091523 - Northern California Edition

API Equity Budget in jeopardy as California faces $20 Billion de cit

SACRAMENTO — The state’s $247 million API Equity Budget, set to expire next year, may not be renewed as California faces an unprecedented $22 billion budget deficit, said California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Chair Assemblyman Evan

Low Sept. 8, on the sidelines of the first AAPI Leadership Summit.

“I need our community to understand hard facts and truth. In reality, we are in the midst of an economic collapse. There were years of extraordinary revenue when the API Equity Budget was created in 2021.”

“But we’re coming out of the COVID pandemic, and we haven’t recovered yet. We don’t have the resources we previously had,”

Low told this reporter, noting that he expects no additional funding for the API Equity Budget next year.

The Democrat, who represents portions of California’s Silicon Valley, encouraged

P zer and Moderna are pushing the new COVID booster. Should you get it? The CDC is about to decide

A SMALL percentage of Americans got the most recent COVID-19 booster shot, and even fewer probably realize the federal government is preparing to recommend yet another shot as early as Tuesday, September 12. Until a week or two ago, William Schaffner read that indifference as a sign the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should advocate vaccinating only those most at risk from the virus. But then Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, changed his mind.

Members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices won him over to the argument that the vaccine be recommended for all Americans above 6 months of age, he said in an interview. The committee, which sets U.S. vaccination

US-donated ships to boost PH patrols

by FRANCISCO TUYAY ManilaTimes.net

THE commissioning on Monday, September 11, of two ships donated by the United States will enable the Philippine Navy to step up patrols in the tensionfilled West Philippine Sea, defense officials said.

The former USS Monsoon (PC4) and USS Chinook (PC 9) will be christened BRP Valentin Diaz (PC-177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178), after two founding fathers of the Katipunan, at the Philippine Navy

Headquarters.

The two ships were the last two of the U.S. Navy’s 14 Cyclone-class ships used in littoral or shallow-water operations.

The Monsoon and Chinook served the U.S. Navy for nearly 30 years. They were last assigned to the 5th Fleet based in Bahrain before they were decommissioned last March 28.

The ships were brought to the country last May under the Philippine Excess Defense Article (EDA) program.

Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci said Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. will be the guest of honor at the christening and commissioning of the two ships.

The Valentin Diaz and Ladislao Diwa will join Philippine Coast Guard vessels in missions that could include escorting chartered boats delivering supplies to the Philippine Navy outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

A flotilla of Chinese coast guard and maritime  PAGE 2

MANILA — Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may have egged her political ally, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to once again dip his fingers in politics after he stepped down from office last June 30, 2022.

But former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte has not contemplated a political comeback after spending 40 years of his life in politics.

“Nothing, he has no plans for politics,” Medialdea, who was Duterte’s long-time legal counsel, said in Filipino. Sen. Bong Go said that Arroyo encouraged Duterte to go back to politics.

“I’ll talk to my family about it,” Duterte was reported to have quipped after Arroyo asked him to get back to politics during a dinner over the weekend in Manila that was also attended by Go, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III and Medialdea.

But according to Medialdea, who has remained close to Duterte, he doubts if the former president will run again, not even for senator in 2025 as has lately been talked about.

Duterte has lately taken the time to do the things which

Maria Ressa cleared of tax evasion charges DepEd hit for rebranding of Marcos dictatorship

by JOSE RODEL CLAPANO Philstar.com

MANILA — News agency Rappler and Nobel Peace laureate Maria Ressa were acquitted on Tuesday, September 12 in the fifth and final tax evasion case filed by the previous Duterte administration.

Rappler, a Filipino-owned company critical of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s policies, described the ruling as a victory for “everyone who has kept the faith that a free and responsible press empowers communities and strengthens democracy.”

“All the dismissed tax cases were based on the false and flimsy premise that, when Rapper issued Philippine Depositary Receipts in 2015,

it was not raising capital but earning a taxable profit, which it supposedly willfully did not declare. We are pleased that the court saw through that,” Rappler said in a statement.

Presiding Judge Ana Teresa CornejoTomacruz of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 157 issued the court’s decision on Tuesday, eight months after the Court of Tax Appeals dismissed four other tax cases.

The court also dismissed the civil aspect of the case.

“This is one of the five cases... filed by the government in relation to the PDR (Philippine Depositary Receipts) transactions of Rappler. We’re thankful that the court finally dismissed

Marcos birthday wish: A better state of agriculture

by HELEN FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA — For his birthday wish, “a better state of agriculture” is top of mind for President Marcos.

The president, who marked his 66th birthday on Wednesday, September 13, concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), which is struggling to stabilize the supply and prices of rice and vegetables.

Marcos voiced his birthday wish when asked about it during an interview at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office in Quezon City. He also expressed hope for

by MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

MANILA — Sen. Risa

Hontiveros on Tuesday, Sept.

12 scored the Department of Education (DepEd) under Vice President Sara Duterte for having a role in the rebranding of the Marcos family by not affiliating the late Ferdinand Marcos with the dictatorship.

Hontiveros was reacting to a memorandum released by the DepEd’s Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) dated Sept.

The move was met with strong opposition from the education sector, students and critics of the martial law years, which were marked with corruption and human rights abuses until the elder Marcos’ ouster through the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

For the critics, this was yet another effort of the Marcos family to burnish their names at the expense of thousands killed, tortured and imprisoned during the late strongman’s martial rule.

a more accurate and timely weather forecasting in the Philippines.

“Also for us to determine what the weather really is – is it wet season or dry season? – so we can help our farmers,” he said. “That’s my only prayer up to now.”

Marcos was scheduled to fly to Singapore on Wednesday to address economic managers and business leaders at the 10th Asian Conference, as well as watch the finals of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2023 this weekend.

While in Singapore, the president will also meet with business leaders to strengthen  PAGE 2

6, ordering a change in the nomenclature in the Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan curriculum on the martial law years – from “Diktadurang Marcos” (Marcos dictatorship) to just “Diktadura” (Dictatorship).

“My position has not changed over the years – memory and truth-telling are the cornerstones of justice,” Hontiveros said.

The opposition senator stressed the importance of

‘Duterte has no plans for politics’

Marcos Jr. (center)

photo by Rey Baniquet

Maria Ressa cleared of tax evasion...

the fifth one and hopefully that’s the end of it,” Francis Lim, Ressa’s lawyer, told reporters.

According to the Philippine Stock Exchange, a PDR is a security that grants its holder the right to the delivery or sale of underlying shares but does not grant ownership rights to the holder. If bought by a foreign entity, it gives the owner the right to all the dividends due the underlying shares.

In 2017, Duterte falsely claimed that Rappler is fully owned by Americans and funded by the Central Intelligence Agency.

In 2018, Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC) was accused of failing to declare “correct and accurate” information in quarterly sales receipts from the issuance and sale of PDRs worth P2.45 million, which allegedly resulted in a P294,258.58 value-added tax deficiency.

The court found that Rappler did not use PDRs to illegally gain profit and did not act as a dealer in securities.

“The RHC and Ms. Ressa did not violate Section 255 of the Tax Code. The PDR subscription price were not proceeds arising from the sale of the PDRs to NBM (North Base Media) that should have been declared in RHC’s VAT return,” the court concluded. Rappler is still appealing two other cases: a cyber libel conviction and a Securities and Exchange Commission closure order.

Support For Human Rights Watch, Rappler’s latest acquittal shows once more how the charges were politically motivated.

“The tax evasion cases against Rappler were politically motivated and this verdict vindicates the news organization and its journalists,” Human Rights Watch senior researcher Carlos Conde said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Philippine courts should expedite their ruling on the remaining two cases against Rappler. President Marcos should ensure that legal harassment of

Maria Ressa and other journalists ends,” he added.

“We share this with our colleagues in the industry who have been besieged by relentless online attacks, unjust arrests and detentions and red-tagging that have resulted in physical harm,” Rappler said.

For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the charges against Rappler originated from the Duterte administration’s legal harassment following the fearless reporting on the brutal and failed war on drugs.

“It is unacceptable in a democracy for more journalists like Percy Lapid to be harassed, attacked or worse, killed,” she said.

“Truth-tellers are often attacked and persecuted by those who weaponize the law to trample on their fundamental freedoms. This is exactly the reason why I filed Senate Bill No. 1593 that seeks to decriminalize libel, which has often been used to gag members of the press,” she added.  (With reports from Janvic Mateo, Cecille Suerte Felipe)

US-donated ships to boost...

