072322 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

JULY 23-26, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 58 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

Most Filipinos worried about catching COVID – survey

by KAITHREEN

CRUZ ManilaTimes.net

A MAJORITY of Filipinos are still worried that they or someone in their family could be infected with COVID-19, the April Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.

Around 9 in 10 adult Filipinos, or 88%, said they were "a great deal worried" or "somewhat worried" about catching the virus, while 12% were "a little worried" or "not worried."

The percentage of respondents who said that they were a great deal or somewhat worried about

DATELINE

catching COVID-19 was highest in the Visayas at 94%, followed

by Mindanao (93%), Balance Luzon (85%) and Metro Manila (83%).

It was also higher among college graduates at 94%, nonelementary graduates (91%) and elementary graduates (89%), than among junior high school graduates (86%).

SWS noted that the concern was much greater than worries about previous viruses such as Ebola, Swine Flu, Bird Flu and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Worry about COVID-19

infection remained high since May 2020, despite 83% of Filipinos in April 2022 believing that the "worst of the pandemic is behind us."

Compared to the previous year, the hope that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over was 33% higher, and nearly twice as high as the 44% when SWS first asked the question in May 2020.

The percentage of those who believe that the worst of the pandemic was over was highest in Mindanao (86%), followed by Metro Manila and Balance Luzon FIRST SONA. Pedestrians walk past a tarpaulin announcing the first State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (82%) and the Visayas (81%). at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Friday, July 22. Marcos will bare his policies and plans for the nation on u PAGE A2 Monday afternoon, July 25.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Pres. Marcos, new US envoy discuss economy, food security

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Another Filipino attacked in New York

by NEIL

ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and new United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson discussed Friday, July 22 cooperation between the two countries in the economic and food security sector.

Carlson, who presented her credentials to Marcos, expressed goals to strengthen further the relationship between the United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson during her courtesy call to Philippines and the United States.

President Bongbong Marcos Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

IN yet another attack on a Filipino in the United States, the Philippine Consulate in New York reported Friday that a 51-year-old Filipino woman was “verbally assaulted and harassed” in the city.

Elmer Cato, the Philippines’ consul general in New York, said on Twitter that the Filipino woman was also prevented by her attacker, identified as a “homeless woman,” from boarding a train at the 63rd Drive Subway Station in Rego Park in the Queens borough.

This comes just a little over a week since an 18-year-old Filipino tourist was violently assaulted near the Philippine Center in Manhattan where he sustained injuries on his

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress face.

Described by Cato as “another hate A FORMER UCLA decathlete who once incident,” this attack is the latest reported to represented the Philippine national team u PAGE A2 this week pleaded guilty to fraud charges of falsely raising at least $28.4 million in a fake weed pen business from investors.

David Bunevacz, a 53-year-old serial grifter based in Calabasas, California, pleaded guilty on Monday, July 18 to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, according to the plea agreement filed on July 1 in the U.S. District Court.

Each crime carries a maximum penalty

“I am deeply honored to work with the Philippine government led by President Marcos and our #FriendsPartnersAlliesacross this great country to further strengthen U.S.Philippine ties,” Carlson said in a tweet.

The meeting between Marcos and Carlson lasted for 45 minutes, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, who was also present.

Romualdez said during the meeting,

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Former PH team decathlete faces up to 40 years in prison for $28.4-M cannabis-related scam

Fil-Am teen cancer patient spends uplifting day with hero, Warriors’ Klay Thompson

A Filipino American teenage cancer patient spent a day on July 15 with Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson, who gave him a prized possession as a source of inspiration in his fight for life.

Joseph Tagaban, 15, of Petersburg, Alaska was welcomed by his hoops hero with a gift — an autographed photo of Thompson’s own idol, the late Kobe Bryant. The astonished Tagaban at first didn’t want to Thompson to part with it, but the latter insisted.

Thompson, 32, said he turns to the memory of Bryant for inspiration during tough times, especially as he rehabilitated from back-toback injuries, and that Joseph should keep the memorabilia for the same purpose in the teen’s battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

Tagaban’s day with Thompson was featured on ESPN’s “My Wish” series Wednesday morning, July 20.

Tagaban has been a fan of Thompson even u PAGE A3

of 20 years in federal prison, meaning Bunevacz could spend a maximum of 40 years behind bars. He was initially arrested in April and will be sentenced on Nov. 21, 2022.

As far back as 2010, Bunevacz created several businesses — including Holy Smokes Holdings LLC and Caesarbrutus LLC — that he said were involved in the budding cannabis and vaping industries.

Operating through his cannabis companies, Bunevacz raised between approximately $37,166,737 and $45,068,227 from more than 10 victiminvestors. He admitted to causing losses

u PAGE A2

Senator Robin Padilla

Inquirer.net file photo

by DANIZA

the campaign against illegal drugs.

Padilla, an Army Captain in the Reserve Force, said that uniformed personnel had upheld human rights.

Padilla was the Army Captain in the Reserve Force in 2019. In July 2020, he was elected as the Philippine Army Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board Strategic Communication Committee chairperson.

“Witness ako nito sa pagiging makatao ng AFP at ng PNP… Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling

PH keeps Tier 1 status, but efforts to Sen. Padilla blames opposition for address trafficking lacking - US report ‘baseless’ US law blocking PNP aid MANILA — The Philippines continued to fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but failed to report vigorously probing labor trafficking crimes and holding accountable officials complicit to the crimes, the United States said in its annual report.

The Philippines kept its Tier 1 ranking in the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. State Department. Tier 1 ranking — the highest ranking — indicates that a government has made efforts to address the problem that meet the standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking since 2016.

“The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity,” the report read.

Such efforts included identifying more trafficking victims than in 2020, drafting standard operating procedures on the identification and monitoring of traffickingrelated corruption cases, and sentencing nearly all traffickers to significant prison terms.

It also lauded the Philippines for creating the Department of Migrant Workers, supporting more victims in participating u PAGE A2

FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday, July 19 blamed the opposition for the “baseless” move by United States lawmakers to block the aid for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The U.S. House of Representatives has greenlighted amendments to a law that would hinder aid to the PNP unless actions are taken to investigate alleged human rights abuses by the police in

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Most Filipinos worried about...

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It was also highest among nonelementary graduates (86%), followed by elementary graduates (83%), junior high school graduates (82%) and college graduates (80%).

The survey also showed that

16% of respondents fear that "the worst is yet to come." This was significantly lower than the 49% recorded in the previous year.

The SWS conducted faceto-face interviews of 1,440 respondents nationwide from

April 19 to 27 for the survey.

The results have a ±2.6% sampling error margin for national%ages and a ±5.2% sampling error margin for subnational areas of Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Pres. Marcos, new US envoy discuss economy...

PAGE A1 Marcos expressed his appreciation to the United States for helping the Philippines with vaccines in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The President expressed his appreciation to the United States in helping the Philippines with the vaccines and that our long historical ties will take us to the future of our strong relationship,” Romualdez said in a text message.

“PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) said we should have more trade not aid from the U.S.,” he added.

Meanwhile, Romualdez said Carlson expressed readiness to work with the Philippine government.

“Ambassador Carlson told the president that the United States is ready to work with his government on all areas of cooperation like climate change, pandemic response and of course food security and the economy,” Romualdez said.

For his part, Romualdez thanked Carlson for her kind words in relation to him being selected to continue as Philippine envoy to the U.S. New US envoy In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, Carlson said she is “thrilled to be in the Philippines and honored to represent the United States in this important relationship.”

“With the Philippines, our

Another Filipino attacked in...

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the consulate in New York which has seen a 12.6% increase in hate crimes compared to the past year, according to data from the New York Police Department.

Major crimes in the city have also soared by 37%, while transit crimes spiked by 55.5%, prompting the consulate there to advise Filipinos to be vigilant.

Filipinos and other Asians

oldest treaty ally in Asia, we have a long history of shared sacrifice and incredibly close people-to-people ties,” Carlson said.

“I look forward to working with the new government JOBS FAIR. District 1 residents try their luck during a job fair organized by the Quezon City Public Employment Service Office in Barangay and our partners to upgrade Manresa on Friday, July 22. Job seekers presented their information sheets and other credentials to prospective employers.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler and modernize our alliance to face new challenges, expand bilateral trade and investment, and promote democratic freedoms and good PAGE A1 and 233 investigations of illegal diverse community of survivors governance,” she added.

Carlson succeeded in the criminal process, and recruitment in the previous on the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Ambassador Sung Kim, who increasing funding to the reporting period.

The Philippines initiated anti-trafficking policies and led the U.S. Mission from 2016 interagency anti-trafficking prosecution of 298 alleged programs to 2020. council.

• Increase efforts to ensure Prior to arriving in Manila, DMW is mandated to oversee traffickers, fewer than the Carlson was Deputy Chief of law enforcement action against 377 prosecutions in 2020. It victims receive court-ordered Mission and Chargé d’Affaires illegal recruitment agencies, also convicted 56 traffickers restitution and compensation through civil at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos create a database to track compared with 73 convictions in ordered judgments Aires in Argentina. ■ recruiters involved in trafficking the previous reporting period.

The U.S. State Department • Increase resources for crimes, and raise awareness of trafficking indicators among also said that while the country anti-trafficking task forces to increased victim protection conduct timely investigations, migrant workers efforts, it lacked a reliable coordinated operations, and Still not doing enough to consolidate prosecutions while providing But while the Philippines mechanism have been targets of racially- met the minimum standards, statistics on the total number of robust victim and witness motivated attacks in the US, “it did not report vigorously victims identified and assisted. assistance services which began to see a spike since investigating labor trafficking Recommendations • Increase efforts to identify the beginning of the COVID-19 crimes that occurred within the The U.S. State Department and assist labor trafficking pandemic in 2020. (Xave Philippines or take adequate made the following victims, including by providing Gregorio/Philstar.com) to the training to law enforcement, steps to investigate and arrest recommendations social service providers, and individuals suspected of Philippine government: • Increase efforts to labor inspectors on indicators of purchasing commercial sex prosecute, and trafficking from trafficking victims, nor investigate, • Increase resources for law did it provide training for labor convict complicit officials and He graduated from UCLA in inspectors on indicators of labor traffickers enforcement units designated 1993 with a degree in business human trafficking,” the U.S. • Strengthen the capacity to investigate all forms of management. As a team State Department said. of local government units to trafficking captain of the Bruin track and • Consistently implement “The government prosecuted provide reintegration services field team, he set the university and convicted fewer traffickers, for trafficking survivors, the coordinated interagency record for javelin throw, as and it did not report holding including trauma-informed care, response to providing services confirmed by the university’s accountable officials allegedly job training, and in-country to returning Filipinos exploited records. in sex and labor trafficking complicit in human trafficking employment After graduating, Bunevacz crimes,” it added.

• Increase support to overseas was recruited by Philip Juico, • Create a central database The U.S. State Department government and NGO programs then-chairman of the Philippine observed that the government that provide specialized care for information on illegal Sports Commission, to compete slightly decreased anti-trafficking for trafficking victims, including recruiters and human trafficking in numerous sporting events law enforcement efforts. child victims of online sexual cases to facilitate interagency around the globe under the Authorities reported 168 law exploitation coordination in detecting, Philippine flag, earning a gold enforcement-led anti-trafficking • Establish and implement investigating, and prosecuting medal at the South East Asian investigations, compared with a process to ensure systematic traffickers (Gaea Katreena Games in 1997. ■ 248 anti-trafficking operations and ongoing input from a Cabico/Philstar.com)

Former PH team decathlete faces up to 40 years...

