080120 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

AUGUST 1-4, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 60 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

USA

DATELINE Fil-Am professors voice concerns over new Cal State University ethnic or social justice studies requirement FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

UNDERGRADUATE students of the California State University system — the largest public university system in the United States — will be required to take an ethnic studies or social justice class in order to graduate.

The new “Ethnic Studies and Social Justice” requirement comes as the university’s Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday, July 22, to approve an amendment to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations that modified its General Education (GE) requirements to include a course for students to “understand ethnic studies and social justice.”

“This action, by the CSU and for the CSU, lifts ethnic studies to a place of prominence in our curriculum, connects it with the voices and perspective of other historically oppressed groups, and advances the field by applying the lens of social justice,” CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White said in a press release announcing

LA County’s COVID-19 fatalities jump as CA continues to set alarming records

The City of Los Angeles may begin issuing fines to people who disobey mask mandate

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AFTER a month of record highs in cases and deaths associated with the coronavirus in Los Angeles County, the county closed out July with another significant jump in deaths on Friday, July 31.

The county reported 69 new deaths on Friday, a

huge increase from last week’s average of 38 new deaths a day. The county also confirmed 2,651 new cases of COVID-19.

This puts the total number of confirmed deaths and positive cases in LA County (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena) to 4,339 deaths and 178,426 cases.

The current positivity rate in the county is 10%, according to the county Department of Public Health.

Duterte sees return to ‘normal’ by December

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

u PAGE A4

As lawmakers rail against Trump’s proposal to delay election, USPS warns of backlog in ballot delivery Republicans on the Hill remain doubtful of the proposal’s feasibility As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to complicate and frustrate existing systems of bureaucracy, Washington lawmakers and election experts have suggested requiring mail-in ballots for all voters to prevent disease transmission at voting polls on Election Day. But President Donald Trump has not shied away from his insistence for in-person voting over universal mail-in voting, tweeting on Thursday, July 30 that he’d like to delay the 2020 election, a decision on which the president holds no authority. (Earlier this year, Trump had cast his own ballot in the primary election by mail-in ballot.)

“With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election u PAGE A3

Although talks for another lockdown haven’t materialized into a second safer-at-home order, the county once again has been urging people to avoid gathering with people outside their household, noting that the longer individuals interact with others the higher the risk of contracting the virus becomes.

In an effort to double down on widespread mask u PAGE A2

HELPING HAND. A police officer from Manila Police District (MPD) helps the two ambulant vendors in pushing their tricycle full of vegetables after its motor failed to restart due to flooding at the intersection of Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and Pureza Extension in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Friday, July 31. The flooding was due to a busted water pipe of Maynilad Water.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte assured the public that the Philippines would be back to “normal” by December as a potential vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would be publicly available by the end of the year.

In a pre-recorded public address aired over staterun PTV-4 on Friday, July 31, Duterte said the country’s first vaccine for COVID-19 may come from China which promised to give priority to the Philippines once it’s developed.

“Meron akong nakuha from China, magtiis lang kayo ng konti (I found one from China, please wait a little longer). I could not utter a single thing about roadmap to recovery kasi ang una talaga diyan, medicine (because what comes first is medicine),” Duterte said, noting that China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac have reported progress in their inactive vaccines. u PAGE A2

Filipino celebrities, online influencers file 21st petition vs anti-terror law

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

BLOGGERS, social media influencers, and other Internet personalities have joined lawyers, journalists and human rights advocates who are rallying against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which recently became a law.

Under the group called “Concerned Online Citizens,” 19 vloggers (video bloggers), bloggers, advocates, artists, writers and community managers filed the 21st petition against the controversial law asking the Supreme Court to strike down certain provisions of RA 11479 and stop their implementation.

“The Philippines, including our portion of the Internet, must be free,” the group said

on Wednesday, July 29.

“We are reminded that our rights, whether offline or online, should be protected,” they added.

The group’s petition highlighted the new law’s impact on internet freedom, pointing out that Filipinos who are online mostly on social media can become victims of the law’s vague definition of terrorism and acts of terror.

“One can easily be tagged as a terrorist or terrorist sympathizer, or terrorist enabler and anyone may be subjected to surveillance, attack and even to peddled fake and false news against their persons,” Rodel Taton, the lawyer of the petitioners, said in a statement.

u PAGE A2

A new group on Wednesday, July 29 filed the 21st petition against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 at the Supreme Court.

Photo from Twitter/mikenavallo

KAPAMILYA ONLINE LIVE WILL BE LAUNCHED ON YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK Late Filipina artist, activist Pacita Abad honored with a Google Doodle ABS-CBN to go ‘full blast’ on

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

FILIPINA visual artist and activist Pacita Abad was celebrated as a Google Doodle on Friday, July 31.

On July 31, 1984, the late artist became the first woman to receive the Philippines’ prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Men award from the Junior Chamber International in Manila.

The doodle, featured on the search engine website’s homepage on Friday, paid tribute to the famed Ivatan artist, who was known for her colorful, abstract u PAGE A4

digital after failed franchise bid

by NEIL

ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Nearly a month since its application for a fresh 25-year franchise has been shot down at the House of Representatives, ABS-CBN Corp. announced Friday that it will now go “full blast” on digital.

ABS-CBN said it will launch Kapamilya Online Live on Saturday, August 1, for free and without Google on Friday, July 31 honored the late Filipina artist Pacita Abad with a Doodle on its homepage. It marked the same day in 1984 when she became the first woman to receive the any subscription fee. This means Philippines’ prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Men award from the Junior Chamber International it will offer the live streaming of its programs—both old and in Manila.

new—on online platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.

On YouTube, Kapamilya Online Live will stream continuously throughout the day from as early as 7:40 a.m. until 10 p.m. Meanwhile, on Facebook, viewers can watch their favorite shows on regular time slots with scheduled breaks between time blocks, ABS-CBN said in a statement.

Livestreaming of shows on both platforms will be available exclusively in the Philippines, ABS-CBN also said.

“Kapamilya Online Live is the

newest home of ABS-CBN’s wellloved shows that Filipinos miss watching on TV,” ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes said in a statement.

“Our bond with our Kapamilya is unbreakable, and we will continue finding ways to be with them and provide entertainment to Filipinos despite the non-renewal of our broadcast franchise,” she added.

Included in its weekday lineup include programs such as u PAGE A4

A August 1-4, 2020 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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

From the Front Page

LA County’s COVID-19 fatalities...

PAGE A1 t refusal, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz introduced a new motion on Wednesday, July 29 that would authorize the city to impose fines to people who are caught violating Mayor Eric Garcetti’s order to wear masks in public.

Per the motion, a first violation

would come in the form of a $100 fine followed by a $250 fine for a second violation and a $500 fine for subsequent violations, according to the LA Daily News. Koretz’s motion follows another motion set forth by fellow LA City Councilmember Herb Wesson that would mandate mask-wearing while inside businesses.

“I’ve been a strong proponent of residents wearing masks to protect themselves and others from contracting the disease since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic,” Koretz told the Daily News. “I’m glad that the mayor has added the requirement to his Safer LA order, but it is past time to actually enforce mask-wearing if people will not protect themselves, their families and their neighbors, especially the most vulnerable.”

Koretz’s effort to tighten mask enforcement also comes at a time when more and more Angelenos are going back to work, especially essential workers who risk getting infected while on the job.

Southern California cities — Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach Calabasas and Glendale — have begun fining those who have not been wear facial coverings.

This week, LA County opened up four new testing sites, all of which are located in the LA County Board of Supervisors First District, particularly in East LA which has been deemed an epicenter of the virus.

“There’s a total of 13 testing sites in my district alone and I don’t think I have to explain why.

Because we have the highest rates of COVID in the First District, unfortunately,” LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said.

East LA and South Gate, in particular, are home to large communities of Black and Latino people, two communities who are disproportionately affected by COVID19.

“The people who work here, many of them are essential workers. Many of them have no choice but to go to work, provide what they can for their families,” Solis added. “Many don’t even have access to health care.”

LA County’s struggle to contain the virus mirrors the greater statewide struggle.

Despite California’s early success in containing the pandemic, July was the worst month for the state in terms of COVID-19 numbers and deaths: as of July 31, California has had a total of 493,140 positive cases and 9,023 deaths.

In July alone, California reported 2,844 deaths, roughly 800 more than any previous month of the pandemic. n

ROLLING STORE, A man sells motorcycle barriers on his vehicle along Marikina-Infanta Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal on Wednesday, July 28.

Each barrier is sold at P650. The government has extended to July 31 the deadline for the installation of prescribed safety barriers to ensure physical distancing for motorcycle back riding couples and/or live-in partners.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Duterte sees return to ‘normal’ by...

PAGE A1 t

“By December, we would be back to normal. By December, tapos ito lahat. Ito ang guarantee ko, ang unang makakatanggap, ‘yung sa mahirap, ‘yung binibigyan ng assistance ng gobyerno, iyong mga nasa ospi-

tal, tapos middle income. Libre ito (This will all end by December. I guarantee that the poor will be the first ones to receive [the vaccine], to be given government assistance, then those in the hospital, then middle income [earners]. This is free),”

he added.

The Philippines closed the month of July with over 90,000 coronavirus disease (COVID19) cases after the Department of Health (DOH) logged a new all-time high of 4,063 additional cases on Friday. n

Filipino celebrities, online influencers file...

PAGE A1 t The group also asked the SC to declare the following provisions as unconstitutional: • sections 4 to 6 and 9 to 12, which defined terrorism and related offenses; • sections 25 to 27, which allowed the Anti-Terrorism Council to designate, and the Court of Appeals to preliminarily proscribe terrorists or terrorist groups on the basis of suspicion; and, • section 29, which allowed detention without judicial warrant of arrest.

“It cannot be overly emphasized that the new Anti-Terrorism Act is highly questionable for its vague and overbroad definition of ‘terrorism,’ which may lead to the capricious and arbitrary application by law enforcers and may chill the people to silence,” the group said.

The petitioners added that ac-

tions like being tracked down, followed, or investigated or having their messages, conversations, discussions, spoken or written words tapped, listened, intercepted and recorded through various means “are violative of their constitutional rights to privacy, free speech, free expression and their right against unreasonable searches and seizures.”

“The Anti-Terrorism Act presents a clear threat on the free exercise by the citizens-netizens of their fundamental right to speak on issues of national importance, albeit online,” they said.

The group also described the law as “sword hanging over the heads of citizens who are now mostly conducting on the Internet interactions, transactions, commerce and business, media consumption, availment of government services, and public debate on national issues.”

Among the petitioners are online personalities Mark Averilla (Macoy Dubs) and Marita Dinglasan (Aling Marie), spoken word artist and writer Juan Miguel Severo, blogger Jover Laurio (Pinoy Ako Blog), blogger and columnist Tonyo Cruz, blogger and former lawmaker Mong Palatino, mental health champion Dr. Gia Sison, and Ian Porquia (Reklamador Facebook Page).

“This is a fight for and on behalf of 73 million online Filipinos.

If we do not fight and if the court won’t take action, the terror law could easily be used to stifle Internet freedom in the guise of fighting terror,” they said.

“The government has been using the Cybercrime Law before to silence critics, even ordinary citizens. The terror law is the new weapon of a tyrannical government,” they added. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 1-4, 2020

A

Fauci and Birx recommend eye protection in addition to masks to prevent contracting COVID-19 Kids over 9 years old can also transmit virus, Fauci says in separate interview

by Rae

A QUIET EID AL-ADHA. The Al-Abrar Mosque in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City is quiet as Muslim Filipinos observe Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), one of Islam’s most significant festivals, on Friday, July 31. Mass gatherings in places of worship remain limited at 10 percent capacity in compliance with safety and health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

As lawmakers rail against Trump’s proposal...

PAGE A1 t

in history,” the president tweeted less than 100 days before the election. “Delay the election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???”

According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, Congress holds the authority to “determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their vote.

But Trump’s concerns over the expected delay in tallying up votes were mirrored by postal workers and union leaders who expressed concern over newlyimposed procedures that have resulted in delays in mail delivery, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

The current backlog, postal workers fear, will carry on as the election draws closer to the point where they won’t locate every voter’s ballot in time for them to be processed. In early July, the new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump supporter and donor, released a memo that announced new cost-cutting measures that created “temporary service impacts,” the USPS said in a statement.

According to the memo, the new measures included terminating overtime, including trips made outside work hours or extra trips, which the memo says would save the financially struggling postal service $200 million.

“To be clear, however, and despite any assertions to the contrary, we are not slowing down election Mail or any other mail.

Instead, we continue to employ a robust and proven process to ensure proper handling of all election Mail consistent with our standards,” USPS spokesperson David Partenheimer told CNN on Thursday.

Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, has maintained that the USPS is in dire need of emergency funding from the government, especially as the pandemic continues to worsen across the country and letter carriers continue to work despite the increased risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

“If the funding doesn’t come through, everything we do, including vote by mail will be much harder,” Dimondstein told CNN earlier this month.

Currently, many areas of the U.S. are experiencing a two-day delay or worse in mail delivery, even expedited deliveries. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) detailed new procedures in early July In June, the State of New York allowed voters to vote by mail for the Democratic primary election, but there have been long delays in tallying up the ballots; as of press time, the results are still unknown.

Trump’s initial announcement came as a shock to lawmakers, especially top Republicans on Capitol Hill who found themselves scrambling for a response.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.), with whom the president has in the past both sparred and concurred, insisted the election will be held as planned on Tuesday, November 3, but did not specify whether he favors in-person voting or mail-in voting.

“Never in the history of the country, through wars, depressions and the Civil War, have we ever not had a federally-scheduled election on time. We’ll find a way to do that again this November 3,” McConnell told WKNY. Other top GOP members like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) mirrored the president’s sentiments with Rubio expressing regrets on Twitter over the president’s announcement,

saying, “I wish he hadn’t said that but it’s not going to change: We are going to have an election in November and people should have confidence in it.”

Notably, Fox News, which has staunchly and openly supported the president, denounced his proposal to delay the election.

Chris Stirewalk, politics editor at Fox News said on a Thursday broadcast that Trump’s proposal “is a fragrant and flagrant expression of his current weakness.

A person who is in a strong position would never, never suggest anything like that. So Trump may be making a tactical error here by further telegraphing his weak position in the polls and his weak position for re-election.”

But on Friday, July 31, Trump doubled down on his position, insisting the likelihood of voter fraud would increase if vote-bymail replaced in-person voting.

“It’ll be fixed, it will be rigged.