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militia vessels has been trying to prevent the resupply of the Ayungin station. Last week, the resupply boats slipped past the blockade after the pursuing Chinese vessels reportedly got stuck in coral reefs near the entrance to the shoal. The number of Chinese vessels has dramatically increased in the past weeks, defense officials said. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the

military and Coast Guard will not allow a Chinese takeover of the Navy station in Ayungin.

The AFP has also responded to requests by the private sector to document the next resupply mission to Ayungin on real time via Facebook.

Aside from the station in Ayungin, the Philippines maintains troops in eight other features in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines has also procured two new Israel-made fast attack interdiction craft

missile vessels (FAIC-Ms) to beef up its navy.

The two Shadag Mark V vessels were renamed BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903) and BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905).

They were named after Philippine Marine Lance Cpl. Gener Tinangag, an assistant rifleman, and Sgt. Domingo Deluana who fought alongside 1st Lt. Lolinato-To-Ong in Maguindanao.

Five more ships are expected to be acquired within two years. g

Marcos birthday wish: A better state...

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economic ties and further forge possible partnerships in select industries, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

Also on Tuesday, September 12, President Marcos approved a two-year moratorium on the collection of amortization and interest from agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Marcos signed Executive Order 40 during the presentation of the implementing rules and regulations of the New Emancipation Act at the DAR office. The moratorium will be in effect until Sept. 13, 2025.

EO 40 renews EO 4, issued by Marcos on Sept. 13, 2022.

“This provides for the moratorium on the principle obligation and interest on amortization payable by the ARB (agrarian reform beneficiaries) to include even those who are not covered by the new emancipation law,” Marcos said.

Marcos signed in July Republic Act (RA) 11593 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

The law condoned a total of P57.65 billion in unpaid amortizations, benefiting 610,054 farmers tilling more than 1.7 million hectares of

agrarian reform lands. Marcos said he wants a whole of nation approach to achieving food security.

“So I urge the DAR with all government agencies to strive for a smooth and immediate execution of this IRR so that our beneficiaries may be freed from the burden of debts and reap the benefits from the land that they tirelessly cultivate, continue to facilitate the delivery of support services to all ARBs,” he said.

Marcos said the completion of the IRR of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act is the best birthday gift he could ever receive. g

CHECKING. A buyer inspects the quality of rice at a retailer at Mega

photo by Joan Bondoc

DepEd hit for rebranding of Marcos...

education in making sure that the country’s dark period in history will not repeat itself.

“An accurate historical record is a guide to a better future. There are things that should not have allowed rebranding to happen,” Hontiveros said.

Removing the Marcos family name in the grade school syllabus for social studies containing the lesson on the Marcos dictatorship was not ordered by President Marcos nor Duterte, who is concurrent education secretary, according to the DepEd.

Jocelyn Andaya, director of the DepEd’s BCD, said the decision was made through collective discussions among agency executives and insisted that the move did not involve politics amid questions on its timing now that the Marcos family is back in Malacañang.

“We had a very robust discussion about it … a very spirited discussion, and after a while, we had a consensus as to what will be included in the curriculum, what to place and what not place in the curriculum,” Andaya said in an interview on dzBB radio.

“No one ordered this. It was a collective decision,” she added.

Andaya explained that the process of revising or crafting curricula falls solely under the jurisdiction of the BCD, which then gathers experts to validate their proposal.

The BCD is an office under the undersecretary for curriculum and teaching.

After it goes through BCD, the proposal is processed in other offices to evaluate the documents, the curriculum guide and the guidelines in delivering the curriculum, according to the DepEd official.

“Tackling issues need to be thematic. The subject is challenges to democracy, so under it, it includes the declaration of martial law, the implementation of the dictatorship, its effects on our democratic institutions such as freedom to legislate, a weakened economy, violations of human rights and ill-gotten wealth,” she said.

“It also includes the fight to end it. So we really just adjusted things… (The Marcos name) may not be in the title of the topic, but it’s in the lessons because, at the end of the day,

our learners should be able to think critically about what really were the problems and challenges in the democracy at the time when martial law was declared,” she added.

Andaya said the delivery of the adjusted lessons on the Marcos dictatorship would be pilot-tested.

“It will be implemented now while we are working on a pilot implementation, during which we can see whether it requires major changes,” she added.

Private schools, however, may opt out of renaming the topic as they can go beyond the standards imposed by the DepEd even if they are within its regulation and supervision, according to the Coordinating Council of Private Education Associations (COCOPEA).

“Although, of course, we follow the minimum prescribed curriculum or standards of the DepEd, we have a certain flexibility or discretion to offer additional subjects, topics… that are not necessarily offered to public schools,” COCOPEA legal counsel Kristine Carmina Manaog told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

“We maintain what the private schools think is necessary or appropriate in their curricula. If that particular detail needs to be retained, then we will follow what private schools adopted as subjects or curriculum,” Manaog added.

Meanwhile, Duterte told memo’s critics that if they have any problems with the changes, they should take it up with

API Equity Budget in jeopardy as California...

a more holistic approach to combating hate violence. “We need to tackle the underlying factors — poverty, affordable housing, a lack of good-paying jobs — factors that make people resort to hate,” he said.

In an historic move in 2021, California created the threeyear API Equity Fund, allocating $166.5 million to combat the rise of hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community. An additional $40.5 million was allotted last year, and California Governor Gavin Newsom added another $40 million in June. The 2023-2024 allocation for the API Equity Budget was initially set at $10 million. But state legislators and community leaders successfully lobbied for additional funding.

experts within the DepEd’s education strand.

“They can argue with the education experts inside the curriculum and teaching strand of the DepEd because it was they who decided in this direction,” the vice president and education chief told reporters.

Rebranding

Dissociating the Marcos family’s name from the dark days of martial law under Marcos Sr. from grade school lessons is the worst rebranding initiative of the current administration, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Bayan president Renato Reyes said the initiative of the administration, through the DepEd, to yank out the Marcos family’s identity in the title of grade school lessons on martial law should not be accepted by the public.

“The efforts to rebrand the dictatorship points to an apparent long-term plan to entrench the Marcoses in the highest positions of governments, even after the term of Marcos Jr. has ended,” Reyes added.

Bayan and other causeoriented groups will gather at Liwasang Bonifacio on Sept. 21 to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law and protest the continuing human rights violations, corruption and economic decline under the current administration.

“We will affirm that the u PAGE 4

While the community has always faced xenophobia, the rise in hate incidents and attacks has grown to more than 11,500 over the past three years, according to data reported by the web portal StopAAPIHate. Nearly 40 percent of the incidents occurred in California, overwhelmingly targeting women and girls, often on or near public transportation.

Community activists believe the rise in attacks was fueled by former President Donald Trump blaming China for causing the COVID-19 pandemic, and also the U.S.’s increasingly fraught relationship with China.

Anti Asian hate crimes were not a focus of the two-day summit, the largest-ever gathering in California of AAPI Leadership,

which was organized by the California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. But several speakers addressed the issue during their formal remarks, and on the sidelines of the meet, in interviews with this reporter.

Senate Vice Chair Dave Min, D-Irvine, is the sponsor of SB 434, legislation that would require the 10 largest public transit agencies in California to collect data on street harassment experienced by transit riders, with a focus on riders from underrepresented communities and those lacking sufficient English proficiency. The measure was passed by the Senate; the Assembly Sept. 8 voted on a third reading of the bill.

The API Equity Fund has allocated funding to the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University to create a survey by December 2023 that can be used by public transit agencies to collect and report harassment data.

In an interview, Min said he would like to see a “modest amount” of the additional funding allocated to public transit agencies to report and collect data for the Mineta survey. “It is important that we understand how often harassment takes place and where, he said, noting that the cost to administer the survey is “not that high.”

Reps. Ted Lieu and Ro Khanna, both Democrats from California, kicked off the second day of the summit Sept. 8 morning, tackling the issue of anti-Asian hate violence head on.

“The greatest challenge the AAPI community faces is the shocking rise in hate crimes, particularly attacking our grandparents, our children. But the community has fought

back,” said Lieu, referencing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on May 20, 2021.

“We are living in two different factual universes, in which one is based on ‘alternative facts,’” he said. “There is more outward expression of hate against minority communities.”

He noted that — even in the progressive state of California — there was a bill prohibiting foreign ownership of land. Texas and Florida, among other states, have floated bills prohibiting Chinese citizens from purchasing land in their states. Florida’s law went into effect July 1, prohibiting Chinese citizens from buying homes or land in the state.

Last year, Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a Democrat from Bakersfield, introduced SB 1084, a bill prohibiting foreign governments from owning land in California. The bill passed the Senate on a 31-0 vote, and a 75-0 vote in the Assembly. Newsom vetoed the bill last September.

