071820 - Los Angeles Weekend Editon

JULY 18-21, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 56 • 2 Sections – 20 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Visa restrictions lifted for int’l university students taking online classes after mounting pressure

Foreigners allowed to enter the Philippines starting Aug 1

by JOSEPH

L. PERALTA

AJPress

FOREIGN nationals with long-term visas will be AFTER receiving backlash and pressure from allowed entry into the Philippines starting August universities, students, and technology compa- 1. nies, the Trump administration on Tuesday, July Malacañang Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made 14, reversed a policy that prohibited international university students from continuing their studies in the United States if their colleges went fully online.

The directive — announced last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — made it so non-immigrant international students who were taking a fully-online course load would have to leave the U.S. or take “other measures” like transferring to a university with in-person instruction. International students outside the U.S. would not have been able to return to the U.S. for classes.

The students were allowed to stay in the U.S. if their universities decided to take a hybrid approach of both online and in-person instruction. u PAGE A3

Poll: Majority Asian Americans believe race relations have worsened, feel unhopeful about COVID-19 recovery The survey also found that the majority of Asian Americans support recent protests, police reform

THE coronavirus pandemic has been the singular, collective constant of 2020.

The virus has been, not only an issue of public health and safety in a medical sense, but also in a cultural sense, dredging up familiar tones of anti-Asian, especially anti-Chinese, racism and xenophobia that blames the Asian community for the pandemic.

Then the recent uproar over-policing and systemic racism brought on by the high-profile killings of unarmed Black individuals came to the fore, broadening the scope of community discussions on the state of racial equality (or lack thereof) in America.

The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) — partnered u PAGE A4

this announcement on Friday, July 17, saying that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases reached this decision after its meeting on Thursday, July 16.

This also applies to individuals who were born in

M. ORIEL

AJPress

THE Filipino American student who made headlines for being accepted to all eight Ivy League schools is now bound for Harvard University.

Craig McFarland, a Filipino and Black teenager from Jacksonville, Florida, had previously committed to Yale University’s class of 2024, but he’ll be donning crimson gear instead.

The switch to the prestigious institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts stems from a “multitude of reasons,” McFarland

Trump administration must accept new DACA applications, judge orders

by RAE

HEALTH BENEFITS. A senior citizen buys succulents at the Farmers Garden in Quezon City on Thursday, July 16. Home gardening is touted to purify the air, relaxes the mind, and eases anxiety, especially during the COVID-19 health crisis.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

ANN VARONA AJPress

A federal judge on Friday, July 17, ordered the Trump administration to begin accepting new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program following growing complaints that new applications were being denied.

This comes after a United States Supreme Court ruling last month upheld the program that protected young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children from deportation.

Despite the ruling, immigration advocates were quick to realize that new applicants were being denied.

Judge Paul Grimm of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland said Friday that the program must be “restored to its pre-September 5, 2017 status,” referring to the date President Donald Trump first tried to terminate the program.

“Defendants and their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons in active concert or particiu PAGE A3

US lawmakers raise concerns, urge Duterte administration to repeal anti-terror legislation Members of Congress fear its ambiguity will be used against lawful protesters

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AS the controversial anti-terror law in the Philippines continues to get international attention, 50 members of the United States Congress have called upon the Duterte administration to repeal the measure.

U.S. Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, July 15 that they

and at least 48 other lawmakers have written and sent a letter to the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Romualdez calling for the repeal of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020.

“We stand with Filipinos, Filipino Americans and grassroots organizations in the Philippines in demanding a genuine democ- Korina Sanchez-Roxas Ces Oreña-Drilon racy where dissent is accepted and encourPhoto from Instagram/@korina Photo from Instagram/@cesdrilon aged, instead of criminalized,” Schakowsky during the press conference. u PAGE A4

Fil-Am student accepted to all 8 Ivy League schools switches from Yale to Harvard

by CHRISTINA

the Philippines, but have become naturalized citizens of other countries.

“Beginning 01 August 2020, foreign nationals with long-term (immigrant visa under Sec. 13 of CA 613; RA 7919 and EO 324, including nativeu PAGE A2

said. One of the major factors includes rethinking how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic would alter his first semester of college and campus activities.

“When I committed to Yale first, I had no idea of the coronavirus impact in my mind whatsoever…especially how it would affect my college experience,” McFarland told the Asian Journal.

The 18-year-old announced in May that he would attend Yale, but admitted to having second thoughts as he was also considering Stanford University and Harvard Uni-

versity at the time.

Before narrowing down to those three places, he had 17 schools courting him and entered an exclusive club of being admitted to all eight Ivy League schools, which have between a 4 to 8% acceptance rate. Since he was unable to visit the schools in person, he relied on virtual tours, watching YouTube videos, and connecting with current students and alumni for insight.

“I’ve made a lot of close friends along the way. When Craig McFarland, who was accepted to all 8 Ivy League institutions, initially chose Yale, but will now be part of I first committed to Yale, six Harvard University’s Class of 2024. u PAGE A2 Photo courtesy of Craig McFarland

Korina Sanchez, Ces Drilon among high-profile names affected by ABS-CBN layoffs

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

VETERAN broadcast journalists Korina Sanchez-Roxas and Ces Oreña-Drilon are among the high-profile individuals who have been laid off by ABS-CBN, following the rejection of its franchise renewal bid.

Sanchez-Roxas, the long-time host of “Rated K,” took to Instagram to confirm she was one of the first employees involved in the broadcast company’s “bloodbath.”

“You’re hearing it correctly, so far, I guess. It is a bloodbath. This family is slowly but surely being torn apart. We are called one by

one, personally, to be told that we are ‘discontinued,’” she wrote.

The network giant announced Wednesday, July 15 that it is forced to cease the operations of some of its businesses and “implement a retrenchment program covering ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries effective end of business day” on August 31. The move will affect many of its 11,000 employees, though no figures have been released on how many layoffs will occur.

This came following the Philippine House of Representatives rejecting the bills seeking to grant the network a fresh 25-year franchise. u PAGE A3

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From the Front Page

Fil-Am student accepted to all 8 Ivy League...

PAGE A1 t

of those Yale friends switched to either Stanford or Harvard,” McFarland said. “If I was already having those thoughts, and other students are having these thoughts too, maybe it’s not just me.”

Last month, he took a trip and visited nearby southern states as a mini-vacation, which made him

realize he “could not survive in a small city.” (This was his first time traveling to other states outside of Florida, though he has visited the Philippines twice before, where his mother Donabel Santiago is originally from.)

“I’d be living in a small city like New Haven for four years and be isolated. I knew I couldn’t do it.

Though Yale and Harvard would

have online classes and not as many on-campus activities, there are many more things to do in Boston and Cambridge,” McFarland said.

COVID-19 has forced a majority of colleges and universities across the country to either move completely online or have a hybrid of virtual and in-person classes. Despite delivering classes online, Harvard on July 6 announced that it would bring up to 40% of undergraduates on campus, including all first-year students, for the fall semester, which begins on September 2.

McFarland also has close family friends living in the Boston area as a support system in case Harvard would require students to continue studies off campus again.

In a May interview with the Asian Journal, Santiago — a registered cardiac sonographer who raised McFarland and his two siblings as a single mother while going back to school — said that she did not influence her son’s decision process but simply told him to “pick whatever feels right.”

“Craig knows the struggles we’ve had to go through with me as a single mom, and I hope my experiences have helped drive him to be great,” she said, adding that education “is our wealth that nobody can take away from us.”

In addition to the scholarship that covers tuition and housing, Harvard is also offering McFarland an extra $15,000 for other living expenses.

“That financial aspect for me was amazing. Harvard is doing a lot for the community and for students like me who aren’t the most privileged,” he said.

McFarland recently received a $3,500 scholarship through the Gamma Beta Boulé Awards Program, which honors top African American students in the Duval County area.

During his time at Stanton College Preparatory School, McFarland maintained a 4.98 grade point average, had near-perfect standardized test scores, mastered five languages, excelled in various subjects, and participated in debate club and the varsity track and field team.

McFarland is set to formally graduate from high school afu PAGE A3

DRIVE THRU TESTING CENTER. Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (right), and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna (left) lead the launch of “Drive-thru Testing Center” in front of the Andres Bonifacio Monument on Wednesday, July 15. Manila Health Department (MHD) personnel will take blood samples of motorists, which will be processed using the recently-purchased COVID-19 serology testing machines.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Foreigners allowed to enter...

PAGE A1 t born foreign nationals) shall be allowed entry in the Philippines while maintaining the priority of returning Overseas Filipinos,” the ITAF-EID Resolution No. 56 reads.

Foreigners who are traveling to the Philippines must have valid and existing visas as no new entry visa would be accepted upon arrival.

Roque also said that foreigners traveling to the Philippines must also comply with quarantine and testing requirements, apart from having valid visas.

“Foreign nationals must also secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and a prebooked COVID-19 testing provider,” he said.

Roque reiterated that as the airports and seaports in the Philippines are complying with social distancing rules, a maximum capacity of travelers will be enforced. The resolution passed by the IATF says that it will prioritize returning overseas Filipinos in the ports of entry.

While the Philippine government shoulders the quarantine and testing costs for returning overseas Filipino workers, returning Filipinos who are not OFWs normally shoulder the quarantine and test costs out of their own pockets.

The quarantine procedure normally takes at least three days

(and maybe up to a week) as arriving passengers have to wait for confirmation from the appropriate agency of their COVID-19 test result.

In March, the Philippines banned the entry of foreign nationals into the country.

Online posts recently circulated stating that Filipinos who are U.S. passport holders and not dual citizens were being denied boarding privileges for their return flights to the Philippines.

This created some confusion for Filipinos in America who had become naturalized U.S. citizens and who did not apply for dual citizenship through the Philippine Embassy or consulate near their area.

Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr. of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco clarified to community advocates that the ban was temporary, and was part of the efforts of the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Dell Merano, area manager of PAL in the Bay Area, previously told the Asian Journal that there have been very limited instances when passengers were not allowed to board their flights in San Francisco International Airport (SFO) because they are U.S. passport holders.

She said that the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco expedited these passengers’ dual

citizenship applications upon being advised by PAL. The passengers were able to board the next available flight to the Philippines when they presented their documents.

“Majority of our passengers have been able to board their flights to the Philippines,” Merano said. “Based on our experience, passengers who have had problems come from the interior of the U.S. who use domestic flights coming from their cities to connect with their international flights. These are very minimal in number.”

Merano revealed that they do advise their passengers on the current travel restrictions/regulations to the Philippines and have posted a reminder for passengers to check the Philippine government and provincial websites. She encourages Filipinos who become naturalized citizens of other countries to apply for dual citizenship in order to prevent unnecessary complications when traveling to the Philippines, as this pandemic has shown.

Filipino Americans who are traveling to the Philippines are advised to call the Philippine Consulate in their area and check with representatives of international airlines for any requirements needed to gain entry to the Philippines if they need clarification or more information. n

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 18-21, 2020

A

Korina Sanchez, Ces Drilon among high-profile...

PAGE A1 t

SECURITY. A Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) trooper sits on top of an armored personnel carrier (APC) which was deployed in Navotas City on Thursday, July 16, to assist in the strict enforcement of a two-week lockdown in the city due to the growing number of cases of COVID-19.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

Visa restrictions lifted for int’l university...

PAGE A1 t The rule announcement was immediately met with lawsuits from universities and tech companies as many universities had already decided to offer online-only classes due to the current COVID19 pandemic.

Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sued ICE just two days after the announcement to stop the policy from taking effect.

Quick to show support were other universities like Northeastern University and Princeton University, and some of the nation’s biggest tech companies like Adobe, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Spotify, and Twitter.

Also separately challenging the policy were 20 state attorneys including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

As the universities prepared for their arguments in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on Tuesday, Judge Allison Burroughs announced that the U.S. government would be rescinding the rule.

“The Court was informed by the parties that they have come to a resolution to the combined temporary restraining order/preliminary injunction motions,” read the court docket. “The Government has agreed to rescind the July 6, 2020 Policy Directive and the July 7, 2020 FAQ, and has also agreed to rescind their implementation.”

With the rule withdrawn, the guidelines that applied to the previous Spring 2020 semester will be reinstated, thus allowing international students on F-1 visas

to keep their visa status while still taking classes fully online.

Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow called the policy rescission a “significant victory.”

“The directive had disrupted all of American higher education,” wrote Bacow in an email to its affiliates on Tuesday. “I have heard from countless international students who said that the July 6 directive had put them at serious risk. These students — our students — can now rest easier and focus on their education, which is all they ever wanted to do.”

In light of reports of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) senior officials saying that the federal government still had plans to present regulation of the same nature, universities have pledged to stand by their international students should they again face challenges.

“While the government may attempt to issue a new directive, our legal arguments remain strong and the Court has retained jurisdiction, which would allow us to seek judicial relief immediately to protect our international students should the government again act unlawfully,” wrote Bacow.

The University of California (UC) Board of Regents Chair John A. Pérez and President Janet Napolitano said in a joint statement, “UC will continue putting our students’ health and safety first — and we will be keeping a watchful eye on what the administration might propose next should we need to step in again.”

Last week’s policy change left

PAGE A1 t pation with any of them are ENJOINED from implementing or enforcing the DACA rescission and from taking any other action to rescind DACA that is not in compliance with applicable law,” the order wrote.

The Trump administration had long claimed that the DACA program was unlawful and that courts did not have the power to review its decision.

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling last month allowed the program to continue on findings that the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to end it was “arbitrary and capricious.”

The ruling did allow the Trump administration to file for a rehearing and present stronger justifications — which Trump said his administration would do — but the deadline to do so lapsed on Monday, July 13.

On Tuesday, 33 senators, including Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Dick Durbin of Illinois, wrote a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, demanding that he “immediately comply” with the Supreme Court’s decision and accept the new DACA applications.