People ought to be smart,” Trump said at a roundtable discussion, repeating the unsubstantiated claim that universal mail-in voting would increase voter fraud.

The president provided no empirical evidence or any form of proof on his statement, saying that the 2020 election “is going to be the greatest election disaster in history.”

Trump also referenced the

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) Metro will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. C68946-1: Link Union Station Project Phase A CM/GC per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor) on August 10, 2020.

The Contract is to procure a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) to support the design and for the construction of the Link Union Station (Link US) Project Phase A. The Link US project will transform how regional rail operates in Southern California by converting Union Station from a ‘stubend’ to a run through station that will increase operational capacity to meet the future growth of the regional rail system while accommodate a new future California High Speed Rail service.

Work under this contract will include construction management support services during the final design and construction of all elements of the Link US Project Phase A that includes utility relocation, street improvements, Platform #4 and viaduct bridge structure over the US 101 Freeway that connects to the main line tracks along the Los Angeles River south of Los Angeles Union Station. The estimated contract value is $400,000,000$600,000,000.00.

Metro will hold a virtual industry forum to present an overview of the Link Union Station (Link US) Project and discuss the Construction Manager/General Contractor integrated delivery approach for the project on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 9AM PST. For more information about the project or how to register for the industry forum, visit our project website at the link below: https://www.metro.net/projects/link-us/ For further information, please email, Fred Origel, Director, Vendor/Contract Management at origelF@metro.net 8/1/20 CNS-3384650# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

current backlog in the USPS, adding, “they think they’re going to send hundreds of millions of ballots all over the United States and it’s gonna come out. You won’t know the election results for weeks, months, maybe years after. Maybe you’ll never know the election result, and that’s what I’m concerned with.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

ann VaRona AJPress

PeOPLe are recommended to wear eye protection in addition to masks to better prevent contracting COVID-19, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts this week.

“If you have goggles or an eye shield, you should use it,” Fauci said in an Instagram Live interview with ABC News on Wednesday, July 29.

“It’s not universally recommended, but if you really want to be complete, you should probably use it if you can,” added Fauci. “It’s just that easy for people to just make a cloth mask.”

When asked whether eye protection could be recommended for the general public in the future, Fauci said: “It might, if you really want perfect protection of the mucosal surfaces.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended face shields and goggles for healthcare workers due to the fact that they are more likely to encounter asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients with COVID-19 by working in areas with “moderate to substantial community trans-

mission.”

While only face masks that cover the nose and mouth are currently recommended for the general public, health experts have long said that it was possible to contract the virus through vulnerable mucous membranes on the face — hence, the early recommendations to regularly wash hands and avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose.

The CDC has said that while the nose and mouth are the main pathways of contracting the coronavirus, “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.”

“You have mucosa in the nose, mucosa in the mouth, but you also have mucosa in the eye,” said Fauci. “Theoretically, you should protect all the mucosal surfaces.”

White House coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, also recommended people wear eye protection in addition to masks while speaking on “Fox & Friends” early Thursday, July 30.

“The mask protects others, to block those droplets and block that contamination that happens when you speak or sing or talk, or even breathe,” said Birx.

“We think that that could

protect the individuals and that it would decrease the ability for them to touch their eyes and spread the virus as well as those droplets coming towards them,” she Birx.

Kids over 9 years old can also transmit virus, Fauci says Also on Wednesday, Fauci said that while it was important that kids are able to return to school when possible, it was important to consider the fact that children over 9 years old can transmit the coronavirus like adults.

“It’s been shown that children from 10 to 19 can transmit the virus to adults as well as adults can,” said Fauci during an interview on MSNBC. As schools across the U.S. prepare to either open campuses or transition to remote learning, experts — such as from the Infectious Disease Society of America — have expressed concern over the possibility of asymptomatic children bringing the virus into their homes.

A recently published study in South Korea showed that the household transmission of COVID-19 was high for children and teens ages 10 to 19 years old.

“The issue that we’re facing is that we’re in a big country, and it has significant differences where you are as to the level of virus,” added Fauci. n

A August 1-4, 2020 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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Late Filipina artist, activist Pacita Abad honored... Bureau of Treasury invites Fil-Ams to invest in PH

PAGE A1 t art.

Born in 1946 in Basco, Batanes, a small island in the northernmost part of the Philippines, Abad spent over three decades as an artist, creating over 4,500 pieces.

Abad earned a political science degree at the University of the Philippines. In 1970, she moved to San Francisco, California because of her political activism during the Marcos years and to study law, but switched gears to pursue a career in art. While in the city, she worked at the Dooley Foundation and then enrolled at the University of San Francisco for a graduate degree in Asian History.

While writing her dissertation on “Emilio Aguinaldo and the American Colonization of the Philippines in 1898,” she was also working part-time as an art

exhibitions coordinator, according to her website.

She traveled across Asia with Jack Garrity, whom she married, and returned to the U.S. to study painting at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. and The Art Students League in New York City before embarking on a mission to “paint the globe.”

Known for her use of vibrant colors and mixed media, she painted as she traveled to over 50 countries — from Yemen to Papua New Guinea — and raised awareness of global issues, such as Filipino workers’ strikes (“Global steel factory strike,” 1984) and poverty in Cambodia.

“I have always been hard to classify, and my work is an extension of me. People are always trying to put things in neat little boxes. My work doesn’t fit into any of those. I believe that as long as my work is original and

has a strong artistic quality, that it will be appreciated,” Abad once said.

Abad leaned toward abstract art and pioneered a painting technique called trapunto (Italian for quilting), according to the Google dedication. The technique involved stitching and stuffing canvases to give them a three-dimensional effect and transformed the painting surfaces with materials found from the areas she traveled, such as traditional cloths, shells, beads and more.

In her 30 years as an artist, she went on to have 60 solo exhibitions and her paintings were exhibited in more than 200 museums and galleries around the world.

“Although I have tried to raise awareness of these issues through my paintings, I know that it is but a small effort to help address these problems and so much more needs to be done. As women, we all have an obligation to help improve the lives of other women, both in our own countries and around the globe,” she said, according to her artist statement on the Brooklyn Museum website.

Abad and Garrity spent the 1990s traveling back and forth between the Philippines and the U.S., before they lived in Indonesia for seven years. The couple moved to Singapore in 2000 and lived there until 2004.

Abad was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001, but continued to paint, creating 1,000 pieces. She also painted the 55-meter long Alkaff Bridge in Singapore with 2,350 circles in 2003.

She died at the age of 58 in December 2004 and was laid to rest at the Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge in Basco, Batanes.

Her husband is currently the diIn a 2004 photo by Michael Liew, Abad stood at the Singapore Art Bridge, which she painted rector of the Pacita Abad Art Esin 2003, despite her battle with lung cancer. She passed away in December 2004. tate. n

ABS-CBN to go ‘full blast’ on digital after...

PAGE A1 t

“Magandang Buhay,” “Magpahanggang Wakas,” and “MMK” in the morning. It will continue with “It’s Showtime,” “Love Thy Woman,” and “The General’s Daughter” in the afternoon.

On primetime, Kapamilya Online Live will initially stream in its first three weeks “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” episodes that were previously aired on Kapamilya Channel on cable and satellite TV before new episodes come out in the fourth week.

Further, ABS-CBN said viewers will also be able to watch “100 Days to Heaven,” “Forevermore,” “Los Bastardos,” and “A Soldier’s Heart” for the rest of the evening until late night.

Kapamilya Online Live’s Saturday and Sunday line-up include the following: Saturday • Halik • It’s Showtime • Wansapanataym Presents • I Feel U • Paano Kita Mapasasal-

amatan • It’s Showtime sa Primetime Sunday • Pangako Sa ‘Yo • ASAP Natin ‘To • Ipaglaban Mo • Iba ‘Yan • Be Careful With My Heart As for the viewing of “TV Patrol” and “The World Tonight,” ABS-CBN said watchers will be redirected from Kapamilya Online Live to ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel and Facebook page. n

by Joseph

peralta AJPress

THE Philippines’ Bureau of The Treasury issued an invitation to overseas Filipinos to invest in Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB) in a Zoom presentation last Thursday, July 23.

The presentation was a joint effort by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), and included remarks by Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and a message from Treasurer of the Philippines Rosalie V. De Leon.

Designated as RTB24 Ahon Pilipinas (Progreso Bonds Para Sa Bayan), money generated from the 24th offering of retail treasury bonds to the public will help the Philippine government support its economy as well as its growth and rehabilitation efforts. Aside from being cost-efficient, RTBs help the Philippines become less reliant on foreign exchange which reduces the country’s vulnerability to global economic shocks.

According to the presentation, “every peso invested in RTBs is directed towards the country’s emergency, recovery and resiliency funds, financing the fight against the effects of the COVID-

19 pandemic.”

Since the government started offering RTBs, it has generated Php2.6 trillion.

The retail treasury bonds, which are financially secured by the Philippine government, has an issuance date of August 12, 2020 and runs for a period of five years, ending on August 12, 2025. It has a coupon (interest) rate of 2.625% per annum (subject to 20% final withholding tax), and quarterly interest payments are automatically credited to investors’ Philippine bank accounts. RTB24 will be available until August 7, 2020, after which they may be found in secondary markets.

The minimum investment is Php5,000, while the maximum amount for any single transaction is Php500,000. Individuals, corporations, cooperatives, retirement funds and provident funds are welcome to invest in retail treasury bonds, according to the BTr presentation.

As an example, the Treasury showed that a Php100,000 investment will have a yield of Php525 per quarter, or Php2,100 per year.

To participate in the RTB24 offering, investors must have a Philippine bank account, which will be the main designated instrument where interest payments

are made and where the principal amount is returned after the fiveyear period.

For overseas Filipinos who have Philippine bank accounts, they may invest by going online via www.treasury.gov.ph (click on the RBT24 Ahon Pilipinas section in the website) or by downloading the Bonds.ph app on their mobile phones. A step-by-step process on both the Bureau of The Treasury website and mobile app will guide investors on how to invest their money in the RTB24 offering.

Treasury and bank officials on the Zoom call advised overseas Filipinos who do not have Philippine bank accounts and who wish to invest in the retail treasury bonds offering to call local branches of Philippine banks in their respective areas to inquire about opening an account or getting assistance on investing in in RTB24 Ahon Pilipinas (Progreso Bonds Para Sa Bayan).

Banks acting as issue managers of RTB24 in the Philippines include Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, BPI Capital Corporation, Chinabank Capital, First Metro Investment Corporation (Metrobank Group), PNB Capital, RCBC Capital Corporation, SB Capital (A Subsidiary of Security Bank) and Union Bank. n

US senators ask Pompeo: What is Washington’s response to ‘gross’ human rights abuses in PH FIVE U.S. senators expressed concern on human rights abuses and assaults on press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, calling on Washington to stand up against these “brutal tactics.”

In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Democratic senators also sought to know how the government of President Donald Trump will counter these “serious, ongoing abuses.”

“The Philippines is an important ally of the United States. But alliance considerations cannot be grounds for silence or unquestioned assistance to the Philippines in light of the pattern of gross violations of human rights by the Duterte government, particularly in its counter-narcotics operations,” U.S. Sens. Edward Markey, Patrick Leahy, Richard Durbin, Benjamin Cardin and Jeffrey Merkley said in a letter dated July 29.

The lawmakers raised concern on Duterte’s brutal war on drugs that has killed thousands of alleged drug personalities as well as the crackdown on government critics, human rights defenders

and journalists.

They also cited the cyber-libel conviction of Rappler executive editor Maria Ressa—also a US citizen—and former researcher Reynaldo Santos, Jr., and the shutdown of top broadcaster ABS-CBN. “How does the State department plan to respond to the Philippine government’s systematic human rights violations, including restrictions on free expression?” the senators asked Pompeo.

They lamented Trump administration’s failure to impose sanctions on Philippine officials implicated in extrajudicial killings or the detention of Sen. Leila de Lima and the move to reinstate the Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s visa.

“We value the partnership between the United States and the Philippines, but we must stand up against the brutal tactics of the Duterte government, particularly when they are used against American citizens,” they added.

Anti-terror law The U.S. senators also feared that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will enable further human rights abuses and make it easier for the government to criminalize

dissent.

“We urge you to make clear that the United States will ignore neither the exploitation of this law nor ongoing human rights violations by the Duterte government.

The arms sales that you continue to approve, including the sales of attack helicopters and related equipment approved on April 30, 2020, risk sending the opposite signal,” they said.

Human Rights Watch earlier said that approving contracts for helicopters sends a message that the Philippines’ “long-running military abuses without accountability” have no consequences on the U.S.-Philippines relations.

“Given the impunity with which the Duterte government has operated and its record of targeting critics and opposition figures, expanded counterterrorism powers such as those in the Anti-Terrorism Act would pose a human rights threat even if on their face they comport with global standards,” the U.S. lawmakers said.

The controversial legislation is facing at least 21 legal challenges at the Supreme Court. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

Fil-Am professors voice concerns over new Cal State...

PAGE A1 t the change. “It will empower our students to meet this moment in our nation’s history, given them the knowledge, broad perspective and skills needed to solve society’s most pressing problems.

And it will further strengthen the value of a CSU degree.”

The course requirement will go into effect during the 2023-24 school year.

The CSU system, in its history, has taken pride in the fact that it became the first university in the U.S. to establish a College of Ethnic Studies when San Francisco State University created it in 1969. The new requirement marks the first major change to the university system’s GE requirements in 40 years.

The change, however, has been met with criticism, with some professors and activists saying the amendment’s progressiveness missed the mark on addressing the importance of ethnic studies by failing to tightly define what the courses should entail.

One critique has focused on the fact that students would be able to fulfill the three-unit, lower division requirement without even taking an ethnic studies course.

“For many of us, the CSU Ethnic Studies and Social Justice requirement is disingenuous to its name,” Tracy Lachica Buenavista, a Fil-Am professor at California State University Northridge’s (CSUN) Department of Asian American Studies who has been involved in advocating for an ethnic studies requirement, told the Asian Journal.

CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White said on Wednesday that this was because ethnic studies “has matured” and become “more than what it used to be.”

However, the California Faculty Association (CFA), one of the requirements opponents, said that it was “disappointed” in the Board of Trustees’ decision to move forward with a “diluted Ethnic Studies and Social Justice course requirement.”

Another large concern has been over the Board of Trustees’ supposed failure to consult with ethnic studies advocates like the CSU Council of Ethnic Studies,

which also opposed the amendment.

For many opponents, the process of creating the requirement was a low blow to ethnic studies educators and academics who had worked hard to develop courses and curriculum.

