062219 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

JUNE 22-25, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 48 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Duterte says he’s not afraid of China following Recto Bank incident

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

what he called “a little maritime incident” — during which PHILIPPINE President Ro- a Chinese vessel rammed into a drigo Duterte defended his re- Filipino fishing boat in the West sponse to the Recto Bank situa- Philippine Sea — given that he tion by saying he’s not afraid of has never hesitated to condemn China, but rather the possibility other countries and foreign enof an armed conflict in the re- tities on controversies before. gion.

“That is an open confrontaHis explanation comes after tion, magkabarilan pa (there critics have slammed him for would be a gun battle). Hindi not taking a harder stance on ako takot sa China. Takot ako

DATELINE

na baka walang kalaban-laban tayo at baka tayo ang maubos (I’m not afraid of China. I am afraid that we might turn out to be helpless and just get wiped out),” the president told reporters on Thursday, June 20 before leaving for a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in Thailand.

Duterte added that the United States “has the right to interfere u PAGE A2

BOOSTING SECURITY. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the distribution of pistols to the troops of the 8th Infantry Division during his visit to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar on Wednesday, June 19. Assisting the president is Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias

Self-rated poverty falls to record low

USA

by CATHERINE

VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

score is a continuing recovery from the 10point rise within the first three quarters of 2018,” SWS said.

“The proportion of Self-Rated Poor families rose from 42 percent in March 2018, to 48 percent in June 2018, and 52 percent in September 2018. It subsided by two points to 50 percent in December and fell to 38 percent in March 2019,” it added.

SWS attributed the 12-point decline to decreases nationwide — 16 points in Balance Luzon (from 51 percent in December to 35 percent in March), 12 points in Mindanao (from 49 percent in December to a new record-low 37 percent in March), 6 u PAGE A2

THE number of families who consider themselves poor went down to a record low 38 percent in the first quarter of 2019, the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The figure, which translates to some 9.5 million families, is 12 points lower than the 50 percent (11.6 million households) reported in December 2018.

It is 4 points below the previous recordlow of 42 percent in September 2016 and IMMIGRATION and Customs Enforcement Malacañang assured that the government’s anti-poverty drive will be sustained even after a March 2018.

(ICE) will reportedly begin immigration raids Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that the self-rated poverty rate hit a new record “The new record-low Self-Rated Poverty ManilaTImes.net photo in 10 cities over the weekend, days after Presi- low of 38 percent in the first quarter of 2019. dent Donald Trump pledged that there would be an operation to remove “millions” of people who have entered the United States illegally.

On Friday, June 21, various reports showed that federal immigration officials would start conducting these sweeps as early as Sunday in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Housby RITCHEL MENDIOLA ton, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New that free internet is provided at land transAJPress York and San Francisco, primarily focusing on port hubs. individuals who have been issued final deporOWNERS of land transportation hubs Owners, operators and administrators of tation orders by federal judges but remain in are now being required to provide free in- land transport terminals, stations, stops, the country. ternet access and clean sanitary facilities rest areas and RORO terminals are re“Next week ICE will begin the process of re- to passengers. quired to improve their facilities through moving the millions of illegal aliens who have Republic Act 11311, which seeks to im- the provision of clean sanitary facilities illicitly found their way into the United States,” prove land transportation terminals, sta- as well as separate lactation stations for Trump tweeted on Monday, June 17. tions, stops, rest areas as well as roll-on breastfeeding mothers.

Restrooms must be separated for peru PAGE A4 roll-off (RORO) terminals, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 17. A sons with disabilities, male, and female Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III copy of it was released Wednesday, June passengers. These facilities should also 19, by Malacañang. have adequate ventilation and lighting, Under the law, the Department of In- running water supply, flush system, toilet formation and Communications Technol- seat with cover, lavatory with toilet paper, ogy, in coordination with the Department mirror, soap, hand dryer and door lock, of Transportation, is mandated to ensure u PAGE A2

ICE expected to begin deporting millions of undocumented immigrants following Trump’s pledge

Transport hubs now required to provide free internet, clean restrooms

California Assembly clears controversial vaccine bill Bill limits the medical exemptions to avoid immunizing children before school enrollment

DESPITE hundreds of parents’ emotional opposition to proposed changes to California’s immunization requirements in a fivehour hearing, a public health committee in the California Assembly passed a bill that would tighten those requirements on Thursday, June 20.

The Assembly Health Committee passed the bill 9-2, moving the bill forward to another committee.

SB 276 was designed to close the many loopholes in a 2015 vaccination law that allowed parents to take “personal belief” exemptions in order to opt out of immunizing their children. Parents who believed in the popular conceptions that vaccines harmed their children — also known as anti-vaxxers — would have been able to bypass these reu PAGE A4

Philstar.com photo

Duterte picks retired Army general to head 6,600 killed in PH drug war — PNP PhilHealth, Duque says

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

ACCORDING to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 6,600 suspected drug offenders have been killed in police operations since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs.

The police data, which was released Tuesday, June 18, during a command conference of top police officials at Camp Crame, covered the incidents from July 1, 2016 — a day after Duterte took his oath as Chief Executive — until May 31, 2019.

240,565 drug personalities were arrested in 153,276 police operations nationwide with 1,283,409 surrendering in the same period.

822 drug personalities, meanwhile, were killed from January to May this year. 38,937 suspects were u PAGE A5

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte appointed retired Army general Ricardo Morales to head the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., which is facing a probe into payments made for allegedly fraudulent kidney treatments.

News5 reported reports Health Secretary Francisco Duque III saying the president chose Morales to head PhilHealth. Morales is the latest former military officer whom Duterte has given a government post.

Malacañang has yet to release Morales’ appointment paper.

Duterte appointed Morales administrator of the Metropolitan PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac Waterworks and Sewerage SysInquirer.net photo tem in late May.

The former general is taking over the position vacated

by Roy Ferrer, who submitted his courtesy resignation amid a government investigation into PhilHealth payments for non-existent dialysis treatments.

Ferrer and six other officials of PhilHealth board tendered their resignations last week.

The National Bureau of Investigation said that their expanded probe into the alleged fraudulent kidney treatments may include PhilHealth officials and other medical institutions accredited to the agency.

In 2005, Morales was relieved of his command of the Philippine u PAGE A2

A June 22-25, 2019 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

Self-rated poverty falls to record...

PAGE A1 t points in the Visayas (from 61 percent in December to 55 percent in March), and 2 points in Metro Manila (from 30 percent in December to 28 percent in March).

Malacañang welcomed the latest survey results, saying “the Duterte administration continues to break barriers.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo attributed the decrease in self-rated poverty to the government’s efforts to alleviate the lives of the poor.

“We underscore that self-rated poverty decreased in all geographic areas during the first quarter of 2019 and we thank everyone from the President’s eco-

nomic managers, as well as the members of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster, to the social welfare officers and barangay health workers for tirelessly making a positive impact on the socioeconomic lives of our countrymen,” Panelo said.

“This, notwithstanding the divisive and destructive political propaganda war waged by the President’s critics and detractors during the campaign period for the midterm elections when the survey was conducted,” he added.

The Palace official assured the public that the government was working to further reduce poverty in the country.

“Poverty reduction efforts, particularly those designed for the lowest rung of society, remains on track. We aim to reduce poverty from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2022, which is equivalent to lifting about 6 million Filipinos out of poverty by the end of the President’s term.

And we will grind daily to reach this goal,” Panelo said.

During the same survey period, the number of families who said they were food-poor also fell to a new record-low 27 percent, or about 6.8 million households.

This is 7 points below the 34 percent, estimated 7.9 million families, in December 2018, and 2 points below the previous record-low of 29 percent. n

Duterte picks retired Army...

PAGE A1 t

Army’s 404th Infantry Brigade based in Eastern Mindanao reportedly due to his vocal criticism of the military leadership.

Morales belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class ’77.

When Duterte appointed Morales to head the MWSS—months after severe water shortage hit Metro Manila—he described the retired Army general as “very good.”

Duterte has tapped Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, retiring North Luzon Command chief, to take over the MWSS administrator post. (Kristine Joy Patag/ Philstar.com with reports from News5)

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol speaks in a press conference together with the 22 fishermen affected by the Recto Bank incident at the San Jose Municipal Hall in Occidental Mindoro on Wednesday, June 19. The DA chief clarified it was him and not President Rodrigo Duterte who earlier invited Junel Insigne, captain of the F/B GEM-VER 1, to a meeting.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Duterte says he’s not afraid of...

PAGE A1 t

if it becomes a bloody confrontation.” Other government officials previously said that the Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. wouldn’t be applicable in the Recto Bank situation since it was not an armed attacked.

The president went on to say that the incident is “not a matter of sovereignty” since it did not happen on Philippine land itself.

Following the crash, Duterte described the Recto Bank collision as a “little maritime incident” that requires further investigation. Malacañang on Thursday said he is open to a joint Philippines-China inquiry into the boat sinking.

In a text message, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said: “The president welcomes a

joint investigation and an early resolution of the case. We will await a formal communication from the Chinese Embassy.”

The statement is in response to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang who said that to find a proper solution, he is suggesting “a joint investigation at an early date so the two sides can exchange respective initial findings and properly handle the matter through friendly consultations based on mutually-recognized investigation results.”

Philippine Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, during a June 17 Cabinet cluster meeting, also suggested a joint investigation by the two countries. However, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. dismissed the suggestion,

tweeting that “a joint investigation trenches on each other’s sovereignty.”

The Palace also said that it would wait for an investigation to collect “established facts” before it starts to demand reparation for the 22 Filipino fishermen abandoned by the Chinese vessel after hitting their boat.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday told reporters that the incident was “just an accident, based on the information that we got from some of the crew.”

“For me, the tensions have already gone down because what really happened is not being revealed. So I ask our countrymen to be patient because the truth will come out once we get all the information so that we can move on from this,” he added. n

Transport hubs now required to provide...

PAGE A1 t waste bin and exclusive space for diaper changing.

Land transport hub owners are barred by law from collecting fees for the use of regular sanitary facilities. To avail themselves of the free use of sanitary

facilities, passengers just have to show the paid bus ticket for the day.

Failure to comply will result in being fined with the amount of P5,000 each day of violation and another P5,000 each day of collecting fees from passengers

for the use of the facilities. The penalty will be meted as well to those who will fail to establish a lactation station.

The fines are subject to review by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board every five years. n

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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LA Mayor Garcetti implements new homeless encampment cleanup efforts Following sanitation report and public outcry, the city introduces more rigorous and effective cleanup and prevention efforts

by KLarize

MedeniLLa AJPress

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) crewmembers watch from the cutter’s forecastle as Bertholf navigates toward Hong Kong on April 15, 2019.

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Masaschi/U.S. Coast Guard

US Coast Guard to help countries struggling with EEZ protection

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

WASHINGTON is open to assist island nations, particularly in the Pacific, in enforcing their own exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

Vice Admiral Linda Fagan, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, said Washington is focused on bolstering the ability of its partners and allies in protecting their sovereignty.

“So, we are very much interested in engaging with partner nations and using our authorities and capacity building in a way that is helpful and beneficial to particularly some of the small island nations who struggle with their own EEZ enforcement,” Fagan said in a telephone press briefing Tuesday.

Assistance could be in sending a team to train a country’s

coast guard in fisheries enforcement boarding to guard against fishing incursions, Fagan said.

Fagan also noted that similar engagement and partnership capacity-building will be conducted once USCGC Stratton gets deployed to the South China Sea in a few days.

Stressing that the deployment of Stratton is consistent with a rules-based international system, Fagan said the US Coast Guard is committed to a safe, secure and predictable conduct of vessels navigating on the high seas.

In the same briefing, Fagan confirmed that Washington is monitoring Beijing’s deployment of militia boats in the disputed South China Sea. “We obviously are aware and have been following the militia and some of the activity,” Fagan said.

US: China tapping power brokers for foreign influence

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

CHINA’S foreign influence activities are predominately focused on establishing and maintaining “power brokers” within a foreign government to promote policies that will facilitate China’s rise, despite its repeated assurance and stated position of not interfering in foreign nations’ internal affairs, according to a new United States Department of Defense (DoD) annual report to Congress.

In its 2019 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China, the U.S. defense department said China also conducts influence operations targeting media, culture, business, academia and the policy communities in the U.S. and other countries.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to condition foreign and multilateral political establishments and public opinion to accept China’s narrative surrounding its priorities like One Belt, One Road (OBOR) Initiative and South China Sea territorial and maritime claims, the report said.

The report said a cornerstone of China’s strategy also includes appealing to overseas Chinese or ethnic Chinese citizens of other countries to advance CCP objectives through soft power or, sometimes, coercion and blackmail. China harnesses academia and educational institutions, think tanks and state-run media to advance China’s security interests.

‘Can’t be trusted’ Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said based on his first hand experience, China’s word is “unreliable” and Beijing is “not to be trusted.”

“When China makes a declaration, you can almost be sure that it is not consistent with what is happening on the ground,” Del Rosario said.

He said while the Philippines elevated the country’s relations with China to a “comprehensive strategic cooperation” and “full accommodations” being granted to Beijing, unlawful actions against Filipinos continue.

Del Rosario, former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and a group of Filipino fishermen had earlier filed a complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court for “atrocious” actions in the South China Sea and within Philippine territory constituting crimes against humanity.

Del Rosario rejected the “incredible” claims that the Philippines could provoke Beijing to war if Manila stands up to Chinese bullying.

“While we are cognizant of the imperative not to trigger an armed conflict, we believe that adherence to the rule of law is a profoundly pacifist way that we

all should follow,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

“Specifically, to accept that war is the only alternative to setting aside the arbitral decision is remarkably incredible and cannot be taken seriously in this modern world,” he said.

The statement came as the Philippines brought to the United Nations last week’s sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese ship in Recto Bank and abandoning the Filipino fishermen in the sea, saying it is a “felony” to abandon people in distress.

President Duterte and other officials have downplayed the incident as a maritime accident that must not be blown out of proportion. n

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP NO. SP510-20 FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Authority) is seeking to retain a bench of qualified firms to provide Financial Advisory Services. The period of performance for this project shall be for three years.

Requests for Proposal (RFPs) may be obtained via download at: http://www.metrolinktrains. com/doing_business. (Vendors must register on the website in order to download the document). Electronic Proposal Submittals are due at 2:00 p.m.

(PST) on July 2, 2019.

The Authority will conduct a non-mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference Call at 2:00 PM PST on Monday, June 24, 2019. The call-in number is (213) 4520499, Bridge ID is 1053, and Participant ID is 5756.

The contract to be awarded is subject to a financial assistance agreement between the Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) under grants issued by the Federal Transit Authority. In conformance with the Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy and Program, the Authority has established a 3% DBE contract-specific goal on this project. Prime Proposers will be required to either meet the DBE goal or submit an adequate Good Faith Effort (GFE) demonstrating intent to meet the goal, for their Proposal to be deemed responsive to DBE Program requirements.

For further information contact: Armine Menemshyan, Contract and Compliance Administrator at menemshyana@scrra. net.

6/22/19 CNS-3267086# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Earlier this year, the Philippine military confirmed that hundreds of Chinese vessels, believed to be part of its maritime militia, have been stationed near Pag-asa Island as early as January.

The Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement on the issue, stating that the presence of Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island and nearby features is illegal.

Citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the DFA said Beijing’s actions are a “clear violation of Philippine sovereingty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.” n

AS the long-term homeless solutions continue to slowly take and keep homeless individuals off the streets, the City of Los Angeles this week announced new strategies in regards to street cleanups.

At a press conference on Wednesday, June 19, Mayor Eric Garcetti detailed the plan — which is heading to the city council for consideration — that requires $6 million to fund new sanitation teams whose sole purpose is to street cleanups.

These cleanup groups, called Cleaning and Rapid Engagement (CARE) teams, will be assigned to specific areas where they will regularly clean the areas. Previously, service requests were made through the city’s 3-1-1 system, which sanitation officials said did not deploy cleanup teams consistently and lacked a strong infrastructure to clean these areas up and keep them clean.

There will be 30 teams in total, and 13 of those 30 teams will be equipped with mobile hygiene centers and would receive training to work directly with homeless Angelenos and cater to their needs.

“We’ll get to know each block.

We’ll get to know each street and the people who live on those

Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti

streets as well,” Garcetti said on Wednesday.

Garcetti also pointed out the frequent reports of illegal dumping of trash commonly found in Downtown Los Angeles which contribute to unsanitary conditions found within the encampments of the city’s most vulnerable. According to the Sanitation Bureau, 80% of waste that the city collects comes from illegal dumping, whose culprits are largely property owners (including business owners) who opt out of contracting with city-assigned trash collectors.

Garcetti vowed to curb illegal dumping by promising that the city will be more adamant about finding and penalizing those

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

who don’t comply with the city’s trash collecting program “Too often, we hear that the homeless encampment cleanups can inadvertently set people back on their pathway to housing through the accidental loss of key documents, or through the stress of unpredictable engagements with city teams, which can lessen trust over time,” the Sanitation Bureau said in a report.

Garcetti’s call for a more robust cleaning effort comes at the heels of an activist group calling for Garcetti’s resignation for not taking care of homelessness in LA, which has risen 16% over the past year.

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A June 22-25, 2019 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Thurman warned on Pacquiao fight said than done.

“Keith is starting out in the fight talking lots of trash so he’s got to live up to that word,” Ellerbe said in a video by Fighthype. com.

“But he’s fighting a straight dog in Manny Pacquiao who’s at 40 years old. To even be having a conversation that can a 40-year old beat a 30-year old, that tells you what kind of level or respect

that the fans have for Manny Pacquiao and the accomplishments that he has,” he added.

KEITH Thurman better back Thurman, who holds the WBA his words up against Manny “super” welterweight title, has Pacquiao when he takes on the been running his mouth about Filipino icon exactly one month how he plans to send Pacquiao from now. packing after their July 20 clash Mayweather Promotions CEO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Leonard Ellerbe warned the unEven Pacquiao himself is not defeated Thurman that beating amused with Thurman’s trash an ageing Pacquiao is still easier talking and said it will serve as his motivation to win.

Ellerbe, for his part, is intrigued with the bout.

“That fight will be a barnburner,” he continued.

Even at 40 years old, Pacquiao, the WBA’s “regular” 147-pound titlist, is still a tough nut to crack.

He has proven it in his last two fights when he stopped Lucas Matthysse last year and routed SECURITY MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte bows his head in prayer prior to the start of the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine Adrien Broner earlier this year.

Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias Thurman (29-0, with 22 knock- National Police (AFP-PNP) Command Conference at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, June 18. outs) would be wise not to be overconfident.

“My message to Keith, I can tell you firsthand: it’s a little different how it looks when you first get up in there,” said Ellerbe, a close friend of Floyd Mayweather Jr. “It looks totally different until Manny Pacquiao performs shadow boxing at the Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California on tional Justice Mission to train 60 and Digital Investigative Anaby Consuelo Marquez Wednesday morning, June 19.

Photo by Wendell Alinea/Manny Pacquiao Promotions you get up in there.” n prosecutors and investigators in lyst Joshua Storey from the Inquirer.net combating OSEC. U.S. DOJ Child Exploitation THE United States Embassy in The US Department of Justice, and Obscenity Section shared the Philippines and international Office of Overseas Prosecutorial practices, digital forensic analorganizations have intensified Development, Assistance and ysis, and prosecution of OSEC their campaign against online Training (OPDAT) also helped cases. sexual exploitation of children in the training.

OPDAT, the Philippine Su(OSEC).