Over 300,000 young people are eligible to apply for DACA for the first time, according to the Center for American Progress.

In addition to the DHS not making any statements or official notices to the public saying that it would comply with the high court’s decision, the senators pointed to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website that they said attacked DACA recipients and falsely claimed that the Supreme Court’s decision had “no basis in law.”

The agency’s website still says that USCIS is not accepting new DACA applications, as of Friday, July 14. A disclaimer at the top of the page says that the “information on this page is out of date” but may still be useful.

The senators in their letter also highlighted that the USCIS webpage for the DACA program appeared to have been last updated in February 2018, while its accompanying “Frequently Asked Questions” page was apparently last updated in March 2018.

“Your agency has had ample opportunity to prepare for the recent Supreme Court decision,” the senators wrote. “However, to date, Congress and the American people have not received any information regarding your agency’s compliance with the Court’s holding.”

Confusion over DACA The recent Supreme Court deci-

sion was met with a collective sigh of relief from the roughly 650,000 current DACA recipients of which nearly 200,000 are in California.

But recipients and advocates for the program acknowledged that the Trump administration would very likely continue to challenge it.

“From the get-go in 2012, we’ve been saying that this is an executive order [by former President Barack Obama] and that the next president could take it away,” Set Hernandez Rongkilyo, an undocumented Fil-Am filmmaker and community organizer previously told the Asian Journal following the Supreme Court ruling.

Trump announced plans to rescind the program back in 2017, claiming that its adoption was unlawful and that courts did not have the power to review its decision.

When lower courts blocked his efforts, his administration appealed directly to the Supreme Court.

Following the Supreme Court decision, Trump took to Twitter to describe the decision as “horrible & politically charged.” He likened the ruling to “shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives.”

However, after long vowing to end the Obama-era program, Trump took an unexpectedly different tone towards the program last week.

In an interview with Telemundo on Friday, July 10, Trump said that he would be issuing a bill that would give DACA recipients a “road to citizenship.”

White House spokesman Judd Deere, in a follow-up statement, said that the administration’s plans would “not include amnesty,” however.

The following Tuesday, Trump said in a Rose Garden press conference that he was working on DACA to “make people happy.”

“We’ve been taking care of people from DACA in a very Republican way,” Trump said without providing details. “I’ve spoken to many Republicans, and some would like to leave it out, but, really, they understand that it’s the right thing to do.”

Unsure of what next direction the Trump administration will make, immigration advocates remain focused on the fact the administration has still refused to accept new DACA applications.

“The longer the administration refuses to accept and adjudicate new applications and declines to issue a new recession order…the more of a legal concern that becomes,” Yale Law School professor Muneed Ahmad told the Los Angeles Times. n

Trump administration must...

international students suddenly unsure of what would happen to their academic and career plans.

Many students faced added uncertainty due to travel restrictions made by their home countries.

More than 1 million university students in the U.S. come from overseas, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Data released by Open Doors last December revealed that 3,320 international students enrolled in the U.S. in 2019 were Filipino.

“I’m thankful that there are universities out there fighting to keep their international students — it shows us that the work we put in to come here was valued and worth it, and it also encourages us,” a Filipina international student studying in Tennessee told the Asian Journal last week. n

“We are doing all we can to mitigate the pain that will be felt by those affected, including paying out separation and retirement benefits and providing job placement programs. The loss of their jobs comes at a time when the uncertain and perilous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further makes our decision truly difficult, but inevitable,” ABS-CBN said.

“As much as it hurts us to implement this retrenchment program, this is the only way to ensure the continued employment of the rest of our Kapamilya,” it added.

Roxas, for her part, said her being laid off was not news to her, as she was prepared.

However, she expressed concern for the employees who have fewer options and rely on their jobs for financial survival. “[It is] not news to me. I tried to be prepared. But how can you prepare for comatose, or death, really? Others taking it much harder. They have much less options and means,” she said.

“We help those we simply can’t deny, but few can’t save all. Apart from the infliction on the gut, it is the heart where it tugs hardest,

this episode. We have yet to see how it settles. This is, and will continue to be, painful,” the TV host added.

Drilon confirmed the loss of her job on Twitter.

“This was one of the toughest days I had to face. Telling fellow Kapamilyas that they would lose their jobs by the end of August,” she said in a tweet.

“I lost mine too,” she added.

Czarina Balba, famously known as DJ Chacha, also took to social media to express heartbreak over losing her job, as ABS-CBN radio station MOR 101.9 will be stopping its operations.

“One of the lowest points of my life. I still can’t believe I have to say goodbye to my first love. My forever love. My dream job. 12 years. This is not just work for me,” she wrote on Facebook.

“This [is] not just about money.

I LOVE THIS STATION SO MUCH. Really really really brokenhearted right now,” she added. “Mahirap magpasaya ng nagdurugo ang puso pero kakayanin namin ito (It’s hard to make people happy when our hearts are bleeding but we will get through this). We will give our best! Last 45 days para

magpasaya mga kaMORkada (Last 45 days to make our kaMORkada happy). Last 45 days to say ‘MOR 101.9 my only Radio For Life!’”

ABS-CBN stopped its operations on May 5 in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s cease and desist order due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.

The order directed ABS-CBN to shut down its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law.”

Republic Act No. 7966, which granted the network a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on May 4, 2020.

On June 30, NTC issued two separate orders shutting down ABS-CBN’s digital broadcast on TVPlus in Metro Manila and SKY’s satellite broadcast nationwide.

The House Legislative Franchises Committee, after an overwhelming vote of 70-11, on Friday, July 10 adopted a resolution recommending the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application. n

Fil-Am student accepted to all 8 Ivy League...

PAGE A2 t ter its ceremony was postponed to Monday, June 20. He will be able to deliver his valedictorian speech, which he had prepared months ago.

As for his future plans, he continues to be interested in studying medicine or linguistics. Given

the current political climate, he is also seeking to insert a social justice component to his students.

“Harvard has been doing the work to ameliorate a lot of the issues that they’ve had with systemic racism and it seemed to be the most diverse institution out of all the Ivy Leagues,” McFar-

land said. “I want to be in a community with a carved out space, where I, as a Black and Filipino person, can feel like I have a home. In Boston, I feel as though there are more opportunities for social justice and activism and can have sort of an actual effect on the world.” n

Dateline USa

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US lawmakers raise concerns, urge Duterte...

PAGE A1 t The Anti-Terrorism Act 2020 — signed into law by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3 — amends the 2007 Human Security Act by expanding the definition of terrorism. Human rights advocates fear that broadening the definition of terrorism expands the scope of criminalization, which could be used to suppress free speech and dissonance.

Additionally, the new law makes additions to the ways in which the government can curtail terrorism, include wiretapping without notice, arrest without warrants and detention for up to 24 days. The law has been widely criticized by human rights groups around the world including the United Nations.

“We fear it will also be used against anyone who protests against the government, whether it be against abuse in the government, delay in the distribution of COVID-19 aid, or any other grievance because the president has shown he is intolerant of any and all dissent,” Schakowsky said, referencing Duterte’s history of shutting down journalists and news

organizations that have critiqued and questioned the president in their reporting.

Schakowsky said that she and the lawmakers who signed the letter to Romualdez are considering putting together legislation to address the overall human rights situation in the Philippines.

Previously, American lawmakers have raised concerns over the Duterte’s administration’s handling of the violent anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.

“Simply put, President Duterte’s new powers under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 are a threat to democracy and human rights in the Philippines because despite the title, this legislation is not about terrorism,” Chu remarked. “It’s about silencing dissent. The true targets of this law are advocates for human rights, the environment, workers and indigenous communities.”

Among the lawmakers who signed Chu and Schakowsky’s letter include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) as well as representatives whose constituencies comprise

large Filipino American populations, like Reps. Jackie Speier (DCA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Alan Lowenthal (DCA).

The Duterte administration argues that the legislation’s language is tight enough that it doesn’t include in its definition of terrorism “advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action and other similar exercises of civil and political rights,” according to the legislation.

Renowned Filipino human rights lawyer and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares has voiced his opposition to the bill and welcomed the support from the U.S. representatives, noting the impact American lawmakers have on the Philippine government.

New sidewalk signs alert residents that Westlake and Pico Union are “high-risk areas” for COVID-19 transmission.

“It will really have a major Photos courtesy of the Office of LA City Councilmember Gil Cedillo pressure [on] the Philippine government to tone down its human rights attacks,” Colmenares said, according to ABS-CBN. “It may not be a very big deal to our colleagues [in] the U.S. Congress, but in the Philippines it will save lives.” n

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Sidewalk signs alert residents that Westlake, Pico Union are ‘high-risk’ neighborhoods for COVID-19

THIRTY sidewalk signs have been placed around Los Angeles’ Westlake and Pico Union neighborhoods, signaling residents that they live in areas that are at higher risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Led by Councilmember Gil Cedillo, the signs in English and Spanish warn that the neighborhoods have been identified as a “high-risk area” and illustrates guidelines to keep residents safe.

These guidelines include staying at home to reduce exposure, practicing 6-foot social distancing, using a mask and facial cov-

ering when in public, and making an appointment for a free test at a city/county testing site.

“We think it’s very important to make people aware of the dangers that exist right now during the pandemic. There’s no value in soft-selling the conditions that we’re in. Particularly in this part of my district, we’re met with challenges of poverty, immigration status, and density. Those factors add to the possibility and probability that you’ll be adversely impacted by COVID-19,” Cedillo said in a statement.

The councilmember also said

his office has distributed 10,000 face coverings, 2,460 gallons of hand sanitizer, 40 gallons of surface disinfectant to the residents of council district 1, which also covers Echo Park, Koreatown, and Chinatown.

“We must recognize this as the pandemic that it is, and we can’t be political about it. We can’t take it lightly,” Cedillo added.

There have been 7,018 positive cases and 314 deaths throughout CD 1 with hard-hit Westlake suffering 1,583 positive cases and 112 deaths in Westlake and Pico Union 1,149 positive cases and 71 deaths, as of July 14. (AJPress)

Kai Sotto’s NBA G League Select retraces Fab Five tracks

by Roy LuaRca Philstar.com

THE NBA G League Select headed by Kai Sotto and Jalen Green is crossing a road similar to what the Fab Five ran through nearly three decades ago.

Sotto, the 7-foot-2 Filipino phenom, the 6-6 Green, who traces his maternal roots from Ilocos Sur, and three other bluechip youngsters will be the starters of the special team formed to enable NBA scouts to assess the players’ individual skills and capability to function as a unit.

Completing the first five, who are supposed to play from 20 to 25 games independent of the G League regular schedule, are 610 Isiah Todd, 6-5 Daishen Nix and 6-8 Congolese Jonathan Kuminga.

The famed Fab Five composed of Chris Webber, Julan Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson were high school superstar recruits who powered University of Michigan Wolverines to the US NCAA 1992 Finals, becoming the first team to vie for the Division I title with all freshmen starters. They duplicated the feat as sophomores in 1993.

The 6-10 Webber went on to become NBA Rookie of the Year and a five-time NBA All-Star with career averages of 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4

Kai Sotto and Jalen Green

blocks.

The 6-9 Howard also made the All-Star with two championship rings to boot with the Miami Heat. He is now head coach of the Wolverines.

Rose, 6-8, played for six NBA teams and was adjudged Most Improved Player in 2000, while the 6-5 Jimmy King was a former Toronto Raptor. Jackson, 6-6, is the only one among the Fab Five not to make the NBA. Mainly through media hype, The Fab Five documentary

Photos from Instagram/@fiba

shown in 2011 was the highestrated ever for ESPN Films.

Can the Select Team match what the Fab Five have done?

They probably will.

Sotto, Green, Nix and Green are gifted 18-year-olds ready to deliver while Kuminga is already rated No. 4 draft prospect by ESPN at 17.

Competing with seasoned pros will only make them better.

If the G League Select excels, they can even make it five for five and bypass the Fab Five. n

Poll: Majority Asian Americans believe race...

PAGE A1 t with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and Los Angeles Urban League — conducted a recent poll that sought to gauge the Asian Pacific American (APA) response (as well as those from other ethnic groups) to the COVID-19 situation in the United States as well as the ongoing conversations and proposals related to policing and systemic racism.

The two-part poll series comprises responses from 1,184 adults across California.

“These historic series of polls track the shifts in Californians’ attitudes towards some of our state’s most pressing issues, and we now have a more vivid picture of how communities of color are feeling in California,” said CAUSE Board Member and poll director Dan Schnur. “This is the first time that organizations representing these three communities have teamed up on a project like this one, and we’re honored that CAUSE was able to play such an instrumental role in bringing this coalition together.”

The poll, which is a comparative poll to one that was conducted in February, found that 86% of respondents were “worried about themselves or their immediate family contracting COVID19,” and 74% of APAs in California believed that the worst of COVID-19 has yet to come to the Golden State.

If the spike in COVID-19 cases continues in California, 76% of APAs believe that the economy will continue to deteriorate and 77% believe that the government was reopening and lifting saferat-home restrictions too quickly.

(On the flip side, 16% were more concerned that the restrictions were being lifted too slowly.)

“In these difficult times, California’s Asian Pacific community can and should play a leadership role in taking on the state’s most pressing challenges and working together toward necessary solutions,” CAUSE Board Chair Charlie Woo said in a statement.

In regards to race relations, 44% of APAs would describe race relations in America as “excellent” or “good,” a 13-point decrease from February when 57% expressed that view. Moreover, since the beginning of the pandemic, 50% of APAs feel or have felt personal discrimination from others, which is up from February’s 42%.

As for the overall issue of anti-Asian racism, 68% of APAs in California now recognize that Asians are and can be targets of racism.