In response to a question, Khanna said: “(former president Donald) Trump is continuing his blaming and shaming, and may continue talking about banning all imports from China. The responsibility is on us to speak up. People must understand that our relationship with Asia defines the 21st century.” Rep. Judy Chu, a Democrat from California who also chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, told this reporter: “Trump will not stop himself. He’s got three years of anti-Asian hate violence squarely on his back.”

“The community must be prepared for anti-Asian assaults in 2024,” said Chu. (Sunita Sohrabji/ Ethnic Media Services)

California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Chair Assemblyman Evan Low (left) with Reps. Ro Khanna and Ted Lieu, both Democrats from California, and CAPILC Vice Chair Sen. Dave Min, are shown Sept. 8 at the AAPI Leadership Summit. EMS photos by Sunita Sohrabji

A page on the declaration of martial law is seen on an Araling Panlipunan textbook at a school in Quezon City on Tuesday, Sept. 12. A memorandum released by the Department of Education’s Bureau of Curriculum Development ordered a change to the nomenclature in the Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan curriculum on the martial law years – from Diktadurang Marcos’ to just ‘Diktadura.’ Philstar.com photo

California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Chair Assemblyman Evan Low Rep. Judy Chu, D-California, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

Pfizer and Moderna are pushing the new...

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policy and helps determine insurance coverage for vaccines, will vote on the question Tuesday as it weighs the benefits of updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The FDA, the CDC’s sister agency, approved the two booster shots for use on Monday, September 11.

Not all vaccine experts see it quite as Schaffner, a nonvoting liaison representative to the ACIP, does.

‘Duterte has no plans for...

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he did not get to do when he was president.

“I’ve been catching up with my sleep lately and I ride my big bike around or outside the city,” Duterte said.

He also lamented that old age, now that he is 78, has been catching up with him so that it limits his movements. “It is old age. Old age catches up with me.”

Meeting Go said Arroyo, through her staff, invited Duterte who was in Manila at the time to an informal meeting on Saturday night, September 9.

“In the said meeting, former president Arroyo also convinced former president Duterte to become active in politics again,” Go said.

Pictures of the meeting among Arroyo, Duterte, Sotto, Medialdea and Go were sent to reporters.

Go described the meeting as “a simple greeting and happy meeting happened with the leaders who served the people in different positions or capacities during the previous administrations. They looked back on the times they spent together in government.”

The senator said the meeting

coincided with Duterte’s medical appointment in Manila. “Tatay Digong and I happened to be together then after I accompanied him to his medical check-up at the hospital, as I used to do with him,” said Go, who served as special assistant to the president during Duterte’s term as mayor and president.

“And since former President Duterte rarely goes to Manila these days, with the help of former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, former Senate president Tito Sotto also wanted to personally say hello to his friend Duterte,” Go added. g

“I don’t plan to get it myself,” said Paul Offit, 72, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He’s had two boosters and got COVID last year. Another vaccine might increase his protection against mild infection for a few months, but like most Americans’ immune systems, his is already familiar enough with the virus to protect him from serious disease, Offit believes.

Some of Schaffner’s scientific colleagues argue the government should be recommending the shot only for frail, older, sick, and immunocompromised people. Over 95% of the U.S. population are already COVIDimmunized through vaccination, infection, or both, and the risks of serious illness for healthy younger people are not great.

Schaffner doesn’t disagree. But lots of not-necessarilyvulnerable Americans do want the shot for themselves and their children, and, without a CDC recommendation, insurance companies wouldn’t have to pay for the vaccine.

It’s “pretty awful” that Pfizer

and Moderna, the two main COVID vaccine producers, have decided to charge up to $130 a shot, compared with $30 last year for the booster, which was produced under government contract, said Kathryn Edwards, a professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt and a member of an ACIP working group on COVID.

(Pfizer spokesperson Amy Rose said the price was “consistent with the value delivered” and reflected higher expenses to provide the shots commercially.)

But a partial recommendation could leave the very groups who suffered most during the pandemic — minorities and other disadvantaged groups — unable to get vaccinated if they want but can’t afford to.

“The last thing we need are financial barriers that would enhance disparities,” Schaffner said.

A 1993 law requires the federal government to pay for childhood vaccines recommended by the ACIP, and more recent legislation requires coverage of adult vaccines within 15 days of an ACIP recommendation.

Pfizer and Moderna continue to make billions of dollars in sales of COVID vaccines, although they are producing fewer doses.

Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel told investors in August that the company expected its global COVID vaccine sales to be $6 billion to $8 billion this year, depending on uptake in the U.S. Pfizer expects about $14 billion this year.

Within a few years, both companies expect to be producing combination vaccines protecting against influenza, COVID, and possibly respiratory syncytial virus. About 170 million flu vaccines were distributed last flu season in the U.S., so a combination product could lock in a large market for COVID vaccines as well.

Despite broad recommendations for the updated COVID booster shot released last fall, only 17% of the U.S. population got it — and about 43% of those 65 and older. How many will get the vaccine this season is uncertain, as is the benefit of the shot. A study of the new Moderna vaccine showed that it increased antibodies to various COVID strains, though it wasn’t clear how much protection against disease it would offer, nor for how long.

The new vaccine is unlikely to be a “game changer,” said John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

For healthier adults and children, “it’s a boost in protection for a few months,” Moore said. Who exactly will benefit most is impossible to predict because the U.S. is “not a cookie-cutter population.” Its people have by now been exposed to a bewildering combination of vaccines, boosters, and different strains of the virus.

Christopher Ridley, a Moderna spokesperson, said the updated vaccine was well matched to current viral strains, adding, “We encourage people to get vaccinated for COVID when they get their annual flu shot.”

Fearmongering has distorted the threat of the virus, Moore said. He is skeptical of the significance of the recent uptick in COVID hospitalizations, and criticized social media posters who have raised fears about new viral strains that don’t seem to pose any fundamental challenge to the new vaccines.

“Editorial FOMO drove summer surge worries,” Moore said, using an acronym for “fear of missing out.” Despite worrying comments and tweets by physicians such as Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, about

a new COVID variant called BA.2.86, “it turned out to be a real nothingburger,” Moore said.

Even Ashish Jha, who coordinated the Biden administration’s COVID response until returning to his post as dean of the Brown University School of Public Health this year, agrees there is some ambiguity in the issue. While he recommends that 20-year-olds get the booster, “a reasonable person” could disagree.

Unfortunately, such discussions in the current environment are clouded by “nonsense and bad information” that causes confusion and hurts people, he said in a recent podcast interview.

Whether truly needed or not, the vaccines, proponents say, are safe enough that even the small benefit of taking them will outweigh the risks. The major, though rare, serious side effect of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines — myocarditis, which particularly affected men in their teens and 20s — appears mainly to have occurred during the first two-shot series.

Paradoxically, those who most need protection from COVID are often likely to have weakened immune systems that fail to generate the hoped-for response to vaccination.

So the vaccine is arguably most relevant for healthy people who come in frequent contact with vulnerable individuals. With that in mind, England has announced the new booster would be offered only to people who are 65 or older, in nursing homes, or immunologically vulnerable — or who work or live with members of those groups.

“Any efforts to promote the new boosters should focus squarely on those at high risk,” said Norman Hearst, a family physician in San Francisco. While recommending the vaccine for older patients, he said he wouldn’t advise a booster for young males because of the rare risk of myocarditis and the negligible benefit. “The question is all the other people in between.”

In a commentary last November, infectious disease doctors Shira Doron and Monica Gandhi said vaccination campaigns should be radically honest about the limited value of vaccines for long-term protection against infection. Such a campaign might advocate vaccinating children because even though it won’t protect durably, “it might prevent the rare case of severe disease.”

Meanwhile, the vaccine makers have their own plans for publicizing the vaccines. In its call with investors last month, Moderna said it was focused on increasing sales and solidifying Moderna’s market share with branded promotion. Its “awareness campaigns” will tout ACIP recommendations and “connect COVID-19 with seasonal flu vaccines with the goal to drive consumers to get vaccinated this fall,” a company official said.

Moderna is co-sponsoring tennis’ U.S. Open this year and aired a video at the event Sept. 8 honoring Arthur Ashe, the only Black man to win Grand Slam titles, whom it credited with helping destigmatize HIV by revealing he had the virus.

The video presentation suggested that Moderna, like Ashe, has done well by being bold. (Arthur Allen/KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

DepEd hit for rebranding of...

