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CA Attorney General Rob Bonta seeks to improve hate crime reporting, solutions

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to pursue broader and concrete measures to improve the reporting system on racial-related hate crimes.

Bonta recently hosted a roundtable with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) press in the state to provide updates on his statewide initiatives in line with the celebration of May as AAPI Heritage Month.

As the first Filipino American attorney general of California and the second Asian American to occupy the post after now Vice President Kamala Harris, who served between 2011 to 2017, Bonta underscored the need to improve the way hate crimes are being handled, especially in California, a state home to nearly 6 million AAPIs.

A former state assemblymember, Bonta was

Work on 14 projects at EDCA sites to begin

WORK is expected to begin soon on 14 U.S.-funded projects at four new sites where American military personnel would be given access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said spadework on at least seven of the 14 projects is seen to commence this year. For the rest, work is expected to begin next year as actual expenses are still being determined.

“On the new sites, identified na rin yung mga projects to be constructed in those areas. We’re looking at construction of facility and mess hall, rehabilitation of runway, construction of additional billeting facilities, acquisition of generators, electrical, installation of electrical system, construction of pier with water supply,” he told reporters in an interview on Wednesday, May 24.

“We are also looking at an HADR warehouse, meaning humanitarian and disaster response, construction of HADR hangar and with electrical and water facilities, and of course construction of billeting for our personnel, barracks complete with amenities. We are also establishing command and

Controversial Maharlika bill heads to Malacañang

bill creating the Maharlika Investment Fund, a proposal that has raised concerns that pension funds and other government money will be put at risk.

The STAR reported that the House of Representatives adopted the Senate’s version of the bill, which had initially included the Social Security Service and Government Service Insurance System as a source of funding.

This provision was voted off during a marathon session at the Senate that ran into early Wednesday, May 31.

With the House’s adoption of its version of the bill, there was no need for the Senate to do anything more—it approved the proposal on third and final reading in the wee hours of Wednesday—Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

The bill will now be sent to Malacañang for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signature.

While the president has the power to veto bills, that is unlikely for Maharlika, which he has certified urgent in both chambers of Congress, which promptly passed the measures.

Marcos who has been promoting the proposed fund to potential investors abroad, said Wednesday

Mandatory digitalization to cut red tape – Marcos

by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Marcos expressed optimism on Monday, May 29 that the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) would further simplify government procedures through mandatory digitalization and contribute to efforts to lure investments and promote economic activity in the country.

In a speech read by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin during ARTA’s fifth anniversary celebration in Manila, Marcos said the agency has been “relentless” in implementing its mandate to curb red tape and bolster

ease of doing business since it was established through Republic Act 11032 in 2018.

“In just five years, the men and women of ARTA have definitely proven that change in the way we serve in government is possible. It is possible to do things now to empower the improvement of processes and make transactions easier and more convenient for our clients, the Filipino people,” the president said.

“As the work is not finished, I look forward to even more accomplishments for ARTA in the years to come. I am confident that with your undiminished and steadfast dedication to serve the people and given

Padilla resigns as PDP-Laban exec to focus on being senator

by XAVE GREGORIO Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Robinhood

Padilla announced on Tuesday, May 30 he is resigning as PDPLaban executive vice president to give more time to his duties as a lawmaker.

Padilla remains a member of the party chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte. “As an incumbent senator with a heavy mandate, I am aware that other duties — including my position as EVP of the party — must give way to my ability to fulfill my sworn duty to the people,” Padilla said in a statement.

He added, “I believe my decision is for the good of the

party and its members — and more importantly, for the Filipino people.”

As PDP-Laban’s executive vice president, Padilla was part of the party’s National Executive Committee. He also had the power to take over the functions of the party president in case of their prolonged absence, permanent incapacity, suspension, resignation, or expulsion.

Padilla was also tasked to perform other duties and functions assigned by PDP-Laban’s National Council.

Cha-cha push falters

The senator’s resignation as a PDP-Laban official came after he proclaimed the death of his push

that the SSS and GSIS would not be the source of seed funding for Maharlika. He said, however, that “if the pension fund decides that Maharlika fund is a good investment, it’s up to them if they want to invest in it.”

‘Let’s give it a chance’

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier told reporters to give the new investment fund “a chance.”

Opposition groups and critics of the new law raised concerns that it would be abused and become a vehicle for corruption.

Zubiri noted that other countries also have sovereign wealth funds that are successful.

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CONTINUED borrowings and a weaker peso saw the national government's outstanding debt rise to a new record high of P13.91 trillion in April, the Bureau of the Treasury reported on Wednesday, May 31.

For the month alone, P54.24 billion was added to total outstanding debt due to the "net issuance of external debt and local currency depreciation against the U.S. dollar," the Treasury said in a statement.

Local borrowings comprised the bulk, or 68.0 percent, of the debt total. At P9.46 trillion, it was P55.32 billion lower compared to the end-March level due to the net redemption of securities amounting to P57.79 billion.

"This was slightly offset by the P2.47-billion effect on onshore foreign currency-denominated securities caused by peso depreciation against the U.S. dollar," the Treasury added.

Reckoned from the end of last year, P249.45 billion has been added to domestic debt.

External debt — 32 percent of total outstanding debt — ballooned to P4.45 trillion, P109.56 billion higher than the previous month.

This was due to a "P27.98-billion net availment of external loans and P94.28-billion impact of local-currency depreciation against the U.S. dollar," the Treasury said.

"On the other hand, third-currency adjustments against the US dollar trimmed P12.30 billion from the peso value

Arroyo rm: I did not plot speaker’s ouster

by MA. REINA TOLENTINO ManilaTimes.net

HOUSE Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday, May 28 reiterated that she did not plot to unseat Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“A report is going around that I was ‘duped’ by a congresswoman into thinking that the alleged House coup had the blessings of the first lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ AranetaMarcos,” Arroyo said in a

statement. “I am truly sorry that she should even be dragged into this political fantasy of a House coup — it is disrespectful to her and to her intelligence.”

“Whoever is spreading these pathetic rumors... should now move on to the serious business of making positive contributions to national progress,” the former president said.

She said she made “a humble contribution to the joining of forces that became the UniTeam, and the resulting supermajority in the House is a major force for

Sen. Robinhood Padilla Philstar.com file photo

Mandatory digitalization to cut...

your passion to advance the mandates of RA 11032, ARTA will be ready and equipped to lead over the hurdles the future holds,” he added.

Marcos also lauded ARTA for being a “disruptor of negative norms and practices in the bureaucracy.”

The president cited the agency’s streamlining of regulations and processes in the telecommunications sector, which he said paved the way for smoother operations and enhanced connectivity in the Philippines.

He said the number of required permits for the sector has been reduced from 13 to eight while that of the documentary requirements has been cut from 86 to 35. The turnaround time has also been cut drastically from 241 to 16 working days, he added.

“ARTA has effectively facilitated the rapid deployment of telecommunication infrastructure across the land,” Marcos said.

Marcos said through a joint memorandum circular, ARTA reduced the number of permits from 11 to five, simplified documentary requirements from 62 to 26 and slashed the turnaround time from 868 to 74 working days.

The reduced requirements have resulted in an increase in the number of permits to 36,264 in 2020-2021 from 9,363 permits in 2019-2020, the president said.

“These improvements in telecommunications have not gone unnoticed on the global stage.

According to the Ookla speed test global index report released in March 2023, the Philippines has significantly improved its rankings. In mobile internet speed, our country climbed from 93rd to 79th place, while in fixed broadband, we went to 60th to 41st place,” Marcos said.

“This progress has enhanced communication infrastructure, facilitated economic growth and generally improved the lives of our citizens. It has hastened the digitalization of government services, thereby enabling the government to deliver timely and accessible services to the citizens in this rapidly evolving digital era,” he added. Marcos also mentioned the implementation of the e-BOSS, which he said has slashed the time required for registering a business and has encouraged entrepreneurs to establish and grow their enterprises. He noted that out of the 17 local governments assessed, only seven have achieved full implementation of the e-BOSS. Five of the seven local governments that have fully implemented the e-BOSS “have witnessed a collective increase in business registration and revenue collection for the year 2022,” the Chief Executive said.

“The success of e-BOSS is a testament to the power of digital transformation in promoting

ease of business and stimulating economic development,” Marcos said.

Marcos also cited ARTA’s partnership with the 888 citizens complaint center, a move that he said has provided a channel for citizens to voice their concerns and initiate complaints against agencies that fail to deliver efficient, timely and effective public services.

Marcos ended his speech by emphasizing the importance of digitalization in the bureaucracy.

“While we say that digitalization is no longer a mere option but already a mandatory requirement in the rendition of government services, we do not impose undue burdens on the shoulders of our fellow servants. As we shorten the lines, cut the steps and simplify the procedures, we assure everyone that doing so can only be the next best way to enable our stakeholders to reach their goals,” the president said.

In a video message, First Lady Liza Marcos thanked ARTA for its contributions in improving the delivery of government services.

“I was told that this year’s theme, SPEED, stands for streamlining the Philippines for effective and efficient digitalization... So SPEED is aligned with the president’s priorities in the delivery of government services,” Liza said.

“Thank you for all you do to make our country a better place to live in,” she added. g

“[There are] maybe 90 plus countries that [have] sovereign wealth funds and under these 90 countries, there’s only one that has an issue, which is Malaysia’s,” the senate president said, referring to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad that faced issues with embezzlement and money laundering.

“We are learning from that mistake but almost 99% of other sovereign wealth funds have been very successful… so let’s give it a chance.”

In a statement on the House panel’s adoption of the Senate version of the Maharlika bill, Rep. Joey Salceda (Albay) said that the House decided to have the bill ready in time for Marcos’ State of the Nation Address in July and so the executive branch can prepare the implementing rules and regulations for it as soon as possible.

“As promised, the MIF will not touch the funds of the SSS, GSIS, Philhealth, or HDMF. We are thankful for the Senate for retaining most of the accountability and transparency safeguards estab-

lished by the House,” he said. Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he raised some suggestions that the executive branch could address in the IRR for the Maharlika fund. He said that the Philippines could involve multilateral financing institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development in setting up the fund to “bring in not only capital, but also experience, institutional expertise, and international credibility to the Fund.”

Salceda also suggested a provision to have the fund listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, which, he said, would mean more transparency and accountability for the investment fund. (Philstar. com)

Arroyo firm: I did not plot...

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delivering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda.

“Thus, I would never take any action to destroy it,” she said.