“I think the execution of how they proceed was not ideal,” Melanie Liwag-Sabado, a Fil-Am public health professor at Cal State LA’s Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services, told the Asian Journal.

As a faculty member who also does curriculum for the college, she said she too would have felt offended if the system decided to require a public health course but did not consult with anyone from the public health department.

“They could have gotten all of that information if they spoke to the ethnic studies colleges or departments of these universities to get a feel as to what they suggest,” added Liwag-Sabado, saying that it was unfortunate that the new requirement did not include any preliminary context as to what its goals or criteria would be.

Many have pointed out that because many of ethnic studies faculty are people of color, the exclusion of their voices and input was as the CFA put it, “a real example of how systemic racism works in the CSU.” Buenavista said it was worth noting that the Board of Trustees members who voted against the new requirement were trustees of color and the one student trustee.

“So one should question an Ethnic Studies and Social Justice requirement that is largely favored by white decision makers but largely opposed by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) constituents,” said Buenavista.

An alternative to the new requirement favored by the new requirements opponents has been AB 1460, which was sponsored

by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), and set out a more narrow requirement by having students take a three-unit ethnic studies course focused on four historically defined racialized groups: Native Americans,

African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latino Americans.

Those against AB 1460 say that the Board of Trustees’ requirement allows for more voices of other marginalized and oppressed groups — like the Jewish, Muslim, or the LGBTQ communities — to be heard.

As a response to the criticism, Buenavista said that women and gender nonconforming and queer people of color have made their home in ethnic studies due to racism in other fields.

She added, “For the CSU Chancellor’s Office and Board of Trustees to imply that Ethnic Studies is exclusionary because we might not focus on white ethnic minorities or people minoritized in ways other than race is just another way of promoting color, evasiveness, and denying the reality that racism is alive and well in our society.”

“I think in this moment of Black Lives Matter, Filipinos, Asian Americans, and other people of color have to put our money where our mouths are and support AB 1460. The future of a more racially just an inclusive California is dependent on the passage of AB 1460,” said Buenavista.

The bill passed in both the Assembly and Senate, and was expected to arrive on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk this week.

There was no update as to whether Newsom signed it as of press time.

If the new requirements do not get superseded by AB 1460, Liwag-Sabado said she hopes they get clearer on how the requirement would be implemented.

As a professor of public health, she sees how important such courses can be for students whose majors are not as interdisciplinary as others.

“At a public health perspective, we try to educate our students to think about it from a life course perspective as well,” said Liwag-Sabado. “It brings value, but I think that whoever’s teaching the course needs to show, explain, and drive the importance of how this impacts the person.” (Rae Ann Varona/ AJPress)

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D ateline PhiliPPines Robredo lists recommendations Report: PH deadliest country in Asia for eco-warriors to improve PH COVID-19 response

by Ritchel

Mendiola

AJPress

PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, July 29, presented her list of suggestions on how the country may combat and contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

According to Robredo, waiting for a vaccine will not stop the spread of COVID-19.

“The pandemic won’t be stopped by just waiting for a vaccine. We need to stop its spread as soon as possible,”she said in a video posted on her Facebook page.

The statement came after President Rodrigo Duterte admitted in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27 that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to prioritize the Philippines when providing the potential vaccine against COVID-19.

Robredo stressed that the Philippines may also contain the virus like Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand did.

“We can also do that. We have enough capacity, resources and knowledge,” Robredo said in Filipino.

Data gathering The Vice President said that gathering data is crucial in fighting COVID-19.

“Everything begins with data, which is the foundation of a right decision. From here, we can then determine who and what are the places that we need to focus on for mass testing, contact tracing, and support for communities and hospitals,” Robredo said in Filipino.

“If we respond well in the aspect of health care, then we can control community transmission, the reopening of the economy will be faster, safer, and more strategic, and job losses can be avoided,” she added.

Robredo also urged the government to clean up and fasttrack the data-gathering methods on COVID-19.

She also cited the slow data validation process by the Department of Health (DOH), urging the agency to tap into several ac-

Vice President Leni Robredo

ademic institutions that can help in the validation process.

In terms of the backlogs in releasing COVID-19 test results, the Vice President said determining which laboratories are recording these backlogs is needed so the government can move to augment their resources.

Locally-stranded Individuals Robredo suggested for the government to provide free COVID-19 swab tests for locallystranded individuals (LSIs) before they return to their home provinces, as well as temporary shelters that observe social distancing rules.

This was after 25 of the thousands of LSIs stranded in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila were tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.

‘Whole-of-nation’ approach Robredo believes in the government’s “whole of nation” approach in battling COVID-19, but she noted that the right people should be appointed to lead this fight.

“May we go beyond just giving new positions and titles to officials. The true whole-of-nation approach is about good management and a clear direction,”she said in Filipino.

“What direction should we take and who should lead the way? Public health professionals who truly understand the problem,” Robredo added.

The Vice President also stressed that hospitals should be the top priority in terms of fund-

Inquirer.net photo

ing.

“Ensure there is an equitable and systematic way of allocating resources to hospitals so they can keep up with the demands of the pandemic,” she said.

Not forgetting the country’s healthcare front-liners, Robredo pushed for free counseling services for them to protect their mental health.

“Implement a system to help protect front-liners from burnout, like setting up a process for relievers. We also agree that their salaries need to be increased in a time like this,”she said.

PH economy According to Robredo, the government should work closely with the private sector, suggesting tax incentives for private companies that will provide aid during the pandemic.

“Use the force of the whole economic cluster, including the academe and others from the private sector, not only to craft risk assessment study, but also to ensure that the decision is based on the study,” she said.

She also said that the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) must be more systematic.

“As of now, there are different registries for basic sectors, for records of the poor, for social protection and social welfare services,” Robredo said.

“Collate these, validate and compare with the records on COVID-19 to determine who should be prioritized in SAP,” she added. n

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE Philippines was the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders in 2019, according to conflict and corruption watchdog Global Witness.

In its report released on Wednesday, July 29, the UKbased group documented 212 murders of defenders — with over half of the killings occurring in Colombia and the Philippines.

“On average, four defenders have been killed every week since December 2015 — the month the Paris Climate agreement was signed, when the world supposedly came together amid hopes of a new era of climate progress,” Global Witness noted in its report.

“Countless more are silenced by violent attacks, arrests, death threats, sexual violence or lawsuits,” it added.

The Global Witness cited that the Philippines saw a rise from the 30 killings in 2018 to the 43 last year.

“The Philippines has become even deadlier for activists since 2018, having been consistently named as one of the worst places in Asia for attacks against defenders,” it further said.

“But things got even worse in 2019 with the number of murders rising to 43. The relentless vilification of defenders by the government and widespread impunity for their attackers may well be driving the increase,” it added.

The report also found that majority of the killings in the country took place in Negros Island and Mindanao.

It also cited the case of Manobo leader Datu Kaylo Bontulan, who was reportedly killed in a military airstrike in April last year after returning to his mountain home to help document violence against fellow tribe members.

“Like Datu Kaylo, many of those killed were indigenous people asserting their right to self-determination and their ancestral lands,” the report said.

Global Witness likewise stressed that 119 defenders have been killed during President Rodrigo Duterte’s first

three years in office.

“In the Philippines, individual activists and environmental organisations have been accused of being rebels or communist sympathisers — a practice commonly known as ‘red-tagging,’” it said.

“Inflammatory calls by Duterte’s government to kill ac-

tivists deemed to be ‘obstructing justice,’ as well as his direct threats to bomb indigenous schools puts defenders at much greater risk of attacks,” it added.

Global Witness highlighted the newly-signed anti-terrorism law as a legislation that fo-

u PAGE A7

A6 AUGUST 1-4, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPiniOn

Deadliest in Asia

FeatURes

HERE’S another dubious distinction no country wants: the Philippines is now the deadliest country in Asia, and the second in the world, for environmental defenders.

This is according to UK-based international watchdog Global Witness, which reported that worldwide, 212 land and environmental activists were murdered in 2019, with 43 of them slain in the Philippines.

The 43 is a jump from the 30 killings reported in the country in 2018, Global Witness noted.

Only Colombia topped the Philippines, with 64 murders. The mining sector recorded the highest number of deaths, with 50 activists killed around the world in connection with their advocacies against the destructive impact of mineral extraction on the environment, people’s land and livelihoods. Of the 50, the Philippines accounted for the highest number of deaths, with 16 fatalities. Among them was Manobo tribal leader Datu Kaylo Bontolan of Talaingod town in Davao del Norte.

Concerns have been raised over increased vio-

lence as the government reverses the mining moratorium imposed by the late Gina Lopez when she was environment secretary. President Duterte had said he shared her concerns on the destructive impact of mining on the environment, but today the government reportedly needs mining revenues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Industry players themselves should help see to it that no violence will mar the resumption of their operations.

Apart from destructive mining, the environmental warriors have battled agribusiness, oil and gas operations and other activities that aggravate climate change. Their concerns are best addressed through careful studies on balancing the needs of sustainable development and environmental protection. And they are best protected through the arrest and punishment of those responsible for harassment and murder. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump forces states to reopen economy amid pandemic as Senate Republicans want to disempower workers against employers who fail to protect them from COVID-19

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS COVID-19 does not discriminate against who to infect. It may hit you regardless of your gender, age, financial status, educational attainment, political affiliation, and religious beliefs.

However, some groups of people may be more susceptible and vulnerable to being exposed to the virus because of their present health condition and their life, home and employment situation that may prevent them from staying at home, social distancing, wearing protective masks, and seeking medical care when they get infected to help save their lives.

Such is the predicament of so many hardworking Americans who are made to work even while the pandemic has been infecting and killing so many people since December and up to now, are being forced to go back to work despite the continued threat of COVID-19.

Lucky are those with deep reserve to tap into to support the basic needs of their families, but what about the ordinary hardworking Americans who have been living paycheck-to-paycheck, taking multiple jobs that do not pay a decent living wage while the millionaires and billionaires and many in government never worried about how to feed their family or never worry about hospital bills when they have a life-threatening illness?

For many Americans these days, they feel like they are made to choose between their own survival or they lose the safety net

they contributed to from their own paychecks for times like this.

President Donald Trump pushes states to re-open their economy and compel workers to go back to work, otherwise, they could lose their unemployment insurance benefits.

ENOUGH! Enough of using them as pawns to further Trump’s political interest and the business owners’ greed for money without regard to the life, safety and wellbeing of their people.

“Employers across the country are being sued by the families of workers who contend their loved ones contracted lethal cases of COVID-19 on the job, a new legal front that shows the risks of reopening workplaces,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

Employers like Walmart Inc., Safeway Inc., Tyson Foods Inc. and some health-care facilities now face a lawsuit for gross negligence or wrongful death since the coronavirus pandemic began unfolding in March.

The bereaved families of these employees who succumbed to Covid-19 contend the employers “failed to protect workers from the deadly virus and should compensate their family members as a result. Workers who survived the virus also are suing to have medical bills, future earnings and other damages paid out.”

Employers sued counter-argued that “they took steps to combat the virus, including screening workers for signs of illness, requiring they wear masks, sanitizing workspaces and limiting the number of customers inside stores. Some point out that it is impossible to know where or

how their workers contracted COVID-19, particularly as it spreads more widely across the country.”

But we know this has not always been the case, and even in many health care facilities, the poor frontlines were not supplied with protective masks, social distancing was not enforced, and many employees were forced to go to work even when they were already not feeling well. They wouldn’t know if they were infected because testing was not available so they could not know they were infected or if they could infect others even when they were not feeling any symptoms.

This is so very true even today, with no less than the President of the United States not giving a damn to ordinary workers just to give the delusional impression that it is business is booming as usual in America, that the unemployment rate is low, that the GDP and the stock market is strong to bolster his re-election bid at the expense of the American people’s lives.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the lawsuits filed by employees against employers are “part of an unfolding liability threat facing U.S. companies of all industries as many resume operations after having employees work remotely or being shut down altogether for months.”

“The coronavirus relief bill that Senate Republicans unveiled this week would make it harder for workers to sue their employer if they get sick on the job. The proposed legislation protects companies, schools and churches from being held liable for coronavirus infections beginning in Decem-

The fog of pandemic

From A Distance VERONICA PEDROSA KEEP your heads down, people.

Things are going to get worse before they get better, not just in the Philippines but everywhere. The future is totally unpredictable in a way that seems to stretch ahead like the black mushroom cloud of an atom bomb. The closer you try to approach and examine the uncertainty ahead to search for clues the easier it is to get swallowed up in the radioactive gloom.

I write this as I begin a new round of 14 days of quarantine or self-isolation as it’s called here in the United Kingdom. My COVID-19 defying flight west from Manila was much sooner than I’d originally planned, as family demands shifted. This was a very different experience from travelling to Manila. It went absolutely according to expectations. On the way to the Philippines, Philippine Airlines diverted my flight to Cebu

where I had to stay for two nights before my flight to Manila was scheduled. I have travelled a lot and this was definitely the weirdest and most upsetting air travel experience I’d ever had. The flight itself was full with Filipinos hustling to get home and trying to figure things out. No one actually wanted to go to Cebu, but we had no choice. Even though we’d paid for direct flights to Manila from London, what we got was a flight that had another leg added to it but also added another 36 hours to a flight that was supposed to be just 12 hours long!

Plus we had to pay for the hotels we were staying at. Suffice to say, if this is the future of travel and tourism to the Philippines, that sector is under threat of extinction.

Remittances from migrant workers are another crucial element to the Philippine economy that is being paralysed by terrible management and communications. A British friend from Kuala Lumpur is messaging me as I write about how an immigration

officer is preventing her longtime helper Jennevee from leaving the Philippines on the first flight out to Malaysia since lockdown. Even though she’s checked in and paid her departure tax as a tourist because, supposedly she can’t leave as a tourist “because she’s an overseas contract worker.”

My friend has been trying to help her helper navigate through the labyrinth of requirements being imposed on her helper because of COVID-19 for months. This seemed to be the way to get her back soonest and follow the rules.

But again poor management and communications have completely changed the rules at the last minute and one of the workers that the Philippine government and mainstream narrative hails as heroes is made powerless, stuck at the airport just two hours away from the departure of her flight and her employer’s money completely wasted. Again, if this is a sign of how things are going to work in the migrant workers sector, it is under existential threat.

To be clear, Jennevee is one of

ber 2019, unless they acted with willful misconduct or engaged in grossly negligent behavior,” the report stated.