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dictatorship then was led and made possible by Marcos Sr., and that his family was the principal beneficiary of plunder and concentration of power during this period,” Reyes said, as he urged the public to demand justice and accountability from the Marcos administration.

Reyes also criticized Marcos’ attendance at another F1 race in Singapore during a time that the country remembers the atrocities of his father’s dictatorial rule and extreme economic crisis as the height of sensitivity.

Budget cuts

In another development, professors, students and employees of state universities and colleges (SUCs) are decrying budget cuts and “unjust” policies in higher education, calling on lawmakers to increase the funding for SUCs instead.

As the House of Representatives summoned the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) again on Tuesday, SUC stakeholders

trooped to the Batasang Pambansa to call on lawmakers to address the pressing issues of SUCs instead of slashing their budgets.

University of the Philippines Faculty Regent and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)SUCs chairman Carl Ramota lamented that it was unjust for the government to be spending millions in confidential funds next year while more than half of SUCs have less than P20,000 funding per student for one semester.

“The Marcos government wants to slash next year’s budget for SUCs by P7 billion and the CHED budget by P1 billion, a big part of which are for student scholarships and free higher education funds,” Ramota said.

“These proposed P8-billion cuts in tertiary education budget spell grave repercussions to the operations of our already struggling public universities and the already limited enjoyment of the Filipino youth’s right to education,” he added. g

CARAVAN OF SERVICES. The Philippine Statistics Authority-Davao Region Statistical Services Office conducts a grand caravan of services and exhibit at SM City Davao on Tuesday, Sept. 12 in time for its 10th anniversary. The two-day fair offers services such as mobile registration for civil registry documents, Philippine identification card registration and electronic-Phil ID printing. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

VP Sara lauds Marcos for backing OVP budget

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

VICE President Sara Duterte on Monday, September 11 thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for vouching the 2022 Confidential Found (CF) given the Office of the Vice President (OVP). In a statement, Duterte also cited Malacañang, particularly the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), Defense Secretary Gilberto ''Gibo'' Teodoro Jr., and Marikina Second District Rep. Stella Quimbo for their part in defending OVP's budget.

"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and to several officials of his administration who stood by the Office of the Vice

President as it faced the storm of attacks on the 2022 confidential fund," she said.

"These efforts are genuinely appreciated because they help counter the lies told by Rep. France Castro and the Makabayan bloc in Congress on the 2022 OVP CF," she added.

Duterte thanked Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for explaining the legal basis of the CF while calling out her critics for insisting that it was in violation of the law.

Bersamin last week said the transfer of P221.424 million CF to the OVP was authorized by Special Provision 1 under fiscal year 2022 Contingent Fund as it authorizes the Office of the President to approve releases to cover funding requirements of

new or urgent activities that need to be implemented.

The president, the Palace executive added, is "authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities of NGA (national government agencies), among others, that need to be implemented during the year."

Meanwhile, Duterte slammed Sen. Ana Theresia ''Risa'' Hontiveros for failing to provide proof "to support their dirty imagination."

"I have believed the lies they peddled to the public will eventually lose their charm and the OVP and DepEd (Department of Education) will persist, be vindicated, and realize their aspirations for the Filipinos and the country," she said. 

Marcos leads father’s 106th birth anniversary rites

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, September 11 led the commemoration of the 106th birth anniversary of his late father and namesake in their hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte.

The chief executive said the best way to honor the memory of his father is to "stay true to the passion" of being of service to the Filipino people.

"There is still a lot left to be done," he said in Filipino during the Marcos Day celebration.

"What's important is making life better for the Filipinos."

Recalling how the late leader served as his mentor, the president praised the elder Marcos for "the peace and order that he fought and stood for, the development that he inspired our own citizens to build, and the dreams that he left in the hearts of many."

"He remains a true Filipino and Ilocano icon, whose exceptional mind matched the nation-loving spirit that he possessed and he had demonstrated," Marcos Jr. said.

"So, as we remember and pay tribute to his memory, let this gathering serve as a testament to the unwavering pursuit of unity that he so passionately espoused for our people. In his memory, may our actions from this point on be directed by the desire to preserve and share the rich

heritage of our province, of our nation," he added.

He then called on young leaders and government officials to emulate the values, ideals, and vision of his father for the Philippines and the Filipino people.

"It is not necessary for us to hold ceremonies, parades, or the like, to give credit to the efforts and sacrifices of 'Apo Lakay' and those who have gone before him who share a deep and committed love for the Philippines," he said.

The president led a wreathlaying ceremony at the monument of his father, which

Congress seeks creation of West Philippine Sea Authority

MANILA — Amid calls for a focused and more organized handling of West Philippine Sea (WPS) affairs, a lawmaker has proposed the establishment of a “West Philippine Sea Authority” under the Office of the President.

In his House Bill 9027, Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting said the “specialized authority” would be dedicated to the “protection, management and sustainable development of the maritime resources and territories within the WPS.”

The proposed body would also be instrumental in “upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights, protecting its maritime resources, and contributing to regional stability and cooperation,” he said.

claim in waters and land features within Philippine territory.

He cited the Chinese’s repeated attempts – using water cannons and dangerous maneuver –to stop Filipino vessels from delivering supplies to a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Tambunting said his proposed legislation is aligned with the 2016 landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims.

safe in the West Philippine Sea.”

The PCG wants an additional allocation of P1.307 billion for next year. Its budget for this year amounts to P21.9 billion.

“You (PCG) are doing your job, we will do our job. That is the most important. I will be meeting with the Coast Guard, Navy, Army and military on their wish list to help you. Whatever political affiliation we are from, majority or minority, we are united to support you,” the senate president said.

was followed by a celebration of a Holy Mass and the launching of the Don Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)-Philippine Rice Research Institute Rice Paddy Art.

"It was the first state university that my father built.

It was his life-long dream to build a good university for our people here in Ilocos Norte. And from those beginnings, the research that has come out of MMSU has been exemplary. Of course, added to that, we also have PhilRice; the PhilRice offices are also here in Batac," he said. (ManilaTimes.net)

“This proposed act seeks to address the complexities and challenges associated with the WPS by outlining a clear framework for the establishment and operation of the West Philippine Sea Authority,” he added.

He said the West Philippine Sea encompasses a significant portion of the country’s exclusive economic zone and “holds vital economic, environmental and strategic importance for the Philippines.”

The creation of such body, he said, has become more urgent with China’s heightened aggressiveness in asserting its

Senators, meanwhile, are inclined to approve a bigger budget for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which has figured prominently in tackling China’s provocations in the West Philippine Sea.

“We have good news. The Senate is one and united that we will assist your budget this coming budget hearing. We will increase your funds (for 2024) whether confidential or intelligence funds or funding that will properly equip you for your needs in the WPS and protection all over our country,”

Senate President Juan Miguel said on Tuesday, September 12 at a public hearing of the Senate committee on national defense chaired by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

He lauded PCG officers and personnel for sacrificing their lives “to keep our men secure and

He also expressed appreciation for the support of the U.S. and other allies for the Philippine position on the South China Sea issue.

“We can’t do it alone, we need help from allies. We welcome American help. Australia, Japan, South Korea and the European Union – they have offered help, not only in terms of equipment, but also in economic assistance. They know another country can have us hostaged,” he said in Filipino.

Like Zubiri, Estrada said the country should accept offers of assistance from other countries.

“Let’s use and accept, whether we admit it or not, we need help from friends. Given our defense circumstance now, we are not in a position to refuse. If our allies U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Japan and South Korea give us something, let’s accept it,” he  PAGE 8

SON HONORS FATHER. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offers flowers at the monument of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. in Batac, Ilocos Norte, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in commemoration of his 106th birth anniversary. Malacañang photo

Transparency vs graft

CORRUPTION has become endemic in the Philippines, a fad, and is on the rise in every agency of government, and eradicating the scourge could not be accomplished within a lifetime. This is according to the official mandated to lead the campaign against corruption, Ombudsman Samuel Martires.

Defending the proposed 2024 budget of his office, the ombudsman attributed the problem to the fact that “money becomes power, and if you have power, talagang sikat ka (you are really famous).” He lamented that Filipinos have lost respect for God and themselves.

Editorial

While his assessment is accurate, Martires has courted controversy. For someone who recognizes the seriousness of the corruption problem, critics have been disheartened by suggestions from the ombudsman that go against efforts to promote transparency and good governance.

In September 2021, he had pushed for five years in prison for anyone who would make “commentaries” on the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of government officials.

