062423 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

MANILA — A religious group leader, who is facing sex trafficking charges, has accused the United States of persecution.

He also said all allegations against him are false.

“Kingdom of Jesus Christ” founder Apollo Quiboloy made these moves a day after his YouTube channel was terminated for violating the social media platform’s community guidelines.

He is in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list because he had been indicted for sex trafficking of children.

“Nothing new. Pareho pa rin ng mga issues,” Quiboloy said in an interview over SMNI television network, the media arm of his organization.

(The issues are still the same.)

“Gusto ng bansang Amerika na sila lang ang maghari sa sanlibutan,” he said.

(America wants it to be the only one to rule the world.)

"Hindi tayo malaya. Pinakikialaman tayo sa bansa natin,” Quiboloy went on.

(We are not free. They are meddling in our

Duterte keep high approval ratings

Luzon slightly dipped from 68 percent to 60 percent, while his approval rating in the Visayas jumped from 60 percent to 71 percent.

percent to 66 percent decrease.

The two officials posted a dip in trust ratings in North Central Luzon, with Marcos getting 54 percent and Duterte 61 percent.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte continue to enjoy the trust of Filipinos, PUBLiCUS Asia's Pahayag second quarter survey showed.

Marcos registered a 62 percent approval rating, slightly higher than the 60 percent he received in the first quarter.

The president's approval rating in North Central

Duterte also maintained her 67 percent approval rating in the previous quarter but suffered a 70 percent to 61 percent approval rating dip in North Central Luzon. Marcos and Duterte's approval ratings remained stable across every segment of society except among non-Catholics, where Marcos registered a 69 percent to 60 percent drop and Duterte a 73

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri's approval ratings posted a 1-point increase — 48 percent from 47 percent in the previous quarter. Participants 18 to 24 years old gave lower trust ratings for Marcos and Duterte, with the president's trust rating reverting to 2022 levels at 45 percent,  PAGE A2

MANILA — Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez is seeing no consequence on the country’s relations with America if the Philippines declines its ally’s request for the accommodation of 50,000 Afghans.

In an interview on Wednesday, June 21, Romualdez was asked if Manila-Washington ties will be affected if the Philippines do not grant such a request of the U.S. “Not at all,” he replied over ANC. “There are many more things that we need to make with the U.S. There is mutual respect, in my view, between the U.S. and the Philippines, especially now [that] they know that the Philippines is a sovereign nation and that we have our own laws, we have things that we want.”

He, however, pointed out that sheltering the distressed Afghans is the “morally right thing to do.” According to Romualdez, humanitarian acts such as this help boost the nation’s relationship with foreign

THE California Mortgage Relief Program is urging California homeowners who are struggling with housing payments to apply for a COVID-19 relief grant.

The push comes after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updated the Area Median Income (AMI) levels. This update means more California homeowners are now eligible for a grant of up to $80,000, providing relief from pandemicrelated financial hardships.

The application can be found online at www.CaMortgageRelief.org.

HUD annually updates income limits for a range of housing programs, including for the Homeowner Assistance Fund that supports the California Mortgage Relief Program. These income limits are defined as percentages of

MANILA – The leaders of some of the country’s top conglomerates, along with their New York-based partner Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), came out in full force on Monday, June 19 to pitch their P267-billion unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), while reiterating the need for 25 years to realize the big-ticket project.

During a press briefing in Makati City, the Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) shared its strategy— to be implemented in phases—to expand the capacity of the congested airport, ultimately increasing it to 70 million

passengers annually from the current 31 million.

At the briefing to represent the conglomerates in the consortium were Ayala Corp. president Cezar Consing, Aboitiz InfraCapital president Cosette Canilao, JG Summit Holdings treasurer Bach Johann Sebastian, LT Group chief financial Jose Gabriel Olives, Filinvest Development Corp. president and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap and Alliance Global-InfraCorp Development Inc. chair and president Kevin Tan.

GIP vice chair Jim Yong Kim, a former World Bank president, stressed the need for Naia to undergo an extensive rehabilitation so the Philippines can take

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang file photo

US businessmen of more investor-friendly PH Marcos to sign Maharlika bill

MANILA — A “more investor-friendly” Philippines is a shared goal of the House of Representatives with President Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez assured American business leaders.

Addressing the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines at their June general membership luncheon meeting at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City last Wednesday, June 21, Romualdez said: “The 19th Congress (20222025), in partnership with President Marcos Jr., is committed

 PAGE A2

to creating an environment that fosters economic growth and attracts investments.”

Moreover, he said that as the House is solidly committed to promote policies that enhance the growth and prosperity of the nation, so is it his belief that “our partnership with the American business community is vital to achieving these goals.”

In less than a year since Marcos assumed the presidency, the collaboration between the executive and legislative branches of government has resulted in a comprehensive legislative agenda that focuses on key sectors crucial to the nation’s development, the

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, June 22 said he will sign the bill establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) as soon as it reaches his office.

"I will sign it as soon as I get it," the chief executive said on the sidelines of the 85th anniversary celebration of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Makati City.

He vowed to scrutinize "all of the changes that have been made" to ensure the "safety and the security of people's pension funds."

"The secret to its success is who do we put in management.

What is their experience? What is their reputation? What is their success rate? We have quite a few good money managers, financial managers that we can call upon," he said.

"The only way that the fund doesn't get into trouble is if it's well and professionally managed. And so, one of the elements that makes that happen is that there is a very clear independence from the day-to-day government function. Those decisions are made by finance professionals," he added.

The MIF is part of the Marcos administration's Medium-

Marcos, Duterte keep high...

while the vice president's hitting its lowest in four quarters at 47 percent.

Overseas Filipino workers and their families gave Marcos lower trust ratings of 54 percent compared to 60 percent in the previous survey.

Duterte's trust scores among non-Catholics decreased significantly to 59 percent.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez maintained his 42 percent approval rating from the previous quarter but registered a 4-percent increase in disapproval rating — 15 percent to 19 percent.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo's approval rating

12-percent increase compared to the previous quarter.

Six out of 10 Filipinos also approved the performance of Marcos' Cabinet, with a 64 percent performance approval rating.

Duterte as Education secretary got the highest approval rating, followed by Marcos as Agriculture secretary, Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian of DSWD, Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Finance, Maria Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health, Susan Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers, Maria Christina Garcia Frasco of the Department of Tourism, Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Renato Solidum of the Department of Science and Technology, and Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Department of National Defense.

The survey of 1,500 Filipino voters from across the country was conducted online from June 8 to 12, 2023, with a margin of error of 3 percent nationwide, 7 percent in the National Capital Region, 5 percent in both North Central and South Luzon, and 6 percent in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The respondents were drawn from the market research panel of 200,000 Filipinos maintained by PureSpectrum, a U.S.-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence. 

No backlash on ties if PH declines...

remained stable at 38 percent. Among government agencies, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority received the highest approval rating anew, followed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology, which were tied in second to third place. They were followed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Tourism, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Education. Trust ratings among government agencies remained flat, except for the Department of Health, which received a countries, citing as an example former President Manuel Quezon’s decision to house more than 1,000 Jewish refugees in the 1930s.

“At the end of the day, this is purely humanitarian in nature. They are really distressed Afghan residents. We’ve had history of this type of humanitarian act in the past. I see the goodwill that it creates, if we help other countries, especially those in distress and need our help,” he stressed.

But the ambassador likewise defended the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), emphasizing that it is equally necessary to critically examine

the Afghans before they are allowed to enter the Philippines as it is part of the country’s immigration laws. He previously clarified that the U.S. government’s request is for the Philippines to accommodate its former employees and their families “whose lives are in danger” in Afghanistan.

"DFA wants to vet this out or bring this out to all different security agencies to be able to get their inputs before having an announcement, [but] now that it’s out in the open, all the more that we will be able to vet this even more,” Romualdez added. The Palace, for its part, said it is still evaluating the U.S. request. Romualdez said the

Marcos to sign Maharlika...

Term Fiscal Framework, 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which are all instruments in pursuing the country's economic transformation.

Tampered?

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, however, warned that the

measure was tampered with and asked the president to veto it.

"I call on the president to veto the Maharlika Bill. We do not have surplus and windfall profits [to back its funding]," Pimentel said in a text message.

He said the enrolled bill being sent to the president "is not the version properly and formally approved by Congress."

"There is a provision there

that had been tampered with without plenary authority," he said without citing the exact provision.

"There is a big chance that the Maharlika Law is unconstitutional," the senator added. "The revisions made were not just matter of style. It showed a flagrant violation of our rules and the Constitution." 

Top PH CEOs push P267-B NAIA rehab...

advantage of the resurgence in tourism activities.

“The Philippines, with the most beautiful beaches, the warmest hospitality and a deep pool of well-trained Englishspeaking talent cannot be allowed to fall behind because of an underperforming gateway airport,” he said.

Upfront payment

The remaining P57 billion is the upfront concession payment to the government, which is touted to be the “largest ever” payment for a transportation public-private partnership project in the country.

Given the massive investment required to complete the project as envisioned, a minimum contract period of 25 years is being sought.

Philippine government should be able to make a decision on the matter by mid-July. 

Of the P267-billion proposal, about P210 billion is allocated for capital investments in airfield and runway upgrades, terminal expansion, new cargo facilities and taxiway extension.

“The amount the consortium will be investing will only work under a 25-year concession period so that we can have an airport that we can be proud of,” stressed Gotianun-Yap.

But based on the P141billion solicited proposal by the government, the chosen private concessionaire will only be given 15 years to rehabilitate Naia and recoup investments. The proposal is under review by the National Economic and Development Authority. "A 15-year concession period will not really do much in terms of transforming the airport. We’ve already studied that before,” said Tan on the sidelines of the event. Asked if MIAC was open to revising their bid, if ever, Tan said: “Right now, it is 25.” 

