A Southern California girl, Gabriella Then has shot up the ranks in the women’s golfing community with an impressive record of achievements. Starting tournament golf at nine years old, Then went on to compete in her first U.S. Women’s Open by the age of 14. She attended the University of Southern California where she played college golf, earning an AllAmerican title before joining the Epson Tour in 2017.

After missing out on advancing to Stage II of LPGA’s Qualifying School in 2019, Then considered giving up the sport entirely to pursue other ventures. She left

professional golf for 18 months before reigniting her passion and love for the game. With a newfound sense of purpose and clarity, Then went on to win three times in four months in the Cactus and Women’s All Pro Tours. Then found her stride again. Gabriella won the Ladies European Tour (“LET”) QSchool in 2022 earning her status on LET. In the mid-season, Then tested her once again flourishing golf game on the Epson Tour where she earned her first Epson Tour win in her second start of the season. At the end of the 2022 Epson Tour season, Then

finished seventh in the points race, earning her status on the LPGA Tour in 2023.

Pechanga Resort Casino is thrilled to welcome Gabriella Then to their team and is excited to support her as she continues to showcase her talent and passion for the game.   Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/ casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)

DIVORCED parties are sometimes ordered to pay child support and spousal support in the divorce judgment. The support orders are generally based on the parties’ financial situation and custody arrangements at the time of the settlement or trial. However, what if your income decreases after the divorce or what if your spouse’s income increases after the divorce due to a promotion or a better paying job? Do you have the right to modify your support obligation?

If your income has gone down substantially from the time that the child or spousal support determination, you may be able to file a modification of your support obligation. Losing a job or having less income constitutes a material change of circumstances that would allow the court to modify down your support obligations.

Child support in California is based on guideline formula. One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income. Usually the court would look at several months or even an

average of the last 12 months income. If your average income has decreased, you may be able to modify your child support to a lower amount. Bear in mind that there are other factors that come in the equation such as the amount of actual timeshare you spend with your child and the income of the other parent. If the other parent’s income has gone down, this may adversely affect your child support obligation.

Spousal support may also be modified unless you stipulated in a divorce judgment that it is non modifiable. However, spousal support are usually calculated differently than guideline. The court will look at other factors in deciding whether to modify this. Those factors are listed in family code section 4320.

If you are unemployed, the other party may be expected to try to impute income on you. However in light of the recent cases in California, they would have to prove that you had the ability and the opportunity to obtain employment.

If your income has gone down or your spouse’s income has increased as a result of a new job, a promotion, or you got laid off or hours cut, it may be possible to modify both your child support and spousal support obligation. Without modifying the order, the current order will continue to be in effect and

the same amount will accrue regardless of whether your income declined or your spouse income increased. It is important to file a post judgment request for order to modify support as soon as your financial situation changes.

* * * 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 graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Bea, Jodi, Marian vie for...

From Page 8

objectivity.

“Strict guidelines are designed to eliminate vested interest or breaches of rules of entry. Confidentiality is key to the judging process, with judges discussing the entries but scoring independently and confidentially,” Ybañez said.

“Asia’s Golden Icon Awards 2023 recognize the most outstanding people, from the ordinary to the extraordinary, in building community and solidarity. The awardees demonstrate actual recognition, going beyond mere recognition

of the brand or symbol to demonstrate appreciation and understanding of key messages by the target audience,” he added.

Other international awardees from Malaysia, China, Fiji, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia and many more will also be present in this event.

The public are invited to vote by clicking the “like” button on the respective photo of their chosen finalist per category on the Official Facebook page of Asia’s Golden Icon Awards until May 25.

LPGA player Gabriella Then, newly designated course ambassador, at the Journey at Pechanga championship golf

From left: Wade Lai, Pechanga Resort Casino Chief Marketing Officer Bill Anderson, Pechanga’s course and LPGA ambassador Gabriella Then, Pechanga Development Corporation 2nd Vice President John Palinkas, and Pechanga Resort Casino General Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

Wilbert Ross bids farewell to sexy roles

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

VIVAMAX actor Wilbert Ross revealed that he will stop doing sexy movies on the streaming platform.

In an interview with the media during the press conference of his online series Ang Lalaki Sa Likod Ng Profile” produced by Puregold, Wilbert said that Viva Artist Agency allowed him to rebrand.

Eto, per Viva Artist Agency, so ito na po ‘yung start ng rebranding ko,” he said.

“More on romance-comedy na po ako, rom-com. Galing na po sa kanila, e, na parang… hindi ako sure, ha… pero parang hindi na ako magse-sexy talaga,” he added.

When asked if he really wants to stop making sexy movies, Wilbert said, “Opo naman talaga.

The actor stars in the

Ross

Puregold series “Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile” with TikTok sensation Yukii Takahashi. Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile” airs on the YouTube Puregold Channel every Saturday as part of the brand’s portfolio of “retailtainment” projects. The concept stresses connecting with viewers online with riveting, relatable stories.

The series tells the story of Bryce (Wilbert), a young video game enthusiast who ventures into the local dating scene with virtual wingman Angge (Yukii). Totally relatable are the comedic, kilig-worthy situations that ensue as Bryce and Angge form a bond online and later sense a strong chemistry between them.

New Chapter 13 debt limits increased to $2.75M

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

ON June 21, 2022, Pres. Biden signed into law the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act. It increased the Chapter 13 debt limits to a total of $2.75M without secured or unsecured separate categories.

The old limit for Chapter 13 before this amendment was $1.395M for secured debts and $465K for unsecured debts.