What the Republicans are pushing is to protect negligent employers, “to cap punitive damages, set a clear-and-convincingevidence burden of proof and raise requirements for personal injury lawsuits. It would also push such lawsuits to federal courts, which potentially are more favorable to defendants.”

Labor unions and consumer advocates point out the Senate bill being pushed by the Republicans “would deny redress to injured workers and their families.

The report chronicles how disadvantaged workers have been in fighting for their rights against their employers.

“Employers rarely are found liable for employee deaths tied to the workplace. That’s because the legal bar for proving fault is high, and because states often restrict such complaints to their workers’ compensation systems, which typically limit payouts to a portion of a worker’s salary, coverage of their medical bills and disability compensation,” it said.

This issue is among the reasons why there is an impasse in negotiations between Democrats and Republicans on the coronavirus relief bill. The Republicans’ proposal faces resistance in the Democratic-controlled House.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants lawmakers to instead bolster protections for workers by strengthening Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules, the Wall Street Journal further

reported.

Let us remember that it was in March that Congress passed the last major economic package and the Democratic-led Housepassed measure that included an extension in May. But according to the Los Angeles Times’ reporting, “serious attempts to negotiate a new deal did not begin until Senate Republicans put forward a counterproposal this week.”

The Republicans want to blame the Democrats for the impasse, but according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “she’s skeptical Republicans are ready to start negotiating a broad package, saying they don’t yet grasp how much will be needed to address the economic problems facing the country.”

The LA Times reported that the $600 federal unemployment subsidy and the national eviction moratorium on some properties expired Friday, after Democrats and Republicans failed to reach an agreement on an economic aid package meant to deal with the growing surge of COVID-19.

The Republicans argue that the subsidy is just making people rely on handouts from government, making them not want to go back to work. This is a slap to the integrity and the hardships encountered by the American people who have suffered enough in this unjust and inequitable society.

The U.S. economy “contracted by a third between April and June, the swiftest contraction in history, and more than 30 million Americans lost their jobs,” the LA Times reported.

The truth is, the unemployment insurance benefits (that

they contributed to through their paychecks) and the subsidy that are receiving their lifelines during these very hard times to pay for groceries, rent and medical needs.

The truth is, the American workers would want to go back to work but there are no jobs and the pandemic continues to threaten their safety. The truth is, the money they are spending is also intended to stimulate the economy during the recession.

As the LA Times further reported, Pelosi cited “McConnell’s proposal didn’t include money for SNAP benefits despite long lines at food banks, or money to help states and the U.S. Postal Service conduct voting by mail ahead of the Nov. 3 election.” This is yet again another attempt to disenfranchise voters who choose to vote by mail to protect themselves from the virus.

“The person you’re negotiating with has to want something,” Pelosi said. “You have to think they might want something for the American people.

Who are the Republicans working for? Are they championing the cause of ordinary hardworking Americans, especially those who are the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic?

millions of overseas workers that send remittances worth nearly 10 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product back home.

It’s a measure that also reflects the extraordinarily uplifting effect sending money home has on individual lives, families and communities in the Philippines.

We all know what a dramatic effect a worker who sends let’s say $2,000 home a month can have.

It allows children to go to school and university, provides healthcare, pays for regular meals, supports businesses and opens other opportunities that people simply would not have otherwise. Remittances are literally a lifeline for millions of poor Filipinos across the country. Now imagine that they are robbed of this lifeline because authorities and corporations (the powerful) stop allowing workers to go abroad without providing for alternatives. This, to my mind, is the stuff that creates the toxic fog of gloom swallowing up our lives and futures.

This is the enormous challenge that faces policy makers across the Philippines and beyond (ours is not the only econo-

my dependent on migrant workers, tourism and travel). It is far from easy for them, but it is also unthinkable that it be allowed to continue and threaten the quality of life and dignity of many millions of people.

Before entering the UK, I was simply required to fill in an online contact locator form so that I could be reached in case anyone else on the flight reported positive for COVID-19. In any case, I am to self-isolate to protect anyone I myself might come in contact with whether or not I test positive. At immigration, the officer checked that I had filled it in and that was it. The flight itself was as empty as the one that took me to the Philippines had been full. Social distancing was mercifully easy to accomplish, though annoyingly I had paid extra for a “socially distanced seat” that guaranteed I wouldn’t have anyone seated right next to me.

The plane was new and spotless to the naked eye, with attendants cleaning the toilets much more regularly than normal. Everyone, without exception, wore masks and face shields.

Here in the UK, management

and communication of pandemic policy isn’t without its faults either. The government re-tightened restrictions on some areas in the North of England but only announced them on social media a few hours before they were imposed. The Health Secretary was summarily grilled on national radio on Thursday morning.

As I listened, the difference in tone from such interviews in the Philippines in here was more marked than ever. The BBC presenter was respectful but not at all deferential, giving the overall impression that high-level government official or not, Matthew Hancock was not going to get a free ride. Even before the live interview began, listeners heard from people directly affected, including the Mayor of Manchester (the UK’s third most populous city). Generally they accepted the policies are needed, though some were irritated at the confusion.

The value of journalism to bring power to account and give voice to the voiceless was revealed in a few minutes of clarity in the fog of the pandemic. (Philstar.com)

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

The 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

PREPS FOR REOPENING. A client at an Internet café along Judge Jimenez Street in Kamuning, Quezon City transacts printing business behind a plastic barrier on Thursday, July 30. Internet cafés, gyms, and review and tutorial centers in areas under general community quarantine have made preparations in compliance with health protocols, such as installing plastic barriers, after they have been allowed to reopen on a limited capacity on Saturday, August 1.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

New survey: Filipinos divided on returning to work if lockdown measures were to end

by Bella

Perez-ruBio Philstar.com

MANILA — As the government relentlessly pushes for the reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a national survey released on Friday, July 31 found that only a little over half of working Filipinos would be comfortable returning to work even if lockdown measures were to be lifted.

The Social Weather Stations conducted the national mobile phone survey from July 3 to 6, interviewing 1,555 Filipinos who were 18 years old and above.

Even less than those comfortable returning to work, only 45% of Filipino adults said they would feel comfortable attending religious gatherings even if

community quarantine were to end in August.

SWS found that comfort about going to work and attending religious services is highest in Mindanao, at 64% and 56% respectively.

55% of respondents from Balance Luzon, 50% from Visayas and 45% from Metro Manila, the epicenter of the country’s novel coronavirus outbreak, said they were either very or fairly comfortable about returning to work.

For religious services, trailing after Mindanao in terms of comfort levels were Visayas at 47%, Balance Luzon at 40%, and Metro Manila at 39%.

The survey also found that Muslims were the most comfortable about attending religious services at 71%, followed by

Iglesia ni Cristos at 47%, other non-Christian religions at 42% and Roman Catholics at 41%.

The Philippines is currently under the longest community quarantine period in the world, with Friday marking its 135th day.

Despite this lockdown, infections continue to surge, with Thursday marking an all-time high in daily COVID-19 cases with 3,954 reported by the Department of Health.

This grim milestone brought the country’s total caseload up to 89,374 and its death toll to 1,983 with 23 more fatalities recorded on Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in an address aired Friday, extended general community quarantine in Metro Manila until August 15. n

Report: PH deadliest country in Asia for...

PAGE A5 t cuses on public order and national security at the expense of human rights, due process rights, the rule of law and accountability.

According to the watchdog,

the law’s broad-ranging definitions of terrorism can be easily manipulated by authorities to target, arrest and detain government critics — including those working to protect the land and natural environment.

“This draconian new legislation leaves the door open for the prosecution of people who speak out, just at a time where press freedoms and journalists are under attack,” the report said. n

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COVID-19 hits 65 more Filipinos abroad, says DFA

by Neil

ArwiN MercAdo Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Friday, July 31 that 65 more Filipinos overseas contracted COVID-19.

The latest cases, DFA said, increased the total infections among Filipinos abroad to 9,472.

Of this sum, DFA noted that

‘UNDER MY UMBRELLA’. When you go out today, don’t forget to bring an umbrella with you. This woman in umbrella and cozy zip hoodie seemed very much ready for today’s weather forecast as she walks past a billboard along Timog Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 29. The weather bureau said a low pressure area and southwest monsoon will bring rains and thunderstorms in most parts of the country.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

DOH: Philippines’ policy on recovered patients backed by science, done in other countries

by GAeA

KAtreeNA cAbico

Philstar.com

MANILA — The new protocol of declaring as recovered mild and asymptomatic coronavirus patients after completing 14-day quarantines is based on scientific evidence and is being done in other countries, the Department of Health said on Friday, July 31.

This came after the department announced Thursday 38,075 additional COVID-19 survivors—the biggest increase in recoveries in a single day— resulting in a steep rise in the number of people who were given clean bill of health.

The number of recoveries leapt to 70%—65,064—from only 30% of the country’s confirmed cases, which stood at 89,374. This development drew apprehensions and questions from the public.

Such massive jump in the number of recoveries was due to data reconciliation with local governments and re-tagging of mild and asymptomatic patients as recovered 14 days from the date they had their symptoms or from the date their specimens were collected if they do not have any symptoms.

Of the over 38,000 additional recoveries reported Thursday, 37,166 had been re-tagged as recovered.

‘Clinically recovered’

The country’s recovery policy requires a patient to be “clinically recovered”—or resolving symptoms or no longer experiencing coronavirus-related symptoms—and to complete a14-day quarantine. A physician’s assessment is also needed for a person to be tagged as recovered after the isolation period.

The government’s inter-agency pandemic task force also approved Resolution 60, which adopted the recommendation of DOH to implement a “timebased reckoning” for coronavirus recoveries.

“This is not an assumption anymore because this is based on scientific evidence and experts across the globe are already backing this and it’s now being implemented in other countries,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, noting this clinical recovery protocol is followed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the European CDC and India.

In a scientific brief published June 17, the World Health Organization said symptomatic patients may be released from isolation 10 days after the onset of symptoms plus at least three additional days without symptoms.

Asymptomatic patients, meanwhile, may be discharged from isolation 10 days after test-

ing positive for the virus.

No need for retesting Previously, a patient could be only classified as recovered if two test results come out as negative. But now, discharge and recovery criteria for confirmed COVID-19 cases no longer entail repeat testing.

Other countries also removed testing as a requirement for recovery, Vergeire said.

She explained that reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests—dubbed as the “gold standard” in coronavirus testing—detects the presence of virus inside a body but “doesn’t tell you if the virus is infectious.”

“Let us always remember that RT-PCR test is a basis for infection but not a basis for recovery,” the Health official said.

The World Health Organization also said that the initial recommendation of two negative RT-PCR tests at least 24 hours apart “has been extremely difficult” in light of limited laboratory supplies, equipment and personnel in areas with intense transmission, especially outside hospital settings.

Vergeire reminded recovered patients to still adhere to minimum health standards such as wearing of mask, practicing physical distancing and washing of hands frequently even after they beat the severe respiratory illness. n

3,275 are undergoing treatment while 5,531 have recovered or have been discharged.

The death toll remains at 666 with no additional fatalities, the agency added.

DFA said the 65 new cases were recorded from Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

“On this last day of July, the DFA reports an increase of 1.26% in the total number of

Filipinos who have recovered from COVID-19 with 69 new recoveries in the Middle East, compared to yesterday’s figures,” it said.

In a breakdown, the DFA data showed that 6,745 Filipinos in the Middle East and Africa have been infected by COVID-19; 1,111 are in Europe; 911 are in the Asia Pacific region; and 705 are in the Americas. n

With no end to pandemic in sight, more COVID-19 facilities pushed in Visayas, Mindanao MANILA — As the novel coronavirus pandemic rages on across the country, medical directors and leaders from Visayas and Mindanao are pushing for the establishment of more COVID-19 facilities in their respective areas.

In a virtual panel discussion hosted by Institute for Solidarity in Asia, medical leaders from Zamboanga City, Davao City, Tagum City, Cebu City and Santa Barabara, Iloilo, shared the steps taken by their hospitals to boost their infectious disease infrastructure.

The webinar was moderated by Dr. Gerardo Manzano, Philippine Heart Center deputy executive director for medical services.

Ultimately, the doctors agreed that these improvements in infrastructure were necessary to “crisis-proof” hospitals in case of a second wave of infections or a new pandemic altogether.

“No one can say that we are prepared or what we are doing is enough so that’s why we’re just thinking again, moving forward all the time, [on] how to address this. Because we have to think about resiliency and we have to think about giving the services not just to COVID but as well as the noncovid [patients],” Zamboanga City Medical Center’s Incident Commander, Dr. Giovanni Gimena, explained.

Identifying a center for infectious diseases in Visayas Dr. Judy Ann Dumayas, Western Visayas Sanitarium Medical Center chief I, reported that the Iloilo facility has successfully transferred its coronavirus and its non-coronavirus patients into separate buildings.

“We already transferred out

COVID-positive patients to our newly renovated single bed COVID-dedicated ward [and] we transferred our non-COVID infectious patients out of the hospital building to the newly improved..non-COVID infectious ward,” Dumayas reported.

“We submitted our readiness for the construction of the Bayanihan Heal as One offsite dormitory for medical personnel, another building will be given for the construction of quarantine or isolation facility for covid suspects and the site visit was already done by the [Department of Public Works and Highways] last week,” she added.

Even before the onset of the pandemic, the sanitarium was already slated to boost its capacity to treat infectious diseases.

Dr. Gerard Aquino, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center chief II, said that an infectious center for Visayas should be indentified to better confront a second wave or a new pandemic in the future.

He added that the Western Visayas Sanitarium “is a very good location”, and if outfitted with the necessary improvements, would make a good infectious disease center in the future.

Aquino said that Vicente Memorial in Cebu City was previously awarded with a four-story infectious ward but construction stopped due to the pandemic.

He further explained that identifying an infectious diseases center would allow Level 3 or trauma hospitals such as Vicente Sotto Memorial and referral facilities to “concentrate on really specialized cases.”

Mindanao hospitals eye more COVID-19 labs Zamboanga City Medical Center’s incident commander,

Dr. Giovanni Gimena, said that even as the hospital already has an outpatient COVID-19 facility, it has separate plans to build its own center for the virus.

“We are also lobbying for additional molecular laboratory that will be again placed in our institution. We have had talks with the local government unit and some of the people from the national government that maybe we could put a COVID facility that is outside...the economic center of Zamboanga City,” Gimena said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bryan Dalid, Davao Regional Medical Center chief II, said the Tagum City hospital is still working on moving its isolation facility into a separate building and to establish its own COVID-19 laboratory in the future.

