The DOJ report said that Cox stole more than $1.7 million in client payments and company loans by KAYCEE VALMONTE Philstar.com
MANILA – Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Crisologo “Chavit” Singson has advised former senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to settle his lawsuit first with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM) before accepting exhibition fight offers. The 43-year-old Pacquiao has signed on to fight Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition bout set in December, the proceeds of which would go to charity.ButSingson, 81, believes that it is high time for the 43-yearold Pacquiao to first reach out to those people who last year faced a setback by his decision not to fight under PSM brand despite having a signed contract. “I think he really needs to MediaQuest and ABS-CBN announced on Thursday, August 11 a landmark deal to invest in TV5 – a transaction expected to be completed within this month. Photo shows (from left) Smart and PLDT president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio, MediaQuest Holdings president and CEO Jane Basas, MediaQuest Holdings chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak and ABS-CBN chief partnership officer Bobby Philstar.comBarreiro.photo
DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPERVolume 21 - No. 34 • 14 Pages AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net PAGE 5 PAGE 4 PAGE 2 PROTECTED. Armed with a jacket and umbrella, a student prepares to leave Manuel Roxas High School in Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City after classes were dismissed on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Malacañang suspended classes in all levels in public schools and work in government offices in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan due to inclement weather caused by Severe Tropical Storm Florita. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler ABS-CBN and TV5 deal won’t need OK from competition commission – exec PAGE 5 PAGE 5 PAGE 2
FORMER United States Representative Terence John “T.J.” Cox was charged with a swath of financial crimes tied to his congressional campaign, according to an indictment that was unsealed on Tuesday, Aug. 16 by a grand jury in California. The 28 charges include “15 counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of money laundering, one count of financial institution fraud, and one count of campaign contribution fraud” in which he made contributions to his own campaigns under a different name, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.During his 2018 congressional run, Cox is alleged to have allocated $25,000 in illegal “straw or conduit donations” in order to pay “family members and associates for donations to his campaign.”
MANILA — The investment deal between media companies ABSCBN and TV5 is “not notifiable” and does not need approval from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), an official said on Wednesday, August 24. During a joint House committee hearing, PCC officer-in-charge Johannes Benjamin Bernabe said the transaction between the two media firms did not meet the P50-million threshold set by the Bayanihan 2 law. Thus, the media entities have no obligation to notify the body of the investment deal since the transaction is not notifiable. The Bayanihan 2 law raised the threshold for mergers and acquisitions to P50 billion until September 15. “Based on this publicly available information, it appears to be that the transaction is not notifiable. It does not need the transaction value under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the Bayanihan 2 law,” Bernabe told the House committees on legislative franchises and trade andBernabeindustry.explained that the Bayanihan 2 law requires PCC to review mergers or acquisitions with a transaction value of more
Former senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao Philstar.com file photo
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What PH can learn from China’s reaction to Pelosi’s Taiwan visit
US lawmakers hope Marcos gov’t will uphold human rights during visit to PH by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com
Fil-Am man sentenced to 45 days in jail for role in Jan. 6 riot
THE Filipino American man who was famously photographed carrying a walis tambo (broom) during the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol has been sentenced to 45 days in jail. Kene Brian Lazo of Norfolk, Virginia was sentenced by a federal judge on Thursday, August 18 to 45 days in jail after being arrested in May 2021 for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol. He previously entered a not guilty plea to the charges in connection with the incident. Lazo wore a black helmet, googles, and an American flag cape while carrying a 'Captain America'-style shield and the Filipino broom. His shield carried messages like “FALSE MEDIA = COUP” and “PANDEMIC HOAX = COUP.” HisMay 28, 2021 arrest came following a tip from someone who recognized the Rodbustars, LLC logo on Lazo’s helmet in a post by Facebook user “Fam Council.” Biden administration says landmark In ation Reduction Act will bene t AAPI families
MANILA — After seeing how China reacted to visits to Taiwan by U.S. officials over the past weeks, analysts point out that the Philippines should prepare to build its capacity and form strategic alliances to defend its Professorterritories.Herman Kraft, political science department chair at the University of the Philippines, noted that China’s playbook “is based on gray zones and short-term gains that [change] conditions on the ground in preparation for the next short-term objective.”“Ourlesson here should be to be more active [in] matching the Chinese presence, and asserting our own positions,” Kraft said. “Ceding ground to China by claiming that we are not capable of winning a war against them falls into the trap of looking at the issue from the Chinese perspective.”
LAWMAKERS from the United States were inspired by the courage of Filipinos who faced repression under the Duterte administration, and expressed hope that the new government would set a new tone for the importance of human rights and press freedom, an American senator said. A U.S. congressional delegation led by Senator Edward Markey met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., other government officials, former lawmaker Leila de Lima and journalists last week. According to a release from Markey’s office, the delegation raised concerns about the human rights record of the previous government, and Fil-Am former congressman TJ Cox arrested, charged with 28 counts of fraud by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress
Beijing conducted its biggest-ever military exercises around Taiwan after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the Settle Paradigm lawsuit before ghting again, Chavit tells Pacquiao
AHEAD of the contentious midterm elections, United States President Joe Biden secured a major victory for his administration by signing the Inflation Reduction Act, the long-awaited bill that, among other things, caps prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients.“TheAmerican people won, and the special interests lost,” Biden said, referencing Big Pharma companies that lobbied hard against efforts to lower prescription drug costs for low-income Americans. Biden added, “Every single Republican in Congress sided with the special interests in this vote. That’s the choice we face: we can protect the already-powerful, or show the courage to build the future where everybody
Like in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, there are also disputes over the East China Sea between China and Japan as the two countries along with South Korea and Taiwan share theThewaters.Philippines has called on both the U.S. and China “to ensure continuing communication” to keep tensions from further escalating. Andasthe situation continues to unfold, the Department of Migrant Workers has instructed the Philippines’ three labor attaches in Taiwan to stay vigilant and make themselves visible to the over 150,000 overseas Filipino workers there. Amador Research Services Founder and CEO Julio Amador pointed out that the country’s contingency plans should also go beyond OFWs and “look at how any potential conflict will affect our economy and our security.” “Are we ready to accept refugees from Taiwan? Can we be a potential relocation hub for out. corporations?,” AmadorTaiwanesepointed
Former Central Valley congressman Terrance John “TJ” Cox
San José City Council San José City Hall 200 E. Santa Clara Street Online meeting news-stories/watch-a-meeting-https://www.sanjoseca.gov/ Setyembre 20, 2022, simula 1:30pm Maaaring magbago ang petsa ng mga pagpupulong. Mangyaring tignan ang http://www.sanjoseca.gov/housingconplan para sa mga pagbabago.
PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG AT PAGPUPULONG
PATAKARANG WALANG-DISKRIMINASYON
Pampublikong Pagdinig at Pag-apruba ng Mahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 Taunang Kilos-Plano Housing and Community Development Commission Online meeting - ahenda Zoom fsiteid-1nity-development-commission/agendas-minutes/-departments/housing/about-us/housing-commuhttps://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/link: Setyembre 8, 2022, simula 5:45pm
What Who Where When Paglabas ng Inihaing Mahahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 AAP Simula ng 30-araw na panahon ng pagkomento Tignan ang Housing Department’s papel793-5542sahttp://www.sanjoseca.gov/housingconplanwebsite,paraelektronikongkopyaotawaganang(408)o(408)294-9337(TTY)parasanakopya
Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may ugnayan ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na maaaring gumanap bilang mga tagasalin para sa mga residente na naghahangad ng impormasyon na nauukol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung binigyan ng paunawa nang maaga ng limang araw ng trabaho, makikipag-ayos ang Lungsod upang makakuha ng isang tagasalin. Mangyaring kontakin ang Lungsod sa (510) 747-6884 (Tinig), (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o email lfitts@alamedaca.gov.
City of San José - Housing 200 E. Santa Clara St. 12th Floor (Tower) Panahon ng Pampub likong Pagkomento: Agosto 20 – Setyembre 20, 2022 Paglabas ng Draft CAPER FY 2021-22 Simula ng 15-araw na panahon ng pagkomento Tignan ang Housing Department’s papel793-5542sahttp://www.sanjoseca.gov/housingconplanwebsite,paraelektronikongkopyaotawaganang(408)o(408)294-9337(TTY)parasanakopya City of San José - Housing 200 E. Santa Clara St. 12 Floor (Tower) Panahon ng Pampub likong 20,SetyembrePagkomento:5–Setyembre2022
Pampublikong Pagdinig at Pag-apruba ng Draft FY 2021-2022 CAPER Housing and Community Development Commission Online meeting - ahenda Zoom fsiteid-1nity-development-commission/agendas-minutes/-departments/housing/about-us/housing-commuhttps://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/link: Setyembre 8, 2022, simula 5:45pm
Pampublikong Pagdinig at Pag-apruba ng Draft FY 2021-2022CAPER San José City Council San José City Hall 200 E. Santa Clara Street Online meeting news-stories/watch-a-meeting-https://www.sanjoseca.gov/ Setyembre 20, 2022, simula 1:30pm
As the Philippines is located just south of Taiwan, analysts point out that any form of aggressiveness from China could spill over to Manila — for example, through the Scarborough Shoal (Panatag) that is part of the West Philippine Sea. This would then open up more cans of worms as both Beijing and Manila have claims over the waters, which a 2016 arbitral tribunal said was a traditional fishing ground that claimants cannot bar fishers from other countries from going to. China continues to ignore the Hague ruling that invalidated its nine-dash claims over parts of the South China Sea and instead provided that it is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The effect of pressure that China is putting on Taiwan goes beyond the region, Manhit said. “It also affects Northern East Asia countries who [have] concerns with China, especially the East China Sea with Japan. This is what we should be looking at, how it affects the East Asia security and peace situation.”
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51602 FROM THE FRONT PAGE PAUNAWA TUNGKOL SA BLOKENG GAWAD SA PAGPAPAUNLAD NG KOMUNIDAD / PROGRAMA SA MGA PAKIKIPAGSOSYO SA HOME INVESTMENT NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-CDBG/HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM-HOME) FY 2021-2022 PAG-UULAT NG PAGSASAGAWA Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay magsusumite ng kanyang Pinagsamang Ulat ng Taunang Pagsasagawa at Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad FY 2021-2022 Pagsusun sa (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report-CAPER) sa Kagawarang Pederal ng Pagpapaunlad sa Pabahay at Urban sa Setyembre 28, 2022. Ang CAPER ay nagbibigay ng impormasyong pampinansyal at pamamalakad sa mga aktibidad sa CDBG / HOME at nagsusuri ng isang malawak na hanay ng iba pang pabahay, komunidad, at aktibidad sa pagsusulong sa ekonomiya para sa panahon ng Hulyo 1, 2021 hanggang Hunyo 30, 2022. Ang layunin ng paunawang ito ay upang gawin na mabatid ang mga pag-uulat ng CAPER para sa pampublikong komento. Sa Agosto 31, 2022, ang CAPER ay maaari ring makita sa website ng Lungsod, www. alamedaca.gov. Ang mga nakasulat na mga komento tungkol sa mga aktibidad ng CDBG/HOME at ng CAPER ay tatanggapin mula 5:00 p.m. sa Setyembre 14, 2022 sa City of Alameda Community Development Department, 950 W. Mall Square, Alameda, CA 94501, o sa pamamagitan ng email kay Lisa Fitts, lfitts@alamedaca.gov. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa paunawang ito, tumawag sa (510) 747-6884 (tinig) o (510) 522-7538 (TYY).
Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said Manila could learn from how China “will continue their aggressive behavior on what they define as their territory.”
Affecting regional security
Kung ang sinumang taong may interes sa paglahok sa programang CDBG / HOME ay isang taong may kapansanan gaya ng nilinaw ng Seksiyon 504 ng Batas ng 1974 sa Rehabilitasyon na nag-aatas ng isang kaluwagan upang lumahok o magkainteres, ang isang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay maaaring gawin kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 7476884 (Boses), (510) 522-7538 (TYY) o magpadala ng email sa lfitts@alamedaca.gov. Ang naturang kahilingan ay dapat kabilang ang isang paglalarawan ng kaluwagang hinahangad, kasama ang isang pahayag ng kapansanan na nangangailangan ng kaluwagan. Anumang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay dapat suriin at ang isang sagot ay ipagkaloob sa loob ng limang araw ng trabaho pagkatapos matanggap ang naturang kahilingan. Ang paunawa ng anumang kaluwagan na iginawad ay agad ipagkakaloob sa humiling.
“Their playbook is based on the idea of projecting strength without firing bullets so that means they will always project that they can bully you and we need to accept that as the game that China is playing in the region,” Manhit said.
MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN
Pampublikong Pagdinig at Pag-apruba ng Mahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan Taunang Kilos-Plano
hope Marcos... PAGE 1 PAGE 1 expressed
CNSB#3616954
Taunang Kilos-Plano, mangyaring kontakin si Stephanie Gutowski sa (408) 535-3500 o stephanie.gutowski@sanjoseca.gov PARA RESIDENTES QUE HABLAN ESPAÑOL:Para preguntas o comentariosacerca de Proyecto FY 2021-2022 Reporte ConsolidadoAnual de Evaluaciones del Desempeño y las CorreccionesSubstanciales de Proyecto FY 2022-2023 Planes de AcciónAnual, porfavorcontactar a Luisa Cantu (408) 535-8357. THÔNG TIN LIÊN LẠC::Nếuquývịcónhữngcâuhỏi hay ý kiếnliênquanđếnBảnDựThảoBáoCáoThẩmĐịnhThànhQuảHàngNăm (CAPER)vàBảnDựThảoVềNhữngThayĐổiKếHoạchĐángKểHàngNămchoTàiKhoá 2022-2023, xinvuilòngliênlạccô Janie Lê qua sốđiệnthoại (408) 975-4414 hoặc qua điệnthưJanie.le@sanjose.ca.gov 使用華語的聖荷西居民：此通知是市府2021-2022 綜合年度績效報告和2022-2023 年度計劃的重要改變。此通知提供公聽會的日期以及公眾的檢閱和 建議。詳細資料，請電，華語
US lawmakers hope that Marcos will turn the page by upholding the fundamental human rights during their meeting with the new president. “I am pleased to lead the first U.S. Congressional delegation to meet with President Marcos Jr. and look forward to the promise of a renewed partnership with the newly elected government,” Markey said. “I expressed to President Marcos my hope that he will turn the page on the human rights abuses of the previous government.Markeywas banned from visiting the Philippines by President Rodrigo Duterte after calling for De Lima’s release and raising alarm over human rights violations under his watch. Visiting De Lima Markey also said the members of the delegation were “inspired by the courage and resilience of Senator De Lima, the press, and every day Filipinos in the face of persecution and repression under the previous government.”U.S.lawmakers were allowed to visit De Lima at her detention facility in Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 19. The visit, which lasted for more than an hour, came a day after they were barred by police for lacking a court order. Markey renewed his call to drop all charges against De Lima and release her from detention. De Lima has been in jail since Feb. 24, 2017 on drug charges. De Lima has two pending cases. She had been acquitted in one Markeycase.also stressed that a “free and independent press is the bedrock of any democracy.” The delegation met with journalists from Rappler. Climate change, security issues According to Markey’s office, the delegation discussed cooperation on renewable energy, ways to address climate change, U.S. support for human rights, press freedom, and LGBTQIA+ rights and regional security issues, such as the South China Sea during meetings with Marcos, foreign affairs secretary Enrique Manalo, and justice chief Jesus Crispin Remulla. Markey also met with Filipino lawmakers, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez assuring the American legislators that the lower chamber “will remain committed in enacting laws that would help deepen cooperation with the United States.” Senate President ProTempore Loren Legarda said the reception hosted by Romualdez was “an opportune time to discuss pressing issues, such as the pandemic, threats to our planet’s health, the global economy, national security as well as public health.” Members of the U.S. congressional delegation also include Representatives John Garamendi (DemocratCalifornia), Don Beyer (Democrat-Virginia) and Aumua Amata Radewagen (RepublicanAmerican Samoa).
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What else can the Philippines do? Meanwhile, Kraft said the situation could make the Philippines take a “more nuanced approach” to an independent foreign policy as takes into consideration both the U.S. and China.He added that the Philippines should “work diplomatically” with partners and at the same time, “exploit the alliance with the U.S. in terms of developing our security capabilities.”Manilaand Washington have a Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which means that any attack on either country’s military forces could trigger a mutual defense response from the other. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo earlier said that joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea with the United States — engagement that the Duterte administration shunned — may be “continued to be explored bilaterally” as this is also provided in the MDT. Meanwhile, Manhit points out that investments in the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are also needed to secure the country’s territorial claims against the constant threat from China.Healso said that it’s time to consider checking the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement as the country also needs to project a strategic initiative. He also emphasized that there are also countries such as Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and some members of the European Union that have offered to conduct joint patrols with Philippine vessels. “We know for a fact there’s no quick solution to our weak capacity to defend ourselves but the quickest way is how to build partnerships and alliances that have offered us help,” he said. (With reports from Agence France-Presse)
Fil-Am
MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG INGLES
Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi nagdidiskrimina laban sa sinumang mga tao dahil sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, bansang pinagmulan, angkan, sekso, kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, katayuang pampamilya, pinagkukunan ng kita, henetikong impormasyon, kondisyong medikal, kapansanang pisikal o kapansanan ng isipan, o anumang ibang kategoryang protektado ng batas. PARA SA DRAFT FY 2021-2022 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) AT MAHALAGANG PAGSUSOG SA FY 2022-2023 NA TAUNANG KILOS-PLANO TAUNANG PLANONG KILOS ANG LUNGSOD NG SAN JOSÉ AY GINAGAWA ANG DRAFT FY 2021-2022 NG CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT AT NAGHAHAIN NG MAHAHALAGAN0G PAGSUSUSOG SA TAUNANG KILOS-PLANO SA FY 2022-2023. ANG PAUNAWANG ITO AY NAGBIBIGAY NG ISKEDYUL NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG AT OPORTUNIDAD PARA SA REBYU AT KOMENTO. Ang draft ng FY 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), at ang inihaing Mahahalagang Pagsususog ay nagupdate sa appubadong FY 2022-2023AAP ng lungsod. Bawat taon, ang Kagawaran ng Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ng U.S. ay humihingi sa mga hurisdiksyon ng entitlement na magsumite ng CAPER, na isang ulat na sinusuri ang progreso ng Lungsod sa pagkamit ng mga layuning nakatala sa Five-Year Consolidated Plan at ang Taunang Kilos-Plano. Ang panahon ng pagkomento para sa CAPER ay mula Setyembre 5, 2022 hanggang Setyembre 20, 2022, at ang panahon ng pagkomento para sa Mahalagang Pagsususog ay mula Agosto 20, 2022 hanggang Setyembre 20, 2022. Ito ay nagbibigay boses sa publiko. Ang mga AAP ang nangangasiwa sa paggamit ng pederal na pondo mula sa Kagawaran ng Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ng U.S. Ang pondo ng Lungsod na natanggap, sa pormula, mula sa HUD ay binubuo ng Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), at Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Ang pormulang pondo ng Lungsod ay karaniwang nasa $14 na milyon bawat taon, batay sa pederal na badyet. Ang pagsulong ng mga ganitong Plano ay lubos na naaapektuhan ng boses ng publiko. Kung nais ninyong magbigay komento sa mga draft ng CAPER at pagsususog sa Plano, inaanyayahan kayo ng Lungsod sa kahit anong pagpupulong sa ibaba. Bilang karagdagan, ang mga komento ay maaaring ibigay sa pamamagitan ng phone, regular na mail (sa Lungsod ng San José Housing Department, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 12th Floor, San José, California 95113), o sa email gamit ang impormasyon sa ibaba para sa nakapagsasalita ng Ingles at sa limitado ang pag-Iingles. Ang draft ng Mahalagang Pagsususog ay makikita sa Housing Department’s website mula Agosto 20, 2022 hanggang Setyembre 20, 2022. Ang draft ng CAPER ay makikita sa Housing Department’s website mula Setyembre 5, 2022 hanggang Setyembre 20, Para2022.makahingi ng ispesyal na akomodasyon para sa kahit anumang pagpupulong o isang alternatibong format ng anumang naka-print na materyales, maaaring tawagan ang (408) 294-9337 (TTY) sa akmang oras, ngunit dapat hindi bababa sa tatlong araw bago ang pagupupulong. Lahat ng pampublikong pagpupulong ay maaaring mapuntahan ng mga mayroong kapansanan sa paggalaw. Schedule of Public Hearings
What PH can learn from China’s reaction... self-governing island earlier this month. China had warned that her visit “seriously harms” its territorial integrity and said there would be consequences for Washington.Pelosiwas the highest-ranked elected U.S. official to visit Taiwan in over two decades as Washington recently has been trying to build a strategic partnership with the democratic island.Both the United States and the Philippines maintain a “One China” policy, which recognizes only one Chinese government. However, Beijing said Pelosi’s recent visit sends a wrong signal to separatist Stratbase-ADRforces.
former congressman TJ Cox... and investments from 2013 to 2018, when Cox was the head of a community development firm. The report also said that Cox had submitted falsified bank statements to a property lender ino order to receive mortgage loan funds for a property that he, allegedly, rented to someone else. If he is convicted, he could face 20 to 30 years in prison, in addition to millions of dollars in fines. Cox — who represented the Fresno, California area from 2019 to 2021 — is the son of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, both of whom were immigrants. In 2018, he defeated the incumbent, Republican David Valadao, to represent California’s 21st congressional district, which includes portions of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare counties in the San Joaquin Valley. However, it was later revealed that Cox illicitly used campaign contributions to pay for one of his real estate ventures; he lost the seat to Valadao in 2020.
IMPORMASYONG CONTACT: ara sa katanungan o komento ukol sa Draft FY 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) at ang Draft ng Mahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 Ann Tu (408) 975-4450.
A third U.S. delegation landed in Taiwan on Sunday, August 21 led by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to pursue trade discussions with Taipei even after China conducted its military drills in the areas surrounding it. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed that it would reclaim it one day. Any diplomatic action that would give legitimacy to Taiwan would raise tension with Beijing.
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 3
Fil-Am man sentenced to 45 days in jail for role in...
More communities are giving flavored
Reports indicate that Lazo and his wife are listed in public documents as owners of Rodbustars, and the FBI used location data for a phone number associated with the company to determine that it was being used inside the Capitol, according to the warrant for Lazo’s arrest. He was among the thousands of supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be part of the Kene Brian Lazo faces 45 days in jail for his participation in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Images via Norfolk City Jail, FBI court filings group that illegally entered the government building. His charges include knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds or in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. The Fil-Am man was inside the building for about 19 minutes, according to the statement of offense filed in federal court. Lazo entered the Capitol around 2:34 p.m., some 14 minutes after the members of the House of Representatives and Senate, including Vice President Mike Pence, were evacuated from the Senate Chamber, the VirginianPilotAlso reported. with his 45-day jail sentence, U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered Lazo to pay a $500 fine. (AJPress)
tobacco the boot. Will California follow?
by Zinnia Finn Kaiser Health News u PAGE 5
A 2021 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 75% of middle school students and 80% of high school students who use tobacco use a product with flavoring, often in “kid-friendly flavors, such as berry, cherry, apple, cotton candy, and bubble gum,” which mask the harshness of tobacco and act as a gateway for underage smoking. In 2020, an estimated 4.5 million middle and high school students used tobacco products. Before the pandemic, the number of young people surveyed on school campuses who used tobacco had been climbing steadily, rising from 3.6 million in 2017 to 6.2 million 2019, according to CDC surveys. “It’s not good for young people’s developing brains,” said Kevin Schroth, an associate professor at the Rutgers University School of Public Health. Schroth previously worked on tobacco control policy in New York City, which banned the sale of flavored tobacco in 2009. “There’s no reason that they should be developing addictions to these products.” If Californians uphold the state law, theirs would be the fifth state to adopt a flavor ban after Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. About 345 localities across the nation prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco. But some of these laws, including California’s, contain glaring loopholes, such as allowing flavors in premium cigars, hookahs, pipe tobacco, and online purchases. While some cities and states have banned internet sales, others have cited legal concerns about regulating interstate commerce — leaving it to the federal government to act. The FDA in April proposed rules banning the manufacture, distribution, and sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, but the rules have yet to be finalized. In June, the agency ordered vaping company Juul to stop selling its e-cigarettes, but a week and a half later suspended the ban, following a federal lawsuit by the company. The FDA said its order needed further scientific review. Meanwhile, legislation in Congress to ban the sale of flavored tobacco has stalled. The tobacco industry has spent nearly $22 million to overturn the California law compared with $5.7 million spent by supporters of the ban. “NO on Prop 31” campaign spokesperson Beth Miller said via email that government regulation restricts adult smokers’ right to choose and takes away an alternative to cigarettes that some people use to kick the habit. Miller said the campaign agrees “youth should never have access to any tobacco products,” which have been illegal in California for anyone under 21 since 2016. Public health officials, however, say that flavored products are clearly marketed to young kids — and that they use them. A 2021 survey by Santa Clara County, for example, found that 93% of high school students who had used tobacco chose a flavored product. Just over half of those surveyed who vape said they bought their own“Whene-cigarettes.products are available, youth may be able to find a way they can get these products,” said Don Tran, policy coordinator for the county’s Tobacco-Free Communities program. “But when you’re actually able to physically remove the product from being sold on the shelf, you’re going to drastically reduce thatIt’savailability.”tooearlyto tell whether the flavor ban is working in San Jose. At Houdini’s Smoke Shop downtown, co-owner John Tokhi said the store has lost about 80% of its sales to neighboring municipalities where the sales of products are still legal. Before the ban, he said, a warm summer evening would attract
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51604 Dateline USa PAGE 1
SAN JOSE — California’s third-largest city banished flavored tobacco products from store shelves this summer, joining scores of other cities and counties in the state in a public health push to reduce nicotine addiction among youths and young adults. Like San Jose, Sacramento County also imposed a ban this summer. Los Angeles, California’s largest city, and San Diego will implement prohibitions in January. Even though big and small communities across the state have already acted, Californians in November will decide whether to enact one of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide bans on flavored tobacco — making it illegal for brick-andmortar retailers to sell flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or vapes, including those flavored with menthol. Sales of gums or gummies that contain nicotine and are not approved by the FDA would also be prohibited. At issue is a 2020 state law that would have banned the sale of those products — but never went into effect. Within days of its passage, Big Tobacco launched a referendum drive to overturn theAlaw.“yes” vote on the referendum, known as Proposition 31, would uphold the law, banning the sale of flavored tobacco. A “no” vote would overturn the law. If the measure passes, more restrictive local ordinances would remain in place while the state law would override weaker bans. If the referendum fails, all local bans would remain in effect. San Jose began prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products on July 1. City resident Joseph Smith, who was working in a local tobacco shop on a recent Tuesday, said he started smoking at age 12 when his friend gave him a menthol cigarette. Now 30, Smith said he quit smoking cigarettes two years ago by smoking Puff Bars — slim disposable vapes that are now illegal to sell under the city’s ban. He also said he no longer vapes. Smith said he doesn’t support Big Tobacco’s marketing tactics but also doesn’t support taking away people’s freedom to buy their favorite product at the local store.“They kill people; they profit off people’s lives,” Smith said about the tobacco industry. “But overall, I still feel like people have the right to do what they want.” Proponents of local ordinances and the statewide ban say the measures are primarily intended to protect young people from getting addicted, as Smith did. “We can stop Big Tobacco from using flavors to get kids hooked on nicotine and profiting from addiction, disease, and death,” former state Sen. Jerry Hill, who authored the 2020 law, told lawmakers at a recent legislative hearing on the ballot measure. “If we can save even a few lives by ending the sale of candy-flavored tobacco, it will all be worth it.”
Biden administration says landmark In ation...
IMPORMASYONG CONTACT: Para sa katanungan o komento ukol sa Draft FY 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) at ang Draft ng Mahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 Taunang Kilos-Plano, mangyaring kontakin si Stephanie Gutowski sa (408) 535-3500 o stephanie.gutowski@sanjoseca.gov PARA RESIDENTES QUE HABLAN ESPAÑOL: Para preguntas o comentarios acerca de Proyecto las Correcciones Substanciales de Proyecto FY 2022-2023 Planes de Acción Anual, por favor contactar
“Reducing access to products locally results in less use,” Talati said. This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. SAN JOSÉ AY NAGHAHAIN NG MAHALAGANG PAGSUSUSOG SA TAUNANG KILOS-LANO SA FY 2022-2023. ANG PAUNAWANG ITO AY NAGBIBIGAY NG ISKEDYUL NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG AT OPORTUNIDAD PARA SA REBYU AT KOMENTO. Ang inihaing Mahalagang Pagsususog ay nag-update sa aprubadong FY 2022-2023 na AAP ng lungsod. Ang panahon ng pagkomento pagkomento para sa Mahalagang Pagsususog ay mula Agosto 27, 2022 hanggang Setyembre 27, 2022. Ito ay nagbibigay boses sa publiko Ang mga AAP ang nangangasiwa sa paggamit ng pederal na pondo mula sa Kagawaran ng Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ng U.S. Ang pondo ng Lungsod na natanggap, sa pormula, mula sa HUD ay binubuo ng Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), at Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Ang pormulang pondo ng Lungsod ay karaniwang nasa $14 na milyon bawat taon, batay sa pederal na badyet. Ang pagsulong ng mga ganitong Plano ay lubos na naaapektuhan ng boses ng publiko. Kung nais ninyong magbigay komento sa Pagsususog sa Plano, inaanyayahan kayo ng Lungsod sa kahit anong pagpupulong sa ibaba. Bilang karagdagan, ang mga komento ay maaaring ibigay sa pamamagitan ng phone, regular na mail (sa Lungsod ng San José Housing Department, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 12 Floor, San José, California 95113), o sa email gamit ang impormasyon sa ibaba para sa nakapagsasalita ng Ingles at sa limitado ang pag-Iingles. Ang draft ng Mahalagang Pagsususog ay makikita sa Housing Department’s website mula Agosto 27, 2022 hanggang Setyembre 27, 2022. Para makahingi ng ispesyal na akomodasyon para sa kahit anumang pagpupulong o isang alternatibong format ng anumang naka-print na materyales, maaaring tawagan ang (408) 294-9337 (TTY) sa akmang oras, ngunit dapat hindi bababa sa tatlong araw bago ang pagpupulong. Lahat ng pampublikong pagpupulong ay maaaring mapuntahan ng mga mayroong kapansanan sa paggalaw. Iskedyul ng Pampublikong Pagdinig Ano Sino Saan Kailan Paglabas ng Inihaing Mahahalagang Pagsusu sog sa FY 2022-2023 AAP Simula ng 30-araw na panahon ng pagko mento See the Housing Department’s website, http:// www.sanjoseca.gov/housingconplan to find electronic copies, or call (408) 793-5542 or (408) 294-9337 (TTY) for paper copies City of San José - Housing 200 E. Santa Clara St. 12th Floor (Tower) Panahon ng 27,AgostoPagkomento:Pampublikong27–Setyembre2022
PAGE 4 More communities are giving avored... PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG AT PAGPUPULONG PARA SA MAHALAGANG PAGSUSOG SA FY 20222023 NA TAUNANG PLANONG KILOS TAUNANG PLANONG KILOS ANG LUNGSOD NG
a Luisa Cantu (408) 535-8357. THÔNG TIN LIÊN LẠC:: Nếu quý vị có những câu hỏi hay ý kiến liên quan đến Bản Dự Thảo Báo Cáo Thẩm Định Thành Quả Hàng Năm(CAPER) và Bản Dự Thảo Về Những Thay Đổi Kế Hoạch Đáng Kể Hàng Năm cho Tài Khoá 2022-2023, xin vui lòng liên lạc cô Janie Lê qua số điện thoại (408) 975-4414 hoặc qua điện thư Janie.le@sanjose.ca.gov 使用華語的聖荷西居民：此通知是市府2021-2022 綜合年度績World Journal – CHINESE - 3618271效報告和2022-2023 年度計劃的重要改變。此 通知提供公聽會的日期以及公眾的檢閱和建議。詳細資料，請電，華語 Ann Tu (408) 975-4450. CNSB#3618269
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s former confidante Jayke Joson echoed Singson’s sentiments, adding that it is only right for the future boxing hall of famer to resolve all his problems first before doing any fights.
“There’s a bunch of angry customers,” Tokhi said. “They’re really upset. They don’t want to drive further. It’s slowed down a lot.”Studies show flavored tobacco laws have worked to curb teen use. In New York City, for example, public health officials analyzed declining sales of flavored tobacco and concluded that teens were 37% less likely to try flavored tobacco four years after the local ban passed. Dr. Achala Talati, director of tobacco policy and programs for New York City’s Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, said young people “use tobacco opportunistically” by sharing products with friends or smoking when it is easily available. So, decreasing the availability of flavored products lowers youth nicotine exposure, she said.
than P50 billion, meaning either of the parties must have assets or revenues of more than P50 billion. The value of voting shares being acquired from the company should also be at least 35%, he added. While the assets and revenues of the Lopez group of companies, of which the ABS-CBN is under, is at P465 billion, which exceeds the threshold, TV 5’s value of assets is only at P7 billion, Bernabe pointed out.Also, ABS-CBN will only acquire 34.9% of the total voting and outstanding capital stock of TV-5, which does not also exceed the PCC’s threshold for mergers and acquisitions. “It appears that the transaction is not notifiable,” Bernabe reiterated. Under PCC’s rules, entities that enter into a merger or acquisition meeting the thresholds are required to notify the PCC within 30 days of signing theTheagreement.PCCwill then review the transaction and decide whether the deal should proceed. However, it can stop the agreement if it finds that the contract “will substantially prevent, restrict or lessen competition.”ThePCCcan issue orders to remedy the situation and impose financial penalties. However, while the two media firms are not required to notify the PCC of their investment deal, Bernabe said they can still volunteer to do so. The PCC can also initiate a motu proprio review, but it must have a reasonable basis to do so, according to the official. Bernabe said the PCC has already directed its has an even shot.” Lower health care costs are among the more significant parts of the sweeping $430 billion spending package. For seniors, out-of-pocket prescription drug costs will be capped at $2,000 and monthly insulin costs be capped at $35 — these changes will take effect in 2025. The law also provides more free vaccines for Medicare recipients and states that drug manufacturers will have to pay a rebate when their prices raise quicker than inflation. According to the White House Executive Office of the President, nearly 1.5 million AAPIs were uninsured in 2019 and more than 1.3 million people of color weren’t able to access Medicaid due to fix his problem with Paradigm Sports Management first before accepting any tune-up fights,” Singson said. “I don’t have any knowledge about the lawsuit, but it’s better for Manny to settle it [pending court case] first than not.”Pacquiao was sued by PSM CEO Audie Attar before the Superior Court of California for alleged breach of contract last year. PSM is seeking to recover $3.3 million it claims it paid Pacquiao in advance for a fight PSM is eyeing for the boxer. The court case is ongoing in California. “Hereally needs to settle all those problems — not only the court case but also his other concerns to other people — so Settle Paradigm lawsuit before ghting... their states’ refusal to expand the program. (Currently, the uninsured rate is at 8%, according to the Biden administration.) With the Inflation Reduction Act’s lower monthly premiums that continue advancements from the Trump administration’s American Rescue Plan, the Biden administration predicts that 120,000 more AAPIs will have health coverage by next year. The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum praised the Biden administration for signing the bill, saying in a press release, “Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families face significant barriers to health care that were only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.”Theyadded, “The Inflation Reduction Act will allow AA and NHPI families and elders to worry less about the high costs of insurance premiums and medication. For many, this means worrying less about choosing between paying for food or medicine. This law could not have come at a better time.” The bill also funds greater efforts to combat climate change, making it more affordable to buy energy efficient appliances, lower utility bills and make it easier and more affordable for lowerincome families to replace home appliances.“Thisbill is the biggest step forward on climate,” Biden said, adding that his administration will “boldly take additional steps toward meeting my climate goals.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) that he can get a good tune-up fight,” Singson added. “If there’s no hindrance, that would be nice.”
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Pampublikong Pagdinig at Pag-apruba ng Mahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 Taunang Kilos-Plano Housing and Community Development Commission Online meeting - ahenda Zoom link: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-govern agendas-minutes/-fsiteid-1ing-community-development-commission/ment/departments/housing/about-us/hous Setyembre 8, 2022, simula 5:45pm
Maaaring magbago ang petsa ng mga pagpupulong. Mangyaring tignan ang http://www.sanjoseca.gov/housingconplan para sa mga pagbabago.
Mergers and Acquisitions Office to make an initial assessment of whether the transaction between ABS-CBN and TV5 will substantially prevent, restrict or lessen ABS-CBNcompetition.andTV5 earlier announced an investment agreement where the Lopez-led firm will acquire 6,459,393 primary (new) common shares in TV5, equivalent to 34.99 percent of the total voting and outstanding capital stock for an aggregate subscription price of P2.16 billion. This deal will allow ABS-CBN to own a minority interest in TV-5. TV5 will hold 64.79 percent of the total voting and outstanding capital stock, and the MediaQuest group remains the controlling shareholder of TV5. Due to the issues raised by certain legislators and the National Telecommunications Commission, the two media entities have decided to put their agreement on hold.
ABS-CBN and TV5 deal won’t
“Manong Chavit knows the ins and outs of life. He’s been in many struggles and won all the fights he encountered. I agree with him that Manny should settle his issue with Paradigm first before entertaining any offers,” JosonSingson,said. also a highly respected business tycoon, earlier brought up a possible exhibition opponent for Pacquiao — retired 6-foot-4 heavyweight mixed martial artist Bob Sapp — once everything is settled for good. Sapp, 48, and Singson recently paid a visit to Pacquiao’s house, but no formal agreement was made.“This fight will earn him millions of money if it happens. But again, he needs to settle his court case first in the U.S.,” Singson said. The politician-businessman also downplayed Pacquiao’s upcoming bout Yoo. “That’s nothing. He will not earn big money there because that’s not a champion and not popular,” Singson said. “Bob [Sapp] is definitely the fight Manny needs, or a super fight with famous MMA UFC fighter Connor McGregor.” (Philstar. com)
need OK...
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 5Dateline USa
This view shows the ABS-CBN network headquarters in Quezon City. The Philippines’ top broadcaster ABS-CBN on May 2020 was ordered off the air over a stalled operating licence renewal, drawing fresh charges that authorities were cracking down on press freedom. Inquirer.net file photo a line of businesspeople and concertgoers. Those crowds have been replaced with clientele sporadically rushing in for packs of cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia.Thebackshelves of his shop that once showcased flavored vapes are now nearly empty, populated only with nicotine-free vapes and a few ballcaps.
P Pampublikong Pagdinig at Pag-apruba ng Mahalagang Pagsususog sa FY 2022-2023 Taunang Kilos-Plano San José City Council San José City Hall 200 E. Santa Clara Street Online meetinggov/news-stories/watch-a-meetinghttps://www.sanjoseca. Setyembre 27, 2022, simula 1:30pm
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Commentary
A continuing embarrassment
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51606 OpiniOn & Features
of Branch 256 granted the “extremely urgent motion” filed by her lawyers on behalf of the U.S. delegation. But the courts issued a gag order, preventing De Lima from making any comments about the visit. No media coverage was allowed, either.It was later revealed from Judge Alcantara’s order that Markey’s office wrote a letter to PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as early as Aug. 9, asking permission to visit De Lima, but that “… despite follow-ups, the PNP has not timely responded to the request.” De Lima herself said the visit was requested in advance, through a U.S. embassy note verbale sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and forwarded to the PNP. But why was the PNP so reluctant to allow the visit to the former senator? Did the police fear that seeing De Lima’s shameful condition in detention would add fuel to the international condemnation of her continuing ordeal? Back in May, Markey and five other U.S. senators issued a joint statement calling on the Philippine government to drop the charges against De Lima and release her after convicted felons lined up as witnesses by the Duterte administration recanted their allegations against her one after the other. The U.S. delegation’s visit underscores how the De Lima case can become a thorn on the side of the Marcos Jr. administration if it does nothing to correct the misuse of the justice system by its predecessor. It is not only the U.S. lawmakers who are pushing for De Lima’s release. Foreign ambassadors always ask him about the cases against De Lima, Remulla recently told a Senate hearing, adding that he did not know what to say “because I don’t know what stages these cases are.” This is puzzling for a justice secretary, who is supposed to be in command of Editorial
US lawmakers visit de Lima On August 18, the Markey delegation proceeded from Taipei to Manila, ostensibly to visit detained former senator Leila de Lima.The request of Senator Markey and the other U.S. lawmakers to visit detained former senator de Lima was green lighted by a trial court on August 19. According to the decision, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 granted the extremely urgent motion ex abundanti ad cautelam, and the U.S. lawmakers were finally permitted to pay de Lima a visit granting that they would observe the safety and health protocols imposed by the Philippine National Police, and no media or any form of social platform coverage would be allowed during the visit. Markey, who is also the chairman of the Senate foreign relations subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific, is among the bipartisan group of U.S. senators who have been calling for de Lima's release since 2017. After failing to make the visit, the U.S. delegation met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who told the group: "We look forward to continuing our partnership with the U.S. in the areas of renewable energy use, agricultural development, economic reform, and mitigation of drug problem." Keeping everyone in the dark
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AnA MArie PAMintuAn Sketches
THANKS to the timely response of two Muntinlupa judges who allowed a United States congressional delegation to visit former senator Leila de Lima in her detention cell on Friday, a potentially embarrassing row for the Marcos Jr. administration was averted. The day prior, the Philippine National Police prevented the visit, saying that aside from COVID-19 cases at its headquarters in Camp Crame, the U.S. lawmakers did not have the permission of the courts handling De Lima’s alleged drug cases. The U.S. delegation was led by Sen. Edward J. Markey, chair of the U.S. Senate foreign relations subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific, who has been consistently calling for De Lima’s release since she was detained in 2017. He was joined by District Representatives Alan Lowenthal and John Garamendi of California, Don Beyer of Virginia, and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa.Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, was among the senators banned from entering the Philippines in 2019 by then President Duterte after they sponsored a U.S. travel prohibition against Philippine officials who had a role in De Lima’s case. The potential crisis was somehow diffused when the U.S. lawmakers made a courtesy call on President Marcos Jr. in Malacañang later on Thursday afternoon, August 18. It was not known if the foiled visit to De Lima was discussed, but the U.S. embassy said lawmakers also met with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla. On Friday, August 19 the U.S. lawmakers were finally able to visit De Lima after Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Judges Abraham Joseph Alcantara of Branch 204 and Romeo Buenaventura
all state prosecutors handling the cases against De Lima.InJune, after several witnesses against De Lima recanted, then DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered a review of the pending cases. But the panel of prosecutors, he said, advised him that “there is a good reason to continue the active prosecution” of the staunch Duterte critic. Does that order still stand?Inthe face of the recantation and the Ombudsman’s ruling in January dismissing the bribery charges against De Lima and her former aide Ronnie Dayan, shouldn’t Remulla order an independent review of the two pending drug cases and direct the prosecutors on how to proceed? Failing that, the decent thing is for the DOJ to resist being used as a tool for political persecution, which is what the cases against De Lima are all about: a retaliation for her investigations of the Davao Death Squads and the Duterte drug war. When the U.S. delegation returns home, they can be expected to come up with a report on De Lima’s situation and apply pressure on U.S. decision-makers. Any adverse report could have repercussions on Mr. Marcos’ U.S, visit next month to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and on his future visits to Washington. Not only is De Lima’s detention on trumpedup charges a miscarriage of justice; it is now a continuing embarrassment for the Marcos Jr. administration that merely inherited this case of political persecution from the Duterte administration. Unless this injustice is corrected and De Lima freed, her image as a political prisoner will hound the current administration as it tries to shore up the confidence and trust of other nations, including its closest allies in the Western world. (Inquirer.net)
Inquirer.net photo Yen MAkAbentA
THERE is a lesson in foreign relations from the U.S. policy on Taiwan that the Philippine government ought to remember with respect to the recent call made by a U.S. congressional delegation on detained former senator Leila de Lima, and repeated calls by U.S. lawmakers for her release. This is the U.S. claim of "strategic ambiguity" in its commitment to the defense of Taiwan.Forhalf a century, U.S. policy on Taiwan has clung to this policy whose main idea is to leave China guessing as to what exactly it would, or would not do, in regard to Taiwan's defense. Even President Biden seems to be guessing. He has said, three times, that the U.S. would actively defend Taiwan — but also walked it back three times. Pelosi's visit to Taiwan On August 2, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made her pre-announced trip to Taiwan, which President Biden had quietly opposed.Pelosi went anyway, bringing along with her four other House Democrats, including Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), chairman of the House foreign affairs committee.Thetripwas virulently opposed FILIPINO Catholics are understandably excited by reports that the former archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, could be in the running to succeed Pope Francis, in case the hugely popular pontiff decides to retire for health reasons. Tagle himself has doused the speculations as premature, even if he is widely seen to be favored by the pope, who appointed him as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Fr. Aris Sison, rector of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, also reminded the faithful that a pope does not get to handpick his successor. Instead, about 120 cardinals from all over the world attend a conclave to elect someone among them who will be the next leader of 1.3 billion Roman Catholics. Nearly all the cardinals are papabile – a possible candidate to become pope. We watched such conclaves that were broadcast worldwide (but only from outside the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican) when Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected in 2005 and became Pope Benedict XVI following the death of John Paul II. Benedict was replaced by Argentina’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio who named himself after St. Francis of Assisi. There is a saying in such gatherings, according to Father Sison: he who enters the conclave as a pope leaves as a cardinal. Sison, who teaches Homiletics (the art of writing and delivering homilies or sermons) at the Immaculate Conception Graduate School of Theology, stresses that one does not lobby for the papacy. In fact, he says lobbying could doom the chances of whoever engages in Bergoglioit.was a dark horse to replace Benedict, a conservative intellectual who lamented modern “cafeteria-style” religious devotion – the adherence only to Catholic teachings that suits a person.Benedict’s hardline approach, which earned him the moniker “God’s Rottweiler” from the British press as well as “Nazinger” following his election because of his brief, involuntary membership in the Hitler Youth, must have been deemed to have a negative impact on Church following in the 21st century. Combined with the sex abuse scandals that rocked the Church, the challenges prompted him to resign in 2013 – becoming only the second pontiff to do so in the history of the faith, after Celestine V in* 1294.* * Those who watched the exquisite movie “The Two Popes” saw the emergence of Bergoglio from a dark horse papabile to the hope for a different leader who can forge a new path in a modern Church.And Francis has not disappointed. I know lapsed Catholics who were drawn back to the Church because of his accessibility and compassionate understanding of human frailties, of the spiritual challenges confronting troubled souls in this age.The speculative reports about his retirement were triggered by the pope’s remarks at a recent gathering for the elderly. Sison notes that for the pope, who is turning 86 on Dec. 17, raising the possibility of his own retirement would have been appropriate in thatThesituation.popehad part of one lung removed in 1957 and half of his colon last year. He suffers from a bad knee and sciatica. But is he seriously considering retirement? Last month he visited Canada, during which he apologized to indigenous peoples for the “evil” policy carried out in that country to assimilate them into Christian culture.Now he may be preparing to attend the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled in Kazakhstan next month. That doesn’t look like a pope who, although slowing down at 85 years old, is ready to retire. Nearly all popes, after all, kept their posts all the way to their deathbed. Still, the speculations have triggered concern among some quarters that he might be replaced by a conservative like Benedict. How will this impact the following of the* Church?* * The pandemic forced the lockdown of places of worship nationwide. Father Sison says the faithful have been grateful for the availability of livestreamed masses throughout the lockdowns, with some attending mass every day instead of just once a week. He says the challenge now, with 100 percent capacity again allowed in churches, is to persuade those who have grown used to online masses to physically return to church. This could require innovation and special effort. My mother, who regularly attended mass in different churches prepandemic, has become spoiled by the ease of attending mass from the comfort of home. Her favorite is the Sunday mass livestreamed at noon from the SVD Mission House Chapel of Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City. She likes watching Father Jerry Orbos playing the guitar and singing the Carpenters’ “Sing” at the end of the mass. I guess the lyrics are uplifting amid all the sadness of the times: “… Sing of good things, not bad. Sing of happy, not sad…” What about the pastors? Are people still interested in becoming shepherds of the Catholic flock? Sison told “The Chiefs” on One News last week that there has been no dramatic fall in the number of Filipino seminarians, and most proceed to ordination as Hepriests.isn’t knowledgeable about the situation in the nunneries, but he confirmed that Filipino nuns are being deployed in other countries.Globally, while Church attendance and interest in the priesthood are falling in Europe, Sison says the faith remains strong in other regions such as Latin America. He noted that Cambodia and South Korea recently had their first Catholic cardinals.AsofAug. 8, there were 206 cardinals worldwide. At least 16 are expected to be added during a consistory on Aug. 27. Sison said only 116 of them are “cardinal electors” – those who get to attend the conclave that picks a newUltimately,pope. says Father Sison, “it is the Holy Spirit who will choose the next pope.” His advice to those hoping to see Tagle become the first Filipino pope: shut up, and just pray for the cardinal. (Philstar.com) The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
All this time, Filipinos and their government have believed that U.S. commitment to the defense of the Philippines against attack is ironclad. That faith has been sustained by the commitment of successive U.S. administrations. The question that arises now is what would happen, if the U.S., under a new administration, suddenly invokes strategic ambiguity with respect to the defense of the Philippines from attack. It is well-known in the country that there is a segment of the American polity, notably that led by conservative leaders like Patrick Buchanan, who believe that U.S. commitment to the defense of countries like the Philippines is a bridge too far and not in America's interest. You could claim of course that Philippine ties with America are more deeply rooted than those that attend its relations with Taiwan.Thelogic of strategic ambiguity, however, is to keep everyone in the dark. (ManilaTimes.net)
The London-based publication said: "The trip is a symptom of America's incoherent approach to China — the country's single most important opponent in the long run. If so, a trip designed to convey strength risks instead showing up the Biden administration's confusion and lack of purpose. What is strategic ambiguity? On June 12, 2006, the South China Morning Post of Hong Kong published an article by Ted Galen Carpenter where he wrote of the U.S. decades-long policy of "strategic ambiguity" about what Washington would do if conflict broke out in the Taiwan Strait.
"Former assistant secretary of defense Joseph Nye was only a little more blunt than other U.S. officials when he told his Chinese hosts in 1995: 'We don't know, and you don't know.' But now another U.S. official, Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, may have inadvertently eliminated any ambiguity in an emotional, offhand remark to a congressional committee," Carpenter wrote. "[Zoellick] made the comment while responding to withering criticism by some members of the House international relations committee about the Bush administration's refusal to allow Taiwanese President Chen Shuibian to make a transit stop in the continental U.S.. Mr. Zoellick warned that Washington should not become too supportive of Taiwan because that would encourage pro-independence forces on the island. 'Let me be very clear,' he said. 'Independence means war. And that means American soldiers, sailors, airmen and"Althoughmarines.' his comment was clearly designed to dampen enthusiasm in Congress for the Taiwanese cause, it is more likely to be seen as a green light by the pro-independence faction in Taiwan. For strategic ambiguity to work, both Taipei and Beijing must be uncertain of the U.S. response to a crisis. That uncertainty supposedly will lead to caution in both capitals. "What Mr. Zoellick said, however, is that U.S. forces would intervene even if Taiwan created a crisis by asserting its independence. Strategic ambiguity has been revealed as a fraud. Mr. Zoellick's remark confirmed that Washington would prevent the mainland from conquering Taiwan regardless of how a conflict began. "Mr. Chen and the hardline elements of the Democratic Progressive Party could scarcely imagine a clearer green light for their goal of an independent Taiwan...."Thisdevelopment underscores the perilous nature of U.S. policy. Washington is at the mercy of decisions in both Beijing and Taipei over which it has little or no control."Strategic ambiguity was a dubious policy which assumed that both Taipei and Beijing would assess the likely U.S. response in exactly the way Washington wanted. But at least it gave the U.S. the option of avoiding a war at the last minute by abandoning Taiwan. Mr. Zoellick's inadvertent candor has eliminated that option."
* * *
Strategic ambiguity: A lesson in foreign policy by the Chinese Communist Party regime in Beijing, which claims authority over Taiwan. Ever since, China has been conducting menacing military "drills" in the Taiwan Strait area — including edgy missile launches in the direction of other Asian countries, including Japan. On August 14, a second U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan, this one led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). And then, as night follows day, China announced a new round of military "drills" meant to intimidate. Back in July 20, Biden answered a reporter's question about Pelosi's pending trip in a desultory manner: "The military thinks it's not a good idea right now. But I don't know what the status of it is." The optics of Pelosi's trip became a muddle as Biden jousted with Pelosi via proxy, even as the Beijing regime sent ships and airplanes to encircle the island of Taiwan.Forher part, on August 11, Pelosi added some new fuzz to the ball of confusion, when she told reporters of the U.S. military's stance toward her trip, "I don't remember them ever telling us not to go." So, is it possible that the Biden administration didn't want Pelosi to go and didn't dare stop it? That even secretaries and generals and admirals were unwilling to confront the speaker, even indirectly? All of which led The Economist magazine to call out this "incoherence."
SAFE CLASS OPENING. Members of the Southern Police District stand guard outside the Jose Rizal Elementary School in Pasay City on Monday, Aug. 22. The National Capital Region Police Office said close to 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to secure the opening of classes in the region.
MANILA — Millions of mask-wearing students across the archipelago returned to learning institutions on Monday, August 22 more than two years after schools were forced to close and learners shifted to distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 28.03 million students have so far enrolled for School Year 2022 to 2023, latest data from DepEd showed. The figure is still short of the department's target of 28.6 million enrollees. DepEd earlier said that more than 24,000 schools will implement five days of face-toface classes, while over 29,000 institutions will continue holding classes through blended learning until October. By November 2, all public and private schools must shift to five days of in-person classes. DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the agency has yet to receive reports of “major incidents or “Mukhangchallenges.”mapayapaat ligtas ‘yung pagbabalik eskwela ng learners this morning (It seems the return of learners to schools this morning is peaceful and safe). We have been monitoring the situation and we’re getting reports from regional offices nationwide,” he said in an interview over GMA News’ Unang Hirit The Philippines was among the countries that shut schools theThelongest.return of students to schools comes as the country deals with a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases and entry of monkeypox virus.
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 7 DATELINE PHILIPPINES Sasakupin ng California Mortgage Relief ang mga hindi nabayarang bayad. Tulong Sa Sangla at Buwis sa Ari-arian para sa Paghihirap ng COVID. Tahasang Babayaran Ang Sa Inyo Ay Nagpautang Walang Sisingilin, Walang Babayaran Pabalik Iligtas ang inyong tahanan YHOMESOUR AVE Alamin Ang Iba Pa： (888) 840-2594 CaMortgageRelief.org LUNGSOD NG SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PAUNAWA PARA SA MGA BOTANTE NG MGA NOMINADO PARA SA PAMPUBLIKONG OPISINA AT NG MGA PANUKALA NG PAGBOBOTOHAN IPINAPAUNAWA DITO na ang mga sumusunod na tao ay nominado para sa mga katungkulan na itinalagang punan sa Pangkalahatang Halalan sa Buong Estado na gaganapin sa Lungsod ng South San Francisco sa Martes, Nobyembre 8, 2022 Kleriko ng Lungsod 4-na taong termino – Bumoto para sa isa (1) Rosa Govea Acosta Ingat-yaman ng Lungsod 4-na taong termino – Bumoto para sa isa (1)
Frank Risso Annie K. Lo Konseho ng Lungsod - Distrito 1 4-na taong termino – Bumoto para sa isa (1)
In a statement, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. welcomed the return of students to schools. “It has always been my belief that learning will be more effective inside classrooms where students can fully interact with their teachers and fellow students,” Marcos said as he reminded learners and educators to continue observing minimum health protocols.
Inisyatibang Ordinansa ng Taunang Parcel Tax sa Ilang Commercial Office Properties para sa mga Maagang Pangangalaga at Edukasyon at Mga Programa sa Pangangalaga at Pagpapaunlad ng Bata Dapat bang ang panukalang-batas na nagpapataw ng taunang buwis sa mga parsela ng lupa sa South San Francisco na binuo at ginagamit bilang mga komersyal na parsela ng opisina, gaya ng tinukoy sa panukala, at 25,000 square feet o mas malaki, sa rate na $2.50 bawat square foot ng laki ng parsela, bumubuo ng humigit-kumulang $55,900,000 taun-taon, hindi awtomatikong nag-e-expire, upang pondohan ang maagang pag-aaral at pangangalaga para sa mga bata (pangunahing may edad 2.5 hanggang 5) ng mga pamilyang naninirahan o nagtatrabaho sa mga hangganan ng South San Francisco Unified School District?
DAGDAG NA IPINAPAUNAWA na ang mga sumusunod na hakbang ay iboboto sa Pangkalahatang Halalan sa Munisipyo sa Buong Estado na gaganapin sa Lungsod ng South San Francisco sa Martes, Nobyembre 08, 2022: Lungsod ng South San Francisco Awtorisasyon ng Abot-kayang Pabahay Nang walang pagtaas ng mga lokal na buwis, dapat bang pahintulutan ang Lungsod ng South San Francisco na bumuo, magtayo, at/o makakuha ng abot-kaya, disente at ligtas na paupahang pabahay para sa mga taong mababa ang kita, kabilang ang mga pamilya, nakatatanda, mga taong may kapansanan,at mga beterano, sa isang halagang hanggang 1% ng kabuuang bilang ng mga umiiral na yunit ng pabahay sa Lungsod ng Timog San Francisco taun-taon para sa isang walong (8) taon, na may anumang taon na hindi nagamit na mga yunit sa bawat taon?
PNA photo by Avito Dalan
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CA 94062 PAUNAWA NG MGA NANOMINA PARA SA PUBLIKONG OPISINA IBINIBIGAY ANG PAUNAWANG ITO upang ipabatid na ang mga sumusunod na tao ay nanomina para sa mga opisinang dapat malagyan sa Heneral at Ispesiyal na Munisipal na Halalan na gaganapin sa Bayan ng Woodside sa Martes, Nobyembre 8, 2022. Distrito 2 Brian Dombkowski Miyembro ngSteveKonsehoLubin Miyembro ng KonsehoElizabeth Kaske Miyembro ng KonsehoDistrito 3 Richard “Dick”
"The OHP is required for all arriving international travelers in accordance with the InterAgency Task Force [for the Management of] Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution 135 to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed individuals with emerging infectious diseases," Cruz-Angeles added. Such diseases include COVID-19 and monkeypox.
Miyembro ng Konseho Distrito 5 Paul Goeld Miyembro ng Konseho8/26/22CNS-3618261#ASIAN JOURNAL
Walang argumento na lalampas sa 300 salita at walang rebuttal na lalampas sa 250 salita ang haba. Hindi hihigit sa limang pirma ang lalabas na may anumang argumento. Ang isang argumento sa balota o isang argumentong pinagdidibatihan na kasama sa teksto nito ang pangalan ng isang tao, maliban sa (mga) may-akda ng argumento, na kinakatawan bilang para o laban sa panukala, ay hindi dapat tanggapin maliban kung ang argumento ay sinamahan ng nilagdaang pahintulot ng naturang (mga) tao. Isang argumento para sa, at isang pagdedebatihan dito, kung mayroon man, sa panukala ang pipiliin para sa paglilimbag at pamamahagi sa mga botante. Kung higit sa isang argumento para sa o higit sa isang argumento laban sa anumang panukala ng lungsod ay isinumite sa Kleriko ng Lungsod sa loob ng oras na itinakda, ang Kleriko ng Lungsod ay dapat pumili ng isa sa mga argumentong pabor at isa sa mga argumento laban sa panukala para sa pag-imprenta at pamamahagi sa mga botante. Sa pagpili ng argumento, ang Kleriko ng Lungsod ay magbibigay ng kagustuhan at prayoridad sa pagkakasunud-sunod na pinangalanan sa mga argumento ng mga sumusunod: 1. Ang legislative body ng Lungsod, o miyembro o miyembro ng legislative body na pinahintulutan ng body. 2. Ang indibidwal na botante, o bona fide association ng mga mamamayan, o kumbinasyon ng mga botante at asosasyon, na mga bona fide sponsors o mga tagapagtaguyod ng panukala. 3. Bona fide associations ng mga mamamayan. 4. Mga indibidwal na botante na karapat-dapat na bumoto sa panukala. /s/ Rosa Govea Acosta, MMC, CPMC Kleriko ng Lungsod, Lungsod ng South San Francisco CNSB#3617701
Health pass a requirement for incoming international travelers by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net
Mark AngeliqueAddiegoPresidente Konseho ng Lungsod - Distrito 3 4-na taong termino – Bumoto para sa isa (1)
THE Office of the Press Secretary on Tuesday, August 23, reminded all inbound international passengers to first register online for the One Health Pass (OHP) before embarking on their trip as this is one of the requirements needed for their entry into the country. Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles also cautioned the public against accessing websites posing as legitimate government offices to ensure their hassle-free arrival.
Ang mga argumernto para o laban sa mga hakbang sa itaas ay maaaring isumite sa pamamagitan ng sulat sa Opisina ng Kleriko ng Lungsod, sa 400 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, California, para sa pag-imprenta at pamamahagi sa mga botante, alinsunod sa mga probisyon ng California Elections Code, sa o bago ang ika-5: 00 n.h. sa Agosto 19, 2022. Ang mga pagtanggi ng mga may-akda ng nasabing mga argumento ay maaaring isampa sa Opisina ng Kleriko ng Lungsod sa katulad na paraan sa o bago ang ika-5:00 n.h. noong Agosto 29, 2022.
HINDIOO
Flor Nicolas Konseho ng Lungsod - Distrito 5 4-na taong termino – Bumoto para sa isa (1) Eddie TomBrittanyFloresBurgoCarney
HINDIOO
BAYAN NG WOODSIDE 2955 WOODSIDE ROAD WOODSIDE, Brown
"The only official website of the Bureau of Quarantine's One Health Pass for all international travelers arriving in the Philippines is https:// www. onehealthpass.com.ph," she said in a statement.
Filipino students return to in-person classes after 2 years of distance learning
Safe reopening The education department adheres to a “nondiscrimination” policy for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and personnel. Last week, DepEd reported only 19% of students have completed vaccination against COVID-19. Meanwhile, 92% of teaching and non-teaching personnel have been fully vaccinated.Publicschool teachers from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers welcomed the opening of the new school year by staging a protest in Mendiola, Manila. They called for safe reopening of schools. “Of all the many unprepared school openings that we have experienced, this is one of the worst. It is very unfortunate and ironic as this should have been the one that we are most ready for because we are in a pandemic situation and the government had two years to prepare for this,” ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said.“If the government fails big time in ensuring the physical and material needs of education, its readiness to implement a sound and viable education recovery plan is even more questionable,” Quetua added. (Philstar.com)
The U.S. Embassy and the PCG are currently preparing ahead of the visit of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett to Manila next week.PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante, who accepted the donation on behalf of the agency, noted that the U.S. government always supported the PCG in its programs and helped facilitate the training of its personnel. The INL and other U.S. partners have reportedly been working with the PCG since 2015. The PCG has also received assistance in the form of major infrastructure development, comprehensive vessel support programs, and donation of other operational support equipment. g
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Infra push Under the proposed budget, the allocation for the Department of Education (DepEd) of P852.8 billion was crafted with the hope of resuming in-person classes. ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro still described as “measly” the budget set aside for DepEd, noting that at least P1.3 trillion should be allocated to the Castro,department.inastatement, said that education, “especially ones that hone critical and analytical thinking,” was not prioritized with the slashing by P2.5 billion and P893 million of the budgets of the University of the Philippines system and UP-Philippine General Hospital, respectively.Theagriculture sector will get P184.1 billion, P30.5 billion of which will be set aside for the national rice program to “help maintain the price of rice at affordable levels and for the production of other vital agricultural transportation,energy,andP296.3receivepubliccosts.”reducetourismgrowthreceiveBetterprogramsfarmerssubsidiesnetworksroads,rehabilitationfundswillAgriculturalcommodities.”productivitybecomplementedwithfortheconstructionandoffarm-to-marketimprovementofirrigationandprovisionofandcreditaccesstoandfisherfolk.Shovel-readyinfrastructureunderthe“BuildMore”programwillP1.2trillion“topropelinagriculture,tradeandsectorsandeventuallytransportandlogisticsAmongthedepartments,worksandhighwayswillP718.4billion;health,billion;socialwelfaredevelopment,P197billion;P476billion;andP167.1billion.
g by Maila ager Inquirer.net
The Department of Health earlier detected the fourth case of monkeypox in the country. The patient, however, has no documented history of travel to where there is an outbreak of the viral disease.
Through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the Philippine Coast Guard received visual detection and monitoring equipment, first aid kits that would help in providing trauma care, and tools for shore-based maintenance of vessels. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila Shoppers choose from a wide range of affordable products from different parts of the Philippines at the “Bagsakan” sale at Fisher Mall in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, the event will showcase the best products of 37 micro, small, and medium enterprises from the provinces and Metro Manila until August 31. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Health pass a requirement for incoming...
Debt payments under next year’s national budget will include a record P1.02 trillion in principal amortization (up from P751.1 billion this year), on top of P582.3 billion in interest (up from this year’s P512.6 billion). Despite the huge repayment, the national government’s outstanding debt will still jump to a new high of P14.63 trillion by the end of 2023, the Marcos administration’s first full year in office, budget documents showed. ‘Inclusive prosperity’ “The overall goal is to reinvigorate job creation and reduce poverty by steering the economy back to its high growth path in the near term and sustaining the high yet inclusive and resilient growth of 6.5 to 8 percent up to 2028. To reduce vulnerability and remedy the scars from the pandemic, we will continue to implement riskmanaged interventions to fully reopen the economy and ensure the unimpeded and adequate delivery of social services such as health, education and social protection,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said as he urged Congress to pass the proposed 2023 Pangandamanbudget.noted that the proposed 2023 national budget, higher by 4.9 percent than the 2022 budget, was crafted with the theme “Agenda for Prosperity: Economic Transformation Towards Inclusivity and nationalAtweasexpensiveinsufficientofmanylefttogovernment’soutPangandamanSustainability.”pointedthatwhileitwastheresponsibilityensurethatnocitizenwasbehind,“theharshtruthisFilipinossufferbecausesoaringoilandfoodprices,healthfacilities,andcommodities”aswelltheeffectsofthepandemic.“It’sagainstthisbackdropthatcreatedthe(2023budget).theheartoftheproposedbudgetisinclusiveand sustainable prosperity,” she said, adding that government spending would be anchored on strengthening the purchasing power of Filipinos; reducing vulnerability and mitigating scarring from the COVID-19 pandemic; ensuring sound macroeconomic fundamentals, and supporting local governments.”
MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday, August 22 received the P5.268trillion proposed budget of the Marcos administration for 2023, nearly a third of which will be used to repay the government’s debt swollen by massive loans used to address the COVID-19 pandemic.During the turnover by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the 2023 national expenditure program, Speaker Martin Romualdez assured the public that the lower chamber would act with dispatch in crafting the 2023 general appropriations bill and conclude committee and plenary deliberations before Oct. 1, when Congress goes into recess. Committee-level deliberations are set to start on Aug.According26. to Romualdez, they would make sure that “every centavo of the national budget will be spent wisely to implement programs that would save lives, protect communities and make our economy strong and more agile.”
(Inquirer.net)
US donates P11-M maritime tactical gear, vessel maintenance equipment to Coast Guard
Debt servicing A big chunk of the proposed budget will be eaten up by debt servicing as the government will repay a record P1.6 trillion in debts next year — the highest yearly debt servicing on record — or 29.8 percent of the proposed 2023 budget. Next year’s debt servicing expenses will be bigger than the P1.26 trillion set aside to repay maturing obligations this year. In 2023, the government will settle P1.35 trillion in domestic debts (up from P1.02 trillion this year), and P253.8 billion in foreign obligations (up from this year’s P240.1 billion).
He said the House would perform its constitutional mandate to “scrutinize and act deliberately and judiciously and very, very cautiously in the deliberations of the national budget,” saying that the 2023 general appropriations bill would be the most important piece of legislation this year. The speaker added: “The budget (process) of 2023 will be transparent. This will be a product of the entire House of Representatives where the majority will listen to the minority bloc’s concerns and of course, we as the representatives of the people will also be attuned to their needs.”
MANILA — President Marcos and his officials discussed the priorities of the labor and migrant workers departments during the sixth Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, August 23 at Malacañang.PressSecretary Trixie CruzAngeles said the migrant workers department discussed its plans on digitalization, bilateral labor agreements, repatriation and reintegration of overseas Filipino workers and scholarships, protection and health programs for children of OFWs. Also discussed during the meeting were matters related to the One Repatriation Command Center, OFW mobile application and the national reintegration program, according to a Facebook post by the Office of theAngelesPresident.said the labor department discussed its context, mandates, structure and role in the socio-economic agenda; program, priorities and strategic linkages and “ways forward.” Malacañang said the agency’s core priority would be to increase employment opportunities, ensure just and humane working conditions and deliver accessible, prompt and continuous services to the “Theypeople.will discuss the details later on, possibly next week, for the specifics of their plans and programs,” Angeles said. A Facebook post by Radio Television Malacañang said the President mentioned Tropical Storm Florita in his opening remarks during the meeting. Marcos suspended government work and public school classes in Metro Manila as well as in Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Zambales on Tuesday, August 24 and Wednesday due to theMeanwhile,storm. a Senate proposal seeking to ban the deployment of domestic helpers in countries practicing Kafala system drew flak from the recruitment industry.Theproposal seeks to prevent abuses of Filipino workers in these countries, mostly located in the Middle East. Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel raised his concern during the plenary session on Aug. 17 after Sen. Raffy Tulfo presented the plight of some OFWs who were sexually abused, physically assaulted, insulted and not being paid on time by their employers.Recruitment industry leaders opposed the proposal, saying a deployment ban is not the best solution to the problems besetting Filipino domestic workers. The proposal covers newly hired domestic workers to eight countries in the Middle East. (Philstar.com)
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51608 Dateline PhiliPPines OFW issues tackled at Cabinet meeting with Marcos
Nearly a third of P5.3-trillion budget to pay for debts
Cayetano is CA’s minority leader; Hontiveros airs ‘serious’ concern
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has said there will be no more lockdowns as the local economy can no longer take any more beatings resulting from closing the county's borders. Instead, the Chief Executive directed ramping up mass vaccinations against COVID-19 and also reminded the public to continue adhering to minimum health standards to prevent the spread of the disease and other illnesses.
MANILA — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who is part of so-called independent bloc in the Senate, was elected minority floor leader of the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday, August 23. No one objected when a motion electing Cayetano as minority floor leader was made during the CA’s first plenary session. But after his election, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros took the floor and expressed her “serious concern over the election of a CA minority leader who is not an original member of the minority in the Senate.” “I wish to express for the record my serious concern over the election of a CA minority leader who is not an original member of the minority in the Senate,” Hontiveros said. While the Supreme Court has ruled that the Senate may freely determine who belongs to the minority, she stressed that “making determinations to assuage heartconsiderationsless-than-institutionalstrikesattheveryofdemocracy.”“Hindipwedengmajoritytayo
o independent tayo o minority tayo sa iba’t ibang panahon para sa iba’t ibang layunin [It is not right that we become majority or independent or minority in different season for a different purpose],” Hontiveros said. “It is important for bodies such as these to have clarity as to the positions of each members. This is important for lines of accountability, and important to ensure that we have a genuine minority voice,” she added. After Hontiveros, Cayetano also stood up to say he was not alluded to by Hontiveros’ statement.
MANILA — The United States has donated P11 million or $196,000 worth of maritime tactical gear and vessel maintenance equipment to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help the agency with its maritime law enforcement efforts. Through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the PCG received visual detection and monitoring equipment, first aid kits that would help in providing trauma care, and tools for shore-based maintenance of vessels. “The PCG is on a promising trajectory, and we are committed to support them in achieving their vital and ambitious development goals and in responding to a wide range of maritime challenges,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said during the turnover ceremony held on August 22. Washington also donated P3 million or $54,000 worth of maritime and tactical first aid equipment to the Philippine National Police’s Maritime Group just last week.
PAGE 7 FILIPINO FIRST.
“Again, Mr. President napakarami po nating trabaho [we have a lot of work to do] and I don’t feel alluded to the statement of Senator Risa because I’ve been very consistent in my advocacies and the rules of both the CA and the Senate will bear us out,” he said.Cayetano has requested that the CA reclassify him, as he was incorrectly included in the Senate’s majority bloc. He believed he belonged to the minority.Citing the Senate and House of Representatives rules, he said that lawmakers who do not fall with either group qualify as Senator Risa HontiverosInquirer.net file photo “independent minorities.” “If you don’t vote for the Senate President and I would have wished to have voted for you, Mr. President and it’s not about not voting for you, you know my circumstances and my relationship vis-a-vis this administration. So may I ask that that be corrected and that I also be considered part of the minority, Mr. President,” Cayetano said, addressing the presiding chairman, Senate President Juan MiguelAsideZubiri.from Cayetano, two other opposition members were elected assistant minority floor leaders, GP Rep. Jose Padiernos and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.Hontiveros is also part of the minority representatives in the CA. g
Cristina Patwa’s tea-rri c journey from Davao to Hollywood and working with Brad Pitt IT’S a long way from Buhangin, Davao City, to Hollywood; from dirt roads and riding carabaos to running a business for Brad Pitt, but Cristina Patwa has made that journey in less than her 42 years on earth. I actually mistook Patwa for a teenager when I came in to interview her. When I remarked on her youthful looks, this mother of an eight-year-old girl laughed and said, “It must be the“Theteas.” teas” in question
Photo from Instagram/@crispatwa belong to Enroot, a sparkling tea beverage brand Patwa cofounded along with Pitt and John Fogelman, a 25years.andagencylargestPatwadifferentyears,who’sagent-turned-entrepreneurHollywoodadearfriendofboth.“Mybusinesspartnerof15JohnandIhavebuiltbusinessestogether,”says.“JohnwasoneoftheshareholdersofatalentcalledWilliamMorris,hehasknownBradfor25They'vebeenfriendsforprojects.“Wehaveanotherbusiness
Cristina Patwa, Filipina cofounder and CEO of Enroot: “I wanted to pay tribute to what my grandmother gifted me with.”
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(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 9 by JAN MILO SEVERO Inquirer.net C J LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACEINSIDE >>> Friday, August 26, 2022 FILIPINO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIATHEASIANJOURNALMAGAZINE
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES EXECS CALL ON PH CONSUL GENERAL IN SF. Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer received Philippine Airlines executives Salvador Britanico, Danica Caynap and Dell Merano at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on August 16, and discussed the Philippine Consulate’s continued promotion of traveling to the Philippines, especially since the country is fully open to international travel. In photo above are (from left) Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug, Ms. Danica Caynap of Philippine Airlines, Mr. Salvador Britanico, PAL vice president for sales, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Ms. Dell Merano of PAL, Vice Consul Adrian Audrey Baccay. San Francisco PCG photo by THERESE JAMORA-GARCEAU Philstar.com
• Raquel of San Diego is asking if she can petition her cousin in the Philippines as her caregiver. • Edith is waiting for her green card through her U.S. citizen daughter. Her other daughter who is 15 years old, is in the U.S. on a tourist visa extension.
Atty. Gur nkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego on part 1 of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’ ‘YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT’ ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM SAN DIEGANS. Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego, in Part 1 of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot”. Some of the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are: From Jefferson and Virginia – Virginia petitioned his son, Jefferson, as single but he got married. Is there a way to revive Mommy Virginia’s petition?; From Kathy of Mira Mesa – Can a person visit the U.S. as a tourist if they are under petition?; From Edith of National City – I am waiting for my green card through another daughter’s petition. My 15-year-old daughter is in the U.S. on a tourist visa extension. Is there a way my 15-year-old can stay in the U.S. with me?; The Cruz Family: Grandpa Lando, Dad Allan, and grandson Chean drop by to visit Atty. Gurfinkel who worked on their case and successfully reunited the family. Watch Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 28 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
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• Kathy, of Mira Mesa, wants to know if a person can visit the U.S. even if they are under petition.
LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel visited San Diego, where he answered questions of Kapamilya from “America’s Finest City” and neighboring areas. In Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” viewers will hear answers to the following immigration concerns:
ANDREA Torres admitted that she and exboyfriend, actor Derek Ramsay, had a bad breakup, but she is firm on not making public the cause of their split to prevent him from getting bashed. The actress recounted her breakup with Ramsay after she was asked by TV host Toni Gonzaga what she learned from her heartbreak, as seen in a vlog on the latter’s YouTube channel on Sunday, Aug. 21.“Doon pinaka-naging close ‘yung relationship ko with the Lord. Super pray talaga ako kasi syempre parang may iba na nagagalit kasi hindi ako nagbibigay ng details,” Torres said. “[Pero] hindi ko naman ikaliligaya na ma-bash ‘yung tao.” (That was when I became closest to the Lord. I was really praying because there were people who got angry when I was not giving details [about the breakup]. But it would not make me happy if [Ramsay] gets bashed [for it].)
celebrityworldByFerdieVillar
PAGE 9 Star Magic’s 30th anniversary
Young actress Jane de Leon has received her good share of negative criticism on being the newest Darna. Former Darna star Vilma Santos-Recto’s pieces of advice: Do your best. Believe in yourself. Focus on those who support you and believe in your skills. Photo from Instagram/@imjanedeleon
STAR Magic’s 30th Anniversary Concert “Beyond the Stars” culminated their three-city concert tour at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills on Monday, August 14, marking the return of Star Magicon the live concert stages in the U.S. after twoWithyears.20 of Star Magic’s brightest talents from the Philippines, “Beyond the Stars” showcased what Filipino and international audiences always expect from ABS-CBN shows: excellence.“Ourworld is a landscape of change, and just like our company, Star Magic is evolving,” said Star Magic Head Lauren Dyogi. “ Audiences now, in the digital age, are clamoring for diversity and Filipino talent can be appreciated anywhere and everywhere—and we have proven that.” The tour kicked off in New York City, where the young stars performed for its discerning audiences. The next stop was San Francisco for a legacy-laced show at the historical home of the Filipino American diaspora. And the tour’s finale was in the hub of global entertainment Los Angeles. The young stars dazzled thousands across the U.S.— claiming their place as some of the top performers in the world. With an energized house on its feet, the show started with an electrifying tableau of Filipino dance hits with Philippines’ sweetheart Maymay Entrata, interacted with their adoring fans, reinforcing the undeniable chemistry they have that their global fans Multi-award-winningcrave. actor Zanjoe Marudo brought the romance only a top matinee idol can bring to the show, making his fans swoon with his triplethreat performance and boynext-door charm. The breakout star of the night is funny man Eric Nicolas. His quick wit, funny antics and comical interactions with the crowd had the whole theater howling in laughter. The show ended with the whole cast on stage singing the song “Sama Sama” which sends messages of love, unity, and togetherness.“Ourcorehas always been to serve our audience regardless of circumstances,” said Arnie Garcia, ABS-CBN Global Head of Events. “Star Magic’s Beyond the Stars is ABS-CBN Global Events’ way to start reaching out to our audience amidst these challenging times and prove to them that we would continue to bring joy and inspiration to everyone,” Garcia adds.
The Cruz family is one of the success stories featured on Citizen Pinoy. Photo above shows (from left) grandson Chean, dad Allan, and petitioner grandpa Orlando, with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Photos provided by Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel
Torres spoke about how she went through depression at the time, as well as how she overcame it and learned to love herself more. Torres then disclosed that she already has thoughts about having her own family considering her age. “Syempre nasa age ka na rin na iisipin mo, ‘May time pa ba ako magkaroon ng maraming anak?’ ‘Yung mga gano’n, so hopefully at least makadalawa man lang, [sana] kayanin pa,” she stated. ([I am] at that age where I am having thoughts like, “Do I still have time to have many kids?” [I have] thoughts like that, so hopefully [I can still be able to have] at least two kids. I hope I can still do that.)
Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from...
Kapamilya from San Diego and adjacent areas. Watch this brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 28 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, more popularly known as “DonBelle” sang, danced, and asbeingwherebecausegotwhichPresidentialandsomethingwhichmewentservice.forthatportrayedoftenagotAndherpubliclegislator,metosaid.myselfunfolded,showbizthatcontentedforachievedblessedcitizen,isofrepresentativerecentlyservantACTRESS-turned-publicVilmaSantos-Recto,whofinishedhertermasofthe6thdistrictBatangasinJuneof2022andnowbacktobeinganordinaryconsidersherselfverywithwhatshehasallthesedecades.InanarticleinPEP.ph,theStarAllSeasonssaidthatsheiswiththemanythingsshehasdone,whetheritisinorasapublicservant.“ThisishowmylifehasIwillstillconsidervery,veryblessed,”she“Iwouldliketosaythanksmyconstituentswhotrustedastheirmayor,governor,andthankyouverymuch.”Themulti-awardedactressandservantbelievesshegaveallinbothpoliticsandmovies.sheisgratefulthatshealsorecognizedforhercareeraspublicservantafterhavingbeenawardedfortherolessheinthesilverscreen.“Sometimesthereareawardsareunexpected.Ileftshowbiz24yearsandwentintopublicItwasabigthingthatIintoanothercareerthatgavesomeformofrecognition,meansImusthavedonegood,”sherelated.“IbecameapublicservantIwasgivenawardsliketheLingkodAward,isabigthingformeas[Iit]asapublicservantandnotIamamoviestar.Ifthat’s[life]broughtmeandIamacknowledged,myGod,it’sifIwasgivenanaward,”she continued.Recently, her rival for dominance in showbiz for decades, Superstar Nora Aunor, was recognized as a National Artist.Vilma is nothing but thrilled for her“Youfriend.know, when you receive something, it means it is intended for you, which means you deserve it,” the former Darna star declared.“When they gave mare the National Artist [award], she deserves it… all who received the award, that’s meant for them. I believe in the saying that, ‘When something is not meant for you, it’s not meant for you.’ But when you deserve to get it, you will get it no matter what happens,” she further said. “We all have our own time, it’s just like that,” Santos-Recto said. Is she aspiring for a National Artist award herself, given all of her accomplishments in the arts? Many of her fans are hoping that happens in the near future. “Thanks for saying that, but you know, it’s hard to… who wouldn’t want to receive one of the country’s most prestigious awards? Of course, everyone does,” Vilma said, in response to the clamor for her to also become a National Artist. “But I have psyched myself that there’s always time for everything. That’s what I believe in.” “In the past, when there have been times where I have had movies that did not push through, I tell myself, ‘This movie was not meant for me, it might be for another person.’ That’s my motto. That’s why I am open to [the possibility of] losing roles or projects – when you don’t get it, then it’s not meant for you,” she stated.Meanwhile, Santos-Recto, who starred in four Darna movies in the ‘70s and ‘80s, had advice for young star Jane de Leon, who is starring in a Darna series for the Kapamilya network. “I truly believe that more people believe in you than those who don’t, focus on those who have faith in you,” Vilma said in another PEP.ph interview. “Prove them wrong, right? It’s just like that, expect negative comments.” “But, I guess, the most important thing is do your best. When you are able to do that for yourself, the audience will be able to see that and absorb it, and they will love you and believe in you themselves,” she added. It is hard to ignore the white sound or negative vibes coming at you, Santos-Recto realizes, but you must preserve your focus on the more important things. “What is hard right now is that it’s very trendy right now to do [celebrity] bashing, right? It’s as if you are not doing anything worthy. Or, if you make something beautiful, damned if you, damned if you don’t. The best thing is just to do your best, prove them wrong – that’s really the best thing to do,” she advised. Santos-Recto also has a request from netizens or kababayans who are quick to fill social media or comments sections with negative comments on new artists like Jane de“ToLeon.our kababayans, please don’t do this. To the newcomers who are trying their best, let’s try to support them,” she pleaded. “Don’t ruin their starting point as an artist…Let’s give them a chance.”“Theway I see Jane, I think she is committed to this, so let’s give her a chance. She can do this,” Santos-Recto continued. “I was able to watch Jane,” the actress added, referring to the series which has begun streaming. “First of all, I think she fits the Darna costume very well, personality-wise, she is strong as a heroine… it’s a long way still, she will show more [as the series unfolds].”
“For me lang, walang maidudulot na mabuti ‘pag nagbigay pa ako ng details kung bakit kami nag-break, kasi obviously hindi naging maganda ‘yung paghihiwalay namin. So, parang OK na sa akin na nakausap ko ‘yung mga taong involved,” she added. (For me, it would do no good if I give details on why we broke up because obviously, we did not have a good breakup. So for me, I am already OK that I got to talk with the people involved.)
The members of the Star Magic tour perform their final show at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. Photo courtesy of Sthanlee Mirador
Gonzaga then asked asked the actress, “So nando’n ka na rin sa point ng buhay mo ngayon na (So you are at this point in your life where) you are ready to settle down?”, to which Torres answered, “Oo (Yes), with the right person.” Torres confirmed her split with Ramsay in November 2020 after dating for over a year. Although both of them opted not to disclose the reason for their breakup, Ramsay stated that the split was “sudden” but they have “no hate towards one another.” Meanwhile, Ramsay got married to actress Ellen Adarna in November last year.
“Moving forward means we have to do collaborations with other players in the industry, both in the Philippines and internationally,” said Aldrin Cerrado, Chief Operating Officer of ABS-CBN Global. “ We do our best to manage our resources very well to deliver the best product, the best content, for our audiences.”
by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
The hype opening number from (Top L-R) Andrea Brillantes, AC Bonifacio, Alexa Ilacad, and Charlie Dizon; (Bottom L-R) Edward Barber, Maymay Entrata, Kim Chiu, Maris Racal, and Kyle Echarri. Photo courtesy of Sthanlee Mirador Edward Barber, Maris Racal, Charlie Dizon and Alexa Ilacad. The opening number continued with a celebration of Filipino Pop Rock with seasoned performer Kim Chiu, dance vixen AC Bonifacio and “Gold Squad” heartthrobs Kyle Echarri and AndreaMusicBrillantes.loversswooned over the ‘Sessionistas’ segment of the concert—where top-caliber singers performed beloved OPM (Original Pilipino Music) hits. Angela Ken, Lian Kyla, Sab, KD Estrada and Carlo Aquino serenaded the audience with their smooth acoustic sounds, highlighting their musicality and instrumental talents. Teleserye fans’ hearts melted when Star Magic’s top vocalists sang their favorite shows’ theme songs. The powerhouse vocals of Gigi de Lana, Janine Berdin, Angela Ken, Lian Kyla and Sab brought the emotions of each of the drama series’ themes to their embracing fans. And with what felt like a lightning bolt striking the theater, the fans suddenly levitated when ‘love teams’ took the stage. KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad, known as their “shipped-name” KDLEX, delighted their fans by singing a duet that explored the mysteries of young love. The screams intensified when the hottest love team in the Philippines took the spotlight.
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-516010 Features
Hollywood afterparty The night after the main concert, all the Star Magic stars, ABS-CBN team and invited guests enjoyed a celebration dinner under the stars at the world-famous Yamashiro restaurant in the Hollywood Hills.Punctuated by performances from Star Magic’s top singers, attendees had the opportunity to mingle with the young stars to explore future opportunities and possibilities of partnerships.
Star for All Seasons considers herself very blessed
Andrea keeps mum on cause of split with Derek concert ‘Beyond the Stars’ completes a coast-to-coast US tour with a SoCal extravaganza
Vilma Santos-Recto, who is now back to being an ordinary citizen after wrapping up her term as a member of Congress of the 6th district of Batangas, feels she has been very blessed in both her careers as public servant and movie actress. Photo from Instagram/@rosavilmasantosrecto Andrea Torres Photo from Instagram/@andreaetorres
Bringing Filipino world-class talent to the global center stage is the underlying theme of the evening, especially to the Latin American market under TFC’s North and Latin America division.“Music is the key to helping us penetrate the Latin American market,” said Jun Del Rosario, Managing Director of ABSCBN Global. “We have shown the world how amazing our singers and performers are, and I feel our music will bridge our culture with theirs.” And to further fortify their skills and talents, some of the Star Magic members said they enrolled in performance workshops in Los Angeles; lauded and supported by the network’s leaders and the community.
Edith wants to know how her 15-year-old daughter can stay in the U.S. with her. • Jefferson was petitioned as single by his mother, Virginia. However, he got married. Jefferson now asks if there is a way to revive his mother’s petition.Atty. Gurfinkel also gets a surprise visit from the Cruz family. It was nearly 10 years ago when Atty. Gurfinkel helped the grandfather, Lando Cruz, after the U.S. Embassy in Manila denied his son Allan’s visa because of a misunderstanding. The Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel were able to help bring Allan and his son, Chean, to the U.S. It was a memorable success story featured on Citizen Pinoy. Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with (From left) Edith, Jefferson and his mother, Virginia, and Kathy. Their questions will be answered on this episode of Citizen Pinoy.
Pahrump used to be a farming community so anything grows in the town. Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s (3rd from left) friend’s garden in Pahrump attracted her investors, Chris and Vicky, who bought several land parcels. Meet my future neighbors in Pahrump, Rose and Jessica Pacheco of North Las Vegas. We are working together towards the construction of their new home. Rose has a God-healing gift, does feng shui and numerology. Rose can be contacted at 702-249-6959. Photo above shows (from left) Rose Pacheco, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Jessica Pacheco. Mr. & Mrs. Hung Yeh, with Realtor Rely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right), bought an acre-plus on Highway 160. They will be bringing a national chain to be one of their tenants in their planned development.
Spurred in part by the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in order to cool inflation and to slow down the dramatic rise in home prices, home sales have slightly dipped in both areas – Pahrump down by 18.6% from June 2022 to July 2022, and Las Vegas down by 24.7% in the same period. In Pahrump, the median home price is pegged at $369,715 (or $197/sqft) in July 2022, while in Las Vegas, median home price is at $402,717 (or $240/sqft), also for July 2022. These prices still represent a big difference over prices from a year ago, with Pahrump homes up by $70,456 (23.5%) over July 2021 numbers, and Las Vegas up by $75,195 (23%) over July 2021 prices. The average sale time for homes have a big difference though in these two areas – Las Vegas has remained steady at 16 days from the period of July 2021 to July 2022, while Pahrump’s AST has gone up from 18 days to 37 days in the same period. While Las Vegas continues to be in a seller’s market, Pahrump has moved to neutral territory. These numbers were presented in reports by the Pahrump Valley Times and Las Vegas Review Journal in recent stories, gleaned from numbers presented by Rocket Homes, which, in turn, got its data via the internet data exchange program of the Las Vegas Realtors® MLS. According to the same news reports, the number of homes for sale in Pahrump (328) went up by 10.4% in July 2022, from an inventory of 297 in June 2022. In Las Vegas, the jump in number of homes for sale was at 11.2% in the same period (3,627 in June 2022 versus 4,034 in July 2022). This meant more homes available for buyers looking to purchase in both areas. While Las Vegas experienced an increase of nearly 10% or more in availability for homes in the 2-bedroom to 5+ bedroom range, homes in the 1-bedroom category declined by a little bit more than 4%. In Pahrump, the availability of 1-bedroom and 5+ bedroom homes declined, but 2- to 4-bedroom homes experienced anInincrease.bothmarkets, it was indicated in the numbers that buyers may be able to get a good deal when looking to purchase homes – 39% of homes were sold below the asking price in Las Vegas, while in Pahrump 45.8% of homes sold in the town were sold below asking price. The advice given to buyers: homes are selling fast in both markets so quickly fast if you are planning to purchase a home. This means a good deal for buyers looking to purchase a home, or even real estate in Nevada.Moreinventory, fewer sales and price cuts mean more negotiating power for buyers. According to a local LVR official interviewed by the Pahrump Valley Times, while rising interest rates and today’s prices may present challenges to poten tial buyers, the availability of more homes, particularly in the Las Vegas area, presents a boon to would-be home buyers as more choicesPerhaps,abound.more importantly, buyers are negotiating more with sellers based on the fact that there are more choices, unlike a year ago when buyers had to concede a lot to sellers, oftentimes going over the asking price or many buyers being put on a waiting list in order to be able to just see home they were interested in purchasing.Thisisjust normal in the ebb and flow of real estate – there are periods of lull and periods of frenzy. Still, what is important is that real estate and home prices continue to be above the levels of what they were from a year, a decade, or even two decades ago. Nevada, including the areas of Las Vegas, Pahrump, Boulder City and Henderson, continues to be an affordable market for the home buyer or investment seeker, especially when you compare to other areas in the United States. With many development and housing projects slated for cities and towns like Las Vegas and Pahrump, and an expected 1 million people added to the population of Clark County where Las Vegas belongs to (plus a couple of thousand for Nye County where Pahrump belongs to), housing will always be indemand in these areas. As tourism bounces back in Sin City, and visitors embrace the Las Vegas experience, more and more people will be looking at opportunities in Nevada, whether it will be in the form of employment, housing or investments.Ihavebeen a Realtor for decades and have helped many of my clients pursue their American dream of home/land ownership, whether it is in Las Vegas or Pahrump. In fact, many of my clients have reaped the rewards of entering the real estate market sooner, with some renting out their properties for Airbnb, or selling their investments at a good price, or growing their real estate portfolio many-fold over the years. Now that the market is moving towards a buyer’s market, it is time to put your resources to work for you. My team and I will help you find the best opportunities in the market – be it for a first home, a second/vacation home, a land/ property investment, or simply an addition to your real estate holdings.Mycompany, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 11Features Pahrump, Las Vegas home sales decline, but prices still up from 2021
by RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send email to fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.
BY now, many newspapers have covered the recent decline in home sales in Nevada, particularly home sales in cities like Las Vegas and Pahrump.
Ogie proud dad as daughter graduates from high school despite bullying experience
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Launched in December 2018, the CalABLE program is open to all eligible individuals with disabilities in the state of California and nationwide. Since its launch, more than 8,000 individuals have opened CalABLE accounts and saved more than $77 million in assets under management. The average balance in a CalABLE account is approximately $10,000.
PH CONSULATE IN SAN FRANCISCO SUPPORTS PH ‘DIVER’S NIGHT’ AT DYNAMICO SPACE. Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano attended the Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco’s Diver’s Night at Dynamico Space on August 5, 2022. DCG Solano (top photo) highlighted the Philippines as a diving destination, with waters known as the center of marine biodiversity in the world. Abi Mullens (middle photo), an underwater and travel and environmental photographer, talked about her diving experience in a number of dive spots in the Philippines, a country with 7,641 islands. Bottom photo shows (from left) Ms. Zeny Pallugna, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano, Ms. Abi Mullens and Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales at the event. Photos courtesy of San Francisco PCG
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.
FAKE news Fake news, downright lies, mis- and disinformation, in various media, especially social media, have conceivably caused hundreds of million COVID-19 infections and deaths around the world. The falsehood that the vaccines are more dangerous (and killed more) than COVID-19, that it contains fetal tissues, changes our DNA, leads to sterility and serious illnesses, has a chip in them, have confused and misguided countless people who ended up devastated by COVID-19 or death. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for malice or stupidity. Vaccines are safe Vaccines for COVID-19, for seasonal flu, those mandated as a requirement for children school enrolment, and other available vaccines are all safe and effective in preventing infectious diseases, in spite of misinformed naysayers and fake news on social and other media. Illnesses pose at least 20 times greater risk than the sideeffects of the vaccines, especially the COVID-19 vaccines, which are truly a lifesaver. There are about 5 billion people fully vaccinated for COVID-19 worldwide (about 13 billion doses) proving how safe and effective these vaccines are. The vaccines have protected that many people globally. Lowering viral load Our body, unless immunocompromised, is able to fight off bacteria and viruses, etc., as long as the bacterial or viral load is small. It is when the number of invading infectious organisms become high enough to overwhelm the body’s selfdefense mechanism that we get clinically infected. Washing hands often, using masks, distancing, and avoiding crowds are all aimed at minimizing viral exposure and viral load in our body. Vaccination is a wonderful advance in science that boosts our body’s immune system to a robust degree which defeats the infectious agent and prevents infection. The protective power of the vaccines is akin to that of bullet-proof vests, not 100 percent but proven to be lifesavers nonetheless since they were invented in 1893 by Casimir Zeglen, a Roman Catholic priest in Chicago. Distancing Avoiding crowds and social distancing are mitigating measures, like vaccination and wearing masks, proven to lower the dose of infecting agents, like COVID-19 viruses, and thus prevent infections. This is the same reason why outdoors is safer than indoors, where the airflow (wind) disperses the viruses and greatly minimizes the viral dose one inhales, if any at all. Any and all measures to lower the dose of any infecting agents, like washing hands and face often, showering, etc., are effective strategies to avoid infection. Virus not alive Contrary to what people think, the COVID-19 virus (SARSCoV2) is not a living organism like bacteria. Viruses are protein molecules. So, we cannot “kill” the viruses; we could damage them to render them avirulent, unable to cause infection. That’s the goal of all the measures and strategies we have in combatting COVID-19 at this pandemic. Masks do help Similar to the analogy above, wearing masks, have been proven to work, albeit if not 100 percent. Masks reduce the amount (dose) of infecting agents flying in the air being inhaled. Lowering the dose minimizes the chance of getting infected. If 10 individuals (5 wearing a mask and the other 5 not) were sprayed with face powder or flour, which of the two groups would have more powder on their face and nostrils upon mask removal? Masking is also a sign of compassion; it protects the wearer but even more so other people around. Evident even during flu seasons. In spite of what ignorant or dis-informed people (including politicians and civil rights protestors) are claiming, science has proven masks to be safe and effective in minimizing infections. Do you think those who claim masks are useless would allow (or prefer) nurses and surgeons operating on them or their loved ones NOT to wear masks during the operation? It’s plain common sense. Size of the virus The SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19 is 0.1-0.5 microns. One micron is 1000th of a millimeter. The virus is about is about 600 times to 3,000 times SMALLER than the a grain of table salt (60 microns). A red blood cell is 7-8 microns and white blood cells, 25 microns. A dust particle is about 10 microns. In order to be inhaled into the respiratory tract, it has to be 10 microns or less in size. The largest SARS-CoV2 virus is about ½ (0.5) micron, the reason why it could easily be inhaled by those without a mask. N95 mask works N95 mask, especially the NIOSH-approved, is the face cover recommended by the CDC. Masks made of cloth are too porous and thus allow the viruses to go through them. Even hospital masks are not as good as the NIOSH-approved N95. While the N95 mask filters 0.3 microns or larger, and the coronary virus could be as small as 0.1 microns, it seems this mask would allow the virus to go through, the reason uninformed or misinformed people are saying the mask is ineffective in filtering the virus, and therefore useless. However, studies by civil and environmental engineers at Virginia Tech for one, like Linsey Marr, a professor and researcher at VT, an expert who specializes in airborne transmission of viruses, revealed that “the COVID-19 particle is indeed around 0.1 microns in size, but it is always bonded to something larger…There is never a naked virus floating in the air or released by people.” The virus is usually coated by saliva or mucus or moisture, which makes the particles larger. Also, the Brownian movement of the viral particle that zooms and zigzags around, causes it to get trapped by the electrostatic “absorption” magnetizing the particles, causing them to be snarled by the filter and not able to go through. NIOSH-approved N95 masks filter out 95 percent of the COVID-19 viruses. UVC lamp UVC light has been used around the world to sterilize meats, fruits, and vegetable and other items since it was discovered by Nobel Prize winner Ryberg Finsen in 1896. Hospitals use it to sterilize operating rooms, ICUs, infectious disease wards and patient rooms as a routine. I got a couple UVC tote bags and lamps from Amazon and used them during the pandemic sterilizing masks, caps, grocery items, mail, clothing, shoes, cellphones, jewelries, toothbrushes, combs, bedrooms, kitchen, and toilets, always being careful not to expose my eyes and skin to the UVC light. Columbia University has developed the safer Far UVC light, which does not hurt the eyes and skin, for use at home, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, other public places, to sterilize the environment. Gold toilet paper I have been using toilet paper all my life and did not realize how valuable it was until the COVID-19 pandemic led to people hoarding this “gem” of a tissue. I found myself getting my share at Costco. Shelves at other stores were empty. Toilet paper was “gold.”
“The risk of losing public benefits, coupled with the high cost of support expenses, has constrained members of the disability community from building financial security – until now,” said Treasurer Ma. “Today, we’re ensuring that all these people are at the table to help us build better life experiences for people with disabilities.”
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Watch the “We Are CalABLE” anthem video at CalABLE.ca.gov.axWexs&feature=youtu.be.youtube.com/watch?v=AawNp_https://www.OpenCalABLEaccountat www.
The “We Are CalABLE” campaign was conceptualized and launched by CalABLE’s agency of record Program 11, in collaboration with the National Disability Institute, the first national nonprofit committed exclusively to the financial empowerment of people with disabilities.
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Cristina Patwa’s tea-rrific journey from Davao... with Brad,” she continues. “We helped him with something in (Chateau) Miraval (the French winery he co-owned with exwife Angelina Jolie), and then over dinner together, Brad came up with the idea of this wellness, alcohol-free experience.”
The idea was Enroot, a line of sparkling, cold-brew tea beverages that would fill a niche in the non-alcoholic beverage market for a bubbly drink like champagne. Patwa, Pitt and Fogelman called in a group of 12 James Beard Award-winning chefs to develop and blend flavors that could be paired with elevated cuisine. At a brewery in Santa Cruz, California, they cold-brew organic fruit and floral purees in small batches with the best teas from around the world for three days, resulting in a low-calorie drink (only 25 calories a bottle) that is refreshing, low-sugar (no sugar or stevia is added), and a healthy alternative to not only champagne but also sodas. “Brad was the one who came up with the idea,” notes Patwa. “He is insanely creative. I think that's what it takes to be a movie star for that long. He's artistic, he's genuine, he's authentic, and so even the design of (the bottle) — every part of it was really his direction and his vision for what this could look and feel like. My job is to listen to him, because he's actually quite detailed in the way he even holds the bottle, the way he selects the bottle, the color palette — he just wore an outfit like this to the Bullet Train premiere with this color (she holds up a bottle of Enroot’s Strawberry Lavender-Rosemary Tulsi Relax flavor that has the Bullet Train logo on the back, and ladybug artwork on the front), which is more like a salmon color. And this we did for his movie, Bullet Train. You remember his character, Ladybug, and how his character wants to find peace? So the Relax is to help calm and promote finding peace. This is actually for the movie collaboration with him, which is amazing. Everybody I know loves the way it presents. Everything inside (Enroot) is the chefs’; everything outside is Brad.”Patwa grew up in Buhangin, Davao, until she was eight years old.“Davao then was a lot of dirt roads, a lot of farms. There's pictures of me with a carabao, and I was afraid of the geese,” she laughs. “I didn't know there was a whole world outside of our farms, my grandmother and the community — you knew everybody and everybody knew you — it felt like a real family. “We moved to the U.S. when I was eight, and I would spend a lot of time with my grandmother because both parents had to work. You know, it's immigrants, we're in Queens, we need to survive. And so I spent a lot of time with my grandma, and we would come back to the Philippines every other year growing up. “The most joyful parts of my childhood were with my grandmother or here in the Philippines, because in the U.S., Christmas is not celebrated the same way — the feeding each other and making sure you’re okay. Filipinos naturally think of the other person first before ourselves. And I wish that the U.S. had more of that, where we can break bread and take care of somebody across from you. That connection is actually a foundation of building a community, and I want Enroot to be a community, first and foremost.”Patwa’s lola passed away last January, at the age of 96. “I wanted to pay tribute to what she gifted me with. She was planting seeds along the way, the overall model of the kind of woman I am and want to be. I'm glad she got to see at least the launch of Enroot and she knew what I was building it for.”Patwa is a staunch tea drinker herself. “When I became a mom, I couldn't have as much caffeine and alcohol,” she says. “I just love teas. I drink a lot of tea.”Part of her trip here is to find farms from which Enroot can source ingredients. “Because we source organic, it means by default that the big farms are the conventional ones that are not organic, and most organic farms are smaller. So we have coconut in this (flavor), and I would love to find jasmine — I loved the sampaguitas growing up — and the hibiscus, the gumamelas. It would be amazing because we're trying to source them where they're indigenously grown already. And then we have another flavor that will come out that has mango and ginger, and that's like my hometown flavors. I would love that.” Enroot is a sustainable, socially responsible brand that also supports women’s programs, and Patwa says that Pitt is a partner who believes and understands the importance of those values. “Once he heard everything he came up with (their trademark) ‘Food, Family, Farms.’ He loves the simplicity of things. He and John were the ones who pushed me and said, ‘You need to run this. This is you.’ And I said, ‘I’m an accountant. What do I know?’ But they're so wonderful as partners and so supportive. I couldn't ask for better partners in something that's so meaningful in a lot of different ways. I feel very blessed.”
While he did not specify why his daughter Erin got bullied, Diaz has earlier disclosed that no one from his children came to him “sad” or “crying” because they got bullied over their father being gay. Aside from Erin, Diaz has four more daughters with his wife Georgette del Rosario, who he has been with for about 22 years.
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AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-516012 Features PAGE 9 by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net Lessons from COVID PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS @HeartHealth
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Ogie Diaz and his daughter Erin Photo from Facebook/Ogie Diaz California-based filmmaking nonprofit that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to produce the “We Are CalABLE” campaign. The OFA team filmed more than a dozen interviews throughout the state, gathering a broad spectrum of voices from individuals and families who benefit from the CalABLE program. Many OFA students and staff are CalABLE account holders and have a firsthand understanding of how one can save for their future using“ThisCalABLE.projectis a great example of how people with disabilities can help develop skills, gain valuable experiences, and contribute in ways that directly affect their own lives,” said John Peterson, OFA’s Vice President of Film and Media. For the campaign, OFA captured the personal stories of CalABLE account holders who enthusiastically share how they use their savings to pay for
(CA State Treasurer’s Office Release)
OGIE Diaz could not help but express his happiness and pride as his eldest daughter Erin graduated from senior high school, despite stopping her studies in 2019 due to bullying. The comedian-talent manager gave a glimpse of Erin’s graduation and recounted her journey before she achieved the milestone, as seen on his Facebook page on Saturday, Aug. 20. “Nung huminto siya nung 2019 sa senior high, pinagbigyan ko, dahil na-bully at nabagot siya,” Diaz said. “Nung siya mismo ang nakaisip na gusto na niyang mag-aral uli, sabi ko, ‘O, usapan natin this time, ha? Pag huminto ka na naman, ibabawas ko sa savings mo ang ipinambayad ko ng tuition fee mo ha?”’ (I let her stop from schooling in 2019 because she got bullied and got bored. When she decided to return to school, I told her, “Well, this is our deal this time: if you decide to stop from studying again, I will deduct from your savings the tuition fee I paid.”) Diaz also commended Erin as he witnessed how she worked hard to finish high school. He then asked her to do the same now that she will be taking culinary arts in college. “Basta, ‘nak, pagbutihin mo. Wala naman kaming hangad ng mama mo kundi ang magandang future niyong magkakapatid,” he addressed his daughter. (Just do your best, my child. I and your mother want nothing but a good future for you and your siblings.) “And I always say this to all my daughters: mas magandang may tinapos kayo para pagdating ng araw na iwan kayo ng mga asawa niyo (prangkahan na), di kayo pwedeng pagmalakihan, dahil may natapos kayo at kaya n’yong magtrabaho, dahil may alam kayo,” he added. (And I always say this to all my daughters: “It is better to finish your studies so should a time come that your partner leaves you (frankly speaking), they would not belittle you because you have a degree, and you can work because you have the skills.)
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