California’s homelessness crisis is homegrown, study nds

SACRAMENTO — California’s homelessness crisis is a homegrown problem that is deepening amid a shortage of affordable housing and emergency shelter, and it’s often the brutal conditions of living on the street that trigger behavioral health problems, such as depression and anxiety, researchers found in a comprehensive study on homelessness.

The new findings by leading researchers at the University of California show that at least 90% of adults who are experiencing homelessness in the state became homeless while living in California due primarily to the dire lack of affordable housing.

“This idea that homeless people are rushing into California is just not true,” said Margot Kushel, a physician who treats homeless people and the lead investigator of the study for the UC-San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. “There’s so much myth-making around this magnet theory that people who are homeless flock to California, but this is our own problem.”

“These are our own policies,” Kushel added, referring to the state and federal governments.

“We did this to people.”

An estimated 172,000 people are homeless in California, the largest homeless population of any state in the U.S. and 30% of the nation’s total, even though California has just 12% of the population. Researchers believe the way the state measures homelessness, though important, represents an undercount because cities and counties tallying their homeless populations in just one day miss people who may be hidden and living in their cars, for instance.

The homelessness study went further than annual point-intime counts by analyzing the experiences of 3,200 homeless adults age 18 and older from October 2021 to November 2022, then conducted in-depth interviews with some participants to gain a better understanding of the state’s overall crisis.

California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly, who asked for an analysis of the state’s homelessness crisis, said the findings underscore where it

must improve. The study could inform the state’s approach to expanding its behavioral health system.

“As we drive toward addressing the health and housing needs of Californians experiencing homelessness, this study reinforces the importance of comprehensive and integrated supports,” Ghaly said in a statement. “California is taking bold steps to address unmet needs for physical and behavioral health services, to create a range of housing options that are safe and stable, and to meet people where they are.”

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials are steering initiatives that include a 2024 ballot measure to expand treatment for mental health and addiction, including building more residential treatment facilities. Newsom is also leading a new program under the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act, known as CARE courts, to move people into court-ordered treatment. And the administration is seeking to add rent payments as a health care benefit available to low-income Californians on Medi-Cal.

Kushel said the findings point to the increasing demands for adequate mental health and addiction treatment — and more low-income housing. While some people reported heightened mental health and substance use problems before becoming homeless, the trauma of being on the streets, Kushel said, can lead to, or amplify, behavioral health conditions, including drug use and depression.

A staggering 82% of people experiencing homelessness said they had a mental health condition or substance use challenge in their lifetime. And 66% said they were currently experiencing mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, hallucinations, or trouble remembering things.

“I think that speaks to the despair that people experience,” Kushel said.

Sage Johnson, 28, was homeless in Los Angeles and lived for years in shelters before getting into low-income housing.

Despite working graveyard shifts at Walgreens and other minimumwage jobs at the time, she said, she couldn’t find anything

affordable and experienced heightened depression and anxiety while homeless.

“Being out there unmedicated, without therapy, you spiral out of control,” Johnson said, who was among the formerly homeless who helped guide the research.

The report also found:

• Of California’s adult homeless population, 75% became homeless in their county of residence. Nearly 40% reported being homeless for the first time.

• The median length of homelessness was 22 months. In the six months before becoming homeless, people had earned a median monthly income of $960.

• Roughly 1 in 5 became homeless after leaving an institution such as jail. Most people, 78%, reported spending the most time homeless in the prior six months in unsheltered settings: 21% in a vehicle, 57% without a vehicle.

• Before experiencing homelessness, 32% had a mortgage or rental lease agreement; roughly 50% did not.

• Researchers believe many unhoused people have encountered violence, contributing to the crisis: 72% reported physical violence in their lifetime and 24% said they had experienced sexual violence. Sexual violence was more common among women and transgender or nonbinary individuals.

• The homeless population is aging; 47% of all adults surveyed were 50 or older. And Black and Native Americans are disproportionately homeless. For example, just 6% of the state’s population is Black, yet 26% of homeless people surveyed identified as Black.

The findings show the limits of California’s unprecedented spending to combat its homelessness crisis. Newsom’s administration has poured more than $20 billion into the crisis since he took office in 2019, much of that distributed to local governments to provide services and build housing.

That’s on top of billions the state is pouring into improving its mental health system and a $12 billion social services-based initiative called CalAIM, which offers housing security deposits and sobering centers to help

WORLD MUSIC DAY. An employee polishes guitars being sold at a music store along Matipuno Street in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City on Wednesday, June 21, which happens to be World Music Day. Prices of these guitars range from P4,000 to P18,000, depending on the brand. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. Photo from Inday Sara Duterte FB page

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez. Inquirer.net photo

by ANGELA HART KFF Health News

Kai Sotto gets NBA Summer League invite from Orlando Magic

Dementia can take a toll on nancial health, as some families learn the hard way

by SARAH BODEN KFF Health News by NIEL VICTOR C. MASOY ManilaTimes.net

KAI Sotto just got a huge development in his bid to play in the NBA.

The 7-foot-3 Filipino received an invite to play for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League, per reports on Friday, June 23.

The Summer League, where young players like Sotto showcase their talents in hopes of getting signed by an NBA team or at least getting an invite at training camp, is slated from July 7 to 17.

Sotto, 21, worked out with the Magic prior to the 2022 NBA Draft, where no team picked him.

After being undrafted, Sotto played for his second season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League.

The Las Piñas native also went to play for the Hiroshima Dragonflies in Japan's B.League.

Sotto then recently joined the mini camps held by the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and the New York Knicks with the hopes of making an NBA Summer League team.

Sotto previously said that he will focus on his Gilas Pilipinas duties for the FIBA World Cup after the NBA Summer League. 

Speaker assures US businessmen of more...

PAGE A1

Speaker said.

“First and foremost, we aim to strengthen our infrastructure through the passage of landmark bills. Infrastructure development is a key driver of economic growth, and we are determined to address the gaps and bottlenecks that hinder our progress,” he said.

He said Congress is also committed to passing laws that enhance the country’s education and skills development systems

to ensure that the workforce remains competitive and adaptable in the rapidly evolving global economy.

More infra projects needed

In another event, the Speaker underscored the urgent need for more “Build Better More” or BBM projects that will help modernize the country’s infrastructure and uplift as well the lives of 114 million Filipinos.

“As our population grows and our economy expands, it is imperative that we invest in the

modernization and expansion of our infrastructure,” Romualdez said at the groundbreaking rites for the Third Candaba Viaduct project of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. MPTC and Northern Luzon Expressway Corp. forged an agreement to expand the viaduct structure by adding inner and outer shoulders to the three lanes in each direction and is expected to increase the speed of travel from the current 40-60 kph to 6080 kph. 

Quiboloy claims US is persecuting...

PAGE A1

affairs.)

“Itong ginagawa sa akin is both political and religious persecution,” he said.

(What is being done to me is both political and religious persecution.)

“Lahat ng akusasyong ginawa, fabricated. Lahat, pinatong sa ulo ko. Tapos pinaangkin sa akin,” he lamented.

(All accusations made were fabricated. All were placed on my head. I was made to own up to them.)

According to Quiboloy, the

oppression he is experiencing is only “emboldening” him and “fueling his fire.”

He said the U.S. cannot take him down.

“Sa mga gustong tumira sa ‘kin, lahat kayo, pati bansang Amerika, sumawsaw na kayo lahat,” he dared his enemies.

(To those who want to hit, all of you, including the country of America. You can all join in this.)

“Ilabas na ninyo lahat ng bala nyo sa ‘kin. Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa inyo, bullet-proof ako!” Quiboloy claimed.

(Show all your bullets against me. I want to let you know, I’m

bullet-proof!)

“Hindi ako tinatablan ng anumang mga bagay na ginagawa ninyo,” he added.

(I’m immune to anything you are doing.)

The respondent is a selfproclaimed Son of God.

He had been previously linked to various scandals.

These controversies included the 2008 murder of tribal leader Datu Dominador Diarog in Davao City.

He was also the spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte. (Faith Argosino/Inquirer. net)

ANGELA Reynolds knew her mother’s memory was slipping, but she didn’t realize how bad things had gotten until she started to untangle her mom’s finances: unpaid bills, unusual cash withdrawals, and the discovery that, oddly, the mortgage on the family home had been refinanced at a higher interest rate.

Looking back, Reynolds realizes her mother was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease: “By the time we caught on, it was too late.”

Reynolds and her mother are among a large group of Americans grappling with the financial consequences of cognitive decline.

A growing body of research shows money problems are a possible warning sign — rather than only a product — of certain neurological disorders. This includes a 2020 study from Johns Hopkins University of more than 81,000 Medicare beneficiaries that found people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias became more likely to miss bill payments up to six years before a formal diagnosis.

The reach of these conditions is enormous. One recent study found nearly 10% of people over age 65 have dementia; more than twice as many are living with mild cognitive impairment.

Missing the signs of declining cognition

One weekday in the spring of 2018, Reynolds sat next to her 77-year-old mother, Jonnie Lewis-Thorpe, in a courtroom in downtown New Haven, Connecticut. She listened in discomfort as strangers revealed intimate details of their own finances in a room full of people waiting their turn to come before the judge. Then it hit her: “Wait a second. We’re going to have to go up there, and someone’s going to be listening to us.”

That’s because the family home was in foreclosure. The daughter hoped if she explained to the judge that her mother had Alzheimer’s disease, which had caused a series of financial missteps, she could stop the seizure of the property.

Reynolds can’t pinpoint when Alzheimer’s crept into her mother’s life. A widow, LewisThorpe had lived alone for several years and had made arrangements for her aging, including naming

Reynolds her power-of-attorney agent. But Reynolds lived a 450mile drive away from New Haven, in Pittsburgh, and wasn’t there to see her mom’s incremental decline.

