Civil rights leaders express disappointment...

where I grew up, individuals were not the sum of their skin color. Then as now, not all disparities are based on race,” he said.

“It is no small irony that the judgment the majority hands down today will forestall the end of race-based disparities in this country, making the colorblind world the majority wistfully touts much more difficult to accomplish,” Jackson countered. “(This decision) will delay the day that every American has an equal opportunity to thrive, regardless of race,” she said, noting that it will only widen socio-economic gaps between white and Black people.

‘Love the Philippines’ tourism campaign...

Abstract published in February, DDB Philippines Inc. and IPG Mediabrands Philippines Inc. were the agencies shortlisted as bidders.

The DOT said it was a “competitive bidding.”

According to the terms of reference published in February, the winning bidder, an experienced agency, must "help design, execute, and implement the DOT's Philippine Tourism Branding campaign."

This will run for six months.

"This campaign will include a creative communications plan that will reflect the updated Philippine Tourism brand," it also said.

The Bid Notice Abstract also indicated that the approved budget for the contract amounts to P50 million. Asked how much budget the DOT need to promote Philippine tourism next year, Frasco said they have already given their proposal to the Department of Budget and Management.

“As far next year is concerned, we're hopeful for support as far as rolling out that campaign here and abroad,” Frasco said.

“We are eagerly awaiting the release of the national expenditure plan and looking forward to sending the same before the House of Representatives,” she added.

The tourism chief said that it is right to invest in Philippine tourism given its benefits to the economy.

“According to our numbers for every peso we have spent on tourism, there is a multitude that comes back as a return on investment. That is really quite evident in the P1.87 trillion contribution of Philippine tourism to the economy,” Frasco said. “Not to mention the indirect benefit of tourism to everyone else that is part of the tourism value chain including our small and medium enterprises. So, it's just right to invest in Philippine tourism because it gives so much benefit to our economy,” she concluded.

Halfway through 2023, the DOT has already recorded 2.67 million international tourist arrivals as of June 29. Of these, 2.44 million are foreigners.

The tourism agency is targeting a baseline of 4.8 million inbound tourists this year. ■

Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, left a bit of wiggle room.

“Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise,” he wrote. Some legal analysts have interpreted Roberts’ statement as saying applicants could write in their college essays about how racial bias has impacted their lives, but conceded that this part of the ruling is murky, and will require interpretation.

Students for Fair Admissions

The case was brought about by Students for Fair Admissions, which cheered the Supreme Court decision. Edward Blum, founder and president of Students for Fair Admissions, said in a statement: “The opinion issued today by the United

States Supreme Court marks the beginning of the restoration of the colorblind legal covenant that binds together our multi-racial, multi-ethnic nation.”

“The polarizing, stigmatizing and unfair jurisprudence that allowed colleges and universities to use a student’s race and ethnicity as a factor to admit or reject them has been overruled. Ending racial preferences in college admissions is an outcome that the vast majority of all races and ethnicities will celebrate,” said Blum.

Equal opportunity

Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Advancing Justice

— denounced the decision as an attack on civil rights. “We are outraged that the Supreme Court has chosen to ignore longstanding legal precedent in favor of supporting racial inequity that harms all people of color, including Asian Americans,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Advancing Justice – AAJC.

“But we are more committed than ever to ensuring equal opportunity for our children – and for all children in this country. We will not let this court decision keep us from pushing colleges and universities, Congress, and others to keep today’s ruling from undermining the progress made toward educating future multiracial, talented leaders who deserve every opportunity to reach their highest potential on campuses that reflect the diversity of America,” he said.

‘Extremist minority’

The NAACP also condemned the ruling. “Today the Supreme Court has bowed to the personally held beliefs of an extremist minority. We will not allow hate-inspired people in power to turn back the clock and undermine our hard-won victories. The tricks of America’s dark past will not be tolerated,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.

