090719 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 70 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

DATELINE

Duterte OKs proposals to cut US-China trade war impact

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Am family among those unaccounted for in Santa Cruz Island boat fire

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

34 dead, names of 9 victims have been released

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendations of trade and economic officials to curb the negative effects of the trade dispute SANTA Barbara County authorities on Fri- between the United States and China, Malacañang day, September 6 have identified 18 victims said on Thursday, September 5. and released the names of nine who perished in the tragic boat fire in Santa Barbara County over Labor Day weekend.

Those still unidentified and unaccounted for include a Filipino American family: Michael Quitasol, his current wife Fernisa Sison and Quitasol’s daughters from a previous marriage: Evan Quitasol, Nicole Storm Solano Quitasol and Angela Rose Solano Quitasol, who have been confirmed to be on the boat by the daughters’ mother.

“It is with a broken heart ... 3 of our daughters were on this boat. As of now they are still missing,” the girls’ mother, Susana Solano Rosas, posted on Facebook. “We are getting the latest information from the media.

The authorities do not have much to say to us. Thank you to all of you for your support,

Duterte “immediately approved” the measures proposed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the Cabinet meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday, September 4.

“The NEDA and the DTI shared the impact of the U.S.-China Trade Conflict. While the Philippines is not as vulnerable in the trade war, in the long run,

Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa share a laugh during the resumption on Thursday, September 5, of the Senate inquiry into the release of heinous crime convicts.

Inquirer.net photo

u PAGE A3

Immigrants rights orgs, advocates join forces to fight Trump’s public charge rule

The controversial rule change that could affect to take effect Oct. 15

NEXT month, the Trump administration’s changes to the public charge rule will take effect but not before immigrant rights’ groups have a chance to challenge it.

In August, the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized the changes made to the federal public charge rule, a test immigration officials use on immigrants to determine whether or not government programs will be incoming immigrants’ sole source of financial, nutritional and shelter support.

If a legal immigrant uses benefits like Medicaid, housing assistance and/or food stamps for more than 12 months of a 36-month period, they may be deemed a “public charge,” which could threaten their chances at getting a green card or lawful permanent resident status.

The rule is not retroactive, meaning that if an immigrant used these programs in the past, that won’t factor into any future public charge test to which they may be subjected. u PAGE A4

any prolonged trade war will have negative effects,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The recommendations include the passage of the Corporate Income Tax Rationalization Act, amendment to the Foreign Investment Act, intensification of investment campaigns in East Asia, expedition of u PAGE A2

Palace: ‘Bato’ dela Rosa to be investigated over freed convicts

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS. President Rodrigo Duterte extends his hand to the child of one of the 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino awardees, who showed a gesture of respect to the president during the meet-and-greet at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, September 5.

As one of the highlights of Metrobank’s 57th anniversary celebration, 4 teachers, 3 soldiers, and 3 police officers were each conferred with a gold medallion, “The Flame” trophy, and P1 million (net of tax) cash prize.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

MALACAÑANG on Thursday, September 5, said newly-elected Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa will also face investigation for signing release papers of u PAGE A2

Labor department on Eddie Garcia’s accident: GMA committed 3 violations

by DENI

AFINIDAD-BERNARDO Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has found that TV network GMA has committed three violations on work safety that led to the accident and eventual death of award-winning actor and director Eddie Garcia last June.

During the House Appropriations committee’s hearing last Wednesday on the Labor department’s proposed Php14.42billion budget next year, Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas asked DOLE for updates on its probe regarding Garcia’s accident.

DOLE National Capital Region director

Sarah Buena Mirasol then shared their findings.

According to Mirasol, the department has found that GMA and its contractors committed the following violations: failure to submit an incident report within 24 hours; no safety officer during the time of the taping and the accident; and inability to provide a first aid responder on the set.

When Brosas asked if DOLE has imposed penalties for such violations, DOLE did not provide an answer.

Mirasol explained the TV network has asked for an extension in sending their answer to the findings. u PAGE A4

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo attended the Toronto Global Forum in Ontario, Canada on Thursday, September 5.

Photo from the Office of the Vice President

US woman faces human trafficking charges Robredo pushes for gender after attempting to smuggle baby out of PH equality: ‘We can do more’

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philipine National Bureau of Investigation has charged an American woman with human trafficking after she was caught attempting to fly a 6-day-old baby out of the country without proper documentation, officials said on Thursday, September 5.

The woman in question is 43year-old Jennifer Erin Talbot, who also faces child abuse and kidnapping with serious illegal detention complaints for hiding the baby in an oversized sling Photo shows Jennifer Erin Talbot and the bag before boarding her Delta six-day-old infant she attempted to smuggle out of the Philippines. Philstar.com photo Airlines flight at the Ninoy Aqui-

no International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday, September 4.

“The child’s situation must have been very difficult during the time that he was put inside that bag,” NBI spokesperson Auralyn Pascual noted on Thursday.

According to Manuel Dimaano, chief of the NBI’s International Airport Investigation Division, Talbot was able to pass through the immigration counter without declaring the baby.

She was about to board her flight to the United States when the crew of Delta Air Lines intercepted her at the boarding

gate of NAIA Terminal 3.

“There really was an intention to conceal and sneak out the baby,” Dimaano said.

He told reporters that Talbot responded that she wanted to give the baby “a name and a church blessing.”

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) managed to make contact with a woman named Maricris Cempron Dulap, who said she wanted to put her baby up for adoption “so she browsed the internet and she stumbled upon Talbot,” authorities said. u PAGE A2

by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, September 5, challenged the public to do more in terms of promoting gender equality, noting that there are still “subtle acts” of discrimination that should be focused on to achieve true equality.

“Since the #MeToo Movement, and due to the watchfulness of the ‘woke’ generation, so many things have already happened to generate awareness of over biases and outright abuses committed against women,” she said

during the Toronto Global Forum in Ontario, Canada.

“But we need to do more and shine a spotlight, especially on the more subtle acts of discrimination, because they are more insidious. If we commit to this goal today, we have a fighting chance,” she added.

Robredo is a staunch advocate of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) equality bill, a proposed anti-discrimination measure for members of the LGBTQ+ community. u PAGE A2

A september7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

Palace: ‘Bato’ dela Rosa...

PAGE A1 t heinous crime convicts during his term as chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

In a press briefing on Wednesday night, September 4, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will have the other BuCor officials investigated under the Office of the Ombudsman for allowing the early release of the 1,700 heinous crimes con-

victs through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

“This is a prima facie case.

There’s an admission that they were remiss in their duties,” the president said.

Dela Rosa earlier admitted that he signed 120 release orders when he was BuCor director general from April to October 2018. Among those freed for good behavior, one was a

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From the Front Page drug convict.

“With respect to Senator Dela Rosa, then that requires an investigation on whatever circumstances that made him sign release papers. It’s a caseto-case basis,” said presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Dela Rosa, for his part, said he was open to a probe for those prisoner releases.

“No problem. I’m open to everything,” he said in a text message on Thursday, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

According to Panelo, it is the lawmakers’ call to recommend an inquiry if other former BuCor chiefs who served after the 2013 passage of Republic Act No. 10592 should be investigated for enforcing the law.

He added that it is also up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work out a process for the investigation of the former BuCor chiefs.

For the BuCor chiefs who served before 2013 and implemented the good conduct provision of the Revised Penal Code, a complaint must be filed first before an investigation can be conducted, Panelo said.

Bribery Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday, September 4, that he received “A-1” information that freedom could be bought by prisoners for millions of pesos from an organized group in the BuCor. Senators Risa Hontiveros and Imee Marcos also said they were recipients of similar information.

A total of 22,049 prisoners were released through the GCTA law from 2014 to 2019, of which 1,914 were heinous crime convicts.

Duterte has ordered for the convicts’ surrender within 15 days or they would be treated as fugitives from the law and hunted down.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights that “not more than 10” convicts had surrendered as of Thursday morning.

He added that he received information about several freed convicts sending feelers for voluntary recommitment to prison.

“We hope that many more will follow within the next 15 days so that we won’t have to do some coercive measure,” Guevarra said. n

CLEANUP DRIVE. DOH-Calabarzon Dr. Marilou R. Espiritu, medical officer III and head of the Non-Communicable Disease Cluster (standing, 2nd from right) leads the collection the garbage along the polluted creek in Barangay Talaba 6, Bacoor City, Cavite on Friday, September 6. The cleanup drive is in line with the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program of the national government.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Duterte OKs proposals to cut...

PAGE A1 t

business process and reduction of processing time in exports.

The effects of the trade war was discussed after China filed this week a complaint against the U.S. before the World Trade Organization as the new tariffs imposed by Washington came into force.

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said while the effect of a trade conflict has been

“manageable,” the government intends to use such an opportunity to attract more investments and spur growth in the countryside.

“The keyword here is for us to be able to use it as an advantage, capitalize it as opportunity,” Nograles said. “It has an effect on us but the effect has not been super negative. It has been manageable.”

Even though the U.S. and

China were among the country’s major trading partners, he said the country was not very dependent on them “because we have a strong domestic market.”

“In fact, the challenge is now for us to be able [to] capitalize on what is happening by seeking more investments in the country,” Nograles said.

The President expressed hope that the new investments would be made outside Metro Manila. n

path to a truly great life, the world thrives. And the ultimate expression of that is how economies are strengthened when women are empowered,” Robredo added.

The vice president also gave clarification that women empowerment should not equate to a battle of the sexes, where females are pitted against men and the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.

“It’s about creating real partnerships. It’s about acknowledging each gender’s strengths, and creating a synergy where both genders build each other, rather than put each other down. It is about bringing everyone together, starting with the people in this hall, so we can create a better world,” she said.

PNP opposes The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, September 4, expressed opposition against the SOGIE bill.

“We are 101 percent in support of protecting the rights of Filipinos in the LGBTQIA+ community. We will not allow them to be hated, discriminated, bullied, or inflicted with harm,” said PNP Police Community Relations director Maj. Gen. Bong Durana during a Senate hearing into the SOGIE bill.

“You would see that while it prevents discrimination against our LGBTQIA+ community, it in effect discriminates the rest of the people who are straight like me. And so I think while we respect our LGBTQIA+ community, we don’t promote that in the Philippine National Police,” he added. n

Robredo pushes for gender equality...

PAGE A1 t The bill, which has been filed in both chambers of Congress, seeks to give equal access to employment, education, and social services to LGBT community members as well as ban the promotion and encouragement of stigma on the basis of SOGIE in the media, educational textbooks, and other mediums.

According to Robredo, attaining equality is not easy in some societies where favoring masculinity is firmly established in the culture.

“But we need to commit to it because gender inclusion is not just about advancing women’s rights and empowering half of the world. Gender inclusion is, at its very core, about sustaining the whole world. When women survive, and find their

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A

Lawmakers send contested vaccine bill to CA governor ASEAN drills to enhance interoperability – US

by AnA

B. IBARRA Kaiser Health News

CALIFORNIA lawmakers dropped this year’s most controversial public health bill into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lap on Wednesday, but it’s not clear whether he will sign the measure, which would tighten the rules for exempting children from routine vaccinations.

The state Senate voted 28-11 to approve SB-276 by state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), prompting protesters who were watching from the gallery to chant, “You are not representing California for all!” All Senate Republicans voted against the measure and all Democrats voted in favor, except for one who didn’t vote.

Newsom, a Democrat, said in June he would sign the bill after it had been amended at his request. But on Tuesday, a tweet from his office announced that he wants more changes.

Pan said he’s open to working with Newsom, but “this is the bill that the Governor’s office agreed to and said that they would commit to sign.”

As passed, the bill would give public health officials the authority to review vaccination exemptions issued by doctors and revoke any they deemed “inappropriate” or “invalid.” It is intended to curb what has been described by public health experts as a dangerous increase in questionable medical exemptions.

Previous amendments requested by the governor broadened the eligibility for children’s medical exemptions from vaccines and narrowed the circumstances under which state public health officials could review those exemptions.

Under that version of the legislation — the one passed by lawmakers Wednesday — the state Department of Public Health would automatically review exemptions for children at schools where more than 5% of students weren’t immunized,

and from doctors who had written more than five medical exemptions in a calendar year.

Parents would be able to appeal rejected exemptions to an independent panel appointed by the secretary of California’s Health and Human Services Agency.

The changes Newsom now wants to make include clarifying that a doctor’s previous medical exemptions wouldn’t be considered by state officials; the state wouldn’t start counting them until the bill takes effect Jan. 1, his office said.

Newsom also wants to remove a provision that would require doctors to certify under penalty of perjury that their exemptions are accurate. And he is requesting that, in order to protect patients’ medical information, the legislation specify that exemption forms would not be accessible through the Public Records Act. Additional amendments would be made in separate legislation that would have to be approved by the legislature before its Sept.

13 end-of-session deadline.

Vaccines have become an explosive topic in the legislature and around the country, even as numerous studies show they are safe and effective and complications are rare.

The debate over vaccines comes amid the biggest measles outbreak since 1992: More than 1,230 people have contracted measles nationally so far this year, including 67 confirmed cases in California.

Opposition to Pan’s bill has engendered raucous rallies outside the Capitol, aggressive and coordinated social media campaigns and disruptions of committee hearings by chanting and crying vaccine skeptics. Last month, Pan, who has faced numerous threats for carrying the bill, was pushed from behind by a man who confronted him about the ingredients in vaccines.

“Anti-vaxxers have attempted to dehumanize me and other public health advocates on so-

Fil-Am family among those ...

PAGE A1 t prayers and good wishes.

Evan Quitasol is a nurse at the St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, California (where her father and step-mother also worked), which released a statement saying it is “saddened” to learn that one of their own was involved and while no deaths in the family have been confirmed they are “mourning this great loss.”

“Everybody’s devasted. What caused the fire, that’s the big question, what’s what we all want to know,” Sison’s ex-husband Dominic Selga told USA Today, adding that his ex-wife’s family had been longtime divers and have been on the Conception “five or six” times.

On Monday, September 2, the 75-foot scuba diving vessel called the Conception was anchored about 20 yards away from Santa Cruz Island caught fire at around 3:15 a.m., according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Emergency services responded to the scene quickly with firefighters battling the blaze as the ship sank 64 feet, officials reported.

Five crew members of the Conception were able to escape the

destruction by jumping overboard after which a nearby good Samaritan rescued them; one of the escapees suffered a broken leg.

Authorities said on Friday that the victims likely died of smoke inhalation, according to a preliminary examination that showed that the victims died before being burned.

“This is probably the worstcase scenario you could possibly have. Fire is the scourge of any ship,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said. “You couldn’t ask for a worse situation.”

Brown said that the families of the 34 victims have been contacted to provide DNA samples needed to identify the bodies.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and officials said it appears to be accidental, but an official investigation is underway.

Families and friends who are seeking information about loved ones who may have been on the Conception are encouraged to call (833) 688-5551. A family assistance center is being established at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. For information, call (805) 696-1188.. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Victims of the Conception dive boat fire (L-R): Evanmichael Solano, Angela Rose Quitasol, Michael Quitasol, Fernisa Sison, Nicole Storm Quitasol. Christina Quitasol, far right, was not aboard the boat.

cial media while making death threats,” Pan said in a statement after the incident.

Vaccine skeptics argue that the bill is a form of government overreach and that the state’s ability to revoke medical exemptions would disrupt the patientdoctor relationship.

California already has some of the strictest vaccine laws in the country under a measure implemented in 2016 that banned vaccine exemptions based on religious and personal beliefs.

Under that law, children can be exempted only on medical grounds, and those who don’t have their shots or a doctor’s exemption are barred from attending schools.

Since the law took effect, the number of medical exemptions has jumped, and they are clustered in many of the same parts of the state that previously had high rates of religious or personal belief exemptions, according to state data. Around the state, 117 schools reported that 10% or more of their kindergartners had been granted medical exemptions in the 2018-19 school year.

Exemptions should be rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They are typically reserved for children with severely compromised immune systems, such as those being treated for cancer or those who are allergic to a vaccine component or have previously had a severe reaction to a vaccine.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

by Dempsey

Reyes ManilaTimes.net

THE joint maritime exercises between the navies of Southeast Asian nations and the United States seek to improve interoperability and are not aimed against anyone, the U.S. Navy said.

Rear Admiral Murray Joe Tynch III, commander of the logistics group in the Western Pacific, clarified that the ASEANU.S. Maritime Exercises (AUMX) aimed to enhance skills, situational awareness and interoperability of navies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the U.S. “I think what I’d like to make clear about AUMX is the focus of it, really…is to enhance skills that are applicable to maritime security throughout international waters,” Tynch told reporters.

“The exercise is not focused or dedicated against or towards anyone else. It’s to enhance the skills of Asean and the U.S. working together,” he added.

The AUMX is co-hosted by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Thai Navy. It brings together the navies from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joey Tynch (right) commander, Task Force 73, speaks to Royal Thai Navy Rear Adm. Sompong Narkthong, commander for the combined ASEAN-U.S. task force during the ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX), following the AUMX opening ceremony at Sattahip Naval Base.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson/U.S. Navy

Philippines and Vietnam.

Last week, the Philippine Navy sent off BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) to join the military drills.

The vessel was in Hon Khoai, Vietnam on Tuesday conducting trilateral sail with the Royal Brunei Navy’s KDB Darulaman (OPV-08) and Vietnam’s Pohang-class HQ-18.

The event opened on Mon-

day at the Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand. Joint exercises will begin at Sattahip in Chonburi, Thailand.

“The ASEAN-U.S. exercise is a significant event and a positive step toward building a more networked region,” Tynch said.

“And that’s the key for maintaining stability and security in the maritime domain.” n

US woman faces human trafficking charges PAGE A1 t The NBI noted that Talbot had a notarized affidavit declaring that she intended to adopt the baby, but it lacked Dulap’s signature.

Talbot, whom Philippine officials initially said was from

Ohio, owns a home in a suburb of Salt Lake City, according to property records obtained by the Associated Press.

Dimaano told reporters that Dulap gave her baby to Talbot in Davao City, though investigators are still determining how

the baby was brought to Manila because a city clearance is required for infants to be transported by a foreigner.

Both of the baby’s biological parents are also charged for child abuse, however, they are still at large. n

A september7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

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Labor department on Eddie Garcia’s accident...

Starving seniors: How California’s aging are falling through the cracks

by Laura

ungar and Trudy Lieberman Kaiser Health News

SAN JOSE, Calif. — In the neighborhoods around San Jose, more than 1 in 9 seniors struggle to get enough to eat.

They are among the millions of seniors across the country who quietly go hungry as the safety net designed to catch them frays.

Nearly 8% of Americans 60 and older were “food insecure� in 2017, according to a recent study released by the anti-hunger group Feeding America.

That’s 5.5 million seniors who don’t have consistent access to enough food for a healthy life, a number that has more than doubled since 2001 and is only expected to grow as America grays.

Overall, California’s rate hovers at 8.4%, worse than the national average. In the San Jose metro area it is 11.5%, and in Riverside it is not far below that.

While the plight of hungry children elicits support and can

be tackled in schools, the plight of hungry older Americans is shrouded by isolation and a generation’s pride.

One of the main federal programs helping seniors is starved for money. The Older Americans Act — passed more than half a century ago as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society reforms — was amended in 1972 to provide for home-delivered and group meals for people 60 and older. But its funding has lagged far behind senior population growth and U.S. inflation.

Home-delivered and group meals have decreased by nearly 21 million since 2005, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of federal data. Only a fraction of those facing food insecurity get any meal services under the act; a U.S. Government Accountability Office report examining 2013 data found 83% got none.

With the act set to expire Sept.

30, Congress is now considering its reauthorization and how much to spend going forward.

Meanwhile, according to the

U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 45% of eligible adults 60 and older have signed up for another source of federal aid: SNAP, the food stamp program for America’s poorest.

For now, millions of seniors — especially low-income ones — go without enough to eat nationwide. Across the nation, waits are common to receive homedelivered meals from Meals on Wheels, a network of 5,000 community-based programs and a crucial provider of food for seniors. “It’s really sad because a meal is not an expensive thing,� said Sally Jones Heinz, president and CEO of the Metropolitan InterFaith Association, which provides home-delivered meals in the Memphis area. �This shouldn’t be the way things are in 2019.�

In Santa Clara County, Calif., where San Jose is located, the number of seniors getting free or low-cost meals dropped 7.4% from fiscal 2015-16 to fiscal 2017-18, according to a report PAGE A5

PAGE A1 t GMA and DOLE, she said, already scheduled a conference on September 16, before the department can release a resolution.

Under Republic Act No. 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health law, employers, contractors and subcontractors who expose employees to serious injury, illness or death due to their failure to follow occupational health standards can be fined Php100,000 daily until the violation has been addressed.

It can be recalled that Eddie tripped in a cable wire and broke his neck while taping a gun fight scene in Tondo, Manila, for the now-shelved GMA series, “Rosang Agimat.� He was in a comatose state for over a week before passing away last June 20 at 90

The late Eddie Garcia

years old.