It wasn’t until Reynolds began reviewing her mother’s bank statements that she realized Lewis-Thorpe — once a hospital administrator — had long been in the grip of the disease.

Financial problems are a common reason family members bring their loved ones to the office of Robin Hilsabeck, a neuropsychologist at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School who specializes in cognitive issues.

“The brain is really a network, and there are certain parts of the brain that are more involved with certain functions,” said Hilsabeck. “You can have a failure in something like financial abilities for lots of reasons caused by different parts of the brain.”

Some of the reasons are due to normal aging, as Reynolds had assumed about her mother. But when a person’s cognition begins to decline, the problems can grow exponentially. Dementia’s causes — and sometimes ruthless impact

Dementia is a syndrome involving the loss of cognitive abilities: The cause can be one of several neurological illnesses, like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, or brain damage from a stroke or head injury.

In most cases, an older adult’s dementia is progressive. The first signs are often memory slips and changes in high-level cognitive skills related to organization, impulse control, and the ability to plan — all critical for money management. And because the causes of dementia vary, so do the financial woes it can create, said Hilsabeck.

For example, with Alzheimer’s comes a progressive shrinking of the hippocampus. That’s the catalyst for memory loss that, early in the course of the disease, can cause a person to forget to pay their bills.

Lewy body dementia is marked by fluctuating cognition: A person veers from very sharp to extremely confused, often within short passages of time. Those with frontotemporal dementia can struggle with impulse control and problem-solving, which can lead to large, spontaneous purchases.

And people with vascular dementia often run into issues with planning, processing, and judgment, making them easier to defraud. “They answer the phone, and they talk to the scammers,” said Hilsabeck. “The alarm doesn’t go off in their head that this doesn’t make sense.”

For many people older than 65, mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, can be a precursor to dementia. But even people with MCI who don’t develop dementia are vulnerable.

“Financial decision-making is very challenging cognitively,” said Jason Karlawish, a specialist in geriatrics and memory care at the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Memory Center. “If you have even mild cognitive impairment, you can make mistakes with finances, even though you’re otherwise doing generally OK in your daily life.”

Some mistakes are irreversible. Despite Reynolds’ best efforts on behalf of her mother, the bank foreclosed on the family home in the fall of 2018.

Property records show that Lewis-Thorpe and her husband bought the two-bedroom Cape Cod for $20,000 in 1966. Theirs was one of the first Black families in their New Haven neighborhood. Lewis-Thorpe had planned to pass this piece of generational wealth on to her daughters.

Instead, U.S. Bank now owns the property. A 2021 tax assessment lists its value as $203,900.

Financial protections are slow to come

Though she can’t prove it, Reynolds suspects someone had been financially exploiting her mom. At the same time, she feels guilty for what happened to LewisThorpe, who now lives with her: “There’s always that part of me that’s going to say, ‘At what point did it turn, where I could have had a different outcome?'”

Karlawish often sees patients who are navigating financial disasters. What he doesn’t see are changes in banking practices or regulations that would mitigate the risks that come with aging and dementia.

“A thoughtful country would begin to say we’ve got to come up with the regulatory structures and business models that can work for all,” he said, “not just for the 30-year-old.”

But the risk-averse financial  PAGE A4

Kai Sotto Photo from Instagram/@kzsotto

More California homeowners eligible for...

median family income and vary depending on the county of residence and number of people residing in a household.

"With this update from the federal government, more homeowners will now be eligible for a free grant of up to $80,000 from the California Mortgage Relief Program,” said Rebecca Franklin, president of the CalHFA Homeowner Relief Corporation. “We urge all homeowners to review their eligibility and consider applying to join the many thousands who have already taken advantage of the program to stay in their home.

“Even now, too many homeowners are still struggling to recover from the financial toll of the pandemic. This adjustment could mean that more families will not only save their house, but their home. At the same time, they will also protect their greatest financial asset and build generational wealth that could extend beyond their lifetime,”

Franklin added.

The maximum AMI for the California Mortgage Relief

Program is set at 150%, a level that increased in nearly all California counties from the prior year. Combined household income for residents 18 and over must be at or below 150% AMI.

Interested California homeowners are encouraged to use the program’s online calculator to check their eligibility. Homeowners who were previously denied due to their income level are encouraged to reapply if their income meets the 2023 adjusted levels.

In February, the program expanded eligibility to provide up to $80,000 for homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-related assistance offers grants up to $80,000 that never have to be paid back and can be used for a range of housing costs, including:

• Catching eligible homeowners up on late mortgage payments (must have missed at least two payments as of March

1, 2023)

• Covering missed property tax payments (must have missed at least one payment as of March

California’s homelessness crisis is...

1, 2023)

• Paying all or some of a partial claim or loan deferral taken during or after January 2020 (created by moving missed mortgage payments to be paid at the end of the mortgage)

• Helping reverse mortgage holders who face an arrearage due to missed payments for property taxes or homeowners' insurance

It is fast and easy to apply online or via a mobile device by visiting CaMortgageRelief. org. The application can be completed in under 30 minutes once applicants have gathered all the required documents and information, which may include mortgage statements, bank statements, utility bills, and income documentation (i.e. paystubs, tax returns, or unemployment documents).

Homeowners needing assistance can call the Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. They may also visit CaMortgageRelief. org/help to learn more about resources and assistance available to them. (AJPress)

vulnerable populations, including homeless people. But the study found that expanding health coverage and adding social services isn’t serving all those in need.

Specifically, 83% of homeless people surveyed said they had health insurance mostly through Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program for low-income people. Yet more than half relied on the emergency room for care and nearly a quarter said they couldn’t access the care they needed. A majority who said they were experiencing mental health problems either weren’t

being treated or got care through emergency rooms.

In some ways, the policies Newsom is steering may make the problem worse. For example, his administration has backed removing homeless encampments in exchange for shelter and services. But homeless people say those promises are often unmet. Forced displacement, the report found, and confiscation of belongings when clearing encampments can hurt the state’s ability to find housing for people, Kushel said.

“It sometimes feels like one part of government is working

against the other part,” she said.

“We’re frantically trying to get people their documents so they can move into housing, and then somebody else throws it all away. That’s not helpful.”

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

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

Dementia can take a toll on nancial...

industry is hesitant to act — partly out of fear of getting sued by clients.

2018’s Senior Safe Act, the most recent major federal legislation to address elder wealth management, attempts to address this reticence. It gives immunity to financial institutions in civil and administrative proceedings stemming from employees reporting possible exploitation of a senior — provided the bank or investment firm has trained its staff to identify exploitative activity.

It’s a lackluster law, said Naomi Karp, an expert on aging and elder finances who spent eight years as a senior analyst at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office for Older Americans. That’s because the act makes training staff optional, and it lacks government oversight. “There’s no federal agency that’s charged with covering it or setting standards for what that training has to look like,” Karp said. “There’s nothing in the statute about that.”

One corner of the financial industry that has made modest progress is the brokerage sector, which concerns the buying and selling of securities, such as stocks and bonds. Since 2018, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority — a nongovernmental organization that writes and enforces rules for brokerage firms — has required agents to make a reasonable effort to get clients to name a “trusted contact.”

A trusted contact is similar to the emergency contact health care providers request. They’re notified by a financial institution

of concerning activity on a client’s account, then receive a basic explanation of the situation. Ron Long, a former head of Aging

Client Services at Wells Fargo, gave the hypothetical of someone whose banking activity suddenly shows regular, unusual transfers to someone in Belarus. A trusted emergency contact could then be notified of that concerning activity. But the trusted contact has no authority. The hope is that, once notified, the named relative or friend will talk to the account holder and prevent further harm.

It’s a start, but a small one. The low-stakes effort is limited to the brokerage side of operations at Wells Fargo and most other large institutions. The same protection is not extended to clients’ credit card, checking, or savings accounts.

A financial industry reluctant to help

When she was at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Karp and her colleagues put out a set of recommendations for companies to better protect the wealth of seniors. The 2016 report included proposals on employee training and changes to fraud detection systems to better detect warning signs, such as atypical ATM use and the addition of a new owner’s name to an existing checking account. “We would have meetings repeatedly with some of the largest banks, and they gave a lot of lip service to these issues,” Karp said. “Change is very, very slow.”

Karp has seen some smaller community banks and credit unions take proactive steps to protect older customers — such

as instituting comprehensive staff training and improvements to fraud detection software. But there’s a hesitancy throughout the industry to act more decisively, which seems to stem in part from fears about liability, she said. Banks are concerned they might get sued — or at least lose business — if they intervene when no financial abuse has occurred, or a customer’s transactions were benign. Policy solutions that address financial vulnerability also present logistical challenges. Expanding something as straightforward as use of trusted contacts isn’t like flipping a light switch, said Long, the former Wells Fargo executive: “You have to solve all the technology issues: Where do you house it? How do you house it? How do you engage the customer to even consider it?”

Still, a trusted contact might have alerted Reynolds much sooner that her mom was developing dementia and needed help.

“I fully believe that they noticed signs,” Reynolds said of her mother’s bank. “There are many withdrawals that came out of her account where we can’t account for the money. … Like, I can see the withdrawals. I can see the bills not getting paid. So where did the money go?”

This article is from a partnership that includes WESA, NPR, and KFF Health News.

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

Grounded

DOGS and goats used to stray into Philippine airport runways, and the lack of night landing equipment limited many gateways to daytime operations.

Today runways are off-limits to animals, but certain airports continue to lack night landing capability. And lightning can halt operations at the country’s main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where the electricity network seems to have acquired the bad habit of conking out during peak travel periods.

Now, on top of interminable waiting in line in weak air conditioning to clear immigration at the NAIA, travelers must also contend with sudden flight cancellations on the two principal local carriers. Affected travelers have been complaining about the problem long enough for the Senate to conduct an investigation.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines recently canceled eight international flights from Manila, explaining that several of its aircraft were grounded. PAL said the affected passengers were rerouted, rebooked or given a refund.