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of at least $28,409,112.

A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice noted that Bunevacz lied to investors, saying he had connections to Chinese manufacturers of disposable vape pens who had research and development entities. He also forged bank statements, invoices, and purchase orders to validate the need for investor funds.

However, according to the press release, Bunevacz used “the vast majority of the funds to pay for his own opulent

lifestyle, including a luxurious house in Calabasas, Las Vegas trips, jewelry, designer handbags, a lavish birthday party for his daughter, and horses.”

Prosecutors said that some investor funds were used to repay earlier investors in a Ponzi scheme-like situation.

According to his blog, Bunevacz is of Filipino and Hungarian descent and “is married to Philippine movie star manager Jessica RodriguezBunevacz” with whom he has three children.

PH keeps Tier 1 status, but efforts to...

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Fil-Am teen cancer patient spends uplifting...

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SCHOOL ITEMS. After two years of inactivity, a store in Cubao, Quezon City is filled with school supplies on Friday, July 22. Clients are expected to troop to bookstores as the Department of Education drafts guidelines for the holding of face-to-face classes and blended learning for the new academic year that starts August 22.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

What millions of new citizens could mean for the next election cycle

by PETER

SCHURMANN Ethnic Media Services

(Ed. Note: A report from the National Partnership for New Americans shows there were 5.19 million newly minted U.S. citizens between 2016 and 2020. That figure represents a significant and, in key battleground states, potentially decisive voting bloc. Raymond Partolan is the National Field Director for APIAVote, one of the groups behind the report. He says voter engagement is key to tapping this “multiracial, multigenerational” population.)

WHAT is behind the substantial number of people seeking citizenship from 2016?

I can one hundred percent attribute that spike in naturalization rates to the last presidential administration, which in their campaign rhetoric and the policies they implemented while they were in office explicitly targeted immigrants and refugees in the U.S. Some of those examples are the degradation of prosecutorial discretion in removal proceedings, along with the proposed spike in filing fees for certain types of benefit applications, like naturalization or adjustment of status filings, basically making it more difficult for people to naturalize. So I would presume that many of those people who chose to naturalize between 2016 and 2020 did so because they were fearing for their ability to remain here in the U.S. permanently.

Can we assume that these New American Voters will vote as a bloc, rather than reflecting the partisan divides we see across the country?

This is an incredibly diverse group of people. They come from all over the world. They hold varying ideologies and viewpoints. We at APIA Vote do our own bi-annual Asian American voter survey, and based on our research, for Asian Americans—which is the group we work with—the number of voters who identify as Democrat or Republican between 2018 and 2020 increased, while the number of independents decreased.

But it’s important to note that a plurality identify as Democrats, so while I wouldn’t assume this group will vote as a singular bloc, based on the data we have for the Asian American community, it does seem that a good number of them espouse viewpoints that are more progressive than conservative in nature.

Where are these New American Voters concentrated, and where are their votes potentially most decisive?

These new voters come from all over the country. They are concentrated in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. And then in other parts of the country, like in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the state of Washington. And a number of these states are battleground states, where the margin of victory is low enough to be extremely competitive in elections at every level of government. In some of these states—Georgia, Pennsylvania,

Wisconsin, Nevada—the number of New American Voters exceeds the margin of victory in the last election.

Give us a sense of the numbers.

How much weight could some of these communities carry in the next election cycle?

In Georgia—which is my home state—the margin of victory in the presidential election was just 11,779 votes. The total number of people who naturalized in the state of Georgia between 2016 and 2020 was 96,469, which is over eight times the presidential margin. Among Asian Americans the numbers are even more stark.

In 2020, 134,281 Asian American voters cast a ballot in Georgia.

Asian American voters comprised 1,140% of the presidential margin of victory in 2020. And we see similar patterns in states like Nevada, where Asian American voters were 133% percent of the margin of victory. In North Carolina, Asian American voters cast over 80,000 ballots, while the margin of victory was just 74,000 votes.

How can the two parties best reach these new voters? And have they tried?

I am not familiar with any effort by either major party to reach newly naturalized voters in particular. We find in our Asian American Voter survey from 2020—and we have 2022 data that will be presented next week—that 50% of Asian Americans were not contacted at all by the Democratic Party in advance of the election and 55% were not contacted by the Republican Party. Several years ago, I was canvassing in Georgia and talking to Asian American voters in an Atlanta suburb, the city of Johns Creek, where 23% of the population is Asian American. I had a conversation with this woman, who said that in all her years she had never had anyone come to her doorstep to tell her that her vote mattered.

And I think that underscores just how ignored we have been as a community. And if the parties simply made the effort in addressing our needs, they could potentially win our votes.

The National Partnership for New Americans has launched a voter registration campaign seeking to boost turnout among naturalized citizens ahead of the 2022 election cycle. What are the goals of the campaign?

The name of the campaign is New American Voters. It is a non-partisan, digital narrative campaign encouraging millions of newly naturalized citizens to vote in the 2022 election.

This is incredibly important this year, because in 2020 our communities saw a huge spike in voter turnout compared to 2016.

And our biggest concern is that 2020 was a high-water mark… that we turned out at such a high rate that when we get to 2022 and 2024, how do we keep up this momentum. How do we make it so our community members recognize their vote is important in every election and not just the presidential election every four years? So we need to keep up the year-round engagement to make sure they realize the power of their vote. And this is what the New American Voters campaign

Ethnic Media Services photo

is about.

While Raymond Partolan has spent years advocating for voter rights and voter engagement, he himself is not a voter. For the first 26 years of his life Raymond was undocumented. He gained legal residency status just two years ago and is now on his way to becoming a citizen. You can learn more about Raymond’s personal journey on https:// outsideoftheshadowsblog. wordpress.com/my-story/. ■

before the teen started to play basketball in fifth grade. He became a bigger fan when he saw how Thompson dealt with his own physical setbacks.

The Tagaban family are from a small town located between British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska. Their world turned upside down when the basketball-loving youth came down with the cancer diagnosis, his mother, Jessielea, said.

She had to quit her job to travel and stay with Tagaban during his treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital. His father, Ed, split time between Seattle and home to be with another child, Jacob.

Their oldest, Briana, is in the Air Force. Joseph remained resilient but itched to play basketball, Jessilea said.

Tagaban went through rounds of chemotherapy starting last year and apparently went into remission. However, his doctors are still keeping a close watch, so Joseph has to travel to Seattle every three months for tests.

He actually returned to the basketball court in January following a 108-day hospital stay. In his first game back, he led his high school junior varsity team to victory with a buzzerbeater basket.

“That was awesome!”

Thompson exclaimed after Tagaban showed him a clip of the shot on his iPhone. The two spent about an hour on the court together. Tagaban asked Thompson about shooting techniques

Golden State All-Star Klay Thompson does some shots with Joseph Tagaban, a 15-year-old cancer patient.

Photos courtesy of Inquirer.net/ESPN

Golden State Warriors all-star Klay Thompson signs a T-shirt for Joseph Tagaban, a 15-year-old from Petersburg, Alaska, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2020.

Tagaban and Thompson are featured in the ESPN series “My Wish.”

Thompson then took Tagaban a n d h i s y o u n g e r b r o t h e r, Jacob, in his custom Lincoln Continental convertible for some ice cream. Thompson sent Joseph off with a box full of Warriors gear, including several

signed jerseys. “It really was a dream come true,” Tagaban said.

The two exchanged contact information, and Thompson encouraged Tagaban to reach out anytime. (Inquirer.net)

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Sen. Padilla blames opposition for ‘baseless’...

PAGE A1 t sa inyo, mga mahal kong kababayan. Kung meron akong nakikitang mali na ginagawa ng PNP o AFP o anumang sangay sa gobyerno na may kinalaman sa human rights, ako po ang unang unang magsasalita at magsasabi sa inyo,” he said in an interview on Sonshine Media Network International.

(I have witnessed the respect the AFP and PNP show for human rights. I will not lie, my beloved fellow Filipinos. If I see human rights violations by the PNP, AFP, or any branch of government, I will call them out.)

“Pero sa tagal ko po, ako nagtrabaho mahigit isang taon sa AFP, kitang kita ko ang paggalang ng naka-uniporme sa civilian,” he continued.

(I have worked for more than a year in the AFP. I have seen how our men and women in uniform respect human rights.)

Padilla urged the opposition to stop politicking and h e e d P re s i d e n t Fe rd i n a n d “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call

to unite.

“Hindi ko naintindihan kung saan nanggaling ito, kung saan humuhugot ang opposition sa banat-banat na puro human rights violations,” he said.

(I do not understand where this is coming from, where the opposition pulls criticisms about human rights violations.)

“Ang hinihiling lang namin sa inyo, hindi ito ang oras na maging masyado tayong mapulitika. Wala nang sinisigaw ang ating bagong Pangulo kundi unity tayo, magkaisa na tayo. Ito dinadamay na naman ninyo ang U.S., dinadamay na naman ninyo ang Europe.

Pambihira,” he went on.

(My appeal to you is that now is not the time for politicking.

Our new president has called for unity. Let us unite. And d o n o t d ra g t h e U . S . a n d Europe into your politicking.

Unbelievable.)

Padilla also asked the international community what they wanted to hear, as Filipinos “overwhelmingly” supported f o r m e r P re s i d e n t R o d r i g o

Duterte, who launched the war on drugs, and incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., adding that the voice of the people is the voice of God. For Padilla, the Philippines is at the losing end if the world will not unite.

“Ang ating mundo ngayon talagang kung ‘di tayo magkakaisa malulugi po tayong mga Pilipino. Ito ang oras na tayo kahit magkakaiba tayo ng ating mga adhikain pero pagdating sa kapakanan ng bayang Pilipinas at kapwa nating Pilipino parang awa niyo na po, magkaisa na po tayo,” he explained.

(If we don’t unite now, we will end up as the losers. This is the time to unite despite differences in our beliefs, for the sake of our country and our people.)

Based on human rights groups’ data, around 30,000 people in the country suffered extrajudicial killings.

However, government figures show that only over 6,000 were killed in Duterte’s drug war. ■

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Defense chief enjoins Filipinos to ‘stand united’ behind Marcos MANILA – Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge, on Friday, July 22 enjoined Filipinos to stand united behind the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the wake of what he calls attempts to “divide us as a nation”.

Faustino issued the statement amid rumors that Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez has resigned from his post.

The DND chief maintained that the department is a professional organization that is committed to its mandate of ensuring the defense of the country and the

security of the Filipino people.

He also added that as public servants, every member of the DND, including soldiers, airmen, marines, and civilian human resources of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, take every aspect of their jobs responsibly.

"Importantly, we fully support the leadership of His Excellency, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., and his vision of a stronger and better Philippines through national unity, nation-building and economic recovery," Faustino said.

"Your Defense Department is cognizant of the need for cohesiveness as a people to

achieve our desired goal. Hence, the recent innuendos against the Honorable Executive Secretary, Victor Rodriguez, or against any person for that matter, is an assault to his honor," Faustino added He said any attempt to divide the nation through malicious allegations is anathema to the collective aspiration for a stable and progressive Philippines.