“COVID-19 has ignited widespread discrimination and hate crimes towards Asian Americans, which has evidently affected their perception of race relations. Asian Americans have become more aware of the dis-

crimination against their own communities, as well as against other communities of color,” said Woo. “The fact that more Californians [now] recognize Asian Pacific Americans don’t just fit in as model minorities, but also are discriminated against and face challenges too, shows huge progress.”

APAs also expressed awareness of discrimination towards other groups, with 77% believing that African Americans “frequently or sometimes” face racism; 70% believe the same for the Latino community.

In terms of anti-Black racism in policing — and the overall impact that police have on American society — 54% of APAs believe that the police’s use of brute, fatal force against unarmed Black individuals were examples of systemic racism, “whereas 31% believe these are isolated incidents,” the poll read.

A whopping 79% of APAs support police reform, but 33% of APAs prefer the disinvestment of police in favor of funding and allocating some police responsibilities to other government agencies.

In regards to the recent protests which brought together people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, 56% of APAs found that the protests have promoted racial unity and optimism for a more inclusive America.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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A

Metro Manila to remain under GCQ until July 31

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS. Representatives of the Department of Education (DepEd) distribute P3,000 cash to parents as their children’s allowance from the Pasay City government, at the Padre Zamora Elementary School in Libertad, Pasay City on Thursday, July 16. The amount is the quarterly financial assistance to all public school students.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

PH to continue to ‘assert’ rights over disputed sea

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

Malacañang this week said that the Philippines will continue to “assert’’ its rights in the South china Sea (West Philippine Sea). “as we have said in previous occasions, the Philippine government continues to assert our rights over the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the 2016 arbitral Ruling,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday, July 15.

“We have not waived nor have we relinquished these rights,” he added.

The statement came after a Social Weather Stations (SWS) mobile phone survey showed that around 70% of Filipinos believed that the Philippine government should exercise its rights over the islands in the disputed waters.

However, Roque noted that the arbitral ruling cannot be enforced, so the country is “look-

ing at peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea.” “Unfortunately, the Permanent court of arbitration (Pca) ruling has no way of being enforced by the body which rendered it, so we must look to other means to resolve the dispute,” he said.

Roque also maintained that the territorial dispute does not make up the entirety of the relationship between china and the Philippines.

“We agree to disagree on the arbitral tribunal ruling and will proceed with our bilateral relations with china, especially on matters related to trade and the economy,” he said.

The Department of Foreign affairs, for its part, revealed that Foreign affairs Secretary Teodoro locsin, Jr. and chinese State councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi “engaged in open, cordial, and fruitful discussions” during a video meeting on Tuesday.

“Both sides reaffirmed that contentious maritime issues are not the sum total of the Philippines-china bilateral relationship,” the agency said.

“With mutual respect, sincerity, and adherence to sovereign equality, both sides will continue to manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation,” it added.

The meeting came days after the Philippines and the United States urged china to uphold the international law and to comply with the ruling by the Pca in The Hague that invalidated china’s claim over the entire South china Sea. The DFa also said both sides agreed to further strengthen their strategic cooperation.

“Secretary locsin reiterated the importance of continued dialogue to propel Philippineschina cooperation forward across various fronts under the ‘new normal’ brought about by the global cOVID-19 pandemic,” it said. n

Malacañang on Wednesday, July 15, announced that Metro Manila will remain under general community quarantine (gcQ) until July 31. according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte initially agreed with the recommendation of the University of the Philippines (UP) to place Metro Manila back under modified enhanced community quarantine (MEcQ).

However, the president changed his mind after the region’s mayors promised to implement stricter enforcement of health protocols and quarantine restrictions.

“There was a recommendation from UP to revert Metro Manila to MEcQ to slow down the spread of the disease. at first, the President agreed but our chief implementer (carlito galvez Jr.) and our Secretary of Interior (Eduardo año) appealed to reconsider because our Metro Manila mayors vowed to strictly enforce localized lockdowns, enhance testing, tracing, and treatment, and implement expanded restrictions under gcQ,” Roque said in Filipino during a televised meeting with members of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“But it was clear from the discussion that the spread of cOVID-19 in Metro Manila has not slowed down. It’s possible that it would return to MEcQ after two weeks,” he added.

Duterte also downgraded cebu city, which was the only area under enhanced community quarantine, to MEcQ starting July 16. laguna, cavite, and Rizal for Region 4-a (calabarzon), lapu lapu city, Mandaue city for Region 7 (central Visayas), Ormoc city, Southern leyte, Zamboanga city, Butuan city, agusan del norte and Basilan will be under gcQ. The rest of the country, meanwhile, will be under modified gcQ until July 31.

Roque called for the public’s help to prove that cOVID-19

cases in the country would not rise to 80,000 by July 31 as predicted by UP researchers.

“It’s correct to encourage each other to take all steps to make sure the 80,000 cOVID-19 cases projection doesn’t come true by July 31,” he said.

Health Secretary Francisco

Duque III on Wednesday, July 15, said the Philippines has “bent” the curve of cOVID-19 cases.

“Our case doubling time in april passed the 3 day doubling time mark; nOW, July 15 - it is at 8 days cDT (past the 7-day dou-

u PAGE A7

A6 JULY 18-21, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Longer quarantine

FEATURES

AS most people expected, Metro Manila remains under general community quarantine in the latest classifications announced by Malacañang Wednesday night. Cebu City, previously reverted to the strictest enhanced community quarantine, has been eased into a modified ECQ, allowing the resumption of certain economic activities.

In many other parts of the country, quarantine restrictions are being eased, prompting some quarters to suggest the holding of face-to-face classes in areas with zero cases of coronavirus disease 2019. Restrictions, however, remain in place throughout the country as the COVID-19 threat persists in the absence of a cure or vaccine.

Officials disclosed that President Duterte had initially agreed to revert Metro Manila to a tighter quarantine classification as COVID-19 cases surge.

But other officials, worried about the ruinous impact on the economy, reportedly prevailed as Metro mayors gave assurance that localized lockdowns would instead be imposed in areas where a spike in COVID infections is reported.

The country has now imposed one of the longest COVID lockdowns in the world. Inevitably, those who have suffered from the restrictions are ask-

ing if the community quarantines have been maximized to reduce the risk of coexisting or “dancing” with the coronavirus. The secretary of health had to correct himself and clarify that the COVID curve had been “bent” but has yet to be flattened.

After four months of economically crippling lockdowns, the government still needs to ramp up capabilities for COVID testing, contact tracing, isolation and treatment. Hospitals are running out of facilities for COVID patients. With the economy reopening, it becomes even more important for people to observe basic health safety protocols: wear a mask in public places, wash hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol or sanitizer, observe physical distancing as well as cough and sneeze etiquette. If we want our sacrifices in the past four months to be worth it, we all have to do our part.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Recent polls: A majority of Americans say they distrust what Trump says about COVID-19 and trust Dr. Fauci more

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS A GLIMMER of hope in the United States’ fight against the pandemic: Recent polls suggest that a majority of Americans do not trust the words coming out of President Donald Trump’s mouth, and they turn to the nation’s top epidemiologist Dr. Anthony Fauci in handling the COVID-19 outbreak.

The ABC News/Washington Post poll reveals that 64% of Americans surveyed do not trust what Trump says about the health crisis, with only 34% saying they trust him, Newsweek reported.

The report further shows that 6 out of 10 Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the outbreak, while only 38% approve of the job he has done.

Trump’s approval rating on this issue has taken a nosedive since a March 25 poll conducted

by ABC News. During such time — when Trump had just reluctantly acknowledged the threat of the coronavirus pandemic and had just created the White House Coronavirus Task Force — the president had a 51% approval rating on his handling of the pandemic, along with a 45% disapproval rating.

This poll comes when the number of confirmed cases and deaths have escalated to record highs in the nation, worse than it was in March, while Europe-

an nations, Canada, and other developed countries have flattened the curve and have safely opened their economy and their borders to tourists since July 1.

Sadly, the United States joins countries like Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico and the Philippines that still show an uptick in coronavirus cases. The EU has extended its ban against tourists from the United States as the U.S. has not satisfied the safety requirement of having equal if not less in the number of cases per capita compared to European nations.

The United States has surpassed 3.6 million confirmed cases with more than 141 deaths. There are 11,159 cases per 1 million people in the U.S., as of press time.

I said the polls give us a glimmer of hope because fewer people are taking Trump’s word for it when it comes to their own guidance and personal responsibility to help mitigate the spread of the virus and save more lives.

From the beginning, Trump has been calling the pandemic a hoax, which explains why he failed to do more testing and contact tracing, provide personal protective equipment to frontlines, proactively equip hospitals with more lifesaving medical equipment and ICUs, implement a strict national shelter-in-place, social distancing

and stay at home preventive measures, and mandate wearing masks. This was his judgement call despite warnings from the U.S. intelligence agencies and the World Health Organization that this virus would escalate to pandemic level.

Reluctantly after COVID-19 had indeed become a pandemic and there has been a dramatic uptick of cases in the U.S. did Trump acknowledge its threat and formed a coronavirus task force in March, led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s Director for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984.

Fauci is a scientist. He has served six U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democrats, has been acknowledged as a “hero”

by President George H.W. Bush, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom fly President George W. Bush for his efforts to advance the understanding and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Guided by his Jesuit education’s principle to serve and make other people’s lives better (“Man for Others” “For the Greater Good”) before graduating first of his class with a Doctor of Medicine at Cornell University Medical College, Dr. Fauci has been the voice of truth and reason in the task force, even if it meant he would fact check and correct President

Donald Trump.

But Trump has been consistent in his anti-science/antifacts attitude, especially if it would get in the way of his personal and political interests and objectives. For these reasons and despite advice from Dr. Fauci and other health officials, Trump pushed for the reopening of the U.S. economy, discredited safety measures, did not support wide-scale testing, foolishly thinking that these would somehow make the virus disappear like a miracle. Unfortunately, it did not.

The president of the United States became the leader of “pasaway” (law breaker) in the campaign toward all the safety measures to slow down the spread of COVID-19, save lives and eventually defeat it with an effective vaccine. His administration even said, “science should not get in the way of students going back to school in the fall” and argued that the Democrats are just using this pandemic to remove him from office.

And, worse he has ordered for the data on the coronavirus pandemic statistics be directed away from the Centers for Disease Control to his administration — so he could manipulate the numbers and deceive people some more?

It must have been a tough realization for Trump that this “cover-up” approach he is used

to doing in his businesses and private lives would not work in the war against the coronavirus, and so he had to find somebody to blame. His team aimed at Dr. Fauci and smeared his character, record and credibility. This is aggravated by the fact that Fauci has been rating better than Trump - a blow to his narcissistic ego.

But unlike Trump, the numbers do not lie. And the American people have spoken that they do not trust Trump and would rather listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci.

As Newsweek reported: “According to a new Morning Consult/Politico poll published Wednesday, 62 percent of voters rated Dr. Anthony Fauci’s handling of the coronavirus “excellent” or “good,” compared with the 36 percent of voters who answered the same for Trump.

The recent poll, conducted July 10 to 12, saw both men’s numbers fall slightly from midApril when voters were asked the same question. But even then, Fauci, who serves as the top adviser on the White House’s coronavirus task force, was leading Trump in approval ratings.

A separate Morning Consult poll conducted July 9 to 12 found that 64 percent of voters believe coronavirus to be a severe health risk in the U.S.—a

statistic up eight points since a June poll.

But even most Republicans seem to be breaking from the president’s strong rhetoric as cases in the country continue to rise.

In the new Morning Consult/ Politico poll, 66 percent of GOP voters said Americans should continue social distancing as long as is needed.

For the second week in a row, Trump reached new lows with Republicans: 18 percent of GOP voters disapprove of his response to the coronavirus and 78 percent approve.”

We cannot solve what we refuse to confront and acknowledge. This improving level of openness to and awareness of the FACTS and the TRUTH is a step toward the right direction for the American people to get our act together and win this war against COVID-19..

Do NOT believe Trump’s lies.

Listen to Dr. Fauci and respond and act responsibly to save your life and the life of others. * * * Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud. com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

The Philippines’ future floats in the West Philippine Sea

Commentary U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES

SUNG KIM

THE waters of the South China Sea are home to a dizzying array of marine resources, ranging from vast oil and gas reserves deep beneath the surface to the complex and beautiful ecosystems capable of supporting international seafood markets and unraveling scientific mysteries.

This is the patrimony of Southeast Asian nations, the lifeblood of their coastal communities, and the livelihood of millions of their citizens. The United States stands alongside the Philippines and other Southeast Asian partners to uphold a rules-based order that ensures sovereign, sustainable, and productive access to the South China Sea and its resources.

At last month’s ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the South China Sea “as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity.” To strengthen our support

for sovereignty and freedom of the seas, this week, the United States announced an important change in U.S. policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea. As U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo explained, the United States rejects any People’s Republic of China (PRC) maritime claims within the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone or continental shelf, and claims in waters beyond 12 nautical miles from the islands in the Spratlys.

Beijing’s harassment of Philippine fisheries and offshore energy development within those areas is unlawful, as are any unilateral PRC actions to exploit those resources. Under the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, which is final and legally binding, the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction with respect to the natural resources in its EEZ. As Secretary of Foreign Affairs Locsin remarked this weekend on the anniversary of the ruling, “The arbitral tribunal’s award of 12 July 2016 represents a victory, not just for the Philippines, but

for the entire community of consistently law-abiding nations.”

Why is this important? Here in the Philippines, the West Philippine Sea epitomizes the rich marine diversity of this country. In its waters, scientists have discovered hundreds of species of fish, coral, seagrass, and other marine life existing in interdependent systems that teach us about the planet’s complexity, fragility, and resilience. These habitats not only provide the fish that fill Filipino fishing vessels (and Filipino plates), they also serve as spawning grounds for schools that populate seas throughout Southeast Asia. Philippine scientists believe some of the species unique to these waters may also hold the key to biomedical breakthroughs, while climate researchers can study ecosystem changes to measure human impact on the environment.