Following Garcia’s death, GMA released a statement in June, saying: “It has been the network’s practice to have medical personnel and ambulance crew on standby whenever the production is executing big ac-

Philstar.com photo

tion scenes during taping. This has been likewise the practice of other GMA programs.�

According to the network, it has completed its own probe on the accident, but will release the findings to the actor’s family first before sharing it to the public. n

Immigrants rights orgs, advocates join forces to fight Trump’s...

PAGE A1 t Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), reasoned that the rule change is designed to encourage “self-sufficiency� among immigrants and favor “hard-working� individuals and families. “Throughout our history, selfreliance has been a core principle in America. The virtues of perseverance, hard work, and self-sufficiency laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States,� Cuccinelli said in a White House press conference on Aug. 12.

The Trump administration’s rules are set to take effect on Oct. 15, 2019, but pushback from legal and civil rights organizations, statewide government officials and immigration rights activists -- who say that the rule “penalizes� immigrants for using government benefits -- could change the course.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the DHS and the USCIS for the public charge rule changes.

Last week, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a preliminary injunction to get a judge to move forward with the suit, asking for an Oct. 3 hearing. “This change would dramatically change and reshape our nation’s legal immgiration system and basically institutes a wealth test into our immigration system that’s grounded in racial

animus,� Connie Choi, campaign field manager for the National Immigrant Law Center’s (NILC) Protecting Immigrant Families campaign, told ethnic media outlets in a teleconference on Thursday, September 5. “Only a family of four making $64,000 a year will deemed fully safe from this rule and an estimated 26,000 families and individuals will suffer the consequences, especially those within black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Latinx communities,� Choi added.

Referencing the Trump administration’s strict immigration proposals as a whole, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said that “the public charge rule is a part of this assault� on immigrant communities. “It puts a price tag on entering America [and] it’ll make it harder for immigrants to try to make it in this country which means more hunger and more sickness,� Chu said, adding that even before the rule has been officially applied, “it has already inspired fear in jeopardizing [immigrants’] citizenship status.�

In addition to instilling fear among immigrants seeking green cards and visas, the rule change could also affect the U.S. economy. There are 35 million legal immigrants in the U.S., according to Pew Research Center, and about 10 million utilize public benefits.

A 2018 report from the non-

partisan Fiscal Policy Institute found that the economy could suffer a $33.8 billion loss if 35% of immigrants who use public benefits left those programs. “Immigrants are a net benefit to our economy and our society,� Thu Quach, director of Asian Health Services, said. “This change is wrong and humane and we are fighting this in the courts, in Congress, on the streets and at the polls in 2020.�

However, the controversial rule change has sparked confusion and concern among immigrants over whether or not they are affected.

Legal and civil rights leaders advise speaking with an immigration lawyer before going on or off any public benefit programs because the rule “does not apply to all immigrant communities.�

Community leaders advise undocumented immigrants who may be affected by the rule change to seek legal assistance before going on or off any public benefit programs. “Above all please don’t panic, and before you do anything, speak to a community-based immigration attorney,� Amanda Lugg, director of Public Health Services in New York, advised immigrants who may be impacted. “The rule is not yet in effect and may not apply to you. And remember, it only applies to the applicant themself, not to family members, and actually it’s a very small group of people who are impacted directly.�

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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Pastor in Georgia who served in PH faces child molest charge Wisconsin teacher accused of enslaving Filipina mother and son after bringing them to US SANDY SPRINGS, Georgia — Authorities in Georgia arrested a longtime pastor for alleged child molestation.

News outlets report 80-yearold Benjamin “Gus” Harter was arrested Friday, Aug. 30, at his home in Westchester Place in southwest Forsyth on a single charge of felony child molestation.

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. Doug Rainwater released no details, but he says detectives found “ample probable cause” after their investigation

began last week. He said Harter could face more charges as the investigation is still going on.

Harter has served as pastor of Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church in Sandy Springs since 2014. The church’s website says Harter had led congregations in Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Atlanta and the Philippines.

In the mid-1990s, Harter and his wife began traveling to the Philippines regularly to work with churches there, according to the nta Journal-Constitution.

He later resigned from Bethany

church in May 2000 and moved with his family to the Philippines for several years, according to the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist website.

In the Philippines, the Harters built an orphanage before returning to the U.S. in 2008. The couple adopted 19 children over the years, bringing them back to their home.

An associate pastor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday that Harter was no longer a pastor or member of the church. (Inquirer.net)

Starving seniors: How California’s aging...

PAGE A4 t by the county on its $9.1 million senior nutrition program.

James Ramoni, who directs the county’s aging and adult services, said he is now concerned that some seniors may be forgoing meals over the fear that availing themselves of publicly funded assistance could jeopardize their immigration status.

A recently finalized Trump administration rule, which has weighed on immigrant communities since it was first proposed last autumn, allows federal officials to deny green cards and visas to people who receive food aid, housing vouchers or Medicaid benefits for more than 12 months in any three-year period.

Senior nutrition programs are excluded from this “public charge” rule, but the fears are hard to counter.

Seniors without steady, nutritious food may wind up in hospitals because malnutrition exacerbates diseases and prevents healing. That drives up Medicare and Medicaid costs, hitting taxpayers with an even bigger bill. A recent analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center found that Medicare could save $1.57 in medical costs for every dollar spent on home-delivered meals for chronically ill seniors after a hospitalization.

Most hospitals don’t refer senior outpatients to Meals on Wheels, and advocates say too few insurance companies get involved in making sure seniors have sufficient food to keep them healthy.

Edwin Walker, a deputy assistant secretary for the federal Administration on Aging, acknowledged waits are a long-standing problem but said 2.4 million seniors a year benefit from the Older Americans Act’s group or

home-delivered meals, allowing them to stay independent and healthy.

Still, some slip through the cracks. Widower Robert Mukes, 71, starved to death on a cold December day in 2016, alone in his Cincinnati apartment.

The coroner listed the primary cause of death as “starvation of unknown etiology;” death records show the 5-foot-7 man weighed just 100.5 lbs.

A Slow Killer James Ziliak, a University of Kentucky poverty researcher who led the Feeding America study, said food insecurity shot up with the Great Recession in the late 2000s, peaked in 2014 and shows no signs of dropping to pre-recession levels.

While older adults of all income levels can go hungry, rates are highest among seniors in poverty. And more than 17% of black seniors and 16% of Hispanic seniors are food insecure, compared with fewer than 7% of white seniors.

A host of issues combine to set those seniors on a downward spiral, said registered dietitian Lauri Wright, who chairs the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida.

Grocery store visits get harder if they can’t drive. Expensive medications leave less money for food. Chronic physical and mental health problems sap stamina and make it tough to cook. Inch by inch, hungry seniors decline.

And, even if it rarely kills directly, hunger can complicate illness and kill slowly.

Malnutrition blunts immunity, which already tends to weaken as people age. Once they start losing weight, they’re more likely to grow frail and to die within a year, said Dr. John Morley, director of geriatric medicine at Saint

Louis University.

In June, the U.S. House passed a $93 million increase to the Older Americans Act‘s nutrition programs, raising total funding by about 10% to $1 billion in the next fiscal year. In inflationadjusted dollars, that’s less than in 2009. And it still has to pass in the Republican-controlled Senate, where the proposed increase faces long odds.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat who chairs the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, expects the panel to tackle reauthorization of the act soon after members return from the summer recess.

“I’m confident the House will soon pass a robust bill,” she said, “and I am hopeful that the Senate will also move quickly so we can better meet the needs of our seniors.”

In the meantime, the need for home-delivered meals keeps increasing every year, said Lorena Fernandez, who runs a meal delivery program in Yakima, Wash.

A devastating phone call brought that home for Kim Daugherty, executive director of the Aging Commission of the Mid-South, which connects seniors to service providers in the region. The woman on the line told Daugherty she’d been on the waiting list for more than a year.

“Ma’am, there are several hundred people ahead of you,” Daugherty reluctantly explained.

“I just need you all to remember,” came the caller’s haunting reply, “I’m hungry and I need food.”

California Healthline senior correspondent Barbara Feder Ostrov contributed to this report.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

A HIGH school teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been accused of human trafficking and sexual assault after he allegedly forced a Filipina woman and her son into servitude after promising them a better life in the United States.

Christian Mothershead, 46, made his initial court appearance on Tuesday, September 3. He faces two counts of human trafficking, and one count of second-degree sexual assault — both felonies.

According to the criminal complaint filed in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, the Filipina mother met Mothershead on an online dating website in the summer of 2017.

About a month later, Mothershead visited her in the Philippines for three weeks and promised to marry her, enroll her son in school, take care of her family, and pick her up at the airport with roses if she moved to the U.S.

By November 2018, the Filipina mother and her son arrived in the U.S. but were greeted instead with cleaning supplies and were instructed to clean Mothershead’s home if they wanted to eat.

The complaint described the home as having “piled up garbage and blackened food sitting out” upon arrival.

The complaint also said that the Filipina told investigators that Mothershead sexually assaulted her that same night.

Mothershead continued to force them to clean and threatened to take away food and water, or send them back to the Philippines if they did not, according to the complaint. They were also banned from watching TV and were told that they should “always be cleaning.”

On one occasion for Thanksgiving, Mothershead allegedly made the mother and son sit on a couch and watch as he and his own son ate an “elaborate meal” the Filipina and her son cooked for everyone.

The reason Mothershead gave was because “Thanksgiving is for Americans.”

When the Filipina’s son — who the complaint said was forced to sleep on mattress with no sheets or blankets — got sick, Mothershead refused to let him see a doctor.

By December 2018, the Filipina mother eventually notified police while Mothershead was at work, and she and her son were taken to

a shelter.

Milwaukee Public Schools, which employed Mothershead as a Mandarin Chinese teacher at one of its public high schools, has put Mothershead on unpaid leave as the investigation continues.

Mothershead faces $300,000 in fines and a maximum of 90 years in prison if convicted as charged. He is currently out on bail.

Mothershead’s attorney told reporters in a press conference that his client was “in shock” and “angry that these charges have been made against him.”

“There is not a shred of evidence in any of it. And he feels that he’s been victimized at his point by her,” the attorney said.

“I did none of these things,” Mothershead told local Milwaukee news channel WTMJ. “They’re all lies.” n

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D ateline PhiliPPines How much does freedom cost?

P50,000 to P1.5-M, says Lacson MANILA — A prisoner would just cough up P50,000 up to P1.5 million to secure early freedom.

Such was the pronouncement of Senator Panfilo Lacson, as he cited the preliminary findings of the Senate in its investigation on the alleged “sale” of the Good Conduct Time Allowance

(GCTA) at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Lacson said the Senate “will pursue to validate” and muster proof of the alleged payoffs that appears to be “well organized.”

“GCTA FOR SALE: So far, we have discovered and will pursue to validate (gather evidence

as well) a price range of P50K to P1.5M per prisoner,” Lacson said in a Twitter post Friday.

“At least 8 are known to have paid up to P100K each. It is also well organized. Let’s see where it leads us,” he added.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier said convicted drug lords supposedly paid P1.5 million for their release, as bared by a witness on the alleged corruption inside BuCor. Yolanda Camelon claimed during a Senate hearing Thursday that she paid P50,000 to BuCor officials to secure the release of her husband who is currently incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

Camelon identified the BuCor officials purportedly involved in the alleged anomaly as Major Mabel Bansil and Staff Sgt. Ramoncito Roque, who has denied in the same hearing of receiving the payment. (Inquirer.net)

BLUE RIBBON HEARING. Senator Richard Gordon, chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, presides over the public hearing on fraudulent medical claims at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) on Thursday, September 5. Present during the hearing were (inset photo from top) former Health Secretary Janette Garin, Philhealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

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by Krissy

AguilAr Inquirer.net

MANILA — Foreign tourist arrivals increased by 12.36 percent to 4.8 million in the first seven months of 2019, Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Friday, August 6.

DOT recorded a total of 4,852,107 international tourists arrived in the country from January to July compared to the 4.3 million of the same period last year.

Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the agency

owes the hike in arrivals to the support of industry stakeholders, government, host communities, investors and foreign travel trade counterparts.

“We remain inspired knowing that private sectors, other government agencies and civil society continue to support our sustainable tourism programs and the more fun brand campaign. The Build, Build, Build program and other convergence programs, on the other hand, are key to improving our competitiveness and attractiveness,” Puyat said in a statement.

“We enjoin more support for our sustainable tourism efforts not only in key destinations but in all areas to continually drive inbound traffic and spread the benefits of tourism to the countryside. After all, tourism is everybody’s business,” she added.

South Korea continues to be the top tourist market with 1,113,274 arrivals followed by China with 1,038,409, DOT said.

Behind China are United States with 663,116 arrivals, Japan with 382,634 and Taiwan with 192,195 arrivals. n

Maguindanao massacre case submitted for decision

by Nestor

CorrAles Inquirer.net

MANILA – The Maguindanao massacre case has been submitted for decision 10 years after the gruesome killing of journalists and relatives and supporters of a local politician, a Malacañang official said on Friday, September 6.

Presidential Task Force for Media Security (PTFoMs) and Undersecretary Joel Egco said the Department of Justice informed his office in a letter on September 3, 2019 about the decision. “”[I]n an Order dated August 22, 2019, the court has already declared the Ampatuan Maguindanao massacre case as deemed submitted for decision,” Egco said in a statement, quoting Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento.

Communications Secretary

Martin Andanar also confirmed the decision, saying the government was hopeful a decision would be out before the 10th anniversary of the massacre on November 23 this year.

“The court has already deemed the case as submitted for decision, and barring unforeseen circumstances, we are hoping for a decision by the 3rd week of November,” Andanar said in a statement.

He said “this is another addition to President Duterte’s legacy, that one of the most despicable acts against journalists in the history of the world will finally come to a close during his term.”

“We expect that justice will ultimately prevail for the victims and their families,” he said.

Egco assured the public that the entire PTFoMS would remain vigilant to ensure that there would be no further delays

in the case.

“We will exhaust all means to help guard the sanctity of the judicial process in these crucial times, so that justice may finally be served in these cases”, he said.

On November 23, 2009, 58 individuals, including 32 members of the press, were massacred when they joined relatives and supporters of then-Buluan, Maguindanao Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu in a motorcade to the Commission on Elections office to file his certificate of candidacy for governor.

Mangudadatu was not in the convoy. He was eventually elected provincial governor.

Several members of the Ampatuan clan and their henchmen were implicated in the massacre.

The attack was dubbed as worst single-attack on journalists in the world. n

Duterte not satisfied with Xi response on South China Sea

by Alexis

romero Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 4, admitted he was not satisfied with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s response when he raised the landmark arbital ruling on the South China Sea during their meeting in Beijing last week.

Speaking to reporters, Duterte said he asked Xi how they can talk and solve the maritime dispute peacefully.

“He (Xi) said, ‘You know, our statement was we will not budge.’

We do not want to talk about that.

We own the property. Why should we talk to you? It was like that. But almost in whisper,” the President said.

“I said it would remain a problem. It will be a, you know, thorn.

Just like a sore thumb that sticks out painfully everyday,” he added.

Duterte said Xi shifted to another topic after hearing his reply.

“Out of courtesy, I said, ‘I will not maybe insist on your answer now. I am not satisfied with your answer but I will not ask for any other answer. I’ll just remain where I am, where I started, considering that you are under stress

by the incidents in Hong Kong,” the President said, referring to the unrest at the Chinese special administrative region.

“They have a problem. So they may be grumpy. Your timing should be right. The art of diplomacy, you play your cards,” he added.

‘Assert arbitral court ruling’ Maritime experts said the President should not stop asserting the 2016 arbitral court ruling that favored the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea dispute over China’s.

Renato de Castro, professor of international studies at De La Salle University, described as “superficial” the way Duterte “apologetically” raised the arbitral ruling during his recent meeting with Xi. “What’s the point of basically raising it, expecting that it will be rejected, then saying it will be the last time that it would be raised?

That’s simply going through the motion,” he said in an interview with The Chiefs aired on Cignal TV’s One News on Tuesday night, September 3.

“We should continue asserting it… You would continue repeating it whether the other side would

object to it or not. What we did was basically say this is the last, so we lost in that game,” he added.

Asserting the arbitral ruling, he said, should be done the same way as the Chinese were asserting the Shanghai Communiqué for the United States to acknowledge the one-China policy.

Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea, said the statement of Malacañang that it would no longer raise the ruling would not be helpful to the Philippine position and to international law in general.

“The statement of the Palace that it essentially has already done its job by raising the arbitration as promised by the President, that really runs counter to the whole idea of the arbitration basically being part of the international law already as they say,” he said in the same program.

“If it is really part of international law, then they should be raising it every time it is relevant,” he added.

Batongbacal stressed that the issue should be asserted whenever relevant issue or activity arises between the two countries. n

SWS: 9.8 million jobless Filipino adults, but job optimism ‘excellent’

by CoNsuelo

mArquez

Inquirer.net

MANILA — There are over 9.8 million jobless Filipino adults in the second quarter of 2019, recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results revealed on Friday, September 6.

In a survey conducted from June 22 to 26, the adult joblessness rate increased by one point to 20.7 percent in June 2019 from 19.7 percent (9.4 million jobless adults) in March 2019.

The poll body described adult joblessness as those who are “seeking jobs for the first time, those who voluntarily left their jobs and those who lost their jobs due to economic circumstances.”

Meanwhile, net optimism on job availability reached “excellent” in June 2019 compared with “very high” in March 2019.

The net optimism score increased to +43 in June 2019 from +37 in March 2019. Fiftyfive percent were optimistic for more jobs, 12 percent were pes-

simistic, 22 percent perceive no change in number of jobs and 11 percent have no idea.

Interviews of 1,200 adults aged 18 years old and above nationwide were used in the survey.

Three hundred each were interviewed in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

SWS said the survey had a sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. n

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A

Manila court orders arrest of Joma Sison, 37 others for murder

MANILA — A Manila court ordered the arrest of exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison and 37 others accused of killing civilians in Inopacan, Leyte more than three decades ago.

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 issued the arrest warrant for 15 counts of murder dated August 28 against Sison and others. A copy of the document was only released on Friday, September 6.

Among those ordered arrested were National Democratic Front of the Philippines senior adviser Luis Jalandoni, communist leadFIle photo shows opposition Senator Leila de Lima leaves the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 34 courtroom after the prosecution ers Rodolfo Salas, Leo Velasco, failed to present its witness last October 4, 2018.

Senate photo Jose Luneta and Sison’s wife, Juliet. Luneta is already dead.

They are facing murder charges for the so-called Inopacan massacre in 1985. The bodies of the victims were discovered in a mass grave in 2006.

The warrant was addressed MANILA — A group of legis- paign against the political oppo- ship in the Congress in hinderlators from Southeast Asia once sition “with judicial harassment ing the members of parliament’s to “any lawful officer” to bring ability to effectively speak on the 38 accused before the court again called on the Philippine as its main weapon.”

“This case is entirely baseless behalf of the people they rep- “soon as possible.” Copies of the government to immediately end all attacks on all opposition law- and part of a systematic attack resent,” Kasit Piromya, APHR order were given to the police, makers and drop all “politically- by the Duterte administration board member, said.

In a report released last June, on free speech and democracy. motivated” cases against them.

The ASEAN Parliamentarians It is just another intimidation APHR pointed out that there for Human Rights made the tactic used to silence criticism,” are deliberate efforts to harass statement Friday when opposi- Santiago, a Malaysian member and muzzle opposition lawmakers in the Philippines through tion figures tagged in a sedition of parliament, said.

De Lima, who has been de- trumped-up criminal charges, suit presented their counter-affidavits and refuted the allega- tained since February 2017, threats and intimidation.

“The concerted efforts by the and Hotiveros are members of tions made against them. government of President RoMore than 30 people per- APHR. APHR stressed that the sedi- drigo Duterte to silence oppoceived to be critics of the government—which include Vice tion case is part of a series of nents in Congress are not only President Leni Robredo, and attacks against opposition law- affecting efforts to curb human Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Leila maker, noting the kidnapping rights abuses but is also threatDe Lima—were tagged in a suit charges filed against the lead- ening to do lasting damage to that accuses them of conspir- ers of Anakbayan, and the traf- democratic institutions in the ing to oust President Rodrigo ficking and child abuse charges Philippines,” it said in the reDuterte by releasing a series of filed against Rep. Sarah Elago port.

APHR is a regional group of anonymously posted videos al- (Kabataan) and former Rep. lawmakers “committed to proTom Villarin (Akbayan). leging drug links.

“The Philippine authorities moting human rights, democAPHR chairperson Charles Santiago said the Philippine au- are instilling a climate of fear racy and justice in Southeast thorities have launched a cam- among lawmakers. Self-censor- Asia.” (Philstar.com)

Southeast Asian lawmakers call for end of judicial harassment vs opposition figures

391 cops on Duterte drug watchlist said the lawmen are among the 854 current and former police Philstar.com officers named in the president’s MANILA — A total of 391 po- drugs list.