"As a dignified people, we should protect our societal integrity. Thus, I respectfully enjoin every Filipino to stand united behind our country's leadership," Faustino said.

(PNA)

As promised, Robin Padilla begins push for federalism, other charter changes

by FRANCO LUNA Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Robinhood Padilla, an ardent supporter of the previous Duterte administration, made good on one of his consistent campaign promises and revived the push for federalism in Congress with a resolution on Thursday, July 21.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 6, Padilla made his case by pointing to what he said was the centralization of both political and economic capital in and around the National Capital Region.

The measure urges the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, which Padilla chairs, to study and revise codes that should be changed in the 1987 Constitution. The committee did a similar study on charter change during the 18th Congress.

"It is unfortunate that after 35 years from [the Constitution's] effectivity, we have yet to attain a 'just and humane society,'" Padilla wrote. "Sovereign Filipino people promulgated the Constitution in order to build [just that.]"

In particular, Padilla — the first-placer in the senatorial polls in May — said that restrictions on foreign equity in natural resources, public utilities,

build-operate-transfer projects, and equity in mass media would need reassessment, calling these "stumbling blocks to equitable economic growth."

He also pointed to "provisions particular to the form, structure, and power of government, economy and patrimony."

The neophyte senator claimed that the regions would be "more familiar with the needs and priorities of their respective localities," pointing out that the country's economic growth "has been largely centralized" in the Greater Luzon area, which account for 57% of its gross domestic product.

"Except for the insignificant powers devolved to the local government units, our unitary system of government is concentrated to the central government authority distributed to the three branches of the government instead of decentralized powers delegated to the regions," he said.

The Local Government Code has devolved many of the powers of the national government to local ones and opponents of charter change have argued that better implementation of the LGC could address these issues.

Alternative to 'mob rule' Padilla, who has urged the public to get to know the narra-

tive of the Marcos family as well when they were forced to flee the country post-dictatorship, went on to frame the EDSA events of 1986 and 2001 as "political instabilities [that] threatened the basic foundation of our democracy."

"Under the parliamentary system, there will be an institutionalized and peaceful approach to removing a head of government in lieu of the unconstitutional and highly divisive coup d'etat or mob rule that our country had experienced," he wrote.

The former actor from Camarines Norte has long railed against "imperial Manila," which was among the same narratives employed by the Duterte administration in pushing for federalism. The campaign for federalism faltered for lack of public support.

Shifting to federal governance and decentralizing power to local governments was among the many campaign promises of former President Rodrigo Duterte until he ultimately gave up on the idea himself, admitting that it is “not accepted” by the majority of Filipinos.

This time around, though, the Senate is dominated by a supermajority that is largely sympathetic to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s announced u PAGE A5

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DOJ collating info on Duterte’s war on drugs

by ROBERTZON

RAMIREZ

Philstar.com

SEAFOOD DELIGHT. A vendor selling crabs waves to motorists at the corner of Scout Lazcano and Scout Tobias Streets in Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City on Friday, July 22. Prices range between P500 and P600 per kilo, depending on the weight.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

PH confirms presence of Chinese militia in disputed waters

by FRANCIS

EARL CUETO ManilaTimes.net

DEPARTMENT of National D e f e n s e o f f i c e r - i n - c h a rg e , Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., confirmed on Thursday, July 21, the presence of Chinese militias in the West Philippine Sea. At a media briefing, Faustino said that they will coordinate with the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) to address incursions in the country's territorial waters.

"Right now, we have sightings of some particularly Chinese militia vessels and some of the Chinese Coast Guard in the contested areas and through the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, which is chaired by the National Security Adviser, we coordinate with the NTF-WPS on how to address these incursions," Faustino Jr. said.

He added that as far as the DND is concerned, they will not give even an inch of the

Philippine territory.

"Our sovereignty is inviolable and we have to protect our territorial integrity so that's it, from those lines, the President, we will toe the line kung ano yung kanyang mga statement (as to the statements that he made) regarding the West Philippine Sea," he added.

He also said that for now they are likely to follow the policy of the previous administration on the matter.

"Sa maritime security, right now, nung panahon ni President (Rodrigo) Duterte, nakita nyo yung collaboration, paano tayo nakipag-collaborate sa China (In terms of maritime security, right now, during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte, you saw how we collaborated with China) in opening up other avenues ng (of) cooperation dito sa (here in the) West Philippine Sea and I think it's the same because of the policy of the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), our foreign policy, an independent

foreign policy, is basically the same," he added Faustino said they are for the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the WPS. "What we want is a rulesbased international order in these areas and we support that," he added.

Manila in June filed another diplomatic protest over Beijing's activities in the Ayungin Shoal, including the installation of buoys blocking its entrance.

In a report dated June 10, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Chinese Coast Guard vessels have shadowed Philippine boats on a rotation and reprovision mission.

Last July 12 marked the sixth anniversary of the landmark 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights over marine resources within its exclusive economic zone over Beijing's claim of historic rights within the nine-dash line in the WPS. ■

As promised, Robin Padilla begins push...

PAGE A4 t priorities.

Marcos has agreed that a federal form of government rather than a unitary one would "fit" the country, though he has admitted that changing the Constitution would be "difficult."

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia has urged the Marcos government to focus on economic growth first in its early years instead of federalism, pointing to the numerous crises facing the country in recent months.

A March 2018 survey by the Social Weather Stations suggested that only one in four Filipino adults knew about the federal system, while the remaining 75 percent said they only learned of it during the course of the survey. ■

MANILA — The Department of Justice is gathering information on the drug war campaign of former president Rodrigo Duterte after the International Criminal Court pre-trial chamber asked the Philippine government to comment on ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request to resume investigation, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

“We are busy collating data and the results of the investigations being conducted about the drug war,” Remulla told reporters on Friday, July 22 in a Viber message when asked about the DOJ’s approach on the ICC request for government to comment on the possible resumption of the probe into Duterte’s drug war.

Remulla added that they will also meet with the Department of Foreign Affairs to discuss the matter.

But he recently said in an interview that the Philippines cannot be subject to ICC’s investigation over the alleged killings in the drug war campaign of Duterte since the country is no longer a member of the criminal court, having officially quit the tribunal in March 2019.

“First of all, we are no longer a member of the ICC. We withdrew our membership. That is likely one thing we will put in the discussion because if they will enter our country, what will be their reason if we’re no longer part of the International Criminal Court?” he said in Filipino in a television interview.

If the Philippines will become an ICC member again, Remulla said that they will have to look into it carefully as he emphasized that he does not know yet what the policy would be, but that they are sure about strengthening the country’s judicial system.

“Why do other people have to lord it over or criticize what we’re doing? Don’t we have our own system to enforce our laws? That’s why I won’t include the ICC in initial discussions because we’re not a member,” he added.

The ICC recently invited the Philippine government to provide “additional observations” by Sept. 8, 2022 following the request of Khan

to resume investigation on Duterte’s war on drugs, which tallied more than 6,000 deaths in six years. It also invited drug war victims and their lawyers to observe the proceedings.

Conviction rate Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, meanwhile, is urging local government units (LGUs) to employ strategies to help avoid technicalities and improve conviction rate of criminal cases in the country.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Abalos will appeal to the League of Cities of the Philippines composed of city and municipal mayors around the country to help solve the issue.

Abalos said that LGUs can be creative and resourceful in helping support the country’s criminal justice system.

Earlier, the DOJ said that conviction rate of drug cases stands at a measly 21 percent out of the total 291,393 cases filed since 2016.

He noted that the technicalities regarding mandatory witness has been impeding conviction in drug cases and could be addressed by LGUs. “So if you look at the cases under inventory, many are being dismissed because of lack of witnesses. If we are going to wait for the law to be amended, that will take time,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

The former Mandaluyong mayor said during his time at city hall, they assigned an employee to serve as witness during drug raids.

“I will be requesting from the mayors and also from other public officials that they can maybe do this to help in these cases because most are dismissed… This is just one instance where the law created is a bit difficult but we have to find a way (to implement it),” he added.

The DILG chief has already ordered the retraining of over 22,000 police investigators to improve their capabilities and skills to improve the conviction rate.

“Police investigation serves as a critical component in law enforcement because this single act will determine whether the case would be dismissed or not.

It is important that our police investigators are well-versed in criminal law and procedures

so they could conduct an effective and efficient investigation,” Abalos said.

He noted that part of the DILG and DOJ’s plan to improve the justice system is by having enforcement and prosecution officers work together to minimize criminality.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has vowed to work with government agencies to improve its conviction rate of criminals arrested in law enforcement operations.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao said on Friday they welcome the support by the DOJ and the DILG in resolving issues that continue to hound the resolution of cases.

“Integral to the career growth of our police officers is to train them on how to handle investigation and build strong cases. We commit to become better in this aspect so justice can really be served,” Danao said in a statement.

Remulla, in a press conference on Thursday, July 21, underscored the need for the police and prosecutors to act harmoniously so that cases filed at the prosecutor’s level will be appreciated. ■

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IFB NO. PO892-23 PASSENGER SEAT ENHANCEMENT The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for Passenger Seat Enhancement for passenger railcars. Bid documents may be downloaded at SCRRA's website at http:// metrolinktrains.com/contracts/ Select Vendor Portal. Electronic Bids are due at 2:00 P.M. (PT) on 08/16/22.

For further information contact: Carlos Delgado, Contract Administrator, at delgadoc@scrra.net 7/23/22 CNS-3602450# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

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OPINION

FEATURES

Preparing for monkeypox WITH the COVID-19 pandemic not yet over, the world now faces yet another viral disease that is threatening to become a global health emergency.

Monkeypox, a viral infection similar to smallpox, has now spread to 70 countries.

The World Health Organization is reconvening its committee of experts on monkeypox to decide whether it should be classified under the highest WHO level of alarm, as a public health emergency of international concern or PHEIC. The WHO declared COVID-19 as a PHEIC on Jan. 30, 2020, when there were 98 cases and no deaths in 18 countries outside China. The overlong term failed to raise sufficiently loud alarm bells, with only a handful of places such as Taiwan quickly imposing the strictest border controls, contact tracing, isolation and masking requirements. COVID was declared a pandemic by the WHO only on March 11, 2020. By March 12, global COVID infections had jumped to 6,756 worldwide.

In the case of monkeypox, nearly 14,000 cases had been reported in 70 countries as of Thursday, July 21. The self-limiting disease causes rashes or lesions and intense body aches, chills and fever.

A consolation in this latest public health threat is that it is less virulent than smallpox, is rarely fatal and is less transmissible than COVID-19.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, the monkeypox virus can spread person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids; respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact such as cuddling, kissing and sex, and touching items such as clothing or linens that came in contact with the infectious rash or body fluid.

Pregnant women can infect their fetus. An infected animal can also spread the virus by scratching or biting humans, or if the infected animal meat is handled or eaten. The disease is infectious from the onset until the lesion or rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, usually from two to four weeks.

So far, no monkeypox case has been reported in the Philippines. But with open borders, health experts warn that it is only a matter of time before the disease enters the country, so measures to prevent its spread must be in place. The threat posed by the disease also gives additional urgency to continued compliance with COVID safety protocols such as masking and hand hygiene. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Never giving up

Glimpses

JOSE MA. MONTELIBANO IT is a new administration, meaning new political personalities will be governing to support their priorities.

This is normally a cause for a new honeymoon, so to speak, between people and government.