Marine conservation begins with securing territorial integrity; when any nation uses coercion, subversion, disinformation, and other underhanded tactics to further its position in

the South China Sea, it denies our friends and partners the right to build a sustainable future. ASEAN leaders expressed concern over activities and serious incidents in the South China Sea which have “eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions, and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region.” The United States remains committed to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, and will continue to defend the right of freedom of navigation in international waters and airways.

Earlier this month, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group conducted dual-carrier operations with the Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carriers, demonstrating U.S. commitment to mutual defense agreements and promoting peace and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific. The United States supports Philippine Coast Guard capacity to defend its waters by supplying expert training and new equipment.

Since the 1990s, the United States has supported Philippine

marine and biodiversity conservation efforts. Our Php1.3 billion five-year Fish Right project works alongside Philippine partners to strengthen the sustainable use of critical coastal and marine resources to benefit more than 2 million people.

When the COVID-19 pandemic further threatened marine livelihoods, Fish Right helped develop Fish Tiangge, an online marketplace connecting buyers and 6,000 fisherfolk in three of the Philippines’ most important areas for marine biodiversity.

American companies are also contributing, with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global development alliance promoting marine conservation and sustainable fishing in more than 150,000 hectares of biologically significant waters.

U.S. scientists and innovators are eager to join their Philippine colleagues in researching these waters to build a sustainable maritime framework – one that protects the West Philippine Sea’s rich and irreplaceable biodiversity while ensuring new generations benefit from its

bounty and wonder. Through the recently ratified U.S.-Philippines Science and Technology Agreement, together we are building new pathways to increased scientific collaboration in the West Philippine Sea and beyond. Youth play a central role in achieving long-term marine sustainability. We have partnered with alumni from the U.S. Young South East Asia Leadership Initiative exchange program for Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) camps to train young conservation leaders and sponsored programs like the “Haquathon Summit,” where thirty-five teams developed tech-based solutions to save the seas.

Through these activities and our commitment to a free and open rules-based order that upholds the sovereign rights of all states regardless of size, power, and military capabilities, the United States will continue to support our Philippine friends, partners, and allies in conserving the rich marine biodiversity that make this island nation so special.

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 18-21, 2020

A

Marcos to sue Rappler for libel

by Javier Joe ismael ManilaTimes.net

FORMER Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will file a libel suit against news website Rappler over its report alleging that he approached the highly-scrutinized political data company Cambridge Analytica to rebrand the Marcos Family’s image on social media.

Marcos claimed that Rappler was “peddling lies and fake news” against the Marcos family and a libel case was “on the table.”

A statement by lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesman for the young Marcos, stated that Rappler has again resorted to peddling lies and fake news against his family in its vain attempt to dilute the serious credibility issue that has corrupted its worthiness instead of changing their ways and adhering to the fundamental tenets of fair journalism and balanced news reporting.

The Rodriguez statement follows: “The news story published by Rappler on July 15, 2020, on its website claiming that former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approached then Cam-

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

bridge Analytica is patently fake, false, and misleading.

“Former senator Marcos never reached out to them and, like most of us, was only made aware of Cambridge Analytica’s existence through reports of its controversial activities in the media.

“This move by Rappler to besmirch the former senator’s and the Marcos family’s reputation speaks to the kind of insidious reporting espoused by its convicted founder Maria Ressa.

“The timing of this news story is nothing more than a marketing ploy meant to drum up support for their beleaguered news

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

blog site.”

Rodriguez said Marcos was consulting with his legal team to fight the injustice. “The filing of libel charges is on the table,” he said.

In the Rappler report, former Cambridge Analytica employee-turned-whistleblower Brittany Kaiser revealed to Executive Editor Maria Ressa that Marcos had approached the highly-scrutinized political data company Cambridge Analytica to “rebrand” the Marcos family’s image on social media.

The interview on “Rappler Talk” was aired on July 15. n

Megawide-GMR takes over NAIA rehab project after rival consortium drops out by ian

nicolas cigaral Philstar.com

MANILA — Megawide Construction Corp. and its Indian partner, GMR, announced Friday they will now take over the rehabilitation of the aging Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), just days after talks between the government and the duo’s rival “super consortium” collapsed amid concerns over the project’s viability.

The tandem — which bagged contracts in the past to upgrade international airports in Cebu and Clark, Pampanga — received on July 15 the original proponent status (OPS) previously given to the six-member consortium, Megawide told the stock exchange.

Megawide made the announcement four minutes before the market closed. On Friday, shares in the listed builder fell 0.41% to cap the week at P7.24 apiece.

With the OPS, the two now have the right to match the offers given by other groups via a Swiss challenge, giving them an advantage against potential challengers.

Last week, the government ended talks with the NAIA super consortium and revoked the group’s OPS. The consortium comprised of Aboitiz InfraCapital, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Gotianun-owned Filinvest Development Corp. and Gokongweiled JG Summit Holdings Inc. The termination of negotiations came after authorities rejected the consortium’s proposed revisions to their P102billion plan meant to ensure the project will remain viable despite the “lasting” impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The consortium said they had no choice but to drop their offer because they can only move

forward with the rehabilitation project under the proposed tweaks to their plan. The band of six conglomerates had hoped to transform NAIA into a regional hub like Singapore’s Changi Airport, primarily by increasing its passenger capacity.

For his part, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III last week said the government was “not worried” about the NAIA consortium’s decision as there are two potential proponents — whom he refused to name at the time — that “are very willing to step into the shoes of the consortium.”

“Apparently, these two other proponents are willing to get into an agreement with the government which are very similar to the terms of the agreement between the project proponents in the Clark Airport,” the finance chief said. “We’re not worried about it. We believe these other two proponents are willing to step up to the plate here.” n

BEEP JEEP. Cavite’s modern public utility vehicle, known as the “beep jeep”, passes along the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway on Thursday, July 16. Beep jeeps have floor markings, dividers, and reminders on the safety and health protocols passengers should follow. Cavite is under general community quarantine until July 31, 2020.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

‘PH economic recovery among slowest in Asia’ by czeriza

valencia Philstar.com

MANILA — A prolonged lockdown that has now been in place for four months will cause the Philippine economy to contract by eight percent this year and make it among the slowest to recover in Asia, a London-based think tank said.

In a report, Capital Economics placed the pace of economic recovery in the Philippines alongside that of Indonesia and most of Southeast Asia where the number of reported COVID-19 cases is still rising.

The latest forecast for the domestic economy falls well below the government’s expectation of a contraction of two percent to 3.4 percent this year.

“These countries are trying to reopen their economies, which has led to an initial increase in activity. But social distancing will continue for much longer and recoveries are likely to be gradual,” Capital Economics said.

“A long lockdown, which has now been in place for four

months, and inadequate fiscal support, will delay the recovery in the Philippines.”

In contrast, recovery in China, Vietnam and Taiwan will be fastest in the region as daily life has largely returned to normal because of early success in containing the spread of the coronavirus.

With still diminished economic activity in the country, inflation can be expected to average 2.2 percent this year, at the lower end of the government’s forecast of two to four percent.

The economy is already widely expected to have entered a technical recession in the second quarter of the year after a 0.2 percent decline in output in the first quarter.

Economic managers have already conceded that second quarter performance will be worse but hopes a rebound will occur in the last two quarters of the year.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said last week that the economy is already showing signs of recovery – via a slower decline in trade

performance and manufacturing output in May – but remains in “a very difficult position.”

Alongside limitations in business activity, economic stimulus measures meant to jumpstart key industries, provide wage support to workers, and strengthen the country’s health system among others, also remain pending in Congress.

A further threat to recovery would be the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise and hospitals become overburdened.

Metro Manila, the country’s economic powerhouse, remains under general community quarantine, the less severe version of the enhanced quarantine.

As seen in the effect of the severe two-month lockdown in the second quarter, particularly on trade and manufacturing data as well as on employment, Chua said the reimposition of ECQ will necessitate a new review of macroeconomic assumptions for the year. n

Metro Manila to remain under GCQ until...

PAGE A6 t bling time mark),” he said in a tweet.

“This means we bent the curve in April after the March ECQ

but we are seeing an increase in cases due to the expanded testing capacity and community transmission as we allow movement of people,” he added.

As of Thursday, July 16, the Philippines has 61,266 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,643 fatalities and 20,976 recoveries. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines G R AC E P E R I O D. A couple rides a m o to rc yc l e a l o n g Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor, Cavite on Thursday, July 16 without a divider installed between the motorcycle driver and his companion.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has given a grace period until July 19 for motorcycle driver to install a barrier to avoid infection of Covid-19.

Authorities will start apprehending those who violate the new measure on motorcycle back-riding starting July 20.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Roque: IATF doing Robredo’s proposals by chrIsTIna

mEnDEz

Philstar.com

MANILA — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. on Thursday, July 16 thanked Vice President Leni Robredo for taking time to send her suggestions on how to deal with the coronavirus disease 2019 but said there is nothing new about

the recommendations.

“I thank the Vice President for her recommendations but these are already being done by the IATF,” Roque said.

Robredo’s recommendation focuses on reporting and keeping the public informed, budget utilization, transportation restarting the economy, education and the composition of the

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 18-21, 2020

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67 killed in drug war during quarantine

by EmmanuEl

Tupas

Philstar.com

MANILA — Sixty-seven suspects have been killed in the government’s war on illegal drugs during the community quarantine.

Citing data from the government’s Real NumbersPH platform, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said 10,105 alleged drug dealers were arrested since the community quarantine was imposed in March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Among those arrested is ”highvalue” suspect Federico Oliveros, 38, alleged leader of a drug ring operating in Baguio City. He reportedly took over the reins of

the syndicate when his father was convicted for illegal drugs and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and fined P10 million.

The raiding team said P400,000 worth of shabu was among those recovered from the house of the suspect in San Carlos Heights in Barangay Irisan on Tuesday.

At least 320 elected officials, 376 government employees and 90 uniformed personnel were also arrested in anti-drug operations during the quarantine.

A total of 5,722 drug suspects have been killed and 245,135 arrested since the government launched an all-out war against illegal drugs in 2016.

The government seized

212,653 kilos of shabu, cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy tablets valued at P43.58 billion in 168,525 operations across the country.

PDEA director general Wilkins Villanueva said they would speed up drug-clearing operations to end the problem before President Duterte steps down in 2022.

Villanueva said a technical working group that will monitor the implementation of a barangay drug-clearing program has been created.

The PDEA said 18,582 barangays nationwide have been cleared of illegal drugs.

At least 15,388 other villages remain drug-affected. (Artemio Dumlao)

Sister Fox asks Australian govt to denounce PH terror law, cut military aid

Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

On IATF’s composition, Roque said there are 33 memby WIllIam B. DEpasupIl bers from various offices and ManilaTimes.net a majority of them are Cabinet rank.

SISTER Patricia Fox, the AusThey regularly coordinate with local mayors for consulta- tralian missionary who was deported from the Philippines for tion, he added. n alleged violation of immigration laws, is getting even with President Rodrigo Duterte, whom she blames for her sudden departure cized the house-to-house search from the country which was her home for almost three decades. for coronavirus patients.

Fox, who is now based in MelHe suggested that critics should grasp the pronounce- bourne, called on the Australian ment of the National Task Force government to denounce the Duterte administration’s Antibefore commenting on it.

He said in a radio interview Terrorism Law for being represthat Covid patients should be sive, and to cut-off military aid isolated because an improper to the Philippines amid alleged home quarantine could trigger a human rights abuses by the police and military. community transmission.

The nun claimed that the AntiAño stressed that the search for Covid-19 patients was in Terrorism Law was no different accordance with Republic Act from China’s National Security 11332 or “An Act Providing Poli- Law, adding that both laws tarcies and Prescribing Procedures get critics of the government on Surveillance and Response even in other countries.

“This becomes even more to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public worrying particularly for Filipinos living in Australia and enHealth Concern.”

He clarified that health offi- hancing culturally and economicials would lead the search and cally Australian society,” she policemen would only assist in said.

“We demand a stop to Austratransferring Covid-19 patients to lian military aid to a government isolation facilities.

Senators Franklin Drilon and that has no respect for human Ana Theresia Hontiveros criti- rights,” she added.

Fox belongs to the Sisters of cized the search for Covid-19 patients as a possible violation Our Lady of Sion. She served as a missionary in the Philippines of rights of the citizens.

Hontiveros, particularly, for 27 years before she was delikened the search to Oplan ported in November 2018. She Tokhang, the government’s cam- is now the spokesman on human paign against illegal drugs. n

Duque told: Think first before issuing statements by rEIna

TolEnTIno ManilaTimes.net

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III should “think first before issuing statement,” a lawmaker at the House of Representatives said on Thursday, July 16, a day after Duque flip-flopped on his announcement that the government had “successfully flattened the curve” on COVID-19.

Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said, however, that he would not push for Duque’s replacement at this time, but that this should serve as a “warning” to him.

“I won’t really push for his replacement at the moment. It’s just that I wanted to warn him… na dapat isipin mo muna ‘yung mga statements mo…” Barbers said in part in a phone interview on Thursday.

Duque on Wednesday announced that the government had “successfully flattened the curve since April” based on the “case doubling time” and the longer gap in “mortality doubling time” that was now “in the moderate risk classification”.

But Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire defended Duque, saying his reference to the “flattening of the curve” meant that the country was able to prepare its health system and has increased its testing capacity.

In an interview over ABS-CBN news channel on Thursday, Vergeire, concurrent spokesman for the Department of Health, said the Health secretary never intended to make the statement as his own stand.

“When he said that, he was really pertaining that the system has been able to prepare at least for these kinds of situations.” she added.

Vergeire said the concept of flattening of the curve has to be interpreted with two indicators: case doubling time and the preparation of the system.