The four-day workshop in- preme Court’s Sub-Committee In a statement on Friday, June cluded lectures, in-depth dis- on Commercial Courts and the 21, the embassy said it partnered cussions, and practical exer- Philippine Judicial Academy will with the Inter-Agency Council cises. undertake cybercrime training Against Trafficking and InternaTrial Lawyer Kaylynn Shoop for judges on June 26 to 27. n

by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

US Embassy, int’l groups intensify campaign vs online sexual exploitation of children

California Assembly clears controversial...

PAGE A1 t quirements.

Under the new amendments, the California Department of Public Health would review each family’s medical exemption if they attend a school or daycare with immunization rates of less than 95%, which includes about 20% of schools and daycares, according state records.

The 2015 bill states that in order to be exempt from immunizing their child, parents would need certification from their doctors that the child has been examined. Doctors would also need to provide their name, medical license number and a reason for the exemption.

California is one of the strictest states when it comes to childhood immunizations, requiring certain immunizations to attend public or private schools or early child care, but doctors may excuse a child if there is a legitimate medical reason. This new bill sets new guidelines on which medical reasons qualify for a waiver, which was proposed after reports came out of doctors who were excusing children for dubious claims such as asthma or diabetes.

Large crowds of mostly parents have been flocking to hearings on the proposed amendments to the 2015 bill in Sacramento over the last several months. One of

the most vocal anti-vaxx groups, Educate.Advocate, wrote that SB 276’s amendments were “verbose, contradictory and complex” and will result in “mass confusion and varied implementation.”

In a statement, the group wrote, “Doubling down on mandates and sweeping generalizations and no consideration for individualized medicine and health care will not yield compliance, but continue to foster distrust of public health officials and legislators at great cost to public education revenues in California.”

But despite the number of outspoken anti-vaxxers who showed up to the state capital to plead to lawmakers to vote no on the bill, the support for the bill overwhelmingly shadows the opposition. A recent poll showed that 3 out of 4 Californians support stricter requirements on vaccine exemptions.

According to CA Sen. Richard Pan, who authored the 2015 bill and is a practicing pediatrician, also noted that the new restrictions were a reaction to the recent measles outbreaks reported throughout the country. As previously reported by the Asian Journal, this year saw more than 940 reported measles cases across 26 states, making 2019 the worst measles outbreak in

the U.S. since 1994.

“We want to keep kids safe in school,” Pan said. “We want to give as much latitude as possible while recognizing that every exemption we give, we are also weakening the community immunity in the school.”

SB 276 is currently on its way to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom worked with the bill’s authors to ease the proposed restrictions. Earlier this month, Newsom raised concerns that the bill could overstep into the doctor-patient relationship.

But after working with the authors of the bill to ease some of the bill’s requirements, Newsom formally announced his support on Tuesday, June 18.

“The Governor would like to thank Dr. Pan for his leadership and for partnering with the Administration on these amendments,” Health and Human Services Mark Ghaly said in a statement, who added that the current incarnation of the bill “protects the doctor-patient relationship, strengthens the state’s ability to target doctors who abuse the medical exemption process and gives state public health officials the tools to identify and protect schools and communities where herd immunity is in danger.”(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

ICE expected to begin deporting millions of...

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The president’s declaration came a day before he officially kicked off his presidential reelection campaign in Orlando, Florida, and amidst continuous concerns on what next moves would affect undocumented immigrants.

He also applauded Mexico, saying it was doing a “very good job stopping people long before they get to our Southern Border,” and that Guatemala was getting ready to sign a “SafeThird Agreement” which would prohibit Hondurans and Salvadorans traveling through Guatemala from seeking asylum in the U.S. “The only ones who won’t do anything are the Democrats in Congress,” Trump continued.

“They must vote to get rid of the loopholes, and fix asylum! If so, Border Crisis will end quickly!”

Enrique Degenhart, Guatemalan minister of the interior, said on Tuesday, June 18 that while the U.S. and Guatemala were on good terms, no agreement on Guatemala becoming a “safe third country” was made yet.

While Monday’s tweet was just among the latest of his rhetoric pushing for mass deportation, information of ICE actions have typically surfaced after operations have already been executed.

Questions of whether ICE have enough resources and agents to carry such operations have also been raised. As the Washington Postreported, a mass deportation operation would require not only weeks of planning and a sufficient budget, but use of law enforcement personnel and agents who have already been focused on the U.S-Mexico border.

But Mark Morgan, acting director of the ICE said on Wednesday, June 19 they would be going through with plans of deporting undocumented families. He said

deportation orders have already been made out for more than 2,000 immigrant family members.

The “millions of illegal aliens” mentioned by Trump refers to the 11.3 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S as tallied by the Migration Policy Institute.

As for Filipinos who currently make up about four million of the U.S. population, roughly 300,000 are considered to be undocumented or irregular according to 2017 government statistics. Some groups hold the number much higher.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, more than two million undocumented immigrants reside in California with most coming from Latin America.

In New York, Steven Choi, Executive Director at the New York Immigration Coalition called the planned ICE operation “a new low,” and a “cheap political ploy, played at the expense of vulnerable immigrant families.”

Highlighting the ICE’s lack of resources, he added that the plan comes at a time “when the Administration has already stretched the capacities of our immigration system to its limits, filling detention spaces beyond capacity and going significantly over budget.”

Choi continued, “Threatening to targeting families and children just to score political points is cruel, inhumane and downright stupid — and if this threat actually does comes to New York, we will once again rise up and fight back. For now, we remind our immigrant neighbors to know their rights and contact an attorney as soon as possible after any interaction with immigration enforcement.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom responded on Twit-

ter saying that California would continue to push back against Trump’s deportation actions and described the administration’s immigration policies as a “inhumane” and a “stain on our nation’s history.”

“CA will not allow this admin to intimidate our immigrant communities with mass deportations. We will stand up, speak out and defend the rights of all those in CA,” tweeted Newsom.

“Mass deportations and family separations are vicious and cruel.

CA will not stand for these kinds of fear mongering, hate-filled threats. We will always defend the rights of our immigrant communities,” the governor added.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the city’s law enforcement would not participate or assist with civil immigration enforcement.

“Los Angeles will always stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters, and our law enforcement officers will never participate in these actions,” said Garcetti. “No Angeleno should ever have to fear being snatched from their home or separated from their loved ones — and we are doing everything we can to provide immigrant families with the information and support they need.”

In addition, the Mayor’s Office is working closely with FamilySource Centers and the Los Angeles Unified School District to disseminate “Know Your Rights” information in their facilities. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is also in direct contact with immigrant advocacy groups — who are partners in the L.A. Justice Fund — to identify people who need help, connect families facing the deportation of a loved one with the legal representation they may need, and assist with rapid response case management. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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Pacquiao rediscovers aggression, says Roach

LOS ANGELES—Veteran trainer Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao has rediscovered his aggressive streak as the onemonth countdown to his battle with welterweight champion Keith Thurman got under way on Thursday, June 20.

Pacquiao has entered the final phase of training for the July 20 showdown with Thurman, arriving in Los Angeles last weekend to work under longtime trainer Roach at his famed Wild Card Gym. The 40-year-old eight-division world champion has been riled by trash-talking from WBA champion Thurman ahead of the bout, with the undefeated American vowing to send Pacquiao into retirement at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand next month.

Speaking to Agence FrancePresse (AFP) at his Los Angeles home on Thursday, Pacquiao said Thurman’s remarks had fuJune is Pride Month, a month to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual people, plus all other sexual orientations eled his training camp. and genders, it said.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila Pacquiao’s measured response contrasted with the assessment of his inner circle.

Former Australian heavyweight Justin Fortune, Pacquiao’s understand the root causes of June is Pride Month, a month

by Pia Lee-Brago to celebrate gay, lesbian, bi- violence often routinely directed strength and conditioning coach, Philstar.com sexual, transgender, queer and toward LGBT people in societies THE United States embassy asexual people, plus all other across the world. in Manila is celebrating Pride sexual orientations and genders, “States must adequately adMonth with its Pride flag promi- it said. dress this scourge through nently displayed outside its An independent UN human public policy, access to justice, building. rights expert noted that policy- law reform or administrative acPAGE A3 t The embassy said it would makers in most parts of the world tions,” Madrigal-Borloz said. also feature this month lesbian, are making decisions in the dark Clear information about the On Wednesday, Republican gay, bisexual and transgender when it comes to sexual orienta- realities lived by LGBT people political commentator and LA (LGBT)-friendly destinations in tion and gender identity. are, at best, little understood, resident Alexandra Datig hosted the U.S. and American compaVictor Madrigal-Borloz urged incomplete and fragmented, he her own press conference callnies in the Philippines. states to collect more data to said. n ing Los Angeles a “death camp” for the homeless and denounced Garcetti for his perceived lack of urgency in regards to the homeless problem.

PAGE A1 t “He can’t handle the crisis,” over the death of the suspects drugs, with 1,515 of the 1,710 also arrested in a total of 25,338 during police operations are barangays affected. This is fol- Datig said at her press conferanti-drug operations conducted. still being conducted, as well. lowed by Central Visayas, with ence held outside of City Hall.

The report also revealed that “It does not mean that just 2,293 of 3,003 barangays affect- “He needs to step down.”

Datig said that the mayor has 2,865 were subjected to PNP’s because they died in police op- ed; Central Luzon, with 2,342 “Oplan Tokhang” while 2,755 erations, we will not investigate of 3,102 barangays; and Bicol been served with a notice of insurrendered to police. it. As much as possible, no one region, with 2,530 of 3,471 ba- tent for recall, which is the first step in a lengthy, expensive and Not yet final should die in our anti-drug op- rangays.

PNP spokesperson Col. Ber- erations,” he said.

Banac is confident that the rarely successful process to oust nard Banac clarified that the remaining barangays will be a mayor. According to the city Drug-free barangays report is not yet final and have The PNP said that as of April, cleared off of illegal drugs by clerk’s office, Datig would need yet to be cross-checked with the 12,177 of the 42,045 barangays the end of Duterte’s term in 300,000 signatures or more in order to kickstart a recall elecfigures of the Philippine Drug nationwide have achieved drug- 2022.

Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“We can do this for the re- tion. free status. Meanwhile, 20,471 When asked about the recall He added that the PNP still are still drug-affected. maining three years of the prespegs the “official” drug war It added that 282 baran- ident, with the help of all sectors effort at his press conference, Garcetti, a Democrat, said he death toll at 5,375 as of March gays are “seriously affected by of society,” he said.

2019.

The meeting was attended by won’t be deterred by “political drugs,” 10,835 are “moderately Banac also noted that com- affected,” and 9,354 are “slight- regional police commanders and games” and promised that his pared to the arrests made by the ly affected.” heads of national support units, government is “spending every police, the death toll is “definiteMetro Manila remains to be and presided over by PNP chief waking moment to confront this crisis.” n ly small.” He said investigations the region most affected by General Oscar Albayalde. n

US embassy celebrates Pride Month

LA Mayor Garcetti implements new...

6,600 killed in PH drug war...

said the Filipino icon was “pissed off” by Thurman’s remarks.

“He’s said some pretty silly stuff,” Fortune said.

Roach meanwhile told AFP that Pacquiao had been “upset”

by Thurman’s comments.

“Manny’s motivated for all his fights and this time, this guy’s talking a little trash,” Roach said.

“So that helps. Manny has got a bit upset. He wants to win this one a little bit more than usual.”

Pacquiao has carried that

sense of grievance into his training sessions. For the first time in several fights, Roach is wearing protective padding around his torso during his mitt sessions.

“I was really happy I brought my padding back,” Roach told AFP. “Because I haven’t worn that in a while. I came up with that idea because I didn’t want Manny to go easy on his opponents.

“We went 10 rounds yesterday and he was really happy to see I had the padding.” (Inquirer.net with reports from AFP)

A June 22-25, 2019 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

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D ateline PhiliPPines Sotto questions Del Rosario’s use of diplomatic passport COA bares P5.5-M in ‘irregular’

by Consuelo

foreign travel expenses at DOJ in 2018

Marquez

Inquirer.net

by reina leanne

TolenTino ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has questioned former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario’s use of a diplomatic passport for traveling abroad.

“Kapag retired official ka ba pwedeng naka-diplomatic passport ka pa rin? Kapag ako ‘di na ako senador pwede ko pa ba gamitin ‘yung diplomatic passport ko? (If you’re a retired official, can you still use a diplomatic passport? If I’m no longer a senator, can I still use my diplomatic passport?)” Sotto asked during an interview at the Senate.

Earlier on Friday, June 21, Del Rosario was stopped and held by authorities at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) “despite using a Philippine diplomatic status passport.” He was supposed to attend meetings of First Pacific’s board and shareholders in China’s special administrative region.

Sotto said he never used his diplomatic passport for traveling abroad unless it is authorized by the President.

“Kaya ko ito nasasabi (the reason I’m saying this)… I am not saying it is wrong, I am asking why, because in my case, I am a senator [and] I have never used my diplomatic passport going abroad unless it is with the president or on official business by the inter parliamentary union,” Sotto said.

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) spent P5.55 million on alleged government-sanctioned foreign travels, which were attended by the same people in 2018, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in its report.

“There were 23 types of meetings/fora/dialogues wherein two to five participants were sent by DOJ to attend, resulting in huge amounts of travelling expenses being spent by DOJ totaling P5,550,149.44…We also noted that, majority of those who were sent to attend such events, were Former Foreign Affairs chief Albert del Rosario greets members of the same [then-]officials/[thenthe media after his arrival from Hong Kong on Friday afternoon, June ]personnel of DOJ,” COA said.

21.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Benjie Vergara At the same time, the COA said Sotto also cited that issuance of a diplomatic pass- that a review of disbursement port does not include former cabinet secretaries as vouchers and liquidation reports stated in the Philippine Passport Act of 1996. on these travels were not supUnder the law, the diplomatic passport may be ported by “complete documentaused for “official mission or official travel.” n tion totaling P771,643.30.”

COA said this contradicted Circular 2012-001 dated June 14, 2012 on the “prescribed rules/ guidelines listing all documentary requirements for common KABABAYANS FOR OVER 17 YEARS government transactions.”

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representatives in said meetings are pursuant to the commitments as member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), or in some treaties or international agreements to which the Philippines is a State Party, a stage of negotiation of treaties, trade and investment, or executive agreements to which the Philippines will become a party or signatory.”

The DOJ said that [o]fficial foreign travels were governed by the policy guidelines and procedures set out under Department Circular 074 dated Nov. 18, 2013, Requirements and Internal Guidelines in the Submission and Processing of Travel Authorities for the Approval of the Secretary of Justice, “and such other existing pertinent policies, rules and regulations, and the policy on conscientious spending of government funds.”

Based on the audit report, the DOJ “submitted all documentary requirements cited in the AOM for validation.”

COA said the submitted documents “are subject to further review and evaluation.” n

Alvarez offers deputy speaker post to Duterte son

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COA said that there was no showing that the DoJ entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Procurement Service-Department of Budget (PS-DBM) and Management Government Fares Agreement (GFA) “since they have used the services of a travel agency in the procurement of airline tickets totaling P1.060 million.”

Based on the audit report, the GFA was an initiative of the DBM and the PS-Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System “to save time, money and energy when processing air transportation needs” of government officials, employees and personnel for official local and foreign trips.

The audit report said that the DoJ explained that its participation, through its officials and representatives, in different meetings abroad cited in the Audit Observation Memorandum (AoM) “cannot be considered as falling within the definition of ‘unnecessary expenditures’ as provided in COA Circular 2012-003, s. 2012 because the engagement and/or participation of the Department’s

Darrick V. Tan, Esq. Licensed in California for over 17 years Licensed in Nevada for over 12 years* UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science with Cum Laude honors Southwestern University Law School, Juris Doctor Admitted to U.S. District Court, Central District of California Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association Member, Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles Former Member, Board of Governors, Philippine American Bar Association *Inactive

MANILA — The ruling PDP-Laban is offering a deputy speaker position to President Duterte’s son and incoming Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte in case the administration party captures the leadership of the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress, which convenes on July 22.

“We have been discussing this idea of having Rep. Pulong as senior deputy speaker or deputy speaker for Mindanao even before he hosted a dinner for our colleagues on Tuesday night in Malacañang,” a PDP-Laban leader told The Star on Thursday, June 20.

He said they have broached the suggestion to the president’s son and “he seemed receptive to it.”

Duterte’s son represents the city’s first district, which Karlo Nograles represented until November last year, when President Duterte appointed him Cabinet secretary.

Another Davao City lawmaker, Isidro Ungab of the third district, an ally of the Dutertes, is being eyed to chair the committee on appropriations, the panel that scrutinizes the annual national budget. A former banker, Ungab headed the committee in the 16th Congress.

Last month, the President said he would resign if his son seeks the speakership.

“If you’re running, I will resign.

There are so many of us in government. Your sister is a mayor.

So I’m uneasy,” he said, referring to his daughter Sara, who was reelected mayor of Davao City.

Her runningmate was her brother Sebastian, who was elected vice mayor.

In response to his father’s statement, representative-elect Duterte said, “I did not say I want to be speaker… Someone has again whispered the wrong information to you, Mr. President.”

Actually, it was Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez who floated the idea of the President’s son seeking the top House post.

Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez

Philstar.com photo

Alvarez, who has set his sights again on the speakership, said he would give way to incoming congressman Duterte if the latter was interested in the position.

Alvarez was speaker from July 2016 to July last year, when administration allies replaced him with former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The President would later repeatedly say in public speeches that it was his daughter who “maneuvered” Alvarez’s ouster.

Last month, Mayor Inday Sara, as family and friends call her, rejected the former speaker’s offer of reconciliation.

“I have no intention of accepting Rep. Bebot Alvarez’s offer of reconciliation because the offer was deceiving and utterly lacked sincerity. Unknown to him, he was surreptitiously videotaped when he threatened, after his win in the recent elections in Davao del Norte, ‘Ipapahiya ko si Sara’ (I will embarrass Sara),” she said.

She added that Alvarez remained “to be a very dangerous, Machiavellian individual who does not deserve peace.”

Taguig City representativeelect Alan Peter Cayetano said the President, after meeting with some of the congressmen on several occasions here and abroad, is set to announce his choice for speaker on June 28.

“Categorically, I’m saying I heard the President will make a statement on June 28,” Cayetano told reporters at a press conference at the Bonifacio Global City.

His pronouncement was backed by senator-elect Christopher Go, who told The Star that Duterte has told him that he is “most likely” to announce his bet for speakership on June 28. Pressed for more details on the President’s choice, Go said that he still does not know.

Cayetano emphasized the importance of Duterte’s choice as he pointed out that 98 percent of the members of Congress have expressed support for whoever is chosen to head a “coalition” in the House of Representatives.

Even if some of his opponents for speakership have been campaigning for their bid, Cayetano said that he is still focusing on his work as he emphasized that the leadership is “just a matter of who is the best person for the best time.”

He added that he is hanging on Duterte’s words, from whom he sought blessing in running for a congressional seat before leaving his post at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Asked about his thoughts on the “term-sharing agreement” between him and Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Cayetano said he saw nothing wrong with it for as long as he will be the first to sit.

But he said that Velasco does not like the term-sharing idea.

Cayetano said he would accept whatever decision the President will make as far as the speakership is concerned, even if he does not get the outright support of Duterte. n

a form stating the purpose for the requested documents.

On May 17, The Star received an e-mail from the PAB regarding Martires’ directive that an endorsement letter from the newsdesk stating the purpose for the SALN request would have to be submitted on top of the request form.

The Star submitted the endorsement letter on May 20. As of Thursday, however, The Starwas told that the request remains pending.

A staff member from the Office of the Ombudsman said a reply on The Star’s request would be sent by post. The staff, however, refused to give additional details on whether the request was approved or denied.

In a letter received by another requesting party, CNN Philippines, the ombudsman said the release of SALNs has been held in abeyance as the agency is in the process of revising its rules.

“Please note that the processing of your request has been held in abeyance pending the review and revision of the policies and rules of the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the release of SALNs,” the letter dated June 18 signed

by Assistant Ombudsman Pilarita Lapitan read.

“In the meantime, may we advise that you direct your request

to the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President,” it added.

Under Memorandum Circular 6 Series of 2012, issued by Martires’ predecessor Conchita Carpio-Morales, SALNs filed with the Office of the Ombudsman “shall be made available to the public for inspection and reproduction after 10 working days from the time they are filed.”

Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees also mandates public officials and employees to timely file their SALNs, stating that “the public has the right to know their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.”

The Constitution also guarantees the public’s right to information.

“Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law,” Article III, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution states.

(Philstar.com)

Release of Duterte, Robredo SALNs suspended

MANILA — Ombudsman Samuel Martires has suspended the release to the media of the 2018 statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of President Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo, saying his office is currently revising its policy on public access to SALNs. Staff members of the ombudsman’s Central Records Division (CRD), Public Assistance Bureau (PAB) and the Ombudsman Proper all told The Star on Thursday, June 20, that the request for SALNs of Duterte, Robredo and several other officials remains pending at the office of Martires.

On April 30, The Star officially made a request at the CRD for a copy of the 2018 SALNs of Duterte, Robredo and heads of the constitutional bodies, namely Sheriff Abas of the Commission on Elections, Michael Aguinaldo of the Commission on Audit, Jose Luis Gascon of the Commission on Human Rights, Alicia dela Rosa-Bala of the Civil Service Commission as well as the entry SALN and 2018 SALN of Martires.

The CRD, however, informed The Star that the request would still have to be personally approved by Martires, unlike in previous years when the requesting party would just have to present a government-issued ID and fill out

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

A

UP, Ateneo, La Salle, UST among top 1,000 worldwide by nova Joy

dela ManilaTimes.net

SEA GAMES PREPARATION. Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chairman Alan Peter Cayetano (center) clarifies that PHISGOC will remain as an organizing body of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in a press conference at the Kabisera Restaurant in BGC, Taguig City on Thursday, June 20. Cayetano, accompanied by PHISGOC vice chairman Abraham Tolentino (left) and chief operation officer Ramon Suzara (right), made the remark due to the resignation earlier of Ricky Vargas as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Duterte to push for protection of OFWs at Asean

by Christina

Mendez

Philstar.com

PRESIDENT Duterte will likely push for the welfare and protection of Filipino workers in Thailand and the rest of the region during his participation at the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit this weekend.

According to Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, Duterte will “follow up” on the priorities, which he put forward in 2017 when the Philippines hosted the ASEAN summit.

“The president is very strong in protecting the welfare and interest of our Filipino migrant workers not only here in the ASEAN region but wherever we can find Filipinos employed in different countries,” Aragon said in an interview.

She added the protection of Filipino migrants is a key pillar of the Philippine foreign policy and that Duterte has been persistent in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the upliftment of their condition.

Aside from this, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the president would pitch the Philippines as an investment hub for Thailand business when he meets today with the chief executive officers of the kingdom’s top business groups.

Lopez sees an open discussion “that will basically allow the president to present the Philippines as a very good investment destination.”

“Some of these companies are

already operating in the Philippines. So, we are basically asking them to be more active and to increase their exposure and their investments… The Philippines has one of the vibrant economies in the region. In fact, we are the second fastest growing in the ASEAN region. We would like to reemphasize that,” he said.

He also does not see any trade implication on the Philippines following the non-approval of the Code of Conduct at the South China Sea as he pointed out that trading continues to flow freely.

Meanwhile, Aragon underscored the importance of sustaining “the economic and social development of our people.”

“Our participation in all ASEAN summits, especially at the leaders’ summit, is an extremely important opportunity for us to be part of developing an ASEAN community that is people-oriented, peoplecentered, that will uplift the lives, the livelihood of all the people in the region and wherein no one is left behind,” Aragon stressed.

She cited the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers that was signed on Nov. 14, 2017 during the Philippine chairmanship.

As a landmark document, it reflects the leaders’ promise to strengthen social protection, access to justice, humane and fair treatment and access to health services of the region’s migrant workers; and aims to establish a framework for closer cooperation among member-states on addressing migrant workers’ issues in the region.

Aragon added that the signing of the ASEAN Consensus shows the political will and strong commitment of ASEAN leaders to safeguard the rights of migrant workers who have contributed to the growth and development in the region.

The ambassador also reported that relations between the Philippines and Thailand — in terms of tourism, agro-tourism and promotion of the rights of migrant workers — have flourished since Duterte’s previous visit in 2017.

She also said that the Kingdom of Thailand and the Philippines would celebrate this year the 70th anniversary of their relations. n

Cruz

FOUR Philippine universities made it to the top 1,000 of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2020 published on Wednesday, June 19.

The University of the Philippines (UP) gained 28 notches, placing 356th from 384th last year. The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) climbed to 601650th spot from 651-700th last year, while De La Salle University (DLSU) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) joined them in the top 1,000, both retaining the 801-1000th spot they occupied last year.

QS ranks top universities in the world using the following criteria: academic reputation (40 percent); employer reputation (10 percent); faculty/student ratio (20 percent); citations per faculty (20 percent); international faculty ratio (5 percent); and international student ratio (5 percent).

UP got an overall score of 30.7, with 34.2 for academic reputation, 39.5 for employer reputation, 62 for faculty/student ratio, 2.1 for citations per faculty, 1.8 for international faculty ratio, and 1.5 for international student ratio.

Five American universities dominated the Top 10 with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, and University of Chicago occupying 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th

and 10th spots, respectively.

The United Kingdom’s University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, and Imperial College London placed 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively. Rounding out the top 10 was Switzerland’s ETH Zurich-Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in 6th.

In QS’ Asian University Rankings, UP placed 72nd with a score of 54.7, ADMU placed 115th with 42.1, DLSU occupied the 155th spot with 34.6, and UST placed 162nd with a score of 33.6.

Asia’s Top Universities were led by Singapore’s National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, in 1st and 3rd; Hong Kong’s University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2nd, 7th and 9th, respectively; China’s Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University in 3rd, 5th and 6th, respectively; and South Korea’s Seoul National University in 10th spot. n

A8 JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Preparing for another Ondoy

FEATURES

TEN years ago, Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped a month’s average volume of rainfall in just six hours in many areas of Luzon. During that brief period, people, cars and shanties were carried away by rampaging floodwaters in Metro Manila. Residents scrambled to their rooftops as floods rose at incredible speed, inundating homes, shutting down roads and isolating many areas.

A week later, families were still mourning the hundreds who died and the floods had not yet subsided in many communities when Typhoon Pepeng ravaged the same areas, aggravating the suffering of those affected by Ondoy. After several weeks, the floods still had not completely subsided in certain communities such as those around Laguna de Bay, where residents also had to contend with an outbreak of leptospirosis.

Weather experts attributed the heavy rainfall to an El Niño phenomenon in that year. Meteorologists explain that the unusually warm ocean temperature in this part of the planet during an El Niño triggers strong evaporation and condensa-

tion, producing heavy rainfall during the wet season. The weather experts have alerted the public to prepare for the possibility of Ondoy-like storms this year following the drought that has dried up farmlands and led to water rationing even in Metro Manila.

The death and destruction from Ondoy and Pepeng led to the enactment of Republic Act 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. RA 10121 provides a framework for dealing with natural calamities. The law must be revisited to ensure that all sectors are sufficiently prepared for another Ondoy. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump declares he will deport millions in the next few weeks: Know your rights if this happens to you

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP surprised even his own officials when he announced via Twitter on June 17 that his administration will deport “millions of illegal aliens” in the next weeks, less than 24 hours before his rally in Florida to “kickoff his 2020 reelection campaign.”

Of course, we all know Trump has already started campaigning and fundraising as soon as he was sworn in to office, having already held 60 campaign rallies in the past two years.

Jealous of the media spotlight on Democratic candidates, he staged his Florida rally on June 18 to steal back the spotlight on him, using his tried and tested issue to fire up his base — fan the flame of hate against undocumented immigrants, plus the media and his political opponents.

BUT Trump’s announced mass arrest of millions of undocumented immigrants, which blindsided even those who would carry this out, would be impossible to be executed as Trump promised his supporters.

According to the New York

Times, what ICE agents have signaled for weeks was that the agency would conduct raids targeting thousands of migrant families in homes and communities, something one of the Homeland Security officials confirmed on Tuesday, June 18 was expected in the coming weeks.

The target would be people who did not show up in their deportation hearings. Again, this would be thousands, and not millions, that Trump promised to fire up his base.

The Times further reported that “ICE has requested that agents in Homeland Security Investigations — the branch of the agency that conducts longterm investigations into human trafficking and drug smuggling — assist Enforcement and Removal Operations, which deports undocumented immigrants, according to the two homeland security officials. They said the nationwide rea llocation of resources was rare and a sign that ICE would soon conduct mass arrests.But agents were not clear what specifically Mr. Trump was referring to in his tweet on Monday.”

Atty. Lou Tancinco, legal counsel of The Filipino Channel’s

daily newscast “Balitang America,” reminds all immigrants who may be subjected to Trump’s announced mass arrest.

Tancinco wrote that the Immigration Legal Resource Center based in San Francisco CA released the Know Your Rights below which may be asserted if the inescapable ICE visit or arrest takes place.

This will help you all — whether you are an undocumented immigrant, or someone with work permit and other legal papers, green card, or a naturalized citizen targeted because of the color of your skin.

1. You have the right to remain silent.

You can assert your fifth amendment right. You can refuse to speak to an ICE agent. Do not answer any questions, especially about your birth place, immigration status or how you entered the United States. Say that you want to remain silent until you speak with a lawyer.

2. You have the right to demand a warrant before letting anyone into your home.

The ICE agent may not enter your home without a warrant.

You do not have to give permission for him to enter. It is okay

not to open your door unless the agent shows you the warrant. If the warrant is presented to you, ask the agent to slip it under the door or through the window.

Make sure it is signed by a judge with your correct name, address and date of birth.

3. You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call. It is important to have your attorney’s phone number handy. You will be entitled to make a phone call. If you do not know your attorney’s number, call a trusted friend or relative to coordinate with your attorney.

4. You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.

There will be some documents that will be presented to you for signing after you are apprehended and taken into custody.. Do not sign anything. If you sign without understanding the nature of the document, it is possible that you are signing a waiver of your rights to a lawyer or to a hearing. And if you waive these rights, it may result in your immediate removal without a hearing.

5. You have the right to refuse to show any documents before speaking with a lawyer.

President Donald Trump

When you are visited by an ICE agent, you do not have to give permission to search any of your belongings unless there is a warrant. You can ask to speak with a lawyer before you submit any documentation.

Each case of an unauthorized individual is distinct and all nonU.S. citizens must be vigilant about their rights. Considering the threat of a mass apprehension, it is worth exploring legal

White House photo

options with a trusted professional immigration attorney and from there decide on an appropriate course of action to obviate any fear of possible removal. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

China invades the Philippines

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA THE sinking of a Filipino fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea by a Chinese vessel has created a sticky public relations situation for the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The usual extremists have added fuel to an already incendiary situation. Duterte critics, who believe that he has become too subservient to the Chinese, have pointed to the incident as one more proof that Duterte has been bahag ang buntot, when it comes to Chinese bullying. The term literally means a dog with its tail between its legs, implying cowardice.

On the other hand, Duterte defenders have characterized the criticism against Duterte as a demand for a declaration of war against China, which they describe as suicidal. It is said that the DDS (die-hard Duterte supporters) are purposely raising the “war” scare to silence those who are legitimately and logically demanding an explanation of the incident by China.

In fact, Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo has demanded such an explanation from the Chinese and Defense Secretary

Delfin Lorenzana has sharply criticized the fact that the crew of the Chinese boat did not assist the Filipino fishermen in the sinking vessel. Neither one is declaring war.

What bothers sensible observers is the way the Duterte government has handled – or mishandled – relations with China. For someone who threatened all kinds of sanctions against Canada for shipping garbage to the Philippines, Duterte has been unusually tongue-tied in the case of the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat. He has left it to Panelo and Lorenzana to protest the incident. And when the Chinese tried passing the blame on to “7 or 8 Filipino fishing boats” that ostensibly “besieged” the Chinese boat, causing it to hit the Filipino boat, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. engaged in clumsy diplomatese.

Said Locsin: “Interesting.

That’s China’s take and it is a free world; it can say anything it wants. We say what we want because it is a free world for us too; but in our case we speak from the law of the sea. But still everyone’s free.”

Locsin should just have kept his foot out of his mouth.

What I think is happening is that China’s increasing assertiveness in the contested sea lanes has emboldened Chinese

fishing boats to virtually throw their weight around in the fishing grounds and the Chinese government has abetted it.

The situation could become more and more incendiary. We can only pray that it doesn’t explode and get out of control.

The situation prompted me to dig up my old files for reference.

And I found a piece that I wrote in May 2012 about a bad dream that I had: “I dreamed that the Chinese invaded the Philippines after the confrontation at West Philippine Sea finally exploded into an allout war…The AFP was no match to the vastly superior Chinese forces. Although our soldiers fought gallantly, the war was over in a few days. The entire country found itself completely under Chinese control…

“I dreamed that, while the U.S. had committed to come to the defense of the Philippines in case of an enemy attack, America was too engrossed with the forthcoming presidential elections, it hardly had any time to respond. That was the official line conveyed by the White House. On Wall Street, however, knowledgeable quarters said that America could not afford to intervene, for fear of a massive withdrawal of Chinese investments in the U.S., which would cause the American economy to

collapse.

“I dreamed that the process of transforming the Philippines into a Chinese province was immediately ordered by Beijing.

The largest businesses in the country were taken over by the Chinese. In fact, the name of the biggest chain of shopping malls was changed to SM Sio Mai. Another chain was renamed Lo Bin Soon.

“Ownership of the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, was wrested by Chinese taipans.

The same taipans also took over the largest banks and manufacturing firms in the country, thus completing Chinese dominance of Philippine trade, commerce and industry, as well as the financial sector.

“In the provinces, farming, rice milling, fishing and other means of livelihood were taken over by the Chinese, with Filipinos merely providing the labor.

Even the sari-sari stores were mostly Chinese-owned...

“Manila, the country’s premier city, immediately fell into Chinese hands with a mayor named Lim occupying City Hall.

But what completed the control of the country was the takeover of Malacañang by a new president named Co Hwang Coh.” I wrote that piece over seven years ago. I am beginning to realize that, except for the corny

puns and the absence of fireworks, much of what I thought was a bad dream has actually come true. For one thing, the Philippine economy is dominated by the Chinese.

Of course, the taipans are Filipinos of Chinese ethnicity.

But with China flexing its financial muscle, what could happen is that they will eventually be displaced by mainland Chinese taipans. This may already be happening in countries that have incurred huge loans from China and have had to give up control of facilities, such as ports and infrastructure, due to their inability to pay.

Lest I be misunderstood, we should not begrudge the Chinese for their business success. They are entrepreneurs and they have the work ethic, the vision and the daring to match their entrepreneurship. It has also been said that while Filipino parents send their children to the best schools so that they can land good jobs, Chinese parents do the same, so that their children can set up their own businesses.

In fact, I wrote one column entitled, “Learning from the Chinese,” suggesting that Pinoys should shed the “employee mentality” and strive to be employers.

But our relations with China appears to be deteriorating,

with the Philippines getting the short end of the situation.

For instance, Duterte has also allowed a “flood” of Chinese workers to enter the country, many of them without work permits. Duterte’s logic defies, well, logic. According to him, he does not want to go after the illegal Chinese workers because the Chinese government might retaliate by going after illegal Filipino workers in China.

To rub salt on the sore, Chinese construction workers assigned to the “build, build, build” program of the Duterte government are reportedly paid much, much more than Filipinos. A blog by “Sa Bayan ni Juan”, reports that “Chinese construction workers currently working in the Philippines are earning as much as P3,000 per day or P90,000 per month.” In contrast, Filipino workers only earn of P400-600 per day. And the Chinese workers are also provided housing.

With no attempt to hide its sarcasm, Forbes ran an article

by Panos Mourdoukoutas with the headline, “Duterte open up the Philippines to Chinese workers as Filipino seek jobs overseas.”

My bad dream may be turning into a nightmare. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

11 Filipinos seafarers arrive in Manila after tanker attack ELEVEN Filipino seafarers have arrived in Manila after their ship and another vessel were damaged during suspected attacks off the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf last week blamed by the United States on Iran.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the 11 Filipino seafarers of MT Front Altair arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday, June 19.

The oil tanker Front Altair is one of two vessels damaged during attacks off the Strait of Hor-

muz last June 13.

The Norwegian-owned Front Altair and the Japanese-owned chemical tanker Kokuka Courageous were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Shipping news site Tradewinds said Front Altair, a tanker operated by Norwegian shipping company Frontline, was hit by a torpedo.

Japan’s ministry of economy and trade said the attacked tankers carried “Japan-related cargo.”

The US blamed Iran, based in part on intelligence, for the suspected attacks on the two vessels near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Washington denounced the attacks and called it a campaign of escalating tensions in a region crucial to global energy supplies.

Iran called the accusations baseless.

European foreign ministers urged restraint in directing blame over the alleged attack on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

(Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)

Duterte calls on Reds to surrender

by Ralph

VillanueVa ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has again urged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to surrender, this time asking them to “choose a better fight in life.”

Duterte, in a speech during his visit to the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army on Wednesday night, said that instead of fighting the government, the rebels can work for the benefit of fellow Filipinos.

“I cannot understand what mind you are using. You do not need to be a high school graduate. If you think it is wrong… I mean, choose a better fight in life, that will be better for your children, your fellowmen and your government,” he added.

The communist rebels have kept on waging war against the government, Duterte noted.

This, the president said, will not work in favor of the rebels because government forces will be too much for them.

“How many are you? And you choose to fight. You are all brave because you all have guns. Those in the farms are afraid of you…

You crazy people, you go on and on, can you finish off my soldiers?

Will my ammunition run out? My airplanes?” Duterte added.

“I do not know where you put your brains. Why not surrender?” he said.

According to the president, he sees the communist insurgency in Region 8 ending soon.

Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) is composed of six provinces: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte.

“With such valiant troops in the service of flag and country, I am confident that we can end

New People’s Army fighters are seen during the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 50th anniversary.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

the communist-terrorist scourge here in Region 8 sooner rather than later,” the president said in a speech before soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division.

“This is why I encourage the remaining rebels to repudiate your outdated ideology, abandon your extremist activities and return to the fold of the law.”

Duterte once again offered better opportunities and lives to the rebels who will surrender to the government.

He said the rebel surrenderers may go into tuna canning and will receive wages from the government.

“I have a program. I will build you houses. I will give you jobs.

In the meantime, the problem is you are not here. I want…farms for you stupid people,” Duterte added.

“I will give you jobs. And you can fish all around. There is enough marine life to sustain not only the inhabitants of these islands, but perhaps the whole of the Visayas and the country,” he said.

Leaders of the CPP, according to Duterte, are all ailing and could not even hold a village for 24 hours.

He terminated peace talks be-

tween the government and the communist group in November 2017 amid the NPA’s continued attacks on state troops.

The president then declared the CPP as a terror organization and ordered the arrest of its officials.

Last year, he issued Memorandum Order 32, which reinforced the guidelines of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police on implementing measures to suppress and prevent lawless violence; and Executive Order 70 directing the creation of a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, as well as the adoption of a national peace framework that will contain policies addressing root causes of insurgencies.

The government is pushing “localized” peace talks, which CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison slammed.

Earlier this year, Duterte declared the “permanent” shutdown of the peace negotiations with the rebels.

After roughly a month, he flipflopped and said he was looking for another way to resume the peace talks and creating a new panel to do so. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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A10 June 22-25, 2019 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Comelec to resume voter registration in August by sheiLa

Crisostomo Philstar.com

LIMITED SUPPLY. Residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces should prepare for water service disruptions lasting from 8 to 12 hours after regulators cut allowed releases from Angat Dam. The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has decided to again reduce the allocation to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), which divides this between Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc., to 40 cubic meters per second (cms) from 46 cms.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Maynilad, Manila Water warned

by Jordeene Lagare

Ty said the agency shall recommend the imposition of “appropriate penalties.”

The MWSS-RO will take into consideration any period of actual water service interruption that occurred outside the schedule announced by Manila Water and Maynilad since customers were not properly informed.

“While the two concessionaires may not be blamed for the current water supply situation since the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) reduced their allocation from Angat Dam, the water service interruption schedules are well within their control, and for which they may be held accountable,” Ty said.

Manila Water, which has yet to fully restore its services following supply lack in March,

was slapped with a P1.13-billion fine in April for its failure to meet its service obligation of THE Metropolitan Waterworks round-the-clock supply to all its and Sewerage System-Regulacustomers. tory Office (MWSS-RO) warned The NWRB reduced water alwater concessionaires Manila location from Angat Dam, which Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Wasupplies the water needs of Metter Services Inc. that they may be ro Manila, from 46 cubic meters sanctioned for their failure to folper second (cms) to 40 cms. low the scheduled water service Ty said the agency issued a interruptions. “stern warning” to the two water “The MWSS-RO has deterfirms in relation to the schedule mined that the two concessionof water service interruptions aires have failed to observe the posted by both companies. water service interruption schedThe two firms have started imules that they announced. Under plementing service disruptions in the Concession Agreement, MaMetro Manila as well as parts of nila Water and Maynilad are reRizal and Cavite provinces after quired to notify their customers regulators reduced water supply of any planned water service infrom Angat Dam. terruptions,” MWSS chief reguService disruptions in the melator Patrick Lester Ty said. tropolis and nearby provinces lasting for 7 to 14 hours were implemented during nighttime or off-peak hours.

Both Maynilad and Manila Water had said their customers would continue to experience little to no water supply until their allocation from Angat Dam is increased.

As of Thursday, Angat’s water level was 160.73 meters, a mere 0.57-meter away from its critical level of 160 meters.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hydrologist (From left) Patrick Lester Ty, chief regulator of MWSS Regulatory Office, Randy Estrellado, Richard Orendain expects the COO of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Ferdinand Dela Cruz, President and CEO Manila Water dam to reach its critical level Company.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada mark in two days. n ManilaTimes.net

MANILA— The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to resume in August voter registration for the May 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the resumption of the continuing voter registration would run only for two months, or from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, inclusive of Saturdays and holidays.

“Approximately two million new voters are expected to register during this period,” he said.

Current SK voters, he added, need not register anew as a barangay voter as “their names will automatically be transferred from the SK List of Voters to the

regular List of Voters” when they turn 18.

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has proposed an alternative automated election system that will include a ballot confirmation process to address transparency issues in vote counting machines.

DICT acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. led the demonstration of the alternative system as he proposed a return to the pre-automated elections setup wherein vote counting happens only after the end of poll hours.

Instead of the voters, Rio said it would be the election officers who would feed the ballots into vote tallying machines. During the counting, images of the actual ballots will be projected along

with data on how the machine read it, enabling poll watchers to verify if the votes were properly counted.

This way, he added, poll hours might be shortened as no machine-related issues would happen during the actual voting. To further cut on time, the clustered precincts may also be divided to shorten lines at polling places.

The ballots will then be collected and brought to designated vote tallying machines after the end of poll hours.

No changes were proposed in the transmission and canvassing of votes.

“Our proposal is anchored on making the elections more credible and transparent,” said Rio, citing transparency issues in the current system. n

Atio’s parents to pursue case vs university, 30 others

by Jose

rodeL CLapano Philstar.com

MANILA — Despite threats and harassment, the parents of hazing victim Horacio “Atio” Castillo III have vowed to pursue criminal and civil cases against 30 more personalities involved in the incident as well as the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

“We are committed to finish this case. It’s not only for our son, this is for our youth,” Atio’s father Horacio Castillo Jr. said in an interview with “The Chiefs” aired on Cignal TV’s One News Monday night, June 17.

“Later on, this will become the basis. I see two-year-olds, threeyear-olds running around and sometimes it hits you, maybe when they’re in school, maybe there would be no hazing,” he added.

Castillo said the recent conviction of fraternity member John Paul Solano for obstruction of justice strengthens their case against the 10 other Aegis Juris members who are charged with violation of the anti-hazing law.

“It confirms the cover-up,” he said.

Castillo said they are convinced that UST should also be held accountable for the death of their son.

“We believe that the school is

also liable. And when we speak about the school, it involves UST, its faculty members. UST has not been charged yet. Maybe, we wanted a perfect timing. Now is the time. We will file criminal and civil cases,” Horacio said.

Castillo said the 30 other individuals, composed of officers and members of the Aegis Juris fraternity, had direct and indirect participation in the fatal hazing of his son.

He said they were among those who also participated in the planning and execution of the hazing of Castillo as discovered in their chats and text messages.

The Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 14 on Monday handed out the first conviction related to the 2017 hazing incident after it found Solano guilty of obstruction of justice.

Solano was sentenced to up to four years in prison for making false statements about the incident.

The frat man initially claimed he brought the unconscious Atio to the Chinese General Hospital after finding him on a roadside in Tondo, Manila.

Later investigation showed he was trying to revive the victim who had collapsed during initiation rites of the fraternity.

During The Chiefs interview,

the Castillo couple claimed they are getting threats through phone calls.

“The two of us, Minnie and I, were followed around. We were stalked by suspicious people. It gets back every day. We also get harassment. There are threats, phone calls,” Horacio said.

Castillo said the harassment and threats they are getting are the usual calls from people making bad remarks.

“The usual. Somebody would call and make bad remarks.

We feel it’s the same (threat to do us harm.) because it usually happens before there is a hearing. Before there is a decision… like the Solano case. There was a barrage of phone calls before today. To tell you frankly and honestly, we got used to threats already,” Horacio said.

Minnie said she was advised by friends to change her number to avoid the threats.

“A lot of people are saying change your phone already. No, let them go on with their harassment,” Minnie said.

The couple said they are committed to finishing the cases.

“We are committed to finish this case. Not only for our son, maybe this is for our youth. Because later on this will become the basis... let’s start it in school, no more bullying,” Horacio said. n

Cayetano: P200-M dangled in speakership race by gLee JaLea ManilaTimes.net

TAGUIG-Pateros representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano has claimed that the offer for a vote for speaker had gone up to P200 million as the speakership race heats up at the House of Representatives.

“Actually now…may kumausap sa akin, may nag-ooffer ng P200 million per congressman na project sa party-list (Actually now, someone told me, somebody in the House is offering P200 million per congressman for a project in their party-list),” Cayetano told reporters on Tuesday, June 20, on the sidelines of a forum in Clark, Pampanga which he hosted for other lawmakers on the administration’s Build, Build, Build initiatives.

“I am not saying that anyone is guilty…masamang issue itong vote-buying kasi how can we reform the country if we cannot

reform ourselves? At kawawa naman yung mga pumirma. The reality is may namimigay ng pera sa Congress. At hindi lang bigay ng pera, may kasamang papel na [pirmahan dapat ito]. That has to be resolved (I am not saying that anyone is guilty, vote-buying is a bad issue because how can we reform the country if we cannot reform ourselves? I pity those who signed.

The reality is, somebody is giving money in Congress. And it’s not just giving out money. It comes with a paper that has to be signed by the recipient. That has to be resolved),” he said.

Cayetano is one of four contenders for speaker. The others are Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales.

It was Alvarez who first bared that at least two candidates have offered P500,000 to P1 million

Taguig-Pateros representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano ManilaTimes.net photo

for a vote.

Days later, Gonzales said the offer went up to P7 million.

Velasco had denied any involvement in attempts to buy votes, while Romualdez kept mum on the matter.

House members including Majority Leader Fredenil Castro and Minority Leader Danilo Suarez previously maintained that no one would be swayed to sell their votes because “congressmen are not cheap.” n

9 nations adopt declaration on health care protection

by Jaime Laude Philstar.com

MANILA — Sixty-five participants in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s nine-country regional meeting held recently in Makati City have adopted a declaration on protecting health care in conflict zones in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Representatives of health ministries, medical associations, academia, military and aid organizations from nine countries have committed to work on ensuring that health care is safe from disruption and violence in the AsiaPacific region, affirming there is an urgent need to strengthen the preparedness of healthcare systems in this regard,” the ICRC said in a statement.

All 65 participants from nine countries – Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines – reaffirmed their collective responsibility in the “Manila Declaration on the Protection of Health Care” to enhance the protection of healthcare services from various forms of violence.

While the process needs to be led by states, the ICRC stressed that there are many opportunities for other stakeholders to contribute to the effort.

“Every day, medical personnel, nurses and health responders are confronted with situations of violence and other actions that disrupt the provision of health care

to those who need it the most,” Maciej Polkowski, head of the Health Care in Danger (HCiD) initiative of the ICRC, said.

“This can range from deliberate attacks in cases of conflict to violent verbal abuse from a patient. These regional meetings concentrate on the ground realities in Asia-Pacific and are aimed at moving towards improved protection of health care in a very concrete, defined and, hopefully, inspiring manner.”

The HCiD initiative was launched globally in 2011 by the ICRC and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve the protection of health care. It is a multifaceted initiative that encompasses partnerships, advocacy and an operational approach.

During the meeting, the participants discussed and shared concrete experiences in the task of making healthcare services accessible, safe and free from violence.

By adopting the Manila Declaration on the Protection of Health Care, all are in agreement that weapon bearers must strengthen their respect for safe and secure delivery of health care through practical measures such as training manuals and standard operating procedures.

The measure also calls for authorities to undertake appropriate measures to train and educate civil servants, healthcare workers and the public on domestic laws protecting health

care.

The Manila Declaration also agreed that there is a need to strengthen the resilience and preparedness of healthcare systems to face attacks, with focus on the physical security of facilities, training of staff to prevent and manage violence and to strengthen coordination mechanisms.

For the meeting’s host country, the Philippines, the protection of health care is highly relevant in the southern island of Mindanao due to decades of internal armed conflicts that presented various challenges for health professionals.

“We have to be concerned with the safety and protection of healthcare workers deployed in areas affected by conflict as these are the places we also cater to,” Rolanisah DipatuanDimaporo, chief of staff in the ministry of health of the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said.

“But we also realized during the meeting that health staff in contexts other than conflict are exposed to different risks,” Dimaporo added.

Moving forward, participants of the Asia-Pacific meeting agreed that by supporting the declaration, they commit to consolidate the good intentions and ideas into action by discussing and incorporating HCiD initiatives in their respective agencies’ strategic planning. n

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A12 June 22-25, 2019 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JOuRnAL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

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Journal Dimples braced for worst when she became ‘Daniela’ by

Armin P. AdinA Inquirer.net

Eddie Garcia

Photo by Artu Nepomuceno

Filipino acting veteran Eddie Garcia passes away at 90 by

ritchel mendiolA AJPress

AWARD-WINNING veteran actor Eddie Garcia passed away at the age of 90 on Thursday afternoon, June 20, according to a medical bulletin issued by the Makati Medical Center.

Garcia had been in critical condition due to a severe cervical fracture after he tripped on a cable wire while taping for “Rosang Agimat,” his upcoming TV series on for GMA Network last June 8. The fracture left him in a comatose state and he was placed on “do-not-resuscitate” status by his family on June 15.

In the Makati Medical Center’s statement after Garcia passed at 4:55 p.m. on Thursday, it said it is joining “the entire Filipino community in praying for the soul of Mr. Garcia and his dearly beloved family and friends. We extend our deepest condolences to the Garcia family.”

Garcia, who started his showbiz career 70 years ago, built an impressive oeuvre containing over 600 films to his name.

Known for his versatility and work ethic, Garcia had become an institution in Philippine entertainment as a multi-awarded actor and director.

Throughout his career, Garcia amassed several awards for his performances in films and TV shows. Just a few days before his death, he was awarded the Gawad Urian for best actor for his role as a retired Metrocom colonel with a slight dementia in the 2018 Cinemalaya movie “ML.” Garcia was the only artist inducted in three categories in the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) Hall of Fame: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director.

Before becoming an actor, he served as a military policeman in Okinawa, Japan after World War II. He was also part of the occupation troops of the Philippine Scouts with the U.S. Army for three years.

Paying tribute The partylist coalition in the Philippine House of Represen-

tatives said it would nominate Garcia for a posthumous honor as a National Artist.

“As a group, the partylist coalition will nominate Eddie Garcia for the posthumous conferment of the National Artists award.

The man and his legacy stand for what is beautiful and true about Philippine Art, specifically in Film and Television,” Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, secretary general of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc (PCFI) said in a statement.

Celebrities and politicians also took to social media to share their grief and pay tribute to the veteran actor.

“It is a sad and heartbreaking day as we lose a legend in our industry — who was so loved by many,” tweeted actress Anne Curtis. “Rest in peace, Tito Eddie.

My prayers are with his family.”

Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Anne’s sister, posted on Twitter, as well, saying “the rain is pouring so hard… I feel like the afternoon is crying its heart out because PAGE B2

WHEN actress Dimples Romana decided to accept her now iconic role as Daniela on the hit ABS-CBN afternoon teleserye “Kadenang Ginto,” she had already prepared herself for the worst audience feedback.

“Because I’m a ‘kontrabida’ here, I was expecting to be bashed, to be called all those mean things,” Romana told the Inquirer when she launched Pine-Sol’s latest promotion “My Clean Moves” at Artesania in Makati City recently.

However, she got the surprise of her life when she instead saw funny memes and edited clips of her character online. Some, she said, even copied Daniela’s hairstyle.

“As an actor, this is a dream role, to portray somebody that affects the audience and have

Dimples Romina

ABS-CBN photo

your craft transcend through But she clarified that the the television,” Romana shared. people still hate what Daniela “They are embracing it, just the does, and the audience have passame way that I am embracing sionately expressed this. my character as Daniela,” she “They love to hate on her,” PAGE B2 added.

Sam gets engaged to PBA player boyfriend by deni rose m. AfinidAd-BernArdo Philstar.com

AFTER only months of dating, actress Sam Pinto and basketball player Anthony Semerad have announced their engagement on Instagram.

“True love is about growing as a couple, learning about each other, and never giving up on each other,” Semerad said in an Instagram post on Thursday, June 20.

“I am all yours. No refunds,” Sam also posted on Thursday.

Their posts came with ring, heart and lock emojis.

The couple’s celebrity friends Sam Pinto (right) with Anthony Semerad Photo from Instagram/@anthonysemerad showered love and support for

the two.

“Wait, whaaaat?!? Woohoo!!

Congratulations guys!! So so happy for you both!” said modelTV host Marc Nelson.

“Yeehee!! This is it pancit!!!” added actress Gwen Zamora.

“Yeeeeeee! CONGRATS Sam!” exclaimed TV host Rovilson Fernandez.

“OMGG siss,” said celebrity makeup artist Jake Galvez.

“Congrats… Forever!” said Anthony’s twin, David.

Since David is also now engaged with Gwen, actress Ruffa Gutierrez commented: “Double wedding.”

Sam and Anthony reportedly PAGE B2

B JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

EntErtainmEnt

Why Ali keeps on blooming by

teSSa Mauricio-arrioLa ManilaTimes.net

SHE may be in her 50s but singer/actress-turned-news personality Ali Sotto seems to be blooming more than ever these days.

And it’s not just her gorgeous bob, glowing skin and slimmer physique that are doing the trick. Nor is it her ever positive aura, best expressed in her now famous extro for her DZBB radio and GMA News TV program with Arnold Clavio, “Dobol A sa Dobol B, which goes, “Pag may pinagdaanan, daanan n’yo lang, huwag tambayan.” According to Ali, it’s more because she’s finally where she wants to be.

Girlishly asked by The T-Zone for her latest beauty secret, Ali graciously received the compliment and related it’s all coming from the inside.

“It’s a little-known fact that when I was 17 or 18, I auditioned as a newscaster tapos ang sabi sa akin, ‘Don’t call us, we’ll call you,’ and they never did.

“So bata pa lang ako gusto ko na mag-trabaho sa News and Public Affairs. Nalihis lang ako sa singing so I became a recording artist. Tapos naging artista ako sa film and TV, naging impersonator ako ni Imelda (Marcos), at naging host ng mga talk shows bago ako nalinya sa mga public affairs shows. And it took several decades before I finally ended up in News and Public Affairs.”

A Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas with two years of post-

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Julie Anne: ‘I’m not just sexier; I’m fiercer’

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

Ali Sotto

graduate studies at the Ateneo College of Law under her belt, Ali calls her continuing stint in Dobol A sa Dobol B “a dream come true.” For finally her goal to deliver the news and provide intelligent commentary, albeit in her unorthodox yet highly effective way has become a successful reality.

“You know how we sing our commentary on Dobol B — kami nila Igan and Joel (Reyes Zobel), and I’ve always had this fear that doing ‘Jengjeng’ and ‘BalitAwit’ might take away from the seriousness of what we do and the journalistic skills, effort and thought that goes into every song, every day. Hindi siya madaling gawin ha, but I’ve always thought, what if the listeners and eventually the viewers of GMA News TV don’t take it seriously?”

Half way through the year,

GMA photo

Ali has allayed such fears given a spate of awards that have validated her work as a newsman and broadcaster, among them the Rotary Club of Manila’s Radio Female Broadcaster of the Year, the Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award from FAMAS, and Best Radio Program Host from the Gandingan Awards.

“It’s so validating na finally nakikita naman pala ‘yung trabaho na pinupuhunan mo kada umaga, bago ka sumalang sa radyo at telebisyon,” she averred. “I guess life has a funny way of putting you where God wants you to be so lahat naman ng taon ko that I spent in entertainment, gamit ko pa rin ngayon, and like I said, it’s really a dream come true.”

To you Ali Sotto, multi-awarded broadcaster, we congratulate you and bid you to keep on blooming!

Donny: DonKiss ‘breakup’ not yet final

by Jan

MiLo Severo Philstar.com

DONNY Pangilinan was taken aback by his onscreen partner Kisses Delavin’s recent statement declaring that their love team “has long been over.”

In his Instagram account, Donny posted on his Instagram story that he believes that their onscreen partnership, fondly called DonKiss, was still under review.

“I’ll be honest, it was a surprise. To my understanding, the partnership was still under review because of different expectations, with no final decision yet,” Donny wrote.

Donny Pangilinan and Kisses Delavin PAGE B3

THE buzz around multi-talented singer-actress Julie Anne San Jose is that she’s getting sexier and hotter by the day. Her social media posts in fact show just how the once extremely shy girl has transformed into a daring and desirable woman. If before, she would blush when asked to show some skin, she’s singing a different tune in the image department now. A daring outfit, a two-piece pictorial by the beach?

Julie Anne says go!

A nother side to the stor y, however, is fueled by suspicions her sudden transformation is actually intentional in order to spite ex-boyfriend Benjamin Alves. Rumor has it this is Julie Ann’s way of letting Ben know what he’s missing.

Asked about the issue, Julie Anne was emphatic in disproving the gossip, pointing out she had been posting sexy photos of herself even when she was still in a relationship with the Kapuso actor.

Showbuzz can attest to this too.

“There is no conscious effort to be more daring despite what others are saying,” she insisted.

“It just so happens that I now love these styles of the clothes.‘Yung pagiging daring, I think I think I’ve just come to the point where I want to show I’m proud of the result of long workouts in the gym and my diet and that I love myself.

“Am I sexier? No, but I’m fiercer,” Julie Anne declared.

Busy prepa r i ng for “ T he Sweetheart and The Balladeer,” a concert with Christian Bau-

Julie Anne San Jose

tista in Cagayan De Oro City on July 6, the singer confirmed she will wear a sexy wardrobe she chose herself for her production numbers.

“As I’ve said, this is part of my being fierce now. I’d like to inspire people to look good and feel good, especially women.

You can look sexy without being vulgar. A girl’s appeal does not depend on what she wears or how much she bares but on how she carries her clothes and how she projects herself. What one wears is never the totality of a person,” says the multi-talented singer-actress.

Asked whether she’s ready

Photo from Instagram/@myjaps

for another relationship, Julie Anne told Showbuzz, “No, not this time.”

“I don’t even see myself entertaining suitors or going on a date. I’ve decided I want to spend more time with my family, prioritize my career and enjoy being young. The right relationship will come at the right time so pass muna ako sa love,” she ended.

Catch Julie Anne in Cagayan de Oro with Christian next month and of course on her regular shows on GMA Network: “Studio 7” on Saturday nights and “Sunday Pinasaya” the following day.

Ai-Ai confirms doing MMFF movie with Coco ricky Lo Philstar.com

by

Inquirer.net photo

THE last time A i-A i delas Alas had a movie at the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) was four years ago, in My Bebe Love (with Vic Sotto, and Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza who were “introduced” as AlDub). Seven years before that, Ai-Ai starred in Sisterakas (with Vice Ganda, et al), a 2012 MMFF blockbuster (top grosser).

In this December’s MMFF, Ai-Ai will be in the running in a yet untitled movie with Coco Martin (also the producer, his Ai-Ai delas Alas PAGE B4

GMA photo

Filipino acting veteran...

PAGE B1 of a great loss in the entertainment industry, Tito Eddie Garcia.

You are an amazing person and actor.”

“You will be missed and forever remembered. I pray you find peace and rest in the arms of our Lord. You are in a better place, Sir,” Jodi Sta. Maria said on Twitter.

Showbiz reporter Gretchen Ho, meanwhile, said: “Thank you for the inspiration of a life & career well-lived. 90 years. One of the legends of Philippine TV & Cinema. Rest in peace, Eddie Garcia.”

Vice Ganda, who worked with Garcia in the film “Praybeyt Ben-

jamin” tweeted that “it was an honor to meet you and to have the experience to work with you, Tito Eddie Garcia. Maraming maraming salamat po sa karanasan, inspirasyon at kabutihan (Thank you so much for the experience, inspiration and kindness). Mahal ka ng apo mong si Praybeyt Benjamin (You are loved by your grandson).”

“It was an honor to have worked with you, sir. Rest in power, Manoy. We will miss you,” said filmmaker Dan Villegas, who directed Hintayin ng Langit (Heaven is Waiting), which was made into a film starring Garcia and Gina Pareño and was recently released on Netflix

days before Garcia died.

Outgoing Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also tweeted, saying “Sad to hear of the passing of Tito Eddie Garcia. An institution in the Philippine Film Industry. A fine gentleman. One of the nicest persons in show business I have met.”

Garcia is survived by his son Henry, his family, and long-time partner Lilibeth Romero.

His wish to be cremated had been fulfilled by his family Thursday night, a few hours after his death.

His wake was opened to the public on Friday until Sunday at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.

Dimples braced for worst...

PAGE B1 Romana said.

For her, Daniela is a “very cerebral, very complex” character that has given her “a whole different perspective in life, to be open to all sorts of opinion.”

Romana explained: “Daniela’s love for her family is so big, it’s what drives her. She doesn’t care who she steps on as long as she provides everything for her family.”

She believes this is the main reason why Daniela became relatable to the audience, and that watching her empowers them. “[Daniela] is never one to keep her opinion to herself, and a lot of us are that way. They want to have a voice, and Daniela has that voice. Every time I come into Daniela, I feel more assertive. But in real life, I just keep to myself. But sometimes we

cannot just keep quiet, that’s why I live for this character,” Romana said.

Portraying Daniella, though, has taken its toll on Romana. To destress after a grueling taping day, the actress opts to tidy up her home.

“For me it’s very therapeutic.

You’re in your own world, you release all your tension, your worries. You get preoccupied and you forget all your worries in life,” she explained.

She said she learned it from her own mother, and has passed it on to her kids, too.

“I was raised old school, so I’m old school too. My youngest, Alonzo, picks up his toys. My eldest, Callie, already knows how to clean her own room, and the bathroom,” Romana shared.

She said she is hands-on at home and as a mother, and her

children do not have nannies following them around. They only have one household helper to assist her in some chores.

Romana said she was able to make her children help out in the chores by making it fun, incorporating singing and dancing to the tasks. She even made her kids watch “Cinderella” because “she always cleans the house.”

She said she does this because making them do chores will teach them “discipline, responsibility, and compassion.”

The actress shares this, and other advice in her book “Dimps’ Tips” available in bookstores and online shops.

Dimples is also currently busy shooting for a film helmed by Mikhail Red, who also directed “Eerie,” for Block Z. She portrays the role of a “zombie slayer” in the flick under Star Cinema.

Sam gets engaged to...

PAGE B1 began publicizing their relationship late last year.

A former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate, Sam performed in GMA variety shows “Party Pilipinas” and “Sunday All Stars,”

and starred in TV shows such as “Bubble Gang,” “Legacy,” “Ang Panday,” “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and “La Luna Sangre.”

A Filipino-Czech who was born in Australia, Anthony is a nutritional medicine student and

a certified health coach.

From a varsity player for San Beda College, Anthony moved on to play for the GlobalPort Batang Pier and TNT KaTropa teams of the Philippine Basketball Association.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

B

A mother’s love through the Marian pilgrimage

by Emil

PErito

ONE Christian tradition that has been alive for centuries is taking a pilgrimage. It is a spiritual journey to a sacred place, and up until today, millions of pilgrims embark on this special journey to reaffirm and strengthen their faith.

Apart from feeling closer to God and walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, devotion to Mary is another important reason for pilgrimage. The Blessed Mother is a constant presence in a Christian’s everyday life — walking by our side, sharing our struggles, and providing us with her maternal love.

Venerate the Virgin Mary by joining Air Plus Travel’s 13day pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines of Fatima and Lourdes, leaving on April 5, 2020.

Immerse yourself in the deep spirituality that exists in these sacred sites and get closer to Jesus through Mary, the Mother of God. The pilgrimage includes visiting Fatima — a town in Lisbon famously known for being an important Catholic shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This is where the Virgin Mary appeared before three little shepherds named Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta between May and October 1917. She revealed herself as Our Lady of the Rosary and

asked them to pray the rosary every day for sinners and for world peace.

While in Fatima, you can visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the chapel of the Apparitions which houses the statue of the Virgin Mary and the crown which you can glimpse the bullet that sounded Pope John Paul II in 1981. You can also visit the Casa dos Pastorinhos, the birthplace of the three shepherd children; the Aljustrel, where the children lived; and Valinhos, the site where our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison.

Another place of pilgrimage included in the itinerary is Lourdes, a small corner in France that became a major religious spiritual destination in Europe because of Bernadette Soubirous. In 1858, the Holy Mother of God appeared 18 times to 14-year-old Bernadette in the Grotto of Masabielle and revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception. On the 9th apparition, Bernadette was directed to a sacred spring of water which still exists and flows to this day. This spring is widely believed to possess healing properties after countless people claimed they had been cured by drinking or bathing in it. Bernadette was later canonized by Pope Pius XI on

December 8, 1933.

In this town, you can visit the Neo-gothic Basilica, the Rosario Church, the Underground Basilica, the via crucis, and St. Bernadette’s home.

The last stop in Air Plus Travel’s Marian Pilgrimage is Rome, where the Vatican City is located. Pilgrims have the chance to step foot inside St. Peter’s Basilica, which was built on the burial site of Saint Peter — one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. St. Peter’s Basilica is also the home of the biggest and most important dome of Christianity built by Michelangelo.

While in this city, you can visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, one of the greatest treasures of the city, famous for its decors by Botticelli; Perugino; Luca; and Michelangelo. The tour will also take you to various popular sites such as Navona Square, Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the catacombs, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall, Church of Mary Majors and the Scala Santa.

Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our pilgrimages and private tours. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624, or visit www:airplustravel.net.

(Advertising Supplement)

CAN WE REINSTATE OUR SON’S PETITION FROM 1999 SINCE HE IS NOW SINGLE AGAIN AFTER HIS MARRIAGE WAS ANNULLED IN 2018? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED ON “CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT!” More Kapamilya who came to the Citizen PInoy taping in Illinois will get the chance to have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out what is the fastest way to petition children from a previous marriage. What can one do if her visa renewal was denied because she overstayed on her first trip? A woman was petitioned by her first husband, but she has since remarried. She discovers that her first husband passed away in 2010. What are her chances of being a U.S. citizen now that the petitioner has died? Can her second husband petition her? Get answers to these questions and more on a brand-new episode of — “Citizen Pinoy,” this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Can anything be done if a visa renewal was refused due to overstaying on a previous visit?

Get the answer this Sunday on “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot”

THIS Sunday, more answers to questions of Kapamilya who went to the live taping of “Citizen Pinoy” in Skokie, Illinois.

Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel responds directly and provides relevant information to questions like “What can be done if a visa renewal was denied due to over-

staying on a previous visit, but it was not true?,” “What happens to the petition if the petitioner died?,” “What is the fastest way to petition children from a previous marriage?,” “Should the mother file for citizenship so she can petition the children?,” “Or can her U.S. citizen husband petition for the children from the wife’s

previous marriage?”

These and more questions will be answered on an all-new edition of the information-packed, public service program on television — “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” — on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Donny: DonKiss ‘breakup’ not yet...

PAGE B2 He, however, asked his supporters to respect Kisses’ statement as he wishes the best for her.

“But let’s please respect her statement. I sincerely wish Kisses and her family the best. Let’s not fault-find. Let’s all support each other at this time,” he urged.

He thanked all their supporters for standing with them through the whole journey.

“DonKiss, we will forever be grateful for you all, love you

guys. God bless, good night,” he said.

Recently, Kisses went on a social media hiatus and after that break, she announced that “DonKiss” is over.

“I apologize for my social media blackout. I believe that my supporters have the right to know that the ‘DonKiss’ partnership has long been over,” she declared.

The singer-actress said she respected the feelings of her fans to appeal for her love team with Donny, but she is not in favor of

fandom war between DonKiss supporters and fans of her other “former on-screen partner.”

“I felt how strongly they want to fight for this ship despite the despites, as it is not because of the ship itself but the family found in one another. I respect their feelings. However, as much as I understand the bleeding hearts of my supporters, I am not in favor of this fandom war of my DonKiss supporters against the other ship of my former onscreen partner to go on any further,” the actress explained.

FEATURES

B4 JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Goodnight, Tito Eddie: Farewell to the legend

Ai-Ai confirms doing...

PAGE B2 second time after last year’s Jack Em Popoy with Vic and Maine, which he co-produced with Vic) and Jennylyn Mercado. “ Tu loy,” con f i r med A i-A i during a merienda chat with movie writers the other day at Pamana (on Mot her Ignacia St., right across from the ABSCBN Studios). “We will have the story conference on June

30 and the shoot will start next month.”

W hat A i-A i wa nted to be announced was Ai ? RCBN, a fund-raising concert for t he K ristong Hari Church slated on Monday, June 24, at t he Smart Araneta Coliseum. It’s a basilica the Catholic Church is building and, being a Papal Awardee and a Marian devotee, Ai-Ai is doing her share in raising more money for its

complet ion . T he f i r st suc h fund-raiser titled For The Love of Mama was held at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) and raised P4M, plus some P300,000 donated by private supporters.

“A bodega used to occupy the lot where the basilica is being constructed,” said Ai-Ai. “T he church was smal l and when it rained, t he churchgoers got wet. In two years, t he ba si l ic a w i l l hopef u l ly be completed. Still needed is about P250M more.”

In the first one-fourth part of the concert, Bo Sanchez will give an inspirational talk, followed by the performances of artists gratis et amore (“Pero m ay honor a r iu m ,” accor ding to A i-A i, “ot her w ise we cou ld n’t a f ford t hei r t a lent fees”) whom Ai-Ai enumerated in alphabetical order — Lovely Abella, Kyline Alcantara, Bayani Agbayani, Wally Bayola, Sancho delas Alas, Sophia delas Alas, Jose Manalo, Valeen Monteneg r o, Pek to Nac u a , A lden R ichards, Ju l ie A n ne San Jose and Erik Santos. Direction is by GB Sampedro.

I nc ident a l l y, A i-A i ’s l atest movie Feelinials opened nat ionw ide yester day. It i s produced by Pops Fernandez for the family-owned company DSL Productions with Bayani Agbayani as leading man. Pops herself plays a cameo along with ex-husband Martin Nievera and Paolo Ballesteros.

A c c o r d i n g to Joj o G a b inete who was at the movie’s premiere Tuesday night, the audience roared with laughter from beginning to end.

“Nakakatawa ‘yung movie,” said Jojo. “May chemistry sina Ai-Ai at Bayani.”

“Not many people know that Bayani and I are good friends f r om way, way bac k ,” sa id Ai-Ai, “binata pa siya noon at si Miguel pa ang kasama ko.”

(Meaning Miguel Vera who is living in California with his own family.)

Ai-Ai assured that the mill en n i a l s c a n r e l at e t o t h e movie, like her own daughter Sophia.

“She was laughing with the audience,” added Ai-Ai, “kasi exaggerated daw ang pagkaOA ng ‘feelinial’ jokes namin ni Bayani.”

Go watc h t he mov ie a nd have a good laugh.

BY MONET

LU

PHILIPPINE Cinema has lost one of its greatest treasures. The man who has not only been an icon Philippine show business but was – more than anything – a great friend to many.

The multi-awarded actor-director Eddie Garcia passed away on Thursday at 4:55 p.m. after suffering from a neck fracture while working on a TV series, Makati Medical Center confirmed. He was 90.

Garcia is survived by his partner of 33 years, Lilibeth Romero, his stepsons Michael and Nikki Romero, and daughter Lisa Ortega.

He left behind an impressive and unforgettable legacy in a showbiz career that spanned nearly seven decades, with over 600 films to his name as an actor and film director.

Garcia’s death came just days after he was awarded the Gawad Urian for best actor for his role as a delusional military officer who tortures students in the 2018 Cinemalaya movie “ML.” Mr. Garcia portrayed the role of a retired colonel who — in a state of dementia — tortures young people in his household basement, thinking the country is still under Martial Law. Mr. Mique enjoined the audience to work towards making Mr. Garcia “a National Artist” for film.

Eduardo Verchez Garcia was born on May 2, 1929, in Juban, Sorsogon. His parents were Antonio Garcia and Vicenta Verchez.

He spent his early years in Juban.

After World War II, he was stationed as a military policeman in Okinawa, Japan. He was part of the occupation troops of the Philippine Scouts with the U.S. Army for 3 years.

In 1949, President Elpidio Quirino disbanded the troops.

Garcia would have wanted to reenlist for the U.S. Army, but he got sidetracked and joined the movies instead.

He was convinced to try out as one of the talents for director Manuel Conde, who was developing a swashbuckling film, “Siete Infantes de Lara.” After being shortlisted and eventually cast for the role, he never looked back.

Since then, his craft and gift for acting made it very clear that while he really wanted to become a soldier, he was destined to face the camera.

Garcia’s International Movie Database (IMDb) page lists 653 acting credits to his name from films to TV series.

Due to his Hispanic features and bearing, Garcia was typecast into playing villain roles. One of his films was named just that — Contravida (1955) by Olive La Torre.

He was so effective as a villain that he won the FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) award for Best Sup-

porting Actor for three straight years from 1957 to 1959. The same award-giving body would eventually give Garcia six best supporting actor trophies, five best actor trophies, and five best director trophies.

“He is the only one in the history of the FAMAS to win the Best Supporting Actor trophy for three consecutive years (1957, 1958 and 1959); was the first to be inducted into the Best Supporting Actor Hall of Fame; and is the only one to have also been inducted into the Best Actor and Best Director Halls of Fame, in addition to a Lifetime Achievement Award,” Greg Macabenta’s wrote in his June 11 column in BusinessWorld.

The consummate artist that he was, he eventually ventured outside the villain role and accepted more controversial roles — he played a closeted gay family man in National Artist for Film Catalino “Lino” Brocka’s Tubog sa Ginto.

Garcia won the best actor trophy from the FAMAS for his work in Tubog sa Ginto. During the period of what is commonly called the “Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema” (the 1970s to the early 1980s) when seminal works of Nationals Artists Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal among others abound, Garcia was an intergral part of the movement.

He was in Brocka’s Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974), Eddie Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976) and Miguelito: Ang Batang Rebelde (1985), to name a few.

He also starred in more social dramas like Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990), Joel Lamangan’s Bakit May Kahapon Pa (1996) and Deathrow (2000). In Deathrow, he played an aged convict who shielded a young prisoner from harsh prison life. He won a Gawad Urian for Best Actor for his work in the film.

He was fondly called “Manoy” and has dabbled in comedy films as well as action flicks for much of the 1980s and 1990s where he acted opposite Fernando Poe, Jr. in Kapag Puno na ang Salop (1987) and its sequel, Ako ang

Huhusga (1989) which the latter also directed.

Garcia’s love affair with the screen didn’t stop at acting as he was also a multi-awarded director — among his directorial credits were Karugton ng Kahapon (1961) and Historia un Amor (1963). His most recent directorial credit was “Abakada…

Ina” in 2001.

In 1969, Garcia directed “Pinagbuklod ng Langit,” a biopic about former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, which won him his first Best Director award from FAMAS. In 1978, he directed “Atsay,” which won Best Picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival. Atsay starred Nora Aunor.

When the new millennium came, Garcia once again reinvented himself, this time as a supporter of independent cinema.

He starred in Raymond Red’s Anino, which won the grand prize in the short film category at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 and in Rica Arevalo’s “ICU Bed #7” where he won best actor in the first Cinemalaya Film Festival in 2005.

Some of his last works were “ML” (2018) by Benedict Mique Jr., “Hintayan ng Langit” (2018)

by Dan Villegas and “Rainbow’s Sunset” (2018) by Joel Lamangan.

“Tito Eddie” has contributed so much to the Philippine cinema. His passing is a great loss to the industry. Nevertheless, his legacy remains and no matter what happens there can only be one Eddie “Manoy” Garcia. He will be missed but never forgotten. My condolences to the family and friends of Tito Eddie.

Goodnight Tito Eddie, you are a TRUE legend. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns.

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

LA Fil-Ams’ sparkling fellowship with Gov. Hermilando “Dodong” Mandanas MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

BATANGAS Governor Hermilando “Dodong” Mandanas came swathed in a summer coat of understated elegance and a miscellaneous smile. No blush, no bluster, no braggadocio — only a beguiling mixture of dignity and daring replying to media questions in a sanctuary of calm almost sacrosanct values. He was extremely polite with an old school elan and a brilliant stateman’s mind — the best instrument for charming the media.

Politicians (including governors) are not supposed to like Governor Hermilando “Dodong” Mandanas journalists. We’re perceived as speed bumps in their otherwise smooth ground, thought of as flawless individuals. Objectivity is akin to the Holy Grail.

It started as a press conference where the LA media stopped, watched and stayed. But the conspiracy was just one good story in spite of the “exciting” off-the-cuff tete-a-tete because he listened attentively as he received praises, demands, felicitations, and even petitions.

His handshake inspires like an anointing touch and the photo bordered on the star effect, especially among the newshen and civic leaders who were also present.

Bonded by strength in number and locked with dedication to their respective papers, the press conference flourished into more Consul General and Mrs. Adelio Cruz with Gov. and Mrs. Hermilando “Dodong” Mandanas PAGE B5

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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LA Fil-Ams’ sparkling fellowship...

PAGE B4 of just a fun get together — we discussed surviving in spite of the cybercrime law, current events back home and who were making waves. It created a grand feeling of togetherness — no reporter is better than all of us combined.

There were questions on foreign relations, the state of politics back home and on questions of deniability.

He took the trick, perhaps obtuse question: “Sir, have you ever lied to the press?”

Photo by Rick Gavino It was smoothly parried in a tremendous surge of brilliance, as the crowd tittered. It was easy for the presscon to flourish into fellowship. There were no hootings or hollerings in spite of the “exciting” off-the-cuff eloquence that leaned in sobering truths, which resonated into a cycle of predictable quasi argument.

Points were made brilliantly, prompting media coordinator Adrian Lecaros to say, “There you are, as seen and told.”

In his exchange of banter with the media, he spoke simply but insightfully.

“Truthfulness” is worth something but credibility is everything.

“Power does not corrupt: It is the abuse of power.”

FASO

FASO to debut at the world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hall THE Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, will perform for the first time in the world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, August 3, 7:00 p.m.

FASO, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as a Fil-Am cultural institution, will have the honor of performing in the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and on the stage where the finest international musicians and artists have held center stage.

The special concert in architect Frank Gehry’s gleaming masterpiece of curved stainless steel, a landmark in downtown Los Angeles, marks a milestone for FASO, which is led by conductor and musical director, maestro Robert “Bob” Shroder.

Over the years, the orchestra has staged acclaimed concerts in some of Los Angeles’ reputable venues, including the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Alex Theatre.

Titled “A Summer Symphony with FASO,” the concert will spotlight the musical brilliance of the orchestra, winner of the 2017 San Diego Fil-Am Humanitarian Foundation’s Historical Heritage Excellence Award.

The orchestra composed of several generations of FilipinoAmericans will play favorite pop and light classics, including memorable music from films, “Frozen” (Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez) and “Gladiator” (Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard), and such songs as “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Fred-

Beauty queen Elma Kamari-Bid Korpeh

Perla Santos and Ms. Trini Foliente

Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Licaros

In the succeeding three nights, Fil-Am community leaders. the governor was feted with cel*** ebrations befitting a rockstar by E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.com

Los Angeles Vocal Artists

UST Singers Alumni

die Mercury), “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal” (Ernani Cuenco and Levi Celerio), “La Vie en Rose” (Louis Guglielmi, aka Louiguy) and several timeless movie theme songs by George Canseco.

Cherished Filipino folk songs, including “Leron, Leron Sinta” (arranged by Saunder Choi) will reverberate inside the stunning wood-paneled main auditorium.

The entertaining eclectic fare will also feature contemporary works, such as pieces from the Video Games Live concert series, consisting of video game music arranged by Ralph Ford.

Robert Bob Shroder

The winning piece in FASO’s second annual International Composition Competition for Philippine Folk Music, open to students, will have its world premiere in the August 3 concert.

Guest performers will include the UST Singers Alumni, composed of former members of the university’s premiere mixed choral ensemble, which has won first prizes in prestigious choir competitions around the world, and the Los Angeles Vocal Artists (LAVA), a mixed ensemble that has quickly earned recognition since it was formed in March

Photo by Rick Gavino

2018.

Making his major stage performance debut is Brycen Taylor Hall, who topped FASO’s talent auditions for the summer concert. Only seven years old (he turns eight in August), Brycen will sing with FASO for the first time on the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage. He will be joined by his parents, Deedee Magno Hall and Cliffton Hall, both acclaimed talents in such musicals as “Miss Saigon,” “Wicked” and “Next to Normal.” Other special guest performers will be announced soon.

Brycen Taylor Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall Photo by Ruben V. Nepales

A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the rich artistic and cultural traditions of the Philippines, FASO conducts education and outreach programs, especially to youths in underserved communities, including offering classes on traditional Filipino instruments, conducting music workshops, and sharing original orchestral arrangements with community and youth orchestras in various countries.

Tickets at group and bulk rates are available by calling Clem Villavert (213) 352-4992 or Michael

Zuniga (626) 233-1478.

Tickets are also available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office on 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012 (corner First Street). Window hours are from 12 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday). With box office validation, patrons may park free for 30 minutes in the Walt Disney Concert Hall parking garage for box office transactions. Tickets by phone are available at (323) 850-2000 from 10 am to 6 pm. More information about FASO is available at www. fasofoundation.org.

B JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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COMMUNITY Journal

Programs help those with lean incomes keep lights on

THERE’S good news for Southern California Edison customers with limited incomes who need help keeping the lights on.

Effective June 1, the California Public Utilities Commission announced new 2019-2020 incomequalified guidelines for three financial assistance programs: California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) and Energy Savings Assistance (ESA).

The income changes mean more SCE customers may be eligible to receive program discounts of up to 30% on their monthly electric bill.

“These financial assistance programs support those who need help paying their electricity bill,” said Eugene Ayuyao, senior manager, SCE Customer Programs and Services. “SCE wants to make sure its eligible customers are aware of the updated income guidelines for these discount programs and encourage them to apply so they can save money on their monthly bill and meet their energy needs.”

The CARE program provides SCE income-qualified customers a discount of about 30% on their monthly electric bill. The FERA program gives an 18% reduction on monthly electric bills to qualified households of three or more.

About one-third of SCE’s residential customers are enrolled in income-qualified programs that offer bill discounts and free energy-

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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efficiency products and services.

Under the ESA program, eligible customers may qualify for free energy-efficiency products and services, which may include a new energy-efficient replacement refrigerator, lightbulbs and other energy-saving appliances or energy conservation services to help them save money on their SCE electric bill.

Eligibility for financial assistance programs is based on annual household income and the number of people in a household.

Customers on limited incomes, or those who participate in government assistance programs, are encouraged to apply.

SCE does not inquire about the

citizenship or legal status of customers in the provision of services, does not share customer information with outside groups or agencies without the customer’s consent and does not require proof of residency for customers to participate in customer assistance programs.

Customers who are not eligible for income-qualified programs can work with SCE staff on payment arrangements that could spread out their payments and help during difficult times.

To learn more about SCEs income-qualified programs, visit sce.com/billhelp or call 1-800-7364777. (By Susan Cox / Southern California Edison) n

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C JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon THERE are times in life when we’re sometimes caught unprepared for what we have to do in order to deal with an ongoing problem that simply will not go away. The problem is there before you sleep at night and it’s still there when you wake up in the morning. One of these problems might be having to face the reality that you have no other choice but to file bankruptcy in order to get out of debt.

No one ever wakes up one day and just decides that they want to file bankruptcy. Most of the time, it is a conclusion that is reached after a long process of trying, failing, pondering, trying, failing again and a realization that something else needs to be done. A lot of people also get into a “paralysis of analysis” where they are simply overthinking their situation to the point that they won’t do anything about I because they’re so afraid that things might go wrong and they have a thousand questions in their head. So their problems lin-

Community Journal

How do you know when it’s I-601 Waiver vs. I-601A Waiver time to file for bankruptcy?

Tapat Sa Batas

ger when the solution that they need is right under their noses.

This could happen to someone who knows that bankruptcy is their only way out but months or years go by and they do nothing, thereby delaying the inevitable.

In the process, they use up what little savings they have and deplete all their assets including retirement plans, investments, etc.

In the end, after they have lost everything, they finally realize that they need to file bankruptcy, anyway. If they had done a bit more planning and taken action sooner, they most likely would have been able to save their money and other assets instead of trying to chip away slowly at the big mountain of debt that just won’t move.

Please don’t get me wrong.

Bankruptcy is NOT the same for everyone because every situation is different. There is no perfect answer as to when you should file bankruptcy because it depends on many factors that should be considered. There are issues regarding income, property, assets, etc.

Some people try to file bankruptcy on their own to save

money or they listen to advice from family members or friends who are not attorneys and who do not understand the legal aspects of their situation. So they end up making costly mistakes that could have been avoided if they had proper legal representation. Don’t make this mistake.

It would better for you to spend money on an attorney instead of ruining what could be your one and only chance to get a fresh financial start because you don’t know what the heck you’re doing. This is especially true if you have a home or other assets that might be at risk.

The other important decision to make is choosing which type of bankruptcy to file. The answer, again, depends on a lot of factors including the objective that you are trying to achieve. Some people will be better off just wiping out their debts and starting over through Chapter 7 while others may be better off in a Chapter 13 repayment plan. If you are unsure which one is right for you, you should consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney and make sure that you understand

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Rules eased for bonus depreciation, code sec. 179 expensing and regular depreciation (Part 2 of 2)

OTHER rules for real property depreciation: If placed in service after 2017, qualified improvement property, in addition to no longer qualifying for bonus depreciation and being newly eligible as section 179 property, has a 15-year depreciation period (rather than the usual 39 year period for non-residential buildings).

Apartment buildings and other residential rental buildings placed in service after 2017 generally continue to be depreciated over a 27.5 period, but should the alternative depreciation system (ADS) apply to a building either under an election or because the building is subject to one of the conditions (for example, tax-exempt financing) that make ADS mandatory, the ADS depreciation period is 30 years instead of the pre-TCJA 40 years.

For tax years beginning after 2017, if a taxpayer in a real property trade or business “elects out”

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Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA

of the New Law limits on business interest deductions, the taxpayer must depreciate all buildings and qualified improvement property under the ADS. Code sec. 179 expensing: Under Old Law, smaller taxpayers could immediately deduct the entire cost of section 179 property up to an annual limit of $500,000 adjusted for inflation. For property placed in service in tax years that begin in 2018, the inflation adjusted limit was scheduled to be $520,000. The annual limit was reduced by one dollar for every dollar that the cost of all section 179 property placed in service by

the taxpayer during the tax year exceeded a $2 million threshold adjusted for inflation. For property placed in service in tax years that begin in 2018, the threshold was scheduled to be $2,070,000.

But for tax years beginning after 2017, the TCJA substitutes as the annual dollar limit $1 million (inflation-adjusted for tax years beginning after 2018) and $2.5 million as the phase down threshold (similarly inflation adjusted).

Under Old Law, section 179 property included most tangible personal property as well non-customized (“off-the-shelf”) computer software. Generally, the only buildings or other land improvements that qualified were restaurant buildings and certain improvements to leased space, retail space or restaurant space that were treated as section 179 property under an election.

New Law for tax years beginning after 2017, eliminated these

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NOONG isang linggo ay aking tinalakay ang I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. Ito ay iba sa I-601 Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility na aking tatalakayin ngayon. Ang I-601A Waiver ay ginagamit para humingi ng provisional waiver para lamang sa ground of inadmissibility na unlawful presence sa U.S. Ang I601 Waiver naman ay ginagamit para sa mas malawak na grounds of inadmissibility kagaya ng: (1) health-related grounds; (2) ilang criminal grounds; (3) immigration fraud at pagsisinungaling; (4) immigrant membership sa totalitarian party; (5) alien smuggler; (6) isang taong may parusang civil penalty; at (7) ang 3year o 10-year bar rule dahil sa dating unlawful presence sa U.S. Ang I-601A Waiver ay kailangang i-file sa USCIS ng isang dayuhang nasa loob ng US. Kapag naaprubahan na ng USCIS ang I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver, ang dayuhan ay kinakailangang lumabas ng U.S. upang ipagpatuloy ang pagproseso ng kanyang immigrant visa sa isang US Embassy o U.S. Consulate. Samantala, ang I-601 Waiver ay kailangang i-file ng dayuhan na: (1) nasa labas ng U.S.; (2) ang dayuhan ay nakapagpainterview na sa U.S. consular officer para sa immigrant visa interview o nonimmigrant K or V visa; (3) ang U.S. consular officer ay nagkaroon ng determinasyon na ang dayuhan ay ineligible sa visa dahil siya ay inadmissible sa

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS FOR most families, their 401K retirement plan from work is the second largest asset an average family holds (second only to their family residence). How is this treated in a divorce proceeding in California which is a community property state? It depends on how it is characterized whether separate property, community property, or part separate and part community.

If all your contribution to your 401k plan made prior to the marriage or after separation, then your 401k plan will be characterized as your separate property. In a divorce, your separate property 401k plan will not be divided and

Atty. RheA SAmSon U.S.; at (4) sinabihan ng U.S. consular officer ang dayuhan na siya ay eligible para sa waiver ng kanyang ground of inadmissibility. Kung ang dayuhan ay nadeport na sa U.S., kailangan din siyang mag-file ng I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission to the U.S. After Deportation or Removal kasama ng I-601 Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.

Kagaya ng I-601A Waiver, ang dayuhan sa I-601 Waiver Application ay kailangang magpakita na ang hindi pagbigay sa kanya ng visa ay magdudulot ng extreme hardship kanyang “qualifying relative” – asawang U.S. citizen (USC)/lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse o magulang na USC/LPR. Ang determinasyon ng extreme hardship ay sangayon sa ebidensya sa bawat kaso at para maging “extreme” ito ay dapat higit sa pangkaraniwan at inaasahan. Sa isang kasong napagdesisyonan ng Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), ang alien ay inadmissible dahil sa fraud at misrepresentation sa kanyang visa application. Ang dayuhan ay nag-apply ng I-601

Waiver dahil ang kanyang asawa ay makakaranas ng extreme hardship katulad ng mabigat na emotional at financial hardship kung hindi siya mabibigyan ng visa. Sinabi ng asawang USC na ang dayuhan ang sumusuporta sa kanilang pamilya sa pamamagitan ng 2 full-time jobs dahil siya ay nawalan ng trabaho bilang Registered Nurse. Sinabi rin ng asawang USC na siya ay naging biktima ng domestic violence sa kanyang dating asawa kayat siya ay may counselling para sa anxiety, depression at Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Nagbigay ang asawang USC ng psychological assessment report na tuloy-tuloy pa siyang nakakaranas ng psychological difficulties dahil sa trauma at ang dayuhang asawa ay malaking bahagi ng kanyang tuluyang paggaling.

Sumangayon ang AAO sa asawang USC na ito ay makakaranas ng extreme hardship kung hindi mabibigyan ng visa ang dayuhang asawa. Kaya naman ang I-601 Waiver ay inaprubahan ng AAO. Last week I discussed I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver. This is different from I-601 Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, which I will discuss today. The I-601A Waiver is used to request a provisional waiver of the ground of inadmissibility for unlawful presence in the U.S.. The I-601 Waiver is used to obtain relief from the fol-

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How will your 401K retirement plan be divided in a divorce case? will be awarded 100% to you.

On the other hand if all your contribution to your 401k plan was made during the marriage, then the retirement plan will be characterized as community property.

Marriage is the period from date of marriage to date of separation.

This means your 401k retirement plan will be divided 50/50 between you and your spouse.

Since 401k retirement plan is subject to ERISA, a QDRO is necessary to divide the plan. A QDRO is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order prepared by your attorney filing with the Court subject to the retirement plan administrator’s approval. Once the QDRO is approved by the plan and signed by the Court, the QDRO is sent back to the plan which implements the division of the 401k plan. Half

of the community interest in the 401k plan will be transferred to a new account set up under the non-employee spouses’ name.

This division of the 401k plan is not a taxable event and will not have any tax consequence since the non-employee spouses’ portion will simply be transferred to another tax deferred account under the non-employee spouse’s name.

It gets more challenging when the contributions to your 401k plan occurred partly before marriage and partly during marriage.

In that situation, an apportionment would have to be made between separate property and community property. Your spouse will be entitled to half the community interest in your 401k plan. The com-

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Community Journal

Are arbitrations unfair to employees and consumers?

Q: I recently applied for a job and I was asked to sign an arbitration agreement as a requirement to being hired. I heard arbitration agreements are not fair to employees. Is this true?

A: Yes. Arbitration can be unfair to employees as well as consumers.

Arbitration is a procedure to resolve disputes without filing a complaint in court. The disputing parties refer the case to a third party (the arbitrator) who makes a decision that is legally binding on both sides. By signing an arbitration agreement, the employee agrees to resolve any claim against the employer before an arbitrator and not before a judge or a jury. This means the employee cannot file a lawsuit in court to resolve the claim.

Court proceedings are public, with the case being heard either by an impartial judge or an independent jury. An arbitration proceeding is a private process in which an arbitrator is hired by the parties to make a decision regarding the dispute. Arbitrations are paid by the hour, either by one or all of the parties. The process and its results are generally not disclosed to the public.

The parties are bound by the arbitrator’s decision and the losing party cannot appeal.

Professors from the Stanford Graduate School of Business reported that arbitrators tend to be more company friendly. They analyzed data containing 9,000 arbitration cases. As arbitrators naturally wanted to have more work, the report reached a common sense conclusion: The more that arbitrators ruled in favor of businesses, the more that they will be hired in the future.

A finance professor who coauthored the Stanford study,

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Amit Seru, remarked that: “The whole game is stacked against us”. Consumer columnist David Lazarus wrote that you just cannot believe arbitration is better for consumers.

In another study by attorney Genie Harrison, in a Daily Journal article entitled “Arbitration is Failing California Employees,” the data showed that favorable outcomes in arbitration generally belonged to the employers paying the arbitrator’s fees. This is evident in situations where the employer’s attorney is a repeat client of the arbitrator.

According to the study, during the period of 2012-2017, nearly half of employment arbitrations handled by AAA (a major arbitration company) involved Macy’s as the employer being sued. Data showed that 93% of the cases against Macy’s were dismissed.

Meanwhile, the other half of AAA’s non-Macy’s employment cases only had a 7.5 percent dismissal rate. The employees who sued Macy’s are disadvantaged in other ways. For example, data showed that even when they “won” in arbitration, their average money award was only $87,000 compared with an average award of $328,000 to non-Macy’s employees.

The study goes on to state: “The data consistently show that arbitration outcomes favor the defendants and defense firms that pay the bills. To make matters worse, arbitrators are not required to fol-

low the law, and there is little opportunity to appeal an arbitrator’s ruling. Coupled with data about arbitration outcomes, it is no wonder that the system seems so unfair.”