That formal election results showed a majority for the new leadership is even more reason for celebration. Yet, it was and is not visible at all.

There must be several reasons why the mood is not celebratory.

I have my own conclusions but most are academic at this point.

They are not only political but partisan as well, making them more subjective than usual. At the same time, there are more objective possibilities for this relative quiet in what should be a festive atmosphere.

As I have already mentioned in earlier articles, vote-buying is not new anymore. Yet, in the last elections, votes were being sold at record prices. If only there were no law stipulating vote-buying a crime, it could

have been the headlined public news in the whole Philippines.

In towns and cities, on Election Day and the subsequent days that followed, everyone was comparing how much each vote went for from this or that candidate.

Yet, the most recent survey of SWS said that 82% of voters believed the elections were clean and honest. This figure is irreconcilable with the noise about vote-buying everywhere.

Unless vote-buying is not considered anymore a legal or moral violation. In other words, vote-buying is part and parcel of clean and honest elections.

If millions had sold their votes, they had reason to keep quiet instead of celebrating. It is hard to be happy and proud having accepted money in exchange for one’s vote. In fact, there is some amount of shame in it, a quiet guilt for having done something wrong.

In an earlier article, I had proposed to hold auctions instead of elections.

Let positions go to the highest bidder. That would substantially curb the immorality and illegality of buying and selling

THE state of the nation address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 25 that will outline his fiscal (taxing and spending) plans, among other things, must include a status report on the heavy foreign debt burden that had been dumped on his lap.

With the country reeling from pandemic and economic blows, Marcos will have to come up fast with fair and efficient ways of raising the income of households, businesses and the government, and improving the quality of life of everybody.

To boost revenue, aside from plugging the leaks in the system and prosecuting tax-evaders, the government is giving hints it might impose higher or additional taxes on targeted sectors.

The overburdened populace may resist swallowing a bigger bitter pill, partly because of a perception that the President himself may not be exactly a model taxpayer, to put it mildly.

As Clive Reyes JR @ datumx11 twitted Sunday:

worldwide. That is bad news worse than the good news of lower oil prices.

Following two years of COVID-19 is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It looks like a localized problem but the world is now much smaller, thanks to technology and globalization.

Furthermore, political alliances necessarily interconnect and establish economic partnerships.

There are also the main players involved and their support systems. Russia as the major oil and gas supplier of the European Union is facing sanctions, including embargoes on their energy exports. At the same time, Russia is also hitting back and making gas and oil scarce in their whole region.

Globally, then, prices have shot up simply because supply and demand routines were disrupted.

Ukraine, on the other hand, is a major producer of wheat, the export of which is almost impossible after Russia has blocked ports and sea routes.

After fuel, food is disrupted, too.

The dynamics seem all so far away but have driven a dagger

to our economic situation. The Philippines has not recovered from a lingering COVID-19 and gets a second beating from steep increases of fuel and food prices. The war between Russia and Ukraine has not only affected prices but supply as well, worsening price hikes and contracting availability of essential materials.

We are, indeed, in a bad place. However, we have been in bad places in the past. We have in us the DNA of survivors and the reputation of a come-back kid. It is now a matter of finding the critical attitude of never ever giving up, and translating that attitude into working plans.

Let us not expect anything much from the national level.

Doing so (31 million will in the beginning) simply forces the government to accelerate more domestic and foreign borrowing.

The present adult generation of Filipinos will be burdening our youth and the following generations with a monetary curse. We must face any crisis now as best we can – some of us with the least of help as possible.

While we move away from dependency on the national

government, we focus aggressively on building productive capacity where we are. In other words, go local, develop core groups territorially, learn, experiment, and train towards that one single purpose – production.

We have to address shortages of the essential, whether that be food, health, commerce and jobs – and keep them as local as we can.

The more we can stay afloat on the local basis, the less burden we give to the regional and national, and the more our capacity for being on our own will grow. Because of the adverse external conditions that drive food and fuel prices up, everything else will also go up.

The only antidote is to produce more and consume less.

Hopefully, too, in the midst of our own challenges, let us carry in our hearts and generosity those who are too weak to help themselves. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

SONA must include foreign debt report

Postscript

FEDERICO D. PASCUAL JR.

votes. Elections could become a major fund-raising effort every three years with every candidate having to bid and surrender the amount (or part of it) even if he or she loses.

For me, winning elections and not celebrating at the same time is partly or largely answered by the massive level of vote-buying.

With that, I can set aside one puzzling question. We can now move on to matters that actively concern, even threaten, most of us. We can put the economy on the table and discuss possibilities under a less partisan ambience.

Actually, the last several weeks have raised, on a global basis, a now universal trend called inflation. Most countries, progressive or underdeveloped, are experiencing inflation. The difference is how much, and poorer countries are hit much harder than others.

Good news or bad news is the softening prices of oil. For several weeks, international oil prices have not gone up and slowly even gone down. That should be truly good news if not for the fact that the easing of oil prices is basically caused by the slowdown of economies

“Before the Marcos admin introduces new taxes, I believe the family should pay first the unpaid estate tax and return the still unrecovered ill-gotten wealth. That way, it would be fair to the gov’t, Filipino people and even to the Marcoses themselves.”

With the Sri Lanka debt disaster in the background, the new Congress could open a full-blown inquiry into the foreign loans contracted by past administrations. An honest probe might just improve tax collection from citizens who still believe in supporting the government.

In the same way that Marcos has described inflation (6.1 percent or whatever) as an imported problem, he could air laments about bad loans having been merely inherited from past administrations.

He may want to share in his SONA his thoughts on how, under his stewardship, we will avoid falling into the dreaded debt trap. * * * If the Congress decides to look into the huge loans amassed in the last six years, one of the bases for an inquiry is Sec. 20, Art. VII, of the Constitution which says:

“The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board shall, within 30 days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete report of its decision on applications for loans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law.”

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who as the then governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was Monetary Board chair, can answer the questions himself – but a public hearing with other experts testifying might be a better way to quell speculations.

The investigation should also unearth what the previous Senate and the House did to the Monetary Board reports, if there were any submitted quarterly as mandated by the Constitution. * * * The Congress or a competent

body (like the Commission on Audit) should produce a status report on each of the projects and programs that had received foreign loans or grants, although current interest focuses on the Build! Build! Build! projects of Duterte.

Then senator Ping Lacson, who had built a reputation of not accepting any share from the congressional pork barrel, said during the last election campaign where he ran for president (and lost) that only 12 of the 118 BBB projects had been completed.

A COA audit and/or Senate investigation may clarify the status of BBB projects despite the fact that of the 24 senators, only Risa Hontiveros and Koko Pimentel are the ones left of the opposition.

The country’s external debt has been steadily rising from $73.1 billion in 2017, $78.96 billion in 2018, $83.62 billion in 2019 and $98.49 billion in 2020, finance department data show.

Marcos has inherited a nation sucked dry by corruption, a budget deficit (in May) of P146.8 billion in spite of double-digit growth in revenues and a cut in spending, and a P12.03-trillion national debt.

While president Noynoy

Aquino left Duterte in 2016 with a 40.3 percent debt-to-gross domestic product ratio, Duterte left Marcos last June 30 with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 63 percent.

Before the May elections, Diokno said the country’s foreign obligations went up to $106.43 billion last year as the government borrowed more to finance the country’s COVID-19 response measures.

The inquiry should look at the possibility that with the offer of easy terms, sweetened by unwritten incentives, for loans to meet development goals, the borrowing authority may have thrown discretion to the wind.

One check to that is the required concurrence of the Monetary Board, which is presumed to be technically competent and more discerning, unless its members had become captives of the political leadership.

Advisory for Pinoys in New York The Philippine Consulate General in New York advises the Filipino community to remain vigilant after an 18-year-old Filipino tourist from Cebu was reported to have been violently assaulted near the Philippine Center in Manhattan on Wednesday.

The consulate reminds members of the Filipino community as well as kababayan visiting New York to exercise the necessary precautions while on the streets or in the subways.

Based on information received by the consulate the other day, the victim was walking with three other Filipinos near the corner of 6th Avenue and 46th Street when assaulted. The victim sustained facial injuries from the beating by the suspect who was subdued and turned over to authorities.

This is the 41st incident since last year involving a Filipino who was either a victim of a hate crime or incident or a criminal act. The consulate is in touch with the New York City police to get more information on the incident. It could not be immediately ascertained if the incident was anti-Asian-haterelated. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** NB: Author is on Twitter as @FDPascual.

Email: fdp333@yahoo.com. All Postscripts are also archived at ManilaMail.com

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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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

FEEDING TIME. Erlinda Dela Cruz, 69, feeds nearly 25 stray cats at the Tayuman corner Kataman Streets in Manila on Thursday, July 21.

She said she has been coming to the place to feed the cats since the start of the pandemic two years ago.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

PNP: No threat to Marcos SONA yet as gun ban starts

by FRANCIS

EARL CUETO ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said there is still no credible threat to the security, as preparations are in full swing for the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on July 25.

In a television interview, PNP spokesman Police Col. Jean Fajardo said they have a continuous intelligence report and the law enforcement

agencies have been monitoring and validating information with reports of attempts to disrupt the SONA. "As of Thursday, July 21 sa ating pagpupulong, wala pa po tayong nare-receive na any credible or serious threat pero ganun pa man hindi tayo nagkukumpiyansa (As of yesterday [Thursday], in our meeting there had been no credible serious threat.

Nevertheless, we would not be complacent)," she said during the TV interview.

Fajardo likewise revealed that they are not considering implementing any signal jammers during the SONA that will be held before a joint Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

However, it will still depend on the assessment of the Presidential Security Group if there is a need for signal jammers.

The gun ban in Metro Manila started on Friday, July 22.

More than 21,000 security forces will be deployed to secure the event. ■

P211-M daily campaign ad spend shows ‘we can’t have poor candidates’ MANILA — The race for a national position has become more expensive after bets spent as much as P211 million daily on advertising during this year’s 90-day campaign, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) said based on reports from Nielsen Ad Intel.

PCIJ pointed out, however, that Nielsen’s reports were based on published television, radio, and print rate cards and candidates may have availed of discounts prior to the campaign so actual spending may or may not be lower than projected.

With the P211-million daily

spend, national candidates are estimated to have availed of P18.425-billion worth of ads during the three-month official campaign.

"This doesn’t include yet P18.7billion worth of ads spent from January 2021 until the day before the official campaign period ended," PCIJ Editorial Content Head Karol Ilagan said in a forum on Thursday, July 21.

Church-based poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) points out that the elections "have become expensive."

"We can no longer have ‘poor

candidates’ but we presume that our Congress would enact laws that would level the playing field if they wanted to," said Arwin Serrano, member of the PPCRV board of trustees.

"But I don’t think that our lawmakers will prioritize such bills if ever they would think or enacting one or proposing one."

Poll watchdogs are calling for a more transparent way of reporting election spending, noting that financers of some political candidates may have their own objectives, as well as updating the country’s campaign u PAGE A8

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 23-26, 2022 A7

A8 JULY 23-26, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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Lawyers’ group says red-tagging punishable by law

by GABRIEL

PABICO Inquirer.net

LALU

MANILA — A group of lawyers claimed that red-tagging, contrary to assertions of past administration officials, can be punishable under Republic Act No. 9851 or the local law penalizing crimes against the international humanitarian law and against humanity.