She added she “did not have any conversation, here or abroad, with any congressman or congresswoman, or any other politician active or retired, to plot, support, encourage or participate in any way in any alleged House coup.”

Rumors of a conspiracy to overthrow Romualdez circulated after Arroyo was demoted from senior deputy speaker to deputy speaker last May 17.

She was replaced by Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. Arroyo said in a May 18 statement that she aspired for the House speakership when Marcos won the presidential election last year, but that she was no longer interested in the position.

She said her political objectives now were to represent her district, support the legislative agenda of Romualdez and President Marcos, and use her experience as a former president to help out when called upon to do so. g

Work on 14 projects at EDCA...

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control fusion system,” Aguilar added.

“So they’re ongoing, the projects have been identified and ready for implementation – maybe depending on the release of the budget,” Aguilar said.

The four new EDCA sites are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.

The other EDCA sites are at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan in Cebu.

“Now we are looking at making these facility available especially that we have an upcoming typhoon and we’re looking to serve its purpose and to be able to help our countrymen who would be affected. Hopefully it (typhoon) will not (make) landfall but at least we have facility that we can use for the storage of relief goods,” Aguilar said.

The AFP said the 14 new projects are aligned with the military’s modernization program and are designed to “strengthen our capabilities because these EDCA sites will facilitate the conduct of training, and this is very important, and if we can have equipment stored there so we can use them if we need to,” he added.

Aguilar stressed that EDCA sites would be used chiefly for emergency purposes – like for disaster response – and in case of foreign attack, which would trigger the implementation of the Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S.

The projects for the first EDCA sites cost $81.95 million. The cost of completing the 14 projects at the four new sites would still have to be determined.

Australia, Sweden defense ties

Meanwhile, the AFP and the Department of National Defense are working on strengthening ties and defense relations with Australia and Sweden.

Australian Army Deputy Chief Maj. Gen. Natasha Fox met with Philippine Army Commanding General Gen. Romeo Brawner at Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday to discuss such efforts.

Accompanied by Australian Defense Attaché Col. Paul Joseph Barta, the ranking military official is in the country to attend the 6th Philippine-Australia Staff Talks.

At the meeting, the Philippine Army and the Australian Army key officers mapped out bilateral engagement plans for the next year and did some update on joint activities for the year.

Fox said Australian troops have been learning a lot in jungle warfare from Philippine Army soldiers during joint exercises. (Michael Punongbayan/ Philstar.com)

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri Philstar.com file photo

Filipina teen from PH and California makes car racing history

BIANCA Bustamante, 18, is the first Filipino to win an F1 Academy race with PREMA Racing. F1Academy is an all-female Formula-4 level racing championship series founded by Formula 1. Bustamante a resident of both Laguna, Philippines and San Jose, California, is the daughter of Raymund and Janice Bustamante. Race driver Darryl O’Young is her sporting and business manager.

Bustamante started go-carting at age 3, competing in go-kart races at Sonoma Raceway, in San Francisco Bay Area. She won the Macau International Kart Grand Prix at the age of nine.

Her inspiration is former NASCAR and IndyCar racer Danica Patrick and dreams of racing in the main F1 series, IndyCar, or NASCAR.

“My dad was an O-F-W. He was an overseas Filipino worker in America in San Jose so there he worked a lot in construction,” Bustamante told KGO-TV’s J.R.

Bustamante started go-carting at age 3, competing in go-kart races at Sonoma Raceway, in San Francisco Bay Area.

Stone. “He worked three jobs to give money for my racing to put food on the table and because of this I rarely saw him and that’s why

CA

Attorney General Rob Bonta seeks to...

Photo from Twitter/@racebia

it meant so much that I won because it wasn’t just for me. It was for every Filipino out there, especially when the anthem was played.” (Inquirer.net)

California hospitals seek a broad bailout, but they don’t all need it

by Samantha Young and angela hart KFF Health News

SACRAMENTO — One of the country’s richest hospitals, which caters to Hollywood elites, accepted nearly $28 million last year from an unusual source: a charity that siphons money from other California hospitals, many of which serve the state’s poorest residents.

Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles secured the grant under California’s recession-era financing scheme that allows wealthy hospitals to take valuable health care tax money from poorer ones. Hospitals across the state agreed in 2009 to the arrangement in order to tap billions more per year in taxpayer dollars to support the state’s Medicaid program, called Medi-Cal.

Now, some of those hospitals serving a greater share of Medi-Cal patients are in dire financial need and face cutbacks and potential closures. But instead of asking for help for only those at greatest risk, California’s powerful hospital industry is putting the squeeze on

Gov. Gavin Newsom and fellow Democratic lawmakers for an unprecedented bailout. And they are doing it even as the state faces a nearly $32 billion budget deficit.

Hospitals argue that to avert a crisis, they need an emergency infusion of $1.5 billion. They also want a steady annual stream of new health care tax money despite already having their own dedicated tax intended to support struggling facilities that serve a large percentage of the state’s low-income people, such as Madera Community Hospital in the Central Valley, which closed earlier this year.

Ads by the California Hospital Association paint a scary picture: “1 in 5 Hospitals are at risk of closure.” Yet another warns, “Health care that millions rely on is at risk.”

Those claims are being repeated by state lawmakers as they debate financial rescue for hospitals.

But a KFF Health News analysis of state data revealed that despite increased labor costs and inflation, many California hospitals have been profitable in recent years. The industry earned roughly $131 billion last year in patient revenue,

a key indicator of profitability — $7.3 billion more than the previous year. After factoring in rising costs, the industry still turned a profit of about $207 million last year. State figures show the industry reaped $9.2 billion in patient revenue in 2021, partly a reflection of big swings in the stock market.

Leading health care finance experts and former state officials are urging Newsom and lawmakers to resist the industry’s fear tactics, saying that, even though hospitals are still reeling from the covid-19 pandemic, many have plush financial reserves.

“They are big fans of these giant bailouts, where the relatively rich hospitals benefit as well as the ones who really need it,” said Glenn Melnick, a health economist at the University of Southern California. “A big chunk of the hospitals, even if they’re losing money, don’t need taxpayer money to help them through this crisis.”

Melnick and others who have analyzed the financial state of California hospitals say a sliver of California’s 368 general hospitals u PAGE 4

first appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as attorney general in March 2021, before being elected to a full term last November 2022. He was sworn in and delivered his inaugural address in Sacramento last January 6.

During the discussions with AAPI reporters, the state’s chief legal counsel said that amidst the alarming and continuing rising level of anti-Asian hate crimes over the past years, his office is very keen on implementing some definitive short-term and longterm programs to address these concerns.

He said short-term solutions may involve an immediate and effective way to resolve a hate crime as it happens.

“We need accountability for hate crimes when they occur and in my view charging hate crimes as hate crimes when elements are there and making sure that there’s an appropriate and proportionate accountability for those who commit hate crimes,” Bonta said.

According to Bonta, providing relatively prompt help to assist hate crime victims could also be a part of a short-term scheme.

“We provide victims with the services that they need to heal in the way that they need for them to heal, could be trauma form of care, it could be culturally competent care, could be inlanguage care like programs and services that allow and assist and expedite the healing of victims,” he said.

For long-term solutions, he

said there is a need to implement a strategic plan of action involving education, cross-cultural awareness, and ethnic studies.

The government official also admitted that pushing for solid steps in tackling hate crimes is tedious as it entails a more complex approach in terms of implementation and execution of legislative measures and law enforcement.

“We need to have a lot of guidance on this with local enforcement on how to identify, investigate and how to build a hate crime case when the evidence is there,” he said.

He likewise underscored the need for the active participation of all concerned individuals to have an effective reporting system for these hate crimes.

“We also need a reporting system that people consistently and in a high percentage participate in so we could understand the problem, its nature, the hotspots, who’s been targeted, why, and we can get to, address the root process,” he said.

One main dilemma of coming up with an effective reporting system, he noted, is the victims’ inability to come out in the open.

“Not everyone reports. Some folks do not report to law enforcement because they do not trust the law enforcement. Some people don’t report because they could be retaliated against, for example, an undocumented individual victim of a hate crime may not want to report to law

enforcement because they might be worried about any potential adverse immigration consequences and so the people will report when they think something might be done and they won’t be retaliated against,” he said.

Bonta called on community leaders and groups and social services agencies to assist his office in addressing these concerns.

“We need to create those systems but I think that largely lies with community groups who are trusted, who’ve earned the trust, who have deep roots and deep histories with communities like to Stop AAPI Hate, a lot of folks call them because of their reputation and they have good data that helps us understand the problem better,” he said.

Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition of community organizations that started in May 2020, tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment and discrimination against the AAPI community.

Over the last two years, antiAAPI hate crimes went up 107% followed by an additional 177% increase the year before. The next updated data on hate crimes will be released in coming months, Bonta said.

With this unprecedented rise of hate crimes, Bonta also spearheaded the creation of a Racial Justice Bureau a few weeks after assuming office in 2021.

“We want to take a very strong PAGE 4

California hospitals seek a broad bailout...

are in crisis and that relief should be given only to those that can show they are in immediate peril.

Many hospitals in underserved and rural communities are struggling financially, in part because they have failed to attract enough patients with private insurance.

And the cost of providing care to lower-income patients who rely on Medi-Cal hasn’t kept pace with government reimbursement rates.

But low Medi-Cal rates aren’t necessarily a predictor of financial disaster, according to a report released Thursday by the California Health Care Foundation. (KFF Health News publishes California Healthline, which is an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.)

Health economists found that hospitals “with the lowest margins were no more dependent on Medi-Cal or Medicare than the average California hospital.” And many cash-strapped hospitals may be sitting on enormous wealth, an indication they don’t necessarily need more taxpayer money.

“Most of the facilities that have negative margins are a part of larger systems, which suggests that they have the underlying wealth of those systems to stabilize them,” said Kristof Stremikis, director of market analysis and insight for the foundation.

Carmela Coyle, the influential leader of the state hospital lobby, said California’s hospitals are in the worst crisis they’ve faced in recent history, largely because the state reimburses providers just 74 cents on the dollar to care for Medi-Cal patients.

“You have these underserved communities in the Central Valley, where a hospital comes in, they’re doing their best, and those underserved individuals are not reimbursed the same as everybody else,” Coyle told KFF Health News. “The real underlying issue here is government underfunding.”

But Coyle isn’t disclosing the full picture. Experts agree that reimbursement rates in Medi-Cal — money provided to doctors, clinics, and hospitals for taking care of low-income patients — are too low to cover the actual cost of care. Yet the state and federal government give billions in bonus and incentive payments that can actually result in higher reimbursements and even profits.