Martires had barred access to the SALNs even by the media without the approval of his office –a move that critics said went against provisions of Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Although Martires’ move did not stop officials from making public their SALNs, it was used by key public officials to withhold the release of their asset statements since 2017, beginning with then

president Rodrigo Duterte. This time, Martires wants Congress to stop the mandatory publication by the Commission on Audit of its initial reports on government agencies, ostensibly to prevent public prejudgment of these offices. The COA reports are accessible on its website, and concerned agencies are given a chance to explain issues raised regarding their utilization of public funds.

If a country suffers from endemic corruption, transparency should be among the indispensable weapons wielded against the scourge. The suggestions of the ombudsman go against this. It has often been said that those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear. Graft busters have enough problems trying to get past bank secrecy laws that have turned the country into a money laundering haven.

The constitutional body that is supposed to be a vanguard against corruption should be leading the charge against opaqueness in the utilization of people’s money. Martires already has a sound appreciation of the gravity of the problem. Instead of aggravating corruption with measures rolling back transparency, the ombudsman should be part of the solution. (Philstar.com)

THE 2022 elections gave us the very first vice president from Mindanao—Sara Duterte, heir apparent to former president Rodrigo Duterte, another first Mindanawon to be elected to the country’s highest political position.

Sara, however, seemed to have outdone her father in getting more “firsts” to describe her vice presidency. She is the first VP to be given a concurrent position as secretary of one of the most important and well-funded departments in the Cabinet, the Department of Education. Yet, by her own admission, she is not an educator or an education expert. But since her running mate, President Marcos, thought she is a mother, she should know a thing or two about education; ergo, she got the job. This is also the first time that being a mother is a qualification to be an education secretary. There are other firsts to add to her unprecedented record as VP/secretary of education. She is the first to frame education as a national security concern. Is

Commentary

IN my previous column, I set myself up for the difficult task of identifying ways forward amid the current political dispensation, arguing that while we cannot lose track of structural violence that has held back our country, spaces and pockets of reform exist regardless of whoever is in charge.

One place to start is with the president’s campaign promises. As observers pointed out, he was actually quite progressive in some of his views on social issues—at least during the campaign— and his pronouncements can be invoked to advance some belated, badly needed change.

Let me discuss a couple:

Divorce, for instance, remains illegal in the Philippines, notwithstanding the demonstrable harms of the status quo to families, especially

this perhaps a way to somehow fill her longing for the post of defense secretary that was not given to her? This perspective of looking at education makes her believe she is entitled to hefty confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) to do surveillance activities within Department of Education (DepEd) schools and offices. This is another first. No other secretary of education before her got a windfall of a budget allocation for some opaque funds, like the CIF. And it was given to her with nary a whimper of protest from the majority-run houses of Congress. When she defended her budget for CIF as VP for 2024 last week, she had the extraordinary privilege of presenting it without question. After her presentation, House Senior Deputy Majority Speaker Sandro Marcos, the president’s son, put a stop to the interpellation of the Makabayan bloc by saying, “In line with the long-standing tradition of giving the Office of the Vice President parliamentary courtesy, I move to terminate the budget [hearing] of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).”

Two members of the Makabayan bloc in Congress were quite enraged, they were

women and children; harms that then candidate Bongbong Marcos recognized when he said that “there are cases where divorce is called for.” Candidate Marcos also spoke in favor of decriminalizing abortion in cases of rape and incest, and hinted at supporting gender equality and nondiscrimination laws.

He has since stayed largely silent on these issues, but his professed openness to them has contributed to a political climate in which lawmakers and government officials feel free(r) to advocate for them. A divorce bill is making unprecedented progress in Congress and I see no incentive for the president to expend political capital on an issue that a majority of Filipinos are already open to (53 percent of Filipinos support legalizing divorce, according to a 2017 Social Weather Stations survey)—especially if this openness will translate to advocacy and activism.

In the realm of drug policy, the president has acknowledged that there is a need to depart

not even allowed to explain why they voted no to the motion of the president’s son. One of them, Rep. France Castro, was still talking but her microphone was already put off. This was evidence of the lack of courtesy among the majority members of Congress toward their colleagues in the minority bloc. This is also another first associated with the VP and her allies.

But the younger Duterte is also the first to enjoy her own security force as VP. Past vice presidents were secured and protected by the Vice Presidential Security Detachment. But last June 24, 2022, the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group was created and activated as a separate unit from the Presidential Security Group.

In 2022, the Commission on Audit reported that the OVP engaged 433 security escorts for Duterte in her first year in office. In a statement, the OVP defended the deployment of this huge number of security personnel, by saying that the “security and protection of the VP is a fundamental task that it will inevitably perform … when the vice president and the president face the misfortune of

from Rodrigo Duterte’s punitive regime, and senators as diverse as Risa Hontiveros, Robinhood Padilla, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa have called for drug “decriminalization” (albeit with very different interpretations of what the term means). This is admittedly a more uphill battle than even getting a divorce law, but there is certainly a more conducive environment for drug reforms today than in the time of Duterte.

From my conversations with government officials, I have also learned that many of them actually want some of these reforms but they cannot act motu proprio ; they need the public behind them— especially if they’re up against political and economic powers that be. Lending our voices—as opposed to abstaining because we think it’s pointless—can tilt the discourse. Indeed, I cannot help but wonder if, had the outcry against the continued detention of Leila de Lima been louder and more sustained, she would have been free by now.

having a relationship strained or broken by political differences …” The statement went on to cite the strained relationship that Sara’s father, the former president, had with his vice president, Leni Robredo. If this is so, is the current VP scared of her former running mate, and now the president?

But the extraordinary number of security personnel leaves more questions than answers. A news report noted that this number is a 455 percent increase from the number of security personnel hired during Robredo’s entire term.

Perhaps this is the biggest “first” of VP Sara. Last week, she admitted her office received over P221 million as CF from the Office of the President in December 2022. However, this budget entry was not in the national spending program for last year. This is the first time a very high-level office of the government managed to “squeeze” or divert some funds from the approved budget of 2022 (presumably approved the year before, in 2021), something that lawyer Barry Gutierrez considers illegal and unconstitutional. Gutierrez, together with the Makabayan bloc representatives, also think

At the local level, there is also so much that is being done, including baby steps toward sustainability championed by the likes of Baguio City’s Benjamin Magalong and Iloilo City’s Jerry Treñas. Joy Belmonte’s righteous (and rightful) indignation against Willie Gonzalez, the former policeman who pulled a gun on a cyclist, is a reminder that local chief executives can sometimes take leadership in national issues, especially when Malacañang abdicates from that mandate.

What of ordinary citizens?

In a recent conversation with University of the Philippines Los Baños academics Agnes Rola and Helen Dayo, they reminded me of the case of Majayjay, where residents repudiated their elected officials’ dubious water deal, back in 2014, by voting most of them out of office. Like the activism of the Sibuyanons that has successfully blocked mining on their island (at least for now) and the environmental advocacy of the Palawaños

so. Gutierrez is Robredo’s former aide.

When people earn several “firsts” in their careers, they are usually applauded and given citations or awards. Not so with this one. The VP’s many “firsts” speak volumes of how positions of power are blatantly used to normalize corruption

that’s at the heart of protecting what’s left of their island’s forests, the case of Majayjay shows that far from dead, civil society is very much alive, especially in issues that people actually care about. If there is any effort on the part of the opposition to learn from the 2022 elections and build a broader coalition, these issues must be at the core of building something that eschews fandoms and espouses a longterm political movement.

But for such spaces to be claimed, there must be recognition that electoral outcomes are not the only political outcomes that matter. Better officials are highly desirable (we can surely do without vexatious intelligence funds and power-tripping appointees), but better laws, better policies, better programs are better than nothing—and we do not need to wait for 2028 to fight for them.

We can already demand for these policies and programs. We can already support nongovernmental

and further reinforce executive impunity. (Inquirer.net)

* * *

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

* * * Comments to rcguiam@gmail.com

organizations and people’s organizations who are doing good work. We can support— both now and in 2025—local officials who show signs of independence and innovation. And we can support journalists, academics, and activists who facilitate these initiatives by exposing good and bad practices alike. There must also be a recognition that claiming these admittedly limited spaces is impossible without issues-based (as opposed to personalities-based) coalitionbuilding. If we can somehow muster the same enthusiasm for some key issues as for the candidates we fervently supported, we may yet achieve something; perhaps not victory, but at least, progress. (Inquirer. net)

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

* * * glasco@inquirer.com.ph

Cash aid distribution for rice retailers exempted from spending ban

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) request to allow the nationwide release of cash assistance to rice retailers amid the spending ban during the election period.

In a decision released on Tuesday, September 12 and addressed to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the Comelec relayed the decision of its chairperson, George Erwin Garcia, to approve the disbursement of funds for the economic relief subsidy to small retailers affected by the implementation of mandated rice price ceilings.

Congress seeks creation of West Philippine...

said. Also on Tuesday at the hearing on the budgets of the PCG and other agencies attached to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the Coast Guard’s proposed P24.019 billion next year “is really not enough for us to do what is expected of us in doing the functions of the Coast Guard all over the country.”

“The Coast Guard is adhering to the direction of the president to have a sustained and continued presence in the West Philippine Sea, and that’s over and above the traditional functions of the Coast Guard in addressing maritime incidents, in conducting patrol missions, not only in West Philippine Sea, but all over the archipelago,” Abu said.

Abu said the PCG would also need a “conservative” P144million intelligence fund from its

said the executive only approved P24 billion of PCG’s request of P70 billion for next year.

“We welcome any increase in the PCG’s budget for the acquisition of floating and air assets. The PCG only has small vessels for its floating assets, the biggest at only 97 meters. It needs more floating vessels to fulfill its mandate to protect the maritime assets of the country,” Bautista said.

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, for his part, questioned the presence of a U.S. Navy aircraft during the tension-filled resupply mission on Friday, September 8 in the Ayungin Shoal. He asked the committee if U.S. help was really needed for the operation. Estrada sought clarification if the success of the resupply mission could be attributed to the arrival of the U.S. aircraft.

Defense Undersecretary

Ignacio Madriaga stressed the resupply mission was successful

counterpart, is not a civilian agency.

Batongbacal also said the U.S. aircraft did not violate international law as it was merely monitoring the resupply mission that was taking place within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“What is clear is that China used its coast guard to stop the resupply mission as seen in the videos,” he noted.

Meanwhile, PCG deputy commandant for administration Vice Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the U.S. has donated a P250million educational and technical building to the PCG.

In a statement, Gavan said the newly constructed Specialized Education and Technical building would be used to educate, develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of PCG personnel.

“The building serves as an important instrument for the enhancement of the capabilities

Under Memorandum 23-05923 issued Monday, September 11, the Comelec law department recommended the approval of Gatchalian’s request to authorize the release, disbursement and expenditure of public funds for the cash assistance for micro and small rice retailers.

The Comelec on Aug. 9 issued Resolution 10944 prohibiting the use of public funds for social services and development from Sept.

15 to Oct. 30, covering the national, regional, provincial, local governments and government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.

The DSWD was reminded to ensure that its approved request will not “in any manner influence the conduct of the 30 October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang Elections.”

The department was also told to make sure that it will not involve any distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations from Oct. 20 to 30, “except those which are normally given to qualified individuals such as but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, educational, burial and other similar assistance.”

In a Palace briefing earlier on Tuesday, Gatchalian cited the need for a possible extension of distribution of cash assistance, noting that some rice retailers were unable to get the payout.

The DSWD has so far released PHP7.5 million worth of cash assistance to 474 beneficiaries.

Citing the initial list provided by

the Department of Trade and Industry, an estimated 5,942 retailers will benefit from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for small rice retailers affected by the imposition of rice price caps.

The SLP recipients include rice retailers who have business permits in public and private markets.

The second phase of the SLP will be for affected rice retailers outside the markets.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said the department appreciates the Comelec’s decision so they can continue to provide critical support during this challenging time.

“The approval of the DSWD Secretary’s request recognizes the urgency of addressing the economic challenges faced by vulnerable micro-scale rice retailers across the nation,” Lopez, also the DSWD spokesperson, said in a news release.

The scheduled distribution on Wednesday, September 13 was to be in Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, Valenzuela and Pateros. (PNA)

ENHANCED CAPABILITY. The christening and commissioning ceremony of the BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177) (left) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178), formerly U.S. Cyclone patrol vessels, is held at the Philippine Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Monday, Sept. 11. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the two Alvarez-class patrol ships are welcome additions to the Navy’s littoral fleet in order to pursue

a

more robust position in defending sovereign rights in the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and other jurisdiction of the Philippines. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Paris welcomes Daily Malong at 2023 Fashion Week

PARIS – Daily Malong, a name in the Filipino fashion industry, is proud to announce its presence at 2023 Paris Fashion Week, where it will introduce its vibrant new collection, Rooted and Current. This is in preparation for Daily Malong’s rebrand transition set to release in October 2023 reflecting the team’s commitment to celebrating and promoting indigenous weaving from the Philippines, a belief passionately held by its founder, Lydia Querian inspired by rivers and mountains from her research journey to the communities.

Under the tagline “Indigenous is the Future,” Daily Malong is set to launch its latest collection, “Rooted and Current.” This innovative line is harmoniously informed by a blend of ancestral knowledge and modern fashion trends, resulting from extensive research conducted amongst indigenous and weaving communities in the Philippines.

“Rooted and Current” encompasses a creative

and wearable line, bringing contemporary relevance to the timeless beauty of Filipino indigenous weaving from many different ethnolinguistic groups. Each piece in the collection, from intricate weaves to bold embroideries, tells a unique story, drawing deeply from oral tradition and innovation. This collection is more than just a fashion statement – it’s a celebration of cultural heritage and a testament to the inspiring fusion of past and present.

“Daily Malong’s mission is to bring the indigenous cultural inspiration from the Philippines to the global stage,” said Lydia Querian, founder of Daily Malong and the driving force behind Karayan. “Through ‘Rooted and Current,’ we hope to offer a fresh perspective on fashion, one that respects and draws from our ancestral knowledge while staying in tune with modern trends.”

Paris Fashion Week attendees will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the

effortless elegance of Daily Malong’s collection at Le Salon des Miroirs on September 29 and 30. The brand invites everyone to join them in their journey of exploring the beauty of indigenous Filipino culture and its significant role in shaping the future of fashion.

Daily Malong is a BIPOC and Filipinx woman-owned fashion brand with a powerful purpose. Its team of creatives is on a mission to empower indigenous communities in the Philippines, sharing their legacy of ancestral knowledge with Filipinx diasporic communities across the globe.

Founder Lydia Querian spearheads its vision, driven by the resounding belief that “Indigenous is the future.”

In her steadfast dedication, Lydia envisions a world where the invaluable practices of indigenous communities are woven into the fabric of the future. By marrying the timeless wisdom of the past with the opportunities of the

‘A Very Good Girl’ to be released in US on Oct. 6

Film stars Dolly de Leon, Kathryn Bernardo

ABS-CBN announced on Tuesday, September 12 that its latest film, ‘A Very Good Girl’ to be released in United States theaters on Friday, October 6. The film stars Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award nominee Dolly de Leon (“A Triangle of Sadness”, “Verdict,” “Historya ni Ha”) and Asian Box Office Superstar Kathryn Bernardo (“Hello, Love, Goodbye” and “Barcelona: A Love Untold”).

Directed by Petersen Vargas and written by Marianne Mancol, Daniel Saniana and Jumbo Albano, “A Very Good Girl” features two self-made women and follows them as they navigate their lives around each other. After a heartless firing triggers a chain of unfortunate events, Philo (Bernardo) plots a meticulous revenge against retail mogul, Mother Molly (de Leon), aiming to dismantle her empire and seize the ultimate payback. This time, there is no mercy.

This marks

ABS-CBN’s continued commitment to making Filipino content accessible on a global scale. This also celebrates the 30th anniversary of Star Cinema – a film studio, film & television production company, and film distributor based in the Philippines. The official U.S. trailer of ‘A Very Good Girl’ can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jFfzQYNY0AE.

ABS-CBN Corporation is a media and entertainment organization in the Philippines. The company is primarily involved in the production of entertainment, feature films, news and information, and audio content for domestic and international audiences. ABS-CBN produces content and distributes its programs, feature films, and music on different platforms such as cable and satellite TV, domestic free TV through various partnerships with local broadcasters and third-party digital platforms, as well as traditional box-office releases. ABS-CBN also distributes content through its streaming service, iWantTFC, and through coproduction and syndication agreements with international streaming platforms, broadcasters and cable and satellite programmers. Related businesses include artist and talent management

as well as concerts and events.

Star Cinema, also known as ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc, is the foremost Filipino film production and distribution outfit. Star Cinema is currently celebrating its 30-year anniversary. The company, founded in 1993, has produced more than 200 films in various genres, all of which are geared to suit the preferences of Filipinos of all ages and walks of life, wherever they may be in the world. ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. aims to deliver quality film entertainment to the Filipino moviegoer while strengthening market leadership, profitability, and internal organization.