Citing their records, he said lice officers are included in President Duterte’s drug watchlist, 391 police officers suspected to Philippine National Police (PNP) be involved in illegal drugs are chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde re- still in active service while the rest are either inactive or have vealed.

In a press briefing at Camp left the police force.

In the PNP’s own counter-inCrame in Quezon City, Albayalde

by EmmanuEl

Tupas

telligence watchlist, around 727 police officers have alleged links to illegal drugs.

Albayalde said they are keeping a close watch on the police officers and will not hesitate to move in if they are don’t stop engaging in their illegal activities.

“They are also the targets of our intelligence group,” he said. n

Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Sison has been on self-exile in the Netherlands since 1987.

The Manila court did not recommend bail for the accused.

‘Stupid, fabricated list’ Sison claimed that at the time of the supposed massacre, he was still under maximum security detention.

“I was not in any position then to go over the head of the leadership of the CPP and revolutionary movement,” he said in a statement Friday.

The communist leader also called the list of accused “utterly stupid and obviously fabricated.”

“It includes the names of those in prison at the time of the alleged massacre. It also includes those who are already dead for various health reasons as well as those disappeared by the reactionary government,” Sison said.

He added that the “fake” charges against them are used to intimidate opponents.

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison Philstar.com photo

“At the same time, Duterte is apparently trying to carry out his previous threat to make trouble for his opponents and other people who are red-tagged. There is a proliferation of charges against them to indicate that the Duterte regime is preparing for the mass arrest of people who oppose his anti-national, anti-democratic and anti-people policies and actions,” Sison said. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

A8 SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Delayed again?

FEATURES

THE economy slowed and targets were not met in the first half of the year, thanks to the record four-month delay in the approval of the national budget for the year by the 17th Congress.

With several new faces and new leadership in the current 18th Congress, lawmakers have promised that there will be no repeat of the delayed approval of the annual General Appropriations Act. Economists have said that delayed GAA approval and reenactment of the previous year’s outlay – a fixture during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – not only derails project implementation and retards economic growth but also breeds corruption.

This year, analysts from different organizations have said the damage from the GAA delay cannot be undone, and the slowdown in the first semester will mean economic growth for 2019 will be lower than projected by the government.

And why was approval delayed? The principal reason was bickering mainly among members of the House of Representatives over the allocation of funds particularly for

public works projects. The nature of the funds smacked of the congressional pork barrel – something that the Supreme Court has prohibited in its rulings against the Priority Development Assistance Fund and Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Members of the 18th Congress have denied that they are again bickering over socalled insertions and the pork barrel in the proposed GAA for 2020. Yet such concerns have emerged following the withdrawal of the budget bill from the House by a pro-administration congressman.

The House leadership has sought to allay fears of a repeat of this year’s GAA delay, and has promised to pass the 2020 outlay as early as October. That means within just two months – an unprecedented feat if accomplished. The Duterte administration – and the public – would be happy to see the GAA passed within the year. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Amid the growing gun violence in America, do you agree that the NRA is a ‘domestic terrorist’ organization?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS TERRORISM, as defined by Britannica, is the systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation describes “domestic terrorism” as “perpetrated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or associated with primarily U.S.-based movements that espouse extremist ideologies of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.”

With the disturbing escalation of gun violence and mass shooting in America, is the powerful gun lobby group National Rifle Association (NRA) to blame for this epidemic?

According to the data from the Gun Violence Archive, “more than 10,000 people have died from gun-related violence in the U.S. so far this year, and more than 20,000 others have been injured”. The number of mass shootings in the U.S. this year has already reached 289, and this is as of September 3 of this year alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive’s tally.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors thinks so. In fact, it passed a resolution on Tuesday, September 3, declaring the NRA a “domestic terrorist organization” and is now “urging the city

to examine its financial relationships with companies that do business with the group.”

As the Washington Post reported, the resolution stated that “The National Rifle Association musters its considerable wealth and organizational strength to promote gun ownership and incite gun owners to acts of violence.”

“The National Rifle Association spreads propaganda that misinforms and aims to deceive the public about the dangers of gun violence, and…the leadership of National Rifle Association promotes extremist positions, in defiance of the views of a majority of its membership and the public, and undermine the general welfare,” the Post said.

The resolution, adopted unanimously by the board’s 11 supervisors, points to disturbing “statistics that make the United States stand out in terms of gun violence, stating that the country’s gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than any other high-income country in the world and that 36,000 people in the United States die in gunrelated incidents every year, an average of 100 per day.”

The fact is, the overall number of people killed in mass shootings each year represents only a tiny percentage of the total number of those who die because of gun violence.

According to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were a total of more than 38,600 deaths from guns in 2016 — of which more than 22,900 were suicides. Suicide using firearm accounts for almost half of all suicides in the U.S., according to the CDC. In 2017, the 10th leading cause of death in the United States was suicide.

Based on the results of a 2016 study published in the American Journal of Public Health, it was found that there was a strong relationship between higher levels of gun ownership in a state and higher firearm suicide rates for both men and women. Americans top the list of countries in terms of number of guns owned per capita.

According to Pew Research Center, “about four-in-ten Americans say they either own a gun themselves or live in a household with guns, and 48% say they grew up in a household with guns, according to a new Pew Research Center study. At least two-thirds of adults say they’ve lived in a household with a gun at some point in their lives. And roughly seven-in-ten – including 55% of those who have never personally owned a gun – say they have fired a gun at some point.”

After the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio — adding to the already troubling strings of massacre using guns

in the United States — Americans have spoken out loud and clear. A majority of Americans, 60 percent, now support stricter gun laws Americans as revealed in a new Quinnipiac Poll conducted on August 21-26, 2019.

There is partisan divide, though: Democrats support: 89 percent; Independents support: 61 percent; Republican support: 30 percent.

Americans overwhelmingly support requiring background checks for all gun buyers, with 93 percent declaring such support overall; Republican support: 89 percent; Democrats support: 97 percent; Independents support: 94 percent.

A majority of Americans (60 percent) support a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons.

The NRA “campaigns against all forms of gun control in the U.S. and argues that more guns make the country safer,” the BBC reports. “It is among the most powerful special interest lobby groups in the U.S., with a substantial budget to influence members of Congress on gun policy.”

Citing Pew Research findings, the BBC reported: “In total, about one in five U.S. gun owners say they are members of the NRA - and it has especially widespread support from Republican-leaning gun owners.”

“In terms of lobbying to in-

fluence gun policy, the NRA’s spending jumped from about $3m per year to more than $5m in 2017,” according to the BBC report, and the numbers are just based only the recorded contributions to lawmakers published by the Senate Office of Public Records. “The NRA spends millions more elsewhere, such as on supporting the election campaigns of political candidates who oppose gun controls.”

All these money from the powerful NRA control the people in Congress and are used as a tool to spread misinformation using lies to scare people that their rights to own gun will be revoked and that their Second Amendment rights are being violated.

Totally FALSE. Most stricter gun control legislations propose stricter background checks, and a ban on assault rifles and high powered magazines.

The “Peace Plan” proposed by the youth survivors of the Parkland mass shooting “would create a national licensing and gun registry, long a nonstarter with gun rights advocates; ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; implement a mandatory gun buyback program; and install a “national director of gun violence prevention” who would report directly to the president and coordinate the federal response to what advocates call a national public health emergency.”

“It would dramatically increase restrictions around owning guns in ways sure to spark fierce blowback, including raising the age to 21 from 18 for those who want to buy guns. It calls for a ‘multi-step’ gun licensing system, overseen by a federal agency, that would include inperson interviews and a 10-day wait before gun purchases are approved. The license would be renewed annually.”

“The NRA conspires to limit gun violence research, restrict gun violence data sharing and most importantly aggressively tries to block every piece of sensible gun violence prevention legislation proposed on any level, local state or federal,” Supervisor Catherine Stefani told KQED, as reported by the Post.

“When they use phrases like, ‘I’ll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands’ on bumper stickers, they are saying reasoned debate about public safety should be met with violence.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do you agree that the NRA should be declared a domestic terrorist organization? ***

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The hazards of misreading the news

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA WHEN I read the post in social media that Senator-boxer Manny Pacquiao had proposed crucifixion as a method of imposing the death penalty, my automatic response was to suggest, “Crucify him!”

I’m afraid I got carried away by someone else’s misinterpretation of Pacquiao’s proposal. As an aggressive proponent of the reimposition of the death penalty, Pacquiao appeared to have applied his superficial comprehension of scripture by referring to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a rationale for the death penalty.

The reference to Jesus’ death on the cross, although irrelevant to the rationale for reimposing the death penalty, was apparently used by Pacquiao while actually expressing a preference for death by firing squad.

Pacquiao could have used

Jose Rizal as a point of reference but he seemed to think he understood the Bible better than Philippine history.

However, this piece is not about my position on the death penalty (about which I do have some thoughts) but, rather, about the hazards of misreading or misunderstanding the news and the importance of getting your brain in gear before you click away on your laptop.

Typically, I immediately did extensive research on stupid laws passed by legislatures around the world, as well as dumb bills passed by dumbbells in the Philippine Congress. What came to mind was the bill purportedly filed by a congressman that would “outlaw typhoons.”

I was poised to rank Pacquiao’s reported Crucifixion Bill next to the Outlawing Typhoons Bill on the list of idiotic legislation filed by our lawmakers.

Fortunately, I found a Business World column written by my friend Oscar Lagman pointing out that Catanduanes Congress-

man Francisco Perfecto did not actually propose “outlawing typhoons.” He, in fact, proposed government action to mitigate the destruction caused by typhoons (which regularly pummeled his province), such as funding for technical equipment and for disaster response training. That made sense.

Unfortunately, an illiterate or mischievous colleague in Congress branded Perfecto’s proposal as the “Bill to Outlaw Typhoons.”

Misinterpreting the news is almost as bad as purposely twisting and distorting it because the result still is the same as U.S. President Donald Trump’s obsession and habitual practice, namely, dispensing “fake news.”

I’m reminded of an incident late 1988 when President Cory Aquino directed then Foreign Affairs Secretary Manglapus to file a protest with the British government because of an alleged slur against Filipina womanhood in a new edition of the

Oxford Dictionary.

The whole country was up in arms against both the Oxford University Press and the United Kingdom. Then Makati Mayor Jojo Binay hurled choice invectives at the British and, was reportedly prepared to put on his Rambotito armor to march against Her Majesty’s armed forces.

What triggered the furor was a resolution passed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and presented to President Aquino to the effect that the 1987 edition of the Oxford Dictionary had defined “Filipina” to mean “domestic help.”

The PCCI resolution called on the Philippine government to “make the necessary action/ representation to concerned authorities to delete this definition in the Oxford Dictionary.”

The PCCI’s poor grammar notwithstanding, President Aquino felt compelled to act in defense of her race and gender.

Not being as macho as Mayor Binay, my own attitude was

“don’t get mad, get even.” I dashed off a column in which I proposed re-defining “Oxford” to mean a toilet or comfort room.

Thus, instead of saying “I’m going to the CR,” one would say, “I’m going to the oxford.” And a little tyke could tell his mama, “I want to o-ox!”

I had other mischievous suggestions that would have made Her Royal Highness blush. But then, I realized that I had not read the allegedly malignant dictionary. As a journalist, I decided that it was necessary for me to check with the sources of the news.

Here’s my account, in a November 16, 1988 column in Business World in Manila, of what transpired: “I rang up the PCCI secretariat and asked. A very helpful young man confirmed that the resolution was part of an important document which contained the products of the PCCI’s labors in the just-concluded three-day 14th Philippine Business Conference.

“It was based on a complaint aired by someone who had heard about it from someone from the Department of Labor.

“Had the PCCI secretariat seen the dictionary? No. What about the complainant? Neither.

And President Aquino? Well, she had read the PCCI resolution but…

“Off I went to the book stores in Makati on the trail of this mysterious Oxford. A lot of Websters got in the way, but I finally found two paperbacks, a 1980 edition of the Oxford American Dictionary and what seemed to be a 1987 edition (‘1987’ didn’t actually appear but there was a reference to an earlier 1986 edition) of the Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors.

“The first had an entry that read: Fil-i-pi-no (fil-i-pee-noh) n. (pl. –nos), a native of the Philippine Islands.

“The second had what I thought I was looking for.

“After filing cabinet[ was the entry: Filipino/a, Sp. For Philip-

u PAGE A10

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A

Locsin: Sea code no guarantee vs intrusion

by Catherine

talavera Philstar.com

GOODWILL VISIT. Members of the Philippine Navy band welcome the arrival of Spanish Navy (Armada Española) ship Mendez Nuñez (F-104) for a goodwill visit at the Pier 15, Manila South Harbor on Thursday, September 5. This is the first visit of a Spanish Navy ship in the country in over a century since the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, that marked the end of Spain’s colonial rule over the Philippines in 1898.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Napoles’ camp argues: Plunder case should be dismissed if main plunderer wasn’t pinpointed

by Gabriel

PabiCo Inquirer.net

lalu

MANILA—Plunder convict Janet Lim Napoles continued to question being charged as a plunderer in the pork barrel scam, saying the information filed against her and accused Jinggoy Estrada did not identify who the main plunderer was.

Filing a motion to dismiss the case because the main plunderer has not been identified, Napoles pointed to the plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as jurisprudence that would show a key error in the charge filed against her.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division, however, said it was not necessary to pinpoint the main plunderer as in plunder cases, the accused public official, in this case former senator Jinggoy Estrada, is automatically charged as the main plunderer.

Napoles said in Arroyo’s case, which led to dismissal, the main plunderer had been identified.

“The riveting question now is whether or not the Information in this case expressly identified accused Estrada as the mastermind or the main plunderer,” said Napoles’ motion to dismiss released to media on Thursday (Sept. 5).

“If accused Estrada is not expressly identified in the Information as the mastermind or the main plunderer, the instant case

should be dismissed,” said Napoles.

She said the information filed against her and Estrada, who is out on bail, was defective from the start and should be disregarded for failure to identify the mastermind.

Napoles cited a Supreme Court decision on the plunder case against Arroyo requiring that plunder cases identify the main accused.

She said the Office of the Ombudsman or the court was aware that the main plunderer must be expressly identified in the information “as an essential element of the crime of plunder.”

The Sandiganbayan, however, said Napoles’ reference to the Arroyo case was like comparing apples and oranges. The court said all the accused in the Arroyo case were government officials so there was a need to be explicit about who the main plunderer was.

“The eyes are useless when the mind is blind,” said the court. “It is apparent that the Information refers to Estrada as the mastermind of the PDAF scheme or the main plunderer. The main plunderer is a public officer,” the court resolution said.

Napoles had been convicted of plunder over ghost or overpriced pork barrel projects paid by the government through legislators.

The entire scam cost at least P10

Janet Lim-Napoles

Inquirer.net photo

billon in funds wasted on nonexistent or overpriced projects. In the case she shares with Estrada alone, Napoles had been accused of giving nearly P56 million in kickbacks to the former senator, well beyond the P50 million threshold for plunder cases.

Napoles’ other case, also plunder with her co-accused Edgar Valdez, a former party-list lawmaker, was moving along after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division rejected Napoles plea for demurrer of evidence, a legal tactic to abort trial of the case by convincing the court that evidence was weak.

In her case involving Valdez, Napoles also argued that the main plunderer had not been identified. n

MANILA — A Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea has not stopped intrusions in Philippine waters although no transgression had gone unchallenged, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. told lawmakers.

He said the Philippines is actively pursuing full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in preparation for a Code of Conduct (COC) for states with claims in the South China Sea. “That of course has not stopped provocations in its waters. But no transgression goes unanswered; no hint of usurpation goes unchallenged,” Locsin said in a statement at the House hearing on the proposed 2020 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

He said President Duterte’s initiatives — including his visits to Beijing — have helped create a more congenial environment for managing issues in the West Philippine Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

DFA photo

Locsin maintained that China and the 10 member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have successfully negotiated the first draft of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. He expressed belief Western countries are not interested in the COC. During his recent visit to Beijing, Duterte said the

United States should stay out of the talks even if the crafting of a COC is taking time.

“Our view, however, is that the West is not interested in the COC,” Locsin said.

In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China and ASEAN might be able to finalize a COC ahead of schedule in 2021. n

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Duterte to study proposal to create anti-child trafficking body with about 700,000 human trafficking victims.

The dengue epidemic and MANILA — President Rodrigo problems hounding agriculture Duterte is looking into a propos- were also tackled during the al to create a body that would Cabinet meeting.

Health Secretary Francisco handle child trafficking.

Presidential spokesman Sal- Duque said his agency has vador Panelo said the govern- prepositioned commodities and ment’s anti-child trafficking logistics in local government efforts was discussed during a units, provided rapid diagnosCabinet meeting last Wednes- tics test, created a task force and disseminated information day.

“The president will review the campaign materials to address proposal of special envoy of the the rising cases of dengue fepresident to United Nations Chil- ver. The agency also deployed dren’s Fund (UNICEF) Monica additional human resources, Prieto Teodoro to craft an execu- established hydration stations, tive order creating an Anti-Child and activated dengue fast lanes Trafficking Office to address in hospitals to assist patients.

Agriculture Acting Secretary child trafficking in the country,” William Dar, meanwhile, talked Panelo said in a statement.

The Philippines ranked 12th about measures to address Fall in the 2018 Global Slavery Index Army Worm and African Swine

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

Fever.

He said the agriculture department has conducted quarantine in areas affected by the Fall Army Worm. The agency also conducted sanitation and intercropping and promoted the use of inorganic fertilizers.

As regards the possible entry of African Swine Flu in the country, agriculture officials have conducted intensified awareness campaign on local farmers, surveillance, cleaning, and disinfection activities in affected areas. Agriculture officials are still awaiting the results of the viral isolation tests.

Duterte also directed the National Economic and Development Authority to further review the draft revised National Land Use Act, one of his priority bills. n

Senators not supportive of SOGIE bill, says Sotto

by BeRnAdette

tAmAyo ManilaTimes.net

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III believes that majority of the senators do not support a proposed bill prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE).

“I hate to say this but I have to.

If you are a man, you will never be a woman no matter what you do because you cannot reproduce, you cannot give birth. You do not have ovaries, you will never be a woman,” Sotto said in a chance interview on Wednesday, September 4, during a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Women, Chil-

Senate President Vicente Sotto III

dren, Family Relations and Gen- discriminate against the elderly, der Equality headed by Sen. Ana children [it will be more acceptable]. But [it is a different matter] Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros.

“To me this SOGIE bill is a if we talk about the contents of bill against women’s rights. It is the Sogie especially for LGBTQ+ giving transgender rights, so it (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenis class legislation,” the Senate der, queer plus),” Sotto said.

Addressing pro-family and prochief added.

When asked whether he shares life organizations that expressed the sentiment of the majority of opposition to the bill, Hontiveros senators, Sotto said, “I think so.” said the Sogie Equality bill will Sotto and Sen. Maria Lourdes “take into consideration religious ‘Nancy’ Binay are more support- and faith-based sensitivities.”

“We are here to work together. ive of a similar anti-discrimination bill proposed by Sen. Juan Let’s remind ourselves of our uniEdgardo Angara that they de- ties: We are all against any form scribed as more comprehensive. of discrimination, that we want “If we will come up with [a] what is best for each other and measure like the version of we want to preserve our values Senator Angara, which is anti- and the Filipino family. We are discrimination generally, not to here to hear all sides, and to better the SOGIE Equality bill,” she added.

Hontiveros renewed her call to end discrimination based on one’s SOGIE. “We cannot deny that the LGBTQ+ [community] suffers discrimination everyday. Let’s start with that,” she said.

“How do we protect LGBTQ+ persons from discrimination without violating our religious and academic freedoms?” Hontiveros asked.

She expressed concern about heated discussions online that practically condemn LGBTQ+ persons.

“As a mother, I cannot accept ManilaTimes.net photo this hate rhetoric.” n

HEARING ON SOGIE BILL. Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee of Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, presides over the public hearing on the proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill (SOGIE Bill), also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill on Wednesday, September 4. Against the bill includes Kata Inocencio (inset) of 700 Club Asia, and representatives from government agencies, local government units, religious groups, women’s groups, health professionals, and advocacy groups.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Duterte won’t abolish POGO: We need it

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Despite warnings — including from Beijing — that it can worsen criminality, Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) will continue because “it is good for the country,” President Duterte said.

The Chief Executive made his position clear at a press briefing last night at Malacañang when asked about his stand on the controversial POGO, which has been flourishing in the country, employing thousands of foreigners mostly mainland Chinese.

Duterte noted that the livelihood of many people would be affected if he bans online gambling.

“I decide we need it. Many will lose livelihood. It’s governmentcontrolled,” he added.