After Madera Community Hospital cut off services and shuttered, Coyle warned that it was a “canary in the coal mine” for other hos-

pitals unable to make ends meet because of its high proportion of low-income patients and reliance on government payments. But the hospital actually made nearly $15 million from Medi-Cal in 2021, KFF Health News has gleaned from state hospital financial records.

The overarching problem, according to emails obtained by KFF Health News, was an inability to demand higher payments from commercial health insurance companies, as well as attract their patients — 70% of whom sought care outside Madera County.

The hospital “does not have the ability to negotiate competitive rates on its own,” according to an email last June to the California attorney general’s office from representatives of Trinity Health, a national Catholic health system, which backed off from acquiring the hospital.

The Madera hospital’s CEO, Karen Paolinelli, and other hospital leaders made another last-ditch effort to keep its doors open: They asked for an advance payment of their hospital tax revenue — money distributed through health insurance plans and the state. The payment they sought was from the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee, which allows hospitals to tax themselves to draw in federal money for Medi-Cal. Adopted in California in 2009 and later approved by voters through a ballot initiative, the tax brought in $8.4 billion last year.

“We did ask before we closed to get paid some of the provider money owed to us,” Paolinelli said. “But we were not successful.”

She said the hospital needed $5 million to remain open and couldn’t secure funding in time.

Under the hospital tax revenue, the money is spread across California hospitals, but the system is designed to protect the rich hospitals and essentially help them avoid industry taxes.

Hospitals with a greater share of low-income patients pay a higher tax than wealthier systems that don’t serve as many poor people. However, they benefit handsomely, ultimately increasing how much they are paid to care for Medi-Cal patients. Then those hospitals give up a portion of their tax money to a charity that funnels it to better-performing hospitals in exchange for their political support for the hospital tax.

“The winner hospitals contribute money to a fund that is used to distribute money to the loser hospitals,” said Elaine Batchlor, CEO of MLK Community Health, which

CA Attorney General Rob Bonta seeks to...

is asking for financial help because roughly 70% of its patients are on Medi-Cal. “No hospital loses by being a part of it. If you were going to lose money, you’d be against it.”

The transactions are routed through the California Health Foundation and Trust, the charity operated by the leadership of the California Hospital Association.

For example, Cedars-Sinai paid nearly $172 million in taxes in 2022, eclipsing the $151 million it got back in additional Medi-Cal dollars. To make up for the loss, it secured the nearly $28 million in grant revenue — earning nearly $6.9 million from the program, its commissioned tax audit shows.

Cedars-Sinai spokesperson

Duke Helfand acknowledged the benefit from the taxing scheme but said the health system effectively subsidizes Medi-Cal enrollees and incurs losses of more than $180 million annually serving those low-income patients. “Over the years, our teams at Cedars-Sinai have effectively managed our financial resources, enabling us to provide exceptional patient care,” Helfand said.

By comparison, the faith-based Adventist Health, which serves more poor people and operates roughly two dozen hospitals in California, Oregon, and Hawaii, paid $148 million in taxes in 2022 and reaped $401 million in additional Medi-Cal dollars through the program, according to its independent tax audit. It then contributed $3 million of that money to the charity.

These sorts of financing arrangements are under federal scrutiny. Officials with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have blasted “hold harmless” deals that can result in wealthier hospitals receiving enough money back that they ultimately wind up paying little or no tax at all.

“A health care-related tax cannot have a hold harmless provision that guarantees to return all or a portion of the tax back to the taxpayer,” Daniel Tsai, deputy administrator and director for the federal Medicaid agency, wrote in February.

Dave Regan, president of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, which represents hospital workers, has long lambasted California’s scheme as a ploy that lets wealthy hospitals siphon valuable health care dollars from smaller, rural hospitals that need more support for Medi-Cal patients.

PAGE 5

stance against the forces of hate to push back. So I created a Racial Justice Bureau to stand against racial justice in all its forms, including hate crimes, hate violence, hate incidents,” the attorney general earlier said.

Asked about the role of the Racial Justice Bureau and its goal, Bonta said “we created Racial Justice Bureau to call out racial injustice in the state of California in all its forms and we plan of fighting the ground and say we are going to fight the racial injustice and fight against the forces of hate, and organizations that are organized around hate and violate other people’s rights or commit crimes.”

“We’re going to take on racial injustice in our schools where our children were submitted to unfair disciplinary process, suspensions, expulsion, unwillful defiance, and discipline. So from children, to hate groups, to hate crimes to any civil rights issues where race and ethnicity are being used as a way to target to hurt or harm people, we will be involved and that’s our racial bureau has done,” he elaborated.

Putting up a Racial Justice Bureau, he said, would enable them to have a dedicated set of personnel within his office to facilitate and focus on racial injustices.

“It has taken resources from across our office and brought them into a team with a common goal to take on racial injustice. We are largely focusing on hate crimes given the environment and the landscape and the pain and hurt and the harm that Californians are suffering when it

comes to hate crimes and so but it is to fight for racial justice and all its forms and what’s happening in California will define the work that we prioritize and what we do but right now what we do are on hate crimes,” he added.

Aside from hate crimes, Bonta also wants to address other equally significant and sociallyrelevant issues, such as human trafficking, housing access, home care affordability, education, elder abuse, reproductive freedom, gun safety, the rights of LGBTQ communities, climate change, and among others.

2026 plans

During the virtual media roundtable, when asked about his apparent plan to run for governorship in 2026, Bonta said right now his priorities are set on addressing critical concerns of the state.

“Quite a number of people are reaching out to me asking me to run, encouraging me to run, and for that, I am honored and flattered and humbled. I will make a decision about running for governor for 2026 but the time for that decision is not now. I am focused on my work and role as an attorney general now and at an appropriate time in the future, I’ll make a decision and it will be known,” he said.

Bonta, whose parents Cynthia and Warren are both advocates of social justice, was also asked by reporters if he has plans to meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who will be in California in November this year.

“I would like to spend time with President Marcos at some point [and] have a dialogue. I am open to a son not being the father

and trying a different course and being different and I know that if you share a name as he does, there are assumptions and presumptions,” Bonta explained. The attorney general added, “I hope he’ll go in a completely different direction and free himself of the reputation of his father and be someone who can lift up the people of the Philippines who needed him so much, who are wrestling with so many challenges from poverty to inequality, to natural disasters and lack of necessary infrastructure, there are so much that can be done by a leader who loves their people and I hope he could be that leader.”

Bonta was also asked to comment on earlier reports about Marcos’ apparent plans to rewrite Philippine history.

“Part of being a good leader is building and working from the facts and the truth and not erasing the history. History is what it is — you can’t change it, you can’t go back and change it, but you can change where you go next,” he said.

“It is painful today when you erase the history of yesterday when people have been hurt, family members have been taken away, killed, tortured and then you say it didn’t happen, that is harmful today so that is not something any leader should be doing,” Bonta said. “Who knows when will I spend time with him, what our discussions will be but I hope I would have a productive discussion about how to move the Philippines forward and most importantly lift up every people of the Philippines.” (Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo/AJPress)

California Attorney General Rob Bonta

Photo from Facebook/@RobBonta

Padilla resigns as PDP-Laban exec to...

to amend economic provisions in the Constitution supposedly to allow more foreign investments.

Padilla said the final nail on Cha-cha’s coffin was the demotion of Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo (Pampanga) as senior deputy speaker at the House of Representatives, calling this a “big issue” among lawmakers which had a “huge effect.”

Padilla previously threatened to leave PDP-Laban entirely if it decides not to back his proposal for economic Charter change. The party did end up supporting Chacha in general and Padilla got the

PH debt

PAGE 1

backing of his fellow PDP-Laban senators.

Adjustment to Senate protocol He recently came under fire on social media over a video clip from the May 16 plenary session where he was accused of disregarding parliamentary procedures when he responded in Filipino and seemed confused about how to make a proper motion on the Senate floor.

The incident has been brought up in chat groups among senators, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva told reporters at the Senate on Monday, May 29, adding it served as a “reminder”

hits record...

of foreign currency debt," it added.

Since the start of the year, external debt has grown by P242.83 billion.

Guaranteed obligations, meanwhile, plunged by P3.42 billion to P380.69 billion as of end-April.

The drop was attributed to the net repayment of domestic guarantees amounting to P5.51 billion and third-currency adjustments amounting to P1.87 billion.

"These were tempered by the impact of local currency depreciation amounting to P3.95 billion," the Treasury said.

Guaranteed debt as of end-April was P18.35 billion lower from the end of last year.

Sought for comment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest borrowings could reflect the need to finance wider budget deficits.

"For the coming months, a new record high for the outstanding national government [debt] in peso terms is still possible, in view of the upcoming US dollar-denominated or euro-denominated retail bond issuance in the third quarter of 2023," he added. China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez said government debt could continue to rise but at a slower pace given a spending slowdown.

"If we look at the fiscal performance of the national government,

Dateline PhiliPPines

for all of them to follow rules and observe proper decorum during plenary sessions. “It is a concern that decorum should be strictly followed, not just in committee hearings but even during Senate sessions,” Villanueva said partly in Filipino.

“I think we’re all grown-ups and professionals. And as public servants we are all aware that public office is a public trust.”

Sen. JV Ejercito said the incident was a challenge for him and other senators to use parliamentary terms in Filipino, while Sen. Francis Escudero said Padilla did not violate any rules. g

the deficit has continued to outperform the program mainly because spending is lower," she said.

"This is challenging ... because we still need government spending to support economic growth."

Velasquez also noted that interest rates were also moving in the government's favor as these have come down from last year's highs and will likely continue to do so.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa, meanwhile, said fiscal authorities "will attempt to help foster faster economic growth to ensure the more important metric of debt to GDP (gross domestic product) remains on a downward trajectory." g

California hospitals seek a broad bailout...

“We believe the policies and practices of the hospital industry, in large part, contribute to the problems that Madera faced,” Regan said. “The hospital industry is richer than it’s ever been — and it’s being disingenuous, trying to get the public to fork over more money at a time when they have more money than they’ve ever had.”

California Hospital Association spokesperson David Simon defended the charity, saying it helps “hospitals provide health care services despite losses” from the tax.

Hospital leaders say exorbitant costs and inflation have created extreme financial woes. Last year, California’s hospitals paid at least $10 billion more for labor, supplies, and other expenses than the year before, according to state hospital finance data. And overall, they saw substantially smaller investment gains, reporting near-

ly $119 million in non-operating revenue compared with $6 billion the year before — a big blow to their financial cushion to ensure patient care.