“Affirmative action exists because we cannot rely on colleges, universities, and employers to enact admissions and hiring practices that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. Race plays an undeniable role in shaping the identities of and quality of life for Black Americans. In a society still scarred by the wounds of racial disparities, the Supreme Court has displayed a willful ignorance of our reality,” said Johnson.

Barriers to higher education

Aarti Kohli, Executive Director of Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, agreed that the Supreme Court had overlooked the long history and present-day reality of denying Black students equal access to education.

“Racism and anti-Blackness are inescapable in our country, and race-conscious admissions are a crucial tool in expanding opportunities for students of color that reckons with those realities,” said Kohli, noting that the decision will also particularly harm Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, and Southeast Asian communities who “continue to face significant barriers to higher education.”

“At a moment when our country is increasingly segregated and there are significant gaps in resources for majority minority schools, we call on Congress, our local elected leaders, and universities to do everything in their power to implement solutions we really need for economic equity and racial justice in our nation,” said Kohli.

MALDEF

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund said it has long supported raceconscious policies, including affirmative action, “as necessary to address a legacy of racial discrimination and exclusion in higher education.”

“Unfortunately, as expected, a backward- thinking conservative Supreme Court majority today reversed nearly half a century of precedent because of their limited consideration of race,” said MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas Saenz.

The civil rights leader called for communities and policy makers to “root out systemic and ongoing inequities in the K-12 pipeline, as well as deep research to identify and modify or eliminate all admissions criteria with a demonstrated and unjustified bias and discriminatory effect on students of color, including Latinos, the nation’s largest minority community in the student population.” (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)

Sandiganbayan convicts Napoles...

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According to the charges against Olaño, Napoles, and the others, P2 million from the ex-lawmaker’s PDAF was allocated to CARED under the guise of a livelihood project for barangays.

Olaño was also convicted for direct bribery, as it was proven that he received P3.175 million from Napoles for allocating P8.5 million, P2 million, P4 million, and P2.5 million to CARED and Philippine Social Development Foundation Incorporated (PSDFI).

“It was established that Olaño exercised control over the release of his PDAF. He initiated the release of the funds by unilaterally (endorsing CARED and PSDFI to implement supposed certain projects,” the Second Division stated in a decision penned by Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona.

“Accused Olaño failed to justify the reason why he endorsed (the) said NGOs, which was clearly established as fake, unqualified, and/ or unaccredited,” the resolution explained.

“Further, Luy testified on the manner by which PDAF is diverted to accused Napoles through the selection and endorsement of the lawmakers of Napoles’ NGOs to be the project implementer of the former’s PDAF,” the ruling noted.

“The transactions funded by the PDAF of accused Olaño were considered irregular and illegal after special audit for being violative of existing laws, rules, and regulations and for being unliquidated,” it stressed.

The anti-graft court also took notice of Olaño receiving kickbacks from Napoles, which were recorded on a daily disbursement record (DDR).

“In this case, Luy testified that accused Olaño received kickbacks and commissions from the illegal scheme that he agreed upon with accused Napoles through Ducut. Accused Olaño’s receipt of kickbacks and commissions is recorded in the DDR of JLN (Janet Lim Napoles) Corporation,” Sandiganbayan stated.

Ducut referred to former Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Zenaida Ducut who was reportedly the bagman of Napoles.

“These DDR entries were confirmed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council in its official Bank Inquiry Report using official bank records,” it added.

Aside from Olaño and Napoles, also found guilty in the graft case are legislative liaison officer Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana and private individuals Mylene Encarnacion, and Evelyn de Leon.

Olaño, Lacsamana Napoles, and Encarnacion were sentenced to six years and one month up to ten years of jail time.

The four were also ordered to return jointly and severally P1.89 million to the National Treasury.

Meanwhile, Olaño, Lacsamana, Napoles, and de Leon were sentenced to six to ten years of prison time for two other graft cases.

They were also instructed to return P3.83 million and P2 million to the National Treasury.

All five have been perpetually barred from holding public office. ■