But he warned operators of POGO hubs to pay the right taxes or be “shuttered. “

“To the concessionaire, if you commit a mistake, you will be shuttered. Then we will talk,” the President said.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo previously said online gambling, which employs about 130,000 Chinese nationals in the Philippines, was one of the topics tackled during Duterte’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week in Beijing.

Panelo said Xi expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ move to suspend new POGO applications but said China would appreciate more if online gambling operations were completely halted. Xi had earlier warned Duterte of online gambling’s role in spawning crimes specifically money laundering, as he emphasized that all forms of gambling are illegal in China.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has reported P200 million in taxes from foreigners working

for POGOs. The finance department previously said the government forgoes about P24 billion a year for every 100,000 POGO workers who do not pay taxes.

Duterte’s pronouncement came on the heels of assertion by some of his officials that the local economy has been benefiting significantly from online gambling. Based on Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. projections, revenues from POGO — especially from royalties and licensing fees — could reach P8 billion this year from last year’s P6 billion.

Earlier, Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said Beijing has no authority to order the Philippine government to shut down POGO operations employing Chinese nationals.

“They cannot dictate on us.

Those are sovereign decisions.

That is where we stand,” Sta. Romana said in Beijing during Duterte’s China visit. n

Panelo’s ex-client Ampatuans also sought Duterte’s help PALACE spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday, September 5, admitted that yet another former client of his, the Ampatuan family, had sought President Rodrigo Duterte’s “intercession” on their case.

Panelo, counsel of Andal Ampatuan Jr. during the 2009 Maguindanao massacre trials, made the admission when asked about other former clients who asked for his assistance.

“Mayroon, Ampatuan. Ang kaso naman ng Ampatuan, I think one of the Ampatuans is at large (There is, the Ampatuans. Their case has to do with one of them who is at large). The mother of that Ampatuan is at large. ‘Yung mga kapatid niya (The siblings are) on trial eh. Pero siya at large.

They’re claiming that inosente sila (they’re innocent),” Panelo told reporters during a press conference.

Panelo said the Ampatuans wrote a letter to the Office of the President (OP) requesting for an audience with Duterte.

He then recalled that he met one of the family members in an event in Davao City, and he introduced them to Duterte, who supposedly knew them.

“So they’re asking [for] the intercession of the President. So in one event… pinakilala ko (I introduced them), Mr. President meron yatang, ‘yun pala kilala na niyang dati kasi mga taga Davao eh. Sabi naman ni Presidente, narinig ko sabi niya, ‘Eh antayin nalang ninyo kung ano ang judgement ng court. Eh nasa court na ‘yan eh (there is someone looking for you but it turns out they knew each other from before because they’re from Davao. The President said, I heard what he said, ‘Just wait for the judgment of the court.

It’s with the court already),’” Panelo said.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo

“And then I received a note referring them to me. So nagpunta sila (they went to the office) I think mga two weeks ago. And then I told them, sabi niya gusto namin makwan si Presidente. Sabi ko the fact na nirefer ni Presidente sa akin ‘yan, ibig sabihin ganun din ang mangyayari diyan. Kaya ang advice ko sa inyo pasurrender mo nalang yung asawa mo, magtrial nalang kayo (they said they want to meet the President. I told them the fact that the President referred it to me, that will also be the case.

That’s why my advice to them, just have your husband surrender and face trial),” he said.

In an email to Panelo’s office, the OP’s appointment office referred the request of the wife and mother of Saudi Ampatuan Jr. since Duterte could not meet them.

“This refers to the request of Atty. Jehan-Jehan Ampatuan-Lepail and Bai Soraida Biruar-Ampatuan for a meeting with the President any day in July 2019,” the OP’s letter read.

“Unfortunately, the President will not be able to meet the proponents due to his hectic schedule and in view of the engagements that require his utmost attention.

In this regard, may we respectful-

Philstar.com photo

ly refer this matter to your office for appropriate action,” it said.

Panelo’s admission about the Ampatuans came amid allegations of conflict of interest when he referred to the Bureau of Pardons and Parole (BPP) a letter from Sanchez’s family about the former Calauan, Laguna mayor’s executive clemency application.

Several lawmakers questioned Panelo’s move but Duterte’s spokesman stressed that he only referred the letter to the BPP and did not recommend the grant of executive clemency to Sanchez.

The BPP dismissed in December 2018 Sanchez’s petition for executive clemency. It upheld the dismissal of Sanchez’s appeal in a decision dated February 27, a day after Panelo wrote to the bureau.

Duterte also defended his spokesman, saying that Panelo did the right thing and did not violate any law.

In 2014, Panelo acted as the defense lawyer for Andal Ampatuan Jr., the primary accused in the massacre of 58 people in the 2009 Maguindanao incident. A year after, he quit as Ampatuan’s counsel for personal reasons. (Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes.net)

The hazards of misreading the...

PAGE A8 pine Islands; -o(s), native(s) of the islands.And immediately following that was the entry: fille de chambre (Fr. F), Chamber-maid, lady’s maid, filles____; ____ joie, a prostitute.

“Aha! The culprit.

“Set in italics and in lower case, fille de chambre did seem, at first glance, to be a continuation of the definition of “Filipina,” which was set in Roman, capitalized.”

Apparently, the DOLE representative had misread the Oxford Dictionary entries and had raised the red flag with the PCCI which, in turn, passed the resolution that was presented to President Aquino who, in turn,

ordered Secretary Manglapus to file a protest with the British government. And no one had even seen the allegedly insulting Oxford Dictionary. It was a classic case of dumb and dumber.

I frantically called up Raul Locsin, executive editor of Business World, and asked him to pull out my original column and replace it with what I had uncovered.

Mercifully, it was not too late to do so. In the substitute column, I concluded: “And, oh yes…we should be thankful that fille de joie wasn’t what immediately followed the definition of Filipina. We could have declared war! “ Well, in the case of Pacquiao’s

bill, I had obviously forgotten the lesson from that Oxford Dictionary flap. The media environment is even worse now, with social media allowing everyone to reinterpret the news. But that’s no excuse for misreading it and for shooting from the hip.

I still think that Pacquiao overdid it when he used the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to support his advocacy of the death penalty.

But I take back what I suggested doing to him. I don’t think he should be crucified.

However, if you ask me, I wouldn’t mind seeing corrupt politicians and drug lords being lined up before a firing squad. *** (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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Journal FRESH FACE AT THE US OPEN

Filipina Alex Eala makes her US Open Juniors debut had to win two times at the Cary Leeds Tennis Center in the Bronx, before moving to A L E x A n d r A E a l a , t h e the main site at the Billie Jean 14-year-old teen tennis star King Tennis Center in Flushing, from the Philippines, made an Queens to be among 64 teens impressive US Open Juniors running after the title.

“This win is definitely a stepChampionship debut on Monday, dismissing her Australian ping stone to where I want to be opponent in straight sets with a in the future, which is to play pro, obviously, so I’m going to commanding 6-1, 6-0 score.

Eala made it to the main be working hard and practice draw of Juniors Girls Singles as more to achieve that goal,” Eala one of the eight qualifiers who told the Asian Journal after the

By MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

match. “I knew it was going to be hard today, all the matches are going to be hard, so hopefully I’d perform well in the next few matches.”

She won over the top seed in the qualifying matches and made it through both without dropping a set.

“It’s the same every match. I get out, give my best and try to get the best results I can,” she shared.

Alex Eala, the teen tennis sensation from the Philippines, made her US Open debut this week and reached the second round of both singles PAGE B2 and doubles competitions.

AJPress photo by Troi Santos

Kisses talks about Donny; reveals plans for new love team partner

by Jan

Milo seVero Philstar.com

ACTrESS Kisses delavin has talked about her relationship with former love team donny Pangilinan.

In a recent interview with Boy Abunda in his “Tonight With Boy Abunda,” Kisses said though she and donny have their own career paths now, the friendship between them still remains.

“I think na ‘pag nagkita kami, we’ll totally be friendly to each other pa rin, but we don’t have upcoming projects anymore. I think different na ang career path ng bawat isa. I’m very thankful kasi naging masaya naman talaga ang donKiss journey. Just because it ended doesn’t mean that it wasn’t good,” Kisses said.

Completing host Boy Abunda’s sentence, Kisses said, “Some good things must come to an end to make way for better things.”

Kisses also revealed that ABSCBn is planning to pair her with another Kapamilya actor for her

Kisses Delavin and Donny Pangilinan

new love team, but she refused to elaborate on it.

“I can’t say anything about that. Yes, Tito Boy. ‘Yun talaga ang plan,” Kisses said.

When asked by Boy if it’s Joshua Garcia, Kisses said: “I would be honored, but I can’t say anything yet.”

Kisses confirmed the love team’s breakup last June through a lengthy Instagram post. donny reacted on the post,

saying that he was surprised on what happened on their love team, but he respects Kisses’ statement.

“I’ll be honest—it was a surprise. To my understanding, the partnership was still under review because of different expectations, with no final decision yet. But let’s please respect her statement. I sincerely wish Kisses and her family the best,” donny said.

B september 7-10, 2019 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

EntErtainmEnt

Kyline’s meaningful 17th birthday

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

NO big parties, no extravagant celebrations. That’s how La Nueva Diva Kyline Alcantara opted to celebrate her 17th birthday on September 3. Instead of a party, she opted to spend her birthday with orphaned and abandoned children at SOS Children’s Villages south of the metro.

It wasn’t Kyline’s first visit to the orphanage. Early this year, she had the chance to meet the children there and has since had them in her thoughts.

“I feel for them,” she confessed. “Imagine, growing up in this world without parents. But one thing that I admire in that facility is that there are surrogate parents for the children.”

The surrogate parents are men and women who stay with the children in each of the six houses of SOS village. They are assigned volunteers who supervise the kids, do the chores with them and guide them just like any regular parents. That way, the children grow up with adults to look up to and raised like regular members of a family and society.

So on the afternoon of her birthday, Kyline surprised the kids who were so excited to see ther Ate Kyline again. She brought food and gifts and played games with them.

“I’m very fortunate because I grew up with a complete family who are all so supportive of me.

Kyline Alcantara Photo from Instagram/@itskylinealcantara

And since the Lord has been blessing me with so much in my career, I’d like to share my blessings with the children and see them happy,” Kyline enthused.

Meanwhile, to celebrate with family and close friends, Kyline had a what she thought was a usual birthday dinner on Friday.

She was thrilled however when her brothers who are studying in the province surprised her midway through the night.

“Napasigaw ako at naiyak. I wasn’t expecting them to come.

Sabi kasi nila, hindi sila makakarating kasi may exams. I was already feeling sad tapos biglang nandiyan na sila,” Kyline shared.

Staying for the rest of the weekend, Kyline spent as much time as she could with her brothers and even took them to “Sun-

day Pinasaya” before they returned to Bicol that evening.

“I really fun while my two kuyas were here. Na-enjoy ko ang kulitan namin.”

Truly happy to receive so much love during her birthday week, Kyline also told Showbuzz she was touched when on the set of “Starstruck,” the Top 6 artistas of the reality search and the whole production team surprised her with cakes and a birthday song.

“Masaya lahat and we finished taping early,” recalled Kyline.

As the search nears its conclusion, Kyline is raring to find out who the Ultimate Survivor will be just like the rest of the viewers.

“I feel very excited because I know the competition is so tight.

All of the finalists are very good and already have their own fans.

I’ve come to know all of them and I’m close to them already. I have personal favorites but I won’t name them. I just wish they all become big stars.”

After Starstruck, Kyline will be busy promoting her movie “Black Lipstick” which is set for release on October 9. Those who have seen the rushes predict it’s saying a potential box-office hit.

“I can’t wait to see the movie.

Gusto kong makita ‘yung transition ng character ko from si Ikay na pangit at binu-bully to Jessie na maganda at sikat sa campus.

I’m sure mage-enjoy ang mga tao sa movie,” Kyline guaranteed.

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

Sue confirms split with Joao after 2 years by

niña V. guno Inquirer.net

SUE Ramirez could not hide her emotions as she opened up about her fresh breakup with exboyfriend Joao Constancia.

During a press conference for her upcoming film “Cuddle Weather” on Aug. 22, Ramirez said that it was “complicated” between her and the Boyband PH member.

Over a week later, the actress was asked about a post on her Instagram Stories about “moving on” in “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” which aired yesterday, Sept. 5. Ramirez appeared to hold back tears and confirmed, “Joao and I parted ways po.”

She said they were together for two years, but that “differences” tore them apart: “Mahirap siyempre, nasanay ka na nandiyan ‘yong tao pero daming differences kasi (It is difficult of course, you are used to the person being around, but there were so many differences).”

She said that they could not agree on a lot of things, which she had previously mentioned during the August press conference. “We really wanted it to work pero ‘pag hindi po talaga, hindi po talaga (but when it is not meant to be, it is not meant

Sue Ramirez and Joao Constancia

to be),” she stressed.

Ramirez said she and Constancia are on speaking terms and that they like each other’s posts on social media, since they were able to speak properly about their relationship.

Asked if there was a chance of them getting back together, she

Photo from Instagram/@boyband_joao

said, “I don’t know, but I don’t want to close my doors.”

However, she said she wanted to prioritize herself since she goes all out when she is in a relationship. “Sarap lang pakiramdam na inuna ko ang sarili ko (It feels good that I put myself first),” she said.

Sharon defends nannies’ use of ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ officially uniforms, calling them ‘yaya’ highest grossing PH film by

ryan arCadio Inquirer.net

by

ChriStina aLpad ManilaTimes.net

THE “untried and untested” teamup of ABS-CBN’s Kathryn Bernardo and GMA Network’s Alden Richards definitely struck gold as “Hello, Love, Goodbye” is officially the highest grossing Filipino film of all time.

ABS-CBN’s film outfit Star Cinema announced Tuesday night that the Cathy Garcia-Molina movie hit P880, 603, 490 at the box office on September 3, a staggering figure that is expected to rise even more what with international screenings still ongoing.

Said record was previously Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards in ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ Photo courtesy of Star Cinema PAGE B3

SHARON Cuneta defended her choice of having her nannies wear uniforms when out in public places after receiving criticism for it.

The Megastar’s response came after a netizen, one @itsmemialyn, expressed her disagreement with Cuneta’s choice, after the actress posted a picture last Monday, Sept. 2 on Instagram of her and her staff eating in PAGE B3

Sharon Cuneta came under fire online for her nannies dressed in uniforms.

Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta

Filipina Alex Eala makes her...

PAGE B1 Getting into the US Open Juniors main draw for juniors is a dream-come true for Eala.

“It is a very prestigious tournament, high level and under-18 and I worked very hard to accomplish this so I am definitely going to make the most out of this,” she added.

Notching her first win at the Open was quite an experience for her and she credits her training regimen where she gets to give it all. She trains every day except Sunday, which is her rest day.

“It gets mentally and physically tiring so I think that helps me grow as a person and as an athlete,” she said.

Her coach Daniel Gomez da Costa and her dad Mike Eala were both at the sidelines watching the match.

“She was very calm comparing with the situation that she has to face. At only 14 years old, she shows very good behavior and attitude,” Gomez said. “She played with good intensity and she served really well.”

The following day, she and her doubles partner and fellow Rafa Nadal Academy (RNA) scholar Elvina Kalieva, came from behind and aced a straight sets win, 7-5, 6-1.

Rafa Nadal Academy Alex won a tournament in France in 2018 and scouts from the RNA in Nadal’s hometown of Manacor, on the island of Mallorca, Spain approached them and discussed about Eala training with them. She ended up getting a full scholarship there.

The Academy is a high performance tennis center, the former training ground of Nadal himself. Nadal and his team opened it in 2016 and created a unique training system based on the experience he has acquired through the years competing in the ATP circuit. The international tennis academy combines tennis and education so that the students and aspiring athletes can continue to build their tennis careers without sacrificing their academic studies.

“At the international school, we are going to help them make that transition to the best universities possible and prepare them for life,” Nadal told Reuters in a 2017 interview.

“It is a great opportunity to train there because they provide really good training there. I have improved a lot since I went there. You get a lot of exposure and it’s very professional,” she said.

Because of rain delays, their match which was supposed to

be played in the afternoon, began around 6:30 pm and Rafael Nadal was set to play his Round 4 match against Marin Cilic at Arthur Ashe Stadium around 7:00 pm.

After she won and finished interviews, photos and some autograph signing, her coach called her and showed two tickets to Nadal’s box. They rushed to Ashe just in time for the third set, and witnessed Nadal win in four. The proud dad posted a photo on social media of Alex on the box with her coach and Nadal’s parents and the coaches led by Carlos Moya.

“I’m so happy that she came to the Nadal Academy and we look forward to achieving bigger things,” Coach Gomez said.

“She’s too young and we need to keep working hard, but of course, she has the chance, the possibilities, specially because she’s very humble, a hard worker and very good discipline.”

After her stint here in New York, she will go back to Mallorca because she just received another year of scholarship in the academy.

At RNA, she goes through a rigorous training regimen. A typical day would have her waking up at 7:00 am, have breakfast and train at around 8:00 am, followed by fitness. Around noon, she goes to school at the American International School inside RNA until late in the afternoon. That’s a total of about four hours of training every single day.

Alex is all praises for Nadal, her idol and fellow leftie.

“I love the way he plays. He is very strong mentally,” she said about the 8-time major singles winner.

For the women’s side, she idolizes Simona Halep for her aggressiveness and the way she plays.

Tennis and Growing Up “Alex started playing tennis because her older brother Miko, plays tennis,” Mike said. “She was just two years old then and she was already on court, at first just watching her kuya. Later on, she told us she also wanted to compete.”

He added that their grandfather, Bobby Maniego, father of his wife Rizza, was actually instrumental in getting his kids into tennis. They were small kids when they started.

At the age of 8, Alex made her international debut at the Little Mo competition in Dallas, where she eventually took home the trophy. Little Mo is named after Maureen Connolly, who in 1953 became the first woman to win a tennis Grand Slam.

Both Eala siblings now train at the Nadal Academy.

As parents, Mike and his wife supported their children’s dreams.

Which is why he said watching Alex notch her first US Open was such a pleasure for him to witness.

“The fulfillment of being able to get here in itself, is already something big for us, and to be able to win the qualifying matches, get here and win her first match, is a better and more satisfying result,” he said. “This is the best way to experience the US Open!”

Atty. Antonio Cablitas, president of the Philippine Tennis Association, is happy to see a young Filipina teen making it on the global stage, particularly in one of the grand slam tournaments.

“We’re focused on looking at young talents not just in the Philippines but also around the world, the future of Philippine tennis and Alex is a prime example of that,” he said as we chatted outside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Cablitas credits Alex’s talent and determination for her to be on this stage despite her very young age.

“But of course we need to credit the parents, Mike and Rizza. Their support has been immense and they play a big role here,” Cablitas added.

Dealing with Losses On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Eala’s dreams of getting deeper into both the Junior Girls Singles and Doubles competitions came to a screeching halt as she lost in straight sets to her Thai opponent, Mai Nirundorn in the morning and fell, 6-3, 6-3 with her doubles partner Kalieva to their French opponents.

“We were super happy with the win on Monday but we knew it’s going to be a long road,” Alex’s dad Mike said. “We will learn from this experience and use it to make her stronger.”

Her coach said that Alex had a good singles match, it was just that the Thai opponent was playing really well, too.

After losing the first set, 7-5, Eala won the next three games at 3-0. Nirundorn stepped it up and came from behind to win the next six games, the set and the match.

“I’m proud of what I achieved here at the US Open and I am gonna come back stronger next time,” Eala told us outside Court 5, after they lost their doubles match. “I’ll take what I’ve learned here and I will work harder in maintaining my intensity during matches.”

(818) 502-0651 â&#x20AC;˘ (213) 250-9797 â&#x20AC;˘ http://www.asianjournal.com

Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ SEptEmbER 7-10, 2019

B

Part II: One mistake erases all the good one has done A sad reality on being judgmental and unforgiving

Life Coaching in a Different Perspective Stargazer IN the last article, we discussed how people can be so unforgiving and judgmental beyond reason.

Antonio made a big mistake by being too personal with a teener.

He knew it was wrong and now he suffers the consequences of a mistake that never physically materialized. He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move on because the verbal wrongdoing haunted him everywhere. He had been judged and sentenced by the very people who profess to be religious and principled.

People condemned as if their own lives were as white as linen and impeccably clean â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the culture of false righteousness.

I, too, had my share of being misjudged in the past. I remember my first guest appearance in Boy Abundaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Homeboyâ&#x20AC;? on ABS-CBN in 2005 when I guested alongside with a priest and a paranormal team, who had a regular program at the same station.

While awaiting our taping, the so-called team leader, by the name of Rodel, came to me and started to size me up. Sensing he was up to something, I merely kept quiet and just nodded to whatever he was blabbing about.

Then with an arrogant look, he

gave me a once over and invited me to take his beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s course on psychism. I merely smiled and yes, I did get the drift that he was insulting me.

And so the taping started and Boy A. fired away his questions.

The guest priest had his eyes and ears glued on me because my mentor was the very teacher he had very high respects for and revered by experts in the field of psychology.

And what about Rodel? Well, I guess he listened to the interview and I gave my background.

Though subtle, the message cut through loud and clear, it was Rodel who was the neophyte and not me.

Just because I seemed to be very simple and unassuming, it did not necessarily mean I knew very little. Just because I was not reacting to his insinuations and bullying that he can pass judgment on me. I came before Rodelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time and was trained by the most coveted mentor in the paranormal field. And that was a FACT. Rodelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TV program lasted about three years on the network from 2004 and when their program ended in 2006, I was invited to guest in the AM radio arm of ABS-CBN, which is DzMM. In July 2007, I was taken in as an anchor even without a program in mind yet. And it was on September 16, 2017 that Pinoy Vibes was born. Tables have turned. And that was 12 years ago.

I have been subjected to a lot of misjudgment in the past be-

cause of the label â&#x20AC;&#x153;psychic.â&#x20AC;? That is the reason why I take pains in explaining what my background really is, who my mentor was, and what I really do. When you speak of a gifted person or a psychic, an ordinary Filipino immediately says â&#x20AC;&#x153;manghuhulaâ&#x20AC;? or fortune teller. Again misjudgment. But I will never tire explaining what the difference is though.

In 2017, I needed to tackle a topic on neurolinguistic programming (NLP). So my researcher got an NLP psychologist/practitioner who had already guested in one or two DZMM programs in the past. The interview went well and I highlighted the psychologistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability and professional training as well. I encouraged people to try and seek his guidance so they get professional and abled experts in times of need. Nothing of psychism nor the paranormal was discussed. Simply psychology. I had only good words for the said psychologist.

That Sunday afternoon, after the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s live airing, an avid viewer turned friend, sent me a chat message saying that I must look at the Facebook wall of the said psychologist. She said that my persona had been â&#x20AC;&#x153;attacked.â&#x20AC;?

Little did I know that this psychologist had done something prior to the program that was carried out with utmost malice and bad intention.

So I searched for the alleged post. A picture of me with a shawl draped over my head like a veil was screengrabbed. I remember that picture taken in Baguio on PAGE B4

Boy aBunda Philstar.com

MOST people, if not all, still remember that Paolo Ballesteros made headlines for his makeup transformations on Instagram. Through his artful makeup skills, Paolo was able to look like Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts and many other bigname stars. He all the more became popular with his portrayal of Trisha in Die Beautiful that earned for him a Best Supporting Actor Award at the Gawad Urian and Tokyo International Film Festival.

With his many â&#x20AC;&#x153;different faces,â&#x20AC;? perhaps, only those close to him know about Paoloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true persona. Apparently, the actor shared quite a mouthful of truths about himself without any hesitations for the first time on the hot seat of Tonight with Boy Abunda.

He initially shared that his interest in makeup transformations began when a friend sent him a message asking him to check makeup transformation videos on YouTube. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Una kasi nag-draw-drawing drawing lang ako, but after watching that video of an Asian girl doing a makeup transformation, I said I can also do it so my first try was to get the look of Angelina Jolie but then it resulted to my looking more like Eula Valdez (laughs), naging kamukha ko bigla si Tita Eula,â&#x20AC;? began Paolo who also revealed that it took him three weeks to copy BeyoncĂŠâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face perfectly.

Paolo Ballesteros Photo from Instagram/@pochoy_29

Without makeup and away from the cameras, Paolo is back to his normal self. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ako, I keep to myself. Sa bahay lang, tahimik. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pagkatapos ng work, bahay.â&#x20AC;?

He was game to tell what he meant when he said before the press, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am a ladyâ&#x20AC;? during a media gathering for Panti Sisters that he topbills with Martin del Rosario and Christian Bables. Paolo was forced to answer the question referring to his sexuality to finally silence his haters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because I am a lady, hahaha,â&#x20AC;? he blurted out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I mean, I am already 36 years old (and) I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care about mga gendergender kasi kahit anong sabihin ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pag sinabi kong hindi, may mag-re-react. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pag sinabi kong oo, sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yempre sasabihin naman hindi naman na isyu â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan (kasi)

Arci opens up about open relationships

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

But she clarified that there was no third party involved and the decision was mutual. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, no, nothing like that po. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shallow. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just really... Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the right time,â&#x20AC;? the actress shared.

Arci was a guest in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tonight With Boy Abundaâ&#x20AC;? to promote her upcoming movie with JC Santos, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Open,â&#x20AC;? a Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino entry about a couple who entered an open relationship.

During the press conference of the movie, Arci said she has no plans of trying an open relationship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gusto ko long-term.

Committed talaga â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ko, so wala akong balak.

Para po kasi sa akin itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cheating with consent,â&#x20AC;?

Arci MuĂąoz she stressed.

ACTRESS Arci MuĂąoz cried during a recent interview with TV host Boy Abunda, admitting that she and non-showbiz boyfriend Anthony Ng called it quits.

During Abundaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late night show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tonight With Boy Abunda,â&#x20AC;? the host asked Arci if the rumors of the breakup were true, and she answered that she needed a sad background music to answer the question.

While singing I Belong To The tagal na, di ba? So, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather Zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sana,â&#x20AC;? she broke down not answer that.â&#x20AC;?

He added that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been open and covered her face with her about his life saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;kung hands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always keep this private life anuman â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung ginagawa ko di private. I want to keep it that way. ko naman tinatago.â&#x20AC;?

Even his daughter under- Thank you po,â&#x20AC;? Arci said.

Before her guesting in the stands him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walang tanungtanong; gets na nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ya. Keira is show, the actress-rock star ad10 years old and we share the mitted that she and Anthony same birthday, Nov. 29. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decided to split. She said this studying in Baguio with her during the recent press confermom. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very smart at gusto ence of her upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pamilya Ko.â&#x20AC;? din nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yang mag-artista.â&#x20AC;?

Photo from Instagram/@ramonathornes On questions regarding his love life, Paolo admitted to falling in love so easily that he already lost count of the people he fell in love with in the past and he is often left heartbroken â&#x20AC;&#x153;because I easily get jealous.

Seloso ako, loyal kasi ako when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in a relationship.â&#x20AC;?

Thus, he reminded that we should never expect too much from our partners for it will only cause pain in the end, although he denied having fallen in love with a fellow actor in the past.

By Grace O Paolo said that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a good state of mind, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy and Despite the fact that it was imported from far away In a quarter cup of maple syrup, there are: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m good.â&#x20AC;?

Vermont and Canada, maple syrup was one of those Â&#x2021; FDORULHV YV IRU WKH VDPH DPRXQW RI KLJK In Panti Sisters, Paolo plays things we always had on hand in the Philippines IUXFWRVH FRUQ V\UXS DQG IRU KRQH\ one of the three gay brothers when I was growing up. My mother would give it whose father asks them that to us with pancakes and use it as a glaze for her Â&#x2021; RI WKH GDLO\ YDOXH '9 IRU PDQJDQHVH whoever is able to give him a which helps the formation of connective tissue, famous fruitcake. grandchild will receive millions bones, blood clotting and brain function Maple syrup is the concentrated sap from sugar of pesos. The movie is one of maple trees that grow only in New England and Â&#x2021; '9 IRU ULERĂ DYLQ D % YLWDPLQ WKDW KHOSV the entries to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pista Eastern Canada. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collected, usually starting in convert food into fuel ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP).

March, when the nights are still near freezing but Â&#x2021; RI '9 IRU ]LQF ZKLFK KHOSV ERRVW WKH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tinatanong pa ba â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yon?â&#x20AC;? the days are starting to warm. The sugar in maple immune system. he quipped when asked who V\UXS LV FRQVLGHUHG XQUHĂ&#x20AC; QHG DQG FRQWDLQV VPDOO among his co-stars is the most EXW VLJQLĂ&#x20AC; FDQW QXWULHQWV WKDW FRQWULEXWH WR JRRG Maple syrup also has an Oxygen Radical beautiful in real life and rehealth. After all, the sap of a maple tree contains $EVRUEDQFH &DSDFLW\ 25$& SHU JP RI vealed that Martin is the kindminerals and antioxidants that nourish the tree ZKLFK PDNHV LW KLJKHU LQ DQWLR[LGDQWV WKDQ est. and keep it healthy, and so it does for us. Just like QXWULWLRQDO VXSHUVWDUV FDEEDJH WRPDWRHV WKHUH DUH UHĂ&#x20AC; QHG DQG XQUHĂ&#x20AC; QHG JUDLQ EDVHG LWHPV DQG FDQWDORXSH DQG MXVW XQGHU FDUURWV PDSOH V\UXS LV DQ XQUHĂ&#x20AC; QHG IRUP RI VXJDU MXVW OLNH

honey. In fact, maple syrup has a glycemic index of As for using maple syrup, think beyond pancakes 54 and is considered a low glycemic food, which and French toast. Put maple syrup in oatmeal, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mahaba pa po ang magiging PHDQV LW DIIHFWV EORRG VXJDU OHVV WKDQ ZKLWH UHĂ&#x20AC; QHG sweeten coffee and tea or try one of these delicious proseso pero kami po nina Kath sugar (GI 58) and honey (GI 87), according to the recipes from the Coombs Family Farms. and Direk Cathy, we all agreed International Maple Syrup Institute. na kung magkakaroon man ng Part 2, dapat kung sino yung mga nakasama sa Part 1 sila pa rin ang makikita sa Part 2.â&#x20AC;?

Ingredients

Paolo: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not hiding anythingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by

â&#x20AC;&#x153;ABANDONEDâ&#x20AC;? PETITION SUCCESSFULLY REOPENED 10 YEARS LATER BY ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL. Elsinore (left) was petitioned by his father back in 2001. However, when his younger sister, Elvie (center), checked the petition status online in 2005, she found out it was denied due to â&#x20AC;&#x153;abandonment.â&#x20AC;? USCIS had sent a notice to petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old residence requesting additional documents, but the petitioner never received the notice because he had moved, and therefore did not respond. Their first lawyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motion to reopen was denied for being untimely, so their mother, an avid viewer of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Citizen Pinoy,â&#x20AC;? suggested they retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on an encore episode of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Citizen Pinoyâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Tapping Into the Marvels of Maple Syrup

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hello, Love, Goodbyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; officially...

PAGE B2 held by â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hows of Us,â&#x20AC;? Star Cinemaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 blockbuster film which also starred Bernardo opposite real life beau Daniel Padilla, and likewise directed by Garcia-Molina.

Already, fans of the movie are asking if there will soon be a second part to the movie given the open ended conclusion of HLB. Richards, at a media conference in GMA Network on Tuesday, admitted this may take some time.

Maple Meatball Hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvre

Sharon defends nanniesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; use...

PAGE B2 a restaurant. Two of Cunetaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees wore their uniforms while they dined out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang panget lang sa public na kasuot ng uniform ang mga yaya dapat walang uniform ang mga yaya (It is not nice that the nannies are wearing uniforms in public. Nannies should not have uniforms),â&#x20AC;? the netizen said.

Cuneta replied to the remark, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so sorry you think that way. I guess if I have to explain it to you pa, that means you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand.â&#x20AC;?

She explained that when the nannies travel with Cuneta and her family abroad, such as the United States and Europe, the actress does not require them to wear uniforms.

Cuneta stressed that their domestic workers are treated like members of the family, and even receive perks like â&#x20AC;&#x153;some of the best seats at Broadway shows in New York.â&#x20AC;? She also brings her

driver of over 30 years, Nelson, whom she fondly calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dodongâ&#x20AC;?, in her travels abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not a bad exchange for giving me and my family some decent representation in the Philippines, I think,â&#x20AC;? Cuneta said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe those who find it not nice that [our] yayas wear uniforms in public should meet them somehow and ask them how they are treated by me!â&#x20AC;? she said in a separate comment.

Cuneta also agreed with the points made of one Instagram user, a certain @cxcgurl. The netizen claimed that nannies would feel â&#x20AC;&#x153;depressedâ&#x20AC;? when wearing a T-shirt while their boss wears brands such as Gucci. According to the Instagram user, the nanny â&#x20AC;&#x153;will take pride of her professional appearance in the uniform.â&#x20AC;? The actress thanked the netizen for â&#x20AC;&#x153;understanding and being broadminded.â&#x20AC;?

Another Instagram user, one @hardiv65, defended the use of

uniforms as well. She pointed out that wearing them helps the nannies save money since they would not need to spend on clothes to wear for work. Cuneta echoed the statement, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, correct!â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, one @roseydoseyus aired her opinion on Cuneta using the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;yaya.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think yaya is a nice word for it. Guardian sounds better [donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t] you think?â&#x20AC;? she said.

Cuneta then explained that â&#x20AC;&#x153;yayaâ&#x20AC;? is an affectionate term for her and her family. She revealed that they call their â&#x20AC;&#x153;all-aroundâ&#x20AC;? helpers â&#x20AC;&#x153;yaya,â&#x20AC;? even their cooks and laundrywoman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mahirap naman to call my yaya â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Guardian Hanzel!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hahaha!â&#x20AC;? the actress joked.

Cuneta was previously in New York City with some of her helpers who assisted in her daughter Frankie Pangilinanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move into her college dormitory in the city.

2 lbs. lean ground beef 1 medium onion chopped 2 eggs 1 tsp. salt Bread crumbs 1 1/2 cups chili sauce 1/2 cup Coombs Family Farms organic maple syrup

Instructions Combine beef, onion, eggs, salt in a bowl. Mix well and add enough bread crumbs to bind mixture. Shape in small balls.

Brown in skillet. Pour rest of ingredients over meat, gently mix together and simmer for 25 minutes. Serve with wooden picks.

Note: l @Ÿ Y g

by adding 1 Tbs. of parsley and 1 Tbs. of garlic.

ABOUT GRACE O

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best in the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

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Part II: One mistake erases... Who takes care of the caregivers?

PAGE B3 a very rainy afternoon at an old famous restaurant, as evidenced by a candle with flowers on the table. The psychologist posted that he will be guesting on my program and was calling for a prayer brigade from their group’s prayer warriors. It was done with such malice that people posted comments that they will be doing round the clock prayers for deliverance and protection. It was supposed to be subtle but came

out an obvious judgmental act, all because of religious beliefs.

I felt like a medieval witch tied to the wooden stakes and burned down. I was depicted as evil just because I was “psychic.” Obviously, they all come from a specific group of Christians and this made me wonder if they followed the true teachings of Christ.

I called my researcher and informed him about the FB post.

Immediately he called the psychologist and told him off. In a

few minutes, the psychologist called me up and asked what can he do to offset the situation.

I simply said, “Do what you think is right and fair”. He hid his FB post but never issued an apology.

From then on, we never guested that psychologist ever. A real psychologist must not incorporate his religious beliefs to judge and malign people. A clear example of unprofessionalism. I can only forgive but never forget.

Where is all of this coming from? All these antagonizing attitudes, bullying, ostracizing and belittling seem to be “ordinary” nowadays. People may express how they feel but when it crosses the lines of professionalism and tact, it becomes an attack.

Is there so much competition in this world that we have to “destroy” others in order to climb up the ladder of fame and fortune?

Are we one of those who listen to rumors and believe them to be true even if we have not personally witnessed them? Are we quick to agree to popular opinion and regard it as truth even if there are inconsistencies in the stories?

Are we one of those who believed in the boy who cried wolf? Do we bash people on social media, crush their dignities with so much hate even if the person has not done anything wrong to us? Why do we discriminate or pass judgment on people with different religious affiliation and views? Are we that close-minded though we profess to be educated and trained?

It happens. It does happen every day.

But again, we have to try to understand why people are acting like they are infallible with a very false sense of righteousness.

Where does this all come from?

It’s simple: from a LACK OF LOVE.

MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

IN private homes, we learn yet of another world — of quiet angels with gentle hearts, who, back home, used to be teachers, bank tellers, office workers, civil engineers, registered nurses, and or certified nurse aids; who handle with special acrobatic grace and cold arrogance, the fine dignity of their “clients” last moments.

They try to help their clients not to be tormented with meaningless chemical assaults in their last days when they could no longer be at a hospice. Not medical invasion of that life’s integrity, not one indignity imposed through carelessness or indifference — just the precise moment to let go, for that last plunge; to let them fall easy and gentle. That is the human art, the caregiver at its best.

A caregiver, in general terms, is one who is responsible for the care of someone who has poor mental health, physically disabled or whose health is impaired by chronic sickness or old age. He or she could be an unpaid or paid relative or friend of the individual that helps in their activities of daily living.

In the so-called Sandwich Generation, there’s this genre of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their children.

But because of the declining standards of living and economy, many caregivers are immigrant workers who toil *** long unregulated hours, and Stargazer is a life coach, aura reader, are underpaid. They left their psychic/clairvoyant, and lecturer on the families that required care paranormal. She uses the aura, energies themselves, which puts further & vibrations as focal points of her psychic stress and pressure, throw in readings. Using several techniques involving the utter non-support from sothe psychological, spiritual, paranormal and cial work and health services, her own experience of the intricacies of life, and the fact that they remain Stargazer makes one get in touch with his inner and understand life in a positive manner.

Faith in God and belief in self is what Stargazer emphasizes on. Currently, Stargazer is a radio anchor of DZMM Teleradyo, the radio arm of ABS-CBN. Her show “Pinoy Vibes” has been airing every Sunday morning since Sept.

2007. She can be reached at stargazerphils@ gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://stargazer.ph/.

Adela Ferguson, my friend and companion, who looks after me in every way

hidden or invincible as undocumented aliens.

They play many roles, while caregiving hands on — health provider, care manager, friends, companion, surrogate decision makers and advocates.

They manage medication and personal hygiene, take them to their doctors, takes care of household chores, meals or bills; for those who cannot do these things.

The running flaps and presumed conclusions over board and care and related healthoriented facilities makes the choice of putting one’s trust in someone to care for a loved one, that has reached across roads one of life’s most difficult decisions.

While most who work in the field are caring and well trained, still there is no denying the essential truth of such places.

You can choose your board and/or care facility, conva-

lescent hospital by collecting referrals, talking with social workers and learning the ins and outs about caregivers and consumers.

Let me tell you about a factual nugget. About 90 percent of board and care facilities are owned by Filipinos. There was a time when small-scale care homes (like 6 beds), it barely breaks even. The negatives are disheartening: but indomitable, like a magnificent obsession. These owners’ resiliency in the field of health services has won respect and admiration even from their American counterparts. They no longer wonder why those who started as caregivers, given a couple of years end up administrators, managers, owners or all of those rolled into one!

But who takes care of the caregivers? *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com.

Best fall haircuts for men and women

BY MONET

LU

THE start of a new season means different things to different people. But as a hair expert, it primarily means one thing for me: new season equals new haircut.

As you embrace the arrival of fall, it’s the best time to hit up the salon and get your fallseason haircut. But before you do, check out these chicest hairstyles and cut. Based on my opinion, these are the six best “hair-looks” that are suitable for both men and women this season. Let me start with the ladies.

The bob cut Seventy percent of my customers would request this type of cut for either of the following reasons: a new phase in their life (a relationship statuschange or a new job), wants a new look to reinvent their selves, or just because someone they know— and like— is sporting it. Your reasons may or may not fall under any of the aforementioned categories, but you are definitely in the best season to get a bob cut.

There is one thing you need to remember if you’re interested in trying a bob like Keira Knightley’s, Ginnifer Goodwin’s or Rachel McAdams’s.

You have to be prepared for the attention—or the shock (if you had long hair)—that this haircut draws. Know that this cut makes a serious statement.

Don’t dare if you can’t take the heat. Also, you have to manage your hair’s density with this look, or else the bob will look like a mushroom.

Grown-out lob According to Marie Claire’s “20 Chicest Lobs of the Year,” ‘The Lob was this year’s tour de force cut.’ But while it is lovely, it is also way too much work to blow out the strands as regularly as the LA traffic permits. Don’t worry, I have good news! You can still grow you Lob and look like you step out of the salon every time.

Just ask your stylist to texturize your mane for body and movement. You can also add some beachy waves to this cut.

That is what’s great about a grown-out lob, you can style it in a variety of ways and it still looks chic.

One renowned stylist’s reminder: “Use a combination of oil and hold products to blow dry,” he suggested, “and style

with a flat iron to add bend.”

Choppy and messy Since we are on the subject of adding playful waves and body to your hair, let’s push it further with some carefully sliced strands. It’s razor-meetsgorgeous! You may check out Kim Kardashian for inspiration for this style.

If you think this should be your look for autumn, enhance the “messy” effect by using a curling wand on your waves.

Use plenty of texturing sprays to out some volume at the roots.

The mixie Mixie is portmanteau for mid-length pixie. This haircut is best suited for fine to normal strands that are straight. I suggest this cut for those who aren’t ready for a super short style, but want something short yet feminine.

For the men: After the goddesses, we move on to the gods of killer haircut. And what easier way to describe the famous cuts is to name the celebrities who are sporting such looks. Allow me to borrow and coin the styles with their names.

The “Ryan Gosling” cut Google it if you don’t agree with me, but I must say this style is suited for any face or hair type. Ask your stylist for something high and tight on the side. Make the top about an inch longer and polish the look by combing it with a matte

pomade. I must warn you: this is a head-turner look. Proceed with caution.

The “Chris Pine” cut If you’ve seen “Starship Enterprise,” you pretty much have an idea of your new look sans the highlights. Rock the “Chris Pine” cut by going shorter and with much tight on the sides.

And please make sure you go easy on the pomade or you just might become the next most eligible bachelor.

For curly hair I also have a recommended cut for those who have curly hair. This is also for those who want a more modest, subtle and less-attention-grabbing look.

If you’ve got curly hair and a more angular face, go with a round cut. You’re going to have to ask your stylist to cut about a half an inch longer on top than on the sides for best results.

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. These fall haircuts are sure to make you look trendy this season. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces soldout fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 7-10, 2019

B

Children’s book author and self-proclaimed prophet Carmelita Suarez wants to help you

THERE in the Abrahamic religions exists story upon story about prophets, conduits to God who were chosen by the Big Man himself. The stories we learned about Abraham and Moses have taught us that there are gifted people chosen by the Lord to deliver his Word and to relay his wishes for humankind.

Carmelita Suarez --- a nurse by trade since 1970 --- describes herself as a contemporary conduit of God. Over the last two decades, she has helped hundreds of people who were in dire situations and sought help from a higher power. No matter the personal strife you may be facing --- financial, medical, marital or general dissatisfaction with life --- Suarez, through God, has exorcised hundreds of people of their miseries and guided their way out of darkness.

“I’m the only one. All these ministers, priests and pastors know him very well from the Bible and from the papers. But me, I know him through what he’s done for hundreds and hundreds of people. How he approaches people and how he commands, I’m the only one who could do that,” Suarez told the Asian Journal in an interview.

As a unique communicator with God, Suarez recounted to the Asian Journal the numerous “miracles” she’s been able to achieve for people in need. She’s helped people with physical ailments like glaucoma and cancer recover through her work. She’s helped exorcised demons from people, including a teenage boy who had been possessed by evil spirits and stabbed his friend and himself. (Miraculously, that teenage boy avoided a life sentence and Suarez says it’s because the boy was guided by the hand of God through Carmelita.)

And through her work and advocacy, she’s also become a storyteller. In 2004, she released her first book, The Creator, which is about a disabled orphan boy named Max who develops an intimate relationship with God. Where he was neglected by others, he found solace in the Lord, and through that relationship, he was cured from his disability.

“Every home in the world should have this book, no matter if you’re Christian, Muslim, Jewish, it’s a very important story,” Suarez said, adding that the book was partially inspired by her grandfather, and the book was written by her but was guided by the hand of God. “God is the foundation,” Suarez said. Through God, she has been able to heal and correct the wrongs of hundreds of people from glaucoma sufferers to those with pending jail sentences.

Though she doesn’t describe herself as a psychic, Suarez has also correctly predicted various world events that she says she learned through her unique conversations with God. This interview has been condensed and edited.

Asian Journal (AJ): So tell me about yourself: where were you born and what was your family like?

Carmelita Suarez (CS): I was born in Makati, Philippines. My grandfather came to Makati when there were no people yet and it was an empty place. Up to now, we own a street there. We weren’t elite or very very wealthy, but we were upper middle-class because my grandfather had the biggest house in Makati and it was so big that the government rented our property for a school. Our grandfather was a U.S. Army private in World War I and that’s why we had a good childhood. He was an orphan because his parents

died, and his parents were part of a rich family in Ilo-Ilo, and so when they died, he was left with his aunt. But eventually he and his brother ran away to Makati as orphans when they were about 10 years old, and that was half the inspiration for my book, “The Creator.” My grandpa’s story is really an interesting story and he was important me and my siblings growing up.

AJ: How did God choose you to be his channel for the world?

CS: People are curious about why I was chosen. In 1991, I started writing to God, asking him about life, and then he started to answering back. How do you talk to God? You pray. Does he answer back with words? How did God talk to Moses? Moses was talking to God but he has to walk miles to the mountain in Sinai. If I told you that God wanted to talk to me but we had to walk up this mountain, are you going to say yes? No, probably not. God wouldn’t us in that situation. But the proof is in what he’s done for people. He’s picky, he’s very picky and I’m the only one. All these ministers, priests and pastors, they know him very well from the Bible and from the papers. But me? No, I know him very well. What he’s done for hundreds of people: how he approaches people, how he commands, how he talks. I’m the only one. A lot of us are being able to communicate with God in many ways. In the 1990s, I don’t

know anything that comes to my head but I talk to God and I’ll get the answer. That’s how it started.

Then in 2010 one friend in Beverly Hills who was a caregiver of this one Filipino. I said, “You know, I’m not a psychic.” But they sit in front of me and I start talking to them [about] what they’ve been doing, what has been in their mind. And it’s not Carmelita talking anymore. It’s God. AJ: Tell me a little bit about how you’ve predicted these world events from [boxer Manny] Pacquiao’s knockout by [Juan Manuel] Marquez in 2012 to Donald Trump winning the presidency in 2016.

CS: First and foremost, I am not a psychic. God tells me these things, and he tells me that God isn’t happy. That is not the work of a psychic. At the end of June, he told me that the earth will start shaking because of what we

are doing to the world. And what happened? Earthquakes all over [the Pacific Rim]. And he told me of a bigger one coming in the future, because we have made him unhappy. And you know when Donald Trump was one of the Republicans running for president?

I didn’t know about him, but God knew, so I asked him, “God who will be the president?” And God said, “Donald Trump! I choose him on the throne!” And God said that “if there are any people who say bad [things] about Donald Trump, you’re saying bad things about me.” [Trump] is the only one who can do this. And I ended up getting a thank you card from the White House because I sent a tape to the White House saying good things about Donald Trump and [how] God chose him to be on the throne.

AJ: Tell me about “The Creator” and how you got to writing

children’s books?

CS: I like to attract people to who I am because of course being a nurse is a big profession. But out of that, I never knew I was an author but then I realized I had all these stories that I needed to tell. So in 2004, I was able to write “The Creator” and since then I have three other books, but you won’t believe how many stories I have that I’m going to write. And the Creator is God, right? So it’s about God and our relationships with God. It has similarities with my grandpa because [it takes place in] an orphanage, but it will relate to all people around the world. It’s only about you and God. That’s it.

To obtain a copy of The Creator, you can send a direct message to Suarez’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carmelitabooks.

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COMMUNITY Journal

Philippines Cultural Day at USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas

ON Sunday, September 8, the USC Pacific Asia Museum will have a full day of activities celebrating the cultures of the Philippines. Enjoy performances, art-making activities, a chef conversation, and story time for kids.

Free admission all day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This event will present a collaboration of performing artists from Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, and Rocksteady Rondalla. Other partners include Bone Kettle Restaurant, Barnsdall Arts, and the Philippine Expressions Bookshop.

Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts (Malaya) is a Los Angeles-based company of artists who interpret Philippine culture to educate the American public through dance and music performances. In Tagalog, malaya means “to be free” and the root word alay means “to offer or pay

THERE is a famous story taken from the writings of the Desert Fathers, which reads this way: “Abbot Lot went to see Abbot Joseph and said: ‘Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and according as am able I strive to cleanse my heart of bad thoughts: now what more should I do?’ The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like lamps of fire. He said: “Why not become all flame?”

This amusing story drives the point that if we want to be true Christians, we’ve got to give it all, become “all flame.” In other words, we can’t be half-hearted and mediocre in the way we practice our faith. We’ve got to give our best in living a just and moral life; growing in prayer and trust in God; fulfilling our respective vocations responsibly, be it a parent, a worker or a leader.

The Gospel this Sunday, Luke 14:25-33, gives the same mestribute to.” Malaya represents the has home bases in San Diego and sage. As great crowds were freedom to choose our identity as Los Angeles, California. traveling with Jesus, he turned Filipino Americans embracing our Rocksteady Rondalla first beancestral and present culture. Led gan in 2006 at Cal State University

by Anna Lisa De Guzman, Execu- Long Beach as the PAC Cultural Tax & tive Director, and Peter Paul De Music Ensemble for the Pilipino Guzman, Artistic Director, Mala- American Coalition’s annual Pili- Stock Tips ya is dedicated to the enrichment pino Culture Night. Influenced and artistic practice of traditional and inspired by local and world folk dance in a new and inspiring renowned Rondalla Club of Los way for future generations.

Angeles, Rocksteady Rondalla victoR sy, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensem- provides Pilipino music accompa- cPa, MBa ble (PKE) performs traditional niment for cultural performances Philippine gong and drum music at numerous colleges and high Lesson No. 1: Be Frugal from Muslim Mindanao and the schools, including the University Warren Buffett is a multi-bilSulu Archipelago. Members of the of Southern California, California lionaire; yet, he lives simply. He ensemble include ethnomusicolo- State University, Fullerton, Cal still lives in the same modest gists and dance ethnologists who Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis house in Omaha, Nebraska that have conducted intense study Obispo, University of California, he bought 50 years ago. He drives with native practitioners directly Santa Barbara, Whitney High his own car. His simple life affords from the southern Philippines. School, Cerritos, and Troy High him more to invest. He demands Pakaraguian’s mission is to pro- School, Fullerton. The band also this same quality from managers. mote the cultural arts of the Mus- performs at parties and for com- Buffett is wary of corporate waste. lim societies from the southern munity events.

Excessive executive pay or silly Philippines with artistry, integrity, The USC Pacific Asia Museum perks are red flags. Frugal people and respect. Led Musical Director is located at 46 N Los Robles Ave don’t need fast returns to support Dr. Bernard Ellorin, the ensemble Pasadena, CA 91101. n extravagant lifestyles. This leaves

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Becoming ‘all flame’!

and addressed them: “If anyone comes to me without hating father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

Now, these words are strong, but they don’t mean literally what they say. Using a Semitic language which is exaggerated in style, Jesus wants to challenge us to see if we are fully committed to following him to the bitter end.

New Testament professor, Timothy Johnson, explains, “The terms denote attitudes and modes of action, not emotion.

The point is not how one feels towards parents and family, but one’s effective attitude when it comes to a choice for the kingdom.” It reminds me of another Gospel passage (Matthew 5:37), which demands total loyalty to the kingdom: “Let your yes mean yes, and your no means no.”

The test of true discipleship is following Jesus on the cross. Are we with him even it times of sufferings and crosses. It’s good to hear our favorite priest deliver beautiful homilies, be amazed by his eloquence and charismatic personality, but do we practice what he preaches? Can we carry our crosses, forgive our neighbor, give more to our church, and trust Jesus fully in times of sickness and pain?

The Gospel then calls for radical discipleship, a full commitment, and availability to following and defending the ways and values of Jesus Christ and his kingdom to the bitter end. It calls for sacrifice, firmness of faith, and reliance on God’s providence, especially in these times when many people question our values and beliefs.

It demands that we examine our relationships. Are they becoming the central figures of lives rather than God? Are our relationships with our parents, children, and friends becoming an obstacle to our faith? Specifically, are our obsession, jealousy, and possessiveness with them prevent us from loving and honoring God and his commandments?

Being a radical disciple of Jesus Christ does not mean that we lose our sense of joy and give up our fun times with our family and friends. In fact, the mark of Christian discipleship is a joyous spirit because the believer has found the “pearl of great price,” and he is ready to give up everything to possess this treasure.

May we become ‘all flame” for Jesus and the values he stands for. Amen! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Investing tips from Warren Buffett them free to think more clearly about when to buy and sell stocks, making them much better investors.

Lesson No. 2: Be Patient Resist the itch to constantly buy or sell stocks. Have the patience to wait a long time until some market turbulence brings great companies trading at really cheap valuations.

Lesson No. 3: Be A Contrarian Go against the crowd. Be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy when others are fearful.

Personally, I remember my first taste of success when stocks of ImClone sold off from the insider scandal. I checked fundamentals and found them to be sound. I bought as prices plummeted and

sold with enough profits to buy a car for my son. Nice. I replicated this strategy and made more money to help buy cars for my other children.

Lesson No. 4: Buy companies that you are familiar with If you don’t understand a company’s product or how it makes money, avoid it. Think Bitcoin.

Lesson No. 5: Consider disliked value stocks Buy disliked value stocks that are so beaten down they’re often virtually ignored by other investors.

Lesson No. 6: Buy Undervalued Stocks Choose companies with good return on equity, solid operating

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C SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

Selective service registration for naturalization ANG isang lawful permanent resident (LPR) o green card holder na nasa pagitan ng 18 hanggang 26 taon gulang ay kailangan magrehistro para sa Selective Service at magpakita ng ebidensiya ng pagrehistro para sa kanyang N-400 Application for Naturalization. Ayon sa USCIS Policy Manual, ang isang aplikante para sa naturalization ay kailangang magpakita na siya ay sumusunod ay nagpapatuloy na sumusunod sa mga prinspyo at adhikain ng US Constitution at nagnanais ng magandang kaayusan at kaligayahan ng US sa loob ng panahong nauukol ayon sa batas o sa statutorily prescribed period. Ang isang aplikante para sa naturalization na tumanggi sa pagrehistro, o kaya ay may buong kaalaman at pagsadyang hindi nagrehistro para sa Selective Service ay nagpapakita na wala sa kanyang disposisyon ang magandang kaayusan at kaligayahan ng US, hindi siya naniniwala sa mga adhikain ng US Constitution, at ayaw niyang magdala ng sandata para sa US. Ang hindi pagrehistro para sa Selective Service ay may epekto rin sa determinisyon ng good moral character ng LPR. Ang pagrehistro sa Selective Service ay kailangang gawin ng LPR sa loob ng 30 araw pagkalipas ng kanyang ika-18 na kaarawan hanggang sa kanyang ika26 na kaarawan. Ang aplikante ay maaaring magrehistro para sa Selective Service ng personal sa kanyang lokal na post office, maaari rin ito sa pamamagitan ng pagmail ng Selective Service registration card, o kaya ay online sa website ng Selective Service System. Ang naturalization application ay hindi aaprubahan ng USCIS kung ang aplikante ay tumanggi sa pagrehistro, o may buong kaalaman at pagsasadya na hindi magrehistro para sa Selective Service sa loob ng statutory period. Ang USCIS officer ay maaaring humingi sa aplikante ng magbigay ito na status information letter at registration acknowledgment card bago magbigay ng desisyon na ang LPR ay hindi nga nagrehistro. Ang status information letter ay magsasaad kung kinakailangang magrehistro ng aplikante at kung ang pagrehistro ay nagawa niya. Kung ang aplikante ay wala pang 26 taon gulang, siya ay ineligible para sa naturalization. Kung ang aplikante ay nasa pagitan ng 18 hanggang

Tapat Sa Batas Atty. RheA SAmSon 26 taon gulang, maaaring siya ay ineligible para sa naturalization. Bibigyan ng USCIS ng oportunidad ang aplikante para ipakita na (1) hindi niya alam na siya ay kailangang magrehistro, (2) hindi niya sinasadyang hindi magrehistro, o (3) hindi niya kailangang magrehistro para sa Selective Service.

Ang aplikante para sa naturalization na higit na sa 31 taon gulang ay eligible na para sa naturalization kahit hindi sila nakapagrehistro para sa Selective Service. Ito ay dahil ang hindi pagrehistro ay nasa labas na ng statutory period kung saan kailangan niyang magpakita na siya ay may good moral character at naghahangad ng magandang kaayusan at kaligayahan ng US. Maliban dito, ang aplikante na higit sa 31 taon gulang ay hindi kailangang magpakita o kumuha ng status information letter mula sa Selective Service para sa kanyang naturalization application. *** A lawful permanent resident (LPR) between the age of 18 to 26 years old is required to register for Selective Service and provide proof for purposes of filing his N-400 Application for Naturalization. According to USCIS Policy Manual, an applicant for naturalization must show that he has been and continues to be attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during the statutorily prescribed period.

An applicant who refused or knowingly and willfully failed to register for Selective Service negates his disposition to the good order and happiness of the United States, attachment to the principles of the Constitution, good moral character, and willingness to bear arms on behalf of the United States.

Registration with the Selective Service must be within 30 days of the 18th birthday but not after reaching 26 years of age. Applicants may register for Selective Service at their lo-

cal post office, return a Selective Service registration card received by mail, or online at the Selective Service System website. USCIS will deny a naturalization application when the applicant refuses to register with the Selective Service or has knowingly and willfully failed to register during the statutory period. The USCIS officer may request the applicant to submit a status information letter and registration acknowledgment card before concluding that the applicant failed to register. The status information letter will indicate whether a requirement to register existed. If the applicant is below 26 years of age and did not register with Selective Service, he is ineligible for naturalization. If the applicant is between 26 and 31 years old, he may be ineligible for naturalization. USCIS will allow the applicant an opportunity to show that he did not knowingly or willfully fail to register, or that he was not required to do so.

Applicants for naturalization who are over 31 years of age are eligible for naturalization even if they knowingly and willfully failed to register. This is because the applicant’s failure to register is outside the statutory period during which he must show that he is of good moral character and disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. Also, since an immigrant who is 31 years old or older is eligible for naturalization even if he knowingly and willfully failed to register, he should not be asked to obtain a status information letter from Selective Service. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty.

Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.

Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com.

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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth URSUA ReyeS IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” Family Code 760. This becomes a problem if you are the spouse that has the substantially higher income or the one who accumulates the majority of the assets during the marriage. You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.” The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse” gets a half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name alone or it was accumulated solely due to your sweat and hard work. The out spouse, who stayed at home most of the marriage, gets a one half interest on all the accumulations during the marriage under California community property law. For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash away 25% of your earnings during the marriage while your spouse blows away his/her salary during the marriage, your spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account. Another example would be if you purchase a piece of real property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for a half interest in your real property. Another example would be if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, the business grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in the business.

Signing a premarital agreement may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets 1) already owned by each and 2) to property and income to be acquired or earned during their marriage.

Marriage of Grinius (1985) 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807 Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other party.

Premarital agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for his or her heirs, free of the other party’s inheritance claims.

Pursuant to Family Code §1612(c ),“ Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwRence yAng LET’S give bankruptcy a historical and legal perspective.

Right now, when we say bankruptcy law, we refer to the federal law called the “Bankruptcy Code” of 2005.

Creditors did a lot of lobbying in Congress to fashion the 2005 bankruptcy Code to enhance their interests. Thus, the 2005 Bankruptcy Code incorporates the “means test,” which basically uses the deductions allowed by the IRS from gross income to set the threshold to filter out which debtor can qualify for Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code. Chapter 7 is the “fresh start” chapter of the bankruptcy code, which allows the debtor to “discharge” most, if not all of the accumulated debt, while allowing the debtor to keep most, if not all of his assets through a system of asset exemption.

For example, senior clients own a house with equity that is within the exemption, a retirement portfolio of $500,000, an older model MB-E 350 with a car loan of $15,000, a new Tesla Model X with a car loan of $50,000, and they owe $70,000 of credit card debts. They pay $2,000 a month to keep the $70,000 of credit cards current.

Since they now rely on social security income and income from their $500,000 of retirement savings, they are having a hard time setting aside $2,000 a month for credit cards.

Even if their combined social security income and portfolio income is $80,000 a year, allocating 30% of that income or $24,000 a year to keep their cards current is a pain. They would like to travel the world more often but the $24,000 a year for credit cards means they have to stay put in

Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married? respect to all of the following:(1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located. (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property.(3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.(4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.(5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.(6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.(7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty. However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code 1612(b).

Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable.

Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code. § 1615(c) (1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. (2) The party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. (3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations he or she was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the

party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that he or she received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information.(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs(1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant. In addition, the parties are required to provide each other with full disclosure of all material financial information.

A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement. Family Code § 1612(c). If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

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

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

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

What does a ‘fresh start’ after bankruptcy mean?

LA. So clients are not a good place to be in.

In this case, given these circumstances, Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code will allow clients to keep their house, their cars, their retirement portfolio (must be ERISA qualified 401K, IRA, DBP etc.) while “discharging” their $70,000 of credit cards.

In other words, bankruptcy law allows them to keep all their assets and all their income sources while the Federal court issues an order that “wipes out” the $70,000 of credit cards. Just imagine the amount of money clients are going to save if the $70,000 is discharged. In two years they save $50,000. In four years, they save $100,000.

Whereas, if they did not get rid of these cards, they will spend another $100,000 in four years, but still, owe the same $70,000!

The relief from debt for clients is tremendous. It’s the difference between night and day.

The bankruptcy “discharge” is the essence of the bankruptcy “fresh start.” The United States Supreme Court, in many bankruptcy cases, brought before it has stated that the bankruptcy “discharge” gives the honest debtor, a new opportunity in life and a clear field for future effort, unhampered by the pressure and discouragement of pre-existing debts.”

It is obvious that clients are suffering a lot of pressure and discouragement to fork out $24,000 of their income every year to service their $70,000 of credit cards. Thus, bankruptcy law and the U.S. Supreme Court want to give clients a new opportunity in life unhampered by the pressure and discouragement of pre-existing debts, even though they are now seniors.

And of course, a fresh start really has nothing to do with age,

my youngest client is only 22 and she needs a fresh start because of pre-existing debt that she cannot pay off since a friend of hers used her credit cards without her knowledge and consent.

Just think about it. Clients still have their house, their cars, their retirement portfolio of $500,000, and still have all their income, but they don’t have the $70,000 of credit card debts anymore.

It’s the same as having all cancer cells successfully removed from your body. Except that in Chapter 7, clients do not have to undergo chemotherapy. They get a fresh start in life with all of their assets, which they keep, and have zero credit card debts. Further, they will be able to rebuild their credit score very fast. They have nothing to lose except burdensome pre-existing debts. Just the other day, another senior client discharged $30,000 of credit cards, and he feels great! He actually had a total makeover. He had a triple bypass and after one month of recovering from that, he said, “let’s go ahead and file my Chapter 7 case because , with my triple bypass, I feel great, and now I want to feel great financially with a ‘fresh start’ without my $30,000 of credit card debts!”

What does the federal bankruptcy court “discharge” order mean? It means that creditors cannot collect, in any way, shape or form the discharged debts from the debtor. This is permanent.

Even if clients win the lottery of $100M next year, they don’t have to pay back the $70K as long as 6 months from discharge date has elapsed. Creditors lose the right to collect permanently. The debts as discharged permanently.

Debtors are given a new financial start in life.

How long is the wait to buy a house after bankruptcy? Normal-

u PAGE C3

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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Sex harassment creates a hostile work environment CHASTITY Jones, is a 42year-old single mother, who worked as a sales accountant Hologram USA and FilmOn.TV, companies owned by billionaire Alkiviades David. FilmOn. TV Networks is an online television service and Hologram USA operates a hologram theater in Hollywood that has produced holographic images of entertainers Billie Holiday, Jackie Wilson and Bernie Mac. Jones said that during her employment at David’s companies, David subjected her to a barrage of sexually harassing conduct. Jones said David forced her to watch a repulsive fetish video. David also hired a male stripper to come to the workplace during an executive’s birthday celebration. She said she found the stripper’s appearance offensive and considered it sexual harassment.

Jones said David gave her unwanted shoulder rubs while she worked. Jones also claimed sexual battery which included three incidents where David, while at the workplace, touched Jones’ private parts without her consent.

Jones said she was hired in January 2015 but was fired in November 2016 because she refused to have sex with David.

Jones sued David and his companies for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, sexual assault and battery, and retaliation.

Although the law is not designed to rid the workplace of vulgarity, specific conduct may cross the line from “vulgarity” into sexual harassment. Courts recognize two types of sexual harassment. The first type is

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. called quid pro quo harassment.

This harassment exists when submission to a sexual conduct is made a condition of employment benefits. When Jones was fired for refusing to submit to David’s sexual demands, it can be argued that sex with David was a condition of Jones’ continued employment at David’s companies.

The second type involves harassment created by a “hostile environment.” This claim may arise where unwelcome sexual conduct interferes with an employee’s job performance or creates a hostile working environment, even if it does not lead to economic job benefits. In Jones’ case, David’s unwelcome sexual comments and inappropriate touching of Jones despite her requests to stop created a hostile work environment for her (and others who witnessed this interaction), even if there was no threat of termination. The hiring of the stripper may also have crossed the line and created a hostile environment for those who found it offensive, as Jones did.

In either type of sexual harassment, the complainant must establish that the sexual conduct is unwelcome, or must create a work environment that would be intimidating, hostile, or offensive to reasonable people.

If the employee’s efforts to end

sexual harassment by reporting it to management resulted in suspension or termination, management’s conduct may be retaliation. Sexual harassment and retaliation cases are taken seriously by the courts and the juries.

In Jones’ case, the jury found David and his companies liable for sexual harassment and sexual battery. The jury agreed that she was wrongfully terminated after refusing David’s advances. The jury also deemed that workplace management knew or should have known about the harassment and hostile environment but failed to stop it. The jury awarded Jones $3.1 million in compensatory damages. The jury also found that the employers acted with malice, fraud or oppression, which entitled Jones to punitive damages. After hearing evidence regarding the malicious and oppressive nature of David’s conduct, the jury ordered David to pay $8 million in punitive damages for committing sexual battery. *** 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) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has 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 Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.]

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People and Events

Call for artists to celebrate excellence in visual arts ahead of November 16 Arts and Glamour Night Awardees featured in art exhibit, community heroes and trailblazers to be honored

ATTENDEES at the November 16 dinner-dance event at the Long Beach Marriott shall be treated to a feast for the eyes.

This unique concept is the vision of Emerald Lantern Group who want to showcase the worldclass caliber of Filipino American visual artists.

Wilson Deomampo is one of the Emerald Awardees, among the carefully selected Fine Artists, most of whom are professional world-class architects as well. Deomampo has worked on the famed Merlion Tower in Singapore. He mounted recently a successful full-scale exhibition titled “LIVE LOVE LIFE: Drawings of Architect Wilson B. Deomampo” held in Shanghai, China He is currently in the process of publishing his first book titled “Visual Diary” A celebration of Creative Spark in 30 years of Architecture, which is a compilation of his design drawings using different mediums of illustrations in chronological order from 1987– 2017 as well as travel sketches from around the world.

A call for Exhibiting Artists can be found on www.emeraldlanterngroup.com, where they are seeking more visual artists to join the Emerald Awardees in exhibiting their work.

Other awardees are Community Heroes, for extraordinary work that benefits the Filipino American community, such as Consul General Adel Cruz for his rescue work in Libya. Trailblazers shall be recognized for their pioneering efforts that benefit Filipinos, such as Eddie Ferrer, who has been multiplying his efforts to bring Filipino products to the global market.

The prime movers of this event are art enthusiasts and professionals Ron Tuanquin, Giovanni Javier, Rose Capobres, spearheaded by Emerald’ President, Rosemarie De Vera. Though De Vera’s claim to fame is as Mutya ng Pilipinas in 1980, in her college years, she had been winning awards and joining exhibits. Before she was a recording artist and actress in films with the likes of renowned action star Fernando Poe Jr., she had been winning art awards in college, some even for sculpting the Virgin Mary’s face on soap. She continues to draw and sketch today.

De Vera has been married to Giovanni Javier, with whom she not only shares a marketing business, with but the passion for art. Javier is also a professional painter, model mold maker and sculptor who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through a scholarship at the Arts Institute in Chicago. A winner of painting contests, Javier went on to doing commissions in Chicago restoring artwork in the Chicago

Ron Tanquin

Wison Deomampo

Rosemarie de Vera-Javier

Giovanni Javier

Ron Tuanquin artwork

Archdiocese, including an oil painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Holy Trinity Church. He went on to create professional props for the movie industry in Hollywood, CA. Exhibit Art Director Ron Tuanquin will be exhibiting as well.

The Design Manager of Retail Design Collaborative in Long Beach studied architecture at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Tuanquin’s talents as a professional designer/ illustrator has brought him to do commissioned work for clients in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Brunei. He has been designing Commercial Retail Buildings still using hand-drawing techniques for the initial stages of design.

His watercolor paintings are currently being shown at the Midnight Gallery in the Arts District in Long Beach.

Rose Capobres, owner of Smart Tax Inc and property manager of several buildings, was a former model of Philippine designer Mike de la Rosa. Capobres and De Vera have also been supporting “Gabay,” a Parents Group of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Autism, for which part of the proceeds of this event will be donated.

Early bird tickets are only $75, with regular pricing taking effect on Oct 16 for $100. Register online at www.artsandglamournight.eventbrite.com, or call Vanie (818) 284-7966 or Wawan (818) 648-4709. For more information email emerald@ musicartsevents.com or visit www.emeraldlanterngroup.com. Event starts at 6:30 p.m. on November 16 at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel at 4700 Airport Plaza Dr, Long Beach, CA 90815. ■

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019

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Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation A PERSON who obtains his/ her green card via marriage to a US citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years.

In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the conditional permanent resident and his/ her US citizen spouse must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before the expiration of the green card. 8 CFR 216.4(a)(1) But what if things don’t work out with the US citizen spouse after getting married, and the conditional permanent resident can no longer get the participation of his/her US citizen spouse in filing the I-751 petition? In such a case, the conditional permanent resident may seek an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement.

In order to qualify for an I751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage upon which his/her status was based was: 1) entered into in good faith, and 2) terminated. 8 CFR 216.5(a)(1)(ii) With respect to the required showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith, the conditional permanent

Legal Advice ATTY. DARRICK TAN resident must show that his/her marriage was not a “sham.” A marriage is considered a “sham” if, when they married, the couple did not intend to establish a life together. An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship (such as a green card) from that life does not make a marriage a sham. Matter of Soltan, A76 888 125 (BIA 2001). Documents such as joint bank and credit card statements, and photos that demonstrate that the marriage was entered in good faith should be presented.

Also, in order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage was terminated. By “terminated,” the USCIS requires a valid, formal divorce judgment. An I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be approved in cases where the conditional permanent resident is legally separated or in divorce proceedings that are still pending. Also, once the marriage is terminated, the conditional resident may file the I-751 peti-

tion immediately, and does not have to wait until the normal 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card.

It is worth noting that if the conditional permanent resident and his/her US Citizen spouse live in California, a valid divorce judgment must be obtained in the California courts.

I have had numerous California-resident clients in the past who have obtained a “quick” divorce judgment in Nevada only to face USCIS scrutiny after presenting the Nevada divorce judgment in support of an I-751 waiver request (since one must be a Nevada resident to obtain a divorce in Nevada).

The assistance of an experienced attorney in handling the divorce as well as the I-751 waiver request is accordingly recommended. *** 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 Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277.

Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

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What does a ‘fresh start’ after...

PAGE C2 t ly, in two years from discharge date, debtors can qualify for mortgage loans to buy a house at higher interest. If a person with an excellent credit score will pay 4%, in two years, a discharged debtor will pay maybe 6%.

But not all debts are dischargeable. Child support and alimony are not. Student loans are not, unless you can show extreme hardship. Debts incurred by intentional torts cannot. For instance, you killed somebody and the victim’s family obtained a $50 million judgment against you, that $50 million cannot be discharged. You will bring that

debt to hell with you. However, I did settle a $1 million wrongful debt judgment against the debtor for $50,000. The client made an illegal U-turn causing an accident with a motorcycle that caused the death of the motorcycle driver. The debtor’s asset structure was favorable and conducive for a $50,000 settlement.

The debtor had to go to jail for three years for the homicide.

Is bankruptcy constitutional?

Of course, it is. Article 1, section 8, clause 4 authorizes Congress to make “uniform laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States.”

Even our loving God favors

debt forgiveness. Deuteronomy 15:1 – At the end of every 7 years you shall grant remission of debts.

If you need debt relief, call our office to set an appointment. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South-Lower Level Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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C4 SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS SEPTEMBER 7

UPAAGLA Grand Gala in Los Angeles The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. at the LA Grand Hotel (333 S. Figuera St, Los Angeles, CA). With the theme “Taking U.P. To The Future” the event will have Distinguished U.P. Alumni Guests including Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Philippine Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and current University of the Philippines President Danilo L. Concepcion. All U.P. Alumni are invited and encouraged to attend. To RSVP and for Gala details, visit https://upaagla2019gala.eventbrite.com. Early Bird pricing is $85 until July 15, Regular pricing is $100. Sponsor packages are still available to get better pricing plus perks, please inquire by contacting upaagla.sponsor@gmail.com. Special Booking rate at the LA Grand Hotel for Sept 7 is available for $189/night at https://bit.ly/310GWWY. To inquire about UPAAGLA, please send email to upaagla.prez@gmail.com.

AAPI Democratic Presidential Forum in Orange County, CA AAPI Progressive Action, in partnership with Asian Americans Rising Action Fund, will host the AAPI Community Action Summit at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Orange County, CA on Saturday, September 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At the AAPI Community Action Summit, leaders and advocates from across the country will gather to showcase our emerging movement, which is based on the belief that we are stronger when we work together with common purpose to serve our communities. Each session will feature new ideas, new capacities and new leaders who are building a movement that celebrates our diversity and binds us all together as Americans. It will be held at The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa (686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626). In the evening, there will be the AAPI Summer Soiree at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. Come meet and mingle with top influencers and enjoy a night filled with good food, great company and fantastic entertainment. Registered attendees of the AAPI Community Action Summit may purchase a limited number of discounted tickets at $100 per person as a participating “Community Partner.”

SEPTEMBER 8

Philippines Cultural Day in Pasadena, CA The USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, CA is hosting a Philippines Cultural Day on Sunday, September 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy performances, artmaking activities, a chef conversation, and storytime for kids. Free admission all day! This event will present a collaboration of performing artists from Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, and Rocksteady Rondalla. Other partners include Bone Kettle Restaurant, Barnsdall Arts, and the Philippine Expressions Bookshop. The USC Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, California 91101

S E P T E M B E R 22

Virgen de los Remedios procession and mass in Los Angeles Filipinos, Latinos, Marian groups, civic organizations and devotees will join in an afternoon procession during the annual pilgrimage to Mary on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. This year’s celebration includes special prayers for the Catholic Church in the Philippines that the clergy and faithful be always courageous instruments of God’s truth, love and peace. Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has asked Filipinos to pray in solidarity for four Catholic bishops, three priests and a religious brother among others who have been filed with charges of inciting sedition, libel and obstruction of justice by Philippine authorities. Newly appointed Filipino auxiliary bishop Alejandro Aclan of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will preside in the solemn concelebrated Mass. Catholic columnist, Rev. Rodel Balagtas will deliver the homily, as he leads his kabalens from Minalin who are hosting this event. The highlight of the festivities is the reenactment of canonical coronation of Virgen de los Remedios bestowed by Pope Pius XII in 1956. The procession and mass begins at 2:30 p.m.

‘Friends…Unplugged,’ a benefit concert in Los Angeles The Philippine Disaster Relief Organization (PeDRO), in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation International, presents ‘Friends…Unplugged,’ a benefit concert in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 22 at 3 p.m. at the Aratani Theater (244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Artists included Becca Godinez, Morris Albert, Odette Quesada, Ner De Leon and Kevin Click. Additional artists to be announced. Tickets are $65 for lower orchestra, $45 for upper orchestra and $35 for Balcony.

S E P T E M B E R 28

75th Anniversary of Leyte fundraiser gala in Carson, CA The Erasto R. Batongmalaque Foundation will be holding a fundraising gala on Saturday, September 28 at the Carson Community Center leading up to the 75th anniversary of the Leyte landing on Oct. 20. The foundation is dedicated to servicing the ongoing needs of surviving veterans of World War II as well as other veterans of recent conflicts. This will lead into two other events on Oct. 12 and Oct. 20. The ticket is at $75 payable to the E.R.B. Foundation. Call Julie at (310) 835-8365 or (424) 257-2504 for more information.

Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Chatsworth, CA The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino Ministry invites you to the San Fernando Region celebration of the feast day of the first Filipino Saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. This festive occasion will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at St. John Eudes Church, 9901 Mason St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Procession will start at 10:30 a.m. Eucharistic celebration will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joel Henson, director of Ongoing Formation of Clergy, Archdiocese of Los Angeles as the main celebrant. Reception, fellowship and program to follow immediately after the mass. For further inquiries, please contact Patty Santiago (818)472-4288, Dominic Mendoza (818) 687-4890 or Mia Macalino (818) 517-4300.

O C TO B E R 5

Asian American Drug Abuse Program to host annual benefit in Los Angeles Back by popular demand, the legendary Kalapana and special guest Michael Paulo will be performing once again at the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)’s annual benefit on Saturday, October 5. Kalapana emerged as one of the most popular bands on the Hawaiian music scene in the 70s, producing a steady stream of hits. Their 1975 debut album was hailed as one of the best of the mid-70s Hawaiian renaissance. Tracks like “Naturally,” “Nightbird,” “The Hurt,” “You Make It Hard,” and “When the Morning Comes” became household tunes and still enjoy frequent play on contemporary Hawaiian radio. Musical trends have come and gone, but Kalapana’s many hits have remained Island classics. This promises to be an unforgettable experience, as it pays tribute to the late Malani Bilyeu, founding member and Hoku Awardwinning artist. Performing as Kalapana will be: DJ Pratt (lead guitar, vocals), Gaylord Holomalia (keyboards, vocals), Kenji Sano (bass, vocals); accompanied by: Todd Yukumoto (saxophone & flute), Garin Poliahu (drums) and John Valentine (vocals, guitar); and special guest Michael Paulo (saxophone). Aratani Theatre is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception and meet-and-greet at 9 p.m. For more information, please visit www. showtime-AADAP.org.

Filipino American History Month celebration in Carson, CA The City of Carson, California will be holding its annual Filipino American History Month celebration on Saturday, October 5 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. It will be at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center (801 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745). For more information, please call (310) 830-9991.

O C TO B E R 1 9

West Ranch High School presents the Wildcat Classic in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School is proud to present the 11th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong display of musical artistry on Saturday, October 19. More than 20 high school bands from the Santa Clarita Valley and around the region will gather for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra (SCSBOA) Marching Band Competition. The Wildcat Classic will take place at Valencia High School’s football stadium, located at 27801 Dickason Dr. in Valencia. Tickets are $12; parking is free. Each high school band will compete by division followed by an astounding showcase performance of the three-time state champion West Ranch Band and Colorguard.

The day-long event culminates in an awards ceremony with trophies presented in each division as decided by a panel of SCSBOA judges. The performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. Vendors will be on site with plenty of delectable food and drink options as well as gifts and apparel for the music enthusiast. For additional information, please contact West Ranch Music Director Jason Marshall at 661-222-1220 x 646 or jmarshall@hartdistrict.org or visit www.westranchmusic.com.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

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Investing tips from Warren...

PAGE C1 t

margins and reasonable or no debt. Buy companies that generate a lot of cash and invest it well or return it to shareholders in the form of dividends or buybacks.

Calculate the present value of all the cash that will be generated by a company in the future.

Build in a “margin of safety” by purchasing a stock well below its intrinsic value.

Lesson No. 7: Look for Companies with Economic Moats Moat refers to sustainable competitive advantage that keeps potential competitors at bay.

This could be a patent protection on drugs, high costs to get into a business or simple brand power. Consider BNSF Railway - It’s

hard for anyone to lay enough track in North America to start a competing railroad.

Lesson No. 8: Buy Big, Concentrated Positions Buffet can buy big positions because he has billions of funds; we don’t, so let’s skip this one.

Sorry.

Lesson No. 9: Hold For Life Buffett holds stocks “forever.”

He likes stocks that outperform for decades. Think Coca Cola, American Express.

Lesson No. 10: Believe In America Buffett believes in America, not the Democratic or Republican parties. He does not trade based on President Obama or President Trump at the White House. He

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Roman P. Mosqueda named 2020 SoCal Super Lawyer for immigration LOS Angeles Attorney Roman P. Mosqueda, was selected as 2020 Southern California Super Lawyer in immigration on August 18, 2019, for the sixth year in a row.

Mr. Mosqueda has represented numerous immigration clients before the USCIS, Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Federal Courts of Appeals for over 30 years in many leading cases.

He was featured in the December 8, 2015 Los Angeles Times article on “How Shooter landed K-1 visa” of Matt Pearce on the San Bernardino killings, as a Filipino-Chinese attorney handling K-1 visas for clients applying for fiancé visas for Asians.

Indeed, Tashfeen Malik, who joined her husband in slaughtering 14 people in San Bernardino, was a Pakistani national who entered the U.S. on a K-1 fiancée visa. Asians are perceived as more hardworking, obedient and caring spouses.

Mr. Mosqueda holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of The Philippines School of Law, and Master of Laws and Doctor of the Science of Law degrees from The University of Michigan Law School.

He has published two law books: “Marriage and its Dissolution”, 682 pages, and Philippine Law and “Jurisprudence On Products Liability: A Comparative Study”, 583 pages, and numerous legal articles.

He has been previously recognized by and as: • 2019 10 Best High Verdict & Settlement Attorney for California;

Attorney Roman P. Mosqueda

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum; • Best Attorney in America Lifetime Charter Member; • National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers for California; • 10 Best Family law Attorney; • Trial Masters Lifetime Member; and • Top 10% U.S. Attorney of Distinction.

He is also a California-licensed Real Estate Broker and Consultant, and a Proctor In Admiralty. He is married to Dr.

Mariedel Leviste, an Internist/ Dermatologist, and Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Family Services of the City of Los Angeles. They have two millennial children: a daughter who is a businesswoman and a son who is also a lawyer.