The industry points out 200 hospitals had negative operating margins last year, yet KFF Health News found that, even before the pandemic, about 160 hospitals reported losing money in their operating budgets. Experts say the finding underscores the reality that hospitals operate on slim margins.

And, credit ratings agencies have recently upgraded the bonds of a number of hospitals and health systems, including Sutter Health in Northern California and Loma Linda University Medical Center in San Bernardino County.

“We just upgraded Sutter like two weeks ago, so it would be very hard-pressed, for me, to look at California and say California is looking bad,” said Kevin Holloran, a senior director at Fitch Ratings.

PH, US, Japan coast guards hold first ever joint drills

MANILA — The Philippines, United States and Japan kicked off their first ever joint coast guard drills on Thursday, June 1 as the nations seek to strengthen their maritime cooperation to counter China's growing assertiveness.

The week-long exercises will be held near the mouth of Manila Bay in the hotly disputed South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely.

Four Philippine Coast Guard ships will be joined by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and a Japanese Coast Guard cruiser for manoeuvres focused on law enforcement, and search and rescue.

"As a maritime nation, Japan has a stake to uphold and protect a rules-based maritime order,"

said Kenichi Matsuda, deputy chief of mission for Tokyo's embassy in Manila, at the arrival ceremony for the Japanese and US vessels.

The United States has been seeking to strengthen security alliances across the AsiaPacific region and beyond as part of efforts to deter Chinese aggression over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Manila and Washington recently agreed to restart joint maritime patrols in the contested waterway, and also struck a deal to give U.S. troops access to another four military bases in the Philippines.

Tokyo and Manila are in preliminary discussions over a

key defence pact that would allow them to deploy troops on each other's territory for training and other operations.

It was the United States and Japan's proposal to hold the trilateral exercise, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armando Balilo said this week.

The United States and Japan are key suppliers of vessels used by the Philippine coast guard and navy to patrol waters off the archipelago nation. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring an international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. (Philstar.com with reports from Agence FrancePresse)

US Embassy sees record number of visas for Pinoys in 2023

MANILA – The United States Embassy in the Philippines is expecting a record number of visas to be processed in 2023 as the embassy works to restore and improve its operation since the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic in 2019.

employee.

“A year ago, the wait time for a non-immigrant visa was close to two years. It is now four to five months. We’re looking to lower that to 2 to 3 months by the end of the year,” he said.

during their interview.

Getting confused and lying, he said, are noticed by their trained personnel and may lead to doubt about their application.

Some Democratic lawmakers agree that not all hospitals need a bailout. Instead, they favor targeted relief such as a $150 million loan program that Newsom signed into law earlier this month to help struggling hospitals.

“I’m not a big fan of writing everybody a check,” said Democratic Assemblymember Jim Wood, chair of the Health Committee, who says hospitals ought to be more transparent about their finances before state taxpayers give them any more money. “If you’re a hospital system that’s doing well, I don’t believe you should be getting any additional resources from the state.”

KFF Health News senior correspondent Bernard J. Wolfson contributed to this report.

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

During a press conference at the embassy, US Embassy Consul General Mark McGovern said the Consular Affairs Section (CAS) of the embassy is on track to issue up to 330,000 non-immigrant visas for Fiscal Year 2023 (October 2022 to September 2023) compared to 188,000 in 2022.

“Last year, we got around 190,000 and we were at twothirds of our capacity last year,” McGovern said. The number of non-immigrant visas expected to be issued this year, he said, is higher than the pre-pandemic record of 290,000 issued in 2019.

“We're really trying our best and we're thankful for the patience the Filipino public is giving us,” he said.

The CAS, he said, has not yet been restored to its full capacity of 200 employees but improvements in the work flow have led to more visas being processed per

He encouraged those with expired visas to have them renewed as visas can now be renewed up to four years past the expiration date.

He noted that the current nonimmigrant visa fee of USD185 is the first fee increase in 10 years, with such visas -- tourist, student, business, etc. -- valid for up to 10 years.

“We have an increase in salaries, importation of visa foils and other materials. The fee increase is a worldwide change, not just in the Philippines,” he said.

Aside from non-immigrant visas, he said the embassy is also working “extra hard” on processing immigrat visas or green cards.

Tips for visa applicants

For those interested in getting a US visa, he shared some things to keep in mind to get approved.

Applicants, he said, must stay relaxed and always tell the truth

He also asked visa applicants to avoid scammers or those promising to have their visa approved for a fee and to protect themselves from disinformation by getting their information from the embassy website.

The embassy, he said, has a fraud team that investigates scammers.

“We work to make sure the victims have a chance to receive justice,” he said.

He noted that there is no checklist or “magic list” that applicants need for a visa, and debunked rumors that having a certain amount of cash in the bank or having endorsement letters from famous or powerful people would help in a visa application.

“Themoney in their bank account doesn't matter, we don't rely on that because we know people can just remove the amount the next day,” he said.

However, he said the embassy does look into a person’s ability to pay for their stay in the US such u PAGE 7

AS the country faced a super typhoon last weekend, there are families that are counting the days, weeks and years since their loved ones disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again.

The last week of May is marked as the International Week of the Disappeared. And there are still too many victims of enforced disappearances who remain unaccounted for in this country.

Apart from activists, 34 online cockfight enthusiasts were kidnapped between April 2021 and January 2022. Their whereabouts are unknown, despite surveillance camera footage showing some of them being dragged into vans by armed men.

The ranks of the desaparecidos were highest during the Marcos dictatorship, when causeoriented groups counted 926 activists who were victims of enforced disappearances. The restoration of democracy did not end the disappearances. The advocacy groups count 206 activists who went missing during the nineyear presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 29 in the time of Benigno Aquino III and 20 under Rodrigo Duterte.

Accountability has been abysmal in the cases. One high-profile case at least has led to the conviction of the perpetrators. In June last year, the Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and two other military officers for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of

Babe’s Eye View

FILIPINOS worldwide were dismayed to learn about the massive fire that gutted the Manila Central Post Office building, a 97-year-old structure considered to be an architectural treasure and declared as an “Important Cultural Property” by the National Museum of the Philippines in November 2018.

It was similarly heartbreaking to watch videos of the burning building which took 80 firetrucks and 30 hours before the firemen declared a “fire out” – with damage initially estimated at P300 million.

News about the fire was carried in the United States by the New York Times, Bloomberg, the Los Angeles Times and other media because the building carries a significant place in the relationship and shared history of the United States and the Philippines.

Designed in the neoclassical style by Filipino architects Juan M. Arellano and Tomas Mapua (who were both

Virtual Reality

FERDINAND “Bongbong”

Romualdez Marcos Jr. is the luckiest president in Philippine history.

He was elected in May 2022 with the largest number of votes garnered by any president, 31.6 million. The mandate enabled him to unify the country, combining the Solid North and the Disparate South in one full swing of an electoral exercise with a record number of participants.

He inherited an economy with strong fundamentals after coming from the deepest recession in 100 years. That strength manifested itself in a 7.6 percent GDP growth in 2022, the highest in 46 years.

The last time the economy showed higher growth rate than 7.6 was in 1976 (8.8 percent), under President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. In the first quarter of 2023, GDP growth was 6.4 percent, the best in ASEAN.

BBM is hugely popular. So

the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan. While Palparan was sentenced in 2018 to life in prison without parole together with Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio, the two victims remain missing.

Empeño was a 22-year-old sociology student while Cadapan, 29, was pursuing a course in human kinetics and was reportedly two months pregnant when gunmen seized them from a house the students were renting in Hagonoy, Bulacan on June 26, 2006.

Palparan, dubbed “The Butcher” by human rights advocates, has maintained his innocence and is seeking the reversal of his conviction. To this day, no one knows the fate of the two UP students.

Under the new Marcos administration, rights advocates are looking for missing activists Ariel Badiang, Dexter Capuyan, Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus, Lyn Grace Martullinas, Denald Laloy Mialen, Elgene Mungcal, Ma. Elena Pampoza, Leonardo Sermona Jr. and Renel delos Santos. Rights groups say the nine were kidnapped.

The second Marcos administration is getting relatively better assessments in the human rights department compared with the martial law regime and the Duterte administration. Perhaps

The sad fate of the iconic Post O ce building

sent to the United States as pensionados or scholars under the 1903 Pensionado Act of the Philippine Commission) and American architect Ralph Doane (who was appointed as consulting architect to the Philippine government in 1916), the Manila Central Post Office became a fierce combat zone during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

According to an account by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Japanese forces were using the “earthquake-proof and heavily reinforced concrete” building that was “practically impervious to direct artillery, tank, and tank destroyer fire” as a garrison –forcing American soldiers to “enter the building and engage the Japanese in room-to-room combat.”

The Japanese were initially able to repel the American forces because the rooms and corridors have been heavily barricaded with sandbags and barbed wire. But on Feb. 22, 1945 the Americans “managed to enter the building through a second story window and eliminated the Japanese who retreated to the Post Office’s

many countries, big and small, want him as their guest, either as a working or official visitor, like what the United States did, or for a state visit, like what France wants.

Such fame gives the president a tremendous platform to do two things: one, to sell the Philippines as a tourist or investment destination; and two, to rehabilitate the Marcos name which had been battered by western media smear campaign painting BBM’s dad as a strongman, dictator, human rights violator.

But then strongmen and dictators have suddenly become fashionable. Take a look at the leaders of India, China, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and to some extent France. More than half the world is under the grip of strongmen.

Finally, BBM is lucky to have one thing his predecessors did not have – three living expresidents – Joseph Estrada, Rodrigo Duterte, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA).

Actually, BBM had four living predecessors, until Fidel V. Ramos succumbed to COVID-19 on July 31, 2022. Among these predecessors,

large, dark basement,” the NHCP account went.

The war severely damaged the iconic building due to heavy bombardment, but it was restored a year later in 1946. In fact, a photo of the post office building is featured in the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum with an explanatory note that the photo is “part of a collected group of photos belonging to Francis P. Mathews as Secretary of the Navy and associated with the United States Philippine War Damage Commission.” The photo showed the damaged building prior to its reconstruction under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946.

There are growing calls for the restoration of the building from private groups as well as our legislators. Senate President Migz Zubiri and Senator Sonny Angara, who is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said they will be working with the Department of Budget and Management “towards finding funds to help restore the Post Office.”