The air tickets can also be converted into travel vouchers. In an earlier statement, PAL explained that the cancellations were “primarily due to the increase in the number of aircraft on preventive maintenance as a result of high utilization brought about by revenge travel or high travel demand.”

CTalk

C ITO BELTRAN

PRESIDENT Bongbong Marcos recently announced that he will be staying on as the incumbent Secretary of Agriculture “until the required structural reforms are instituted to make the sector more efficient and competitive.”

In an article published in The Philippine STAR, the president was quoted as saying: “What I aspire is by the time I leave the DA (Department of Agriculture), we will have systems in place so that we can guarantee the food supply of the Philippines, number one; we can guarantee that the prices are affordable and number three, that our farmers make a good living.”

Based on these preconditions set by PBBM, it is safe to assume that PBBM will remain Secretary of Agriculture “for life” (as a figure of speech) or until his last day in office. It is also interesting to note that in his 3-point agenda, the farmers come in third to food security and prioritizing pricing concerns of consumers. You would think that farmers should be prioritized so that food production would increase and as a result of abundant production, food prices would not only be affordable but cheap.

I have no quarrel with the president regarding his set goals, but his priorities clearly need to be reconsidered and it may help the president if he spoke with other stakeholders

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has also been hit by the same problem. It has apologized to the public and attributed it to a global aviation problem arising from defective engines provided by U.S. aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney. CEB noted that all over the world, more than 120 Airbus planes are currently grounded because of the lack of spare parts maintenance support from Pratt & Whitney. The company notified CEB last March that it could no longer provide the spare engine support.

Even if other entities are to blame, airlines will have to deal with complaints about overbooking and sudden flight cancellations. Such disruptions can be excused if there is a weather disturbance or volcanic eruption. But if the problem has been building up over several weeks and even months, surely it is possible to reduce the inconvenience to passengers.

Canceled flights disrupt the schedules of other flights, and can lead to fines for failure to show up for a hotel reservation. Pre-booked and pre-paid land transport fees are rarely refunded. Meeting commitments are upended. And it’s not easy to rebook a flight. Travelers deserve better service –both from airlines and the airport. (Philstar.com)

and not just his cordon sanitaire or the favored few businessmen pretending to be farmers or pretending to know what’s best for Philippine agriculture.

Farming and agriculture are not some political campaign that you develop for political purposes or propaganda, as DA officials seem to be promoting to pander to PBBM’s links with his father FM and the various programs FM promoted in his time. The desk jockeys and excorporates at the DA have to do more than recycle martial law era agricultural campaigns or merely approve importations that stir up controversy and suspicion.

Agriculture is what feeds a nation and ensures its survival and ideally contributes to its progress. It is the rare economic model that rises from the ground up resulting from the hard work, determination and grit of various groups knitted together with their desire to produce food and products from the earth, from water, from plants and animals.

Economists can say and do all they want but if climate change, geo-political disruption and dysfunctional government policies push farmers against the wall, no charts and formulas are going to work, and neither will the farmers.

The “farmer” invests the most with the little he or she has, works the hardest on the land, is the most disadvantaged in the pricing, negotiation and sales and is the most used if not abused when propagandists and storytellers of government come out glorifying themselves. One

industry leader, while comparing the Philippines to other nations in the region, labeled the DA and the country as “Anti-Farmer.”

Various agencies of the DA have piles of documentary and scientific and financial requirements for registration, certification and permission in relation to business registration, certification of farms, products or movement. I am certain that if someone at the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) investigated the processes and requirements of the DA, they would flag so much red tape in its various agencies.

Yes, you can modernize agriculture, you can increase yield, you can integrate and make it more efficient, but only through the people on the ground and of the land. The president’s friends and advisers all talk about “factory farms” and integrating lands that have already been subdivided and distributed in an attempt to make PBBM believe, which he probably already has, that is the answer.

Unless the president has been hiding in a cave, I am certain that he is well aware of the state of agricultural infrastructure in terms of available land for different types of applications, not just rice. He must be aware that irrigation in the country is in such a sorry state that on occasion, the distribution of water ends up being a choice on whether Metro Manila gets potable water or if farmers get water for their rice paddies.

Even with water available, the irrigation and distribution

are so fractured that it costs more and wastes more. Time and again it has been suggested that rice production be relocated to regions, provinces or areas where there are rivers and wetlands instead of sustaining them in areas challenged with water supply.

The biggest mistake is we continue to focus all resources of the DA – 60 percent is the often-quoted amount – invested on rice production. Agriculture is not just rice. There is livestock, grains and vegetables along with marine products. Then the DA is like a philanderer whose responsibility is to care for Philippine agriculture but delights in sourcing and supporting the agriculture and products of other countries.

The Philippines needs to create a buffer to transition us towards increased self-sufficiency or local sourcing and ultimately reduce importation of agricultural products simply to cover deficits or as a remedial solution to uncontrollable disruption in the supply chain. Going full circle, whatever we do to fix Philippine agriculture, it has to start with the farmers. I seriously doubt if there has even been a demographic survey of who and where are the different types of farmers, their products, assets, location and outputs as well as challenges or needs.

PBBM said that Filipinos don’t want dole outs and as far as farmers go, that may be the case. But what they want is a fair and level playing field where

their effort and sacrifice are honored by their government through “priority status,” “buy local” policies and to be finally recognized and respected for their contribution to nation building.

DA officials need to be sent to reeducation camps on how to respect their stakeholders, engage and consult. You cannot help farmers if you are not willing to walk their pain and get your feet dirty, mga “bossing.” (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * *

E-mail: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com

“GENIUS knows no country, genius sprouts anywhere, genius is like light, air, the patrimony of everybody,” exclaimed José Rizal in one of his most memorable speeches on record. The special occasion was the crowning of two of his colleagues, namely Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, as among Europe’s most accomplished artists. Luna bagged the gold medal for “El Expoliarium,” better known as “The Spoliarium,” at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884. On his part, Hidalgo had just won a silver medal for “Virgenes

Christianas Expuestas al Populacho” (Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace). Ecstatic, if not almost

intoxicated, by the singular achievement of his fellow Filipinos, Rizal placed Luna and Hidalgo in the pantheon of the world’s leading artists and as “the pride of Spain as [well as] of the Philippines.” What makes Rizal’s speech particularly special is not its rhetorical flourish per se, but instead, its profound dialectical subtlety. By arguing that “genius has no country,” he was actually emphasizing the enormous talent of his fellow Filipinos, who managed to achieve, against all odds, the most illustrious awards in the heart of imperium.

Fortunately, one no longer needs to fly all the way to the Old World in order to witness the genius of Filipino talent.

Our very own Ayala Museum is now hosting, in cooperation with León Gallery, the “holy grail” of Philippine art: Luna’s “Hymen, oh Hyménée!” a gorgeously splendid painting that clearly

occupied a special place in its author’s heart.

According to Jaime Ponce de Leon, the heroically dauntless auctioneer who tracked down the much-vaunted painting, “Hymen, oh Hyménée!” is singular, precisely because it managed to win a top award in no less than in Exposition Universelle in 1889 in Paris, then the “ground zero of [high] art.” I wonder, though, whether Luna’s other masterpieces, “Spoliarium” (1884) and “The Death of Cleopatra” (1881), would have also bagged the top awards had imperial Spanish authorities allowed the Filipino artist to exhibit all his key works in Paris.

Rizal’s speech was also crucial in another sense: It underscored the social foundations of individual genius. Luna’s greatest works were, after all, not only inspired by marital romance

and his creative genius but also the revolutionary fervent of the ilustrado class. Thus, to celebrate Luna’s genius in singular terms is a disservice to his peers, who brought the best out of each other by constantly pushing the boundaries of artistic imagination and political activism.

In fact, not only Luna but also Rizal and countless other ilustrado achievers were heavily indebted to pioneers such as Pedro Alejandro Paterno (1857-1911). Paterno, the author of the first Filipino novel, “Ninay,” was a brilliant legal and artistic mind who leveraged his wealth and social networks to catapult his fellow ilustrados to Europe’s high society. It was Paterno, arguably more than any of his peers, who played a crucial role in mainstreaming the “Filipino perspective” among Spain’s cultural elite, who

had scant notions of their sole Asian colony up until the “ fi n de siècle ” years.

As the Spanish scholar Jorge Mojarro notes, it was Paterno who “turned his Madrid home into a meeting point for lively literary and artistic gatherings where he was visited, thanks to his generosity, by the most select Spanish intelligentsia of the late 19th century.” In short, Luna’s genius didn’t blossom in a vacuum, but instead among kindred spirits.

Long before the Young Turks emerged in Eurasia, bravely advocating for republican democracy in the ashes of a crumbling Ottoman empire, the Filipino ilustrado class was a vanguard of modern nationalism in the Asia-Pacific region. As the Indian essayist Pankaj Mishra notes, Rizal and his peers served as a locomotive for anti-colonial imagination across the region.

Over the next century, however, their beloved motherland succumbed to a notorious kakistocracy and a culture of mediocrity. Ours is a country where the ancien régime is alive and well, while the progressive opposition is in de facto hibernation. This is a disservice to our founding fathers, who achieved greatness against the grain of full-spectrum oppression and imperial tyranny. What we need is no less than a new generation of ilustrado who, in tandem with an inspired and mobilized masses, can serve as a vanguard of national rejuvenation. (Inquirer.net)

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

* * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

‘Secretary for life’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Malacañang file photo

The biggest Bonsai and

by the Asia-Pacific Bonsai

event

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Gov’t assures continuity of PH’s ‘golden age of infrastructure’

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged on Friday, June 23 to adopt his predecessor’s vision for “golden age of infrastructure” to enhance mobility and connectivity in the Philippines.

Speaking during the 125th anniversary celebration of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Port Area, Manila, Marcos acknowledged the importance of infrastructure development in nation-building.

Marcos said putting a premium on the infrastructure sector is the “basic element” in bringing progress to the country.

“That is why you have a long and celebrated history, stretching back many centuries. The department’s accomplishments have not only changed our landscapes but define our society as a whole,” he said.

PH economy to become 18th biggest by mid-century

by RONNEL W. DOMINGO Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines could join the world’s 20 biggest economies in terms of value in less than three decades thanks to its large population and fast-improving industries like manufacturing, according to BMI Research.

The Fitch Group subsidiary said in a report the global ranking of economies are primed for a “major reshuffle” starting in the 2030s, with some emerging economies, including the Philippines, seen giving developed economies a run for their money.

BMI sees China overtaking the United States at the top spot in 2027 and outgrowing the U.S. “by a large margin” by 2050.

Likewise, India is expected to get a bigger share of the global economy. Currently ranked fifth-largest, the South Asian behemoth is seen leapfrogging

to third place—currently held by Japan—in 2035.

“Besides the two emerging market giants, we are particularly optimistic about Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, all of which have growing populations and are rapidly developing high value-added sectors, such as manufacturing,” BMI said.

On par with Russia

BMI expects the Philippines to be the world’s 18th-largest economy in 2050, tied with Russia, each accounting for 2.3 percent of global wealth.

Based on data as of 2021, the World Bank places the Philippines at 38th place with the domestic economy valued at $394 billion. Russia is at 11th place with $1.8 trillion.

This means that, in 2021, the Philippines had a 0.4-percent share of the $96.5-trillion global output while Russia accounted for 1.8 percent.

BMI said Russia, along

with Brazil and Mexico, will experience relative economic decline over the forecast period.

Over the 27-year forecast period, the Russian economy is expected to slide from 11th this year with a 2-percent contribution to the global economy to 15th (2.2 percent) in 2035, until the Philippines catches up to the global superpower by mid-century.

“Given the significant timescales involved, risks to these forecasts are significant,” BMI said, adding that it was unlikely that all of the 206 economies covered by the report will exist in 2050 in their present forms.

The forecasts are based on the United Nations’ population projections and an extrapolation of the themes that BMI expects will drive economic growth in the 2020s and 2030s.

“Given the long time horizon, even small changes could have large effects,” the company said. 

Consumer con dence still down, but businesses more upbeat in Q2

MANILA — Consumers stayed pessimistic in the second quarter as stubbornly high inflation crimps household budgets, while businesses were more upbeat as they expect demand to remain firm despite rising prices.

A nationwide poll of 5,548 families showed the consumer confidence index (CI) was relatively “steady” at -10.5% in the second quarter, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Friday, June 23.

That the CI stayed in the negative territory means the pessimists continued to outnumber the optimists.

Explaining the results, the BSP said inflation remains the top concern for consumers, who also said they are worried about “lower income” and “fewer available jobs”.

The respondents were also skeptical of the effectiveness of government actions to tame inflation and create more wellpaid jobs for everyone.

Worse, consumers were less confident for the third quarter

and the next 12 months, as the CIs declined to 4.6% and 20.5% — from 7.5% and 22.7% — respectively.

Government data showed inflation eased for the fourth straight month in May at 6.1%, prompting the central bank to hold off any rate hikes in its last two meetings as the ultra-tight monetary policy settings work its way to the domestic economy.

Despite the rising borrowing costs, the BSP said the percentage of households with loans increased to 24.8% in the second quarter, from 22.8% in the preceding three months.

But the percentage of households with savings decreased to 30.2% in the second quarter, from 32.9% in the first quarter.

Businesses more upbeat

A separate BSP poll of 1,549 companies nationwide showed the business CI rose to 40.8% in the second quarter, from 34.0% previously.

The latest reading means there was an increase in the percentage

of optimists and a decrease in the proportion of pessimists during the quarter.

The respondents attributed their optimism to expectations of “increase in sales and production due to stronger demand” and “continued post-pandemic recovery”.

The rosier sentiment of companies also stemmed from “easing inflation” and seasonal uptick in demand for certain goods and services during the summer.

However, the business sentiment for the third quarter was less buoyant as the overall CI declined to 46.4%, from 49% in the previous quarter.

The business CI for the next 12 months also sagged to 58.5% from 61.9%.

The BSP attributed the less optimistic business outlook in tight financial condition as a result of the rate hikes meant to fight inflation, which could hamper expansion plans and hurt consumer demand. (Philstar. com)

Escudero to push for air passengers rights

MANILA – Senator Francis Escudero on Thursday, June 22 said it is about time to pass a law that would institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights and impose stiffer penalties on violators amid the rising grievances by travelers against poor airline services.

"Similar measures had been filed in the previous Congress but nothing happened. It is about time that we in the 19th Congress should look into this seriously and hopefully pass the necessary legislation," Escudero said in a statement.

The current Congress, according to Escudero, should look into legislating the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, a proposal that was backed by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) during Wednesday's hearing conducted jointly by the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Public Services, chaired by Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, respectively.

CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said the violations and penalties in the 71-year-old Republic Act 776 or the "Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines" have not been revised and that the law limits the fine to PHP5,000 for each violation.

On the other hand, the Airline

Passenger Bill of Rights was not legislated but contained in the Joint Administrative Order 1 of the then Department of Transportation and Communications and the Department of Trade and Industry in 2012.

The Air Passenger Bill of Rights protects air passengers from problems in the airport, such as delayed or canceled flights without appropriate warning, lost luggage, and overbooking of flights, among others. It also covers pre-flight issues, such as misleading fare advertisements.

The hearing tackled complaints lodged by passengers who have experienced delayed and canceled flights, overbooking, offloading, offboarding, and lost luggage.

Airline representatives acknowledged the challenges faced by their companies and issued separate public apologies for the inconvenience brought to the affected passengers.

Airline officials also informed the senators that they were undertaking measures and coordinating with the concerned government agencies to address the situation effectively.

The flight delays and cancellations during the past months were caused mainly by, among others, the supply chain

“Huwag nating patapusin ‘yung golden age of infrastructure. Ipagpatuloy natin ang golden age of infrastructure ngayon dahil naman kailangan na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan (Let us make sure that the golden of infrastructure will not end. Let us continue the golden age of infrastructure because it would benefit our countrymen),” Marcos added.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program ushered the country into the so-called “golden age of infrastructure.”

Under Marcos' administration, the infrastructure development plan has been rebranded as “Build, Better, More” program.

Marcos, as chairperson of the National Economic and Development Authority Board, approved in March this year 194 high-impact infrastructure flagship projects worth PHP9 trillion.

Marcos attributed the success in implementing flagship infrastructure projects to the DPWH, citing the department’s “very long list of accomplishments” since its inception 125 years ago.

“From the majestic government buildings, the large projects such as dams and irrigation systems, bridges, highways connecting our many islands, the Public Works [department] has been at the front and center of the

planning and construction of it all,” he said.

“You should be proud for each of you has contributed not only to the building of these structures but to the building of the nation as a whole,” he added.

Marcos said the DPWH personnel’s hard work has resulted in the establishment of several structures that “produce opportunities, facilitate commerce, increase mobility and protect the lives of our people.”

He urged the department to take advantage of the new technologies and techniques to ensure the timely completion of critical infrastructure projects.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it continues to be my hope that everyone in the department of public works will remain steadfast in its mandate as well as stay committed to fulfilling this administration’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda by committing to construct and finish critical infrastructure projects on time, on schedule and under budget,” Marcos said.

Marcos called on the DPWH to continue streamlining its procedures, in an effort to prevent delays and ensure transparency in all government projects and transactions.

He also asked them to make sure that the structures and

facilities that will be built under the “Build, Better, More” program are not just beautiful but will also “physically survive” the next 80 to 100 years.

“There are many agencies and of course all other departments and for that matter, my own office, are there behind you to support you, to make all we undertake a success,” Marcos said. During the program, Marcos also witnessed the awarding and recognition of several DPWH regional offices and district engineering offices, including Ilocos Region, the first and second districts of Pangasinan and the second district of Batangas.

The celebration of the DPWH’s founding anniversary focuses on the theme, “Makasaysayang Daan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan,” highlighting the department’s historic accomplishments in terms of infrastructure development and its significant contributions to nation-building in the last 125 years. The DPWH, established on June 23, 1898, is mandated to undertake the planning of infrastructure and the design, construction, and maintenance of national roads and bridges, and major flood control systems. (PNA)

issues (global shortage on airline components and spare parts) that resulted in more aircraft on ground (AOGs), delays in the scheduled delivery of aircraft from Airbus, logistics challenges resulting to prolonged aircraft recovery, and uncontrollable weather-related condition, airline officials said. Binay is scheduled to hold a follow-up meeting soon, with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) officials in attendance. (PNA)

BONSAI EXHIBIT.

Suiseki show in Mindanao is being held at SM Lanang Premier from June 23-25, 2023. Organized

and Suiseki Exhibition and Convention, Asia-Pacific Bonsai Friendship Federation, and Davao Bonsai Society, the

commemorates the 50th founding anniversary of the Philippine Bonsai Society Inc. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Senator Francis Escudero Philstar.com file photo

Success story: A life was saved on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

FILIPINA frontliner from Florida, Janice, was diagnosed with myelofibrosis – bone marrow cancer. She had already been receiving several treatments including blood transfusions and medications, but none of these had worked.

She was in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Her sister, Jerrimee, who lives in the Philippines, is a perfect match. Being a blood relative donor also meant that the chances for success would be greater.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy denied Jerrimee’s application for a medical visa. Time was of the essence, and desperate to find help, Janice’s family posted their appeal on social media.

Their story was brought to the attention of Citizen Pinoy head writer, Mouse Munoz, who in turn referred the situation to leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Atty. Gurfinkel filed for Humanitarian Parole and requested for expedited processing since the situation is a matter of life and death. After persistent and numerous follow-ups, Jerrimee’s humanitarian parole visa was approved and she was able to enter the U.S., underwent tests, and donated her bone marrow to her sister.

Janice’s cancer is now in remission and her

Catriona stuns in bridal gown: ‘Getting all the feels’

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

FANS of Catriona Gray could not seem to contain their excitement for the beauty queen’s wedding with her fiancé Sam Milby, after they had a glimpse of her in a wedding dress at a recently held bridal show. The Miss Universe 2018 titleholder graced the bridal show donning a creation by Filipino fashion designer Jaggy

Photos from Instagram/@catriona_gray

Cherie Gil remembered by children, fellow celebrities on her 60th birthday

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

the occasion together, in an open letter on his Instagram page on Wednesday, June 21.

“You’d be 60 today so I’m missing you a little more than usual. We should be dancing in the park and feeling the grass between our toes, or celebrating over dinner and drinks, wondering, ‘Where does the time go?’” he wrote.

CHERIE Gil’s memories are kept alive by her children Raphael and Bianca Rogoff as well as celebrities who honored the late actress on what would have been her 60th birthday. Raphael expressed his longing for his mom as he imagined how they would have celebrated PAGE B4

“You moved on 321 days ago, with 1440

Janice, a frontliner from Florida who dedicated her life saving others, now needed a life-saving bone marrow transplant for herself.

Apl.de.Ap takes on new roles in humanitarian and creative projects

By Ida anIta Q. del Mundo Philstar.com

GLOBAL celebrity Apl.de.Ap

of Black Eyed Peas will soon be taking on a new role. He will be appearing as a contestant in the latest edition of Master Chef UK. His participation in the program aligns with his lifelong passion for the culinary arts.

The Pampanga-born musician is currently developing new projects in the food and beverage space, including a sustainably sourced coffee and a new craft beer, both from the Philippines, and a cookbook of Filipino cuisine written together with his mother.

Apl has also been developing an innovative sustainability enterprise related to farming in the Philippines, focused on the uses and technology of biochar, to help address food scarcity and provide economic independence for provincial farming communities.

Through the Apl.de.Ap Foundation International, the multi-hyphenate has been providing resources and support to Filipino youth and underserved communities worldwide. Now celebrating 12 years, the foundation is bridging even closer its work between the Philippines and the U.S. with its renewed focus on education, arts, and innovation.

The foundation says, “From Angeles City to Los Angeles, new

Marian,

foundation projects are focused on two key areas — 1.) creative innovation and 2.) sustainability — setting the stage for more exciting news from Apl.de.Ap this year.”

Through the foundation, Apl has launched a creative arts fellowship in the U.S. to connect talented young people to more opportunities in the creative industries. With the Allan Pineda Arts Leader Fellowship, two senior high school students of Filipino descent from LA County High School for the Arts were awarded inaugural fellowships. They have been working with Apl’s team at the Black Eyed Peas studio in L.A. where they have been meeting and learning

Dingdong

from top entertainment industry executives, such as Pixar Animation co-founder Ralph Guggenheim and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas. They have also been encouraged to apply new skills to their creative interests and artistic abilities.

Based on the success of this pilot program, Apl aims to replicate this fellowship for youth in the Philippines and other communities worldwide.

Amid all his projects, Apl.de.Ap is getting ready to embark on another international tour with Black Eyed Peas this summer while concurrently developing a major project in entertainment that will be announced later this year. g

headline

Star Cinema’s ‘Rewind’

By Jan MIlo Severo Philstar.com

CELEBRITY couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong

Dantes will headline the Star Cinema film “Rewind.”

According to a report by ABS-CBN News, the celebrity couple’s movie is Star Cinema’s collaboration with APT Entertainment and Agosto Dos Media.

“Rewind” will be directed by Mae Cruz Alviar.

Marian said that she’s excited to work with Mae because Dingdong worked with her in his movie with Bea Alonzo, “She’s The One.”

“Sobrang excited [ako maka-work ang Star Cinema] at the same time, si Direk [Mae],” Marian said.

PAGE B5

Success story: A life was saved...

doctors expect her blood levels to be back to normal within the year. A life has been saved. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 25 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) was able to acquire a Humanitarian Parole visa for Jerrimee (3rd from left) so she can donate her bone marrow to her sister, Janice.

The Pampanga-born musician and global celebrity is currently developing new projects in the food and beverage space, including a sustainably sourced coffee and a new craft beer. Philstar.com photo

Celebrity couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, also known as DongYan. Philstar.com photo

Piolo’s thrilling journey goes on

By Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

“RELIEF” — and visibly, joy and fulfillment — is what multi-awarded actor Piolo Pascual is savoring in his career nowadays. Devoting 29 years of hard work, not to mention obedience, to building his name and reputation as a worthy and credible artist, he has come to a point where he is free to choose any role, genre or platform he wishes to take on and deservingly so.

This much-awaited autonomy in every actor’s life — at least for the serious ones — allows Piolo to explore uncharted territories. And more importantly, without the need to worry about box office returns, love teams, reviews or whether the character he will portray is a fit for his image. After all, he has certainly earned more than just his dues, given how fame has intruded into his life many times over, and often not in a kind way.

Looking his best today — if it is possible for Piolo Pascual to look any better — the 45-year-old’s visibly relaxed aura and easy smile at this crossroads are unmistakable signs he is truly in a good place.

Case in point is how he delivered the full 10-night run of the musical “Ibarra,” from June 8 to 18 at the GSIS Theater. The lone mainstream actor in a cast of veteran thespians, Piolo trained hard and held his own in essaying the difficult lead of Crisostomo in Jomar Flores’ awardwinning musical adaptation of Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangre.” The project entailed 10 successive nights of intoning almost half of some 30-plus complex librettos, all because he had always dreamt of crossing over to professional theater.

Ticking this one off his bucket list, who cares about a handful of faceless criticisms about his performance which appeared online? He has nothing left to prove anyway.

Piolo Pascual continues to steel his status as one of the country’s most versatile and prolific actors.

Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual

The bottom line is that he committed and delivered on what he wanted to do without ever tagging his alternate for a respite. Every night, audiences came to see Piolo and it was Piolo they saw, raw and triumphant despite a note falling flat here and there.

True enough, on the very next day following his final curtain call for “Ibarra,” Piolo was at it again. Announcing something new and unexpected to add to his filmography.

That afternoon, he joined Mentorque Production Inc.’s president John Bryan Diamante and the young and awardwinning director of horrors and thrillers, Derick Cabrido (“Clarita,” “Purgatoryo”), to signal the launch of a dark and

extraordinary three-period retelling of the story of “Mallari,” the first documented serial killer in the Philippines.

Now what business does Philippine Entertainment’s Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual have to play the role of a serial killer?

You know the answer. Because the man wants to and has every right to. For indeed, Piolo’s decision to tackle such a damnable character [Juan Severino Mallari was a priest who killed over 50 victims in Pampanga, circa 1800s] will not only showcase the immense range he has reached as an actor, but it will also reflect his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of his craft.

“Actually, I’m a fan of horror movies,” Piolo revealed when he was asked the inevitable question. “But since I got stuck with romantic-comedy movies, I had no chance of doing any. So, when I Googled Mallari as the first serial killer in the Philippines, I told myself, ‘I think I should do this project and be proud of it.’

“I know it’s going to be hard for me, exhausting and emotionally draining portraying three roles [across different timelines], but I’m after the challenge because Mallari is an interesting character,” Piolo explained.

He is also grateful to the streaming platform where documentaries have become popular and abundant, in the hopes that these would have prepared his swooning fans for a thought provoking and possibly jarring movie by the time he finishes “Mallari.”

When The T-Zone prodded Piolo to talk more about reaching this stature in his career, he humbly replied, “I’m privileged to say [that I’m in a position] where you don’t have to worry about what people are going to say or how they’re going to accept you. When your only role is to give it your

Cherie Gil remembered...

minutes in a day and you brushing my mind at least ten times, I’ve thought about you 46,224 times or something like that… not particularly keeping track,” he continued.

Raphael recalled the laughs he shared with Cherie, noting how the veteran actress “lived a life full of adventure” even if they were not able to spend her older days together.

“For a while life has felt grim, but I think of you and you give my frown a spin,” he stated. “I carry you with me always, near or far, in my heart. Thank you for teaching me how to live, Momma!”

“I’m sure it’s a party wherever you are right now; cause you always knew how to dance to the music of life. I’m still learning from you,” he concluded.

Bianca, for her part, dedicated her version of Townes Van Zandt’s “I’ll Be Here in the Morning” to her mom, recounting how music— along with theater and film— gave a “sense of ease and deeper understanding” in their relationship. Bianca also disclosed that her brother, Jay Eigenmann, helped her record the song.

“Today my hilarious, funloving, complicated, overly talented mom would’ve turned 60, a birthday she was eager to hit,” Bianca said. “I always

planned on sharing this song on her birthday: a cover of a song I played on repeat while mom was sick. The lyrics brought me a lot of comfort and it’s back on repeat today as I think of the last year we spent together.” Bianca then hoped that through the song, she would bring comfort as well to those who are longing for their loved ones.

“No matter what we would have ended up doing, it was gonna be a party with mom. I do not doubt she is having a party right now,” she stated.

“Celebrating you today, mom… I’ve thought about you everyday since you left and I still feel you everywhere. Thanks for sticking by me,” she added. “Will dance to the music of life, silly woman, and to not take things (and myself) too seriously. You did such a good job. I love you.”

Cherie’s fellow celebrities who also remembered the late actress were Mylene Dizon, Agot Isidro, Lea Salonga and Frankie Pangilinan.

Raphael and Bianca are Cherie’s children with husband Rony Rogoff, while Jay is the late actress’ eldest son with veteran actor-comedian Leo Martinez.

Gil, known as Philippine show biz’s “La Primera Contravida,” died in August last year after her battle with endometrial cancer. g

Catriona stuns in bridal gown: ‘Getting all the...

PAGE B1

Glarino, as seen on Gray’s Instagram page on Friday, June 23.

“Had the most magical night being a muse for my extremely talented friend [Jaggy Glarino] for the annual [Marry Me at Marriott] fashion show,” she said in the caption. “Getting all the feels.”

Gray also treated fans to moments from her backstage preparations as well as the actual event through her Instagram Stories.

The comments section was filled with fans gushing over the beauty queen.

Gray and Milby, who went public with their relationship in May 2020, made their engagement public in February 2023. Gray earlier revealed that their wedding would take place sometime in 2024 as they are currently enjoying their “season” as an engaged couple. g

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Cherie Gil with Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon and director Andoy Ranay; Cherie with her children Raphael and Bianca. Photos from Instagram/@missmylenedizon, @raphrogoff

Retaliation for employee complaints of wrongdoing can be costly for employers

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr

IN a recently-concluded federal case an employer’s retaliatory conduct in Georgia, turned an  unpaid wage bill of $915 into approximately $40,000 in liability, illustrating precisely what an  employer should not do in the face of the anti-retaliation protections for employees in our  employment laws.

Marian, Dingdong headline...

“Kasi si Dong ang daming kuwento tungkol sa kanya. So sabi ko kay Dong, sana balang araw ma-direct din niya ako. Punong-puno ng pangarap ‘yung mga kwento ni Dong sa akin every time may Star Cinema siya. So sabi ko, sana balang araw,” she added.

The Kapuso star said that she was impressed with the script and will do the movie despite her heavy schedule.

“Parang bawat paglipat ko ng pahina sa script, walang tapon sa script. Walang dahilan para hindi ko ito gawin, especially kasama ko si Dong. Kasi alam niya, every time nagkaka-partner kami na kaming dalawa, meron kaming moment na mas tumitibay kami. ‘Ah, may ganun pala siya.’ So may bago akong nadi-discover sa kanya. Lalo akong nai-

in love. May ganu’ng moment. So sabi ko kay Direk, gagawin ko iyan kahit mahirapan ako sa schedule,” she said.

Echoing Marian’s statement, Dingdong said he was also impressed with the script.

“Nauna ko siyang nabasa. Same reaction pero wala namang nakakita sa akin. Pero pinadala ko sa kanya. Usually matagal siyang magbasa ng script, mga days. Pero parang wala pa yatang one hour na-reply na kaagad siya. Natapos niya in less than an hour,” he said. Kahit na pangatlong beses mo na siya basahin I’m pretty sure ganu’n pa rin ang feeling. Nu’ng huling beses ko siyang nabasa was four days ago, ganu’n pa rin ang pakiramdam ko. Parang fresh parati. Ano pa kaya kung makita na natin ang interpretation ni Direk Mae?” he added. g

Piolo’s thrilling journey goes...

best and be that role. But given [an] opportunity [like ‘Mallari’] where it already gained traction when we first released the poster, I may not need to think about commercial success, but I’m so much more excited to imagine what more we can do and the [kind of impact] we can still achieve when the film comes out.”

Piolo savors this position just as much as his artistic freedom because knowing that people continue to anticipate what he will deliver from project to project is exactly what keeps him inspired to go on and take risks. It also keeps

him grounded and grateful for how lucky he is to live out his passion for storytelling and his desire to explore the depths of human nature for over half his life and counting.

And so, as Piolo Pascual takes on another unexpected role, trust that he will not settle for anything less than delivering a riveting performance. A performance that is worthy of his audience’s unwavering faith in his talent and one that will all the more steel his status as one of the most versatile and prolific actors in Philippine cinema. Keep ‘em coming Piolo. Endure and enjoy. g

After Andreas Flaten resigned from his job at 811 Autoworks LLC, he wanted to be paid his  final paycheck, in the amount of $915. When his former employer failed to pay, Andreas contacted  the Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) Wage and Hour Division to complain. After DOL investigators  contacted the former employer about the unpaid wages, he reluctantly—and spitefully— paid Andreas  his final wages of $915, by dumping 91,500 oil-covered pennies onto the driveway of Andreas’s  home. The mound of pennies, weighing approximately 500 pounds, was accompanied by a final pay  stub referring to Andreas with an expletive. The employer also posted defamatory statements about  Andreas on the company website.

A subsequent investigation by the DOL concluded that 811 Autoworks, LLC and its owner  unlawfully retaliated against Andreas for contacting the DOL about his unpaid final paycheck. That  investigation also uncovered further evidence of overtime violations by 811 Autoworks, LLC.

On June 16, 2023, Judge Timothy C. Batten of the U.S. District Court for the Northern  District of Georgia issued a consent judgment and permanent injunction prohibiting the employer and

its owner from retaliating against any former or current employee for exercising their rights under the  federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The consent judgment also requires 811 Autoworks,  LLC to pay an additional $39,934 in back wages and liquidated damages.

In a press release, the DOL noted that “[t] he court has sent a clear message to  employers… who subject employees to unfair wage practices and outright intimidation and  retaliation.” The DOL

guaranteed by the FLSA.

Similarly, under California Labor Code Section 1102.5(b), it is unlawful for “an employer, or  any person acting on behalf of the employer” to “retaliate against an employee for disclosing  information… to a person with authority over the employee or another employee who has the  authority to investigate,” about “violation[s] of [a] state or federal statute.”

If you prevail on a claim for whistleblower retaliation under California law, you may be  awarded monetary compensation for lost wages and benefits, as well as for any emotional distress  you suffered as a result of the unlawful retaliation.

If your employer is a corporation or limited  liability company, they would also be liable for a civil penalty of up to $10,000. In addition, the  court is authorized to award attorneys’ fees and litigation costs you may have incurred in successfully  bringing a whistleblower retaliation claim.

* * *

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

statement emphasized that all “[w]orkers are entitled to obtain the wages they  earned without fear of harassment or intimidation.”

In California, both federal and state laws protect employees who complain about violations of  wageand-hour laws. Under Section 15(a)(3) of the FLSA (i.e., the same federal law applied in  Andrea’s case), employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for filing any complaint  or instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding under or related to employment rights

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

If you prevail on a claim for whistleblower retaliation under California law, you may be awarded monetary compensation for lost wages and benefits, as well as for any emotional distress you suffered as a result of the unlawful retaliation.

The Filipino American community celebrated the 162nd birth anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal last June 17 at the International Sculpture Garden in Carson, California.

Photo

Division of a business in a California divorce

Barrister’s Corner

WHEN a married couple decides to divorce in California, one of the most significant issues they will face is dividing their assets and debts. If the couple owns a business together, this can be particularly complicated whether it is operated by only one spouse or both spouses jointly. In this article, we will discuss how property division works in a California divorce when a business is involved. California is a community property state, which means that property acquired during the marriage is generally considered community property and must be divided equally between the spouses upon divorce. This includes businesses and business assets. However, the division of a business in a divorce can be complex, especially if the business was started before the marriage or if only one spouse was involved in its creation or operation.

One option for dividing a business in a divorce is for one spouse to buy out the other’s share of the business. This can be done through negotiation or mediation, or it may require a court order through trial.

If the spouses cannot agree on a buyout price, the court may order a valuation of the business to determine its worth.

Typically, this is done by having a forensic CPA perform a business valuation. If the parties are in agreement on who they want to use as an expert, the parties can stipulate that a certain forensic CPA be appointed as the court’s expert to value the business pursuant to evidence code section 730. If the parties are not in agreement in the appointment of a 730 expert or if one of the parties are not in agreement with the valuation of the 730 expert, each party can retain their own forensic CPA to value the business. Typically, the court will order that each

party’s forensic CPA meet and confer and do a side by side evaluation of their calculation to isolate where they differ. This is typically done in preparation for trial.

Another option is for the spouses to continue to co-own the business after the divorce. This is rare, but it can work if the spouses are willing to continue working together and can establish a clear plan for managing the business. However, this option is usually not recommended, as it can lead to ongoing conflict and legal disputes. If the business was started before the marriage or if only one spouse was involved in its creation or operation, the court may consider these factors when determining how to divide the business. For example, if one spouse started the business before the marriage and the other spouse made no significant contributions to the business, the court may consider the business to be the separate property of the spouse who started it. However, if the other spouse contributed significantly to the business during the marriage or if the business has grown significantly during the marriage due to the hard work of the owner spouse during the marriage, the court may still award them a portion of the business or its profits. In order to determine what percentage of a business is community property versus separate property, there are two methods used based on two cases, Van Camp v. Van Camp, (1921) 53 Cal.App. 17 and Pereira v. Pereira, (1909) 156 Cal. 1, 103. These formulas are used to determine the value attributed to the community and separate property interests.

The Pereira case involves a married couple who ran a profitable business. Although the husband claimed that he had started the business before the marriage with separate capital, the Court found that a share of the earnings was community property. The Court, however, emphasized that the success of the business was largely due to the husband, who ran the company. The Pereira method

Rescinding a removal or deportation order to allow you to apply for a green card

of analysis is typically applied when business profits are mainly attributed to the efforts of the “community.” The concept of a Pereira analysis is to allocate a fair return to the separate property investment in the business and principally apportion the remainder of the value to the community property. As a result, the Pereira analysis is usually applied to small businesses where the efforts of the owner are significant in the success of the business, and it is assumed that the business would not have had such success without the business owner’s efforts.

The Van Camp case resulted from a successful family business. The son of the business owners ran a successful packaging company in California. When the son married, the son’s wife ultimately relied on the holding of the Pereira case and argued that the community interest in the business was due to its successful management. The Court, however, found that the success of the business was also due to the investment of capital into the corporation.

As a result, the business increased in value due to the initial investment and various assets rather than the son’s efforts during the marriage. The Van Camp method is used when the increase in the value of a business is primarily the result of the unique nature of the particular asset, and not necessarily the efforts of the community. The goal of a Van Camp analysis is to obtain the reasonable value of the community’s services and then to allocate that amount to the community property and the remainder to the separate property.

In some cases, the court may order the sale of the business and the division of the proceeds between the spouses. This is usually only done if the spouses cannot agree on any other division method or if the business is not profitable.

In conclusion, dividing a business in a California divorce can be complex and requires careful consideration of all factors involved. It is essential to work with an experienced

WE have all heard the popular saying, “Timing is everything.” Unfortunately, this saying often adversely applies to those persons who have found an avenue from which to obtain a green card, only to be prevented from doing so because he/ she has a prior removal or deportation order. A typical scenario involves a person who entered the U.S. years ago on a B-2 tourist visa, overstayed, and was ordered removed by the Immigration Court. Fast forward to today, that person who was ordered removed finds true love and marries a U.S. Citizen. Seemingly close to finally obtaining permanent resident status, he/she is precluded from doing so because of the prior removal or deportation order. What options does one have in such a case?

A motion to reopen the removal/deportation proceedings and rescind the removal/deportation order can be filed in Immigration Court. If the motion to reopen the proceedings and rescind the removal/deportation order is successful, the alien can pursue whatever relief from removal/ deportation that is available to him/her. For the case mentioned in the first paragraph, the relief would be adjustment of status to permanent resident via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse. The relief would be presented in Immigration Court, with the

divorce attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and protect your interests. By working together with your spouse and your attorney, you can find a fair and equitable solution for dividing your business and other assets in your divorce.

* * *

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

Immigration Judge to decide the merits of the adjustment of status application. Alternatively, if an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can be obtained to terminate the proceedings, a decision on the adjustment of status application can be made outside Immigration Court, by the USCIS.

Generally, a motion to reopen removal/deportation proceedings must be filed within 90 days of the date of entry of the removal/deportation order. However, a motion to reopen may be filed past 90 days exist in some circumstances, and are discussed below. Under 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)

(4), a motion to reopen can be filed at any time if notice of the proceedings was not received by the person subject to the removal/deportation order, and a removal/deportation order was entered in his absence. Written notice of the time and place of removal proceedings must be given in person to the alien, or shall be given by certified mail to the alien or to the alien’s counsel of record. INA §242B(a) (2)(A). Further, written notice of the proceedings, if provided by certified mail, must be provided at the most recent address reported by the alien. Matter of Grijalva, Interim Decision 3246 (BIA 1995). The requirements for notice of removal/ deportation proceedings are strict, and careful analysis of a person’s immigration court file often results in finding evidence that DHS did not comply with required procedure, which can be the basis for reopening the removal/deportation proceeding.

Further, the Immigration Judge has discretionary

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, APC. This article is not a solicitation.

* * *

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both

authority to reopen or reconsider cases on his or her own motion (“sua sponte”) at any time providing a valid basis can be shown. 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(1). Careful analysis of not only the immigration court file, but also the specific facts and circumstances of a person’s case is necessary to convince the Immigration Judge to reopen the proceedings. Some bases upon which cases I have been able to reopen cases include improper section cited by the DHS attorney in the charging document, insufficient evidence presented by the DHS attorney in proving up the case against the alien, and hardship and humanitarian concerns.

If you have a prior removal/ deportation order which is preventing you from adjusting status and getting your green card, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney to determine whether a motion to reopen can be filed.

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

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

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, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com. Visit us at kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

by RUPERT OUANO

FOOD is international and universal, but tastes are preferential and personal. The recently concluded Urea, Sweden Food Symposium, held from May 25 to May 28, 2023, is a testament of a well-attended, equally featured, non-biased or inclinatory preferred group, and a multiculturally oriented free and open forum representing food preparations from around the world. It presented a humble but prestigious showcasing of recipes, old versus new, chef’s delights, cook’s bloopers and follies, by the representatives of their country’s best and favorite gastronomic delights. A joyous, fun competition involving the personification of a group, an individual, an innovation, a discovery, a revival of grandma’s index cards of notes hidden in the recipe box, an elevation of a forgotten ethnicity, the revelation of a person or persons, an embodiment of praise and pride of the unique attributes of quality and excellence worthy of sharing with others who have the same interests in cooking. A hierarchic description of different tastes derived from the pleasures of aroma, texture, savor, sensation from the gustatory buds of our common tongue and buccal senses.

My wife Grace Ouano’s latest cookbook, AntiAging Dishes from Around the World, was awarded the Best in the World in Health and Nutrition for 2023 by

Gourmand International during the symposium. It is not just a book of collected original recipes; it is also a book about life. Life is sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, sometimes salty, sometimes peppery and minty, sometimes buttery, or a blend concocted into mixed emotions and feelings, which makes life collectively delightful, colorful, worth recounting, worthy to be shared and told. Just like a recipe for food, we also have a recipe for life, albeit hidden in the ups and downs of past experiences but ready to reinvent a new strategy. A recipe for a successful dish can be unpredictable in outcomes but with careful preparation, the results can be stupendous. In the same comparison, a recipe for successful living is not guaranteed, but with careful intuition, success can be achieved.

Congratulations to Grace O and Foodtriends for the 2023 Gourmand Award celebrating the winning recipes laid out in a colorful cookbook, that is more than about food. It is also about life’s simile to strategic ingredients to a successful dish as analogues to strategic ingredients to a successful life!

The sensation of SWEET is derived from the sugary flavor either from a ripe fruit or from honey woven by bees. Sweet evokes a delightful, gratifying taste that makes one smile, that makes one dear and huggable, a taste that

stands out as pleasant and lovable as in a loved one charmed by a sweetheart close to all. Never forgotten but strongly missed, longing to remember the last encounter justifiably seeking for one to crave more and more. As in the hackneyed slang “Sweet Tooth.” sweetness can be both a delight and a bane. Sweets provide energy and as the same metaphor in life “too much of everything “ is not at all better than nothing.

The sensation of SALTY is derived from the brine flavor either from a combination of sodium and chloride to be chemically accurate or from the sea as evaporated crystals as a fact of nature. An essential to bring about the strong tinge of piquant sting coming from the brawns of the senses hammering on our hearts and brains. Here I come, the king of senses, widely used but also widely cautious as a health reminder that too much salinity can be both a friend and an enemy.

The sensation of SOUR and ACIDITY is derived from the vinegar of fermented coconut from the Philippine Isles, the acrid taste of green lemons from Ceylon, the kalamansi harvested from the sandy loom soils of the Bengal strait and the Indian Peninsula, and the berries picked from temperate zones as fruits of comfort during the winter. A taste that evokes a facial expression of approval as a nod or disapproval evoked as a grimace or sour face.

The lower the PH level, the more intense is the acidity, and the more to linger and remember.

The sensation of BITTER is derived from the least popular, the least favored, the last to be asked for among all tastes. But one cannot ignore that it is used to excite, to awake with harsh reality, to unlock a hidden sense of a necessary evil because without bitterness everything is heaven and no hell. There is nothing

to compare. A welcomed disapproval may evoke some mixed emotions of wanting and evading, but if there was no dissimilitude, there would be no stories to tell about contrasts, disparity, and acrimony to complete the exciting tale of the gustatory buds of taste.

The sensation of PEPPERY is derived from the tasty Asian harvest of sunbaked Kampot, Cambodia, to the vast fields of sultry old Indochine Saigon, to the remote jungles of Brazil, and the spice country of coveted China by the Venetian explorer, Genghis Khan. Peppers in all shapes, texture, color, and origin are the welcome greeting that one meets with the first aroma, the inviting smell, that lingering tang of mixed feelings drowning the bland and dull to a more powerful punch of unforgettable flavor.

The sensation of MINTY is derived originally from the Mediterranean galore of the Greeks, the Aegadean Isles, as they empty into the Adriatic Sea. The discovery of mint was sailed and carried into the aristocratic United States, an eloquent addition to dinners bequeathed only to Presidents. The mythic Czars of Russia dined with mint to signify royalty, the British Royals left a mint taste in their mouths to signal a change of plate or course. The Scandinavian shores from the countries of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway all the way to the Arctic Pole associated mint with the menthol feel to suggest a cool vibe from the frigid cold West in contrast to the antonym counterpart of the humid hot East.

The sensation of BUTTERY is derived from the isles of Dublin, Ireland bordering the Atlantic coast to the west, the Celtic Sea on the south. The Irish

sea on the east reminds us of a gentle, friendly but raucous history of this country. Analogous to the churning of cream from milk to make butter, Irish history is not exempt from turmoil and all that spinning to separate the cream from the crop signifies a past strife of an internal revolution within the walls of a country. Milk is churned, agitated, shaken, and disturbed from a calm to a stormy delight that can be spread, melted, baked, and added to a million pieces of dough and bread. Unequivocally, the Irish people remained calm, friendly, and the most docile people on earth, maybe shaken and perturbed but never owned and conquered. A word of caution about butter, a seemingly innocent yellow color rendering to a golden hue. An innocuous concoction for the gleeful few who can enjoy this addition to dishes with no harmful reactions that we know, but it can be a health hazard hidden in the delightful aroma of fat for others in light of new medical warnings.

Lastly, the sensation of NEUTRALITY, AMBIGUOUSITY, CONFUSION, BLENDING, is a mixture of sorts, a concert of tastes, a cornucopia of senses. A surprise from the first bite to the unexpected finale of texture and flavor. To name sweet and sour, sweet and salty, paltry sweet, paltry sour, occasionally peppery and minty, buttery to splurge and delight in. One can never say never bitter because who knows if an ounce of trash will wake up the sleepy, accustomed, cognizant, unexcited taste buds hidden in the doldrums of truth and reality.

(This article first appeared in Sun Star Cebu in June 2023. This is a reprint of the same article.)