Southern Philippines Medical Center Chief II, Dr. Ricardo Audan, reported that two of the Davao City hospital’s projects to expand its facilities have already been approved and awarded.

“This is the expansion of a subnational laboratory, its about P70 million, probably next month it will start constructing, and we have also P25 million approved budget for the non-COVID [intensive care unit],” Dalid explained.

He added that hiring additional nurses and doctors were critical to preparing for the possibility of a second wave.

As it stands, the country has been under community quarantine for 134 days — the longest quarantine period in the world.

Cases are still rising, with the Health department logging over 2,000 cases new cases four days in a row from last Thursday to last Sunday. (Bella Perez-Rubio/ Philstar.com)

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A

UN report: ‘Weak’ Philippine healthcare system lacks nurses, hospital beds

by Gaea

KINGS OF THE ROAD. Traditional jeepneys ply the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite on a rainy Tuesday, July 28. Last month, Malacañang said the traditional jeepneys, considered as kings of the road, have been allowed to return to the road in 13 areas including Calabarzon (Region 4-A) due to the lack of public transportation amid the quarantine measures imposed to contain the coronavirus disease 2019.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

PH leads names submissions for future Mars mission

by Ratziel

San Juan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is set to be launched this evening, bringing with it almost 11 million people who will “join” the flight to the red planet via three silicon chips carrying their names.

Of the 10,932,295 submitted names ticking off the #CountdownToMars, the Philippines ranks 23rd with 69,995 names joining the mission.

The country currently ranks first, however, for a future Mars mission with over 500,000 names submitted as of writing, beating more populated countries like the United States and Brazil.

For interested Filipinos who missed the chance to sign up for the Mars 2020 mission and fly their names on the Perseverance rover, the National Aero-

A sample boarding pass for a future Mars mission.

nautics and Space Administration (NASA) is already collecting names for a mid-2020’s mission where a yet-to-be-identified spacecraft bound for Mars will carry the names.

“This opportunity will remain open and does not have a close date yet. A close date will be announced as the mission that will fly the names is identified. That’s a few years away, so in the meantime, tell your friends and

‘Gasoline is not disinfectant,’ chemists say MANILA — Don’t use gasoline as a disinfectant.

This is the stern warning of Filipino chemists to public after President Rodrigo Duterte once again told people in a televised speech that gasoline can be used as a disinfectant.

“Gasoline must not be used as a disinfectant,” the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines said in a Facebook post, adding this can be harmful to humans when inhaled.

The advisory came a few hours after Duterte said Filipinos can use “gaas” (kerosene) as a disinfectant if alcohol is not available.

“Totoo ‘yang sinabi ko [sa] alcohol. Pag walang alcohol [na] available, hindi ka naman puwede lalo na kung mahirap.

Magpunta ka na lang diyan sa gasoline station, pagkatapos magpatulo ng—that’s disinfectant,” the president, who is a lawyer by profession, said.

(What I said about alcohol is true. If there is no available alcohol, especially if you’re poor, go to gasoline station and get some.

That’s disinfectant.)

There is no evidence that gas-

oline can disinfect face masks or kill the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that repeated or prolonged skin contact with liquid gasoline can degrease the skin, causing irritation and dermatitis.

First- and second-degree skin burns can also occur from continuous contact with liquid gasoline for several hours, the US CDC added ‘I’m not joking’ In previous public address, Duterte had said that reusable face masks could be disinfected with gasoline or diesel. This prompted presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to say that the chief executive was only joking. Even Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the gasoline remark may have been one of his jokes.

But on Friday, Duterte said he was not joking.

“Hindi ako nagbibiro. Totohanan iyon. Ang akala ninyo nagbibiro lang ako,” he said.

(I’m not joking. That is true.

You only think I am joking.) (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

PH central bank chief: Worst is over

by Mayvelin

u. CaRaballo ManilaTimes.net

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno believes that the Philippines is over the pandemic hump and is well on its way to economic recovery.

However, he said policymakers and stakeholders must look beyond the health crisis to sustain recent positive developments.

“I think the worst is over…we are now on the way to recovery at this point… we are now moving toward recovery,” Diokno said during The Manila Times 2020 Midyear Economic Report online forum on Wednesday.

In his presentation, the BSP chief shared that he foresees a “hockey stick-like” recovery for the economy. This describes the gross domestic product (GDP) at the lowest point in the second quarter and a better thirdquarter performance. “[T]he fourth quarter will be even stronger. We expect a strong rebound in 2021 and 2022,” he said.

The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of the year, mainly blamed on the impact of the Taal Volcano eruption and the early effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The government sees a GDP contraction by 2.0 to 3.4 percent this year. In the year ahead, economic growth is expected to rebound by 7.1-8.1 percent.

“But while we’re not out of the woods yet, we have to look

beyond this crisis,” the central bank chief added.

He underscored the importance of knowing what needs to be done to make the Philippine economy more robust and resilient, and how to prepare for the next crisis.

In particular, Diokno cited the need to create more jobs. “We just have to be more hopeful that things have started opening up and that more people are going to get employed. In fact, that should be the focus of the national government’s efforts.”

For example, the BSP head explained that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the agriculture sector, and the government’s Build, Build, Build program were just some of the areas that could generate much-needed jobs at this time.

“It’s easier to create jobs in the agricultural sector and in MSMEs than maybe in manufacturing. Build, Build, Build will go on, that’s already been funded. That will create a lot of jobs right now, and it will make the Philippines stronger after the crisis,” he said.

Diokno gave assurances that the central bank “remains committed to deploy the necessary policy measures and reforms to help the Philippine economy recover from the Covid-19 crisis and to build its resilience against future crises.”

Special partners for The Manila Times 2020 Midyear Economic Report are Atomtrans Tech Corp., Coexstar, Citibank, and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. n

Photo from mars.nasa.gov

family to sign up!” read NASA’s frequently asked questions page for the future mission.

Send your name to Mars and obtain your boarding pass at mars.nasa.gov n

KatReena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — While other Southeast Asian countries have good health care capacity, the Philippines’ health care system is “particularly concerning,” the United Nations said in a report on the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the region.

According to a UN policy brief released Thursday, Southeast Asia’s healthcare sector exhibits different degrees of preparedness in terms of responding to public health emergencies such as COVID19 pandemic.

“More than half of the subregion’s countries are vulnerable because of weak health systems, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines and Timor Leste,” the UN policy brief said.

“Among the 11 countries covered in this brief, the situation is particularly concerning for Myanmar and the Philippines, which have pre-existing humanitarian caseloads, and have therefore been incorporated in the recently launched Global Humanitarian Response Plan,” it added.

Global Humanitarian Response Plan aims to help countries to suppress coronavirus transmission.

In his fifth State of the Nation

Address Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis had been “far from perfect” He, however, failed to mention in his annual address a detailed plan to address the continued rise of COVID-19 cases.

The Palace has said the details were covered in briefings before the president’s speech.

COVID-19 has so far infected 85,486 people in the Philippines—the second highest in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia. At least 1,962 people have died from COVID-19 in the country, while 26,996 have recovered.

Two nurses per 10,000 people The UN report used four indicators to evaluate the health care systems of Southeast Asian nations: number of physicians, nurses and midwives, and hospital beds per 10,000 people, and their health expenditure in 2016.

The Philippines only has two nurses and midwives per 10,000 individuals, which is the lowest in the region. This is even lower than the proportion in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia of 10 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people.

Singapore, meanwhile, has the highest with 72.

Filipino nurses and other health care professionals have been leaving the country for

jobs abroad because of low wage and poor working condition at home.

According to the UN report, the Philippines only has 10 hospital beds per 10,000 people.

Myanmar and Cambodia, have nine and eight beds per 10,000 individuals, respectively.

The Department of Health said occupancy for coronavirus beds is now at 52.3%, while occupancy for non-coronavirus beds is at 50%—both at “warning zone.”

This means 8,577 out of the 16,388 hospital beds dedicated for COVID-19 cases across the country are already being utilized.

“Nationally, malapit na pong ma-overwhelm ang health system, mapapagod ang mga doctor, nurses at nag-aalaga sa atin sa hospital,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday as she once again called on hospitals to increase the number of coronavirus-dedicated beds in their facilities.

The UN report also said that mass testing is not yet available in the Philippines, which may lead to under-detection and a lower capacity for monitoring the evolution of the epidemic.

The country has so far tested more than 1.31 million people.

The government is aiming to do 2 million tests by around August. n

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The Asian Journal

WKND Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MOST petitions (family and employment based) allow the petitioner to include the beneficiary’s spouse and minor children, but not with immediate relative (IR) petitions (spouse, parents, minor children of U.S. citizens). For IR petitions, only one person per petition is allowed. No derivatives.

Separate petitions are required for each family member.

Here are some of the scenarios for U.S. citizen petitioners where this can occur: 1. When petitioning parents, separate petitions are required for each parent.

2. When petitioning minor children, each child must be separately petitioned.

3. When petitioning a spouse and children, each requires their own separate petition. If you file only for your spouse, the children are not covered.

4. Along the same lines, if an immigrant files a petition for his or her spouse and children (F-2A), one petition would cover all of them. But if the petitioner naturalizes before the visas are issued, then only the spouse would be covered by the petition, and the children “fall off” the petition.

The petitioner would now need to

Immediate relatives: one person per petition

file new petitions for each child.

Alternatively, the petitioner could have filed separate petitions for each family member while still an immigrant.

5. When petitioning a teenage daughter who may have gotten pregnant and given birth, the baby (the petitioner’s grandchild) would not be included in the petition and would need to be left behind. Again, this is because derivatives are excluded in the petition.

Before you file a petition, you should make sure all the requirements are met and determine who may be covered by your petition.

Some people may have been unaware that petitions may convert upon naturalization and could be very disappointed. I remember one consultation where an immigrant petitioned his wife and three children, but before the interview at the Embassy, he naturalized.

Imagine the family’s shock and disappointment when the consul issued the visa only for the wife and told her the children fell off the petition because the petitioner naturalized. She was not happy.

And she was not going to leave her children alone in the Philippines. So, he had to scramble and file new petitions to cover each of his children.

That’s why if you have any questions, or just want to make

sure things are in proper order and you meet the eligibility requirements, you should consult with an attorney who can review your case and determine the fastest and best way for you to achieve your American dream. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Liza, Nadia visit, help out John Regala

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

FILM Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) president Liza Diño and veteran actress Nadia Montenegro recently visited ailing character actor John Regala, days after reports surfaced about his health issues.

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

In Diño’s Facebook post on Thursday, she said she received a call from another veteran actor, Reb Belleza, who asked her to visit Regala.

“I got a call from kuya Reb Belleza to ask me to see Mr. John Regala so yesterday I visited him at his place to check on his condition and extend

our support,” Diño said in her post.

According to her, John has been under the care of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) since 2015.

Veteran entertainment writer Aster Amoyo likewise joined Dino and Montengro in checking on the condition of John.

PAGE B2

2020 Fil-Am Emmy nominees. (L-R): Chad Hugo, Rain Valdez (center), Ben Bulatao, Zaldy Goco, and Henry De Leon

Fil-Am trans actress Rain Valdez among 5 Filipinos nominated at 72nd Primetime Emmys

By Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

AS the demand for diversity continues to surge in Hollywood, the nominations for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards reflect the shifting of tides with a significant number of nominees of color, according to the Television Academy’s nominations list released on Tuesday, July 28.

Critically acclaimed shows like FX’s Pose, “Insecure” (HBO), “Euphoria” (HBO) and “Ramy” (Hulu) that are both helmed by people of color and promote diverse storytelling nabbed multiple nominations each, securing mainstream television as an achievable platform for people of color.

Among the Filipinos who are nominated include transgender actress Rain Valdez who was

nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her work on “Razor Tongue,” a web series that “explores the complexities of finding a voice of self-love in a world filled with misogyny and discrimination.”

“Being a Filipina American transgender woman in this category is an honor and a long time coming. There is so much talent in my communities,” Valdez wrote in an Instagram post.

Valdez, who created the seven-episode series, has also starred (and has a producing credit) in the groundbreaking Amazon dramedy “Transparent.” In 2016, Valdez also cowrote and co-directed “Ryans,” a short-form romantic comedy that centers and normalizes the diverse community of trans

women and their unique dating struggles.

The Los Angeles-based creator also founded ActNOW, which claims to be “the first and only acting class” that prioritizes “a safe space for LGBTQIA actors and teaches beyond the binary.”

In an interview with Vice News in 2016, Valdez cel ebrated the emergence of more trans and non-binary creatives in mainstream entertainment, sharing her struggles as a trans woman of color early in her career: “I lived stealth for a very long time and for fear being “found out.” I would sometimes turn down auditions; I had quit acting altogether because I was afraid of what would happen if/when I became successful.”

She went on to say, “I was already struggling as an Asian PAGE B2

EntErtainmEnt

B AUGUST 1-4, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Willie shares message for COVID-19 patients after co-host tested positive

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPUSO TV host Willie Revillame tested negative for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as he showed his and his staff’s test results.

Willie said they got tested for COVID-19 after his co-host Donita Nose tested positive for the virus.

“Ipapakita ko lang ‘yung aming result ng aming rapid test.

Negative. Ito po ay from 7-202020,” Willie said.

“Actually, si Donita po wala na dito for three weeks. Last day po ni Donita dito ay July 10.

So naging negative po kaming lahat dito,” he added.

The “Wowowin” host also had a message for his co-host.

“Donita, don’t worry. Maraming tumutulong sa ‘yo, nagmamahal sa ‘yo. Magpagaling ka diyan,” Willie said.

“Sa lahat po na pinagdadaanan ito, huwag kayong magalala. Kapit lang kayo at kayo po ay lumaban diyan. Alam naman naming kayang-kaya ninyo iyan,” he added.

Katrina Hallare Inquirer.net

AFTER a four-year hiatus, Kris Aquino is set to make a comeback with a new show to be aired on TV5.

“The Queen of All Media” teased her fans and followers with a one-minute video about her upcoming show, “Love Life with Kris.”

In t he v ideo, K r is was shown walking around TV5’s headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

In an Instagram post, she

Willie Revillame wtih ‘Wowowin’ co-host Donita Nose.

Donita, whose real name is Ogie Solano, was the latest victim of COVID-19 in the entertainment industry.

According to a “24 Oras”

Photo from Instagram/@donitanose

report, the “Wowowin” co-host is said to have expected the disease after having diarrhea, cough and fever in the past week.

a lso met broadcaster R a f f y Tulfo, whom she called “The King of TV5.”