Celeste believes Michelle will win Miss Universe crown

by HANNAH MALLORCA Inquirer.net

CELESTE Cortesi has faith that Michelle Dee will take home the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown in the upcoming pageant that will take place in El Salvador in November.

Cortesi expressed her support for the crossover beauty queen during a brief interview with reporters at the Preview Ball black carpet.

"Of course, I believe in her. You know that she’s been preparing so hard since we were batchmates. I really believe in her,” she said when asked about Dee’s upcoming participation in the global tilt. Dee was named as Miss Universe Philippines Tourism during the Filipina-Italian stunner’s coronation in 2022.

The Kapuso star then advised Dee to “believe in herself” in the upcoming pageant, as she hoped that the Miss Universe title would be back in the country’s hands.

“I think she just needs to believe in herself and just have fun during the competition,” she said. “For me, I would be more

than happy to finally see the Philippines winning Miss Universe.

Good luck to her.”

Comfort is key Cortesi, who was wearing a sexy Chris Nick halter gown during the event, told entertainment media that while she “can wear anything,” she prefers to stay “comfortable during her offdays.”

present, Daily Malong stands as ambassadors of traditions, protectors of the environment, and champions of change.

Every piece of clothing Daily Malong creates is made with handwoven indigenous textiles serving as a living testament

to the resilience of the diverse weaving communities across the Philippines. These textiles, when donned today, bear the weight of history and the narrative of ancestral lineages across the Philippines. They bridge generations, offering both

wearers and weavers a profound connection that transcends time. Through this connection, we navigate the challenges of societal adversity, work towards climate preservation, and endeavor to restore balance to our environment.

Digitally-restored Home Along Da Riles kicks o tribute for Dolphy

by KANE ERROL CHUA Philstar.com

FOR several decades, and even today, the comedic genius of the Philippines’ King of Comedy, Dolphy, has continued to bring laughter and joy to millions of Filipinos across generations through his funny antics, witty humor, and lovable persona that never fail to tickle a funny bone.

And as a fitting tribute to the King of Comedy, the Film Development Council (FDCP) is launching the third installment of its Philippine Film Industry Month with the theme “Tuloy ang Tawanan” with Dolphy himself as the face of this month-long celebration.

The festivities kicked off with a screening of the digitally-restored version of Home Along Da Riles Da Movie, courtesy of ABS-CBN Film Restoration. The event reunited the cast of the sitcom made into movie, namely Claudine Barretto (as Bing), Vandolph Quizon (Baldo), Boy 2 Quizon (Estong), Smokey Manaloto (Bill), Gio Alvarez (Bob), and Nova Villa (Aling Ason), among others.

Present at the screening was Sagip Pelikula head Leo Katigbak, who emphasized the importance of preserving Dolphy’s legacy by restoring and remastering his cinematic works, especially for today’s younger audiences.

“From the beginning, we have always wanted to restore a lot of Dolphy’s works because I feel that despite him being known as the King of Comedy, the younger generation may not know him well, especially through his timeless films and TV shows that resonated to audiences of all ages,” Leo shared.

“I saw the restored works of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin.  Isang tingin ko pa lang noon, si  Dolphy  agad ang pumasok sa isip ko. He is in that league, and he is indeed world-class. Unfortunately, not much of his works survived for the younger generations to appreciate him even more,” he added.

Leo then recalled instances of the continuous clamor to hail Dolphy as a National Artist, highlight-

ing that restoring his works is vital in strengthening his candidacy for the prestigious honor and further cementing his legacy as the King of Comedy.

“A part of the criteria for the national honor is that there is a body of work that survives. For us at Sagip Pelikula, if there’s a push to make him a National Artist, we make sure that his works that define him as the King of Comedy should still be around,” Leo noted.

To date, ABS-CBN Film Restoration has restored eight of his films spanning five decades, with the scanned and enhanced version of The Graduation (1969), Captain Barbell (1973), Omeng Satanasia (1977), My Juan En Only (1982), John En Marsha ‘85 Sa Probinsya (1985), Home Along Da Riles Da Movie (1993), Markova: Comfort Gay and Daddy O, Baby O! (2000).

Dolphy’s Home Along co-stars also expressed gratitude for ABSCBN’s efforts to preserve his legacy for today’s audiences and for future generations seeking to learn the roots of Philippine entertainment.

Ang saya-saya kasi ang sarap balik-balikan ‘yung mga nagawa niya noon in color and high definition. Napakalaki ng effort  na ginawa ng ABS-CBN  kaya’t maraming, maraming salamat sa kanila at sana lahat ng pelikulang luma ma-restore,” Smokey shared.

Meanwhile, Dolphy’s grandson, Boy2 Quizon, also thanked

ABS-CBN for continuing to re-air his works on various platforms. Through these efforts, Filipino audiences today can share Dolphy’s legacy of bringing laughter to their future children or grandchildren, and further highlight how his shows are anchored towards our culture and timely family values. “It’s nice  na ma-restore lahat ng ito, lalo na sa mga kabataang hindi nakaabot na mapanood ang mga palabas niya. It’s a matter of showcasing the core values of family. ‘Yung iba kasi napanood na nila, nakikita pa rin nila through various digital platforms, meron pa tayong Jeepney TV, Cinema One, etc. Parang lumalabas muli si Tatay Dolphy,” he said.

Today, many actors and comedians seek to emulate and continue Dolphy’s lifetime of laughs shared with millions of Filipinos. However, restoration plays a significant role in preserving his works, ensuring that valuable lessons and hearty laughter are passed down from one generation of viewers to the next.

(Kapamilyas can watch more restored versions of ABS-CBN’s comedy titles in FDCP’s monthlong celebration of Philippine Film Industry Month. Catch Here Comes the Bride on Sept. 13; Ang Tanging Ina, Sept. 26; and Daddy O, Baby O!, Sept. 28 for free at the Rizal Open Air Auditorium and all of FDCP’s Cinematheques.)

"I can wear anything. But on a regular day, I would wear sneakers and a hoodie and jeans. I want to be very comfortable,” she said.

“I know you see me as very glam but in my everyday life, when I’m not wearing all of this, I would rather wear my sneakers and hoodies. I just want to be comfortable,” she added.

Photos courtesy of Daily Malong

The wacky Cosme family — Dolphy with Claudine Barretto, Vandolph Quizon, Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Dang Cruz

movie.

Celeste Cortesi and Michelle

Photos from Instagram/@celeste_cortesi, @themissuniverseph

Dolphy, the country’s King of Comedy is featured in the third installment of Film Development Council’s Philippine Film Industry Month with the theme ‘Tuloy ang Tawanan.’ The festivities begin with a screening of the digitally-restored version of his Home Along Da Riles Da Movie, where he plays the iconic character Kevin Cosme, courtesy of ABS-CBN Film Restoration.

Success story: Parents’ ultimate sacrifice pays off when the family is finally reunited, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

ROMEO and Connie came to the United States in 1994 to visit, leaving behind their five children. They remained in the U.S. after friends convinced them to pursue a better life here. While it was an agonizing decision to make, the couple knew their sacrifice was going to provide a better

education for their children and a better life for their family.

After 13 years, their green card finally arrived, and they immediately filed a petition for their youngest, Remuel, who was only eight years old when they left him behind in 1994. Their previous lawyer said that Remuel

had already aged out and nothing could be done.

However, Mommy Connie saw a similar case on Citizen Pinoy, and she insisted and convinced her husband, Romeo, to consult with Atty. Gurfinkel.

During their consultation,

Jessica Caloza endorsed by CA Federation of Teachers

Statewide working families organization representing classroom teachers, public educators and classified professionals joins growing coalition backing Caloza for AD-52

LOS ANGELES – Underscoring the depth and breadth of support rallying around her bid to represent California State Assembly District 52, lifelong public servant and community organizer Jessica Caloza today earned a high-powered endorsement from the California Federation of Teachers (CFT).

Representing 147 Local unions chartered by the umbrella organization, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the CFT serves as the voice of more than 120,000 educational employees working at every level of public and private education from Head Start to the University of California. It is also affiliated with the AFL-CIO, which represents more than 12.5 million working people.

In making public their endorsement of Jessica Caloza for Assembly District 52, Jeffery M. Freitas, President of the California Federation of Teachers released the following statement:

"Jessica Caloza understands the critical need to ensure all students receive a world-class education. That's why the education professionals that make up the California Federation of Teachers are proud to endorse Jessica Caloza for State Assembly. We know that in Sacramento, Jessica will be a fearless leader on behalf of students, teachers, classified employees, and local schools, and we know she will work with us to prioritize investments in public education."