In its reply-affidavit filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, July 21 the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) countered the stand of former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) officials that complaints against them are baseless since red-tagging is not a crime.

NUPL claimed that Section 6 of R.A. No 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity can be used to punish red-taggers, as it is persecution against political groups.

“Red-tagging cannot be regarded a ‘legally non-existent act or crime’ just because it is not expressly defined in our

penal statutes as a felony or an offense,” NUPL said in their 27page affidavit.

“Under Section 6, RA 9851 […] widespread or systematic red-tagging or red-baiting may be considered as the crime of persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation or other grounds […],” the group added.

NUPL also claimed that the former NTF-ELCAC officials are ‘spinning’ the Supreme Court’s ruling in Zarate, et al. vs. Aquino, et al. by using a part of the decision which said that merely labeling a group as a communist would not constitute an actual threat.

“Respondents are trivializing the pernicious effects of redtagging by misrepresenting and spinning the Supreme Court’s ruling in Zarate. In paragraph 34 of their Joint Counter-Affidavit, Respondents claim that in Zarate, the Court said: ‘mere labeling of a group as a communist front is not an actual threat to one’s right to life, liberty or security’,” NUPL said.

“But what the Court really and

repeatedly said is this: ‘Mere membership in (petitioners’) organizations or sectors cannot equate to an actual threat that would warrant the issuance of a writ of amparo’,” it claimed.

NUPL is replying to the NTF-ELCAC officials’ joint counter affidavit regarding the complaints filed by NUPL before the Office of the Ombudsman last December 2020.

The lawyers’ group accused former NTF-ELCAC officials, namely former national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon, retired military general Antonio Parlade Jr., and former undersecretary Lorraine Badoy of committing grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority when it allegedly linked NUPL to communist rebels.

Last July 2, the Office of the Ombudsman asked Esperon, Parlade, and Badoy to answer NUPL’s accusations.

In the joint counter-affidavit of the former NTF-ELCAC officials, copies of which were also forwarded by NUPL to INQUIRER.net, they stressed that there is no legal definition as to what would constitute red-tagging, and what penalties follow if they are found guilty of it. ■

NO TO VAPE BILL. Senators Pia Cayetano (4th from left), Alan Cayetano (3rd from left), and health advocates hold pieces of paper with a message, calling on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to veto Senate Bill No. 2239 or the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, popularly known as the Vape Bill, during a press conference at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 20. The group said the passage of the bill would put the health of Filipinos at risk.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

83% of Pinoys hopeful worst of COVID-19 over – SWS

MANILA — Around eight in every 10 Filipinos are hopeful that the worst of COVID is over, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The survey, conducted from April 19 to 27 with the results released on Wednesday, July 20 showed that a record-high 83 percent of the respondents believed that “the worst is behind us with the COVID crisis.”

This is three points higher than the 80 percent obtained in a similar survey in December 2021 all Israel citizens, girls and boys, and almost twice the 44 percent all their citizens are soldiers and when SWS first asked the question in May 2020. defenders,” Cardema said.

The survey was conducted a The population of the Philippines is far bigger than few months after the OmicronSingapore, South Korea or Israel, driven surge that saw record-high new COVID cases in the country. he said.

Cases once again spiked in In 2002, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the National Service Training Program (NSTP) law, abolishing the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program.

Under the law, students may choose one of three NSTP components: ROTC, Civic MANILA — “I am still here in Welfare Training Service and my office,” Executive Secretary Literacy Training Service.

Vic Rodriguez had this to say Calls to scrap the mandatory Friday, July 22 following reports ROTC mounted after the murder that he has resigned from his of Mark Chua, a student of the post.

University of Santo Tomas who During his meeting with the exposed the alleged irregularities Malacanang Press Corps (MPC) in his unit. officers, Rodriguez said he does Vice President and Education not know where the rumors Secretary Sara Duterte has about his supposed resignation expressed hope that bills on started. mandatory ROTC would be “As you know, you made this included in the administration’s courtesy call, I am still here priority measures. (Philstar.com) in my office. Thats why I said

Mandatory military training in schools pushed MANILA — The National Youth Commission (NYC) has urged President Marcos to issue an executive order making military training a requirement in college and senior high school.

The NYC also wants mandatory scouting program in elementary schools, saying the training will instill nationalism and discipline among students.

NYC Chairman Roland Cardema said the Philippines is a disaster-prone archipelago battered by typhoons, floods, earthquakes and communist insurgency.

He cited the need to start training the millions of Filipino youth toward disaster preparedness, good citizenship and national defense as well as for them to have “a strong sense of nationalism.”

Cardema said the youth programs were prioritized during the time of Marcos’ father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “It (program) created a

sense of nationalism, discipline and preparedness among the generations of young Filipinos that can easily be tapped by the government to help the country in times of need,” he said.

The programs, he said, “went into limbo” after the first Marcos administration. He noted that Congress had failed to pass bills seeking to make the youth programs mandatory for 20 years.

Cardema cited the national service program in Singapore, which he said helped it transform into a first world country.

He noted that in South Korea, all boys including movie stars and sons of tycoons are required to serve in the frontlines for two years, an experience that he said “gives a sense of pride and military preparedness among all their male citizens, all of whom are reservists and veterans.”

“In Israel, even with all neighboring countries united in invading Israel were no match for the mandatory military training of

WENDY WANG

IN July 2022, the Library of Congress will add a new Chinese book to its collection, Investment Strategy and Tactics

by Yu Ng. The book is a collection of Mr. Ng’s insights and thoughts on investment strategies in a variety of areas over the past 30 years that will makes readers think long and hard.

In fact, in 2007, Mr. Ng already published his monograph What am I, Rich or Poor?, a best-seller in China back then and recommended on the bookshelves of all major airports in China. Many of the classic arguments from What am I, Rich or Poor? have also been re-edited into this recently published book, Investment Strategy and Tactics.

In this new non-theoretical book, we can see Mr. Ng’s newer conquests and reflections in the investment field after the 15 years since the publication of What am I, Rich or Poor?. Especially in his beloved field of financial investment. Mr. Ng had a glorious history in 1996, he stunned the Chinese securities industry with his brilliant investment performance, and he was honored by the industry as they called 1996 the “Year of Yu Ng”.

Today, 26 years later, his battlefield has leaped from Shenzhen, China to the top end of the international investment industry, Wall Street in New York City.

This experienced investment strategist understands Churchill’s famous quote, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unprecedented shock to countless industries, but in Mr. Ng’s eyes, he saw many business opportunities. He was keen to enter the U.S. stock market and tried his luck in the vaccine stock NVAX. He bought the stock for an average of $4 a share and then sold it for $150 after it had risen sharply, which is reaching a

The same survey also found that those who worry about catching COVID remained at 88 percent.

The remaining 12 percent said they are little or not worried at all.

Worry about catching COVID is highest among those in the Visayas at 94 percent, followed by those in Mindanao at 93 percent, balance Luzon at 85 percent and Metro Manila at 83 percent.

SWS noted that Filipinos are more worried than Americans about catching COVID, citing the April 25 to May 1 Gallup survey showing that only 31 percent of adult Americans were worried about contracting the viral illness.

The SWS survey had 1,440 adult respondents and an error margin of plus or minus 2.6 percent for national percentages. (Philstar. com)

‘I am still here in my office’, Rodriguez says amid resignation murmurs

Overlook from Top of Crest - Yu Ng, Top Strategic Investor of China by

June, although the numbers have not reached levels similar to previous surges.

According to the survey, those who fear that “the worst is yet to come” dropped from 19 percent in December 2021 to 16 percent last April.

Across geographic areas, the number of people who believed that the worst is already over was highest in Mindanao at 86 percent, followed by those in Metro Manila and rest of Luzon at 82 percent and the Visayas at 81 percent.

Meanwhile, the percentage of those fearing “the worst is yet to come” is higher among those in the Visayas and balance Luzon at 18 percent and Metro Manila at 17 percent than in Mindanao at 12 percent.

tinitingnan ko yung mga hitsura niyo kanina kung meron kayong parang nakakita kayo ng multo.

But I am just here, I hardly go out of my office,” Rodriguez told the MPC officers.

(As you know, you made this courtesy call. I am still here in my office. That’s why I was looking at your faces, and it seems like you’ve seen a ghost.

But I am just here. I hardly go out of my office.)

Nonetheless, Rodriguez acknowledged that it is the prerogative of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to ask anyone from his Cabinet to leave their posts.

“All of us in the Cabinet, regardless of the portfolio that we are holding or handling, I think it must be clear that the moment he or she accepts the nomination and the request coming from the President…

I think automatic yun—the moment you said yes, automatic na rin, tinaggap mo na rin that anytime you may be asked to leave,” Rodriguez said.

(I think it’s automatic that the moment you said yes, it’s automatic that you also accepted that anytime you might be asked to leave.)

“But until that happens then you stay… So malinaw dito sa (It’s clear with the) present administration that all those serving under President Marcos, that the moment the President asked you to serve under his leadership it goes without saying

that there’s no permanence,” he added.

According to reports, which cited unnamed sources, Rodriguez resigned after not being able to bear the pressure within the “inner circle” of the Marcos administration.

Some reports also cited Rodriguez’s lack of experience to serve as executive secretary and issues on appointments of members of the Marcos Cabinet.

Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles, however, denied the alleged resignation of Rodriguez.

“No,” Cruz-Angeles said in a Viber message when asked if the reports were true.

Another report claimed that a religious organization allegedly told Marcos that Rodriguez’s camp was asking for P100 million in exchange for a Cabinet position.

Rodriguez said, “we cannot be held to explain on something” that is “unverifiable or chismis (gossip).”

“We don’t want to end up explaining something that need not be explained. The amount is fantastic,” Rodriguez said.

“We will only explain things that are coming from verifiable sources or sources. But I know you understand too if it’s fake news or bordering on chismis, I don’t think it’s proper for anyone whether a government functionary or an ordinary person to be asked or made to explain,” he added. (Neil Arwin Mercado/Inquirer.net)

P211-M daily campaign ad... more than 30 times increase in just over a year. This fantastic performance gives a deep insight into an investment strategist’s extraordinary foresight, determination, and boldness.

In 2006, Mr. Ng’s personal documentary film on his investment belief and story, Duckweed, was aired on China’s most popular media, CCTV. At the time, Mr. Ng was still an entrepreneur in his early 40s, and it was not an easy treatment that common entrepreneurial figures could enjoy - CCTV aired the 71-minute personal feature documentary film. Duckweed is still available for watching online (Google keyword: “documentary”, “Duckweed”, and “Yu Ng”).

The name Duckweed is an indication that Mr. Ng is constantly battling in various fields. His entrepreneurial life seems random, but he “floats” firmly on the water, and the water is the basis of his survival.

Now, “floating” has a whole new meaning that Mr. Ng has fl oated from China to international and becoming an international expert in investment strategy.

By reading about Mr. Ng’s unique interpretation of the world’s top investment giants, whether Warren Buffett or George Soros, readers will see all above statements are real and true.

It is no exaggeration to say that for those young investors who admire and hope to learn from Buffett or Soros, reading this book will help them understand why they cannot become Buffett or Soros. In other words, Mr. Ng has given a clear answer in the book for what qualification a person must have to become a financial investment expert like Buffett or Soros.