“Love Life With Kris” will be her first TV venture in four years after her previous show “Kris T V,” which was shown on ABS-CBN In 2018, K ris appeared in the Star Cinema-produced film “I Love You, Hater,” and even made a cameo appearance on the adaptation of “Crazy Rich Asians.”

T he f i r st a i r i ng of “Love Life With Kris” has yet to be Kris Aquino announced.

Photo from Twitter/@krisaquino214

Camille reminisces on 8-year relationship with husband by

Katrina Hallare Inquirer.net

AS her husband turned a year older on Wednesday, July 29 Camille Prats could not help but express how she and VJ Yambao made it as a couple for eight years now.

“Aakalain mo ba 8 years ago na nandito pala tayo ngayon?

Kahit ako hindi pa din makapaniwala,” Prats said in an Instagram post.

(Would you believe eight years ago that we’re still together now? Even I couldn’t believe it.)

“Been riding your “toyo” for almost 8 years and counting and I wouldn’t have it any other way, she added. “Thanks for PAGE B3

Ideas to have a special and memorable summer Transitioning to a smoke-free ‘new normal’

Kris staging TV comeback via ‘Love Life with Kris’ by

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

FOR a typical summer, you might have planned to go hiking, camping, visiting family or even travelling to other countries. This summer, however, is different than most due to the coronavirus outbreak.

While some states have lifted their stay-at-home orders, many local businesses are still not upand-running, which means it is harder to take normal summer vacations. The pandemic brings the recognition that we need to adopt a “new normal” with the outbreak in mind.

Here are a few ideas to make an “at-home summer” memorable and special while still adhering to social distancing guidelines, and while adopting a new routine to break the smoking habit: 1. Eat like you are on vacation Food is a great way to create the feeling that you’re on vacation. Bummed to miss out on seafood from that beach vacation this year? Get some shrimp cocktail.

Had to cancel the summer barbeque? That’s ok, you can still set up a backyard barbeque yourself or do some indoor grilling. Since traveling is not recommended, why not have food from around the world come to you? Browse the internet for cooking ideas.

There is something there for everybody to create international dishes at home. If you do not feel like cooking, you can also order your favorite indulgent food to be delivered. Share the dish you cooked or the food you enjoyed on social media to connect with your friends and family members.

You can also let them know that you would like to start living a smoke-free life and are planning to quit smoking. Gaining social support will help with quitting.

2. Enjoy a movie or TV marathon Sometimes nothing is as relaxing as simply turning your home into an entertainment center for watching a movie marathon.

Besides a movie marathon, you can watch a TV drama series or a YouTube video marathon.

You can still watch movies and shows together even if you are apart from family or friends via chat applications. Ask each family member to pick their favorite shows, then take turns watching everyone’s top picks. You can

even have an “intermission” to break up the couch time, with themed games, meals, or discussions about the plot. This can help you stay busy, and keep you from stepping outside to smoke.

3. Plan a tournament Competition is one of the oldest forms of entertainment. And winning feels just as good now as it did to folks living many years ago. Competitions can bring out some really fierce, but hopefully friendly rivalries. Pull out the board games, find a deck of cards, play video or mobile games with family members.

You can also play games with friends via video conferencing. In between games, connect with the kids to share a family secret or a family tradition, or express an interest in learning new technology from them. Ask about things like using Instagram, how to take a nice selfie or how to use those face filters on the phone. Learning new skills can help you keep busy and distracted in order to get through cravings to smoke.

We may be experiencing unprecedented times, but we can take this opportunity to spend precious time with family — time we often can’t find in our regular schedules. This also creates an excellent chance to take the first steps toward quitting smoking.

If you feel pulled in multiple directions during these difficult times and are finding it hard to adjust to the new normal, it is completely understandable. Why not reach out for help?

Asian Smokers’ Quitline (ASQ) understands that the stress current and former tobacco users are going through can be extremely difficult. Our friendly and non-judgmental counselors from language-specific quitlines speak

Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin), Korean, or Vietnamese and provide one-on-one telephone counseling to help tobacco users adopt a smoke-free living style during this challenging time.

Here are the language specific quitline information: • Mandarin & Cantonese – 1800-838-8917, www.asq-chinese.org; • Korean – 1-800-556-5564, www.asq-korean.org; • Vietnamese – 1-800-7788440, www.asq-viet.org.

The ASQ service is free and available nationwide. Please feel free to contact us via phone or visit us at www.asiansmokersquitline.org. Eligible smokers may receive a free two-week supply of nicotine patches and it will be sent directly to smokers’ homes. Friends and family members of tobacco users are welcome to contact ASQ to receive advice and materials on how to help others quit.

Asian Smokers’ Quitline wishes everyone continued safety and good health!

ASQ is operated by the Asian Smokers’ Quitline (ASQ) and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ASQ provides FREE evidence-based smoking cessation services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese to Asian communities in the U.S. and eligible smokers can receive a free two-week supply of nicotine patches. Studies have shown that smokers who enroll in ASQ services double their chances of quitting successfully. ASQ is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time).

To enroll, call or register online today!

(Advertising Supplement)

Fil-Am trans actress Rain Valdez...

Camille Prats with husband VJ Yambao

Photo from Instagram/@camilleprats

PAGE B1 American female in an industry that’s controlled by men; I thought that if I came out as trans, then I would be adding another label: Asian American trans female.”

While the number of Filipino Americans on-screen remains relatively low, the community of them in creative, behind-thecamera roles not only contin-

ues to thrive and grow, but also continues to be recognized.

Among the other Filipinos nominated for the 72nd Emmy Awards include: Chad Hugo, record producer and member of The Neptunes and N.E.R.D., for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for “The Black Godfather” (Netflix); Ben Bulatao, editor, for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured

Program for “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery); costume designer Zaldy Goco for Outstanding Costumes For a Variety, Non Fiction or Reality Program for “Ru Paul’s Drag Race”; and art director Henry Deleon for Outstanding Main Title Design for “Carnival Row” (Amazon).

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sunday, September 20 on ABC.

Liza Diño and Nadia Montenegro with John Regala Photo from Instagram/@lizadino

Liza, Nadia visit, help out...

PAGE B1 “I was also told that Chuckie Dreyfus helped in gathering support for Kuya John,” Diño said.

“It’s so incredible to see industry people come together to help one another in times like these. Kahit may kanya-kanyang priorities, basta sa panahon ng krisis, nandyan tayo para sa isa’t isa (Even if we have different priorities, we’re still there for one another during difficult times.)

John was also seen by a doctor during Diño’ and Montenegro’s visit.

“Arrangements were made to address his immediate needs, which includes regular visits by the doctor to provide him with

IV fluids to keep him hydrated and nourished since his liver problem makes him lose his appetite,” the FDCP president said in her post.

The outpouring of support for John, known for his antagonist roles in films and TV series, came after social media posts showed the actor looking sick and weak in Pasay City and being assisted and attended to by a food delivery driver.

Regala later disclosed that he is suffering from liver cirrhosis, and is no longer in touch with other relatives after his mother died.

Montenegro, Amoyo, and Dreyfus have set up a “Gava Gives Assistance Account” for Regala.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 1-4, 2020

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt invites Filipinos to participate in global poetry project by ian

Biong Inquirer.net

JOSEPH Gordon-Levitt is calling on Filipinos to participate in a global poetry project by recording their own voices.

“Anyone from the Philippines interested in trying voice acting?” the Hollywood star posted on his official Facebook page last Tuesday, July 29.

“All I need you to do is read one word out loud in Filipino/ Tagalog,” the “500 Days of Summer” actor explained.

The word Gordon-Levitt is asking Filipino fans to record and say in Filipino is “poetry.” Those interested can record and post their entries through https://hitrecord.app. link/6aMAZNkvt8.

The submissions will be for the “Poetry around the World” project under open-collaborative production company HitRecord, which was established

by Gordon-Levitt himself back in 2010. The project is being handled by a HitRecord staff member and social media manager who goes by “emilyliv” on the company’s website.

“I love how much poetry as an art form draws upon the quirks, rhythms, and nuances of the language it’s written in.

Neruda is one of my favorite poets, and reading his poems in Spanish vs. the translations in English always fascinates me — they’re beautiful in both, but the rhythms and subtle cadences are so different in

LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL ANSWERS YOUR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS VIA ZOOM ON A BRAND-NEW “SOCIAL DISTANCING”EDITION OF CITIZEN PINOY. Under the new “normal” in the time of the pandemic, Citizen Pinoy continues its public service by providing relevant information and updates on immigration. On the first episode of “Your Tanong, My Sagot: Social Distancing Style,” Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from Kapamilya in New Jersey, Guam, and California. Find out if an employer of an assisted living facility can petition someone in the U.S. with a tourist visa; or if the petition for a child with Down Syndrome can be expedited; or if the USCIS will excuse green card holders who are out of the country for over six months due to the pandemic. Get answers to these and more on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style this Sunday, August 2 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement) “500 Days of Summer” actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt

the translation,” the project overview read.

“I wanted to start a project where we can collect poetry written in many different languages and see what larger projects they might spark.

Maybe community members who are multi-lingual can eventually translate a few poems, and we can see how they evolve and change in the process,” it added.

Many Filipinos have already submitted their voice acting entries on the website; some submissions used “tula,” oth-

Photo from Instagram/@hitrecordjoe

ers opted for “panulaan,” while an entry for the Cebuano word “balak” was submitted as well.

Other than voice acting, the project also encourages interested participants to submit poems in their native languages.

In Gordon-Levitt’s About section on Facebook, the actor states that he directs HitRecord, “an internet thing for being creative.”

“But it’s not just about getting attention. It’s about making things with other people,” he adds.

Jessy to launch fitness show on TV5 in August by ian

Biong

Jessy Mendiola

network affected by the controversial shutdown.

A month after the couple celebrated their fourth anni-

Photo from Instagram/@senorita_jessy

versary in June, actress Vivian Velez revealed to the public that Manzano planned to marry Mendiola.

Pauleen Luna on her ‘Eat Bulaga!’ journey: ‘I found the man my heart loves in this show’

by Cha Lino Inquirer.net

AS “Eat Bulaga!” mark its 41st anniversary, one of its hosts Pauleen Luna looked back on her journey and how the noontime variety TV show changed her life.

“From that young teenager to the mom that I am today, Eat Bulaga was always there,” Luna said, recalling her first day on the show via Instagram on Thursday, July 30.

The actress narrated how excited and nervous she was on her first day as she joined its starstudded crew.

“I must admit that joining a group of very successful people at the age of 16 was very intimidating, but, the intimidation [disappeared] the moment [I] stepped in the studio,” she said.

She accompanied the post with a few snippets of her first day, one of which included a young Michael V right beside her while they were both dressed in school uniforms.

Luna added that at the time, her colleagues were very welcoming and immediately made her feel comfortable on set.

Fifteen years later, the host recounted some of the lessons she learned through the show and how it continues to help people reach their “full potential.”

“I’ve learned a lot by just being in the background, knowing and meeting people from different walks of life,” she said. “I would say I grew up, found my real au-

EVEN in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, life goes on, and there are many individuals and families out there who are saddled with concerns about the latest immigration policies and how it affects them.

Leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, hosts a series of special Citizen Pinoy episodes where he will answer questions from the public “social distancing style”.

The first batch of questions from Cris of Redding, CA; Josel from Yigo, Guam; and Alice and Ben of Jersey City, NJ will be answered this Sunday, August 2.

Pauleen Luna with husband and ‘Eat Bulaga!’ co-host Vic Sotto Photo from Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto

thentic self in the show.”

Luna also acknowledged the people behind the camera and her “amazing” co-hosts: “[I] still can’t believe [I’m] friends with you all.”

The 31-year-old actress then highlighted the show’s role in helping her meet her husband, fellow “Eat Bulaga!” host Vic Sotto.

“I have found the man that my heart loves in this show,” she said.

Luna and Sotto celebrated

their 4th wedding anniversary last January. The two are also proud parents of 2-year-old Talitha Sotto. The celebrity couple tied the knot in 2016 in a starstudded ceremony in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The 66-year old actor was formerly married to actress Dina Bonnevie.

“Eat Bulaga!” resumed live studio tapings last June after pausing production for a few months to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

One of the questions asks about one’s husband who is outside the U.S. for work. Due to the pandemic, he might need to stay outside for more than six months. Will his stay for over six months outside the U.S. affect his status as a green card holder?

These and more questions will be answered on the first “online” episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style this Sunday, August 2, at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Camille reminisces on 8-year...

PAGE B2 tolerating mine too.”

The actress also expressed how “proud and grateful” for having Yambao as her husband.

“Your dad jokes! Grabe, kung pwede ko lang i-share sa lahat ang lahat ng corny jokes mo na super benta sa akin each and every time, please don’t ever get tired of doing that,” Prats said.

(Your dad jokes! If I could

Inquirer.net

KAPAMILYA star Jessy Mendiola revealed that she will be launching her own lifestyle and fitness show on TV5 next month, which is titled “Fit for Life.”

“Besties! Know more about different exercises, healthy recipes and inspiring stories from our celebrity guests!” the actress said.

“Join me on this exciting journey and let’s get healthy together in my new lifestyle/fitness show, FIT FOR LIFE!” she added.

The announcement came with her photo and a short teaser video for the upcoming program showing Mendiola, “your new fitness bestie,” in action.

Mendiola, who started her career under ABS-CBN’s talent management arm Star Magic in 2007, last appeared on the Kapamilya network as Melissa Pamintuan in the 2019 series “Sandugo.”

Her partner, Luis Manzano, has, meanwhile, been organizing a job fair group for displaced ABS-CBN workers, as revealed

by Mendiola, who herself is among those from the Kapamilya

Brand new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot-Social Distancing Style’ airs this Sunday, August 2

only share to all your corny jokes that are funny for me each and every time, please don’t ever get tired of doing that.)

“I pray that God continues to work in what He has planted in your heart, may He give you the heart and the wisdom to lead our family towards the path He has prepared for our us,” she added.

And as she greeted her husband a happy birthday, Prats

said that it was “amazing” for her to be stuck at home with him.

“But really love, it is amazing and I do enjoy most parts of it,” she said.

Prats and Yambao married in 2017 in Batangas. They have two children, Nala and Nolan.

The actress also has a son, Nathaniel, with businessman Anthony Linsangan, who died in 2011 of nasopharyngeal cancer.

B AUGUST 1-4, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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

‘BalikBAHAY’ COVID-19 care packages bring LA Filipino community together antonio Moya, MD, MPh, MeLanie SabaDo-Liwag, PhD, MPh, anD yey CoroneL

by

LOS ANGELES – Essential workers of the Filipino Community in Los Angeles recently received a bit of the bayanihan spirit through the form of care packages.

The Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI) implemented the first phase of its “BalikBAHAY” Project on July 20-25 by distributing 150 care packages to Filipino Americans in Los Angeles County.

This project was created in partnership with Dr. Antonio Moya and Dr. Melanie SabadoLiwag, who were instrumental in developing the concept for the program, as well as the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA National Clinician Scholars Program, and California State University in Los Angeles (CSULA). The project logo was created by Celina Taganas-Duffy/Tagline Communications, Inc. The BalikBAHAY boxes contained items suggested by a Filipino dietician to promote health and boost immunity, like fresh lemons and ginger; dried noodles, beans and fruits; canned fish; vinegar; Vita nosugar oolong tea, and guyabano juice; as well as LACDMH stress balls and COVID-19 brochures, FASGI brochure on immune boosting strategies, cloth masks, gloves, alcohol spray bottle and a COVID19 pamphlet developed

by Sabado-Liwag and her students.

The BalikBAHAY Project was developed as the organization’s way of helping Filipino Americans most affected by COVID-19 and to show gratitude to those essential workers who are often overlooked but play an important role in providing needed services.

We decided to focus on workers in Filipino food establishments – those who continue to work and risk their lives to provide meals for others – with priority to those that have already

K Brosas

Dr. Antonio Moya (left) and Fil-Am-owned Big Boi assemble ‘BalikBAHAY’ COVID-19 care packages.

Contributed photos

Photo from Twitter/@kbrosas

K Brosas silences basher by reporting them to their employer

SINGER and comedienne K Brosas has apparently had enough of her bashers’ insults as she said she reported one of them to their employer.

The comedienne, whose real name is Maria Carmela Brosas, revealed on Twitter last Wednesday, July 29, that she had one basher on her Facebook page who cursed her “mula puyo hanggang talampakan” (from head to toe) and sent her a sexually inappropriate message.

After tracing the netizen’s name and complete information, she was able to contact their employer. Brosas said that she would like to file a case on the basher.

The comedienne later in the day said that the basher deactivated their account. More netizens who are apparently in her “line up” have deactivated their social media profiles as well.

“Buti na Save ko,” she said, referring to her bashers’ deactivated accounts. “Araw araw isa isa kayo saken. Tapang [niyo] eh!”

(Good thing I saved them.

Every day I [will find you] one by one. You are all so brave, right?)

Without mentioning the basher or their employer, Brosas announced that she received an email telling her: “[We] don’t tolerate that kind of behavior [ma’am,] we will take necessary action,” as per her post on Thursday, July 30.

The comedienne has been vocal on social media in her criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte, earning her harsh feedbacks online.

Brosas was previously insulted for her supposed lack of relevance and her old age by vlogger Banat By, who is an avid supporter of the administration.

Some netizens, who also express their support for the Presi-

dent, slammed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Mocha Uson and the Facebook page Mocha Uson Blog for reposting Banat By’s remark.

The netizens said Uson should not entertain the vlogger’s insults and should not counter arguments based on how one person looks. Brosas retweeted the screengrabs of the exchange on her Twitter account last Wednesday as well.

“Kapwa [ka-DDS di] na rin kinaya,” Brosas noted. “[Kung] ako ay ‘gurang’ at daming wrinkles keme ano pa tamang description [sa] ating pangulo? Ako never ako humanas sa itsura nila ha infer.”

(Even their fellow diehard Duterte supporters (DDS) could not take it. If I am “very old” and have a lot of wrinkles, what should be the right description for our president? I never talked about their looks.)

and Open Roads Commissary, likewise, said, “Your generosity to those hearts you have touched is a real treasure. Real treasure is not what is outside but what is inside each and every one of you…When this pandemic is over, we will know that everything happens for a reason and everything happens for a mission. FASGI and the BalikBAHAY Team have done their part.”

“Special thanks to the #balikbahay project for stopping by and hooking up our team with care packages. Thanks for supporting essential workers during these

times and giving them a voice,” said Cat Castaneda of Native Fields in Walnut.

Additional boxes were provided to Westin Enterprises, Inc./ Carson Adult Day Health Care Center. Westin owner Evelyn Andamo said, “The BalikBAHAY care packages are vital to our participants, who average 75 years in age and have multiple diagnoses that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Those who have received their boxes are very pleased, stating that the PPE and food items are exactly what they need dur-

ing this stay-at-home order.”

Phase 2 of the BalikBAHAY Project will feature a series of webinars on COVID-19; and a survey conducted by Sabado-Liwag in collaboration with UCLA to understand the impacts of COVID-19 to Filipinos. Please visit BalikBAHAY.fasgi.org for more information.

If you are interested in helping the BalikBAHAY Program of LA or would like more information on program operations and implementation, please feel free to email BalikBAHAY@fasgi. org.

Cha Lino Inquirer.met

by

Fil-Am businesses contributed to the care package project, which delivered healthy food and information to Fil-Am essential workers and seniors.

given back to medical front-liners and seniors. These are unsung heroes of community for their courage, time and sacrifice.

We want to publicly thank and recognize their efforts in trying to preserve the essence of community during this pandemic by providing comfort and unity in the most simplistic and recognizable way – being a common nexus for people through food.

In addition to food workers, we were also able to provide for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, as well as the most vulnerable seniors who were not able to avail of COVID19 government programs.

In light of recent news articles highlighting poor health outcomes among Filipino Americans during this pandemic, it was time to show our community and the world that we have the resilience to attend to our own community’s needs. We have the power to change the course of this disease by wearing masks and washing our hands, eating healthy food and exercising, and as the project implies, returning home and staying safer at home, a message

we want to share with our loved ones most at risk of COVID-19 complications.

More than 20 volunteers from UCLA, CSULA and ML Tax & Insurance helped to assemble these boxes. Volunteers delivered the boxes to several Los Angeles area restaurants and bakeries including Fiesta Fastfood, Neri’s, HiFi Kitchen, Park’s Finest, Big Boi/B Sweet, Open Roads, Lilian’s Bread and Sweets, Ninong’s Café, Titas of Manila, and Native Fields. Our volunteers were overjoyed to see the smiles emanating from recipient’s faces, and considered these as priceless fruits from their labors of love.

“During a time when the world is full of uncertainty, the BalikBAHAY team brought COVID-19 care packages to my awesome staff. It meant a lot to them to be recognized that they are here daily to prepare the food that is made in mind with safety first, along with love and comfort.

Thank you for including B Sweet and Big Boi in bringing light to our community,” said Chef Barb Batiste of Big Boi. Rhea Rachelle Espino of Neri’s

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

Seven tips in writing IRS for forgiveness of penalties Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA & roger L. orieL AS our tax laws become more complex, we find it more difficult to comply. The COVID-19 pandemic makes compliance even more challenging. As we fail to comply in filing or paying required taxes, the IRS hits us with certain penalties.

The source of these penalties is the Internal Revenue Code which imposes various civil penalties when requirements of tax laws

are disobeyed without reasonable cause or as the result of negligence, intentional disregard, willful disobedience or fraudulent intent.

Here are tips to guide you in writing the IRS to forgive your penalties.

• First, understand that you are writing a formal request.

• Use standard business format. Address the agent as Dear Mr Smith, not Dear John.

• Address all tax issues raised in your audit notice.

• Refer to specifics, not generalities.

• Present your information in a straightforward and clear manner.

• Provide documents listed in IDR (Information Document

Request).

• Respond quickly. Break old procrastination habits. Don’t wait for deadlines.

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

Atty. rheA SAMSon KAPAG ang green card ay nakuha sa pamamagitan ng kasal sa isang U.S. citizen (USC) at ang kasal ay wala pang 2 taon noong naaprubahan ng USCIS ang green card application, ang green card na makukuha ng dayuhan ay conditional green card na may bisa na 2 taon. Ang layunin ng conditional green card ay upang maiwasan ang sham marriages o mga pekeng kasal kung saan ang mag-asawa ay magpapakasal lamang para makakuha ng green card ang dayuhan, at pagkatapos nito sila ay maghihiwalay na. Kaya para matanggal ang conditions ng green card, ang dayuhan o conditional permanent resident (CPR) ay kailiangang magpakita na ang kanyang kasal ay totoo at siya ay may intensyon na maging kasal sa asawang USC nang matagalan.

Upang magtanggal ang conditions sa green card, ang CPR ay kailangang mag-file ng I-751 Petition to Remove Con-

EMPLOYMENT

ditions on Residence sa loob ng 90 araw bago ang ikalawang anibersaryo niya bilang conditional resident. Kapag ang CPR ay nag-file ng I-751 Petition, kailangan niyang magbigay ng mga ebidensya na magpapatunay na ang kanyang kasal sa USC ay totoong kasal, at ang kasal ay hindi naganap upang lumabag sa US immigration laws.

Ayon sa dating policy ng USCIS, karamihan sa mga CPR ay hindi kinakailangang pumunta pa sa USCIS para sa personal na interbyu.

Hangga’t sapat ang ebidensyang ibinigay kasama ng I-751 Petition para patunayan na ang kasal ay totoo, hindi na kailangan ang interbyu sa USCIS. Subalit, sa Revised Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence na naging epektibo noong Disyembre 10, 2018, ang interbyu ng CPR ay bahagi na ngayon ng I-751 adjudication. Sa bagong policy na ito, ang mga interbyu ay kinakailangan dahil ito ay magbibigay sa USCIS ng pagkakataon upang i-verify ang mga impormasyon na nakalagay sa I-751 Petition. Maaari ring matuklasan ng USCIS ang mga bagong impormasyon na mahalaga sa pagdesisyon ng I-751 Petition o para madetermina ang kredibilidad ng

B

Family law issues during the COVID-19 pandemic

THE COVID-19 Pandemic has changed our lives almost overnight. Not only has it changed our lives in terms of our daily routine, jobs, lifestyle, but also our relationship with our family members under the Stay at Home orders in place in major cities such as Los Angeles, Divorce caused by Financial and Emotional Stress China is a few months ahead of the US in terms of the impact of this pandemic on families. Statistics show that the number of couples filing for divorce in China is reportedly way up after long periods of COVID 19-related confinement. This gives us a glimpse of the months to come after the stay at home order has been lifted.

The rapid spread of the corona virus has destabilized every household particularly those of parents.

The closure of schools and childcare facilities has created challenges for scores of parents who CPR. must figure out how to keep their Maaaring magkaroon ng children safe while continuing waiver ng interview sa mga to work from home. The current sumusunod na sitwasyon: (1) situation has posed significant Ang edidensyang naibigay challenge to parents with existkasama ng I-751 Petition ay sapat na para masabing ang kasal ay totoo at hindi naganap upang lumabag sa US immigration laws; (2) Para sa mga I-751 Petition na natanggap mula Disyembre 10, 2018, ang USCIS ay nakapag-interbyu na ng dayuhan at asawang USC sa I-130 Petition/I-485 Application; (3) Walang indikasyon ng fraud, misrepresentation o panloloko sa I-751 Petition at Debt sa mga dokumentong ipinasa Relief kasabay nito; at (4) Walang mga kumplikadong mga isyu na kinakailangang maresolba sa pamamagitan ng interbyu.

When a green card is ob- Atty. LAwrence yAng tained through marriage to WHAT are friends for? a U.S. citizen (USC) spouse and the couple is married less Friends, of course, like to help than 2 years during the ad- each other. But to what extent judication of the green card, and what favors can you ask the green card that the alien from a friend? The client’s will receive will be a condi- friend wanted to set up a restional green card, valid for 2 taurant. The friend was a chef years. The conditional green who had just graduated from card is issued due to concerns culinary school. His idea was that some aliens may get mar- to serve street food from his ried solely to obtain a green home country in a nice setcard, which the US federal ting here in Southern Califorgovernment considers to be nia. That seems like a good an attempt to evade U.S. Im- idea. The friend chose a resmigration Laws. The purpose taurant that had closed down and renovate it. The landlord PAGE B6

Removal of conditions on green card Tapat Sa Batas

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 1-4, 2020

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS ing custody orders. Many parents are attempting to renegotiate the terms of the existing custody orders at a moment when emotions run high and the Courts are closed for most hearings.

Most families have roles to play for each member of the household such as the parents getting up and going to work or the child being in school. When these roles are radically changed in a time that we’re all feeling incredibly stretched emotionally creates major stress on families. As a result of this stress, marriages may fracture and may result to divorce because the coronavirus crisis is causing many families to experience job loss from the massive layoffs caused by the shutdown of the economy. Financial stress

is always one of the big stressors that lead to divorce. Parents are trying to figure out how they can support an entire family.

Effect of COVID-19 “Stay at Home Order” on Custody Orders The stay at home order issued by both the City of Los Angeles and later the State of California has stirred a lot of confusion among divorced parents who share custody of their children.

Stay at home orders have required California residents to remain at home, except if they need to go out for essential needs such as for groceries, medication or health care appointments. People can’t go into work unless they are in certain essential jobs. The stay-home orders restrict travel for unapproved purposes. As a result, divorced parents didn’t know if they were allowed to travel to bring their children back and forth to the other parent during visitation schedules. There is confusion about whether the stay-athome order trumped the custody order or whether the court order PAGE B6

Landlord with $400K judgment vs commercial tenant proceeds against guarantor

EMPLOYMENT

agreed to lease the friend the premises if he could get another person to guarantee the lease of $20,000 a month because the friend’s creditworthiness was not good enough.

Client and friend grew up together in home country The client and friend had grown up together in their home country and went to the same high school together. They were not the best of friends, but let’s just say that they were good friends. The client migrated to Los Angeles first about five years ahead of the friend. Then the friend wrote to the client, saying that he was going to attend culinary school in San Francisco. They met up with each other once in a while to catch up after the friend arrived.

The client brought the friend

FOR RENT

SERVICES

around Los Angeles, bringing him to Universal Studios and Disneyland. The client also brought the friend to try many restaurants specializing in different cuisines. The client even brought the friend to the very high priced restaurants. He brought him to Mr. Chow in Malibu and paid $500 for dinner for two. Mr. Chow has excellent service but the Chinese food is basically for white people. I understand where Mr. Chow is coming from. He migrated to London from Beijing in 1952.

His father was a well-known opera star in Beijing. His purpose was to introduce highclass Chinese dining to the Brits, and he did it very successfully. Kudos to Mr. Chow.