She claimed that there would be a sharp rise in the curve despite a flattening, or a spread in the number of cases, because of expanded testing and community transmission.

Lawmakers hit Interior Secretary Eduardo Año slammed senators who criti-

Bribery, corruption biggest crimes in PH by mayvElIn

u. caraBallo

ManilaTimes.net

ASSET misappropriation, bribery and corruption, as well as customer fraud are among the biggest economic crimes in the Philippines, according to Alex Tan, PwC Malaysia’s partner for forensics services and risk consulting leader.

Tan discussed “PwC’s Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey — The Philippine Report” during the Management Association of the Philippines’ 5th online general membership meeting on Tuesday, July 14.

“What are the top frauds in the Philippines? Asset misappropriation, which is another word of stealing money. Bribery and corruption and then lastly customer fraud,” he said.

According to the survey, asset misappropriation fraud is the most disruptive to Philippine businesses, with at least 26 percent or one out of four businesses having experienced it since 2018.

Meanwhile, bribery and corruption picked up again in the past 24 months, moving up by three notches from fifth last year to 21 percent in 2020, from 18 percent in 2018 and 25 percent in 2016.

While Tan did not provide the survey results for customer fraud, he noted that type of fraud was increasing, especially during the pandemic period.

“When we looked at what level in the organization committed the fraud for the Philippines, it was primarily middle management,” he said.

The survey pointed out that

internal perpetrators are mostly from middle management and to some extent, operations staff. It said “middle management, to a certain degree, may have more fraud opportunity than both senior management and operational staff. At the same time, the pressure coming from above and below can motivate them to commit fraud.”

Besides these, the survey added that “there are losses that may have a long-term impact and may be almost immeasurable such as loss of public trust, damage to the brand, low employee morale and credit loss.”

The survey was conducted to assess corporate attitudes toward fraud and economic crime in the current economic environment, and how these affected organizational business ethics and compliance programs. n

PH is already emerging from lockdowns, but Filipinos still don’t know Duterte’s approval ratings

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Over two quarters have passed but the latest satisfaction ratings of President Rodrigo Duterte are yet to be released by popular polling firms.

The results of these surveys have never been more important than it is now, with the coronavirus pandemic putting Duterte’s popularity under a tough test as he faces the biggest crisis of his presidency to date in his fourth year in office. However, the stringent restrictions he imposed to fight the virus have also become the same barrier that’s hindering the release of the much-awaited survey data.

“It is harder to approach people face-to-face and ask them questions but actually it’s not just the disease itself that bothers us, it’s the unnecessarily strong lockdowns,” Mahar Mangahas, president of pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS), said in an online forum on Friday, July 17.

“Transportation lockdown is the biggest handicap of survey work,” Mangahas added.

Apart from SWS, Pulse Asia also releases quarterly surveys not only on Duterte but also on officials like Vice President Leni

Robredo. If the normal calendar of releases would be followed, SWS’s March report, which would capture public sentiment at the onset of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, should have been out in April.

As it is, the polling firms already missed two quarters, which would reveal public opinion at the height of the ECQ until the government started gradually rolling back tough lockdown measures in June. Following their typical schedule, SWS’s second quarter poll should be published this month.

In the same online forum, Mangahas said SWS managed to release two reports during the lockdown period, thanks to its database of 31,661 mobile phone numbers that the firm gathered from 2017 to 2019.

However, the SWS chief said even mobile phone surveys have disadvantages.

Out of the 31,661 mobile phone numbers that SWS collected, only 3,884 respondents completed the phone interviews for the pollster’s May 4-10 survey on the state of Filipinos’ optimism amid the pandemic.

The rest of the phone numbers were no longer active, incorrect and cannot be reached, among other reasons. Still, the 3,884 respondents were way bigger

than SWS’s typical sample size of 1,200.

Asked whether SWS will also conduct a mobile phone survey to guage Duterte’s satisfaction rating, Mangahas said SWS cannot promise anything at the moment.

“We will not telegraph our subject matter; just wait for what we release,” he said.

For his part, Jose Ramon Albert, a professional statistician, said SWS should “experiment” with their data gathering modes and see how they can continue conducting surveys even in the middle of the outbreak.

Albert, who is also a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, cited a study that shows reducing the interviewer’s social presence “may result into higher quality data, greater respondent disclosure and even satisfaction.”

“It would be important to look into whether these alternative modes of data collection may indeed be better or face-to-face is still the gold standard,” Albert said in the same virtual forum.

“My sense is that it depends on context because sometimes for questions that involves social desirability, you may not want to use face-to-face modes,” he added. n

Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian

rights of the Philippine-Australia Solidarity Association.

She was arrested by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on April 16, 2018 for allegedly violating the conditions of her stay in the country.

But the BI released her the day after for further investigation after it was established that the Australian nun holds a valid missionary visa and, thus, she is a properly documented alien.

The BI alleged that Fox had taken part in protest actions by farmers in the past, and was doing a similar illegal act at the time when Immigration operatives served her the mission order.

On April 25, 2018, the BI can-

celled her missionary visa and issued an order directing her to leave the country within 30 days upon receipt and invalidate her alien certificate of registration.

The BI said that Fox was not allowed to engage in partisan political activity, which is expressly provided under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

“She (Fox) was found to have engaged in activities that are not allowed under the terms and conditions of her visa,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

He stressed that Fox’s visa granted her only the privilege to engage in missionary work and not in political activities. n

Burba Burbank hanggang Los Angeles na Seksiyon ng Proyekto Pagpapahaba ng Panahon ng Pagkomento Hulyo 31, 2020

MAGTATAPOS NA ANG PANAHON NG PAGSUSURI NG PUBLIKO SA DRAFT NA EIR/EIS NG BURBANK HANGGANG LOS ANGELES NA SEKSIYON NG PROYEKTO SA HULYO 31, 2020.

Naglabas kamakailan ang Awtoridad sa Mabilis na Tren ng California (California High-Speed Rail Authority, Awtoridad) ng Draft na Ulat ng Epekto sa Kapaligiran (Environmental Impact Report, EIR)/Pahayag ng Epekto sa Kapaligiran (Environment Impact Statement, EIS) para sa Burbank hanggang Los Angeles (B-LA) na Seksiyon ng Proyekto. Bukas ang Draft na EIR/EIS para sa pagsusuri at komento ng publiko sa www.hsr.ca.gov. Pinahaba nang 15 araw pa ng Awtoridad ang panahon ng pagkomento, na nagsimula noong Mayo 29, 2020 at magtatapos sa Hulyo 31, 2020.

Dagdag sa pagkomento sa Draft na EIR/EIS sa pampublikong pagdinig, maaari kang magsumite ng komento sa mga sumusunod na paraan: Sa pamamagitan ng pagsulat sa ATTN: Burbank to Los Angeles Draft EIR/EIS Comment, 355 S Grand Ave, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, CA 90071 Sa pamamagitan ng web form sa pagkomento sa website ng Draft na EIR/EIS ng Burbank hanggang Los Angeles na Seksiyon ng Proyekto ng Awtoridad: https://hsr.ca.gov/programs/environmental/eis_eir/draft_burbank_los_ angeles_comment.aspx Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng email sa Burbank_Los.Angeles@hsr.ca.gov na may linya ng paksa na “Burbank to Los Angeles Draft EIR/EIS Comment” Ang panahon ng pagkomento para sa Draft na EIR/EIS na ito ay nagsimula noong Mayo 29 at ngayon ay magtatapos na sa Hulyo 31, 2020. Dapat matanggap ang mga komento sa elektronikong paraan o nang naka-postmark sa o bago ang Hulyo 31, 2020. Maghahanda ang Awtoridad ng Pinal na EIR/EIS, kung saan isasama ang mga tugon sa lahat ng mga komentong natanggap.

MGA KOPYA NG DRAFT NA EIR/EIS

Bumisita sa website ng Awtoridad (www.hsr.ca.gov) upang tingnan at i-download ang Draft na EIR/EIS. Maaari ka ring humiling ng isang elektronikong kopya ng Draft na EIR/EIS at/o mga teknikal na ulat sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa Awtoridad sa (877) 977-1660. facebook.com/ CaliforniaHighSpeedRail

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The Asian Journal

WKND Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Fixed fiancée visa is Disney teams up with Fil-Am same as fixed marriage best-selling author Melissa

cée visa petition has attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage for the purpose of evading the immigration laws and is therefore subject to the bar at Section 204(c) of the Act.” In other words, if a person is caught in a fixed marriage, they are definitely subject to a lifetime ban of ever having any future petition approved. The issue here was whether that same lifetime ban applied to a fiancée visa, where the couple had not yet married.

The BIA concluded that the same lifetime ban that applies to fix marriages would also apply to fixed fiancée visas.

child or a U.S. citizen parent may not be approved.

On the other hand, there are situations where a person truly had been in a loving relationTHE Board of Immigration ship and intended to have a life Appeals (BIA) recently held that together with the petition, but the a person caught applying for a USCIS wrongly concluded it was K-1 fiancée visa in a “fixed rea fixed marriage. It could be poslationship” (meaning having no sible in those situations to “unfix” intention to have a life together), such a finding, by proving and is subject to the same lifetime documenting the original relationban as a person caught in a fixed ship was for love. I would strongly marriage. Therefore, whether recommend the person consult you are applying for a green card with and have an attorney handle through a marriage, or a K-1 visa, their case to help prove the origithere must be love, or no future nal relationship was for love. petition in any category can ever *** be approved.

Michael J. Gurfinkel has In that particular case, been an attorney for over a person was petitioned for a K-1 visa by a U.S. I want to emphasize that you should 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the citizen. When he aponly marry for love, and on your State Bars of California and peared for his interview New York. All immigration at the U.S. Consulate, wedding day have the intention to services are provided by, or the case was put under have a life together.

If the relationship under the supervision of, an investigation and interis fixed and you are caught, no active member of the State rogation. Both he and of California. Each case the U.S. citizen fiancée future petition can ever be approved, Bar is different and results may provided inconsistent even if the new relationship is real depend on the facts of the answers about their relaparticular case. The informationship, and the petition and there is true love. tion and opinions contained was sent back to USCIS herein (including testimonifor revocation. There I want to emphasize that you als, “Success Stories”, endorsements was no dispute that the person’s engagement with his U.S. citizen should only marry for love, and and re-enactments) are of a general on your wedding day have the nature, and are not intended to apply to fiancée was not bona fide.

Years later, the person’s U.S. intention to have a life together. any particular case, and do not consticitizen mother filed a petition If the relationship is fixed and tute a prediction, warranty, guarantee for him as the single adult child you are caught, no future peti- or legal advice regarding the outcome of a U.S. citizen (F-1). Although tion can ever be approved, even of your legal matter. No attorney-client that F-1 petition was initially if the new relationship is real and relationship is, or shall be, established approved, USCIS later revoked there is true love. Many times, with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com the approval on the grounds that I have people coming to me for Follow us on Facebook.com/Gurfinkelbecause his relationship to his consultation where they have U.S. citizen fiancée was fixed, he married a U.S. citizen for love, Law, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: was, thereafter, subject to a life- have several children with them, US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultatime ban for having entered into and that U.S. citizen now wants a fixed relationship. He appealed to petition them. Or, the person tion for anywhere in the US: now has a U.S. citizen child over 1-866-487-3465 to the BIA. (866) – GURFINKEL The issue on appeal was, 21 years of age. However, they Four offices to serve you: “whether an alien who has en- were previously caught in a fixed LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW tered into a fictitious or ‘sham’ marriage. That means any future engagement that served as the petition, whether by a new loving YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES basis for a K-1 nonimmigrant fian- spouse or an adult U.S. citizen (Advertising Supplement)

de la Cruz for new studio

The global entertainment giant previously won production rights to the author’s romantic comedy “29 Dates”

By Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

MELISSA de la Cruz, the New York Times best-selling author known for her “Blue Bloods” series, has partnered up with Disney Publishing Worldwide to develop original content that will be featured across the company’s multiple platforms, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Melissa de la Cruz Studio will work and collaborate with new voices, as well as established authors, for content creation and development.

The emphasis will be on creating original stories and uplifting writers of color, women writers and others from historically disenfranchised groups, a step in the global entertainment giant’s long-term efforts to embrace diversity.

The news doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering Hyperion Books, a subsidiary of the Disney Publishing Group, has published many of de la Cruz’s works in the past, including the “Blue Bloods” series, “Witches of East End” and “The Beauchamp Family.”

“Disney Publishing has been home for many of my novels throughout the years and I am so thankful to continue the collaboration,” de la Cruz said in a statement. “I am beyond thrilled to forge a new journey with the team, full of even more incredible opportunities, nestled within The Walt Disney Company powerhouse. It is a dream come true.”

Acclaimed author Melissa de la Cruz will now have her own studio with Disney Publishing Worldwide.

The 48-year-old Filipina American author is best known for her work in the young adult genre: “Blue Bloods,” a series of novels about vampires published in 2006; “The Ring and the Crown,” a historical fantasy epic; and “29 Dates,” a romantic comedy about a Korean exchange student, which is currently being developed into a feature-length film for streaming service Disney+.

De La Cruz’s “Isle of the Lost” series provided the basis for the wildly popular Disney Channel original movie “Descendants.” Currently, de la Cruz is also working on a novelization of the Disney+

television series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”

“As an author within the Disney Publishing Worldwide family, we have seen firsthand how Melissa de la Cruz cultivates a story and develops content for multiple platforms and media,” said Emily Meehan, Disney Hyperion & New Intellectual Property vice president and long-time editorial publisher of de la Cruz’s work.

“Her strong creative vision will inspire the next generation of best sellers and content creators for entertainment beyond the pages of a book,” Meehan said.

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Claire dela Fuente gets Nominations for outstanding 7-year jail time for tax evasion UP alumni now open by

Ritchel Mendiola AJPress

VETERAN singer Claire dela Fuente was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Philippine Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) after she was found guilty of tax evasion charges involving her bus company.