This is the reason why Mr. Ng is the only person from the investment industry among the eight winners of the 12th Annual Outstanding Entrepreneur Award of China-US Business Summit.

M r. N g i s d i f f e r e n t f r o m o t h e r entrepreneurs who work on the front line of investment in two ways. First, he sees from a high level, from the tactical selection of each investment back to the strategic level of thinking, and then with the overall strategic perspective of a certain field of investment to reflect and guide the decision. Secondly, for an investor who grew up in China and has almost no foreign experience, he can always have an international perspective and thus building a multi-dimensional concept in the comparison between the East and the West.

These qualifications are rare among entrepreneurs in both China and the U.S., and this is precisely the real value of this book on investment philosophy.

PAGE A7 finance laws such as adjusting expenditure limits and putting a cap on contributions from donors.

Former Commission on Elections Commissioner Luie Guia pointed out that "campaign finance is also a good governance and anti-corruption measure."

Data on campaign financing Data on campaign financing may be accessed through the poll body via candidates’ statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) and contractor reports.

PCIJ showed a summary of the presidential candidates’ SOCE. Top candidate Marcos Jr. received P624.684 million and spent P623.230 million, while ranking second, former Vice President Leni Robredo received P388.327 million in contributions and financed P19,779 out of pocket as her total expenses were valued at P388.347 million.

Meanwhile, Duterte spent all the P216.190 million in contributions she received. Former Sen. Pangilinan spent a total of P130.616 million, P109.520 million of which were contributions, while P21.096 million were from his personal funds, and former Senate President Sotto spent a total of P157.155 million during the campaign, P107.763 million were contributed and P49.391 was personally funded.

Meanwhile, monitoring entities such as Nielsen or the Facebook Ad Library also provide insight into how and where candidates spend their funds on.

Where did their money go?

Nielsen data show: • Candidates spent nearly P38.947 billion on political advertising, which also includes “some government advertising,” from January last year to May 2022. They made use of 267,436 spots covering 8,190,625 secondsworth of ads.

• In the same period, they noted that Sens. Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Alan Peter Cayetano as well as former Vice President Leni Robredo and former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno spent over P2 billion before and during the official campaign. Villanueva aired ads valued at P2.775 billion in total.

• Robredo, Senators Villar and Villanueva, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were reportedly the top ad spenders on mainstream media having spent P1 billion each on ads during the campaign period, with Robredo topping the list at P1.149-billion.

• In terms of presidential tandem ad spending, Robredo and former Sen. Francis Pangilinan spent the most for advertising followed by the former senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III, Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, with former Sen. Manny Pacquiao and former Rep. Lito Atienza trailing behind.

• The top four party-lists who spent on ads before the campaign period include ACT-CIS Party-list, Ang Probinsyano Party-list, Cibac Party-list, and AKO Bicol Party-list.

(Philstar.com)

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 23-26, 2022 A9

A solar field in western Pahrump?

by RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THERE is no doubt that the way the world is consuming its natural resources, we are in for catastrophic results down the road. Whether it’s in a couple of decades, half a century or a century from now, the world’s burgeoning population needs to manage the Earth’s resources more efficiently, or look for ways to harness what nature gives us.

In terms of energy usage, that can include harnessing the sun’s power, which is exactly what a company wants to do in the western side of Pahrump.

Consolidated Edison Development Inc. recently went before the Nye County Commission to talk about its proposal for its Basin Solar project – a 20-megawatt photovoltaic solar field that will be set on 100 acres in western Pahrump, according to a news report from the Pahrump Valley Times. The project is set to be located on land bounded

by Basin Avenue to the south, Bannavitch to the west, and Betty Avenue to the north.

It is one of the many multiple solar farms that have been proposed in the State of Nevada and areas like Pahrump, Amargosa and Beatty. The difference with this project is that Basin Solar is being put on private land, unlike majority of proposals which are being planned on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

According to officials attached with ConEdison, once complete and fully operational, Basin Solar can produce energy to power an estimated 6,000 homes. The company is the second-largest solar developer in the country and operates about 30% of the solar capacity in the state.

During the presentation, officials debunked the myth that a photovoltaic solar field will raise the ambient temperature around

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send email to fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

the site. The technology, according to officials, is designed to absorb the heat.

As for noise, there will be the typical noise generated during the construction, but once operational, the field will not produce noise.

Traffic in and out of the facility will be kept to a minimum as there will only be one truck visiting the site on a weekly basis, per officials, adding that “the site largely operated itself from remote communications.”

On the question of water usage in the project, ConEdison does not intend to drill any wells to service the site, but instead will have the necessary water trucked in after being purchased from a local municipal water provider.

During the construction phase, about 20 acre-feet of water would be used primarily for dust control, and would go down to about two acre-feet or less per year when the field is operational.

ConEdison revealed that if everything goes according to plan, construction should be able to begin early 2023, with the site commercially operational by the end of the year.

As for how the project will benefit the town, aside from aiding in the quest for renewable energy and helping alleviate the drain on the electric grid, positives will come from the taxes and purchase of regional goods and services, as well as up to 150 construction jobs associated with the project.

Once the project is finished, two full-time jobs within the community will be the end-result.

A total investment of about $40 million is expected to be made for the Basin Solar project, with roughly 37% to 50% of the amount invested directly in Nevada.

In examining the plans and the private land that will be used for the project, Nye County Commissioner Debra Strickland posed an observation, asking what the highest and best use for a 100-acre parcel of land would be.

She opined that the benefits of the project being situated in private land versus public land managed by the BLM would be significantly higher. The advantages would include not having to take away the people’s land, using an area that is located in a flood zone which creates a different set of challenges for other kinds of development, and potential homeowners not having to deal with expensive flood insurance should the land be developed into homes.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman drove around in Pahrump recently with her good friend and Philippine Realtor Nida Santos.

Realtors Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Nida Santos drove by near the proposed solar project in Pahrump, which will provide cheap electricity to the town’s residents.

This project will be a great addition to Pahrump, and just one of the many well thought out endeavors being planned in the town, which is only 62 miles west of Las Vegas.

It is a perfect project for the town as it located in what is known as the sun belt; in fact, much of Nevada is in such an area.

With a lot of developments being proposed in Pahrump, including a huge gaming/entertainment hub that will house the first perimutuel horse racetrack in Nevada, servicing the energy needs of the community will of utmost importance. Having an additional source of renewable energy will

Realtor Nida Santos, a friend of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman for over 40 years, has been amazed at the big progress in Pahrump during her second visit to the town.

keep the town in good stead and allow it to thrive.

A re a s l i k e Pa h r u m p a re generating huge interest, not just for businesses but for many wouldbe homeowners and investors. The affordability of land and property prices, when compared to other areas in the United States, is a huge plus, as well as its proximity to a big city like Las Vegas. One can, indeed, have the best of both worlds – live within the peaceful, unencumbered, beautiful surroundings of the town for the most part, and head for the lights, extravaganza, glitz and glamour of the big city when it beckons.

My decades of experience

in real estate will help you, my kababayans, in your quest for your piece of the American Dream – whether it’s your first or second home, a rental property, or an investment.

M y c o m p a n y, P r e c i o u s Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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WKND

B1

Saturday, july 23, 2022

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Oscar-winning artist H.E.R. to make history as Belle in ABC’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ live-action special tion, one-night celebration of the 1991 animated Disney adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” later this year.

“I can’t believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy. The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle!” said H.E.R. in a statement. “I have always wanted to be a Disney princess… It is very surreal and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The awards show darling previously won several Grammy Awards over the last few years and won an Oscar in 2021.

She will star in the two-hour spectacle, named “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration,” directed by Hamish Hamilton and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu. “With her obvious extraordinary talent and stage presence, H.E.R. is the perfect embodiment of our Belle and we are thrilled for audiences to see her in this celebration of creativity,” Chu said in a statement. “We were both influenced as storytellers by the original animated movie, so it’s very exciting to collaborate together to honor the artistry of that timeless classic while also inspiring a whole new generation of creators.”

As of press time, other casting decisions have not been announced.

The special is set to air on ABC on Dec. 15 and will be available to stream on Disney+ Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial the following day.

versatile talent.

On Wednesday, July 20, ABC R&B sensation H.E.R. contin- announced that the Filipina and ues to break barriers and make Black American singer will star history while showcasing her as Belle in the channel’s live-acby

Klarize Medenilla / AJPress

Filipina American R&B singer H.E.R.

SINGLE PARENT LEAVES CHILDREN BEHIND BECAUSE OF DATE OF MARRIAGE ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Mike (2nd from left) was petitioned as “single” by his mother and wanted to bring his children with him to the U.S., but his mother said, “just leave the kids behind,” since their birth certificates had a date of marriage. Unfortunately, that decision resulted in many years of separation for Mike and his children. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to bring Mike’s son, Migs (left), and daughter, Myki (3rd from left), to the U.S. under Lola’s petition, despite a date of marriage on their birth certificates. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

Lola’s wrong advice resulted in many years of family separation, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy

MIKE missed the chance to bring his kids to the U.S. due to wrong advice from his wellmeaning mother.

Mike was petitioned as single by his mother, but she told him not to bring his children along, since their birth certificates had a date of marriage listed.

Many erroneously assume that a date of marriage on the birth

certificate of a child born out of wedlock can be fatal to their case if they are being petitioned as single. This episode proves that is not true.

Watch how leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Migs and Myki to the U.S. under their grandmother’s petition, despite a date of marriage on their birth

certificates.

Don’t miss this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

EntErtainmEnt

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Elvira Chan hosts birthday celebration Photos taken during the Birthday Celebration of Elvira Chan at NBC Restaurant in Monterey Park. Elvira is the owner of Dollar Hits in Historic Filipinotown and West Covina. The grand opening of another branch in New York is scheduled on July 29, 2022.

Natasha, Noah, Nathan, Elaine and Henry Sitting: Trini Foliente, acting President of Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), Elvira and Manny Chan, the beloved husband of Elvira.

From left to right: Jay, Nita, Joyce, Sol, Nelita, Diane, Lourdes, Lulu, Flor and Baybee

Standing: Elaine, Henry, Natasha, Noah, Nathan and Manny Chan. Sitting: Trini, Elvira and kids Tiffany, Emma, Donna and baby Margie.

From left to right: Roger and Cora Oriel, Trinity Foliente, Elvira, Manny Chan, Donna, Tiffany, Emma, Resty and Melinda.

From left to right: Gabriel, Rowena, Leandro, Reena Avigail, Natasha, Kim, Nathan, Noah, TJ and Shobe

From left to right. Rona, Bang, Isaac, Henry, Elaine, Naty, Nancy, Manny, Mimi, and Alan.

Pinoy group SB19 included in Teen Vogue’s Ukrainian social media star most favorite boy bands of all time Grand at home in PH amid war

P-PoP (Pinoy pop) group SB19 was named by young fashion magazine Teen Vogue as one of their all-time most favorite boy bands alongside the likes of BTS, The Beatles, and one Direction.

Teen Vogue's list of 33 boy bands was in no particular order, and SB19 was the 18th group listed in between Puerto Rico's Menudo and R&B group All-4-one.

The magazine included the music video of SB19's hit song "What?" and acknowledged the group's meteoric rise following the release of another hit single, "Bazinga."