Mr. Mosqueda gives free and confidential consultation at his law office at 7136 Haskell Avenue, Suite 302, Van Nuys, CA 91406; Tel. No. (213) 261(Advertising Supplement) 0816.

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C SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

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New ‘public charge’ regulations Economic managers seek passage of laws that will mitigate impact of US-China trade war could result in more denials

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ THE Trump Administration recently announced new regulations on public charge, to be effective October 15, 2019. The plan is to deny green cards unless the person proves they are self-sufficient or relies on family for support, and not on public assistance. USCIS will be evaluating whether a person would be considered “inadmissible” to the U.S. “based on his or her likelihood of becoming a public charge at any time in the future…”

“Public charge” means a person had received certain public benefits for over 12 months in a three-year period. These benefits include: - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Cash benefits for income maintenance - Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) - Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) - Medicaid and certain housing benefits. (Medicaid for aliens under 21, pregnant women, and emergency medical services would not be considered against the person.)

As part of the public charge evaluation, USCIS will consider the alien’s age, health, assets education, etc., to determine the likelihood that the person will become a public charge at any time in the

future. Some of the “negative factors” include if a person is over 60 or under 18 years of age. Aliens must also submit a Declaration of Self-sufficiency (Form I-944).

According to USCIS, “self-sufficiency has been a core tenant of the American dream. Self-reliance, industriousness, and perseverance laid the foundation of our nation and have defined generations of hard-working immigrants seeking opportunity in the United States ever since.” In other words, the Trump administration wants to stop situations where a person is petitioned for a green card, and as soon as they get that green card, they apply for as many public benefits as possible, considering those benefits to be “free,” but in reality, are being funded by taxpayers. Trump doesn’t want new immigrants living off of taxpayers.

Instead, they either must support themselves or seek support from their family members, especially from the one who signed the affidavit of support.

Along with being strict with aliens who received certain public benefits, the Trump administration also wants to start enforcing the terms of the affidavits of support if the alien received such public benefits.

But what will now happen when people petition their elderly parents as immediate relatives?

It’s likely the parents are retired or over 61, such that the USCIS (or the Embassy) could deny the visa, based on the “likelihood” of becoming a public charge at any time in the future.

If you’re considering petitioning family members, you should do so as soon as possible, because any application or petition already pending with USCIS as of the effective date will still be evaluated under the old, more lenient standards on public charge.

You should also seek the advice of an attorney in connection with petitioning family members and/or preparing affidavits of support, as the attorney could help evaluate and identify any potential public charge issues, which could result in a denial. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINE

Business Quote of the Week “Capital isn’t so important in business. Experience isn’t so important.

You can get both these things. What is important is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn’t any limit to what you can do with your business and your life.”

— Harvey Firestone, founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

ECONOMIC managers are pushing for the passage of two bills to mitigate the impact of the trade war between the United States and China.

The National Economic and Development Authority and the Trade department discussed the effects of the trade dispute during a Cabinet meeting last Wednesday, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Thursday, September 5.

“While the Philippines is not as vulnerable in the trade war; in the long run, any prolonged trade war will have negative effects,” Panelo said.

He said economic managers recommended the passage of the Corporate Income Tax Rationalization Act and amendment of the Foreign Investment Act. The proposed CITRA seeks to lower the corporate income tax rate from 30% to 20% and to streamline the system of granting fiscal incentives.

The amendments to the Foreign Investment Act, meanwhile, aims to lure investors and create more jobs and by recognizing the importance of technological advancements and global reali-

President Rodrigo Duterte and People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping pose for posterity prior to the start of the bilateral meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Aug. 29, 2019.

Presidential photo by Robinson Ninal

ties to the local economy.

The Cabinet also cited the need to intensify investment campaigns in East Asia, expedite business processes and reduce processing time in exports, among others measures.

Washington and Beijing have slapped higher tariffs on each

other’s imports, in a development seen to raise financial risks and dampen trade.

Last June, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern on the effects of the U.S.-China trade war on the global economy and urged the two superpowers to resolve their differences.■

Palace hails Duterte policies making inflation all-time low in 3 years

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

THE almost three-year low inflation in August was a proof of the “sound and resilient” antiinflation measures of the Duterte administration, Malacañang said Thursday, September 5.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued this statement as “the country’s headline inflation has further eased to 1.7 percent in August of this year.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday that this is the lowest inflation in 35

months.

“Indeed, this is positive proof that our macroenomic policies and measures put in place by the President and our economic managers are sound and resilient in curbing soaring prices,” he said.

Malacañang thanked the members of the economic team “for a job well done as we assure our people that our success in taming inflation will not lull us into complacency.”

He cited that the deceleration of inflation in August 2019 was mainly due to the slower annual

increase in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels; health; recreation and culture; restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services.

The transport sector, he added, also contributed to the downtrend of inflation for August.

“The Duterte administration will work double time in addressing the socieconomic concerns of our people towards laying down the foundation of a safe, secure and prosperous nation where all Filipinos enjoy comfortable lives,” he said. ■

D SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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IT-BPO group: Office space Unemployment rate steadies at 5.4% in July demand surpasses supply

Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista said the steady jobless figure could be attributed to the increase in the country’s labor pool to 73.13 million during the July 2018 round of the PSA’s Labor Force Survey compared with 72.56 million last year.

Philstar.com file photo Manilatimes.net file photo

expressed concern that “there’s ManilaTimes.net very little space [for the industry] to utilize [to record] a substantial OFFICE spaces available for annual growth that we [can] acthe information technology- tually see.”

“Net new [office] takeup is business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) sector in the country’s about 450,000 square meters a accredited economic zones (eco- year, and the last time I checked, zones) are no longer enough to the continuous available space in meet demand, an industry group Metro Manila is about 120,000 to 150,000 sqm only,” he added. has warned.

The growing scarcity of office On the sidelines of the Digital Disruption 2.0 forum in Pasay spaces was blamed on AdminCity on Tuesday, September 3, istration Order 18, which PresiRey Untal, president of the Infor- dent Rodrigo Duterte issued in June. It directed the Philippine mation Technology and Business Process Associa- Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) tion of the Philippines (Ibpap), to stop accepting, processing or by anna leah

e. Gonzales

evaluating applications for the creation of ecozones in Metro Manila.

According to Untal, there are currently 21 applications for IT parks and centers pending at the Office of the President.

“At least, there’s a big chance that those will be signed. There are another 100-plus [applications with] PEZA [Philippine Economic Zone Authority], so we still have the flexibility around getting more of these,” the official said.

“All is not lost, in fact, because we still have some IT parks, so PAGE D3

Less restraints on foreign businesses sought

by Dj

yap Inquirer.net

THE House of Representatives has begun deliberations on a bill that would relax certain restraints on foreign investments.

In his sponsorship speech of House Bill No. 300, Valenzuela City Rep. Weslie Gatchalian cited the need to ease ownership limitations and paid-up capital requirements that, he said, were blocking direct investments from smaller foreign entities.

“Given this existing regulation,

foreign firms are always placed at a disadvantage, compelling them to partner with local firms,” Gatchalian said.

The bill endorsed by both House panels on trade and industry and on economic affairs would amend the Foreign Investments Act of 1991, which was last amended in 1996.

Among other objectives, the proposed law would remove the “practice of professions” from the list of prohibitions on foreigners, and leave the regulation of their practice to specific laws

that govern their discipline.

Gatchalian said the amendment would help attract foreign professionals to practice in the Philippines, and help generate more employment opportunities in the country while bringing in technology and know-how to the sector.

Under the law, foreigners are allowed to own small and medium-sized enterprises with a paidup capital of less than $100,000 if it involves advance technology or employs at least 15 direct employees. n

Rosalinda Bautista said the steady jobless figure could be attributed to the increase in the THE unemployment rate in country’s labor pool to 73.13 milthe country steadied at 5.4 per- lion during the July 2018 round cent in July despite the addition of the PSA’s Labor Force Survey of 100,000 more Filipinos to the compared with 72.56 million last ranks of those looking for jobs, year.

The labor force pertains to Filthe Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Thursday, ipinos aged 15 years and above who are assumed capable of doSeptember 5.

There are now 2.43 million ing productive work.

Also, the labor force participajobless Filipinos compared with tion rate (LFPR) expanded fur2.33 million last year.

Deputy National Statistician ther to 62.1 percent from 60.1

by Czeriza

valenCia Philstar.com

percent as more Filipinos are encouraged to join the labor force.

Bautista said more Filipinos, particularly those aged 15 to 24, are now actively looking for jobs.

“The government must continue encouraging the private sector to increase employment opportunities for young people, supporting technical vocational training, promoting apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs among the youth,” said PAGE D3

DoF: Late passage of 2020 budget ‘detrimental’ to PH

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo Manilatimes.net

THE Department of Finance (DoF) is urging lawmakers to pass the 2020 national budget after the government underspent by P178 billion in the first half of the year.

“We encourage the legislature to pass the budget on time after due deliberations, as the consequences of operating on a reenacted budget, as what happened this year, are extremely detrimental to the nation, [especially] the disadvantaged,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd told reporters in a message on Tuesday, September 3.

His comment came after law-

makers at the House of Representatives clashed over changes in the General Appropriation Bill.

The P4.10-trillion 2020 National Expenditure Program was transmitted to them on August 20.

In an economic bulletin also released on Tuesday, the Finance department said “the delay in the passage…of the 2019 budget weakened expenditures and the domestic economy.”

The DoF noted that expenditures eased by 0.8 percent in the first semester of 2019, the first drop recorded in such a period since 2011.

“This is a significant reversal from the 20.5-percent rise in the same semester of 2018. This is

due to the four-and-a-half month delay in the approval of the General Appropriations Act by Congress,” it explained.

This is equivalent to an expenditure effort of 18 percent, a decline from the 19.42 percent recorded in the first six months of 2018 on account of the reenacted budget.

A dispute between Congress’ two chambers over alleged insertions resulted in the delay of the passage of this year’s budget.

This forced the government to run on last year’s outlay, limiting it to spend for items detailed in the 2018 budget and not on programs and projects supposed to PAGE D5

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 D

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House rejects DTI proposal Duterte won’t ban Pogos: on phaseout of tax incentives Many will lose their jobs

Inquirer.net file photo

by Darryl John

EsguErra

listen to you, but I decide,” the President said, partly in Filipino.

“I decide that we need it. So BANNING online gambling many will lose their jobs.” will affect the economy and thouBut he reminded Philippine sands of workers in the country, offshore gaming operators (PogPresident Rodrigo Duterte said os) to remit their dues to governPhilstar.com file photo Wednesday, September 4, after ment faithfully or face conseimpacts of unnecessary incen- China recently appealed for the quences. tives,” Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Philippines to ban offshore gam“If you make the mistake of who chairs the House ways and ing operations. not remitting, even if you’re a The president said he had told gambling lord, I don’t care who means committee, said.

Salceda, who is also CITIRA’s Chinese leader Xi Jinping during you are,” he said. principal author, said extending their meeting in China last week The Philippine Amusement the tax perks of 3,150 business- that many workers would lose and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has es would have the consequence their livelihood if he were to de- suspended accepting applica“delaying the reduction of cor- clare online gambling illegal. tions for new Pogo firms until all “Maybe out of courtesy I will concerns “have been porate income tax for one million small and medium enterprises.”

“Small companies paying the current corporate income tax of 30 percent will benefit from CITthe same at 94.6 percent year-onIRA, compared to the more than PAGE D2 t 3,000 that pay zero to five per- National Economic and Develop- year, translating to 42.9 million cent tax because they are enjoy- ment Authority (NEDA) Under- Filipinos gainfully employed, up from 40.65 million in the same ing fiscal incentives. Therefore, secretary Rosemarie Edillon.

“While the Philippine economy period last year.

PAGE D5 As such, 2.3 million more Filihas shown remarkable improvements in the labor market, the pinos were engaged in full-time government should continually work this year compared with had one IT center. That’s why improve its efforts towards gen- last year.

This was boosted by stronger we are having a meeting with erating more productive and Mayor Isko this week. They are higher quality employment that employment in the services and clamoring for [offices] to be in provides adequate income for agriculture sectors.

The underemployment rate, on Manila, so we are opening up Filipino workers and their famithe other hand, eased to 13.9 perlies,” she added. dialogues,” he said.

Meanwhile, employment fig- cent, from 17.2 percent last year The meetings with LGUs will also be for upskilling, according ures likewise remained steady as the number of Filipinos searchto him, adding that he would also due to the higher employment ing for more work decreased by meet with Quezon City Mayor and lower underemployment in more than one million.

By gender, the percentage of Joy Belmonte and Makati Mayor July 2019.

The employment rate remained working men at 61 percent still Abigail Binay. n Inquirer.net

by JEss

Diaz Philstar.com

THE House of Representatives has rejected the proposal of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for a longer phaseout period for unnecessary tax incentives.

Under the bill on reduced corporate income tax and rationalization of fiscal incentives, thousands of businesses with tax exemptions would continue enjoying such perks for two years to five years.

The DTI is proposing a transition period of 10 years. Secretary Ramon Lopez has said they

would submit the proposal to the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Senate, since the House is almost done with its version of the bill.

The bill, otherwise known as the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act or CITIRA, was previously labeled as Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities or TRABAHO. “A longer transition period for current fiscal incentives will negate the positive effects of CITIRA in generating internal funds for new domestic investments, while the economy stands to sustain more losses from protracted

IT-BPO group: Office space demand...

PAGE D2 t you can continue to build buildings to create capacity,” the added.

Untal also said they would also meet with heads of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to discuss possible business opportunities.

“If you look at Metro Manila, there are just a few areas that are heavily dense in terms of IT-

BPO. These are [cities of] Makati, Taguig [and] Pasay, Alabang [in Muntinlupa City], Ortigas [Center in Pasig City]. But there are 17 cities in Metro Manila,” he noted.

Untal is scheduled to meet Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso on Thursday as the latter seeks to have more businesses in his city.

“Manila, for example, only

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has collected about P200 million in taxes from foreigners working for Pogos, which employs about 130,000 Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

According to the Department of Finance, the government loses about P24 billion yearly for every 100,000 Pogo workers who do not pay taxes.

On Aug. 20, the Chinese foreign ministry called on the Philippines to ban all online gaming involving Chinese citizens, saying that “online gambling is a most dangerous tumor in modern society.” n

Unemployment rate steadies...

outpaced the number of gainfully employed women at 39 percent.

Edillon said the government needs to speed up on its programs and policies in order to meet the government’s goal of increasing female participation in the labor force.

To achieve target in increasing female LFPR, monitoring and strict implementation of programs and policies geared towards fostering women’s economic participation need to be intensified such as the Expanded Maternity Leave Act and Telecommuting Act, which recognizes alternative work-from-home arrangements in the private sector,” she said. n

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Deficit-to-GDP ratio narrows further

Spend, spend, spend, borrow, borrow, borrow: Government debt now P7.8T by daxiM

L. Lucas

Inquirer.net

Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

THE share of the national government’s fiscal deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) narrowed to 0.48 percent in the first semester due to the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

In his latest economic bulletin, Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said the national government’s deficit-to-GDP ratio in the first half declined to 0.48 percent from 2.43 percent in the same period last year.

Beltran attributed the drop in deficit-to-GDP ratio to slower public spending, which was a result of the four-and-a-half months delay in the passage of the 2019 General Appropriations Act. “The moderated growth in expenditures led to a lower NG deficit, which settled at 0.48 percent of GDP,” Beltran said.

Economic managers have capped the government’s deficit ceiling at 3.2 percent of GDP for full year 2019.

According to data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the national government incurred a fiscal deficit of P42.6 billion from January to June, 77.91 percent lower than the P193 billion recorded in the same period in 2018.

Economic growth, meanwhile, slowed down to 5.6 percent and 5.5 percent in the first two quarters.

Government expenditures in the first six months also declined slightly by 0.8 percent to P1.59 trillion compared to P1.603 trillion in the same period last year.

Beltran said this is the first drop in expenditures experienced during the first semester since 2011.

He said government underspending also reached P178 billion in the first half, equivalent to two percent of the nominal GDP during the same period.

THE national government debt hit P7.8 trillion at the end of July, representing a 10.8 percent increase — equivalent to P760.47 billion in new loans.

According to the Bureau of the Treasury, this level is also 7 percent higher than the total debt recorded at the end of 2018, representing new loans of P511.55 billion since the start of 2019.

Of this, the treasury said 32.7 percent were from foreign sources while 67.3 percent were domestic loans.

On a monthly basis, however, the agency said the July debt figPhilstar.com file photo ure showed a 0.8 percent decline As a result, Beltran said ex- from June’s level, equivalent to penditure effort in the first half P64.58 billion, due to peso apdeclined to 18 percent from the preciation and domestic redemp19.42 percent recorded in the tions.

The treasury said that the nafirst semester of 2018.

On the other hand, Beltran tional government’s domestic said the national government’s revenues from January to June rose by 9.7 percent, outpacing the nominal GDP growth of seven percent during the same period.

Tax revenues climbed by 10.1 percent, with the Bureau of InterFOLLOWING the tragic afnal Revenue collections rising by 10.6 percent and Bureau of Cus- termath of Hurricane Dorian in toms collections increasing by the Bahamas, and as it closes in on the Southeastern part of the 8.5 percent, he said.

“This is due to second phase United States, the Department of TRAIN (Tax Reform for Accel- of Consumer Protection (DCP) is eration and Inclusion) Law and advising consumers and families continued tax administration re- who want to contribute to relief efforts to avoid charity scams. forms,” Beltran said.

“Scammers prey on consumHe said non-tax revenues likewise grew by 6.9 percent due to ers and their families when they higher collections of dividends are most vulnerable, and at times on national government shares of of great urgency,” said Constocks, guarantee fees and share sumer Protection Commissioner in the profits of the Philippine Michelle H. Seagull, “As ConAmusement and Gaming Corp. n necticut families do what they can to support those affected by Hurricane Dorian, we encourage them to do their homework, and make sure their money is going lion, P81.5 billion less than the to a legitimate charity that can programmed allocation of P392.9 best support survivors.”

What you should do if you billion.

Acting Budget Secretary Wen- want to give: Research the charities you’re del earlier said the Department of Transportation had committed to considering giving to. Use respend about P53 billion in the last sources from organizations like two quarters, or about 56.5 per- Charity Navigator (https://www. charitynavigator.org/), the Better cent of its full-year target.

In the case of Department of Business Bureau (http://www.

Public Works and Highways, it has give.org/), and Guide Star (htprogrammed some P542.6 billion tps://www.guidestar.org/) to get disbursements, also in the second additional information about an half, equivalent to 71.8 percent of organization as opposed to only the P755.6-billion spending com- visiting their website.

Verify that a charity is propmitment, he added. n

DoF: Late passage of 2020 budget...

PAGE D2 t be implemented this year.

“The moderated growth in expenditures led to a lower NG [national government] deficit, which settled at 0.48 percent of GDP [gross domestic product],” the Finance department said.

That said, it projected government underspending to be about P178 billion, equivalent to about 2 percent of first-semester nominal GDP. The country’s GDP in the first half of the year stood at 5.5 percent, well below the government’s

6 percent-to-7 percent official target range.

“A catch-up program has been adopted by the implementing agencies. This will boost growth performance for the second semester,” the DoF said.

This program set an infrastructure spending target of P792.97 billion for the second to fourth quarters after actual infrastructure spending reached P207.2 billion in the first three months of 2019.

In the first half, infrastructure spending reached P311.4 bil-

PInquirer.net file photo

debt amounted to P5.25 trillion.

Since the start of 2019, domestic debt increased by P473.81 billion or 9.9 percent.

The national government’s external debt of P2.55 trillion was P20.42 billion or 0.8 percent lower from June.

Total national government guar-

anteed loans decreased by P2.78 billion or 0.6 percent month-onmonth to P483.81 billion in July, and P0.09 billion or 0.02 percent lower than its level a year ago.

From end-December 2018, total national government guaranteed debt is still lower by P3.77 billion or 0.8 percent. n

As a result of Storm Dorian, consumer protection warns against charity scams

Photo courtesy of Better Business Bureau

erly registered with DCP by visiting https://www.elicense.ct.gov/.

Ask questions to any representative you speak to if you want to learn more about a charity, and never feel pressured to give on the spot if you get a solicitation.

Include charity donations in a giving plan so that you can adjust your other expenses if necessary.

Know the signs of a scam.

Scammers will: Pressure you to give immediately without giving you time to do sufficient research.

Not be able to answer your

questions, or will not direct you to a place where you can find answers.

Tug at your heartstrings, and make an extremely emotional appeal to get you to give immediately.

Offer an incentive for your donation that sounds too good to be true.

Ask you to give money via wire transfer, prepaid card, or other type of untraceable payment.

Those who think they are a victim of a charity scam should file complaints with DCP by emailing dcp.complaints@ct.gov.n

D SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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