The special court ruled that dela Fuente, whose real name is Clarita de Guzman, failed to make and file the income tax returns of her bus firm Philippine Corinthian Liner Corporation (PCLC) from 1998 to 2004.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed seven counts of tax evasion against PCLC 10 years ago.

In a 205-page ruling by Associate Justice Ma. Belen M. Ringpis-Liban dated June 30 but released Friday, July 17, the CTA said: “For each consolidated criminal case, she is sentenced to suffer the straight penalty of imprisonment of one year and ordered to pay a fine of PHP50,000 with subsidiary imprisonment, in case (the) accused has no property with which to meet such fine.”

PLCL, meanwhile, was found guilty of violating Section 255 in relation to Section 256 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

It was ordered by the CTA to pay P100,000 for each of the consolidated criminal cases.

Dela Fuente, for her part, denied the charges. According

Claire dela Fuente

to her, her company only started operating in 2005.

However, BIR presented PCLC’s records filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board, and the Land Transportation Office showing her company began operating even before 2005.

“It is without a doubt that accused dela Fuente was wellaware that operations were being conducted by PCLC, either through themselves or the

Photo courtesy of the singer’s Facebook

THE University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) is seeking outstanding and high-achieving U.P. Alumni to be recognized in their first Alumni Awards Program scheduled on October 29, 2020.

Patterned after the U.P. Alumni Association Awards in the Philippines, UPAAGLA aims to identify and recognize the contributions of exceptional U.P. alumni in the Greater Los Angeles area, from Kern County to Orange County in the following categories: Service, Leadership, Most Distinguished, Lifetime Distinguished, and Family Recognition.

UPAAGLA President and Selection Committee Co-Chair, Ethel Rubio said, “This is our way of highlighting FilipinoAmericans who are U.P. alumni and making a difference not only in the Fil-Am community but the whole Greater Los Angeles community at large.”

All U.P. alumni in the community (UPAAGLA members

smaller bus operators who were using the franchises granted exclusively to PCLC, especially since most, if not all, LTFRB (Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board) and LTO (Land Transportation Office) approvals granted to PCLC were indeed facilitated by her,” said the CTA. “Accused dela Fuente cannot

By MaRk Bonifacio escape the consequences of beManilaTimes.net ing a responsible officer, agent, or employee of PCLC and must THE 2019 single “Mariposa” be held liable for its crimes,” it from the group Peach Tree Rasadded.

and non-members) are invited and encouraged to participate in the ongoing nomination and Awards Program.

Details of the nomination

process is available at www. upaagla.org/awards. Completed online nomination forms are due on Monday, August 31, 2020.

(Advertising Supplement)

US group Peach Tree Rascals’ member is Fil-Am cals recently peaked at Number 1 on Spotify Philippines Viral 50 charts. And the group happens to have a Filipino member: rapper-songwriter Joseph Barros.

“My mom is from Mani la and my dad is from Boracay.

Yea h, we are about to cook adobo tonight,” Barros said in an exclusive interview with the group when asked about his Filipino roots.

The viral single, which translates to butterfly in Spanish, was born from the Pinoy rapper member’s penchant for playing guitar. From the melodies to lyrics, Barros cultivated the framework from “Mariposa” in one day. After sharing with the other guys, “Mariposa” blos-

somed into a humanistic story about growth and acceptance.

“Mariposa” is about shedding your skin, flawed and all, and like a cater pillar, amending into the being you were meant to be.

“The way I came about the song. It star ted in my room at the time when I wasn’t really confident about my guitar playing skills or sound making skills. Then one day, I was just play i ng t hese chords a nd I heard this melody in my head which was the hook. It all came organical ly. A lso, it was an hour or two before I worked and it took me four hours so I ended up being late for work for 2 hours. But it was all worth it,” PAGE B3

The masterminds behind Peach Tree Rascals (from left) Tarrek Abdel-Khaliq, Dominic Pizano, Issac Pech, Joseph Barros and Jorge Olazaba. Photo from Instagram/@peachtreerascal

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US group Peach Tree Rascals’ member is...

CSPA VICTORY FOR AGED OUT CHILD: PAOLO NEVER GAVE UP HOPE, DESPITE BEING REFUSED A VISA AT THE U.S. EMBASSY BECAUSE HE HAD AGED OUT. Paolo (left) was only a small child when his U.S. citizen aunt petitioned his father. But when the priority date became current and Paolo went to the U.S. Embassy in 2015, his immigrant visa was refused because he had “aged out.” He then consulted with the Law Offices of MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL, Inc. Atty. Gurfinkel sought reconsideration from the U.S. Embassy, arguing that Paolo was still under 21, based on the Child Status Protection Act’s (CSPA) age calculation. Find out how leading U.S. immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL was able to turn a denial into a visa, by convincing the Embassy that Paolo was eligible for immigration benefits under the CSPA, on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, July 21 at 6:15 PM (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Andrea’s ‘unexpected source of joy’ in these uncertain times by

AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.met

ANDREA Torres can’t really say that she has fully adjusted to life amid the COVID-19 pandemic: She still gets bouts of loneliness once in a while, and there are still things she’s getting used to.

The good thing, however, is that her emotional and mental well-being seem to be better now than how they were at the start of the quarantine.

“There are still times when I get sad, especially when I see what’s happening in the news.

We still can’t hold each other.

That’s sad, too. But I can say that things have considerably improved from when we were first put on lockdown. I used to have anxiety attacks and I would feel down for days. But at least there’s none of those now,” she said in a recent video interview.

“Now I’m more focused on moving forward,” the GMA 7 actress added.

An unexpected source of joy for Andrea in these uncertain times is Family Favorites, the online food business she recently put up with her mom, Emerita.

Using their own recipes, the mother-daughter tandem whips up different snacks and sweets like cheese pimiento, stuffed mushroom and polvoron.

“One thing I have discovered is that I actually find running a small business enjoyable,” said Andrea, who’s very hands-on with the operations. “I help my mom do the cooking. I’m also in charge of the grocery shopping, packaging and delivery.”

“It also serves as a bonding

Andrea Torres Photo from Instagram/@andreaetorres

time for me and mom,” the 30year-old celebrity added. “It can get quite tiring, but it’s very fulfilling.”

Andrea has always dreamed of running her own business, but she never had the chance nor the time to push through with it, until now. And she sees herself continuing her newfound endeavor even after the pandemic.

“I was so focused on one thing. ‘I will stay in show biz,’ I would tell myself. But now, aside from giving my 100 percent at work, I have something else that makes me happy and keeps me busy,” she related. “I’m glad to have found something positive despite our situation.”

Still, she can’t help but miss acting and the daily grind in the biz. “I miss working so much.

My goal is to offer the audience something new… and something

that will keep the fans guessing,” she said.

Andrea was supposed to start shooting a new drama series with her boyfriend, Derek Ramsay, last April. But the future of that project is now uncertain.

“It’s an action, romantic-comedy. But that’s up in the air because crowds aren’t allowed,” she pointed out. “There’s no update regarding work resumption.

Nanghinayang ako because that’s work. I have already set my mind to it. Sometimes, I find myself thinking, ‘“I should have been working right now.’”

Andrea recently took part in the “Womanhood” episode of GMA 7’s online discussion “Usapang Artista,” where she expressed her thoughts about various issues women face in the industry and in their everyday lives.

One of her biggest struggles, Andrea said, is that some people tend to have preconceived notions about her because of the roles she has played. “It’s tough.

Just because I did some sultry roles or projects in the past doesn’t mean I’m the same way in real life,” she stressed.

Worse, some people think that it’s OK to make green jokes or give unsolicited comments about her body. “It’s uncomfortable. I get bothered by that kind of treatment,” said Andrea, who also weighed in on the correlation—or lack thereof—between rape and how a woman dresses.

“You might think it’s sexy, but for her, it’s just how she likes to express herself. She’s not asking for attention; it’s just how you perceive it. It all boils down to respect,” she stressed.

Dianne & Rodjun: We want to build a family right away by ricky lo Philstar.com

WHEN Rodjun Cruz and Dianne Medina got married in December last year, their fervent prayer was for God to give them a baby at once. Wish granted. Dianne is expecting their firstborn sometime in September or October.

“After the wedding,” Dianne told Funfare, “we really wanted to have a baby already. We wanted to build a family right away. I found out that I was pregnant end of January. We both cried upon seeing the positive sign of six different brands of the pregnancy test. We thanked God for this blessing. It’s a dream come true. Sabi nga namin, blessing ito ni Lord agad sa amin, regalo Niya since I have no more mommy and Rodjun’s mom passed away last year. It was sad that she wasn’t around during our wedding.”

Dianne experiences the classic signs of pregnancy. “During my first trimester, nakaramdam ako ng nausea at morning sickness. Sometimes, I would vomit pero wala naman lumalabas. It was also very crucial since I had Subchorionic Hemorrhage so my OB advised me to take a leave from work and take a bed rest to ensure the safety of the baby.

In my second trimester, I got my appetite and energy back. I was more matakaw and I could eat anything.”

Expectant dads are said to also infanticipate (naglilihi). Ganoon ba si Rodjun?

“Naglilihi sa food, ako lang ‘yon. I eat anything but with me, for example if I eat adobo today and sarap na sarap ako sa kanya, the next day I don’t like adobo na, nasusuka na ako sa kanya. Kailangan iba-iba food ko, as much as possible no ulit of food. So hard kasi we are on ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine). The

Rodjun Cruz with wife Dianne Medina

food that I crave is hard to find because restaurants are closed, and we cannot go out. And we also limit deliveries to avoid exposure sana.”

It’s sad that both your moms were unable not only to be at your wedding and they are also unable to hug their grandchild.

“Yes, but I believe that God has a better plan for all of us. Everything happens for a reason. And I know Mama Beth, Rodjun’s mom, is happy and smiling down from heaven. We always talk to her and to my mom who passed away in 2011 due to breast cancer. We ask them to pray for the little one.

And I’m sure they are both happy for us.”

Incidentally, you really prepared before you decided to settle down, like having your own house.

This time, how are you preparing for the arrival of the baby?

“As early as June, we renovated the room for the baby already. We are completing the list for mommy

Photo from Instagram/@rodjuncruz

bag, hospital bag and baby bag.

We started buying baby items via online. Jenna Sy of Aprica is helping me with all the items, where to get them, what items I really need.”

Are you reading books, asking tips from your friends who have kids, etc.?

“Since my mom is no longer here and even Rodjun’s mom, I read pregnancy books, search online and watch pregnancy vlogs.

My sister-in-law Andrea Cruz-Medina and Chi Medina also help me.

Some baby companies have approached me and offered to help.

I have taken online classes about newborn care and breastfeeding.

I have zero knowledge so we also got a midwife to train me for the first three months only. I’m glad I have friends like Max Collins and Luane Dy. Dami rin nilang tips for me.” (Note: Max delivered via water birthing her and husband Pancho Magno’s first baby last week.)

PAGE B2 Barros said.

T he B ay A r ea col le c t i ve m a k e mu s i c t h at me et s at the junction of alt-jazz, funk, hip-hop, and R&B. Their DIY approach of integrating mult iple gen r es h a s g i ven t he group crossover appeal, which humbly began in 2018 in their hometown of San Jose, California. Since the release of the debut single “Glide,” the group has released eight more singles accumulating in over 10 million streams to date.

Aside from Barros, Peach Tr ee R a sc a l s i s compr i sed of producer-m i xer Dom i n ic “Dom” Pizano, rappers-singers Issac Pech, Tarrek AbdelK haliq and creative director Jorge Olazaba. The five-piece col lect ive f i r st met i n h igh school in the Bay Area.

More of Music Geek ’s exclusive i nter v iew v ia Zoom with the group below. Special thanks to the efforts of Janine Fenequito and Luigi Mallari of MCA Music for setting up this interview.

Why did you call your single “Mariposa”?

Joseph: We called this “Mariposa” because there is this area in Yosemite which is an hour from where I’m at right now. It holds a special place i n my hea r t. W hen I hea rd the chords, the lyrics and the melodies, it reminded me of that special place.

Isaac: “Mariposa” also translates to butterfly in Spanish so we kinda ran with that in the video. Kinda like the theme of the visuals and whatnot.

“Mariposa” was released in 2019 and this year it went on Spotify Philippines Top 50 Viral Charts at #1. It also now has over 20 million streams.

H ow do e s t h at m a ke you feel?

Isaac: Amazing! I didn’t even know it was Number 1 on that chart! That makes me feel really happy!

Joseph: It’s beautiful!

How was the group formed?

Isaac: So these guys were all friends before. I moved into their city and their high school.

We started hanging out playing basketball and just doing scuba stuff. I made music at the time. I would record and put it on CDs and kinda like head them out and put it out

on t he i nter net. Slowly but surely like each of them started joining me. Before we knew it, Dom decided he wanted to do music for the rest of his life.

He started putting in a crazy amount f work, lots of hours in the studio and we all started work ing toget her as a unit.

Then we started forming the Peach Tree Rascals sound and once we had a certain amount of songs that we are comfortable releasing, we just put them

out. We formulated the plan to put them out. That is how it started.

How did you come up with the group name Peach Tree Rascals?

Jorge: I came up with the name. First, I came up with Peach Tree Village originally, but a week before the first song came out, they didn’t like “Village” so Isaac came up with “Rascals” and it worked perPAGE B5

TURN TO PRAYER. TURN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD. 21 Days of Consecration to Our Lady with Prayer for National Healing DAY 1, July 16: Memorial of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Invitation from Archbishop Socrates B Villegas We feel clouds of helplessness and discouragement hovering over us and our brothers and sisters. The anxiety caused by the current pandemic and the socio-political turmoil born from various social issues render us not knowing what to do, how to serve as spiritual leaders and how to be disciples with the disciples of the Lord in crisis.