With many individuals being forced to borrowing significantly more to survive the pandemic, especially individuals with small businesses, the old limits were not practical to provide reorganization relief.

For example, client borrowed $500K business loans so his business can continue operating despite losses caused by the pandemic, he would not qualify for Chapter 13 because the unsecured debt limit was

only $465K. His alternative would have been Chapter 7 where his house would be at risk if the equity was near $600K, or Chapter 11 which costs a lot more than Chapter 13 in legal fees. Chapter 11 would cost ten times more in legal fees than Chapter 13.

In client’s case, he can propose a Chapter 13 plan that pays a small portion of the $500K. Depending on his equity on the house, his Chapter 13 plan can be very small. If his equity in his residence does not exceed $600K and he lives in Los Angeles county, he may even be able to get a plan payment for only 2% of $500K, that’s about $200/month plan payment for 60 months. It’s a great reorganization for client. After paying only $10K of the $500K in 60 months, the court will discharge or wipe out $490K of the $500K business loans.

This law will expire in 2 years from June 21, 2022. So, it will be effective for one more year from now until June of 2024, unless it is extended or made permanent. Considering

next year is election year, the chances of extension of being made permanent is good. Besides, $495K for unsecured debts is actually forcing debtors into unpleasant options. If you have too much debt and need relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. If you have a small business that increased your debts to survive the pandemic, now is the time to seriously consider Chapter 13 to reorganize. It’s the right step to take.

* * * Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone. There is absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article.

* * * Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

Kris opens up anew about health, love life

“THE battle is far from over” were Kris Aquino’s words which she posted in Filipino on her Instagram account.

Aquino shared the latest on her health as it has been almost a year since the erstwhile Queen of All Media flew to the U.S. to seek advanced medical care for autoimmune diseases.

On her Instagram account, Aquino shared that she started her first “baby dose” of methotrexate, which she said is used to treat cancer by slowing its cell growth.

A chemotherapy agent and immune-system suppressant, medlineplus.gov noted that it is also used to treat psoriasis and possibly rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing the activity of the immune system.

Aquino said she had been hesitant to take the strong medication because she knew her immune system wasn’t ready. But after finding out that her blood panel numbers were bad, that she has developed scarring and micro nodules in her right lung, and that her inflammatory numbers were high, she finally agreed to start taking methotrexate at a smaller dose.

Aquino had revealed that she has been diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases: chronic spontaneous urticaria, autoimmune thyroiditis, and Churg Strauss or EGPA, a rare and life threatening form of vasculitis.

Her update, however, said “it’s definite” that she has “5, possibly 6 autoimmune conditions.”

“How badly I wanted to keep this private because I’m scared baka mawalan kayo ng gana to keep praying for me & my doctors, my sons, and my sisters. Hindi ako sumusuko, sana wag rin kayo sumuko? Please? (How badly I wanted to keep this private because I’m scared that you will get tired of praying for me, my doctors, my sons and my sisters. I’m not giving up and I hope you won’t either. Please?)

In the middle of her ongoing health battle, Aquino took the time to thank people in her life who have supported her and her sons.

She thanked friends and relatives who have been keeping an eye on her eldest son Josh who already flew back to the Philippines because he “loves Tarlac and Makati.” The proud mom revealed Josh already lost weight since his return to the country.

Aquino then divulged that her son Bimb — who has been with her in the U.S. — will fly home by the end of July.

“I want him to experience what I didn’t, a regular high school and college life.”

Love and friendship

Finally, Aquino also thanked a certain “Marc” for all the both the love and friendship they shared.

“I’ve been so unfair in not thanking you

enough for all your effort to be here whenever I need you, for all the times my past has made me so jaded that I keep breaking up with you all because I didn’t believe a long distance relationship stood a chance because of your job obligations, and because I need at least two cycles of 9 months each before I can hope to reach remission.

“Marc, I’m sorry for punishing you for what others have done to me. You are 100 percent correct, you’re not them.”

Aquino then thanked Marc for not posting about them and for keeping their “new relationship” private.

“We are proof that love comes when you least expect it. Thank you for your 12 years of perseverance. Whatever God decides for us, let’s please end up best friends for the rest of our lives?”

Netizens speculated that Aquino was referring to Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, even though the spelling of his first name is different. It can be remembered that Leviste flew to the U.S. in February to celebrate Aquino’s birthday. The following post on Aquino’s Instagram on Thursday night seemingly confirmed this speculation.

The video featured Itchyworms’ Jazz Nicolas, in support of Conrado Antonio “C2”Leviste 2nd’s student council campaign at La Salle Greenhills (LSGH). The younger Leviste is the governor’s son.

“Hi. I’m Jazz of Itchyworms. A mutual friend asked me to do a favor for Kris Aquino who’s now in LA getting her medical treatment. Someone close to Kris said C2 Leviste, who’s running for La Salle Greenhills’ 11th grade batch rep, could become Ms. Aquino’s stepson,” Nicolas introduced.

In her caption for the video, Aquino related that C2 has called her “mommy Kris.” (By Christina Alpad/ManilaTimes.net)

Coco Martin confirms 12-year...

From Page 8

Kung ano ‘yung position namin ngayon, sobrang blessed lang talaga kami. And never nawala sa center si God

so hindi nawawala ang mga good stuff. Si God talaga ang center,” she said.

While the couple didn’t disclose how their romance

began, they first worked together in the 2012 teleserye “Walang Hanggan” and starred in the film “A Moment in Time” a year after.

Wilbert

Photo from Instagram/@itswilbertross

Kris Aquino with Dr. Sudhir Gupta, a specialist in Allergy and Immunology.

Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino