082623 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

A FILIPINO owner of several senior care homes and two of his employees were convicted of elder neglect and abuse of six severely disabled residents of an unlicensed facility in Riverside, California.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office secured the convictions, said the victims ranging in age from from 32 to 66, were found malnourished, living in filth and without basic care in a house that did not have the staff, equipment, or licensing needed to care for the residents.

Investigators arrived at the location to find the victims being housed in squalor. Many of them were emaciated and dehydrated and were not being provided the care they needed.

Defendants Joel Gallano Ombao, 70, owner of the unlicensed Secure Hands Board and Care where the victims were housed, Ronnel Tiburico, 58, Ombao’s assistant, and Nimfa Molina, 64, a registered nurse, were all found guilty of elder abuse.

CHR willing to work with ICC on PH drug war probe

by krixia SubingSubing Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday, August 22 said it was “willing to cooperate” with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on its investigation into the country’s drug war on the watch of then President Rodrigo Duterte.

CHR Chair Richard Palpal-latoc said, however, that the commission does not know yet which specific cases the ICC would look into. He also

said the court had not yet sought the commission’s assistance regarding any case.

The last development so far regarding the ICC was when its Appeals Chamber on July 18 voted 3-2 to reject the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the investigation into the drug war.

The ruling affirmed an earlier decision in January by the Pre-Trial Chamber to authorize an inquiry into the drug war, because of what the chamber deemed to be the Philippine government’s lack of willingness to investigate or prosecute the related crimes.

The decision also opens a new stage in the drug war case, with ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan having the leeway to pursue the prosecution of certain individuals.

If Khan pursues charges, human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares said these could fall on Duterte and his Philippine National Police chief at the height of the drug war, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa — who are seen as the chief enforcers of the antidrug campaign which had claimed tens of thousands of mostly poor victims.

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MANILA — The number of Filipino fatalities in the wildfires in Hawaii is now three.

Philippine Consul General in Honolulu

Emilio Fernandez on Friday identified the third Filipino who died as Salvador Coloma, 77, during a phone call with INQUIRER.net.

“According to the records of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu, Coloma renewed his Philippine passport in 2022 and is, thus, confirmed to have been a Filipino citizen at the time of his death,” said the consul general.

He also said they contacted a relative of Coloma to convey the consulate’s profound condolences and offer the Philippine government’s assistance to the victim’s family.

The statement comes amid reports on the different numbers of alleged fatalities of Filipinos in the Maui tragedy.

“Yung ibang information [na] lumalabas online, [claiming] na mga Filipino sila… hindi sila nag appear sa aming records, which means that it’s entirely possible that they are Filipino, pero hindi lang sila nag apply ng passport o naging dual [citizens],” explained Fernandez.

(On the other information [that] appearing

Marcos pitches for federalism

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, August 24 said the Philippines has taken the "first step" toward a federal form of government that would make the country's political structure "more stable."

In his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of new members of his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in Malacañang, the president said the seemingly federal setup will continue by bringing more power centers to other parts of the country.

"That is very simple. That derives from a very simple idea that the stability of a

political structure is much more reliable when we have many power centers. If the power centers only belong here in Manila, then pabagsakin mo 'yung Manila, bagsak ang buong Pilipinas (if Manila falls, the entire Philippines would fall)," Marcos told his party mates.

"But with the power centers being given to the local governments, to the local districts, and to those operating at the local level and thereby bringing those power centers to many, many places, it makes for a more stable political structure and makes a more stable political life," he said.

Marcos also said decision-making in government should be made at the lowest

DOT eyes 600,000 tourists for FIBA World Cup

MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting 600,000 spectators in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023, which started on Friday, August 25.

In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the figure includes foreign and domestic visitors. Frasco said the number of participants in the tournament has surpassed 2,200. She said the FIBA, which is responsible for ticket sales, would determine the exact

number of spectators.

To ensure the success of the event, the DOT has collaborated with a tourism consortium that includes private stakeholders such as the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Philippine Tour Operators Association and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

The collaboration is focused on crafting FIBA World Cup tour packages that will offer discounts to both local and foreign visitors, to encourage them to also explore the Philippines’ tourist spots aside from watching the FIBA

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MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. supports the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) recommendations to streamline visa applications for tourists and international students. Marcos’ initiatives are meant to attract more foreign visitors to the country, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

In a statement on Friday, August 25, PCO said PSAC recommendations included the standardization of information application procedure and information on student visa requirements, accreditation of clinics for medical clearance, and certificate requirements for foreign students.

Also, part of the proposals simplifies documentary requirements, allowing foreign students to submit visa applications online and automatically accrediting at least Level 3 hospitals nationwide for tourists’ medical clearances.

Jordan Clarkson rues missed chances in Gilas’ close loss to Dominican Republic

BOCAUE — Jordan Clarkson thought some of the calls didn’t go Gilas Pilipinas’ way in its 87-81 loss to the Dominican Republic in the Fiba World Cup 2023 opener on Friday evening, August 25 at Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The NBA star balled out in his World Cup debut, leading the way for Gilas with 28 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists but he wasn’t able to finish the game after committing his fifth foul with 3:32 left when Gilas was

trailing by three, 79-76.

The Utah Jazz guard believes that they had a chance to win but didn’t get the breaks after the Filipinos gave up 28 fouls and played all Filipino when he fouled out against the Dominicans, led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 26 points and 10 rebounds.

“We played well, I think we had a chance to win. Some calls didn’t go our way,” Clarkson told reporters.

But the naturalized Gilas player was quick to accept the result and vows to bounce back when

Bongbong Marcos wants simplified visa process for foreigners, students

CHR willing to work with...

Palpal-latoc told reporters that “if the ICC will request us to help them [provide] the evidence we have gathered in the cases we have already investigated, we can share it.”

“If our participation would help find a solution to the problem of human rights affecting Filipinos, we will perform our mandate,” he added.

“We have an independent mandate to look into human rights concerns of the Filipinos here and abroad,” Palpal-latoc also said.

Public documents

The human rights chief noted further that cases being investigated by the commission involve public documents, “so I don’t see any limitation there.”

According to a 2022 report, the CHR has looked into 882 cases involving 1,139 drug war victims — figures that are a mere fraction of the tens of thousands of deaths linked to that campaign.

Nevertheless, the CHR’s report said the PNP had used “excess, unreasonable force” and had an “intent to kill” suspects during drug-related operations.

The commission, however, does not have access to police reports in connection with drug cases. Neither has it been invited to take part in a review of the drug war led by the Department of Justice.

Still, Palpal-latoc said the CHR would cooperate with the ICC, “as it is part of our mandate as a national human rights institution [and as an] independent constitutional body that is not dependent on the directive of

the President [or] the Executive department.”

ICC’s investigation will cover the period from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, the day before Duterte notified the United Nations that the country was withdrawing from the Rome Statute of 2002 which established the ICC.

It was in 2011 when the country ratified the Rome Statute. Duterte was still mayor of Davao City and alleged death squads were already being attributed to his local rule.

The ICC is asserting jurisdiction over cases involving crimes against humanity in the Philippines during that nearly eight-year period, but the government has repeatedly rejected its authority.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 21 — three days after the government’s appeal to stop the ICC investigation was rejected — said: “We’re done talking with the ICC. Like what we have been saying from the beginning, we will not cooperate with them in any way, shape, or form.”

“We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC,” he also said.

Marcos appointments

The CHR’s relations with Malacañang have been tested under two consecutive administrations, particularly during Duterte’s term.

In September 2017, his congressional allies, in an apparent gesture of spite, gave the commission a budget of P1,000, before finally approving

a P509-million budget by the end of that month.

Under Marcos, the CHR had remained without a head after his oathtaking as president until September last year, when he appointed Palpal-latoc and Beda Epres, also a lawyer, formerly connected with the Ombudsman, to the commission.

Human rights advocates immediately criticized the appointments, saying that Palpallatoc, a former prosecutor, had no background in human rights. The group Karapatan also described him as a “political appointee” after he had served as a deputy of then-Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, who was also his law firm partner.

As CHR chief, Palpal-latoc has urged the government to cooperate with the ICC and even rejoin the Rome Statute, saying, “This will show the genuine intention of the government to comply [with its international obligations].”

Palpal-latoc had said his agency was working to develop rules of procedure for “strategic litigation” of human rights cases after he pointed out that the CHR’s function was merely recommendatory and not prosecutorial.

He said strategic litigation would allow the CHR to extend legal assistance to victims of human rights abuses or, under extraordinary circumstances, even stand in as a nominal complainant.

In undertaking those options, the CHR’s goal, Palpal-latoc said, is to create “court-ready reports” that could stand a chance in the trial. n

Bongbong Marcos wants simplified visa...

“So, I think the easiest… is to align ourselves,” Marcos said.

“We can choose to remove it altogether, the requirement for a medical certificate, or if we will continue to require a medical certificate, as long as it’s a recognized clinic, and it comes out in the actual list of hospitals or something like that, I’m sure there’s a way,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said foreigners applying for a student visa could forgo inperson interviews to fast-track the process despite a memo requiring them to attend a meeting with the issuing foreign service post.

The department will only require applicants to appear in person if government intelligence agencies

Marcos pitches for...

power and authority.

recommend doing so.

The Philippines’ visa processing time for foreigners can take weeks to months–the longest period among Southeast Asian countries.

As of August 14, the country recorded 3.4 million foreign visitors, 71 percent of this year’s 4.8 million baseline industry target. Its tourism target earnings for 2023 is P2.24 billion. n

level possible, saying that governors and congressmen should be allowed to decide since they know the situation on the ground.

"What we are talking about here is federalism, and what we have started to do, kahit (even) in all but name, ang ginagawa ay talagang ibinibigay ang discretion, ang power, ang function, hangga't maaari, sa pinakamababa na level na maari nating gawin. So we are doing the first step of the federal government for the Philippines, in all but name," he said.

"There has to be a central tenet and central principle to what we are doing. And we are talking here about federalism. What we have started to do, in all but name, ang ating ginagawa ay talagang ibinibigay ang discretion, ang power, ang function, hangga't maaari sa pinakamababang level na maaari nating gawin (is really give the discretion, the power, the function, as much as possible, to the lowest level as much as we can)," he said.

The Philippines has a unitary form of government, with "imperial" Manila as the seat of

Under a federal government, power is divided between the central government and local state governments.

A federal system also allows each state to craft its own laws, finances, development plans, health, education and infrastructure.

"With the power centers being given to the local governments, to the local districts and to those who are operating at the local level, and thereby bringing those power centers to many, many places, it makes for a more stable political structure and makes for more stable political life," Marcos said.

Federalism became a buzzword in 2016 when Rodrigo Duterte, then the mayor of Davao City, highlighted it as a campaign promise. Duterte eventually gave up on the idea years later.

Unlike Duterte, who was "very clear" about pushing federalism forward during his 2016 presidential campaign, Marcos was not overly enthusiastic about it, despite running under a pro-federalism party in the 2022 elections.

In January last year, Marcos said that a federal system of government suits the Philippines, but changing the 1987 Constitution to achieve it may not be easy.

The following month, he said Charter change was not among his priorities after some lawmakers pushed to amend the Constitution to ease what they called "restrictive" economic provisions.

Marcos said the goals of those seeking to change the Constitution to allow for more foreign investments can be met without tweaking the fundamental law.

"We can achieve what we want, but within the present constitutional [framework], the way the Constitution is written," the President has said.

Changes in the Constitution have been espoused by every administration after President Corazon Aquino, including a shift to a parliamentary form of government.

None of them have gained traction, mainly due to insinuations that government officials were trying to perpetuate themselves in power. n

FREE SCREENING. Basketball fans watch the opening-day games of the FIBA World Cup at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday, August 25. They did not count in the record crowd attendance of 38,115 who watched at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, a feat that surpassed the 32,616 who witnessed the FIBA World Championships finals in Canada in 1994 when the USA “Dream Team II” beat Russia, 137-91. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Isang scan ka na lang mula sa pag-send ng pera sa Pilipinas kung paano dapat.

Itutok lang ang camera mo sa QR code para automatic na i-download ang Remitly app. May makikita kang app na nasa Tagalog, nag-o-offer ng nakakagulat na murang fees para sa pag-send ng pera at nagno-notify sa iyo kung nasaan ang pera mo sa bawat hakbang ng proseso.

Third Filipino fatality recorded in Maui...

online, [claiming] that they are Filipinos… they did not appear in our records, which means that they may be Filipinos, but they didn’t just apply for a passport or become dual citizens.)

“Baka kasi Americano na sila, o na-naturalized na sila bilang U.S. citizen. Entirely possible na Filipino sila,” he added. (Maybe because they are

already American, or they are already naturalized as U.S. citizens. They may be Filipinos.)

Fernandez stressed their records showed that only three fatalities have been confirmed to have Filipino blood.

The Filipinos who died following the wildfires were all elderly males. Their names are as follows:

Alfredo Galinato, 79

Rodolfo Rocutan, 76

Salvador Coloma, 77. Meanwhile, the consulate is still verifying the nationality of the following individuals who have also died from the fires: Conchita Sagudang, 75 Antonia Molina, 64 Carlo Tobias, 54 Danilo Sagudang, 55.

Fernandez said the total number of deaths due to the catastrophe has reached 115. (Inquirer.net)

Three Filipinos convicted of elder abuse in...

The jury trial that began on June 6, and ended Aug. 1 convicted Ombao of four counts of felony elder abuse, Tiburcio was convicted of six counts of felony elder abuse, and Molina was convicted of one misdemeanor count of elder abuse.

Tiburcio could face up to nine years in prison, Ombao up to

seven years in prison, and Molina up to six months in county jail. Their sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 25.

“Caretakers of elderly and dependent adults have the responsibility of protecting their patients’ dignity, safety, and health,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Instead, the victims in this case suffered horrific

neglect and lack of care at the hands of those who were trusted with their well-being.”

Bonta thanked his department’s Division of MediCal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA), which prosecuted the case, and the Riverside Police Department which participated in the joint investigation. (Inquirer.net)

Jordan Clarkson rues missed chances...

they take on Angola on Sunday, August 27 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Part of the game. We’ll come back and try to get the next one,” Clarkson said after shooting 9-of24 from the field and committing eight turnovers.

“Just keep competing like we did in there. Just fight hard. Like I said, some things didn’t go our way towards the end. We just got to finish well and move on to the next one,” he added. Despite the loss, Clarkson was honored to play in front of a record-breaking 38,115 crowd

that set a new Fiba World Cup attendance record but felt a tinge of regret after falling short.

“It was amazing. Everybody came out to support. Just kind of upset we didn’t come out with the win. Some things didn’t go our way but we fought hard,” he said. n

by Sunita Sohrabji Ethnic Media Services

THE California Department of Aging on August 22 announced the launch of its first-ever statewide assessment for Californians aged 55 and older to share their voices, called the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA).

The 20 question survey — which takes about 15 minutes to complete, with some questions including several follow-up questions — is available in nine languages, including: English, Spanish, Chinese Cantonese, Chinese Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Arabic. The survey can be accessed here. Responses are due by Aug. 28.

The CASOA survey is designed to gather critical information about how older adult strengths and needs will impact community planning throughout the state. Questions in the survey focus on whether the respondent’s community welcomes older adults; initiatives and resources available in the community to support older adults; the availability of physical and mental health support, along with caregiver resources; the availability and access to fresh food and nutrition; internet services; financial viability; and the respondent’s physical and emotional well being, among other issues.

Blueprint for future

“This survey offers older Californians a unique platform to articulate their present and future service needs, and it’s an opportunity for CDA to hear from older adults in

every area of the state,” said Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging, in a press statement.

“By engaging in this survey, older adults are collectively molding the blueprint for future planning and program development,” she said.

The survey is part of the 2023-2024 initiatives included in California’s Master Plan on Aging, a 10-year initiative launched Jan. 6, 2021 via an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The innovative plan, the first of its kind in the nation, aims to address current inequities for older adults and disabled people.

Master plan on aging

The Master Plan on Aging focuses on five primary goals: affordable housing for elders; overall affordability in cost of living for people on fixed incomes; a new vision for health care; support for caregivers; and inclusion for all seniors.

People over 65 are one of the fastest-growing populations in California. In 2030, the elder population of the state is expected to jump to 8.6 million. In the next decade, seniors will comprise more than one quarter of California’s population.

Aligned with the objectives of Goal 3 of the Master Plan for Aging, known as “Equity & Inclusion, Not Isolation,” this initiative blends established practices with new approaches to better serve the varied needs of older adults across the state, according to the CDA. “The CASOA operates within this framework, contributing significantly to the Master Plan’s aspiration of creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for aging Californians,” noted the department. Additional information can be found at https://aging.ca.gov/ Community_Assessment_ Survey_For_Older_Adults/. n

DOT eyes 600,000 tourists for FIBA...

games. “This package, which was specifically curated for FIBA, provides opportunities to visit any of our award-winning destinations as well as our beautiful resorts and hotels across these places,” Frasco said. These packages are accessible through discoverphilippines. travel.

The DOT has coordinated with attached agencies for site enhancements at the venues and other areas crucial to the participants’ experience.

Frasco stressed the importance of seamless and secure movement for tourists and participants.

Frasco said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is responsible for the physical enhancements in airports for a

better experience upon entry of tourists. She said the DOT and the TIEZA helped the DOTr enhance these sites. The Philippines will host the games of the FIBA World Cup 2023 along with Japan and Indonesia from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10. The tournament will be held in Bulacan, Quezon City and Pasay City. n

China’s Top STEM Education Platform Developer Collaborates with California Charity for a Noble Cause

Los Angeles, August

18, 2023 — In a landmark meeting, China’s leading STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education platform developer, Ms. Xiuhua Ma, met with Mr. Steven Shen, the founder of the renowned California-based charity, ‘A Perfect Love.’ The meeting, held in Los Angeles, was centered around the noble initiative of jointly developing an affordable online STEM education platform aimed at assisting low-income families in the U.S. The announcement has garnered positive attention from educators, tech enthusiasts, and social activists alike. Many see it as a beacon of international cooperation and a step forward in democratizing quality education for all. The initiative seeks to bridge the educational divide by providing top-notch STEM resources to underprivileged children, ensuring they aren’t left behind in an increasingly tech-driven world. With Ms. Ma’s technical prowess and Mr. Shen’s philanthropic outreach, the partnership promises to be both innovative and impactful.

STEM education, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, refers to an interdisciplinary approach to learning that integrates these four disciplines in a cohesive manner. Rather than teaching each subject in isolation, STEM education focuses on real-world applications, problem-solving, and critical thinking. In the age of AI technology, STEM education

is of paramount importance.

Ms. Xiuhua Ma, hailed as one of the luminaries in the world of online education, has etched her name into the annals of China’s tech industry through her unmatched innovation in STEM education. A prodigious talent, she pioneered an online STEM education platform that, in a remarkably short time, ascended to the position of China’s premier online STEM platform. The numbers are a testament to her genius: with a burgeoning user base that sees an astonishing increase of 500,000 annually, her platform’s reach and influence are undeniable. This meteoric rise can be attributed to Ms. Ma’s forward-thinking approach.

By seamlessly integrating an AI computer algorithm with a distinctive STEM curriculum, she ushered in a new era of online learning, tailored to meet the diverse needs of each student while maintaining rigorous academic standards. However, Ms. Ma’s journey to the pinnacle wasn’t without its challenges. As a woman navigating the often maledominated landscape of the IT industry, she encountered numerous obstacles, from overt prejudice to subtle biases. These experiences, rather than deter her, only fortified her resolve. She became an emblem of perseverance, breaking the glass ceilings that sought to limit her potential. Her accomplishments are not merely a testament to her individual brilliance but also stand as a beacon of hope

by M ichael S u

for countless other women who aspire to carve their niche in industries where they have been historically underrepresented. Ms. Ma’s story, therefore, is one of innovation, resilience, and unyielding determination.

In a joint statement, Ms. Ma commented, “Education should be a right, not a privilege. Our aim is to leverage technology to empower the next generation, regardless of their socioeconomic status. I come from a low-income family and firmly believe education is the key to breaking socioeconomic

barriers. Unfortunately, education has become unaffordable for those who need it most.”

While details of the announced project –“Starting Line” are yet to be unveiled, insiders suggest it will incorporate cuttingedge learning techniques, interactive modules, and personalized feedback mechanisms. The app aims to be not just a learning tool, but a comprehensive educational companion for students. “By fostering a strong foundation in STEM disciplines, we equip the next generation with the knowledge and

skills necessary to navigate, contribute to, and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. Education does not create a world of equal opportunities, but it helps to push those underprivileged closer to the same starting line,” said Ms. Ma.

Historically, the U.S. educational system has been rooted in a broadbased liberal arts education. While this approach fosters well-rounded individuals, it often fails to prioritize specialized subjects like STEM. Moreover, schools, especially in underprivileged areas, face a dearth of

resources—qualified teachers, advanced labs, and curriculum—essential for STEM cultivation. The result is that many students either aren’t exposed to STEM subjects early enough, or they receive a diluted version that doesn’t ignite passion or show the potential of these disciplines. According to Mr. Steven Shen, the use of AI technology can help address equity issues by reducing the cost of STEM education. He believes Ms. Ma’s “largescale model” AI for online STEM education is the best way to achieve the charity’s goal.

KALIVUNGAN FEST. Colorful costumes fill the capitol grounds in Amas, North Cotabato on Friday, August 25 as six schools showcase their musical talents during the Drum and Lyre Competition, one of the highlights of the Kalivungan Festival. The weeklong festival features ethnic traditions unique to the Cotabateños and celebrates the province’s 109th foundation anniversary. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults is open to all Californians ages 55 and older. The survey is available in nine languages. Unsplash.com photo by Monica Leonardi

Sandro Marcos joins father’s political party DepEd, PS-DBM officials suspended for laptop deal

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

ILOCOS Norte Rep. Ferdinand

Alexander "Sandro" Marcos took his oath as a member of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of his father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Representative Marcos and other new members of the party took their oaths before the president in Malacañang on Thursday, August 24.

Prior to being a lawmaker, the younger Marcos served as a staff of Speaker Martin Romualdez, who was then the House Majority leader. The president welcomed the party's new members.

"I have always been of the belief that a party must stand for an ideology," he said, adding that the PFP "must now prepare for all the political cycles that are coming very soon."

He cited the upcoming barangay elections, which will "have a big impact, have a big effect on how the 2025 elections will turn out."

The chief executive said they "are trying to align the political forces that are like-minded political forces."

"We are going to continue to talk to other political parties and come to an agreement with them so that we can further strengthen our group," Marcos said.

"We are attempting to

transform the government, to transform the bureaucracy, to transform even the thinking of ordinary Filipino citizens and our politicians," he added.

The PFP, established by former Agrarian Reform chief John Castriciones in 2018, is a national political party in the Philippines, chaired by President Marcos. The party is pushing for federalism in the Philippines.

Aside from Sandro Marcos, those who took their oaths as new PFP members are Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque, Bukidnon; Gov. Marilou Cayco, Batanes; Gov. Christian Noveras, Aurora; Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Zambales; Gov. Eduardo Gadiano, Occidental Mindoro;

by Janvic Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of an education undersecretary and six former colleagues as well as five officials of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) pending investigation of their possible involvement in the questionable purchase of “outdated and overpriced” laptops for public school teachers in 2021.

of officials. It was unclear if Amil is still with the agency.

Lao and Uayan were among the former PS-DBM officials facing graft charges over alleged irregularities with the procurement of COVID-19 test kits from Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Sufficient

In his latest order, Ombudsman

Thursday, Aug. 24,

Gov. Ricarte Padilla, Camarines Norte; Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman, Albay; Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Bohol; Gov. Damian Mercado, Southern Leyte; Gov. Imelda Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga, Davao de Oro; Gov. Edwin Jubahib, Davao del Norte; Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Iloilo; Gov. Abdulraof Macacua, Maguindanao del Norte; Vice Gov. Katherine Agapay, Laguna; Secretary Lope B. Santos 3rd, lead convenor, National AntiPoverty Commission; Assistant Secretary Arlan Mangelen, Department of Agriculture; Girlie Amarillo, officer in-charge, Office of the Deputy Director GeneralNAPC. n

Ordered suspended were Department of Education Undersecretary for finance Annalyn Sevilla, former undersecretary for administration and procurement Alain del Pascua, former assistant secretary for administration and procurement Salvador Malana III and former information and communications technology services director Abram Abanil. Other DepEd officials in the suspension order are former executive assistant IV Alec Ladanga, director IV Marcelo Bragando and supervising administrative officer Selwyn Briones.

Also suspended were PSDBM executive directors Lloyd Christopher Lao and Jasonmer Uayan. Three other PS-DBM officials in the suspension order were Ulysses Mora, Marwan Amil and Paul Armand Estrada.

Samuel Martires said there were sufficient grounds to preventively suspend the DepEd and PSDBM officials, as “there is strong evidence showing their guilt” on charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty.

“Their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them, and it is imperative to preserve documents and evidence pertaining to this case over which respondents have control and custody,” read the 11-page order.

The officials were placed under preventive suspension without pay for the duration of the proceedings, but not exceeding six months, “except when the delay in the disposition of the case is due to their fault, negligence or petition.”

The proceedings stemmed from the procurement of laptops for public school teachers worth P2.4 billion, which the DepEd delegated to the PS-DBM.

by the DepEd in the use of P2.4 billion – from tablets to mobile connectivity for students to laptops for teachers – “is highly arbitrary, unjustified, improper and not beneficial to DepEd teachers and students.”

“PS-DBM has no legal authority to act as procurement agent or procurement entity for DepEd and to conduct procurement activities on the latter’s behalf, and there is no basis to obligate the P2.4 billion in February 2021,” read a Senate Blue Ribbon committee report, as cited in the ombudsman’s order.

“Serious irregularities have been committed at all stages of the procurement process which rendered the contract for the purchase of laptops defective and highly irregular,” it added. n

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Lowering

price of rice to P20 a kilogram ‘difficult’ – DA execs

MANILA — Turning into reality President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise to peg the price of rice at only P20 per kilogram remains a far-fetched possibility as agriculture officials cited on Tuesday, August 22 external factors beyond their control that would make it hard to keep rice prices down in the coming years.

This was the reply House Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman got from officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) where the president serves in a concurrent capacity as secretary.

During a hearing on the DA’s budget for next year, Hataman asked about the probability of Marcos’ campaign vow being realized once the country attains optimal rice self-sufficiency level.

When Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian replied, “Not P20 but at least we can maintain a lower price that is affordable,” Hataman commented: “But affordability is very relative.”

“Lowering the price to P20 would be quite difficult,” Sebastian told the lawmaker who then asked if the DA has a blueprint for achieving the president’s campaign promise.

“That is our goal when it comes to reducing the cost,” Sebastian said. Pressed further, he commented: “I cannot answer that.”

“To be honest, we never discussed those things you are asking with the president,” he admitted. “Reduction is included, but not P20.”

For her part, Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla cited various factors “beyond [their] control” as the reason behind rising rice prices.

According to her, prices in the local and global rice markets are influenced by international prices which have “spiked over time.”

Sombilla also cited last year’s

rise in the farm-gate price of palay (unhusked rice) due to higher farm input costs.

Asked if reducing the price of a kilogram of rice to P20 could be achieved by 2028, she replied in the affirmative but qualified her answer by adding, “But the environment is volatile so this makes it difficult.”

The farm-gate price refers to the selling price between farmers and traders although it is largely dictated by the latter.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of May, the farm-gate price of palay reached P19.06 a kilogram, an increase of 10.4 percent from P17.24 per kilogram a year ago.

Northern Mindanao recorded the largest farm-gate price increase among regions while Caraga, composed of the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur and Norte, and the cities of Tandag, Bislig, Bayugan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Butuan, had the lowest.

In the country, the commercial price of rice is traditionally double that of the farm-gate price.

RISE Program pushed To ensure stability in the price and supply of rice, AGRI partylist Rep. Wilbert Lee proposed on Tuesday a subsidy and incentive program that would make rice production profitable for some 2.6 million farmers.

“It’s about time that the government sets aside a subsidy to purchase rice from farmers at a price that will allow them to earn profits and support their families. If we let the problems in the agriculture sector worsen and pose heavier burdens on farmers, they will be discouraged from continuing their livelihood and we will have a hard time encouraging the youth to be involved in agriculture,” Lee said in a statement.

Under his proposed Rice Incentivization, Self-Sufficiency, and Enterprise (RISE) Program, the government would be mandated to allot funds to buy palay from local farmers at competitive prices and then sell the staple to consumers at affordable prices.

“With this subsidy, farmers can ensure that they can sell their produce at a fair price, and they will be encouraged to improve their production. We will have adequate rice supply and we won’t rely heavily on importation,” Lee said.

He added that selling rice to the public at lower prices would also “ease the burdens of our rice farmers and consumers, while helping ensure our food security.”

Lee suggested the RISE Program amid a spike in rice prices, with the staple being sold for as much as P62 a kilogram in some regions.

Based on the DA’s price monitoring per kilogram of rice as of Tuesday, local regular milled rice was being sold from P41 to P55 in Metro Manila compared to P38 a year ago.

As for local well-milled rice, the prices ranged from P46 to P57 as against last year’s P40 while for local premium rice, the prices were between P47 and P60 compared to P45 in 2022.

Local special rice, on the other hand, sold for P54 to P62, up from the previous P50.

At the moment, imported regular milled rice is not available but in August 2022, it retailed at P38.

Imported well-milled rice was sold at P46, lower than P41 in the past year.

Imported premium rice retailed from P47 to P57, up from the previous P45 while imported special rice ranged from P52 to P65 against P52 last year. (Inquirer.net)

Among the DepEd officials included in the order, only Sevilla remains in the department, undersecretary and spokesman Michael Poa confirmed on Friday, August 25.

The ombudsman’s order was dated Aug. 23.

“DepEd adheres to due process and shall abide by the said order. Meanwhile, the department reassures the public of its unhampered services as we prepare for a safe and orderly opening of School Year 20232024,” it said in a statement.

Pascua and Malana, who were appointees of former education secretary Leonor Briones, were not reappointed by Vice President Sara Duterte when she took over the post last year.

The PS-DBM website still lists Mora and Estrada in its directory

A Commission on Audit (COA) report found irregularities in the transaction, noting that the laptops procured were “outdated” and “overpriced.”

Each laptop cost P58,300, higher than the original estimated cost of P35,046.50.

“The huge difference of P23,253.50 per unit price resulted in a significant decrease by 28,917 laptop computers, purportedly for distribution to intended recipient-teachers,” the audit report, as cited by Martires in his order, read.

“The base price of the same model of Dell laptop available in the market with a better screen ranges from P22,490 up to P25,000,” it added.

The ombudsman also cited the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, which earlier recommended charges against the DepEd and PS-DBM officials.

In its report, the committee found that the repeated changes

LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS104750 - MRO at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. A Pre-Proposal conference will not be held. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before Pacific Time on September 15, 2023 by 2:00 pm. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS104750. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Marc Margoni at margonim@metro.net.

8/26/23

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ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

NEW MEMBERS President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking of the new members of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in Malacañang on

2023, including his son, Ilocos Norte First District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos. Contributed photo

Waiting for abolition

A DAY after several officials of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management were sacked by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with three of the multibillion-peso supply contracts awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceuticals, several PS-DBM officials were suspended on Friday, August 25. This time, the sanction is over the procurement of laptops for public school teachers that have been described as overpriced and outdated.

Lloyd Christopher Lao, who headed the PS-DBM at the time of the anomalies but has since resigned, is covered by the preventive suspension order along with other officials of the agency: former director and officerin-charge Jasonmer Uayan as well as procurement management officers Ulysses Mora, Marwin Amil and Paul Armand Estrada.

Editorial

Also suspended were officials of the Department of Education at the time of the deal: Undersecretary for finance Annalyn Sevilla and undersecretary for procurement Alain Del Pascua, Sevilla’s executive assistant Alec Ladanga, assistant secretary for procurement Salvador Malana III, procurement management service director Marcelo Bragado, supervising administrative officer Selwyn Briones and the director of ICT services Abram Abanil. Only Sevilla is still with DepEd.

The charges stemmed from a report of the Commission on Audit on the P2.4-billion Laptops for Teachers project, which was meant for the shift to distance learning at the height of the COVID lockdowns. The DepEd had quoted a budget of P35,046.50 per entry-level laptop and tossed the procurement to the PS-DBM. Instead the PS-DBM procured laptops for P58,300 each. As a result,

the COA said 28,917 teachers were deprived of laptops, with only 39,583 receiving the gadgets that they needed for blended learning.

Also, despite the higher price tag, the laptops reportedly had “outdated” Intel Celeron processors that proved too slow for online learning.

The multibillion-peso scandals should reinforce efforts to dismantle the PS-DBM. Agencies typically assign their procurement of common-use supplies and equipment to the PS-DBM, to save on work and also because some offices reportedly lack the expertise for the purchases. In this country where corruption is entrenched, however, concentrating procurement functions in a single agency is a bad idea. A better alternative is to assist agencies in developing the capability to procure their own common-use supplies and equipment.

Last year, amid the scandals, the PS-DBM had indefinitely suspended its procurement of such supplies, but has appealed to retain the function. It should just craft various templates for DIY speedy and aboveboard procurements, which government agencies can follow with ease. Lawmakers must not waver in their push to abolish the PS-DBM. (Philstar.com)

WPS resolution may not get enough votes

motives of most nations.

the issue will be submitted to UNGA is disinformation; and 3) Our ignorance as to what to do next if the UNGA approves our resolution.

IT is rare for an ambassador to invite the attention of a host government to a flaw in a foreign policy initiative. French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz did that in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute when she asked:

“What are the expectations of the Philippines in raising it to the United Nations (UN)?”

The ambassador was referring to the proposed resolution to be submitted to UN General Assembly (UNGA) to condemn “the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and continued incursions on the WPS by China Coast Guard vessels etc. …” The statement of Boccoz is a friendly advice. It made it easier to explain the flaws in the resolution thus: 1) The proposed resolution is dubious;

2) The repeated statements that

In multilateral diplomacy, you frame the resolution in answer to: “What benefits do I get?” Nations, like individuals, are selfish. The resolution which will satisfy this selfish motive will be to ask the UNGA to allow us full access to the resources in all the areas granted to us under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

China has been denying us access to resources in the WPS that belongs to us. This benefit will apply to all littoral member states of the UN. It should be readily endorsed by almost all 145 littoral states. As worded, the proposed Senate resolution will only get three certain votes.

China is consistently harassing Vietnam and us, at times Malaysia. A resolution along this line will not cater to the selfish

The statements that our resolution should be presented to the UNGA attributed to retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, is disinformation. The events in the WPS are “threats to peace” and must be presented to the UN Security Council (UNSC). The UNGA can accept such complaint only if the UNSC is paralyzed by the veto. This is done under the “Uniting for Peace” resolution. The UNSC has five permanent members (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States) and 10 nonpermanent members elected by the UNGA. A veto happens if one of the Big Five casts a negative vote on a substantive issue. We need a majority of nine votes, two-thirds of the UNSC members, so that in the event of a Chinese veto, we can transfer the issue to the UNGA under the Uniting for peace resolution.

Headwinds

THE Philippine economy, unfortunately, is not insulated from the rest of the global economy. The slowdown being experienced globally will inevitably bring down our growth rate – and might actually push our economy into a technical recession.

The 4.3 percent growth reported for the second quarter this year was a deep dive. Our economic managers were signaling a 6 percent growth and the market accepted this as a guide. The substantially lower growth performance came as an unpleasant surprise.

It is possible to talk up the stock market. But it is not possible to talk up the whole economy – although our technocrats are trying very hard to do that.

Finance Secretary Ben Diokno maintains that a 6 percent growth target for the year is achievable. The evidence is quickly mounting against that.

The miserable growth rate posted for the second quarter was blamed on government spending less than programmed.

But as we are quickly finding out, the lower growth does not have

a single causality. Investments are thinning. Our agriculture is limping as usual. Now it appears the much-vaunted post-pandemic “revenge spending” is dissipating as consumers come to terms with the penalties of a high inflation regime.

In addition, we are now hobbled by higher oil prices. The international rice market is tighter after India clamped down on exportation of the staple. The Chinese economy slowed down and many are saying the four decades of high growth that liberated 800 million from poverty is now over. Japan is grappling with the specter of deflation.

In a recent report, UK-based Pantheon Macroeconomics predicted the Philippine economy will continue to lose momentum after the disappointing second quarter performance. From 7.6 percent in 2022, Pantheon forecasts our economy will grow by only 4.5 percent this year. The reason for the bleaker forecast is that “the main engine of the economy – private consumption – is buckling, suffering from three straight years of dissavings, the reversal of last year’s debt binge and sub-par remittances growth.”

Pantheon observes that in the second quarter our economy actually contracted 0.9 percent relative to the first quarter. The

group expects the contraction to continue into the third quarter, bringing our economy into a mild technical recession.

Our growth will only revive in the fourth quarter – but only if the Monetary Board cuts policy rates from the present 6.25 percent. The BSP governor, however, seems to be signaling that interest rate cuts will not be on the table for the rest of the year. Maybe a full-fledged recession will change his mind.

Family feud

This sad saga will not end anytime soon.

By now, most of us have become familiar with the family feud involving members of the Yanson clan. The clan owns Vallacar Transit Inc. which runs the Ceres Liner bus brand. This is the country’s largest overland transport company.

The saga began in July 2019 when four Yanson siblings – Roy Yanson, Ricardo Yanson Jr., Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson and Emily Yanson – seized control of the company from their brother Leo Rey. Matriarch Olivia, along with Leo Rey and Ginnette Dumancas Yanson, filed suit to fight the forcible takeover.

The Bacolod City court found the Yanson 4 guilty of, among other things, qualified theft of company property, grave coercion and carnapping (a non-

However, had we presented the Senate resolution, we may not have been able to get the nine votes. If we failed to get the two-thirds majority vote in the UNSC, China does not have to veto the same. In this event, our resolution is dead; we cannot go to the UNGA. It would have been a debacle.

If we get the nine votes in the UNSC, we can invoke the Uniting for Peace resolution and present the case to the UNGA. We need a vote of 97 (majority of 193) to win in the UNGA.

This issue: “What do we do if we win in the UNGA?” is the blank spot which motivated the French ambassador to pose her question. Carpio in his response stated, “… condemnation is enough and doable.” That statement is ambiguous and indicates we do not know what to do next. In fact, this issue, “What do we want?” was the thrust of the French ambassador’s query.

Traditionally, a victory in

bailable offense). The court also determined that matriarch Olivia and Leo Rey were the rightful owners of the sprawling company.

As a result, the court issued warrants of arrest and holddeparture orders for the Yanson 4. The four siblings who tried but failed to forcibly take control of the company fled abroad to avoid arrest.

Although they were out of the country, the Yanson 4 took the matter to the Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn the decision of the Bacolod City court. Last month, the 19th Division of the Court of Appeals upheld the warrants of arrest and holddeparture orders of the lower court. Specifically, the Court of Appeals clarified that the Bacolod court’s order “is a determination of probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the petitioners.” It is therefore an “independent issuance” that “was not among the matters embraced by the petition.”

The immediate consequence of the Court of Appeals’ ruling is that the Yanson 4 can only return to the country under pain of arrest. They do not seem inclined to do that, preferring to stay in a foreign country beyond the reach of our courts. They might attempt to raise the matter up to the Supreme Court – although the facts of the case might not merit

the UNGA under the Uniting for Peace resolution is only considered a moral victory.

Under the UN Charter, only the UNSC has the authority to prescribe the use of force as what happened in the Korean War and in the First Gulf War.

However, in the first Afghan war caused by the Soviet invasion in 1979, the oil-rich Muslim countries formed the “coalition of the willing.” They decided to fund the Mujahideen rebels.

There was an escalation later on.

The coalition added “freedom fighters” which included Osama bin Laden. This made the Afghan war unwinnable for the Soviets. It withdrew its forces during the Mikhail Gorbachev reform era in 1989. Thus, we could, after winning a vote in the UNGA, form a “coalition of the willing” to help us implement the decision of the UNGA, a fact overlooked in the current discussions. We will need maritime assets, not Bin Ladens,

to assert our claims in the WPS. We have to form a coalition of like-minded countries which will escort our supply vessels to Ayungin Shoal and to guard our fishermen.

The WPS dispute is now in its diplomatic phase. Carpio should let the Department of Foreign Affairs career diplomats handle this dispute from hereon. (Inquirer.net)

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

* * * Hermenegildo C. Cruz is a career ambassador who served in the UN from 1984-1986. He was a member of the Asean Committee which, under the Uniting for Peace resolution, successfully worked for the withdrawal of the Vietnamese forces which had invaded Kampuchea (Cambodia). He is thus the only ambassador with this experience. After his tour of duty in the UN, he was transferred to Moscow.

it. This will take some years to resolve.

The next consequence of the CA decision is that it will prevent the Yanson 4 from continuing their effort to take over the company and possibly dispossess the matriarch Olivia. The statement issued by the company underscores this, observing that the CA decision “stabilizes the management team headed by Leo Rey Yanson as president of VTI, and thereby ensuring the continuity of the transport company to serve the public.”

The attempted 2019 takeover, involving a separate army of security guards, caused the company much uncertainty.

It disrupted operations and

threw the company’s finances in disarray. With the Bacolod court’s finding that the hostile takeover attempt was illegal, the management team led by Leo Rey along with his mother Olivia brought the company back to its usual management competence. The company grew into what it is because of excellent management. Meanwhile, the Yanson 4 are too far away to cause any trouble. (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.

Finance Secretary Ben Diokno maintains that a 6 percent growth target for the year is achievable. Philstar.com file photo

Lawmaker threatens VP Sara with impeach rap; Veep responds, ‘Enjoy’

by Gabriel PabiCo lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — A lawmaker is considering the filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

This is in connection with the suspicion that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) may have spent P125 million worth of confidential funds in 2022.

This allocation supposedly was not in last year’s budget appropriation.

ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro made the threat to oust Duterte through this mode.

She said she is seeking accountability over the alleged illegal realignment of funds in the OVP.

Congress to rectify 2024 budgets for education, health - Angara

MANILA – Senator Sonny Angara on Friday, August 25 assured that he will be working with his colleagues to “rectify” the proposed budgets for education and health in the final version of the PHP5.768 trillion 2024 national budget.

He made the assurance following concerns raised by several senators over the decrease in the proposed 2024 budget for the Department of Health and the Department of Education as he vowed to look into it during the upcoming budget deliberations.

In a statement, Angara, who is chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said his experience going over the last four General Appropriations Acts (GAA) has shown consistent support for the education and health sectors from Congress, and the budgets for these sectors “usually go up by the time we have gone through the budget process in the House and Senate.”

He cited the case of specialty hospitals operated by the Department of Health, namely the Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center and the Philippine Institute

of Traditional and Alternative Health Care.

Under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposed by the Executive branch, these specialty hospitals were only allotted PHP4.9 billion.

But after undergoing deliberations by Congress, the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) provided almost PHP7 billion for specialty hospitals, an increase of PHP2 billion from the proposed 2023 NEP.

“The same was true for the budget of the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP), which has consistently been hiked by Congress,” Angara said.

He noted that the 2023 NEP only contained PHP22.39 billion for the MAIP, but “through the interventions of the members of Congress,” the program ended up with the final amount of PHP32.6 billion.

In the 2024 NEP, the MAIP was provided with a proposed budget of PHP22.3 billion, down from the PHP32.6 billion under the 2023 GAA.

“The increases in the budgets of the specialty hospitals, the MAIP and the health sector in general would benefit millions of Filipinos, especially the poor,

for their medical and health care requirements. The budget for MAIP has increased annually from PHP 9.4 billion in 2019 to PHP10.5 billion in 2020, PHP17 billion in 2021, PHP21.4 billion in 2022, and PHP32.6 billion in 2023. We expect a similar increase in the program in the final version of the 2024 budget,” Angara said.

In the case of education, Angara cited the proposed budgets for the state universities and colleges, including the University of the Philippines system.

“For three straight years we have seen increases in the budgets of the SUCs. From PHP73.7 billion in 2020, this went up to PHP85.9 billion in 2021, PHP104.17 billion in 2022 and PHP107 billion in 2023. Similar to the health sector, we also expect increases in the budgets of the SUCs and UP once Congress is done deliberating on the 2024 NEP,” Angara said. Angara said he also sees no reason for concern with regard to the reduction in the proposed 2024 budget of the University of the Philippines system in the NEP because “this will be rectified and increased by the time December comes and we’ve been through the budgetary process.” (PNA)

Marcos pushes joint drills with neighbors

by Catherine S. Valente and JaVier Joe iSmael ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, August 25 stressed the need to further strengthen the country's relationship with the militaries of its neighbors in the face of what he called the "volatility" in the region.

The president made the statement after witnessing the amphibious landing exercise in Zambales involving troops from the Philippines, Australia and the United States.

He told reporters the maneuvers were among the "continuing effort to strengthen our capabilities and to have a closer working relationship with the militaries of our neighbors around the region."

"I think it is an important aspect of how we prepare for any eventuality considering that there have been so many events that attest to the volatility of the region," Marcos said.

"This kind of exercise, this kind of close strategic cooperation between countries around the region, is extremely important, and I think we have demonstrated that today and to see how well our troops work together now," he said.

The Australian embassy in Manila said the exercise marks the second and final phase of amphibious action after the air assault drill in Palawan earlier this week.

It said it was the first time that Philippine and Australian forces conducted Exercise Alon, which forms part of Australia's IndoPacific Endeavour 2023 program.

Marcos said he and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are expected to discuss closer security and defense cooperation between their countries when Albanese visits Manila next month.

"You already know that when there is good coordination, especially in the military, it has a big multiplier effect," Marcos said.

The president said he is confident that he and the Australian leader "will come up with some new strategies and some new ideas, agreements, in terms of partnerships between our two countries."

He also said the many Filipinos who live and work in Australia "have been welcomed as part of the society, welcomed into the workforce, and for that we will have to be grateful to our Australian friends."

Albanese's visit to Manila

will be the first by an Australian prime minister since 2003.

It follows a series of high-level engagements earlier this year between the Philippines and Australia.

The joint maneuvers in the Philippines are being held against the backdrop of increasing incursions into Philippine waters by Chinese coast guard and militia vessels.

In the most recent incident earlier this month, a Chinese coast guard ship firing a water cannon blocked a boat delivering provisions to Philippine soldiers stationed at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Flotillas of Chinese boats have also been swarming in Baja de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, crowding out Filipino fishermen.

Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca has stressed the need to safeguard the country's northern seas during a meeting of the Area Task Force (ATF).

The Northern Luzon Command covers 769,606 square kilometers of sea, which includes Bajo de Masinloc, Luzon Strait and the Philippine (Benham) Rise.

Chinese fishing boats reportedly remained anchored at the mouth of the triangle-shaped reef and rocks of Scarborough Shoal.

"Our goal is to gather, analyze, and process available information, presenting options aligned with the strategic direction set by the National Security Adviser and Secretary of National Defense. This collective effort will ensure a stronger, more secure Northern Luzon maritime domain," said Buca.

The Northern Luzon Command has under its wing the Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Regional Maritime Units, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Offices, 5th Infantry Division Philippine Army PA, 7th Infantry Division PA, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, and the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon.

"This collaborative assembly aimed to amplify coordination efforts and heighten vigilance in safeguarding the extensive maritime domains across Northern Luzon," said Northern Luzon Public Information Office chief Maj. Al Anthony Pueblas. Buca underscored the need to sustain government presence and maritime patrols in Northern Luzon. He also emphasized the need for meticulous documentation to support diplomatic efforts and strategic communication.

“Yes, regarding impeachment, of course, we will study all possibilities to hold them accountable,” Castro told reporters in Filipino during a briefing on Friday, August 25.

“We think that the violations would fall under misuse of public funds, technical malversation, and violating the Constitution,” the lawmaker enumerated.

“If you are a government official, you should follow the Constitution, and that is one ground for impeachment if we will be able to prove that,” Castro reminded the vice president.

The lawmaker made the statements after Commission on Audit (COA) reported that the OVP had P125 million worth of confidential expenditures.

The commission talked about the issue during a budget briefing at the House of Representatives on Thursday, August 24. Castro recalled OVP, under former vice president Leni Robredo, did not have this kind of item.

As a reaction, Duterte welcomed the review of COA.

She said the questions raised by Castro will be addressed during the investigation.

The vice president believes the lawmaker does not deserve any explanation at this time because the accusations are speculative.

“We welcome the probe she recommended for the Commission on Audit to do on

the 2022 OVP CF (confidential funds),” she said.

“But today, Ms. Castro doesn’t deserve an explanation because she did not come to class prepared — like a good teacher,” Duterte observed.

“All she did was wildly and masterfully arrange some allegations against me and the OVP, which will all be answered once the probe is done and during the budget hearing,” she said.

In the meantime, Duterte hopes the lawmaker will be able to savor the thought of removing the vice president from office.

“The seething disdain overwhelming France Castro these days is hardly concealed, even by her capacity to string serious allegations against the Office of the Vice President over the 2022 Confidential Fund,” Duterte pointed out.

“Meanwhile, I hope she finds gratification and great joy over the thought of my impeachment from office,” she said.

“Enjoy,” the vice president concluded.

Earlier this year, OVP released reports on its budget expenses for 2022.

It also sent to reporters a screenshot of the page from the budget document titled “Summary of appropriations,

file photo

obligations, disbursements, and balances by object of expenditures.”

The report included details such as personnel and travel allowances.

A portion of the paper was blotted out.

When asked about this, OVP clarified it had meant to highlight the part on the confidential fund, but instead, it had unintentionally hidden it. The page showed a provision for “Special Purpose Funds.”

Under this list was a sub-category called “Contingent Fund” that contained “Confidential Expenses” amounting to P125 million. n

"Our goal is to gather, analyze, and process available information, presenting options aligned with the strategic direction set by the National Security Adviser and Secretary of National Defense," he said.

Sen. Rafael "Raffy" Tulfo has recommended that the U.S. Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conduct joint resupply missions to Ayungin.

Tulfo made the recommendation during a phone conversation with Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez on Thursday, August 24.

Tulfo said Malaysia and Indonesia have been conducting joint patrols with the U.S. and Australian navies.

Tulfo said Romualdez saw no problem with joint patrols and that the military only needs to contact the Department of National Defense (DND).

He said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro also did not object to joint resupply missions as long as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner recommended them.

Another senator, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, questioned China's recent claims that it allowed the recent successful resupply mission to Ayungin on "humanitarian consideration."

Dela Rosa, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, was asked during budget deliberations last Wednesday, August 23 whether the Philippines needs China's approval before provisions could be delivered to the soldiers stationed at Ayungin.

"Who are they? Who are they to approve what shall we bring to our outpost, for our soldiers manning our outpost? Why are they stopping us from bringing whatever we want? It is obvious that what they only want is the advancement of their own position. They really want BRP Sierra Madre destroyed and dismantled so they can take over and occupy our area," dela Rosa said in Filipino.

"We pity our forces there. Forgive me, my heart goes to the MUP (military and uniformed personnel) because I've been there, done that, and saw my people dying before my eyes during encounters with the enemy. This bullying of China with simple water cannoning, and we cannot fight back, we really pity our Coast Guard and the Navy," dela Rosa continued as he asked that appropriations for the military be increased. n

Vice President Sara Duterte Inquirer.net

Asian Journal WKND

More immigration questions answered by Attorney Gurfinkel on Citizen Pinoy

IN the fourth installment of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot” from Manila, leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more immigration inquiries from Kapamilya in the Philippines.

• Bernice’s mother filed an F2-B petition for her as a single daughter. Now, Bernice wants to know if she can bring her common-law husband, who is an Indian national, with her to the U.S.

under her mother’s petition.

• Cecille’s husband was petitioned by his sibling 17 years ago. However, while getting their documents ready, Cecille noticed that her child was not included in the petition. She wants to know what is the best thing for them to do.

• Sharon was petitioned as F2-A by her husband in 2019. Now that she is documentarily

Vice Ganda’s ‘Everybody, Sing!’, DonBelle’s ‘An Inconvenient Love’ win at Content Asia Awards 2023

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

ABS-CBN game show “Everybody, Sing!” and romance-comedy film “An Inconvenient Love” were among the winners at the recently held Content Asia Awards 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Everybody, Sing!”, hosted by comedian Vice Ganda, bagged the Best Asian Original Game Show award at the event held on Thursday, Aug. 24. The ABS-CBN game show bested four other nominees, namely “That Free Money Show” (Singapore), “SGD10000” (Singapore), “Super Trio –Ladies First Special” (Hong Kong) and “Uprising Kitchen” (Japan).

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How Vina Morales clinched Aurora Aquino role in ‘Here Lies Love’

By Dolly Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

Love” (HLL) hit the headlines, I told Vina, “Sis, ang ganda mo ang aabangan.” For sure, there will be a queue in your show and hahaba din ang pila ng suitors mo.” As Vina lives her Broadway dream, she will definitely make the audience fall in line and fall

in love with her. Here’s my chat with Vina: How are you preparing for your Broadway debut? I am more excited than nervous. My foray into theater when I did “Rak of Aegis” prepared me for this somehow. So I already know

Vice Ganda, Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan.

Photo from Instagram/@everybodysingph, screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Star Cinema

Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano—dubbed

More immigration questions answered....

qualified, she is asking if her case can be expedited.

• Christine wants to know if she can visit her U.S. citizen husband in the States using her tourist visa.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in the fourth installment of “Your Tanong

SOHO Int’l Film Festival unveils 2023 lineup:

‘Asian Persuasion,’ starring Dante Basco, KC Concepcion and Paolo Montalban, among entries

Philippines’ ‘Blue Room’ by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan also in lineup

My Sagot” in Manila. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 27 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Vice

Ganda’s ‘Everybody, Sing!’, DonBelle’s ‘An...

DonBelle—earned the Best Asian Feature Film/Telemovie award. The rom-com film was up against four contenders: “Lebai Sampan” (Malaysia), “Silent Walls – 2023 Telemovie” (Singapore), “Silent Walls – 1938 Telemovie” (Singapore) and “Sekolah Sampah” (Malaysia).

Vice Ganda, Pangilinan and Mariano celebrated their feat by expressing their gratitude through their respective Instagram pages. Also emerging as a winner from the event was the documentary “The Atom Araullo Specials: Mata sa Dilim ,” which was named the Best Current Affairs Program made in Asia for International/ Regional Markets.

ABS-CBN TV series “Dirty Linen” and “Flower of Evil” were also among the nominees at this year’s ContentAsia Awards. “Dirty Linen” vied for the Best Asian Drama for a Single Market in Asia award, while “Flower of Evil” was nominated for Best TV Format Adaptation (Scripted) in Asia. n

THE excitement is building as the SOHO International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) prepares to roll out its red carpet once again, announcing its highly anticipated opening on September 14 and running through 21. With over 110 films lined up, including a recordbreaking number of premieres, this year’s festival promises to be an extraordinary cinematic experience.

The festival’s opening night feature film is “The Nana Project,” directed by Robin Givens, with an ensemble cast led by Mercedes Ruehl, Nolan Gould, Will Peltz, Tony Todd and Morgan Fairchild. A mockumentary set primarily at a retirement home, the film follows a documentary crew who develop an interest in a “star” resident, a feisty chess master, Helen “Nana” Lewis, played by Ruehl.

Highlights of the festival’s US Features category include the Northeast premiere of the film, “Little Brother,” a gripping drama about two estranged brothers and the journey they embark on, starring J.K. Simmons, Polly Draper, Natsuko Ohama, Phillip Ettinger and Daniel Diemer.

The festival will also present the World Premieres of Jon Delgado’s “Queen of Knives,” a film shot completely in Brooklyn, NY, about a modern eccentric family of two generations; and Jhett Tolentino’s feature directorial debut, “Asian Persuasion,” which stars Dante Basco, KC Concepcion, Paolo Montalban and Kevin Kreider. New York Premieres include Vivian Kerr’s feature film “Scrap,” where she stars along with Anthony Rapp and Lana Parrilla, which was an SIFFNYC selection as a short film in 2019.

The World Features include Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan’s “Blue Room” (Philippines), Jihane El Bahhar’s “Triple A” (Morocco), Antonella Spirito’s “The House That Stood” (Italy), Bobby Barbacioru’s “A Frame of Mind” (Romania) and Apollo

Bakopoulos’ “Aligned” (Greece).

Other categories include Documentaries, Series Pilots, Animated Films and US/ World Shorts, all of which set the stage for a week of exceptional storytelling and

artistic exploration. Two short film entries are by Filipino American filmmakers, Charles Jon Gray’s “Velvet Sky” and Ken Anderson’s “Man of the Sea.”

Check out the full program at www.sohofilmfest.com.

Special programs on the lineup include a screening of films and panel presented by the New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and the world premiere of short films featuring Juilliard Drama Division actors from the classes of 2022 and 2023, produced as part of Juilliard’s new initiative to provide students with practical experience working on camera.

“The SOHO International Film Festival is a celebration of the art of storytelling and the power of visual expression,” said Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, Executive Director and Head of Programming. “Our carefully curated selection of films aims to captivate, inspire and provoke meaningful conversations. With a blend of premieres, debuts and diverse perspectives, we invite everyone to immerse themselves in the magic of cinema.”

Film enthusiasts and industry professionals will gather at the renowned Village East by Angelika, located at 12th Street and 2nd Avenue in the heart of New York City. This iconic venue will serve as the backdrop for the festival’s showcase of creativity, innovation and cultural diversity.

Past attendees of the festival include Octavia Spencer, Pierce Brosnan, Bobby Cannavale, Armand Assante, Luis Guzman, Sean Young, Kevin Jonas, Adam Brody, Carrie Preston, Josh Lawson, Michael Imperioli and Richard Kind.

This year’s festival is presented by the SOHO Film Forum, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Founded in 2009 by Jorge Ballos, SIFFNYC continues to celebrate cutting-edge digital technology while honoring traditional forms of storytelling by encouraging new and seasoned filmmakers from New York City and around the world to create and send in their fresh and innovative cinematic pieces. For sponsorship inquiries, contact: info@sohofilmfest.com.

For more information on the festival, visit www.sohofilmfest. com or contact executiveoffice@ sohofilmfest.com. n

A scene from “Asian Persuasion.” Photo by Jhett Tolentino Productions

Little Brother

Photos by Champion Hamilton

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel is shown here with Bernice Dulay (left) and Cecille Cepeda (right).

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers questions of Kapamilya from Manila – Sharon Anne Abriol (left) and Christine Buenaventura (right).

Tessie Tomas on Dirty Linen: ‘It’s really notches above an ordinary teleserye’

By Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

VETERAN actress Tessie Tomas described ABS-CBN’s Dirty Linen as a blessing to her and all cast members. After a seven-month run, the revenge-themed primetime series under Dreamscape Entertainment is coming to an end.

The U.S.-based Tessie who plays Doña Cielo, the tyrannical matriarch of the controversial and filthy rich Fiero family, said in an interview with The STAR that sa amin lahat, ang laki talaga ng blessing Dirty Linen,” adding that she would always encounter people calling out to her, “Doña Cielo, Doña Cielo, nanonood kami ng Dirty Linen.”

With the production hinting at a gripping and intense story until its conclusion, Tessie considers the storyline (with all its twists and turns) as one of the biggest achievements of the show.

“It’s really several notches above an ordinary teleserye,” began Tessie. “Isaisahin natin (achievements), you have the intensity of the plot and the complexity of the different characters and the issues involved. Talagang pinag-aralan ng mga writers.”

For her, another achievement of the drama is the production design that she said reflected the hard work and money spent on it. “Kasi ginawa lahat yun… even the chairs are velvet,” she said. Nothing is fake, including our food. Totoo lahat yan! Ang ganda ganda ng set design! Even my costumes are very expensive. So, it’s very, very opulent. So, hindi ka basta-basta nakakanood ng ganung teleserye. When you watch it, you know that pinaghirapan and pinagkagastahan.”

What also made her proud was the casting. “When it came to the cast, kumbaga halos handpicked and if I may say so, and sinasabi naman nila, lahat magaling. So, when you’re on the set, you have to be alert so you can match the performance of your co-actors.”

Co-stars Zanjoe Marudo and Janine Gutierrez, who play the star-crossed lovers Aidan Fiero and Alexa/Mila Salvacion, were also oozing with pride over the show. “I’m proud na natapos namin ng maayos,” said Zanjoe.

He’s also proud of the fact that it’s not “typical” in the sense that it dared to go against the grain, and didn’t pander to what just audiences wanted nor rode on the trending themes.

Dun ako naging proud na naging matapang ang Dreamscape and ABS-CBN… and I believe natuto ang audience and nagkaroon sila ng bagong mapapanood. Nababasa naman talaga natin sa mga comments yung mga pakiramdam nila.”

He believes Dirty Linen was able to show

that a Philippine-made show can be at par with international productions.

“

Pwede na tayong makipagsabayan.

‘Di na nila kailangan manoood ng mga Hollywood series para (ma-enjoy) yung ganong intensity ng mga scenes kasi may gumagawa na dito sa Pilipinas. Dun ako pinaka-proud,” he said.

As for Janine, she’s proudest of the boldness of the story and the cast “to show something that’s not just, ‘Ay kailangan mabait ako dito…’ Everybody was game to show the bad side, the good side, everyone was aligned. So I’m proud to be part of this.

I’m really proud of the story,” she said.

She further noted how proud she was each time audiences were moved to tears by a scene or whenever they got affected by a character. Janine narrated an anecdote about a friend who was so engrossed in the story that she was already having nightmares of Tessie’s character, Doña Cielo.

Meron akong kaibigan na si Doña Cielo napanaginipan siyang hinahabol siya (laughs)! Ganung level na, ‘Binabangungot na ata ako dito sa Dirty Linen pero di ko mapigilan,’” Janine laughingly shared.

“So, I’m just so proud of its impact on people na pati sila nagulat, ‘Oh my god! Why can’t I stop watching Dirty Linen when I’m not really into these things or whatever.’ So, very grateful.”

The story of Dirty Linen started off with four house helpers of the powerful Fieros who disappeared mysteriously and were presumed dead. Years later, their family members would band together and find their way into the household under fake identities in hopes of exposing the Fieros’ dirty secrets and exacting vengeance.

Amid all the scheming and warring families, the “golden son” of the Fieros, Aidan, fell in love with Mila (who was really Alexa Salvacion, the daughter of his nanny Olivia, played by Dolly de Leon) only to discover later on that it was all part of

the revenge plan. The last few days of the series showed that despite the impending downfall of the Fieros, Aidan was still concerned over the safety of Alexa. Which one will survive — their love story or their loyalty to their families?

The finale of Dirty Linen aired on Friday, August 25 at 9:30 on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z and TV5, as well as Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. It’s also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel (TFC) on cable and IPTV.

Dirty Linen stars will hold a thanksgiving show in the U.S. at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California on Saturday, Aug. 26, and at the Arena Theater Houston, Texas on Sunday, Aug. 27 for G! Kapamilya presents Dirty Linen sa America. Asked what other roles and projects they hoped to take on after Dirty Linen, Tessie said, “I definitely want to go back to doing stand-up comedy if I can. Actually, I already had a concept, One Night with Doña Cielo, atbp What I planned to do is bubulagain ko ang audience with the Doña Cielo excerpt then I’d transition to my other characters, then go back to Doña Cielo as my ending.

“I had everything worked out in my head but it’s not easy because I’m living abroad and it takes time. But, you know, there’s still a chance. It’s (stand-up comedy) my outlet. My inspiration now is how can I top the character of Doña Cielo? Paano ko mapo-prove sa fans na meron pang mas magaling kay Doña Cielo or meron pang mas kakaiba? So, that’s the challenge now for me.”

Zanjoe, on the other hand, is mulling a break from doing TV series, considering that Dirty Linen came immediately after another heavy-drama project, The Broken Marriage Vow.

“Yung next kong gagawin pwedeng light lang. Sana magkaroon ako ng magandang light project,” said the actor, who is starring in a Star Cinema film next.

Janine, on the other hand, said that there are still many dream roles and projects on her wish list. However, some priorities have changed. If before, she was aiming to land a role in an international film or drama, nowadays, it’s a different story.

She said, “I think it’s better to make a movie or series in the Philippines tapos yun nalang ipagmamalaki mo sa ibang bansa that we can really show what Filipinos can do, what they’re capable of writing, what’s happening in the Philippines. It’s because with Dirty Linen, marami talaga tayong natanggap ng comment saying that it’s world-class. So, I think, it would be great to make a movie and series here that you can showcase to the world.” n

How Vina Morales...

the discipline and focus required.

I will give my 100-percent best in every performance eight times weekly from Sept. 22 to Oct. 22.

How did you land the part?

My good friends, Lea Salonga and Bobby Garcia, asked me if I was interested to play Aurora Aquino (mom of Ninoy). It’s the role that Lea portrayed. They sent me a song as my audition piece.

When I sent the video of my rendition, they told me to make minor corrections. Coach Lea guided me throughout the process. Her kindness and support helped me clinch it.

Why should Pinoys watch “Here Lies Love”?

To celebrate Pinoy pride … because it’s the first Broadway play with an all-Filipino cast. It has a different kind of concept that converts the stage into a disco, so everybody is welcome to dance.

How can you relate to your character, Aurora?

Just like her, I’m a strong woman and a good mother.

Tug of war between past and present

The “hurtfelt” tandem of Bela Padilla and JC Santos is at it again. In their fifth movie together, Viva Films’ “Wish You Were the One”—which is now showing in cinemas—Bela and JC will hit your heart bull’s-eye. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a tug of war between the past and the present.

After watching the well-crafted romance drama (with a tinge of comedy), it made me realize that the one we have loved longer is not always the one we love the most. Fate can suddenly make us cross paths with someone we have instant chemistry with. And that person can outdo the one we have history with.

The unusual love story of

Astrud (Bela) and Ellis (JC) shows us that sometimes, it’s the “ripe one”—instead of the “right one”—who can take us to our “happy-ever-after.”

Dark, daring material for Mercedes Cabral

Are you willing to be a substitute? That’s the dilemma of the main character in “Kahalili,” who gamely accepts to be a surrogate mother. The sexy drama thriller, which is streaming on Vivamax (VM), stars Stephanie Raz, Millen Gal, Sid Lucero, Victor Relosa and Mercedes Cabral. Megged by Bobby Bonifacio Jr., it deals with the dangers of surrogacy. After nine months of infanticipation, how can a mom be mum to her baby?

Here are quotes from Mercedes (M), Stephanie (S), Victor (V) and Bobby (B):

M: Dark and daring material always attracts me. That’s why I agreed to do this film. My role is pivotal in the plot twist.

S: My Tita Lara (Morena) asked me if I’d be willing to be a surrogate mom to her and Paolo Bediones’ baby someday, but I declined. I would rather have my own.

V: I don’t want to be a second option in a relationship. But I don’t mind not being the first choice for a role as long as I end up playing the part.

B: I’m fascinated by pregnancy, so I used it as a horror device. Our film is à la “Rosemary’s Baby.”

M: Direk Bobby made us feel that even if he’s the captain, hindi lang siya parati ang masusunod. We also had a say as actors.

S: My takeaway from the character I played is not to let my emotions cloud my perspective.

V: I am not aiming to be the next Vivamax King. I’ve been auditioning since I was 8. I finally got a project after 18 years. It’s all hard work, not luck. n

Vina Morales

Photo By Carlo Isidoro

Tessie Tomas plays Doña Cielo, the tyrannical matriarch of the controversial and filthy rich Fiero family. STAR / File

Lea Salonga emotional after receiving Gold Legend Honor at Gold Gala in US

by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

A TEARY-EYED Lea Salonga looked back on some of the highlights of her career after she was given the Gold Legend Honor at the Gold Gala last May in the United States.

The actress-singer received the recognition “for a lifetime of indelible contributions to the success and representation of the Asian Pacific community.” A video of Salonga’s acceptance speech was shared last Aug. 19 on the YouTube channel of Gold House, the non-profit organization behind the Gold Gala.

Salonga began by expressing her gratitude to the organization for “amplifying Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) voice and uniting the community,” and went on to recall having “the great privilege” of being the singing voice of Disney’s Princess Jasmine and Mulan.

She then regarded being part of “Mulan” as “one of the most fulfilling moments of [her] professional career,” describing its titular character as “an Asian female hero for girls and women of all ages to look up to.”

“[Mulan] embodied so much good and I was proud to be a small part of that legacy,” Salonga said.

“We are so blessed to be living in a time when Hollywood

and beyond is embracing AAPI stories and characters,” she continued. “But even with that, do we have a lot of work to do? Oh, absolutely, we do.”

Speaking about the “violence and hatred” toward members of the AAPI community, the singer lamented, “It’s disappointing and disheartening, but we can’t let that get us down.”

“Quite the opposite, we need to get up, continue to amplify our voices and our stories, and make sure those people, stories, accomplishments—all

Jeric Raval to Aljur Abrenica: ‘Pakasalan mo anak ko’

By KAthleen A. llemit Philstar.com

MANILA — Jeric Raval said he asked for three things from Aljur Abrenica, one of which is for the actor to marry his daughter, actress AJ Raval. The ‘90s action star revealed his requests from the actor during his interview in “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” last August 23.

“Nung una siyempre kinakausap ko si Aljur dahil syempre dahil ‘yung anak ko bata lang.

“Sabi ko lang kay Aljur, ‘Ikaw ba’y hiwalay? Alam mo, tatlong bagay lang ang ipapakiusap ko sa’yo.’

“Una, ‘yung anak ko, e, bata pa ‘yan. Pangalawa, ‘yung biyenan mo, kaibigan ko. Eh ano kayang sasabihin ko sa biyenan mo ‘pag nagkita kami? Baka sabihing

Action star Jeric Raval is set to appear in the upcoming TV show “Maging Sino Ka Man,” the adaptation of the 1991 film starring Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla.

Fast Talk With Boy Abunda via Facebook

kinukunsinti ko kayo,” said Jeric.

He refers to Robin Padilla, the actor star who is currently

a senator. Padilla is the father of actress Kylie Padilla, the estranged wife of Aljur. Kylie and Aljur are in good terms and co-parenting their two sons. They are working on finalizing their annulment after their separation in 2021.

Sabi ko, ‘I-ayos mo muna ‘yung sarili mo, iho. Wala naman akong problema sa inyo kasi buhay n’yo ‘yan eh.’ Pagdating dun sa buhay pag-ibig nung anak ko hindi ko na saklaw ‘yun eh.

“Pangatlo, ang sabi ko sa kanya, ang anak ko gusto kong pakasalan mo. Basta ‘pag ayos ka na, wala ka nang problema, pakasalan mo ‘yung anak ko,” Jeric said.

The action star is set to appear in the upcoming TV show, Maging Sino Ka Man,” starring Barbie Forteza and David Licauco. n

of it—is infinitely louder than the hate,” she urged.

To conclude her speech, Salonga declared, “I am filled with boundless hope that we all can do it together. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for this honor and I will treasure this incredible night always.”

Aside from Salonga, also among the attendees at the event were Filipino-American celebrities Liza Soberano, Bella Poarch, Geena Rocero and Patrick Starrr. n

Denim twinning: Miss Universe winners Catriona Gray, R’Bonney

Gabriel hang out in Manila

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

had a denim twinning moment while the latter was visiting the Philippines.

R’Bonney was in Manila the past week for work-related reasons, but it did not stop the beauty queen from going around Bonifacio Global City, where she was staying.

During her visit, the FilipinoAmerican beauty queen met up with Catriona, and it just so happened that they were both wearing denim jackets.

The two beauty queens shared photos of their twinning moment on their respective Instagram accounts while sharing life updates.

R’Bonney, in particular, dropped by the ArteFino Festival and shared a clip of herself preparing Ube Champorado from Kuya J.

“Ube for champions!!” commented Miss Universe

Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee on R’Bonney’s post.

The reigning Miss Universe also included in the photo set of herself modeling for Vogue Philippines’ latest issue, wherein she also wore a Filipiniana top she reconstructed from an old blazer.

On Catriona’s post, R’Bonney acknowledged their denim twinning moment and thanked her fellow beauty queen for hanging out, “Thank you for sharing your kindness and time with me. I loved hanging with you in Manila.”

The Miss Universe 2023 competition is happening later this November in El Salvador.

The Philippines’ Michelle Dee hopes to succeed R’Bonney for the crown and be the Philippines’ next Miss Universe after Catriona in 2018 and the country’s fifth successful titleholder overall. n

Lea Salonga

Screengrab from YouTube/Gold House

MANILA — Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and reigning Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel

Miss Universe titleholders Catriona Gray and R’Bonney Gabriel R’Bonney Gabriel and Catriona Gray via Instagram

On shared christian leadership

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend

Rodel G. BalaGtas

SEEING parents bring their children back to our parish school last Tuesday filled me with joy. It was delightful to witness new parents and students becoming part of our school ministry and family. We sincerely welcome them.

As I looked at the joyful faces of the parents, I couldn’t help but think about the immense responsibility they carry and appreciate their role as parents.

In this ever-changing world, especially with the influence of technology, social media, and shifting moral and cultural trends, I pray that God grants them the wisdom and strength to raise their children according to His ways. I also pray that we can effectively partner with them in cultivating the minds and hearts of their children based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Similarly, I was pleased to witness the participation of parents in our Religious Education and Confirmation program during a day of prayer and fellowship organized by

Fr. Ramon Reyes and his team in the past two weekends. It is my hope that parents can collaborate more actively in helping our youth fully embrace their Catholic identity and actively engage in their faith.

By now, many individuals must have become familiar with my leadership style, which is characterized by collaboration and shared leadership. I can only fulfill my pastoral, administrative, and spiritual responsibilities with the abilities, skills, leadership, and support of others. I strongly believe in and promote a team approach among staff members and volunteers, encouraging and trusting them to utilize their gifts.

Jesus exemplified this leadership style in this Sunday’s (August 27) Gospel when He entrusted Peter with the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, referring to him as the rock upon which He would build His Church. He told Peter, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus shared an enormous responsibility with Peter by entrusting him with the Church! Peter must have felt both honored and humbled.

Our role as Christian leaders and parents must always be

grounded in our belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But just like Peter, we too must seek a personal encounter and relationship with Jesus. In this intimacy with him, we can truly understand His identity and purpose in our lives and become humble, strong, and resilient in faith as leaders of our families and communities. With this foundation of prayer, we can declare with conviction, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Our school principal, Dr. Colby Boysen, reminded our students on the opening day of the school that the most essential part of their formation is to know and love Jesus Christ. He is right in this contention, for as we reflect on our society’s challenges, we realize how important it is to keep our faith in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings and the life He shared with us. Blessings to all!

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

* * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

‘Another milestone unlocked’: Karla Estrada earns college degree at 48

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — TV host Karla Estrada has successfully graduated from college, marking the achievement with her recent graduation ceremony. She finished Bachelor of Science in Office Administration from the Philippine Christian University.

Karla shared a reel on her Instagram account, capturing moments from the graduation ceremony.

“It’s never too late to graduate! Another milestone unlocked,” she captioned the post.

“Congratulations to my fellow graduates! Cheers!” she added.

In July, Karla revealed her upcoming graduation. She shared pictures on her Instagram account wearing her graduation robe.

“To GOD be the Glory. Develop a passion in learning, You will never cease to grow,” she captioned the post. n

Are you keeping track of electronic records of your work hours?

You may not be paid wages for all hours worked

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

atty. C. Joe sayas, JR

YOU may not notice, but some employers round down work hours and pay lesser wages for hours other than those recorded. The so-called “rounding down” practice occurs when employers reduces to the nearest 5 minutes, or one-tenth of an hour, or quarter of an hour. Practiced through a period, unpaid wages may become significant. Two recent decisions from the California Court of Appeal now makes clear that employees who are underpaid due to an employer’s rounding policy are entitled to recover those unpaid wages in court. The so-called “rounding” practice derives from federal regulations that allow it so long as “it will not result, over a period of time, in failure to compensate the employees properly for all the time they have actually worked.” The California Court of Appeal adopted this reasoning in their 2012 decision in Silva v. See’s Candy Shops, Inc., which found rounding lawful “if the employer applies a consistent rounding policy that, on average, favors neither overpayment nor underpayment.”

But modern employer timekeeping systems have evolved to commonly used electronic methods that create

accurate records of employees’ time worked. This undermines the supposed need for a rounding policy to address administrative difficulties in computing employee wages.

In Woodworth v. Loma Linda University Medical Centers, a Registered Nurse challenged the medical center’s policy of rounding time punches to the nearest one-tenth of an hour.

Similarly, in Camp v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., Home Depot employees Delmer Camp and Adriana Correa challenged their employer’s practice of rounding their time punches to the nearest quarter of an hour. The employees in these cases argued that they should have been paid for all the hours reflected in the electronic timekeeping systems used by their employers. The Court of Appeal agreed. The Court noted that “employers had developed rounding as a way to efficiently calculate hours worked and wages owed,” but that electronic timekeeping systems “recorded time worked to the minute and took the extra step of rounding that time,” such that it was “unclear what efficiencies the employer had gained from the practice.” As such, and because the practice of rounding has no support or basis in California law, the Court found the practice of rounding unlawful if the employer uses a timekeeping system that allows it to accurately record actual time worked.

The Woodworth court

explained: “Because the medical center could and did capture the exact number of minutes that employees worked, it must pay the employees for all the time worked.”

Employees who are not paid for all wages earned as reflected in their electronic timekeeping records, therefore, have viable claims to recover unpaid wages in court. If the amount due to a single employee is not significant to warrant an individual lawsuit, the remedy is to proceed with a class action to correct this unlawful employment practice. As this can be confusing at times, it is smart to consult with an experienced employment attorney.

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

* * * The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw. com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

(Advertising Supplement)

Vice Ganda advises motorists to be alert after vehicular accident

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice Ganda is thankful after recently surviving a vehicular accident in Quezon City.

In an interview with select media, including Philstar. com, during his launch as the

new ambassador of Shopee, Vice said he is fine but his car was destroyed.

Masayang-masaya ako na wala namang mabigat na nangyari sa akin. Buti na lang talaga. Bongga din ‘yung sinasakyan kong matigas na sasakyan kaya walang mabigat na pisikal na nangyari sa

akin,” Vice said. Yung sasakyan lang talaga ang nangarag, ako hindi naman,” he added. Vice reminded motorists to be alert to avoid vehicular accidents.

“For everyone, this is a reminder for everyone to be

Karla Estrada finished Bachelor of Science in Office Administration from the Philippine Christian University. Karla Estrada via Instagram

Should you modify your child and spousal support obligation if your income decreases?

Barrister’s Corner

IF you have an existing child support or spousal support obligation (court order) and your income decreases or even worst if you are laid off from your job causing a major loss of income, you may want to consider modifying your existing child and spousal support order. You are not automatically relieved from your obligation to pay a court ordered child and spousal support just because you were laid off from your job. Some people have a mistaken belief that just because they lost their job, they are automatically off the hook from paying support. This is not the case. The support order remains in place until it is modified by a new support order. You will need to immediately file a Request for Order (motion) with the Court to modify the existing support order when there is a substantial change in your circumstance such as a loss of income.

The support orders are generally based on the parties’ financial situation and custody arrangements at the time of the settlement or trial. If your income has gone down substantially from the time that the child or spousal support determination, you may be able to file a modification of your support obligation. Losing a job or having less income constitutes a material change of circumstances that would allow the court to modify down your support obligations.

Child support in California is based on a guideline formula. One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income. Usually the court would look at several months or even an average of the last 12 months

income. If your average income has decreased, you may be able to modify your child support to a lower amount. Bear in mind that there are other factors that come in the equation such as the amount of actual timeshare you spend with your child and the income of the other parent. If the other parent’s income has gone down, this may adversely affect your child support obligation. Also bear in mind that any unemployment benefits that you may be receiving will be considered as income available for support in the child support guideline calculation. Spousal support may also be modified unless you stipulated in a divorce judgment that it

K-1 fiancé(e) visa: Getting your significant other to the United States

modifying the order, the current order will continue to be in effect and the same amount will accrue regardless of whether your income declined or your spouse income increased. It is important to file a post judgment request for order to modify support as soon as your financial situation changes. Failing to immediately modify your child and spousal support obligation and not paying them would result to your support obligation accumulating as child and spousal support arrears. The supported spouse is entitled to the statutory interest on any unpaid support arrears. If the County Child Support Service Department is involved in enforcing the support, CSSD may suspend your passport, divers license, garnish your bank accounts, and intercept any tax refunds due you by the federal or state government.

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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

Legal Advice

Atty. DArrick tAn

is non-modifiable. However, spousal support are usually calculated differently than guideline. The court will look at other factors in deciding whether to modify this. Those factors are listed in family code section 4320.

If you are unemployed, the other party may be expected to try to impute income on you. However in light of the recent cases in California, they would have to prove that you had the ability and the opportunity to obtain employment. The Court will also look at the efforts you are making in trying to secure new employment under the current job market environment. If your income has gone down due to job lay off or unemployment, or if your hours were cut, it may be possible to modify both your child support and spousal support obligation. Without

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC This article is not a solicitation.

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Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenryeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

SEVERAL options exist for a U.S. citizen to bring his/her foreign-national fiancé(e) to the United States. One popular option is to marry the fiancé(e) in the country in which he/ she resides, and file an I-130 immigrant petition, with the fiancé(e) to undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa when the I-130 petition is approved. However, this option often is not advisable in that the U.S.-citizen petitioner would have to learn and comply with complicated, country-specific marriage license requirements, or legal barriers to marriage may exist to the U.S.-citizen petitioner in the foreign country (as in the case of the Philippines, which in some circumstances will not recognize a foreign divorce judgment). In such cases, the best way to get your fiancé(e) to the U.S. is via a K-1 Fiance(e) visa. The K-1 Fiancé(e) visa allows a fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. for 90 days to allow marriage to take place. By having the marriage take place in the U.S., couples are able to bypass the foreign country’s license requirements and/or other impediments to marriage imposed by a foreign law.

To be eligible for the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition, the following are required: 1) the petitioner must be a U.S. Citizen, 2) the petitioner must have an intent to marry the fiancé(e) within 90 days of his/her arrival in the U.S., 3) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have the ability to marry (i.e. any previous marriages were terminated by divorce or death), and 4) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have physically met each other within 2 years of filing the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition (certain exceptions apply to this fourth requirement). Minor unmarried children of the fiancé(e) may also come to the U.S. under a K-2 visa classification.

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

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

Upon approval of the I-485 application, the fiancé(e) is granted a conditional green card that is valid for 2 years, after which he/she can apply to

remove the conditions on the green card.

The K-1 Fiance(e) status automatically expires after 90 days. If marriage with the U.S. Citizen who petitioned the fiancé(e) does not occur within that time, the fiancé(e) begins to accrue unlawful presence. Also, the fiancé(e) will be precluded from adjusting to permanent resident status in the U.S. if he/ she marries another U.S. citizen (however, he/she may be able to become a permanent resident through consular processing with a provisional waiver). If you are a U.S. Citizen who is planning to marry your foreign national fiancé(e), or you are someone who arrived under a K-1 Fiance(e) visa whose marriage did not take place, it is recommended you consult with an experienced attorney.

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

* * * Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles. Previously, He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

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Child support in California is based on a guideline formula. One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income.