Describing the building as a “cultural treasure that deserves national attention and

GMA stands out, a sui generis, a class by herself. Her father was Diosdado Macapagal (president from 1962-1966), the former partymate and later bitter political rival of Marcos Sr. In the elections of November 1965, then Senate President Marcos Sr. easily trounced reelectionist Macapagal, 55/45 percent.

GMA, however, is an ally today of BBM. What an ally. She brokered the BBM-Sara Duterte Unity Team of 2022 that shattered the opposition to oblivion, for good.

GMA has the second longest presidency (nine years) after the elder Marcos’s 20 years. She presided over the longest uninterrupted economic expansion in the country’s history, 36 quarters. Arroyo had pro-growth foreign and economic policy. She opened up the economy, expanded ties with China, joined the Coalition of the Willing in the invasion of Iraq, and sold a number of huge government assets.

That experience GMA brings to the BBM team. Marcos Jr. appreciates it. In nearly all his foreign trips, GMA was beside him, as an elder statesman and as a senior adviser.

support,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has vowed to help in its rehabilitation, noting that an attached agency, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, “has long lent assistance in terms of rehabilitation of heritage structures.”

There are a number of NGOs in the U.S. that are prepared to help in the restoration efforts, with recommendations that while the neoclassical style is retained to preserve the historic legacy of the building, perhaps the government can turn it into a more multifunctional structure rather than limiting it into a mail sorting and distribution center, especially since technology has changed the way documents and parcels are delivered.

What happened to the Post Office building is definitely a wakeup call on how we need to conduct regular monitoring and inspection of these old buildings to make sure that the wirings are updated and kept in good condition. According to reports and interviews with officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection, the building had no fire alarm system and did not have water sprinklers – ironic considering

Such a role, however, breeds envy and intrigue.

As the second longest serving president and a good president at that, GMA has natural allies and constituency that can be parlayed by any ambitious politician. She is thus reckoned as an emerging opposition leader, by proxy or in reality. Benigno S. Aquino III knew that. So the son of Corazon Aquino put her under house arrest for nearly four years.

The latest intrigue painting Mrs. Arroyo as a villain is linking her to allegations that the House of Representatives May 17 coup, removing her as the Senior Deputy Speaker, had the blessings of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos (LAM).

“I am truly sorry that she should even be dragged into this political fantasy of a House coup,” Mrs. Arroyo said on May 28, “it is disrespectful to her and to her intelligence.” Here is the rest of GMA’s Facebook statement:

“Whoever is spreading these pathetic rumors are the ones duping the Filipino people, and they should now move on to the serious business of making positive contributions to national progress.

“I will just say three things: “First, every politician worth

that it contained mail and parcel that could turn a small fire into a conflagration.

There is also a strong indication that an aggravating factor may have been climate change, contributing to the rising heat in Metro Manila that has become an “urban heat island” – a phenomenon wherein materials like asphalt and concrete absorb and trap more solar energy, thereby increasing the risk and intensity of fires according to experts.

I received hundreds of emails from loyal readers expressing their sadness at the destruction of the Post Office building, sharing the memories it played in their lives. One recalled the excitement he felt when he received a package and a letter from his girlfriend – now his wife of 50 years.

It would certainly be a good idea to modernize these old buildings in a way that would not compromise their original architectural designs, but would enable them to withstand threats such as fires, earthquakes and natural disasters that are now increasing in intensity due to climate change. We have precisely been doing

his or her salt would know that in the Philippines, no House coup can ever succeed without the consent of the president. That is simply a fact of life in Philippine politics.

“Second, I made a humble contribution to the joining of forces that became the UniTeam, and the resulting supermajority in the House is a major force for delivering our president’s agenda. Thus, I would never take any action to destroy it.

“Third, I did not have any conversation, here or abroad, with any congressman or congresswoman, or any other politician active or retired, to plot, support, encourage or participate in any way in any alleged House coup.”

In an earlier statement on May 18, 2023, Mrs. Arroyo also stressed:

“I do not want to precipitate or intensify any tendencies toward early politicking. We are just barely a year into the administration of President Marcos, Jr., and it would be unfortunate if early politicking resulted in any dilution of the tremendous mandate that the UniTeam, led by our president, earned in the 2022 elections.

After all, the president ran on the platform of unity.”

“To be clear, my political

that here in Washington, D.C. with the recent renovation of the Ambassador’s Residence, which was in disarray and neglected for so many years. We also finished the previously uncompleted renovation of the Old Chancery Building. We made sure both were declared as national historical landmarks to ensure that some “wise guy” will not have ideas of selling them like what happened in 1986 when the GSIS/PAL Union Square building in San Francisco was sold for a song. Today, that property would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Government buildings belong to the people. They should be properly maintained and duly respected as such. We should preserve these structures that are priceless; often, they are reminders of our history as a nation and as a people. (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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

objectives are three:

“First, to represent the 2nd district of Pampanga.

“Second, to support the legislative agenda of Speaker Romualdez and President Marcos.

“Third, to use whatever experience I have as a former president to help out when I am called upon to do so.

“Outside of my role as Congresswoman, my public interest going forward is to help reduce tensions between the United States and China, given that I was strongly allied to both countries when I was president.”

As to her ambitions to become speaker again, GMA sneered, paraphrasing an American public figure, the Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman who, when being enticed to run for the American presidency in 1884, declined by saying something like, “If nominated, I will not run, and if elected, I will not serve.” (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

New York/New Jersey, Las Vegas, San Diego. Philippines

this can translate into justice for the missing, or at least information on what happened to them, if not a complete end to enforced disappearances. (Philstar.com)

Over 79 million Filipinos now registered with nat’l ID system

MANILA – More than 79 million Filipinos already registered to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday, June 1.

In a briefing, PSA Deputy National Statistician Fred Sollesta said total PhilSys registration already reached 79.12 million.

Sollesta said printed IDs already reached 37.73 million, adding these were already turned over to Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost).

"Out of that, they were able to deliver 31.95 million or close to 32 million and then for PSA, we complemented this by issuing credentials through the ePhilID (electronic Philippine IDs) which is 34.53 million as of May 26," he said.

So far, the total ID credentials that PSA distributed or delivered

is at 66.48 million. The PSA implemented the ePhilID last year. The downloadable version of the ePhilID provides registered persons access to a portable document format (PDF) copy of their ePhilID which they can store on their mobile devices.

"We did this to accelerate the issuance of PhilSys credentials. [The ePhilID] also has a QR (quick response) code, they can use it for transactions and to prove identity and age. So by giving those, we are able to close the big gap between the registration and the issuance of credentials," Sollesta said.

"But we assure all the citizens that all those who registered in the national ID will also receive the physical card which is printed at [the] BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)." Sollesta said the PSA and the

BSP are currently in talks to accelerate the printing of IDs.

“And we are also studying some options to accelerate and to make sure that if [printing] will not be finished within this year, then next year we have a good chance to complete the distribution and production of physical cards," he said.

Sollesta said the PSA is hoping to deliver within this month the national IDs earlier affected by the fire in Philippine Post Office. He said PHLPost reported that 7,500 cards were affected.

"We would like to clarify that the cards affected were only cards for Manila City. They have already forwarded the information, including data of the cards affected. We target that sometime in June, we will release these to PHLPost so that these will be delivered to registrants," Sollesta added. (PNA)

US, 8 others ‘concerned’ over killing of Mindoro broadcaster

MANILA – Several members of the diplomatic community in the Philippines have expressed concern over the killing of radio broadcaster Cresenciano Bunduquin, who was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding suspects in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday, May 31.

The United States Embassy in Manila on Thursday stressed that protection of media freedom is an “integral element” of democracy.

But it welcomed the swift action of local authorities to investigate the case and echoed the statement issued by both the Canadian and the Netherlands Embassies, who are co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition in the Philippines. Canada and the Netherlands underscored the need to safeguard

media freedom to allow journalists to work without fearing for their lives and called on the government to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.

“Attacks on media workers must be urgently investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable,” the joint statement read.

“As co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, we welcome swift action of law enforcement agencies to investigate Mr. Bunduquin’s death and urge Philippine authorities to take concrete steps to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” it added.

Also joining the two countries in condemning the killing were the Embassies of Czech Repub-

Ex-president Duterte not keen on becoming drug czar under Marcos

lic, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany and the European Delegation in Manila.

Bunduquin, the host of the Ayos Mandin show on dwXR 101.7 Kalahi FM, was gunned down in front of a store along C5 Road at Barangay Sta. Isabel in Calapan City. He was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

One of the suspects in the fatal shooting was also shot dead by the responding authorities on Wednesday. Earlier, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security announced a PHP50,000 reward to anyone who can give information that could lead to the arrest of the gunman who remains at-large. (PNA)

US Embassy sees record number of visas...

as their employment, previous travel record, and their properties, among others.

“There is no checklist because cases differ. But what I can say is that third-party endorsements do not matter,” he said.

In case an applicant forgets a necessary document, he said the embassy is willing to hold their application until their

documentary requirements are complete.

He noted that after a visa interview, 90 percent of applicants will know whether they have been approved or not.

For those aspiring to work in the US, he said the country has no temporary work program but it is possible if they find the right employer.

“They would have to find an

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte is not keen on becoming a drug czar under the current administration, saying President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. must be given "the greatest elbow room " to do so in a year.

During an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy Wednesday night, May 31, Duterte reiterated that addressing the drug problem in the country is a "matter of leadership."

employer that would be willing to process their visa and its documentary requirements -- they would need to be an exceptional worker,” he said.

Prior to the press briefing, US Embassy Deputy Consul General James Fellows led Philippine media representatives on a tour of the CAS and talked about their process for non-immigration visas. (PNA)

"Mukhang hindi na rin tama (I don't think it's right), Pastor, because there is the President duly elected and it is his duty to enforce the law and solve crimes," Duterte told Quiboloy when asked if he would consider the idea of possibly working for the Marcos administration as an anti-drug czar. "Let us give Marcos the greatest elbow room leeway to do his job in just one year. And in fairness do'n sa mga pulis, 'yan ang problema (to the police, that's the problem). The last time I said it, it's a matter of leadership," he added.

It was Duterte's close ally, Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, who floated the idea during a Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing on the P6.7 billion shabu

haul in Manila on May 23.

Go asked Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. if appointing Duterte as anti-drug czar will boost the campaign against illegal drugs.

In response, Acorda told Go that he would be "supportive" of any efforts to stomp out the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who served as a chief PNP during the Duterte administration, also backed the call, saying it will bring back fear to policemen and criminal syndicates involved in the illegal drug trade.