Caloza, a first generation immigrant and a proud product of the public school system, has amassed a far-reaching coalition of support since entering the AD-52 contest, earning sought-after support from working families organizations and some of California's most widely respected leaders, including the following:

Organizations

SEIU California State Council

California Federation of Teachers (CFT)

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage

Employees (IATSE) Local 33

California Asian & Pacific Islander (API)

Legislative Caucus Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County (ADLAC)

California Young Democrats (CYD) Asian Pacific

Islander Caucus

Elected leaders

California Attorney General Rob Bonta

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

State Senator Dave Min

Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez

Assemblymember Mia Bonta

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Assembly

Majority Leader

Assemblymember Mike Fong

Assemblymember Matt Haney, Assistant

Majority Whip

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer

Assemblymember Evan Low, API Legislative

Caucus Chair

Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Assistant

Speaker Pro Tem

Assemblymember Liz Ortega

Assemblymember Phil Ting

San Diego Mayor & Assemblymember (ret.)

Todd Gloria

San Francisco City Attorney & Assemblymember

(ret.) David Chiu

Daly City Mayor Ray Buenaventura

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

Artesia Mayor (ret.) Victor Manalo

Sierra Madre Mayor (ret.) Rachelle Pastor

Arizmendi

Cerritos Mayor (ret.) Mark Pulido

Mountain View Councilmember Margaret Abe-

Koga

LA Community College District Trustee Dr.

Kelsey Iino

Irvine Vice Mayor Tammy Kim

Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee

Torrance Unified School District Board Member

Betty Lieu

Succession planning: The cornerstone of family business

legacy and prosperity

IN family enterprises, a sobering truth prevails: With each generational transition, the odds of a company’s survival diminish. This fact isn’t mere conjecture; it’s a hard-earned lesson observed in countless family businesses worldwide. In this article, we delve into the pressing importance of succession planning for family businesses, exploring its impact on longevity, wealth preservation, and overall business health.

The unpredictable urgency of preparedness

PAGE 11

In the fast-paced world of business, we often become ensnared in the pursuit of growth and success, sometimes neglecting the harsh reality that life can throw unexpected curveballs our way. These curveballs, as we’ve seen, aren’t limited to health-related issues; they can manifest as freak accidents, unforeseen events, or even the insidious threat of an unknown virus, as vividly exemplified by the story of a couple in their early 60s.

What was initially expected to be an idyllic getaway transformed into a frantic race against time. While enjoying a European vacation, the founder suddenly fell victim to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, vomiting, and an unrelenting fever. What followed was an urgent hospitalization, intubation, and grim advice from medical professionals. Miraculously, survival was granted, but it came at an exorbitant cost—his active dealmaking role was forever altered, and a once-vibrant leader deeply engaged in the family business was now confined to a wheelchair, incapacitated.

Two crucial business lessons

This poignant narrative underscores two crucial lessons for businesses. Firstly, it highlights the inherent unpredictability of life. For family enterprises, it serves as a stark reminder that success isn’t solely measured by sales, expansion, and growth; it also hinges on preparedness for the unexpected. In this light, a

robust succession plan becomes more than just a strategy; it becomes a lifeline. It ensures business continuity, mitigates risks, and safeguards the legacy and prosperity of the enterprise, even in the face of life’s harshest uncertainties.

Secondly, it underscores the paramount importance of proactive preparedness. This readiness is akin to building one’s own Noah’s Ark, enabling a family business to weather life’s unpredictability with resilience and foresight.

The transformative power of succession planning

Imagine a scenario where adversity strikes with relentless force, as exemplified by the sudden incapacitation of the business founder mentioned above. This time, however, armed with a meticulously crafted succession plan, the family’s preparedness shines through. It not only ensures the business’s survival but empowers it to PAGE 10

IT IS a momentous occasion as Mon Cargo Services, Inc. celebrates 37 years of delivering excellence in the world of cargo services. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the industry, this milestone is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment and dedication.

Throughout the years, Mon Cargo has faced challenges and embraced opportunities with resilience and determination. Its team of passionate professionals has worked tirelessly to ensure that every package reaches its destination safely and efficiently. It is their dedication that has earned Mon Cargo the trust and loyalty of its valued customers.

Looking ahead, the company is excited about what the future holds for them. With a strong foundation built on experience and expertise, there is no limit to what the Mon Cargo team can achieve together. Mon Cargo Services, Inc. will continue to provide exceptional service, explore new horizons, and exceed expectations for another 37 years and beyond.

As it celebrate its 37th anniversary, Mon Cargo’s owners and staff wish to take this opportunity to share their joy and gratitude by combining it with the festive spirit of Christmas… making Christmas merrier for 37 YEARS...

How can your love and generosity transcend time and distance? By putting them in a box, of course!

Make it an even merrier Christmas for your loved ones in the Philippines! Mon Cargo Services, Inc, knows how much you want to reunite with your families back in the Philippines on this special occasion. Being

physically present may not be feasible, but you can always send them your love through your balikbayan boxes. You can still count on the following offers & services from Mon Cargo Services, Incorporated:

• 1 + 1 Promo (1 regular box + 1 mini box free for MM & Luzon)

• Container shipments for returning residents

• Crating of home appliance

and/or furniture

• Vehicle shipment

• Airfare tickets

• Free pick-up service, replacement boxes, strapping and insurance.

Please call Mon Cargo’s office for any inquiries or to schedule pick-up of your balikbayan box/ es at toll free number 1-800-4324300. You can also dial its regular office number at 510-636-4743. (Advertising Supplement)

Succession planning: The cornerstone...

thrive and endure in the face of adversity. It epitomizes the indomitable spirit of readiness, a strategic fortification that steels the business against any eventuality.

In this narrative of unpredictability, a well-prepared succession plan transcends its conventional role as a mere document. It metamorphoses into a lifeline, a steadfast cornerstone of business continuity, and a vigilant protector against unforeseen risks. Most profoundly, it is a guardian of the cherished legacy and prosperity that family enterprises hold dear. This shield safeguards them from the ferocity of life’s most

relentless storms.

In conclusion, as family businesses navigate the intricate terrain of entrepreneurship, it’s imperative to recognize that preparedness is not a sign of pessimism but a hallmark of prudence. Succession planning transcends mere administrative tasks; it evolves into a dynamic strategy, a fortress that strengthens the business’s foundations, secures its legacy, and ensures a resilient future.

Ultimately, it serves as a strategic investment in the enduring success of the family business, an unwavering bulwark against the unpredictable ebb and flow of life’s tumultuous tides.

Catch the succession planning

webinar this September

To mark the beginning of your transformative journey, founders and family members should listen and participate in our upcoming inaugural webinar series, “Stewardship + Succession + Wealth = Legacy: A Family Guide to Building and Sustaining Your Wealth.” The series, scheduled for September 16, 18, and 19, promises invaluable insights into safeguarding your family business for generations to come. Seats are very limited, so we encourage you to secure your slots now by calling Doms at 09178981493 or emailing him at dlagco@wbadvisoryasia. com. g

Atty. Gurfinkel informed them that Remuel (left) was eligible for a visa under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), and Atty. Gurfinkel was able to bring their youngest to the U.S. as an immigrant in 2011.

Since then, Atty. Gurfinkel also worked on Rina's (5th from left) employment petition, and in 2019, Rina arrived in the U.S. with her husband and their children.

Atty. Gurfinkel also worked on Karen’s (2nd from left) family petition. She arrived in November 2022, together with her two children.

True to his law firm’s mission of “Bringing Families Together,” Atty. Gurfinkel is committed to keeping that promise. To this day, he is working on bringing the rest of the Padlan family to the U.S.

From the original two members, Connie and Romeo, the family has now grown to 14 members who now reside in the U.S., living the American Dream.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, September 17 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Anna Canepa, Maryjo Montano, Rose Salgado and Dr. Tess Benin.

Photo courtesy of Tess Gregorio

Mon Cargo’s leadership led by CEO/President Agnes Singh has trickled down to its dedicated and trustworthy personnel, which has been integral to the company’s progress and success through the years. Photo above shows (from left) Marketing manager Carmen Manalo, CEO/President Agnes Singh and administrative assistant/account Lydia Jacinto.

Mon Cargo’s motto is “Para Sa Serbis Na Walang Kaparis.” Photo above shows Mon Cargo CEO/Presidnt Agnes Singh (seated) with some of the company’s staff.

there were only two. Dad Romeo (left) and Mom Connie (center) arrived in the