BTS and The Beatles were among the first boy bands mentioned

by Teen Vogue, arguably as the most popular groups then and now, with R&B group Boyz II Men sandwiched in between them. one Direction was accompanied by fellow staple boy bands like the Backstreet Boys, Westlife, *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, The Jonas Brothers, Big Time Rush, Five Seconds of Summer, The Wanted, and The Jackson 5.

Korean groups that made Teen Vogue's list apart from BTS were EXo, SEVENTEEN, Big Bang, SHINee, Monsta X, and Seo Taiji

and the Boys.

Second-generation K-pop group Super Junior and popular Taiwanese group F4 — and all their succeeding variations — were notably snubbed.

SB19, consisting of Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken, and Justin, were formed in 2016 by Korea's ShowBT Group subsidiary in the Philippines and debuted two years later. other singles by the group include "Tilaluha," "Go Up," "Alab," and "Mapa," as well as their collaboration with fellow Filipino act Ben&Ben "Kapangyarihan."

(Philstar.com)

SB19, consisting of Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken, and Justin, were formed in 2016 by Korea's ShowBT Group subsidiary in the Philippines and debuted two years later.

Photo from Instagram/@officialsb19

Did Max, Pancho reconcile? by ronnie

CarrasCo ManilaTimes.net

iii

So, are Max Collins and Pancho Magno back together or they haven't really broken up contrary to rumors?

The celebrity couple celebrated their son Skye Anakin's second birthday on July 6. It was Max who first hosted the spacethemed party days before her "little astronaut's" actual birthday at a hotel. Present were who she described "more than just titas" Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff and Katarina Rodriguez.

For his part, Pancho threw another party with the same motif on Skye's natal day.

Max's and Pancho's presence should put to rest incessant talks about their separation. It will be recalled that the absence of

either parent at Skye's separate birthday parties last year had spawned speculationd that the couple drifted apart.

To this day, however, neither of them has confirmed or denied persistent rumors.

Should Kylie Padilla who spilled the beans at a media conference take credit for the scoop?

Asked who she considers her closest showbiz friend, Kylie picked on Max citing their commonalities. She was quoted to have said, "Pareho kasi kami, nagpakasal, nagkaanak tapos nahiwalay rin."

Max and Pancho tied the knot at the Manila Marriott Hotel in December 2017 seven months after they got engaged.

But with the couple both present this time around at their son's birthday bash, wasn't it proof

Max Collins and Pancho Magno in their December 2017 wedding.

Photo from Instagram/@magnopancho

enough that they actually never separated?

If so, then we should all be happy for them, shouldn't we?

by Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

UKRAINIAN social media influencer Vladimir Grand drops Tagalog pick-up lines like “Nahuhulog ako sa'yo” (or something to that effect), “Halika dito” and “Bagay tayo,” and girls flood the comments feed in his YouTube account with swooning words.

He sees a Tagalog coach, asks questions and tries out some words, and his followers (60 million on Tiktok, 1.3 million on Instagram) cheer.

The 26-year-old social media celebrity is clearly a star. But for him, his number of followers on Tiktok and Instagram is “sakto lang.”

Bashers are inevitable. But Grand takes care of his mental health by shrugging them off.

“A negative comment doesn’t stay in my mind,” he explained after recently signing a contract as endorser of Vine Aesthetics. “I think of the positive ones. When I see a negative comment, I just say, 'ok, next'.”

This knack for seeing the proverbial silver lining behind the clouds has given Grand the gift of forgetting a specific comment that offended him. He shrugs off detractors by quoting a catchphrase: You can’t please everybody.

Grand added that pleasing everybody makes you a nobody.

“There’s always people who will say ‘magaling’ and ‘ay, ayoko’ no matter what you do.”

Grand would rather hop on his motorcycle (he endorses a top Japanese brand) to Tagaytay, go to his pad in Mandaluyong (“don’t ask if it’s sa loob, o sa labas") and creates entertaining content that sends waves of laughter.

He’d rather cook Filipino food, like Sinigang na Baka, following Internet directions. His verdict?

"Too spicy luto ko pero masarap (what I cooked is too spicy, but delicious) nevertheless."

He’d rather bond with Jenelyn, whom he calls “jowa.”

Besides a flourishing career as YouTuber and Tiktoker in a country that embraces these platforms, Jenelyn is the reason why Grand he has been staying in the Philippines for three years now.

The weary nomad who toured Asia as commercial model for years finally found a second

Social media influencer Vladimir Grand Photo from Instagram/@callmegrand

home where his Filipina girlfriend takes care of him. Grand describes Jenelyn – her family-oriented ways, patience and support – in superlatives .

Grand agrees with his mom who advised her only son, “If you want to have fun with girls, go to Europe. If you want to find a girl you want to marry and have a family with, go to the Philippines.”

Grand’s mom and Jenelyn have yet to meet personally.

But the former loved what she saw when she met Jenelyn online. Mrs. Grand saw how Jenelyn cheers up her son, teaches him Tagalog, and supports his dreams.

“I won’t be where I am now without her support,” Grand admitted.

Jenelyn is but one of the many Filipinos who made the social media star feel welcome in the country. There are many others, like Dr. Emehly Sevilla, founder and Chief Executive officer of Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics, who tapped him to endorse her men’s line of skincare products. one look at him and Dr. Sevilla knew he’s Vine Aesthetics’ next endorser. His toned body shows discipline. The detail-oriented physician also noted that Grand’s symmetrical facial features needs protection from fine lines, especially when Grand exaggerates his expressions to show a mashup of emotions on

social media.

Jenelyn did her boyfriend right by sending Vine Aesthetics a proposal letter about collaborating with the company and becoming an endorser of Vine Men Programs. This will help men like him more aware about skin and body care.

Today, Grand dreams of becoming an actor and TV host in the Philippines, thus transitioning from social media to TV and film. He wants to arrange a faceto-face meet-up between Jennylyn and his family in Europe. The loving son will also treat his dad and stepmom to a two-to-threeweek trip to Boracay, Palawan and Siargao. Grand himself will tour them around because he’s been to the islands himself.

The social media star can also tour Ukrainian friends who want to visit the Philippines after seeing his videos of top destinations.

He assured those who worry about expenses that the cost is “sakto lang (just right).”

But this celebrity lawyer’s career in the Philippines is far from “sakto lang.” It’s as hot as the noonday sun.

Dr. Sevilla influenced him to start his own daily skincare routine. Thus, Grand is starting to value facial moisturizers, sunblock and night creams.

Things were different a few years ago, when soap and water were all he used to for his face. In fact, he thought – wrongly – that only females can use moisturizers. He now uses a facial moisturizer all the time, especially when traveling exposes his skin to the elements.

He also takes care of health by exercising five to six times a day and watching what he eats.

Grand is particular about getting enough protein for muscle strength and stamina. He feels just as strongly about helping others become better persons.

This is why Vine chose him.

“Many people watch me. They sometimes idolize or imitate me.

S'yempre importante sa akin to be a good influence. I joined the Man of the World pageant (he was first runner-up) because I wanted to use the power of speech to spread peace.”

The man does not only have Grand for a surname. He’s taking that word to heart by trying to be the good influence he is supposed to be.

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Exempt property vs. property Credit card debt problems: not part of the bankruptcy estate Is bankruptcy the answer?

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng FILING a bankruptcy case creates a “bankruptcy estate."

The estate becomes the legal owner of all of the debtor’s property while the bankruptcy is going on.

What does the estate consist of? It consists of all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case.

This includes property owned or held by another person if the debtor has an interest in the property. As a general rule, the creditors of the debtor are paid from the non-exempt property of the estate.

For example, you own a house with $600,000 of equity when you filed for Chapter 7.

The “bankruptcy estate” will include your house excluding the $100,000 equity. So the question is, can you keep your house even as you file for Chapter 7 and even if you have $600,000 equity in your house?

Yes, you can keep your house by exempting your equity of $600,000.

The trustee is the court-appointed administrator of the “bankruptcy estate” of the debtor. His role is to identify, administer and liquidate the debtor’s non-exempt assets with the intent of maximizing the return to the debtor’s unsecured creditors. If all of the debtor’s assets are exempt, or have legitimate liens on them, the trustee will file a “no asset” report with the court, and there will be no distribution of dividends to unsecured creditors. Most Chapter 7 cases of individual debtors are no asset cases.

The trustee accomplishes his or her objective by selling the debtor’s property if it is free and clear of liens, as long as the property is not exempt, or if it is worth more than any security interest or lien attached to the property and any exemption that the debt-

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or holds in the property. The trustee may recover money or property under the trustee’s “avoiding” powers” (not social distancing). These “avoiding powers” include the power to set aside preferential transfers made within a certain time frame. If the transfer is made to a creditor within 90 days pre-filing, the trustee has a strong case to get the money back into the estate. For example, a week before the debtor filed for Chapter 7, the debtor paid his friend for money that he borrowed from a friend last year in the amount of $100,000. Can the trustee get the $100,000 back into the estate? Of course, he can. This is a classic example of an avoidable preferential transfer. The trustee will file an adversary case against the debtor friend to get the $100,000 back. The lawsuit is against the friend, not the debtor.

There are also transfers to insiders and related parties that are the favorite of trustees.

Normally, the trustee can go back four years pre-filing to get these properties back into the estate. For example, the debtor quitclaimed a house with $200,000 of equity to his sister three years before he filed for Chapter 7. The trustee will file an adversary case against the sister to get the house back.

Does the sister have a defense?

Yes, she does have a defense to defeat the adversary case.

If the sister can prove that she paid fair market value for the property at the time that the property was transferred to her, then she can defeat the adversary and she can keep the property. Of course, she will need legal representation to do this because it goes to trial before a Federal Bankruptcy Judge.

In reality, though, it takes a lot of money for the trustee to get a property back because the trustee has to hire a lawyer to litigate the adversary case to avoid the preferential or insider transfer.

For example, the trustee may be able to sell the property for $500,000, but it will take maybe $475,000 of legal expenses to avoid the transfer.

The trustee lawyers get paid, the trustee gets paid his fees, and all other professional who helped in the case get paid their fees. All professional fees get paid first from the sale proceeds. Whatever is left is distributed equally to unsecured creditors.

But what if the property is not part of the bankruptcy estate? An asset may be under the name of the debtor but the debtor merely holds the property in trust for someone else. That asset is not part of the bankruptcy estate because the debtor has neither legal nor equitable title to it. For example, the debtor’s parents live abroad and they ask the debtor to buy them a house in Beverly Hills for $3 million. Parents then wire transfer $3 million to the debtor’s account. That $3 million does not belong to the debtor and is not part of the bankruptcy estate. Of course, the trustee will attempt to get the $3 million, but the parents will have to hire legal counsel to defeat the claim of the trustee. Parents will win because the $3 million belongs to the parents, not the debtor.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

Wear a facemask and gloves for our appointment. I also wear a facemask and gloves and we will be at least 6 feet apart. I know it's tough losing your job or having a business with no revenue. Use your credit cards and credit lines to tide yourself through these unusual times. When you need relief from accumulated debt, it’s time to see me. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal opinion and no attorneyclient relationship is created between the reader, any third party and attorney. *** 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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Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BuLAon IF you are up to your eyeballs in credit card debt and have no way of paying back what you have borrowed, a lot of things may be going through your mind at the moment. Maybe you’ve heard of bankruptcy and how it may help you obtain a fresh financial start, but you think that this option may be too drastic for you. Perhaps just the thought of going to a lawyer’s office to discuss the possibility of filing for bankruptcy is enough to send chills down your spine.