In April, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said Duterte "encouraged" the bloody drug war, which killed thousands of individuals allegedly engaged in illegal drug trade.

Late in May, the ICC released another report, stating that the families of drug war victims have doubts that their cases could realize progress under the Marcos administration.

Duterte, who initiated the drug war, pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019, a year after the Hague-based tribunal began a preliminary probe into the crackdown. His successor, Marcos has, so far, ruled out reversing Duterte's decision to pull the Philippines out of the ICC.

Since Duterte took office in 2016, more than 6,000 were killed in sting operations, based on government figures. But rights groups estimated the number of drug-war killings could be as high as 30,000. g

Former President Rodrigo Duterte ManilaTimes.net file photo

VEGAS&STYLE

Moira breaks silence on cheating, ghost writer allegations

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

SINGER- songwriter Moira dela Torre has finally broken her silence amid several accusations surrounding her career and married life.

On Tuesday, May 30, the 29-year-old artist posted an official statement two days after lyricist and composer Lolito Go wrote on Facebook that dela Torre is "more of an oppressor than a victim."

"I never imagined that I would find myself in a situation where I have to explain and defend my decision to leave a marriage, as well as justify the state of my mental health," dela Torre began.

‘Eat Bulaga’ TV producer ‘saddened’ over turn of events

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

TELEVISION and Production

Exponents Philippines (Tape Inc.), the production firm behind the longest-running noontime show "Eat Bulaga!, said it was "saddened" by the turn of events that occurred on Wednesday but "respect the decision of the hosts to leave Eat Bulaga and GMA Network, which has been their home for 28 years."

The company, through its president and CEO Romeo "Jon" Jalosjos Jr. and director of finance Seth Frederick "Bullet" Jalosjos," that it was "grateful to the men and women who worked tirelessly for the past 43 years to make our noontime show number 1."

"The success of Eat Bulaga is not dependent only on three people but on the collaborative efforts of its talents, crew, and loyal viewers," it said.

The company said it was reaffirming its commitment to "provide quality entertainment" to the public.

"We are happy for the full support of GMA 7 in making Eat Bulaga bigger, to bring more fun and excitement to every Filipino. We want to assure the public and the supporters of the show through its segments that we are committed to provide quality entertainment," it said.

Despite the departure of the hosts, led by the iconic trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon or TVJ, Tape Inc. implied that the show will continue with new members whom the company has yet to reveal.

"It is unfortunate, but life must go on. As with life, we have to accept changes but we have a duty to every Filipino," the statement continued.

"Abangan ninyo ang mga bagong magpapasaya at magpapatibok ng ating mga puso. Aasahan ninyo ang mas masaya, mas nakakaaliw at higit pa sa isang libo't isang tuwa na eat bulaga. patuloy ang dabarkads na maglilingkod para sa inyo, mga kapuso mula aparri hanggang jolo at sa buong mundo. ang pag-alis ng mga hosts ay hindi dahilan para tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo

(Watch out for the new ones who will make us happy and make our hearts beat. Expect more fun, more entertainment and more one thousand and one happiness in Eat Bulaga. Dabarkads will continue to serve you, our Kapuso, from Aparri to Jolo and all over the world. The departure of the hosts does not stop the world from revolving),"

it ended.

A few hours after the announcement on Wednesday, GMA Network also issued a statement disclosing that its block time agreement with the production company is still in effect until 2024.

"We are saddened by today's unexpected turn of events with regard to 'Eat Bulaga.' GMA has been the home of 'Eat Bulaga' for many years and we still have a block time agreement with TAPE until the end of 2024 for the noontime slot," the statement read.

"Together with all the Filipino fans, we pray for a smooth and swift resolution of their issues," it added. "Maraming salamat sa patuloy na suporta, mga Kapuso."

(Thank you for your continuous support, Kapuso.)

Remaining hosts, staff resigned

It was on Wednesday when TVJ announced through the show's YouTube channel that they have parted ways with Tape Inc. saying the management did not allow them to have a live show, hence, the taped episode in GMA Network.

On Thursday, Pauline Luna – co-host and wife of Vic Sotto –posted a copy of resignation letter signed by all hosts, writers, sales, production and cameramen who followed suit immediately after TVJ's resignation.

As submitted to Tape Inc. president and CEO, the letter reads, "Dahil po sa mga nangyari, kami po ay magpapaalam na rin sa Tape Inc. simula ngayong araw, May 31, 2023.

(Because of what happened, we are also bidding our farewell to Tape Inc. starting today, May 31, 2023.)"

Among those who signed the letter were Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo, and Allan K.

As of posting time, TVJ and the rest of the staff did not give further statements with regard to their future. However, there were numerous reports from showbiz insiders that TVJ will open a new noontime show produced by Brightlight Productions of Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez in TV5.

Brightlight is known as a blocktimer and producer of "Rated Korina," and now-defunct noontime show "Tropang LOL" also in TV5. Jalosjos takeover

The internal conflict within Tape Inc. has apparently been going on for quite some time but the looming changes in "Eat

Bulaga" were made public early March when reports circulated that former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos –owner of Tape Inc. – is forcing former Tape Inc. President Antonio "Tony "Tuviera out of the show by buying out his shares in Tape Inc. Jalosjos also wanted to retain comedians Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, and Allan K as new main hosts, however, the three were said to be not interested with the offer.

It will be remembered that Tuviera has been producing the noontime show since its inception in 1979 and was the one who pitched TVJ to Jalosjos who came up with an idea of creating a noontime show for then RPN channel.

Meanwhile, back in April, Tito Sotto revealed in an interview with News 5's MJ Marfori that Tape Inc. has long failed to pay TVJ's talent fees amounting to about P30 million each in 2022 alone.

"They owe a big sum, of mine with Vic and Joey. P30 million each, and there are still remaining amounts," Tito said.

It is said that financial loss is the main reason why Jalosjos has taken over the program

"We can't say that we lost money in 2022. Remember, that's an election year. Campaign period, there are a lot of political ads. So it's surprising," he added.

However, in a "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" interview of Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos and son of Romeo Jalosjos, he assured that the company is "financially stable."

"I want to assure everyone that we are financially stable. The company is okay. We're doing good. We can pay our talents. We can pay GMA so we don't have any problems when it comes to money," Jalosjos said.

The last news about the issue was during a press conference on May 8 when Vic Sotto then told the media that after the disclosure of the issue, Tape Inc. had paid his talent fee.

He also said that they kept the issue secret for many months because they're used to making things private.

"You know TVJ is used to it. When we started, we were paid almost nothing. I said the other day, it's not about money. The principle is more important," Vic Sotto said.

However, he refused to say if TVJ had settled things with the management of Tape Inc.

"I will comment about that when the right time comes," the host added.

LJ Reyes announces engagement to non-showbiz boyfriend

by Christina alpad ManilaTimes.net

LJ Reyes surprised fans and followers when she shared proposal photos on her social media accounts on Tuesday, May 30.

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope,'" the actress wrote on her Instagram, quoting the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11.

The actress has yet to share details about her non-showbiz fiancé Philip Evangelista, whose private Instagram account was tagged on the former's post, but congratulatory messages from showbiz friends and fans flooded the post.

Marian Rivera, Gary Valenciano, Camille Prats and Iza Calzado were among the first greeters.

Reyes has been living in New York since September 2021 with her kids Aki and Summer. She moved overseas following the public falling out with her former partner Paolo Contis, Summer's father.

"It is truly disheartening that I am being questioned and asked to prove my worth as a songwriter and artist. However, despite the overwhelming circumstances, I feel a strong inner calling to stand up for myself and protect my integrity," she added.

Go had alleged that "95 percent of Moira's hits" were composed by her estranged husband Jason Marvin Hernandez and that she asks for his service as a ghostwriter for her songs and compositions, claiming that she even negotiated for P20, 000 per month which was "insulting."

Wanting to "set things straight once and for all," Dela Torre countered that she "never employed a ghostwriter."

"Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with immensely talented artists who treat each other with respect and acknowledge the contributions we all bring to the table. Every song I have created is a true reflection of my deepest emotions and experiences," she continued.

Dela Torre said she is willing to provide evidence, including screenshots of conversations and recordings of her songs, which will undoubtedly validate and disprove the accusations against her.

Meanwhile, Go also alleged that while Hernandez committed an offense against dela Torre, he mentioned there was no third party on the part of Hernandez but it is dela Torre who found someone else.

"Jason and Moira are both Christians, but it seems like Jason is the only one faithful to the teachings of [Jesus] Christ. Yes, he did something wrong.

But there was no third party on Jason's side. He never fell in love with anyone else. His only sin was he listened to the call of flesh and availed of illicit massage service because Moira couldn't fulfill his sexual needs."

He furthered that before Hernandez could admit his sin, dela Torre wanted out of their relationship and the timing couldn't be perfect since she had a reason to break up with Hernandez.

Go even dropped a hint about who the other guy was saying, "Someone who will 'dance in the rain' with her and call her 'binibini.' I'll leave it to you to guess who I am referring to," he said.

Netizens then concluded it was 21-year-old musician Zack Tabudlo.

Dela Torre in return said in her statement, "I did not cheat on Jason. It is unfair that I find myself in a position where I have to defend my name and even explain why I did not deserve to be cheated on."

In ending, the artist shared that her "focus is on the path

towards healing, as the weight of trauma still lingers heavily in [her] heart."

"This process is not only essential for my own well-being but also for the well-being of those dear to me who have unwaveringly stood by my side throughout these challenging times – my loving family, my dedicated band, my friends, who have all been my source of emotional support. Their presence has been my anchor, grounding me during these turbulent moments," she wrote.

"I hold onto hope that, one day, when the dust settles and clarity is restored, I will have the capacity to embrace a love that is faithful and genuine. I take solace in the knowledge that I am Moira-an artist-who will bravely navigate these challenges and emerge stronger than ever," she concluded.

Dela Torre and Hernandez married in January 2019. In May 2022, the two decided to call it quits through a joint statement where Hernandez admitted that he had been "unfaithful" to dela Torre during their marriage.

Sharon urges netizens to just ‘be happy’ for Coco, Julia

by hannah MallorCa Inquirer.net

AMID the backlash drawn by Coco Martin over his admission of having started dating Julia Montes when she was just a minor, Sharon Cuneta finally spoke about the couple’s secret relationship.

Martin earlier revealed that he’s been with Julia Montes for 12 years, during which he let slip in an interview with ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol that the actress was only 16 years old when she got into a relationship with the then 29 year old actor back in 2011. This prompted observers to criticize Martin not only their huge age gap, but also on wooing her at such a young age, while some even accused him of allegedly grooming his real-life partner.