Lastly, the report states that arbitration does not resolve faster than litigation. The average length of arbitrations from 2012-2017 ranged from 14 to 19 months. Meanwhile, California’s 2018 Court Statistics Report, showed that most employment cases between 2007 and 2017, resolved at average rates of 75 percent within 12 months; 85 percent within 18 months; and 100 percent within 24 months.

Employees who are bound by arbitration agreements are deprived of their rights to have their day in court. Litigation in court gives employees an opportunity to have their claims decided by a jury of their peers, not by arbitrators, whose decisions may be affected by business considerations.

If employees and consumers have a way to avoid signing arbitration agreements, it would be smart for them to do so. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.]

(Advertising Supplement)

Ex-businessman with commercial lease judgment of $100K seeks Chapter 7 THE client is 50, divorced, and used to own a business that had a commercial lease for retail space.

He operated the business for 10 years. On the 11th year, sales started to plunge for an unknown reason such that the debtor could no longer pay the commercial lease of his retail space.

He still had two years of lease to go at $4,000 per month. So for 24 months, he owed close to $100,000 of the commercial lease. But since his business was not even able to generate enough sales to cover rent, he had to close shop and get his stuff out of the building. He cleaned out the space, thinking that if the landlord could easily rent it out, he would not sue him for unpaid rent of two years.

Unfortunately, the landlord sued the client for unpaid rent of $100,000. Eventually, the landlord got a judgment for $100,000 against the client. But the client now is an ordinary employee making $4,000 a month of salary. There is a notice of a bank levy on his bank accounts for $100,000, and a notice of wage garnishment on his salary for $100,000! In addition to this significant liability, the client owes $20,000 of credit card debt.

With a bank levy on his accounts and the prospect of losing 25 percent of his salary to wage garnishment for the unpaid commercial lease of his old business that no longer exists, the client decides to seek Chapter 7 relief.

What will Chapter 7 do for him?

With Chapter 7, he can keep all of his assets, and he can discharge or get rid of the $100,000 judgment, dissolve the bank levy and dissolve the wage garnishment. He can also wipe out the $20,000 of credit card debt. In other words, he can get a fresh start in life and be productive again. He can leave his old life behind him and forget about the $100,000 he owes his landlord as well as his $20,000 of credit cards.

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng His credit score will improve yearly. At the end of this year, he will be close to 600. In year two, he will score 640, in year 3, 680, and on year 7, he will cross 730. In year 10, there will be no record of his Chapter 7 and his credit score will be over 800.

Best of all, he can look forward to retiring by having the ability to start saving money now and not having to worry about paying a $100,000 judgment of $20,000 of credit cards. He will be able to get new credit cards in year one because there are credit card companies that specialize in giving credit to people who have just filed bankruptcy. They are

a month of minimum payments to keep these cards current, and all of the cards are still current.

Their son helps them pay for the cards. What a waste of money!

Credit card minimum payments eat up more than 50% of their retirement income! “BAD” as Pres. Trump would tweet. In fact, “Bigly-Bad!!” What can Chapter 7 do for them?

Chapter 7 will wipe out all of their $50,000 of credit card debt, thus saving them the headache of paying out $1,500 a month to keep these cards current. This saves them $18,000 a year. In three years, they save almost $60,000. What can they do with $60K of savings? Well, they can invest it in equities and maybe get a decent return of 6% a year.

That’s an income of $3,600 a year, or $300 a month of extra money to spend. That’s not too bad considering they are just starting to save money now.

If they filed for Chapter 7 10 years ago, they would have at least $200,000 now saved up and giving them $1,000 a month of income. Or, they can travel the world with their savings and additional income.

No matter what your age is right now, if you have accumulated debt that has become burdensome for you and your family, seriously consider wiping out your debt now than waiting for five more or 10 more years when you retire. You will save a lot of money by getting rid of your accumulated now than later.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

“Their son helps them pay for the cards. What a waste of money! “ indeed good credit risks because they cannot file another Chapter 7 for eight years.

Seniors seek Chapter 7 discharge of $50K credit cards The next client is 66. He stopped working last year and now gets social security of $1,200 and a pension of $800. His wife is 68 and collects social security of $900. So they have $2,900 a month of social security and pension.

They don’t own a house so they rent for $800. Medicare standard and part D gets a portion of their income but they don’t have to pay for prescription drugs anymore as part D covers all of their medication. They are both in good health so that’s pretty good. The only problem is that they both owe a total of $50,000 of credit cards. They need $1,500

(Advertising Supplement)

How do you know when it’s time to file...

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exactly what you are getting into before committing to action.

Sometimes, foolish pride stops people from doing what is necessary to prevent themselves and their families from further slipping into the big financial hole they find themselves in. They have heard that bankruptcy is “shameful” and that by filing bankruptcy, they are losing their dignity.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In my opinion, it is more shameful to continue harassing your family and friends for loans just so you could pay your bills for another month. And then when the following month rolls around, you’re broke again and have no clue where to get it

to satisfy your creditors. If you are in this situation right now, what will it take for you to finally become so sick and tired of this same old problem every single month that you finally decide to do something about it? Sorry to be too blunt but sometimes the truth hurts. I see a lot of people fall into the payday loan trap for this very reason. Recently, I had a client with 18 payday loans!

The interest rates on these loans are often more than 1000% and it is worse than being robbed at gunpoint. People sometimes get stuck in a vicious cycle of borrowing because they are too proud to admit to themselves that they need help and that they can no longer solve their debt problems

on their own.

For the last 20 years, I’ve been helping people and business owners get out of debt. If you are in debt and have no clue what you should do next in order to change your situation for the better, I offer a free consultation. Call my office at 866-477-7772 for more information. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

(Advertising Supplement)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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AC 21: Changing the employer of your employment-based green card application DEAR Attorney Tan, I have an approved I-140 immigrant petition which was filed by Company A on my behalf. Company A would like to employ me as a bookkeeper.

Based on that approved I-140 petition, I filed an application for green card (I-485 adjustment of status) in August 2014.

Since that time, my green card application has been pending, as USCIS has requested additional documents in support of my application. Recently, another company, Company B, has expressed interest in hiring me for a payroll clerk position.

Company B is a more established company based in the Midwest and pays $10,000.00 less but offers much better benefits. Is there a way I can substitute Company B as the employer in my green card application? --P.T. Dear P.T. Under INA Section 204(j), commonly referred to as AC 21, an approved I-140 employment-based immigrant petition filed by one employer can be used by or “ported” to another employer providing certain requirements are met. First, a green card (I-485 adjustment of status) application must have been filed and must be pending for at least 180 days.

Second, the “new” job offered by the second employer must be in the same or similar occupational classification as the job for which the first employer filed the I-140 petition.

In your situation, you meet the first requirement in that your application for green card (I-485) was filed in August 2014. Your application has been pending for over 1 year,

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn which is more than the required 180 days under AC 21.

In depth analysis in your case is needed as to whether Company B’s job of “payroll clerk” is considered a “similar occupational classification” to Company A’s job of “bookkeeper,” for which Company A petitioned you. In determining whether one job is similar enough to another job for AC 21 purposes, the USCIS takes into account the totality of the circumstances, including the job duties of both positions, the Standard Occupational Code (SOC) from the approved I-140 and the SOC code for the job offered by the new prospective employer, as well as the offered wages for each position.

In your case, analysis would begin with the job duties of each position. The more similarity in job duties between bookkeeper and payroll clerk, the greater the likelihood that USCIS would consider them similar. Also, the SOC code for the 2 jobs would be taken into account. In addition, the wages offered by each employer would be considered. The existence of a big disparity in wages offered by each employer is not by itself a reason to conclude that the jobs are not similar. In your case, the fact that Company B is offering $10,000 less than Company A has to take into account the fact that the Midwest has a lower cost of living, as well as the

fact that better benefits are being offered by Company B. If it is considered a “similar occupational classification,” Company B may be substituted in as the employer in your pending green card application, and Company B will not have to start the process from the beginning by filing a labor certification application and by obtaining an approved I-140 petition.

The analysis of whether you can use or “port” your approved I-140 requires additional analysis, and consulting with an experienced attorney is recommended. – Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada.

Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277.

Email: info@dtanlaw.com *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277.

Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

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Rules eased for bonus depreciation...

PAGE C2 t

categories and substituted as an elective category the much broader qualified improvement property category (that is no longer eligible for bonus depreciation, see above). Also, taxpayers can, for buildings other than rental real estate buildings, elect to treat as section 179 property previously ineligible building components that are roofs, heating, ventilation and air condi-

tioning property, fire protection and alarm systems, or security systems.

And items (for example refrigerators) used in connection with residential buildings (though not the buildings themselves) are eligible to be section 179 property. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen

Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

C4 JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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I-601 Waiver vs. I-601A Waiver Preparing for your naturalization interview

PAGE C2 t

lowing grounds: (1) health-related grounds; (2) certain criminal grounds; (3) immigration fraud and misrepresentation; (4) immigrant membership in a totalitarian party; (5) alien smuggler; (6) being subject to a civil penalty; and (7) the 3-year or 10-year bar rule due to previous unlawful presence in the U.S..

The I-601A Waiver is filed by the alien who is present in the US. Upon approval of the I-601A Waiver, the alien is required to depart the US to process his immigrant visa at a US Embassy or US Consulate Abroad. On the other hand, the I-601 Waiver is filed by the alien: (1) who is abroad; (2) has appeared before a US consular officer for immigrant visa interview or nonimmigrant K or V visa interview; (3) the US consular officer has determined that the alien is ineligible for visa because he is inadmissible to the US; and (4) the US consular officer has informed the alien that he is eligible to seek a waiver of his ground of inadmissibility. If the alien has been ordered removed from the US, in addition to the I601 Waiver of Inadmissibility, the alien must concurrently file an I212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission to the US

After Deportation or Removal.

Similar to the I-601A Waiver, the alien in the I-601 Waiver Application must demonstrate that refusal of admission would result in extreme hardship to a “qualifying relative” – a US citizen (USC) or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse or USC/ LPR parent of the alien. A determination of whether denial of admission will result in extreme hardship depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.

To be “extreme”, the hardship must exceed that which is usual or expected. In a case decided by the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), the alien was inadmissible due to fraud or misrepresentation in his visa application. The alien applied for I-601 Waiver on the basis that his USC wife will experience extreme hardship as a result of his continued inadmissibility. The alien asserted that his spouse will suffer extreme emotional and financial hardships upon separation. The wife explains that the alien has been supporting the family by working 2 full-time jobs because she lost her job as a Registered Nurse.

The wife also details how she was a victim of domestic violence from her previous relationship and has sought counselling for

Calendar of Events across

anxiety, depression, and possible Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The wife submitted a psychological assessment report that she continues to experience psychological difficulties from her trauma and that her alien spouse is an integral part of her healing process. The AAO found that the USC spouse will experience extreme hardship without the Applicant’s support and thus the I-601 Waiver was approved. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty.

Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams.

As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.

Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com.

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America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS J U N E 22

Fiesta ng Calamba in Carson, CA he Association of Calambeños of Southern California invites everyone to the Fiesta ng Calamba, St John the Baptist Feast Day on Saturday, June 22. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Sports Complex (22400 Moneta Ave., Carson, CA 90745). For more information, please contact Ed Lim at (949) 285-1403 or connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/Calambenos/ or the website: www.acasca.org.

Celebration of Cultures Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles All are invited to the 15th annual Celebration of Cultures Mass hosted by the Ethnic Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Mass will be presided by Archbishop José H. Gomez at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 3:30 p.m., preceded by a procession of cultural communities at 3 p.m. With the theme, “I am the servant of the Lord,” the celebration recognizes the different cultural communities that enrich the Church and the local community through prayer, songs and cultural expression. The Archdiocese is the largest and most diverse Archdiocese in the United States. Every Sunday, Mass is celebrated in more than 40 different languages throughout the three counties it comprises: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. For more information, please call the Office of Ethnic Ministry, at (213) 637-7356, or visit archla.org/cultures.

J U N E 24 -28

SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program in LA Happening from June 24-28, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans’ (SIPA) Filipino Summer Program is a fun, week-long experience that enriches, educates, and engages youth about the Filipino Culture! Youth will get to learn more about Filipino food, language, dance, arts, and music! Children ages 6-13 are able to participate, while older youth can volunteer. The program will be held at SIPA (3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Drop-offs and pick-ups are at the SIPA parking lot at Dillion St. and Temple St. Each day is $30 for the first child. Every additional child will be $3 less a day (e.g., the second child will be $27/day, the third child would cost $24/day, and so on). If your family cannot fully afford the cost of SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program, the FEE CAN BE LOWERED depending on the financial situation. Families can pay by cash, credit/debit card (2.75% fee), Venmo (1% fee), or check!If interested, contact Maria Carmel Valendez by phone at 213-382-1819 ext. 107 or email at mvalendez@esipa.org.

J U N E 29

UST Medical Alumni Association of SoCal anniversary ball in Garden Grove, CA The UST Medical Alumni Association of SoCal will have its 25th year anniversary ball on Wednesday, June 29 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County (11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840). Mass begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner reception at 7:30 p.m. Part of the proceeds will benefit the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and Hospital on Wheels. Tickets are $110 for premier and $90 for regular. Please RSVP by June 1 to Marilou Dichoso, MD at (310) 3871632.

J U LY 4 - 6

International reunion of the Society of Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines Ex-Employees & Representatives in Las Vegas Join the first annual international reunion of the Society of Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines Ex-Employees & Representatives (SOBER) to be held on July 4-6, 2019 at Stratosphere Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be a dinner-dance, induction of officers and a fun weekend of activities! For more information, contact Ben (818) 447-1411, Osang (213) 446-7209 or Rollie Agonoy (818) 806-5446.

J U LY 6

Philippine Cultural Night at St. Paul in Chino Hills, CA The Filipino Catholics of Saint Paul the Apostles invite you to their Philippine Cultural Night on July 6 at the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (14085 Peyton Dr., Chino Hills, CA 91709). The program will begin at 6 p.m. Children volunteers will be performing popular folk dances. Watch Fr. Joseph Pilotin, MS, Parochial Vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, dance the Tinikling as in previous cultural nights. Savor Filipino dishes while watching cultural performances. For more information, contact The Filipino Catholics president Tessie Lightholder (909) 576-4152; Email: tessielightholder@gmail.com; or vice president Edzel Fuertez (909) 5194958; Email: edzelf@hotmail.com. We invite you to also visit the church’s website: sptacc.org.

J U LY 2 0

The Ibaan Association USA-Canada gala dinner in LA The Ibaan Association USA-Canada will hold its 32nd Annual Gala Dinner & Dance July 20, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City - Ballroom A at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For reservations call Monica Benitez at (323) 697-3731 / email: monica_benitez03@yahoo.com or Irene May Villafranca at (323) 4232299 /email: imay02@yahoo.com. Tickets are $85 for Adults and $40 for Children (3 to 10 years old). Please make checks payable to: Ibaan Association USA-Canada and mail to: Merly Pagunsan at 5025 Heintz St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706. For sponsorship information on our 2019 Souvenir Program please contact President Noli Reyes at homesbynoli@gmail.com or call (818) 458-7888. Please RSVP by April 12, 2019.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

THE naturalization interview is the last stage you need to embark on becoming a U.S. citizen.

During your naturalization interview, a USCIS Officer will ask you questions about your application and background. You will also take an English and civics test unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.

The English test has three components: reading, writing and speaking. The civics test covers important U.S. history and government topics. In this week’s column, we will discuss different ways to prepare for your interview to ensure that you will be in good shape for the interview.

Depending on your English ability and comfort level, you can either study on your own or take a class. You can download the list of 100 civics questions and the reading/writing section you’ll be required to know at https://www.uscis. gov/citizenship. If you prefer using your mobile phone, you can download the Citizenshipworks app, which is a user-friendly way to study for the 100 civics questions with audio support included.

For those who prefer to take a class to prepare, many nonprofit organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice - L.A. provide ESL/Civics classes to help individuals prepare for the naturalization interview. The interview is not only a test of your English skills and knowledge of U.S. history and civics but also an opportunity to

Commentary

make sure that you meet all of the requirements for naturalization, which requires a thorough review of your naturalization application that you filed with USCIS. Note that there are several

there is a simplified exam. If you are 65 years and above and have your green card for 20 years, you qualify not only to take the exam in your native language, but you only have to study 20 of the 100 civics questions.

There is also an exception available to the English and civics naturalization requirements if the applicant has a qualifying mental or physical disability. A doctor must complete the Form N-648, Application for Disability Waiver that is submitted with N400. You should consult with an experienced immigration attorney before pursuing this option for yourself or a family member.

Keep in mind that the information above is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have any questions about the naturalization process and any of the requirements, you can contact Advancing Justice - L.A.’s Tagalog helpline at 855300-2552. *** Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice - LA) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). Founded in 1983 as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Advancing Justice - LA serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year.

Through direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building, Advancing Justice - LA focuses on the most vulnerable members of Asian American and NHPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice.

For more information, please visit https:// www.advancingjustice-la.org/.

“Depending on your English ability and comfort level, you can either study on your own or take a class. “ ways that you may be exempt from taking the naturalization interview in English. If you meet the requirements, you can have the interview in your native language and bring an interpreter.

The first is based on your age and the number of years you have had your green card.

If you are 50 years old or above and have had your green card for at least 20 years, you are eligible for the “50/20” English language exemption. If you are 55 years old and have your green card for at least 15 years you are eligible for the “55/15” English language exemption.

You will still have to take the civics test but can do so in your native language by bringing an interpreter. For those over 65,

How will your 401K retirement plan be divided...

PAGE C2 t

munity portion of the 401k plan gets to share in its pro-rata share of investment gains and income of the 401k plan and not just the original contributions. As stated previously, the non-employee spouse’s half of the community interest in the plan will be divided via a QDRO. If your divorce case is resolved by settlement rather than trial, it is also possible to negotiate that your entire 401k retirement plan be awarded 100% to in exchange for either a cash buy out to your spouse or offering your spouse other assets in exchange for your spouse’s half of the community interest in the 401k plan. In that

scenario, there will be no need to divide your 401k plan with a QDRO. The divorce judgment would simply award the entire plan to you with a corresponding asset awarded to your spouse. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

*** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail “mailto:kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com” kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

People and Events

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019

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C JUNE 22-25, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

&

July 2019 priority dates

Immigration Corner

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

FAMILY CATEGORY:

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

First Preference

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.”

If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

Visa Issuance Date

May 1, 2008

August 22, 2007

March 8, 2019

Current

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

August 1, 2008 January 1, 2008

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

February 1, 1998

August 1, 1997

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

July 1, 1998

January 1, 1998

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Current

Current

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

Current

Current

of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week

“Don’t cut off your career branches too early. Don’t step away from your career based on what ‘might’ happen.”

— Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of General Motors

D1

Philippines enters ‘Goldilocks’ economy phase — Diokno Right mix of high growth, low inflation

by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

THE Philippines has entered a “Goldilocks” economy with the right mix of high economic growth and low inflation, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno.

In a speech during the Wallace Business Forum (WBF), Diokno said the Philippine economy has entered a state of having “just the right” mix of high growth and low inflation.

“In other words ladies and gentlemen, the Philippine economy continues to fire on all cylinders and is expected to see steady economic growth without possible risks of overheating,” Diokno said.

“In terms of financial stability, we want to maintain a Goldilocks economy by not allowing markets to create new risks and vulnerabilities. This means that we

do not only concern ourselves with growth and price stability, but also take into account resiliency. Implementing measures that would further enhance the existence of flexible systems and develop financial markets remains a policy imperative,” Diokno also said.