Relax and get over your fear.

First of all, it’s not the end of the world. At one time or another, we all face financial difficulties in life. Secondly, unless you speak with an experienced and knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney who can evaluate your case and recommend possible solutions, you will never know if bankruptcy is advisable for your situation. In a lot of cases that I see, it is the only solution. In other cases, however, bankruptcy should be avoided especially if there are risks of losing property or other assets.

Bankruptcy is a legal remedy that allows you to either discharge (wipe out) debts that

you can no longer pay or at least restructure (consolidate) other problem debts. Sometimes, all people need is time to get caught up after having fallen behind in payments. For example, if you are in danger of losing your home or your car (How are you going to work if you lose your vehicle?), bankruptcy may help you stop the creditor from taking legal action.

The reason that I am writing about credit cards in this week’s article is because this type of debt seems to be the most common.

In many instances, people have simply charged more on their credit cards than they are able to pay back, and this could have serious consequences. Creditors may sue and obtain a judgment.

They then enforce the judgment by placing a lien on your property or garnishing your wages. A lot of people feel embarrassed about being called at work by bill collectors and they fear that this may cause them to lose their job. Bill collectors are often rude, obnoxious, and abusive and their only job is to make your life miserable so you can cough up the money to pay them.

Filing bankruptcy immediately stops creditor harassment and for once, you are able to breathe again and clear your mind. Being in debt can be very stressful. It can also destroy marriages, family and business relationships.

The stress can affect your health and your peace of mind. People who are in debt often feel alone and helpless. And because they

are often embarrassed about their situation, they don’t even tell others about their problems or seek legal help until it’s too late.

Credit cards can be useful for emergencies but when overused, they could make your life very miserable. People in debt can’t even sleep at night as they are always worried about their debts and their future. If you are in a situation where you feel that you are drowning in debt and you just can’t save yourself anymore, please get help as soon as possible before things get worse. If you don’t do anything now, later on you will have no one else to blame but yourself for your inaction.

If you need to get your financial house in order, we can help you evaluate your options to get you out of debt. If right for your situation, filing for bankruptcy relief can turn your situation around for the better.

For a free consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. Let me evaluate your situation and recommend possible options. *** NOTE: Due to the pandemic, consultations via phone or video are available. Questions?

Email me at gethelp@rjb-lawoffices.com. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.

Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.

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Arci spreads wings as future pilot

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTReSS Arci Muñoz is pursuing her dream to become a pilot.

In her Instagram account, Arci posted a video of the first day of her training. "everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?" Arci wrote, quoting American aviator Amelia earhart.

Arci added that she feels enthusiastic in her pilot journey.

“Be a woman who rise above the ground breaking norms reach for yer dreams! And be whoever you wanna be cos sky is ze limit!!” she said.

Singer-actress Arci Muñoz “Feeling enthusiastic about my #pilot journey! Thank Photo from Instagram/@ramonathornes you for spreading my wings!” she added.

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The Eucharist: Christ’s Protecting employee-applicants’ right to privacy ongoing presence in the world (Employer needs employee’s Pastor’s Notes reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS One day while I was celebrating a weekday Mass, I asked myself, "If a time comes when there will only be one or two people attending Mass regularly, should I continue offering it? My answer was an absolute YeS! I would keep celebrating Mass daily even if there is only one or no one attending it. That's how I value the eucharist.

It's because the eucharist is not primarily about our needs as a people but about God, who wants to show his unconditional love to all of us.

The eucharist is the testament of his eternal love through the memorial of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.

The eucharist is about God continually offering himself to us despite our sinfulness, indifference, and apathy. In short, the eucharist is God's eternal love for us!

The U.S. Bishops state in their

recent document, The Mystery of the eucharist: "His blood, shed for us, is the eternal sign of that love. As a memorial, the eucharist is not another sacrifice, but the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Christ by which we are reconciled to the Father."

Furthermore, the U.S. bishops state: "The salvation offered in the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ is nothing less than the sharing in the very life of God, in the communion of love among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is no greater gift that God could give us. In Christ, we share in the divine nature (2 Pt, 1:4).

The Lord accompanies us in many ways, but none as profound as when we encounter him in the eucharist. On our journey toward eternal life, Christ nourishes us with his very self."

These are profound words from our shepherds that echo Jesus' final address to his disciples, "I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

With these insights, I find a connection with the Old Testament Reading this Sunday (July 24). In it, we hear Abraham negotiating with God out loud:

"Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city, would you wipe out the place rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it?"

God responded that he would not destroy the city if fifty people could be found. Then Abraham negotiated more. What about if there are only forty, thirty, twenty, or merely ten? In the same way, God replied, "alright, for the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it."

In light of this Scripture passage, would the Church stop offering the Sacrament of the eucharist if there would only be a few people attending it? Of course, not! The eucharist is God's gift to us through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.

The eucharist nourishes our spirits and souls and makes us feel Christ's most special and ongoing presence until our journey to eternal life! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Karla Estrada leaves ‘Magandang Buhay’

by Kristofer

Purnell Philstar.com

official farewells to the morning show "Magandang Buhay" ahead of her final episode.

ACTReSS and television estrada published on host Karla estrada made her her social media accounts

Momshies Melai Cantiveros, Karla Estrada and Jolina Magdangal

on Wednesday, July 13 her messages of gratitude to fans of the show she hosted for over five years, by posting an image of her with co-hosts

ABS-CBN photo

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

consent to get credit report)

the disclosure, that a consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes; and the consumer has authorized in writing (which authorization may be made on the document referred to in clause (i)) the procurement of the report by that person.

The FCRA provides a private right of action against those who violate its statutory requirements in procuring and using consumer reports. The affected consumer is entitled to actual damages for a negligent violation. However, for “a willful violation” a consumer may recover additional statutory damages ranging from $100 to $1,000, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and costs.”

Q: I am new to applying for jobs so I am not very familiar with my rights as an employee-applicant.

Some employers require me to fill out a simple application and submit to a drug test. There are employers, though, who tell me that I also need to give them authorization to get a consumer report on me. What are my rights here?

A: The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) authorizes an employer to obtain a consumer report from a job applicant. However, the FCRA regulates what an employer may or may not do under these situations. Specifically, the FCRA requires an employer to provide a job applicant with a standalone disclosure stating that the employer may obtain the applicant’s consumer report during the hiring process.

The FCRA came into existence in 1970. The law was created to promote ‘fair and accurate credit reporting’ and to ‘protect consumer privacy.’ Consumer reporting agencies were required to “adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements” of the law.

FCRA, thus, imposes “a host of requirements concerning the creation and use of consumer reports.” Two of these requirements are the following: An employer who obtains a consumer report about a job applicant must first provide the applicant with a standalone, clear and conspicuous disclosure of its intention to do so, The employer must obtain the applicant’s consent for the employer to obtain the applicant’s consumer report.

These disclosure and consent requirements are intended to “secure job applicants’ privacy rights by enabling them to withhold authorization,” while also “promoting error correction” by providing applicants “an opportunity to warn a prospective employer of errors in the report before the employer decides against hiring the applicant on the basis of information contained in the report.”

The disclosure and authorization requirements state in part as follows: Disclosure to Consumer …

[A] person may not procure a consumer report, or cause a consumer report to be procured, for employment purposes with respect to any consumer, unless– a clear and conspicuous disclosure has been made in writing to the consumer at any time before the report is procured or caused to be procured, in a document that consists solely of

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

"Naging mabigat ang desisyon... Pero mas naging matimbang ang pag-unawa ng isa't isa. Mamimiss ko," estrada began her post.

The actress then compared her relationship to her cohosts to that of graduating high school and applying for different college courses.

"Ang mga masasaya at madramang samahan na walang katulad at tanging tayong tatlo lang ang nakakaalam!" she continued. "Ngunit ang pagkakaibigan na ilang beses sinubok ng panahon ay hindi kailanman makakalimutan."

estrada went on to thank ABSCBn — where "Magandang Buhay" first originally aired in 2016 — her bosses that she now considers friends, and the crew and fans that made up the morning show.

"Maraming salamat sa aral na nagpatibay ng pagkatao natin. Mahal ko kayo!" estrada said. "Dasal ko para sa ating lahat ang katahimikan ng puso at malayong paglalakbay tungo sa... magandang buhay!"

She shared her own Facebook post a few hours later to add more messages of gratitude for fans, "Hangad ko ang inyong walang sawang suporta, saan man ako

mapadpad. Mahal ko kayong lahat mga Momshie, Popshie at mga Anakshie!"

The host capped off both posts with three hearts bearing the colors of ABS-CBn, green, red, and blue. estrada temporarily left "Magandang Buhay" in the build-up to the May 2022 elections as she was bidding for a partylist seat under Tingog Sinirangan, with singer Regine Velasquez and actress Judy Ann Santos filling in for her.

Tingog Sinirangan was able to win two seats in the 2022 elections, but estrada was the partylist's third nominee and was not able to secure a seat.

Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr.

B6 july 23-26, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Reinstatement for surviving Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another beneficiaries of an i-130 petition filed by a deceased relative state in custody cases Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes Parents that are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network is in another state. this decision often have a significant impact on the visitation of the other parent because it would be more difficult for the non-custodial parent to exercise his or her visitation rights in a frequent and continuing manner if the custodial parent moves to a different state hundreds or thousands of miles away from the non custodial parent. the parent that has Custody of the child has a presumptive right to change the child’s residence unless the non custodial parent can show that the move would be a detriment to the child. In cases where there has not been any final custody order, the court has to make a custody determination using

“the best interest” standard.

Court will look at the factors and decide what is in the best interest of the child. Custody is usually given to the parent that is more likely to allow frequent and continuing contact between the child and the other parent. On the other hand if there has been a final Custody determination, then the non-custodial parent would have to show a “significant change in circumstances” to change the custody arrangement. the Court would then consider certain factors laid out in the case Marriage of LaMusga in deciding whether the child would suffer detriment from the relocation and whether a change of custody should be ordered. the La Musga factors which the Court will consider are 1) the children's interest in stability and continuity in the custodial arrangement; 2) the distance of the move; 3) the children's age; 4)the children's relationship with both parents; 5) the relationship between the parents including, but not limited to, their ability to communicate and cooperate effectively and their willingness to put the children's interests above their individual interests; 6) the children's wishes if they

are mature enough to make that inquiry appropriate; 7) the reasons for the proposed move; and 8) the extent to which the parents currently are sharing custody. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Legal Advice Atty. DArricK tAn Dear attorney Tan, My U.S. Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed the I-130 petition after I came to the U.S. in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines. Since my arrival, I have lived in the U.S. and have been out of status. Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition?

-apparently In Limbo Dear apparently In Limbo, When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFr section 205.1. However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INa section 204(L).

Under Ina section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an

I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died. section 204(L) relief is also available to derivative beneficiaries in I-140 employment-based petitions where the principal beneficiary has died. another requirement for section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the U.s. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. at least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.s. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.s. when seeking section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.s. when the relative died.

In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card.

You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your U.s. Citizen mother. Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the U.s. since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the U.s. when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the U.s. a

check of the UsCIs visa bulletin indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to section 204(L). as a sidenote, section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved. section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFr section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130. relief under section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly. It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles. Previously, He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

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