On Instagram, Sharon Cuneta expressed happiness for the

couple, as she also urged netizens to just support her “Batang Quiapo” co-stars for their love to last. The veteran actress said that she became close to the “Walang Hanggan” stars when she joined the cast of “Ang Probinsyano” in 2021.

“Umamin na ang mga anak ko yaayyy!!! Happy si Mommy ‘mysha! [emojis] I became close to Coco [and] Julia when Coco asked me to join FPJ’s ‘Ang Probinsyano’ towards the end of 2021. Whatever they may have gone through together, well, it all seems to have been for the best because they are so good to and for each other.” she wrote in the caption.

The seasoned actress said that being her personal friends, she is protective and supportive of Martin and Montes, adding that people “should focus on what is and what will be.”

“They are happy and that makes me and so many others happy. I love them both very much — and no matter what, my friends know that I am protective and loyal and supportive — and that certainly will not change,” she said. “I believe people should focus on what is and what will be rather than what was. Let’s all be happy with our own lives and be happy for them.”

Cuneta’s post caught the attention of eagle-eyed observers, as seen in the comments of her post, with some pointing out that Martin supposedly took back the admission of his relationship with Montes.

While the couple has yet to disclose how their romance began, they first worked together in the 2008 show “Ligaw na Bulaklak” and were then launched as a love team in “Walang Hanggan” four years later.

Moira dela Torre

Photo from Instagram/@moiradelatorre

The rest of the ‘Eat Bulaga’ cast with Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. The show’s remaining hosts and staff have resigned from the production company Tape Inc., which has produced the longest running noontime show. Photo from Instagram/@pauleenluasotto

Sharon Cuneta, Julia Montes, Coco Martin Philstar.com photos

Get to know these newly-crowned Binibinis: Angelica Lopez and Anna Valencia Lakrini

by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

ANGELICA Lopez and Anna Valencia Lakrini are no strangers to vying for a beauty pageant title several times, with their recent triumphs a testament to the stars aligning at the right time.

Lopez and Lakrini are set to represent the Philippines at the Miss International and Miss Globe pageants, respectively.

And while the titles haven’t been in the country’s hands in a long time, these stunning Binibinis hope they clinch it this time around.

Angelica Lopez

The moment Lopez was declared as Binibining Pilipinas International 2023, shock was evidently written on her face as she expected that she’s more of a Miss Globe prototype.

"Everyone’s telling me that I’m fit for Miss Globe and they called me [as] Miss International,” she explained to broadcast journalist Mario Dumaual, when asked about her notable reaction to her win.

“I’m so proud because I’m the second Palaweña to be crowned after Janicel Lubina [in 2015]. I really want to break the stereotype that Miss International should be a pristine lady.”

But it’s clear that the Palaweña stunner’s coronation is akin to a Cinderella story — but hers is a reminder that she doesn’t need a man to succeed on her own.

Before entering pageantry, Lopez started working as a waitress and dishwasher at the age of 14, which she mentioned in multiple interviews.

“I didn’t have a golden childhood, I had to start working very hard at an early age to help lessen my mothers’ pain from the stress of her job,” she said on Instagram in January 2023.

“When I was around 8 years old I made a promise to myself that whenever I had the opportunity to help, I would do so since I understand what it’s like to have nothing. I’m incredibly grateful that during the years I’ve fought, God has heard my prayers, seen me cry, and guided me when I feel lost and in pain,” she continued.

Despite the hardships, the beauty queen finds strength in her mother and manager whom she describes as her role models.

Lopez, who’s passionate about inspirational books, philosophy of life, and documentaries, believes that children deserve to have access to quality education, which is her advocacy.

“I am in pursuit of inspiring, empowering, and educating the less fortunate children to be resilient and limitless amidst life challenges.”

The determination to prove herself as a shining example of resilience can be seen in her steely-eyed expression throughout her pageant journey.

From being named as Miss Asia Global 2022 first runner-up, advancing to the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Top 16, and eventually becoming the reigning Binibining Pilipinas International, her journey is one of the many proofs of Catriona Gray’s familiar anecdote: “To everyone with a dream, know that your dreams are valid, and on your path you are never denied, and only redirected.”

It’s clear that perseverance was one of Angelica’s greatest weapons in clinching one of the national tilt’s coveted crowns. And this time, she would make sure that it would guide her to win the country’s sixth Miss International crown.

Anna Valencia Lakrini

Another shining testament to

10 ways to protect your personal information

by annie WalterS Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

IDENTITY theft affects millions of people each year and can cause serious harm. Protect yourself by securing your personal information, understanding the threat of identity theft, and exercising caution.

Here are 10 things you can start doing now to protect yourself and your loved ones from identity theft:

• Protect your Social Security number by keeping your Social Security card in a safe place at home. Don’t carry it with you or provide your number unnecessarily.

winning the crown after multiple attempts is Anna Valencia Lakrini, who was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023 in her second try.

While it’s clear that Lakrini has what it takes to be crowned, her seeming growth from her first Binibining Pilipinas attempt to the present has been massive — as if she’s been mindful of what she needs to take note of before competing.

Another noteworthy characteristic of the beauty queen is her advocacy, as she revealed during the pageant’s question-and-answer portion that she is passionate about ensuring proper nutrition.

“My cause that is dear to my heart is nutrition. As a nutrition scientist [and] as an advocate for proper nutrition, I know that [by] advocating with this platform from Binibining Pilipinas, we can inspire so many people.

A politician can inspire a whole community, and so can we,” she said.

It can also be noted in the Binibining Pilipinas website that she spoke about the country having the means to “accessible and affordable nutrition,” which can be noted in her job as a nutrition scientist.

Although Lakrini’s journey can be loosely related to her idol, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, her journey is proof that first tries are not always as lucky. But if destiny allows you to fulfill your dreams, you are truly unstoppable.

Michelle comes out as bisexual

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

MISS Universe Philippines

2023 Michelle Dee revealed that she is bisexual.

In a Mega Magazine special issue released on Monday, May 29, Michelle said that she has identified herself as bisexual for the longest time, stressing that telling her story now is her way of taking control of her narrative.

“I definitely identify myself as bisexual. I’ve identified with that for as long as I can remember," Michelle said.

"I’m attracted to all forms of beauty, all shapes and sizes,” she added.

Dee is aware of her old photos that resurfaced at the height of the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 competition.

“I want to come out with this story because I know that those photos were spread with malicious intent — to kind of distract me, make me feel I’m not worthy of the crown,” she explained.

“I acknowledge that it was so malicious that I felt — and this applies to everyone — when somebody takes away your story, then you should take control

of that narrative. Turn it around and make it an empowering story."

The actress-beauty queen said that she grew up with "empowered and strong individuals" liker her mother, Miss Interna-

tional 1979 Melanie Marquez.

“My mom would say, ‘O, anak, when I was young, I had five girlfriends.’ She’d teased me sometimes because I had a very boyish demeanor. I liked doing sports; my sister did ballet. So I grew up in an environment where we’d appreciate pogi, maganda,” Michelle said.

“You know, anak, for your girlfriend, she’d better be prettier than you.” Another time, Melanie asked her, “That girl you introduced to me, is she your girlfriend?” When Michelle said no, Melanie replied, “Buti na lang, ’cause she doesn’t meet the standards," she added.

Michelle also said that she is an advocate of the LGBTQ community before coming out.

“Even before coming out, I’ve been attending pride marches. I have too many friends and best friends in the community,” she said.

“I’ve been a loud and proud ally. It’s just that I never gave a confirmation [of my sexuality],” she added.

Michelle was named Miss Universe Philippines 2023 earlier this month. She was also crowned Miss World Philippines 2019.

Nora Aunor topbills horror flick ‘Mananambal’

MANANAMBAL is a new horror film of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora

Aunor. Principal photography starts this June in Siquijor island in Central Visayas.

At 70, the legendary icon of Philippine Cinema continues to essay lead roles in film, as long as she believes in the story material and finds it interesting to do.

From La Aunor’s own words, Maganda ang istorya. Mababait rin ang mga tao sa production,” that’s why BC Entertainment Productions, a new independent movie company, got Nora’s nod to accept the offer.

Mananambal will be directed by Philip Daffon, his directorial debut. For the record, direk Philip has been a seasoned thespian in the production industry for 33 years now. His background is doing work in advertising, documentary films and projects, and the likes.

Screenplay is from the collaboration of the creative minds of Bel Paquiz, Gabriel Divina, and Veronica Reyes.

Director of photography is Peter Frac (who did camera work in Way Of The Cross and Trasla-

cion: Ang Paglakad Sa Altar Ng Alanganin). Producers are Alvin Anson and GWard, Inc. (headed by its CEO Gorio Vicuna) with executive producer Karen Ortua (whose initial movie venture was Lagaslas). Mananambal is a Filipino practitioner of traditional medicine, who is also capable of performing sorcery, as common knowledge puts it.

Like the general albularyo, a mananambal obtain his or her status through ancestry,

• Be careful when you speak with unknown callers. Scammers may mislead you by using legitimate phone numbers or the real names of officials. If they threaten you or make you feel uneasy, hang up.

• Create strong, unique passwords so others can’t easily access your accounts. Use different passwords for different accounts so if a hacker compromises one account, they can’t access other accounts.

• Never give your personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited call or message, and never post it on social media.

• Shred paper documents that contain personal information, like your name, birth date, and Social Security number.

• Protect your mobile device from unauthorized access by securing it with a PIN, adding a fingerprinting feature, or using facial recognition. You can also add a password and adjust the time

before your screen automatically locks.

• Regularly check your financial accounts for suspicious transactions.

• Avoid internet threats by installing and maintaining strong anti-virus software on all your devices—including your mobile device and personal computer. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to stay safe on public Wi-Fi. Do not perform certain activities that involve sensitive data, like online shopping and banking, on public Wi-Fi networks.

• Protect yourself on social media by customizing your security settings and deleting accounts you no longer use. Also, double-check suspicious messages from your

contacts, as hackers may create fake accounts of people you know.

• Never click on any link sent via unsolicited email or text message—type in the web address yourself. Only provide information on secure websites.

We encourage you to create your own personal my Social Security account to track your earnings record. For more information, please read our publication, Protecting Personal Information, at oig.ssa.gov/files/21-540_Protecting_Personal_Information. pdf. Contact us if you see suspicious work activity on your record–you could be a victim of identity theft. Please share this information with your family and friends.