The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth slipped to a four-year low of 5.6 percent in the first quarter from 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of last year primarily due to the delayed passage of the 2019 national budget.

On the other hand, inflation averaged 3.6 percent from January to May – well within the BSP’s two to four percent target – despite the slight uptick in May to 3.2 percent from three percent in April.

Inflation accelerated to 5.2 percent last year from 2.9 percent in 2017 due to elevated oil and food prices as well as weak

peso, exceeding the BSP target range of two to four percent.

This paved the way for a tightening cycle that saw interest rates rise by 175 basis points in five straight rate-setting meetings between May and November last year to prevent inflation from spiraling out of control.

The BSP, however, slashed interest rates by 25 basis points due to easing inflation and slower-than-expected GDP growth in the first quarter.

“This decision was aimed at helping inflation move toward the middle of the target range and give due consideration to growth, in line with the BSP’s flexible approach to inflation targeting,” Diokno said.

According to Diokno, GDP growth is expected to pick up in the second half with the catch-up government spending plan.

“This positive alignment bePAGE D2

Peso seen weakening to 55:$1 by year-end

by BEN

O. DE VERA Inquirer.net

THE peso is seen weakening to 55 to $1 by year-end as the yawning current-account deficit mainly due to strong imports and weak exports continues to put pressure on the local currency, London-based Capital Economics said.

Citing the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data, Capital Economics Asia economist Alex Holmes noted in a June 17 report that the first-quarter current-account deficit of $1.2 billion was equivalent to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Last week, the BSP said it expected the current-account deficit to hit $10.1 billion by end2019, up by more than a fourth from $7.9 billion or 2.4 percent of GDP last year.

“Looking ahead, we expect the current-account deficit to widen further, and that it will average 3 percent of GDP for 2019 as a whole. The trade balance is by far the largest component of the current account and looks likely to fall further into deficit,” Capital Economics said.

With merchandise exports down 2.1 percent year-on-year as of end-April amid a trade war between the United States and China coupled with slowing global economic growth, Capital Economics said it expected Philippine export sales to “remain in the doldrums throughout 2019.”

While imports slipped in April, Capital Economics was of the view that goods sourced from abroad were “likely to rebound on the back of an increase in infrastructure spending.”

“Delays in passing the 2019

government budget held up spending on infrastructure. With the budget now passed and spending set to rebound, import growth is likely to strengthen,” it noted.

At the end of the first four months, the trade-in-goods deficit stood at $13.3 billion, up 12.4 percent from $11.8 billion a year ago.

The wider trade deficit had resulted in a ballooning current-account deficit as more dollars were being spent for importation.

As bigger current-account deficits make currencies “more vulnerable to sudden shifts in global risk appetite,” the ongoing global trade tensions seen weighing on investment sentiment would put the peso “under renewed downward pressure over the coming months,” Capital Economics said. ■

D JUNE 22-25, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Marketplace & ShowrooM

Central banks seen turning dovish over â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;uneasyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; economic conditions

The market intelligence firm noted, however, that a mixed outlook prevails in the Asia Pacific including the Philippines because of specific country circumstances.

Philstar.com file photo

by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

KEY central bank meetings worldwide this week are likely to result in a dovish shift in policy environment as economic managers become â&#x20AC;&#x153;uneasyâ&#x20AC;? about global economic conditions, IHS Markit said in a research paper.

The market intelligence firm noted, however, that a mixed outlook prevails in the Asia Pacific including the Philippines because of specific country circumstances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The coming week sees key central bank meetings in the U.S., UK, Brazil, Japan and several other Asian countries. Central bankers face growing unease about the global economic environment and are widely expected to tilt to the dovish side as downside risks prevail amid concerns about the impact of trade frictions and geopolitical uncertainty,â&#x20AC;? it said.

It noted that after the European Central Bank (ECB) announced it is open to new stimulus, markets have priced in several rate cuts

from the U.S. Federal Reserve this year and put in expectations of new stimulus measures from the Bank of Japan.

In Asia Pacific, the central banks of Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are setting monetary policy this week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Analysts are eagerly watching for further signs of monetary easing. Several countries in the region recently cut interest rates to support growth in an environment where the data signaled the weakest pace of global economic growth for nearly three years,â&#x20AC;?

IHS Markit said.

It noted that more central banks in the region are expected to follow recent rate cuts by Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and the Philippines.

It noted, however, that â&#x20AC;&#x153;country-specific nuancesâ&#x20AC;? would limit the extent to which policy easing is viable.

The policy meetings this week coincide with releases of key data on inflation, trade, manufacturing and home sales â&#x20AC;&#x153;which will pro-

vide an important steer on global economic developments.â&#x20AC;?

The market consensus is divided on whether the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will slash policy rates anew in its meeting tomorrow, June 20.

Headline, inflation, after all, rose at a faster pace of 3.2 percent in May from three percent in April, bringing the year-to-date average to 3.6 percent.

This, however, still sits well within the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full year inflation target of two up to four percent.

The uptrend was primarily brought about by faster growth in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic index as well as in the index of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

Arguments for a fresh rate cut include the assumption that aggravating factors for inflation in May were only temporary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as the effect of the El NiĂąo phenomenon on food prices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are likely to ease in the coming months. n

Philippines enters â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Goldilocksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; economy...

PAGE D1 t tween growth and inflation has been a constant narrative and is expected to further lend support to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-run growth momentum,â&#x20AC;? Diokno said.

Despite all these positive developments, Diokno said there are still challenges on the horizon as International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde aptly puts it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the global economy is at a delicate momentâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;as

we see uncertainty as well as lack of trust and confidence by the business community as to what the global economic landscape is going to be.

The IMF has revised downward its global growth forecast for 2019 to 3.3 percent from the previous target of 3.7 percent.

With global growth slowing, Diokno said advanced economies have shifted from a restrictive to a more accommodative stance

of monetary policy and there is tendency in some economies to move away from globalization toward the rise of protectionist policies such as the protracted trade tensions between the US and China. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the Philippines is not directly affected with the tariff impositions, the continued trade friction could take its toll on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s external sector,â&#x20AC;? he said. n

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OFW remittances hit $10.8B in Jan-April

by MayVelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

MONEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reached $10.811 billion in the first four months of 2019, a 3.7percent increase from $10.426 billion in the same period last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Monday, June 17.

For April alone, personal remittances totaled $2.713 billion, up 3.7 percent from $2.616 billion in the same month in 2018, but down 2.9 percent from $2.796 billion in March this year.

Such remittances sum up the net compensation of OFWs; personal transfers, cash or otherwise, and capital transfers between households. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The continued growth in personal remittances during the first four months of 2019 was driven by steady remittance inflows from land-based OF workers with work contracts of one year or more, which aggregated to $8.2 billion from $8.1 billion in the same period last year,â&#x20AC;? BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a statement.

Cash remittances, which only count money coursed through

banks, rose by 4 percent to $2.441 billion in April from $2.347 billion a year earlier. It fell by 2.9 percent, however, from $2.514 billion in March. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This growth was supported by remittances from both land-based ($1.8 billion) and sea-based ($0.6 billion) workers, which rose by 2.2 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively,â&#x20AC;? Diokno explained.

In a comment, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said the cash remittancesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; year-on-year growth was achieved despite another month of contraction in remittances from the Middle East, with the streak of negative growth hitting its 16th month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flows from Kuwait, Qatar and [the] UAE (United Arab Emirates) reported negative growth, although the remittances from Saudia Arabia managed to increase by 4.3 percent,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

Offsetting the weakness in flows from the Middle East, Mapa said, were increased funds from the United States and Asia, up 16.1 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect remittances to sustain its current 3-4 percent pace of growth, which will eventually

lead to current account surpluses in the medium term as the investment cycle turns and the trade deficit reverts to more normal levels,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The economist also said â&#x20AC;&#x153;bouts of strong remittance flows will help temper peso weakness, but given the prospects for a stillwide trade gap in 2019, we do expect tactical peso strength to give way to fundamental weakness by yearend.â&#x20AC;?

Year to date, cash remittances grew by 4.1 percent to $9.739 billion from $9.353 billion last year and by 33.4 percent from the $7.299 billion as of March.

By country source, the U.S. posted the highest share of overall remittances for the period at 35.9 percent, according to Diokno.

It was followed by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Qatar and Germany.

The combined remittances from these countries accounted for almost 78 percent of cash remittances from January to April this year.

OFW remittances hit $32.21 billion last year, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;highest annual level to date,â&#x20AC;? the central bank said. n

NEA: PH households with power up to 13M

by Jordeene

b. lagare ManilaTimes.net

THE number of Filipino households with electricity has reached a record 13 million, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported.

This means an average of 275,238 new connections or a 2percent increase were registered every six months, NEA said in statement on Tuesday, June 18.

The agency said the percentage of energization surged to 91 percent in April against 80 percent in June 2016, based on the April data from its Information Technology and Communication Services Department (ITCSD).

The government has set a target of 100-percent electrification of Filipino households by 2022.

NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said this milestone was a concrete manifestation of the strong commitment of the agency and the 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) to spur social and economic development in the countryside through electrification. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our relentless efforts with

Department of Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio, Jr. (left) and National Electrification Administration (NEA) Chief Edgardo Masongsong NEA photo

respect to providing electricity to rural and remote areas of the country and usher in a bright future for our fellow Filipinos have borne fruit. This is another milestone in the golden year of the Rural Electrification Program,â&#x20AC;?

Masongsong said.

Earlier, Masongsong said the government needed P40 billion to energize about 2.3 mil-

lion households in some 16,000 areas without electricity. Of the total number, majority of the households were located in various parts of Mindanao.

The NEA chief noted the current energization rate of ECs and private power distribution companies stood at 89.5 percent of more than 14 million households PAGE D3

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DICT: Mobile portability service to start next year

Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr.

by LisBet

K. esmaeL ManilaTimes.net

TELCO subscribers may start applying for mobile number portability in January, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced on Wednesday, June 19.

According to Acting Information Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., mobile-service providers have asked the government for a six-month adjustment period to create the platform and software needed to allow their subscribers to keep their numbers permanently.

“Six months ang hinihingi nila (is all they ask), which is quite reasonable. The first transfer will be six months from now,” Rio said.

This comes after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued on Monday, June 17, Memorandum Circular 03-06-

Manilatimes.net file photo

2019 on the “Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act 11202” or the Mobile Number Portability Act, to be promulgated on July 2.

The circular seeks to provide subscribers with “easy and expedient mobile phone/device usage,” where prepaid or postpaid subscribers could transfer from one service provider to another, or change the type of subscription without changing digits.

The DICT acting chief believes that, as the circular is being implemented, major telecommunications companies would be even forced to improve their services, as subscribers would experience hassle-free process in keeping their mobile numbers.

To qualify for the mobile portability service, the subscriber must have no outstanding financial obligation with the mobile service provider (MSP) and is the

assignee of the number used in a device that is not locked to any MSP. Also, 60 calendar days must have lapsed from the date of that number’s activation.

The subscriber must also have no pending request for transfer of assignment of that number, is not prohibited by a court from porting that number, and is not blacklisted by a provider due to fraudulent activities.

The subscriber may send his or her request for mobile portability service and ask for a nine-digit unique subscriber code, and submit his or her application to the provider in person or online or through SMS via a five-digit access code.

The provider must then inform the subscriber if he or she is qualified for the service. If he or she meets the requirements, the porting process should be done within 48 hours. n

NEA: PH households with power...

PAGE D2 t that were supposed to have access to power since 1969.

For this year, the agency had proposed a budget of P5.2 billion to implement the government’s rural electrification program but was slashed to P800 million.

Established in 1969, the NEA, mandated by the law to energize

households located in remote areas, will be celebrating its 50th founding anniversary carrying the theme “NEA@50: One with ECs and MCOs for Sustainable Rural Development.”

The agency will hold monthlong activities to showcase the significant milestones of the NEA and power co-ops in its continuing

efforts to uplift the lives of Filipinos in the countryside through rural electrification. These include a three-day convention to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on August 6 to 8 which will be participated by key officials from the government, electrification sector, and member-consumer-owners (MCOs). n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-25, 2019 D

PH on higher competitiveness rank: Thanks, but no thanks

Department of Finance

Inquirer.net file photo

to 140 countries.

The 2019 report of IMD think tank World Competitiveness Despite gains in the Philippines’ Center ranked the Philippines rank this year, the Department of 46th this year, up from 50th last Finance (DOF) on Monday lam- year, citing the country’s skilled basted the annual competitive- workforce, economic dynamism, ness report of Swiss business cost-competitiveness, open and school IMD, claiming its method- positive attitudes and high educaology was “backward looking.” tional level of its people.

In an economic bulletin, the However, the Philippines DOF said IMD’s World Competi- placed second to the last among tiveness Report “does not really 13 Asia-Pacific countries included know what it is measuring and it in the report. drives forward by looking at the Not only was the IMD report rear view mirror.” limited but it “also penalizes The DOF said IMD’s report cov- countries that collect more taxes ered only 63 countries while other to increase spending for infrasimilar competitiveness rankings, structure development and thus such as that of the World Eco- boost competitiveness,” the DOF nomic Forum (WEF), included up said.

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

In describing the report’s “greater sin” of using a backward methodology, the DOF said it “uses the previous year’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth, for example, in assigning a score for this year. Thus, even if a country’s growth prospect is negative 8 percent for 2019 but if it was actually 8 percent in 2018, IMD would assign this country in question a high score for the 2019 report.”

Also, the DOF claimed the four sub-factors of the IMD competitiveness index—economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure—were “at best indicators of past performance and may not be indicative of future performance.” n

Costly projects get top priority – Pernia by mayVeLin

U. CaraBaLLO Manilatimes.net

THE government will prioritize costly infrastructure projects while the Philippines remains eligible to borrow funds at a lower cost, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said here on Tuesday night, June 18.

“What we have to do now is to prioritize projects, such that those that are more costly than others.,. The more costly ones

— we want them to move faster than the [less] costly ones,” Pernia said at a briefing after the 8th High-Level Meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation.

This strategy, he explained, is based on the government’s projection that the country is likely to achieve upper middle-income status by 2020 from its current lower middle-income status.

A higher income status means

the Philippines would no longer be eligible for loans that grant lower interest rates with fixed terms, like Japan’s Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) facility.

“Once we do achieve uppermiddle income country status, then we will not be qualified for the Special Terms on Economic Partnership funding,” the National Economic and Development Authority chief said.

PAGE D5

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Tan daughter takes over PAL

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PAL named ‘World’s Most Improved Airline’ in 2019

Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, won the World’s Most Improved Airline award for 2019.

by Rosette Vivienne K. Tan.

by Lisbet

K. esmaeL Manilatimes.net

A DAY after it was first reported, flag carrier Philippines Airlines (PAL) confirmed on Tuesday, June 18, that its President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista was retiring and that Executive Vice President Vivienne K. Tan would replace him as officer in charge.

In a statement, the listed airline said its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lucio C. Tan, as well as members of the board of directors, have accepted Bautista’s decision to leave the firm to

Photo from Tan’s Facebook page

spend more time with his family.

It assured “its customers, business partners and employees that it’s ‘business as usual’ for the flag carrier. All flights and services are proceeding as scheduled.”

“As this is the beginning of JJB’s retirement life with his family, let it also be the beginning of even greater dreams for PAL and all PALers….” Tan, a daughter of the airline and tobacco tycoon, was quoted as saying in the statement.

“On behalf of my father, I am asking all of you to continue working toward our goals. I am

personally committed to working with all of you hand in hand and build on what we have already accomplished,” she added.

The younger Tan boasts of more than 25 years of professional experience in education, airline and propoerty development.

She received her double degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of San Francisco and earned a postgraduate diploma in Fashion Design and Manufacturing Management from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. n

Costly projects get top priority...

PAGE D3 t He added, however, that there is “a grace period of two years between the time we achieve upper middle-income country and the nonqualification for us to be able to avail [ourselves] of STEP funding.”

Within this period, Pernia said priority projects include the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North South Commuter Railway, as well as those in Mindanao.

The first project involves the construction of a 25.3-kilometer subway running run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to FTI in Taguig City, with an extension to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The second involves building a 51-km northward extension from

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adeL

Philstar.com

PHILIPPINE Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, on Tuesday won the World’s Most Improved Airline award for 2019.

International air transport rating organization Skytrax named PAL as the carrier that achieved the biggest leap in product and service quality among a survey of over 350 leading airlines worldwide.

Skytrax announced PAL now ranks 30th airline in the world, jumping 19 spots from being top 49 in 2018.

In 2013, PAL is only at the 90th spot in the world ranking.

PAL also ranked high in the following important categories: • Top 10 World’s Best Business Class Comfort Amenities • Top 10 Best Airline Staff in Asia • Top 11 World’s Best Cabin Crew • Top 11 World’s Best Airport Services • Top 11 World’s Best Premium Economy Class • Top 14 World’s Best Economy Class Skytrax earlier this year certified PAL as a four-star Global Airline along with 40 other airlines. It was based on the comprehensive quality audits performed by the carrier

ties led in terms of quantity, with 1.19 million tons, a 21.5 percent share to total quantity of domestic trade.

Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes commodities had the least contribution to volume with 0.04 million tons.

In terms of value, the total value of domestic trade amounting to P173.75 billion during the first quarter of 2019 marginally decreased by 0.6 percent from P174.88 billion total value in the same quarter of 2018.

Top contributors to trade value were machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, and manufactured goods.

Among the 17 regions’ trade balance – the difference between

trade outflow and inflow – was most favorable in NCR at P25.55 billion having registered the greatest commodity outflow among regions.

Commodity outflow refers to the value of commodities that goes out of regions.

Other regions that had favorable trade balances during the period were: Eastern Visayas, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, ARMM, and SOCCSKSARGEN. On the other hand, the other regions with negative trade balances were: Caraga Region,Zamboanga Peninsula, CALABARZON, Davao, MIMAROPA, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, Northern Mindanao, and Cagayan Valley. n

Domestic trade balance tilts heavily toward Metro Manila

by CzeRiza

VaLenCia Philstar.com

DOMESTIC trade grew strongly in terms of volume in the first quarter of the year but weakened slightly in terms of value, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

During the reference period, the balance of domestic trade was most in favor of the National Capital Region (NCR) as commodity outflows to other regions far outweighed inflows.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia Manilatimes.net file photo The total quantity of domestic These “big infrastructure trade during the first quarter of the Malolos City in Bulacan province to Clark International Airport in projects…aim to make the Philip- year totaled 5.54 million tons, up Pampanga province, and a 55-km pines reach upper middle-income by 8.4 percent from the 5.11 milsouthward from Solis Street in status by the end of 2019 or in lion tons recorded in the first quarManila to Calamba City, Laguna 2020,” Pernia said. (With a report ter of 2018.

Food and live animals commodifrom Jerry M. Hernandez) n province.

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Philstar.com file photo

from Decmber 2018 and January 2019.

Last year, Skytrax awarded PAL the first ever four-star Global Airline rating. It was named second most improved airline and the top 30 cleanest cabin.

Skytrax surveys more than 20 million travelers among over 100 nationalities and 335 airlines for its passenger satisfaction survey in the world.

This year’s 2019 World Airline Awards was held at the Paris Airshow in the Musée de l’Air et de l’ Espace, Paris Le Bourget Airport, France on Tuesday.

PAL is dubbed as Asia’s first airline. n

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