We turn to prayer. We turn to the Mother of God. We are never helpless if we cling to the Virgin Mother.

We declare TWENTY-ONE days of CONSECRATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY WITH PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING from July 16, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to August 5, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

The number TWENTY-ONE is significant in reference to the twenty-one rebellious acts of

the Israelites after the liberation from Egypt. We are in state of rebellion against God and we are seeing the consequences of our sin. We must repent. We must be consecrated again if we wish to be healed.

What are we to do?

1. In all Masses in the archdiocese from July 16 to August 5, the enclosed Act of Consecration and Prayer for National Healing must be prayed after the Post Communion Prayer led by the Mass presider on his knees facing the altar. Please make copies of the Act of Consecration so that the parishioners can join the prayer ALOUD TOGETHER specially on Sundays.

2. On August 5, there will be a Mass in honor of the Virgin Mary at the Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag at 11:00am.

Due to the limitations set by the pandemic, only the diocesan and religious priests, religious sisters and twenty representatives from ONLA will be in attendance inside the basilica. The Mass will be on

livestreaming and the faithful are encouraged to join through the available social media platforms.

3. Please encourage families to pray the Act of Consecration at home after the family rosary and even repeatedly during the day. This is best done by making copies of the Act of Consecration available to the greatest number of people using all the means possible.

4. It is not enough that we have an event to do this collegial consecration on August 5. That day must only be a devout pious conclusion of the MASSIVE and WIDESPREAD Consecration in all sectors and communities starting July 16.

Let us not give in to discouragement and depression.

Let us go to our Lady. Let us take comfort in the message of Our Lady to San Juan Diego: Trust in me. I am your Mother.

Sincerely yours, +SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

B July 18-21, 2020 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN JOuRNAl

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13 tips in pleading reasonable cause to penalty forgiveness Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA & roger L. orieL YOUR penalties may be abated (forgiven) if you can prove Reasonable Cause. Here are some tips for you: • You don’t have a background in finance or taxation • You exercised due diligence by going to a competent tax adviser.

• You went to a tax professional.

• You even hired a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to prepare your taxes.

• You sought the advice of a

competent tax professional.

• There were complex tax issues which you could not handle so you hired a tax professional.

• You acted in the same diligent manner that a prudent businessperson would have acted under similar circumstances.

• You submitted complete supporting documents to your tax pro.

• You produced all records in a timely manner.

• You acted in good faith, produced records diligently, and sought tax advice in the same manner that a prudent businessperson would have acted under similar circumstances.

11. The COVID-19 lockdown prevented you from receiving and producing backup docu-

mentation.

12. You had medical emergencies – of yourself or your family.

13. Oh, number 13… You died. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

What is a postnuptial agreement?

A POSTNUPTIAL agreement is a contract between you and your spouse entered into after you get married resolving issues in your marriage. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement except it occurs after your marriage. For couples that get married without a prenuptial agreement, it is not too late to have an agreement dealing with issues of property division, management of finances, spousal support, division of a business that takes effect in case of a divorce. You can enter into a postnuptial agreement even if the marriage is going well. People grow and change over time. You can never predict if your relationship with your spouse will stay the same in the future. In a way, it is a form of planning to cover the contingency in case the marriage does not work out in the future.

If you are the spouse who is the primary breadwinner such as a Registered Nurse, a Physician, or other Professional, California

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS community property law provides for a 50% interest to your spouse for any income earned by you during the marriage and any property acquired by you and your spouse during the marriage.

Basically, your spouse has a onehalf interest in your salary, earnings, and any assets you acquired during the marriage even if it was you who sweated to earn that money and even if a particular asset or bank account is under your name alone. This 50/50 division can be changed even after the marriage by ways of a postnuptial agreement.

What issues can be resolved

in advance through a postnuptial agreement? You can agree on how a business or a professional practice is to be divided in case of a divorce. Through the postnuptial agreement, the division does not have to be 50/50. The agreement can provide that the business will be awarded to one spouse alone or it can provide a certain amount of buyout to the other spouse. There is a lot of flexibility as to how you want to structure this.

You can also provide for how real property is to be divided such as a house or rental property.

Typically, a house purchased during the marriage is community property to be divided equally. A house purchased before the marriage is separate property but if there was a mortgage or refinancing during the marriage and the monthly mortgage payment is paid from earnings during the marriage, there could be a comPAGE B6

Social media and US visa applicants Senior needs Chapter 13 to protect house Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAMSon SA panahon ngayon ng pandemic at dahil sa madaming lockdown order sa buong mundo, marami ang nagtatrabaho mula sa bahay o WFH. Marami rin ang bumabaling sa social media upang magbahagi ng impormasyon, balita at kanilang mga damdamin. Dapat malaman ng U.S. visa applicants na sila ay kailangang mag-submit ng impormasyon tungkol sa social media accounts na kanilang kasalukuyang ginagamit, pati na rin yung social media accounts na ginamit nila noong nakaraang 5 taon. Ito ay alinsunod sa U.S. Department of State (DOS) policy na naging epektibo noong Mayo 31, 2019.

Ayon sa DOS, kailangan nila ang social media identifiers upang madetermina kung ang visa applicants para sa immigrant at non-immigrant visas ay papasa sa mga pamantayan para mabigyan ng visa. Ang social media identifiers din ay makakatulong upang makilatis ng DOS kung

may fraud o panloloko, panlilinlang at pagsisinungaling ang visa applicant, at kung ang visa applicant ay may potensyal na pagbabanta sa seguridad ng U.S. Maliban dito, ayon sa DOS, ang social media information ay magpapabuti ng screening process upang maprotektahan ang mga U.S. citizen, habang sinusuportahan ang legitimate travel sa U.S. Ang DOS ay dati nang humihingi ng contact information, travel history, family member information, addresses at work history mula sa visa applicants.

Ayon sa DOS, ang pagkuha at pagkolekta ng social media identifiers at information ay magpapalakas ng kanilang vetting process ng U.S. visa applicants.

Sinasakop ng social media identifier ang lahat ng pangalan at account sa social media platforms tulad ng Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, MySpace, Pinterest, Tumblr and Youtube. Ito ay magbibigay sa DOS ng access sa personal data na karaniwang ibinabahagi sa social media. Kasama na dito ang religious at political affiliations, milestones, contacts, associations, habits, preferences, at sentiments. Dahil dito, ang mga post sa social media ay maaaring bigyan ng interpretayson,

suriin at i-monitor ng U.S. government. Subalit, kung hindi titignan ang kontexto ng online posting, maaari hindi ito maunawaan at mabigyan ng maling interpretasyon.

Habang imposible na tignan at suriin ng DOS ang lahat ng social media accounts ng lahat ng visa applicants, maaaring ang makikitang social media posts ay humantong sa denial ng visa kung may mga inconsistency sa online posts at visa application.

Halimbawa, ang isang B2 tourist visa applicant na nagpost sa Facebook na kanyang “pangarap ang mag-aral at tumira sa U.S.” ay maaaring hindi maaprubahan ng tourist visa. *** During this pandemic and due to lockdown orders all over the world, a lot of people are working from home and turning to social media to share information, news and sentiments. Visa applicants to the U.S. should be aware that they are required to submit any information about social media accounts they are using and those that they have used in the past five years under U.S. Department of State (DOS) policy, which became effective on May 31, 2019.

According to the DOS, it needs PAGE B6

from creditors of a failed business

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng THE client is 71. Her husband died five years ago, so she lives with her unmarried son who does not have full time or steady employment.

She has a large equity in her residence of about $400,000. For her age, the equity exemption for homestead is $175,000. She was a registered nurse when she was still working. Her social security is $2,200, while her mortgage payment is $1,100. She has no other income in addition to social security.

Considering the son is not gainfully employed, she has to rely on herself. She says, in response to my question, how she feels, that she still feels the same as when she was young, but when she looks at the mirror, she says that she has become old. Well, how true that age is only in the mind. An older person actually is like an older

model car that is well kept and maintained. It still runs well and looks like a car, but the new cars sort of stand out when they are placed side by side. Just put your well-maintained 1995 Camry beside a 2018 Tesla model 3, and the difference in appearance is obvious. But both cars will get you where you want to go. The Camry will be noisier because of its gas engine. The Tesla will be very quiet because it has no mechanical engine. It’s electric. It looks sleeker than the Camry.

The client had $300,000 in her 401K when she was still working and younger. However, she liquidated the entire amount with a penalty. Why did she do this, I asked. She said she invested half, $150,000, in a business, which did not succeed. The other $150,000 she put in something else. In other words, right now, at age 71, the $300,000 is gone. Would have been nice to have that $300,000 around now that she is retired, right?

Anyway, this is water under the bridge. The investment mistake has been made and cannot be reversed. Well, “what’s the problem now?” I ask.

She says that the business had

two loans that she guaranteed personally. She thinks the two loans are about $20,000. How many times have I said, never personally guarantee a business loan. I must have said it a hundred times before. If the business folds, just put the company, LLC or corporation, in Chapter 7 liquidation and let the business creditors file their claims in the bankruptcy estate of the business, and forget about them. You, as owner or officer, will not be personally liable for those business debts, unless of course, you give the creditors your personal guarantee, then most assuredly, you are on the hook, including your beloved house.

Certainly, the client does not want the business creditors to touch her house. How can they do this? They can sue her on her personal guaranty; get a judgment and subsequently a judgment lien on her residence.

Unfortunately, judgment creditors can literally force the sale of her house in due time unless she protects herself and her house now with Chapter 13. She can’t do a Chapter 7 because her home equity is a lot more than PAGE B6

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 18-21, 2020

US group Peach Tree Rascals’ member is Fil-Am...

PAGE B3 fectly. It fits us more now like we are more attached to it now like we did back then since we have grown with the name. So, it feels more special now than it did before.

The members of the group are second generation Americans and sons of immigrants.

So how do you manage to work together despite some differences in cultures?

Isaac: I mean, despite the d i f ferences i n ou r cu lt u res from back home, we all grew up in the same city, around the same people and the city we grew up in, there’s cultures that come from ever y where.

There’s a lot of first generat ion and second generat ion of immigrants from different countries.

Tarrek: Where we grew up has its own culture too. All of us come from different cultures but we are united by the culture we are in which is the Bay Area in San Jose and it was just something that we hang out and like each other. That was just how any friendship

EMPLOYMENT

is. It just so happened that we started making music. Now we are here!

W hat is t hat i m m ig r a nt mentality that comes through in the way you approach the project and your work ethic?

Isaac: If I were to attribute it to anything, it is just watching our parents. T hey came to A mer ic a t r y i ng to bu i ld something for themselves and their future family which is us.

That started from nothing and do what you can with what you have has been in better than us when we were little. Whether it’s conscious or not, t hat’s definitely come to fruition as we started to work together and trying to reach our goals.

Can you tell us about your c r e at i ve a nd s ong w r it i ng process?

Joseph: Usually, it starts off with me, Dom or my cousin Jasper. It comes with the chords first then after we build up on the chords Isaac, Tarrek, Dom and me would come up with the melodies. Usually when we make songs, we’re not really aiming for a type of emotion,

it’s just t he chords and t he vibe.

Who are your musical influences?

Isaac: For me personally, my favorite rapper of all time is Kendrick Lamar. I love Kanye West, Frank Ocean.

Joseph: My inspirations are John Mayer, Alabama Shakes, Rex Orange County, Tyler the Creator.

Tarrek: I love Post Malone, C ha nce T he R apper, Ha r r y Styles, Justin Bieber, The Beatles, Michael Jackson.

What is music to you?

Isaac: Music to me is just life! There’s not much more to life than music and family for me personally. So being able to do this at this level is extremely special for me because anytime there is a low or dark time, either listening to music can fix that or writing music can fix that. It is just a cathartic avenue t hat I have used my entire life.

Tarrek: I think that speaks for all of us.

Any dream collaborations or anyone you would like to

EMPLOYMENT

collaborate with in the future?

Isaac: I would love to work with Kendrick Lamar or Kanye West.

Joseph: Frank Ocean, John Mayer, Paul Mc Cartney, Harry Styles Tar rek: Post Malone, A r iana Grande, Tyler the Creator, Chance the Rapper Where do you draw your inspiration in creating music?

Isaac: I n spi r at ion comes from just about anything. Like whether it’s a weird situation that happens earlier in the day.

A lot of inspiration from the lyrics comes from the music l i ke t he chords t hat Joseph and Dom play. And we go off that mood.

Joseph: For me personally, I draw a lot of inspirations from being out in nature.

With the Black Lives Matter being a hot topic in America now. Have you ever ex pe r ienced d i sc r i m i n at ion as an artist or because of your race? If yes, how did you deal with it?

Isaac: There will always be

discrimination when you’re a minority in America. Having grown up with black friends, you witness that first hand. It sticks with you because there is no reason for anyone to be treated higher than someone else because of their ethnicity or the color of their skin. Just watching that growing up, it created some type of fire and it’s good to see that the movement is starting to gain traction more and more. People are no longer able to ignore it because it’s in their face. At the end of the day, we would want for what is right to happen for my friends, for my brothers and sisters and ever yone at t he black community.

How has the Covid 19 pandemic affected and impacted you as an artists? How are you coping with it?

Tar rek: T he way we work and the way we’ve been living is similar to being quarantined like a lot of time before the lockdown and any of this happened, we spent in the same place making music. When the quarantine hit, the only way it really hit us sadly was our shows. We are gonna go on tour and travel and get to see our

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

B

fans. It was really heartbreaking that we couldn’t do that. At the same time, it let us use the time to stay with our families and just keep on creating music and keep on preparing so when we are able to go back on tour.

Everyone is hopefully healthy and we can get back and finally see our fans.

What is your message to your Filipino fans who supported you and streamed your song?