Paolo explains why he loves Yen

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTOR Paolo Contis explained why he loves Yen Santos.

In Nelson Canlas' podcast, Paolo said he loves Yen because of simple things.

“Sobrang simpleng bagay lang,” he said.

“When the whole thing started, this whole crucifixion started, there was a time or there was every opportunity; she had every opportunity to tell me or to leave, but she stayed,” he added.

Paolo said the actress made him feel that she was not affected by the controversies.

“Sa totoo lang, ang laki-laking bagay. Kasi nung mga time na ‘yun, pinag-uusapan namin na mahirap, yes. Nagkaroon pa nga ng time na nag-hiatus din siya sa social media. Pero she did everything she could to not get affected, as long as nakakapag-usap kami and okay kami,” he said.

“Hindi mo ba mamahalin ‘yun? During the time that some of my friends, some of the people who actually believed me were leaving, someone stayed. Kumbaga, nung lahat palayo, siya papalapit,” he added.

Paolo confirmed in an interview with Boy Abunda last January that he and Yen are officially a couple after months of speculation.

apprenticeship, or through an epiphany and is generally performed by the elders of the community, regardless of gender.

The practice, called panambal, has a combination of elements from Christianity and sorcery which appear to be opposites since one involves faith healing while the other requires black magic and witchcraft.

The supporting cast members of Mananambal will be announced soon. (Philstar.com)

Paolo Contis and Yen Santos

Photo from Instagram/@paolo_contis

Angelica Lopez, Anna Valencia Lakrini Photos from Instagram/@angelicalopezofficial, Instagram/@annavalencia_

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor will start shooting for “Mananambal” this June in Siquijor. Philstar.com photo

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee

Photo from Instagram/@michelledee

for spouse’s

by Annie WAlters

Nevada

SOCIAL Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you throughout life’s journey. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.

To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:

• 62 years of age or older.

• Any age and have in your care a child who is younger than age 16 or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.

• If you wait until you reach full retirement age, your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit. You’ll also get a full spouse’s benefit before full retirement age if you care for a child who is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.

If you’re eligible to receive retirement benefits on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as

a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit. For example, Sandy qualifies for a retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250.

Want to apply for either your or

your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and nine months old? If you answered yes to both, visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/ retirement to get started today. Are you divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years? You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. For more information, please visit our website at www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/ divspouse.html.

The ‘ionizer’ scam

AS far as health is concerned, the majority, if not all of us, want the best health minus the sacrifices needed to achieve it effectively and safely. We want to be healthy without exercising, dieting or abstaining from smoking and without disciplined alcohol intake. We want to have good blood pressure and good cholesterol level without skimping on our salt and fat intake and quitting cigarettes. We want to lose weight without cutting down on our calorie intake and exercising daily.

For expediency, any pill or juice or gadget that comes along with the claim that it is good for our health becomes a “must-buy” crutch, believing it will confer upon us good health and longevity, without lifting a finger, moving a muscle, or getting off the couch and putting down the remote control and the potato chips.

Unfortunately, the manufacturers of these “health” lotions, potions, pills, juices and gadgets are mostly interested in making their bank accounts healthy, and least interested in the health of its consumer-victims. Otherwise, they won’t continue to prey on the unsuspecting public and sell their useless products, which may even have severe long-term side-effects. And organ-failure and cancer are some of those possibilities!

It is one thing to pay for a very expensive pill or juice or machine and find out years from now that it was not effective. It is another to discover years down the line that its use has caused a debilitating or deadly disease.

Now comes the water ionizer, the “ionized” alkaline water it produces, the “special drinking water.” Not only are these marketed waters and the ionizing machines expensive, but they are, according to scientists, “medically baseless and worthless.” Most of the good

effects these manufacturers claim for their products are available in healthy food items, like fish, fruits, bran, wheat, nuts, vegetables, and water purified by the most advanced multiple-stage reverse-osmosis filtration system.

It might come as a surprise to many but boiled water, minus its sediments, is safer than some of this expensive drinking water.

Using the commercially available home water filtration pitcher or the below-the-sink multiple-stage reversed osmosis filtration system, and then boiling the water will even double the protection. This will certainly not cost $1,500 to $2,500 like the ionizers.

When it comes to health, there is no better guide than modern science, where extensive and rigidly controlled laboratory testing, and double-blind, randomized, human clinical trials are the standard before any medication or device gets official approval and goes out to the market.

Anecdotal reports (usually solicited) or testimonials (usually from paid endorsers) are not scientific proofs. These are misinformation used to market the product with some semblance of “truth.” Candidly, these are nothing but lies. If not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), RP-BFAD or any other similar national health agencies, any product is a potential suspect.

So, public, beware!

As far as the water ionizer is concerned, here is “the bottom line” as objectively explained in a detailed scientific paper, which aims to educate and protect the public: “Here, in a nutshell, are few basic facts that anyone with a solid background in chemistry or physiology would concur with:

(1) “Ionized water” is nothing more than sales fiction; the term is meaningless to chemists; (2) Most water that is fit for drinking is too non-conductive to undergo significant electrolysis; (3) Pure water can never be alkaline or acidic, nor can it be made so by electrolysis; (4) Ground waters

containing metal ions such as calcium and magnesium can be rendered slightly alkaline by electrolysis, but after it hits the highly acidic gastric fluid in the stomach, its alkalinity is gone; (5) The idea that one must consume alkaline water to neutralize the effects of acidic foods is ridiculous; we get rid of excess acid by exhaling carbon dioxide; (6) The claims about health benefits of drinking alkaline water were not supported by credible scientific evidence;

(7) There is nothing wrong with drinking slightly acidic waters such as rainwater. Body pH is a meaningless concept in this context because different parts of the body (and even individual cells) can have widely different pH value; (8) If you really want to de-acidify your stomach (at possible cost of interfering with protein digestion), why spend hundreds of dollars for an electrolysis device when you can take calcium-magnesium pills, Alka-Seltzers or Milk of Magnesia?; (9) Electrolysis devices or ionizers are generally worthless for treating water for health enhancement, removal of common impurities, disinfection and scale control.”

To protect our health and pocketbook, we must use our wisdom and due diligence.

* * *

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.

* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Liza, Enrique together in recent photo amid split rumors

by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

CHEERS TO CAROLINE. On May 20, 2023, Caroline Claire Nasiak had a spectacular Philippine 18th birthday debut at the Suncoast Casino Ballroom, accompanied by her parents, Dr. & Mrs. Michael & Maureen Nasiak. Caroline wore an elegant shimmering gown, with a splendid array of decorations throughout the packed Ballroom, and this all started with a father-daughter dance

A DAY after Ogie Diaz cited insiders confirming Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil’s supposed breakup, the pair were spotted together in a photo shared by the actress’ former road manager.

Maquie Raquiza Sarmiento, Soberano’s former road manager who’s now based in the United States, showed photos from her recent visit to the Philippines through her Instagram page on Wednesday, May 31.

One of the photos she posted was a snap of her, Soberano and Gil with several other companions, wherein the pair can be seen sitting beside each other.

“Hanggang sa muli Pilipinas,” Sarmiento captioned her post. (Till we meet again, Philippines.)

It was not immediately known when exactly the photo was taken, but Sarmiento appears to have returned to the country in May.

Nonetheless, Sarmiento received messages of gratitude from hopeful fans who were delighted upon seeing the couple together in a photo.

Diaz earlier said that insiders confirmed to him the pair’s split,

claiming that it was the actress who decided to part ways with the actor to focus on her career. Soberano and Gil, who have been in a relationship since 2014, have yet to publicly comment on the matter as of this writing.

Joshua on Julia-Gerald wedding rumors

by HAnnAH MAllorcA Inquirer.net

WHILE Joshua Garcia admitted that he’s unaware of the engagement rumors about his ex-girlfriend Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson, he expressed his support for the couple nonetheless.

Garcia appeared visibly shocked when he was asked about Barretto and Anderson supposedly planning to settle down soon during an ambush interview with reporters, saying that he was not aware of such rumors hounding the celebrity couple.

“Oh, they’re planning to get married?” he said in response. “‘Di ko alam. Bago sa akin ‘yan, ngayon ko lang narinig ‘yan. Pero kung saan sila masaya, support ako doon (Oh, they’re planning to get married? I didn’t know that. That’s new to me, I just heard about that now. But if they’re happy, I support that).”

The actor also shared that he hasn’t been in touch with Barretto

since the pandemic, saying that they have been busy with their respective careers.

"Medyo matagal na kaming hindi nag-uusap after the pandemic and all. Busy na kasi kaming parehas ngayon eh. Busy na kami sa iba naming mga ginagawa (We haven’t been in touch after the pandemic and all. We’re both busy now. We’re busy with our own thing),” he said.

When the “Unbreak My Heart” star was asked if his heart is happy, he said that he’s “very in love” with his career.

“Masaya ako ngayon. In love ako sa trabaho ko ngayon, [I’m] very in love. I’m just working on myself (I’m happy right now. I’m in love with my job right now, I’m very in love. I’m just working on myself),” he said.

During the press conference for “Unbreak My Heart,” Garcia revealed that the craziest thing he did while heartbroken was to stay in front of a computer for two days without taking a bath. The actor,

however, didn’t reveal who was the cause of his heartbreak.

“Base sa natatandaan ko n’un, nag-pandemic kasi [noong time na ‘yun] so the craziest thing is ‘yung inabot ako nang dalawang araw sa computer nang walang liguan. Crazy ‘yun, diba? Walang tayuan at all,” he said.

(Based on what I remember, it was the pandemic at that time, so the craziest thing that I’ve done was to stay in front of the computer for two days without taking a bath. It’s crazy, right? I didn’t stand up at all.)

Garcia’s statement comes a day after he revealed during a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview that he’s willing to work with Barretto in future projects.

The Kapamilya actor was in a relationship with the “Expensive Candy” star from 2017, and their split was confirmed two years later.

Barretto and Anderson have yet to confirm nor deny the rumors regarding their alleged engagement, as of this writing.

to Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. The party lasted late into the evening, with Caroline then performing a Tango duet dance-routine with her dance partner (for which she competes with in dance competitions). All celebrated a remarkably fun night, creating a lifetime of special memories to reminisce about Caroline’s debut.

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano with the actress’ former road manager Maquie and her husband.

Photo from Instagram/@maquie_raquiza_sarmiento

Joshua Garcia, Gerald Anderson, Julia Barretto Photos from Instagram/@garciajoshuae, Instagram/@andersongeraldjr