If you eat at Mr. Chow once PAGE B6

B AUGUST 1-4, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Wrongful termination: When employer keeps changing reasons for employee’s firing

PATRICIA Samson worked as a portfolio manager for Wells Fargo Bank. On October 28, 2014, Patricia informed her supervisors that she would take a medical leave of absence to recover from chronic endometriosis. The next day, Gwin, her supervisor, sent a meeting invitation entitled “Patricia Displacement Conversation” to his boss, Stender Sweeney. In the message, Gwin explained that he wanted to “run an idea” by Sweeney regarding Patricia.

When Patricia returned from her medical leave, she was fired.

Patricia was initially told that she was terminated in part because Gwin was “not happy with [her] performance” as a portfolio manager. But later on, the employer claimed that Patricia’s performance was “irrelevant” because the firing decision was not based on Patricia’s poor performance. Instead the sole reason for her termination was the restructuring of the department and the elimination of her position.

Patricia sued the employer for wrongful termination based on disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and retaliation for taking a protective leave. The employer asked the trial court to dismiss the case, stating that the decision to terminate Patricia was actually made two weeks before she informed the employer that she was going on medical leave. Up until Patricia’s announcement, the employer claimed that it was not aware that Patricia had a medical condition. The trial court agreed with the employer and threw out the case. Patricia appealed.

In her appeal, Patricia argued “temporal proximity,” or the timing between her leave announcement and the decision to fire her are so close together that it can be inferred that the

The Prophetic Voice reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS IF Jesus were here on earth today, he would be much concerned about the thousands of people suffering from the coronavirus pandemic.

And if he were here in Los Angeles, he would most likely go to the low-income neighborhoods of Central Los Angeles, which has some of the highest death rates from COVID-19. There, he would minister to the people to hear their cries and pleas and comfort their pain.

He would visit every grieving family of these communities to show the depth of his solidarity with them and to grant them hope that the death of their loved one is not the end. He would assure them of God’s promise of

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. employer’s stated reason of her firing (poor performance) was mere pretext. Hence, Gwin’s use of the phrase “I want to run an idea by you,” indicates that something is to be discussed for the first time, not that a decision was already made. The court noted, “Temporal proximity between protected activity and an adverse employment action can by itself constitute sufficient circumstantial evidence of retaliation in some cases.”

However, California courts have ruled that timing by itself is not enough to show that the employer’s stated reason was untrue and pretextual. The appellate court, in reviewing the facts, noted that Wells Fargo gave the employee changing reasons for her firing.

The California Supreme Court has previously held in other cases that pretext also may be inferred where an “employer has given shifting . . . justifications for its actions.” A reasonable jury could find that there were shifting justifications for Wells Fargo’s termination of Patricia. Because of the timing of her firing and the shifting reasons the employer gave for such firing, the appellate court concluded that Patricia’s case should not have been summarily dismissed, but should have instead been brought before a jury for decision.

Under California law, an employer may not terminate an employee for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons. Here, the employer cannot lawfully terminate by reason of the employee’s taking her medical leave – a right

People of compassion eternal life.

Indeed, the CDC and major news outlets report that COVID19 has badly hit California’s impoverished communities. Recent studies of CDC say: “There is increasing evidence that some racial and ethnic minority groups are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Inequities in the social determinants of health such as poverty ad healthcare access affecting these groups are interrelated and influence a wide range of health and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. To achieve health equity, barriers must be removed so that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”

It’s most likely true for Imperial County in California. LA Times reported last Tuesday: “In California, Imperial has been the county worst hit by COVID.” The paper states: “The pandemic has brought and an un-

Family law issues...

PAGE B5 trumped the stay-at-home order.

Custody and visitation orders are not affected by stay at home orders or other order restricting movement issued by a governmental entity that arises from the COVID-19 pandemic. The stay at home order does not change the existing parent-child custody orders that may be in place. Just the fear of pandemic is not enough to warrant keeping a child from seeing the other parent. If there is an actual threat of harm to the child, the Los Angeles Superior Court is available for ex parte emergency RFO to address these issues. However, parents should attempt to work together first to come up with some kind of temporary agreement that works for both the parents and for the kids that accommodates the problems caused by the pandemic and modify temporarily the existing custody orders as a solution to the current environment. For example, if exercising the father’s alternate weekend visitation exposes the child to other members of the father’s new household, perhaps the parents can temporarily agree to a virtual visitations such as zoom video conferencing, face time, and other apps available that allows the father to see the child and interact the child without exposing the child to the risk of contagion. The Los Angeles Superior Court has been continuing most hearings except for emergency hearings. It would serve the parties best to co-parent and work out a temporary custody agree-

protected by law. Doing so gives rise to wrongful termination.

However, the employer can claim that it had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for firing the employee (such as poor performance or customer complaints). The employee then has to prove that the employer’s stated reason for the firing was a “pretext.”

Patricia’s case illustrates how to spot a pretextual situation.

The timing of the termination in relation to the protected activity is one. Shifting reasons for the termination is another. Additionally, an employee may show that an employer’s stated reason: 1) is false; 2) did not cause the firing; or 3) is not enough to cause a firing (i.e., people are not usually fired for this reason).

Employers generally have the power to terminate employees at will. But they must not be motivated by a discriminatory or retaliatory reason for doing so.

Otherwise, the termination becomes unlawful, and may subject the employer to liability for damages. Employees who prove they were retaliated and wrongfully terminated may recover loss of earnings, emotional distress, attorneys’ fees and costs, and in certain cases, punitive damages. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic.

All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. 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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ment which can be turned into a temporary court order.

Domestic Violence during Stay at Home Order Many domestic violence victims live with their abusers and are now being forced to isolate with their abusers. Victims may have also lost their source of income and are having a harder time connecting with their support systems such as the victim’s family. Leaving their situation is much more difficult during the pandemic. COVID-19 stay at home order in Los Angeles means victims might be stuck with their abusers. Victims might also be losing their job and income. For the most vulnerable people in the community, stay at home order is the same as putting them in a cage with a dangerous creature. Even though there may be an increase in domestic violence during this period, neither law enforcement nor the family courts may hear about the domestic violence and abuse because it is usually the community that reports these incidents when children go to school, when people see their friends, when people are in a situation where other people see what’s going on. Now, teachers, childcare providers and, friends are physically cut off from the people and children they normally are in contact with daily.

In addition, seeing businesses shuttered and paychecks halted has put intense pressure and hardship on a growing number of people and families who are becoming increasingly depressed.

Many are self-medicating at home

precedented level of hardship for residents in a county where the coronavirus hardly feels like an abstraction. The high infection rates can make it feel as though nearly everyone knows or knows of someone who has contracted COVID-19 or died of it.”

Those of us who live in other areas of California must also show our solidarity with the inhabitants of the impoverished regions significantly hit by the coronavirus. Along with our prayers, we should find other ways to help them.

We cannot be merely be feeling happy that the community where we live has not suffered the worst. Like Jesus in the Gospel, whose heart was moved with pity as seeing his people’s struggle, we must also feel the pain of other people. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

with drugs and alcohol. Add to that scenario the school closures and children and spouses sheltering together at home can create an extremely hostile, even dangerous, environment for many families. It is therefore important for victims to call the police or avail of the Family Courts by filing an application for a restraining order and a kick out order against the perpetrator. The Los Angeles Superior Court is available during this pandemic to issue such emergency orders to protect the victims of domestic violence. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

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

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

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

Bankruptcy: Get out of debt, get your finances back in order Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BulAon LIKE most people, you’ve worked hard and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But in life, at one time or another, we all find ourselves in a a situation where debt can be overwhelming.

Many people feel hopeless and powerless over their debt problems. Debt problems can easily spill over into other areas of your life- your marriage, family and your business if you are self-employed. If you are currently in debt, rather than allowing your money problems to affect your life in such a dramatic way, filing for bankruptcy protection may help you get your life back on track.

If you’ve suffered a job loss, are facing foreclosure or have bills you can no longer afford to pay, Congress has enacted bankruptcy laws that can help you get your finances back in order. I know that the mere thought of bankruptcy makes most people nervous so they avoid exploring their options until it’s too late.

This is unfortunate because in a lot of cases, people could

have turned their situation around much sooner had they acted sooner. Some people wait too long to file bankruptcy even when it is their only option. In the process, they use up hard-earned assets like their retirement plan and savings accounts. In the end they realize that this was nothing more than a temporary fix to a lingering problem. Sooner or later, these people realize that they would have been better off filing bankruptcy before losing everything that they had worked so hard for. Don’t let this happen to you!

If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, at least find out what your legal options are before things get worse.

You don’t need to keep living paycheck to paycheck while digging a deeper financial hole every single month. Yes, bankruptcy may be a scary thing for a lot of people who don’t understand the process but once they’ve taken the time to find out how it works and how it could help them get out of debt, they often realize that it’s actually not as difficult as they first thought. Bankruptcy is a beginning, not the end.

Dealing with financial problems can result in stress, fear and embarrassment. With the current economy in turmoil, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy protec-

tion. The stigma that once surrounded bankruptcy has almost disappeared. Once you consult with a bankruptcy attorney, you may soon discover that the law is actually on your side and that you just need to let the legal process work for you.

If you need help in getting out of debt, call my office at 866-477-7772 to schedule a free confidential consultation.

Since 1998, I have successfully helped more than 6,000 clients in solving their debt problems.

If you have not read my book, “What You Need to Know Before Filing Bankruptcy”, you can download it free of charge at www.beforefilingbk.com.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation.

Let us help you. *** NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video. Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me. 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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Landlord with $400K...

PAGE B5 a week, you will end up paying more than your mortgage payment every month. But it has a nice ambiance and the service is good.

So after Mr. Chow, the client then brings the friend to Nobu the next night. This is also in Malibu and owned by Robert De Niro who partnered with a Japanese chef. Let’s just say that if you have Mr. Chow for Chinese food, you have Nobu for Japanese food, you better be making at least $200,000 a year. The client was, in fact, well paid in his IT job. He does make close to $200,000 a year. He wanted to show his friend that he was doing well, and maybe the friend can get some ideas for his own restaurant from Mr. Chow and Nobu.

The friend also comes from a wealthy family in their country of origin. So expensive dining is not a big deal for the friend. I’ve never really been a fan of expensive dining. I go for really good food even if it’s just a hole in the wall or it’s being dished out from a street vendor. I try street food from all over the world. They are really good. Most operators specialize in a local dish for many years and have perfected the taste. This is true everywhere in the world. This is the good food that normal people eat in their own countries, which are cooked and served by street vendors at very reasonable prices. For instance, tacos al carbon tastes great from the food trucks.

Or, Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore are as authentic and delicious as those made by the Chinese immigrants who brought them over. Or, the fried bebek (duck) served in Bali on the beach in Jimbaran. Or, delicious Filipino “turo-turo” (point-point) food

served by DJ Dibingkahan in West Covina.

Guarantee restaurant commercial lease The client agreed to personally guarantee the commercial lease for the friend’s restaurant at $20,000 a month for five years. The client did not have second thoughts about doing it for the friend, thinking the friend would do the same for him in his time of need if that ever came about. The friend’s restaurant did well initially but after a couple of months, less and less customers showed up.

Apparently, the friend’s cooking did not sell too well to the local taste. So after a year of operating the restaurant, the friend decided to call it quits.

He tried to sell the restaurant but there were no takers.

The landlord sued the friend and eventually got a judgment against the friend for $400,000 on the unpaid lease of four years. Well, who in his right mind would pay for $400,000 for an unpaid lease of a failed restaurant even if you come from a wealthy family abroad? The friend’s family is wealthy but not stupid.

Not as stupid as the client who personally guaranteed the lease. Now here comes the landlord asking the client to pay the $400,000 because of his personal guarantee.

Can the landlord collect from the client? Yes, of course, he can. Since the friend has not paid the $400,000 judgment, the client is now legally liable to pay the $400,000 based on his written personal guarantee. Written personal guarantees are completely legally enforceable. Verbal ones are not enforceable.

Obviously, the client doesn’t want to pay the $400,000 either. If he can qualify for

Chapter 7, he needs a Chapter 7 discharge to get rid of the $400,000 liability so he can get a fresh start in life and be productive again. So watch out when somebody, a friend or relative, asks you to guarantee a lease or loan or whatever. Just say no, or forever regret it your moment of weakness.

Son guarantees visiting father’s medical bills for stroke The next client is only 30.

His father came to visit him here in Los Angeles from their country of origin. The client did not have the foresight of getting his father travel medical insurance to cover any medical expenses that may arise during his visit.

Unfortunately, the father had a stroke when the client brought him to see the Grand Canyon. The hospital bill to treat father totaled $500,000.

And with no insurance, the son had to sign for all of the $500,000. So if you have relatives coming to visit you, tell them or get them travel medical insurance. The son did not get father this insurance so now he’s on the hook for $500,000. Chapter 7 will get him a fresh start by wiping out the $500,000 liability. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice. Each case is different. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes i n B a n k r u p t c y, B u s i n e s s , R e a l 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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Removal of conditions on green...

PAGE B5 of the conditional green card is to weed out sham marriages where couples get married only to get a green card, and after getting the green card, the couple separate and get a divorce. Hence, in order to have the conditions on the green card removed, the alien or conditional permanent resident (CPR) must be able to prove that he got married in good faith and with the intent to remain in the marriage.

To remove the conditions on the green card, the CPR must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before his 2nd anniversary as a conditional resident.

When submitting the I-751 Petition, the CPR must submit the required initial evidence that establishes the bona fides of the marriage and that the marriage was not entered into for the purpose of evading US immigration laws.

Under a previous policy of the USCIS, most CPRs were not required to attend an inperson interview in order to

obtain a permanent resident card. As long as enough evidence was submitted with the I-751 Petition to show that the marriage was bona fide, no interview is necessary. However, in the Revised Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence effective December 10, 2018, the interview of the CPR is now part of the I-751 adjudication.

Per this new policy, interviews provide USCIS with the opportunity to verify information contained in the petition, as well as to discover new information that may be relevant to the adjudication or to determine the credibility of the CPR seeking to remove the conditions of his lawful permanent resident status.

USCIS may consider waiving the interview if they are satisfied that: (1) They can make a decision based on the record because it contains sufficient evidence about the bona fides of the marriage and that the marriage was not entered into for the purpose of evading the immigration laws of the US;

(2) For I-751 cases received on/after December 10, 2018, USCIS has previously interviewed the principal petitioner for I-130/I-485; (3) There is no indication of fraud or misrepresentation in the Form I-751 or the supporting documentation; and (4) There are no complex facts or issues that require an interview to resolve questions or concerns. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty.

Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).

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

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