Isaac: First of all, thank you for making us do music for a living a possibility. Thank you for connecting on an emotional level wit h us. We can’t wait to see you. Really excited to play shows in the Philippines.

Please just keep suppor ting because we are doing this for you.

Ta r rek: a nd we wa nt you to know guys that you can do it too. Bei ng creat ive especially at times like these when you’re stuck in the house and you can’t go out to spend time with people. Just be creative, express yourself, be yourself at all times and surround yourself with people that you love and help you become a better person.

B July 18-21, 2020 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN JOuRNAl

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Are public employees’ off-duty sex activities ground for termination?

The right to privacy and intimate association JANELLE Perez was hired as a police officer in the Roseville Police Department. A few months into her probationary term, Janelle and a fellow officer, Shad Begley, began a romantic relationship. Both Janelle and Shad were separated from their respective spouses but remained married.

Shad’s wife, Leah, filed a citizen complaint alleging that Janelle and her husband were having an affair and were engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct while on duty. The Department began an Internal Affairs (“IA”) investigation which disclosed no evidence of on-duty sexual contact between the two officers. However, the calls and texts they made to each other while on duty “potentially” violated policy.

At the end of the investigation, the review panel recommended that the Department find Janelle and Shad’s conduct violated Department policies and issued written reprimands to them for “Unsatisfactory Work Performance” and “Conduct Unbecoming.”

The panel decided that Janelle should be released from her probation and terminated.

Janelle appealed her reprimand. An administrative hearing before Chief Hahn was held. Janelle provided the Chief with her written rebuttal to the above findings. At the end of the hearing, Janelle was informed without any explanation that she was being terminated. She was issued a written notice, which, however, was prepared before the hearing, and did not contain any reason for her firing.

The Department later issued a new written reprimand to Janelle from Captain Moore, which reversed the initial findings but based the reprimand on new charges of violating

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. policy on the “Use of Personal Communication Devices.” Chief Hahn later averred that Janelle’s “personal calls during work time and during performance of various work duties was a concern, but not one warranting termination.”

Janelle sued the city for (1) violation of her rights to privacy and intimate association under the Constitution; (2) deprivation of liberty without due process of law in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment; and (3) sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”). Perez claims that her termination violated her constitutional rights to privacy and intimate association because it was impermissibly based in part on disapproval of her private, off-duty sexual conduct.

During the litigation, the employer, for the first time argued that Janelle was terminated for three reasons unrelated to her sexual conduct: (1) she did not get along well with other female officers; (2); the Department received a complaint from a domestic violence victim about her conduct; and (3) she displayed a “bad attitude” in an interaction with a superior. The trial court dismissed the case and Janelle appealed.

The Court of Appeals agreed with the trial court, unfortunately.

Generally, a police department may not make employment decisions based on offduty sexual activities that are wholly irrelevant to the em-

ployee’s work performance.

However, relationships that occurred on-duty, or relationships among officers that were ongoing and affected onthe-job performance or other legitimate interests of the Department, such as community reputation and morale, may be considered.

The employee, Janelle, made personal communications with Shad while on duty, driving her police vehicle and responding to calls for service.

Therefore, the appellate court held that this may serve as a basis for a police department to fire a probationary officer as this gives rise to legitimate concerns of efficiency, morale, and public perception.

As a government agency, the Department also has the defense of “qualified immunity.” This means that “courts may not award damages against a government official in his personal capacity unless the official violated a statutory or constitutional right, and the right was clearly established at the time of the challenged conduct.” Because Janelle did not have a constitutional right to privacy in her sexual activities that impact her job performance, the employer had a right to fire her. *** 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, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

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The test of the human spirit The Prophetic Voice reverenD roDel G. BAlAGtAS “GOOD things can come out of bad things,” I would tell others and myself. Take, for example, the effects of this coronavirus pandemic.

Undoubtedly, it is s the worst tragedy that has happened to our generation in these times, and we’d rather not experience it. Who wouldn’t tremble at learning the death of thousands of people, the infections of millions, and the stifling of the economy worldwide? Who wouldn’t anguish and despair over this seemingly endless trial? But, somehow, the pandemic has brought about the best part of ourselves, such as resiliency, strong faith in God, leadership, creativity, and resourcefulness.

So, not meaning to undermine our sorrows, grief, anxieties, and pains from this pandemic, I see how it has challenged the strength of our human spirits and belief in God. It has made us think “outside the box” as we lead ourselves, others and communities, and robustly hope for a better world.

It’s how I look at the first parable in the Gospel this Sunday (Matthew 13:24-52), the Parable of the Weeds and Wheat. When the servants of the housemaster found out that there were weeds sprouted from the good seeds, they asked their master, “Do you wish that we go and gather them up? He responded, “No, lest in gathering up the weeds you uproot the wheat along with them. Let them both grow together until the harvest. At the harvest-time, I will say to the harvesters: ‘Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them, but the wheat gather into my barn.’”

At times, God allows unpleasant things to happen in our lives to test our faith, examine our

lives, and bring out our best human qualities like our patience and ability to withstand and tolerate any disaster or illness.

Having this insight is one way of making sense of any tragedy.

Our reactions to the brutal realities of life vary. But like the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus wants to see how we react to the presence of any evil or horrible thing. Can we still have more patience? Can we still tolerate pain and anguish? Can we fight our inner battles and demons?

Can we even imagine a better world where leaders and citizens work together to bring solutions to the ills of this present age? Or have we become hopeless and cynical?

Hang on to the faith that you have. Like a mustard seed or a leaven in the parables of Jesus, it can grow and rise to dispel your fears and bring you muchneeded relief and hope in Jesus Christ, our Lord! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Dimples serves as juror for International Emmy Awards

by Ryan

aRcadio Inquirer.net

ALONG with her prestigious career as an actress, Dimples Romana revealed that she has now become a juror for this year’s International Emmy Awards (iEmmys).

Romana was invited by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to help with judging for the event, as per her Instagram post on Tuesday, July 14.

The said organization holds the awards program annually to recognize excellence in TV programming produced outside of the United States. The iEmmys is also a separate event from the Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrates shows produced in the U.S. Joining Romana in the jury were fellow TV industry members in Asia such as producer Sahana Kamath and Michael McKay, the president of ActiveTV Asia, which hosted the judging event.

Recognizing her fellow jurors, Romana expressed that it was “quite humbling” to have worked with them.

The awards program later shared Romana’s post on its Instagram Stories, stating that

K-1 fiancé(e) visa: Getting your significant other to the United States SEVERAL options exist for a U.S. citizen to bring his/her foreign-national fiancé(e) to the United States. One popular option is to marry the fiancé(e) in the country in which he/she resides, and file an I-130 immigrant petition, with the fiancé(e) to undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa when the I-130 petition is approved. However, this option often is not advisable in that the U.S.-citizen petitioner would have to learn and comply with complicated, country-specific marriage license requirements, or legal barriers to marriage may exist to the U.S.-citizen petitioner in the foreign country (as in the case of the Philippines, which in some circumstances will not recognize a foreign divorce judgment). In such cases, the best way to get your fiancé(e) to the U.S. is via a K-1 Fiancé(e) visa.

The K-1 Fiancé(e) visa allows a fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. for 90 days to allow marriage to take place. By having the marriage take place in the U.S., couples are able to bypass the foreign country’s license requirements and/or other impediments to marriage imposed by a foreign law.

To be eligible for the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition, the following are required: 1) the petitioner must be a U.S. Citizen, 2) the petitioner must have an intent to marry the fiancé(e) within 90 days of his/her arrival in the U.S.,

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn 3) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have the ability to marry (i.e. any previous marriages were terminated by divorce or death), and 4) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have physically met each other within 2 years of filing the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition (certain exceptions apply to this fourth requirement).

Minor unmarried children of the fiancé(e) may also come to the U.S. under a K-2 visa classification.

Upon arrival in the U.S., the fiancé(e) can immediately apply for authorization to work in the U.S. He/she does not have to wait until marriage to apply for work authorization. The work authorization issued to the fiancé(e) is valid for 90 days after entry. This provides the fiancé(e) the ability to immediately seek lawful employment.

Once married, the spouse of the U.S. citizen can file an I485 application for adjustment of status (from K-1 to permanent resident), and remain in the U.S. while the application is pending. At the same time the I-485 application is filed, the fiancé(e) may apply for an extended work authorization.

Upon approval of the I-485 application, the fiancé(e) is grant-

ed a conditional green card that is valid for two years, after which he/she can apply to remove the conditions on the green card.

The K-1 Fiancé(e) status automatically expires after 90 days. If marriage with the U.S. Citizen who petitioned the fiancé(e) does not occur within that time, the fiancé(e) begins to accrue unlawful presence. Also, the fiancé(e) will be precluded from adjusting to permanent resident status in the U.S. if he/she marries another U.S. citizen (however, he/she may be able to become a permanent resident through consular processing with a provisional waiver). If you are a U.S. Citizen who is planning to marry your foreign national fiancé(e), or you are someone who arrived under a K-1 Fiancé(e) visa whose marriage did not take place, it is recommended you consult with an experienced attorney. *** 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 and the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

What is a postnuptial agreement...

PAGE B4 munity interest in that separate property house which entitles your spouse to a portion of the house.

This confusion can be squared away and clarified in a postnuptial agreement. You can provide for who gets the house and what buy out , if any, your spouse will get in case of a divorce.

Spousal support can also be addressed in the postnuptial agreement. A common provisions is to agree to a certain amount of spousal support which varies depending on how long the marriage was at the time the parties divorce. It is also possible to waive spousal support altogether.

However, such waiver of support will be scrutinized as to unconscionability at the time of the divorce.

Other issues that can be resolved in a postnuptial agreement are division of debts and credit cards, ownership of a life insur-

ance policy, beneficiaries to a life insurance policy, and who gets the family pet.

Since the postnuptial agreement is the first issue that can be attacked in a divorce case, it is best that each party be represented by their own attorney in negotiating the agreement. In that case, there is less likelihood that the postnuptial agreement will be found invalid since you can argue that there was no undue influence since both parties were represented by counsel. Having a postnuptial is definitely beneficial in minimizing the uncertainty in the future pertaining to your marriage and finances. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association.

He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com. Visit our website at Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com.

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Social media and US visa applicants...

PAGE B4 social media identifiers to determine whether immigrant visa applicants and non-immigrant visa applicants meet the standards for getting a visa, to identify fraud and misrepresentations that disguise potential threats. Furthermore, according to DOS, this will improve screening process to protect U.S. citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the U.S. DOS already previously requests and obtains certain contact information, travel history, family member information, and previous addresses and work history from visa applicants. Per DOS, collecting social media identifiers and information will strengthen their process for vetting the applicants and confirming their identity.

Social media identifier is defined by DOS as including any

name used on social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, MySpace, Pinterest, Tumblr at Youtube. This would give DOS access to personal data commonly shared in social media, including religious and political affiliations, milestones, contacts, associations, habits, preferences, and sentiments. Thus, what one says online can be interpreted, analyzed and monitored by U.S. government. However, absent a review of the context in which the posts are made, the online posts can be misunderstood and misinterpreted.

While it may be impossible for DOS to look into all social media accounts of all visa applicants, a screening of said social media posts may lead to denial of U.S. visa if there are inconsistencies between the visa applicant’s posts and their application. For

example, a B2 tourist visa applicant’s posts on Facebook that it is his “dream to study and live in the U.S.” may be denied the tourist visa. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School.

She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).

SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com.

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Senior needs Chapter 13 to protect...

PAGE B4 $175,000. It doesn’t make sense to lose your house to the Chapter 7 trustee who can sell her house, give her $175,000, and use the rest of the sale proceeds to pay the $20,000 and pay trustee fees as well as trustee legal fees, which can be a lot.

Just the trustee motion to authorize the sale of the house can cost $25,000 to $30,000. The trustee lawyer gets his fees as well as the trustee CPA. After all debts and expenses are paid, in addition to the $175K given to her for her home equity exemption, not much more will be left to be given to her. This means that with Chapter 7, she could Dimples Romana Photo from Facebook/Dimples Romana lose her house for $20,000 of she was part of a semi-final holding judging events until business debt that she guaranteed personally.

September. round of judging.

But in Chapter 13, the trustee Romana last starred in the TV According to the iEmmys site, the semi-final rounds de- drama series “Kadenang Ginto” doesn’t have the power to sell termine the nominees for this as one of the main characters, the debtor’s residence. Chapter year’s awards. Along with the Daniela Mondragon. The show 13 protects the debtor and her session including Romana, also featured Beauty Gonzalez, house be preventing the crediother TV industry members Albert Martinez and Richard tor lawsuits and judgment liens on her residence from ever hapacross the globe will also be Yap.

pening. However, the Chapter 13 plan, in her case since she has a big amount of non-exempt equity, the $20,000 must be paid over 60 months in equal monthly installments. That would be about $350 a month, more or less for 60 months. Once the case is filed, the creditors cannot sue her on her personal guarantee. Therefore, they cannot get a judgment lien on her residence.

Chapter 13 protects her residence. How can she “Age Well” with a judgment lien on her residence?

If you add attorney fees, interest and costs, the judgment lien would be about $30,000, not $20,000, which is just the principal owed. Creditors have to pay lawyers to file the lawsuits and get the judgment and liens. They cost money as everyone knows.

Trump paid his personal lawyer Cohen hundreds of thousands of legal fees. Lawyers cost money.

That’s a fact of life. Judgments earn legal interest of 10 percent a year. So, soon enough

the $20,000 of business debt becomes $60,000 of the judgment lien on the client’s house.

We don’t want that to happen.

Certainly not.

Her business is an S corporation with several stockholders. That corporation can file its own Chapter 7 to handle all of its business debts. These debts have nothing to do with the client because she only gave her personal guarantee on $20,000 of those business debts. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice. Each case is different. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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