091722 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

Family of murdered Fil-Am o ers $100,000 to nd her remains

THE family of Alexis Gabe in Oakley, California, announced a $100,000 reward to anyone who can find her remains or has information leading to their location. Oakley police announced the reward again on Facebook.AlexisGabe, 24, was killed by her boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones, sometime on Jan. 26. Jones was shot and killed in May near Seattle as he charged police officers with a knife as they were trying to arrest him for murder.

Police and volunteers have searched extensively for Alexis’ body in Pioneer, Oakley and Antioch to no avail.

Her father, Gwynn Gabe, of Oakley, California, said his family has accepted her death but wants to give her a proper burial and memorial service. The family has a Facebook page, “Help Bring Alexis Gabe

Marcos New York trip to focus on economic, investment opportunities

by KAYCEE VALMONTE Philstar.com

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s New York trip will have a strong focus on scoring investment and business opportunities to aid the country’s economic recovery.

MANILA — Alex Eala was nothing but grateful for the support of her Filipino fans, who stayed up all night and even watched payper-view back home, to watch her magical run in the U.S. Open girls’ singles.

The 17-year-old tennis star admitted she was surprised by the support she received from the country that has sports fans who are generally more passionate about basketball and“Definitelyvolleyball.super surprised with everyone who tuned in to watch. As you said, the Philippines is a basketball [crazy country] and I would say also a volleyball-dominated country. People tend to enjoy those more,” said Eala during her virtual press conference on Friday, September 16.

For the newly-crowned U.S. Open juniors champion, it feels good to see more of her fellow countrymen appreciating other sports, where the Filipinos excel, too.

“I think it’s a good thing that they’re starting to appreciate more sports. I think it’s important

by KAITHREEN CRUZ ManilaTimes.net

MORE Filipino adults were better off in June this year than they were last year, a survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The pollster said the number of Filipinos who said their life was better jumped to 29 percent from percent in 2021.

Meanwhile, the percentage of Filipinos who reported that their quality of life worsened dropped significantly by 18 percent, from 49 percent in June 2021 to

Marcos is set to travel to the United States from September 18 to 24 for the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Thanks to diplomatic immunity afforded to heads of state, the chief executive will be allowed to step on U.S. soil despite a 1995 contempt order resulting from human rights class suit.

“He gave unequivocal instructions that his meetings, whether with fellow world leaders, or with U.S. corporations, should focus on finding necessary partnerships or synergies that will benefit the Philippine economy and the Filipino people,” Office of American Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor  A2

Marcos to tackle climate change, rule of law, in UN General Assembly - DFA

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to tackle climate change, the rule of law, and food security at the 77th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to be held in New York, the United States, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday, September 15.

DFA Assistant Secretary Kira Azucena said the President is expected to discuss his administration’s priorities in his speech at the UN’s high-level general debate, which he is expected to deliver at 3:15 p.m. on Sept.

This20.year’s theme of the general debate, she said, is “a watershed moment, transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”

“We can expect the President’s statement to identify these challenges and the solutions to address them, the role of the UN, and how the Philippines intends to contribute to these efforts,” Azucena said in a briefing.

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31 percent in June 2022.

The resulting net gainer score (percentage of those who were better off minus those who were worse off) was -2, classified by the pollster as fair.

However, the net gainer score was still 20 points below the pre-pandemic level of +18 (very high) in December 2019.SWS conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adult respondents nationwide from June 26 to 29, 2022. The survey results have a sampling error margin of ±2.5 percent.

Enrile has no reason to betray me – BBM

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

THE Biden Administration last week gutted the signature Trump-era policy known as public charge, which effectively imposed a wealth tax on people seeking to gain permanent residency in the U.S.

The new rule will go into effect on Dec. 23. It has already undergone a 60-day public comment period, and thus needs no further adjudication before it takes

Theeffect.rule greatly narrows the definition of public charge to just two criteria: Temporary

Assistance for Needy Families, and institutionalization for longtermThecare.Trump administration had broadened the definition of the seldom-used 1999 rule to include immigrants receiving Medicaid, public housing, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination, even if they were applying for those benefits on behalf of their U.S. born children.Therule — which gave immigration officers the discretion to determine if an individual applying for a green

card might become dependent on the government — would also have been imposed on people attempting to permanently enter theLawsuitsU.S. and injunctions kept Trump’s policy from ever being imposed, except for a brief window in 2020. The U.S. Supreme Court killed Trump’s rule in 2021, shortly after President Joe Biden took office.

But despite nonimplementation, the rule had a chilling effect on immigrant communities. Millions of people disenrolled themselves and family members from federal benefits to which they were

entitled, for fear of invoking public charge inadmissibility when they applied for permanent residency.“Thisaction (today) ensures fair and humane treatment of legal immigrants and their U.S. citizen family members,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in a Sept. 8 press statement. “Consistent with America’s bedrock values, we will not penalize individuals for choosing to access the health benefits and other supplemental government services available to them.”The public charge test

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed confidence that his chief legal counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, will not betray him despite the fact that the latter helped oust his father during the 1986 People Power Revolution.

In a television interview with host Toni Gonzaga aired over AllTV Channel on Tuesday, September 13, Marcos said that he has no animosity toward Enrile, whom he calls “Tito Johnny.” Enrile, known for being the Martial Law administrator, helped topple the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

to betray me. The times are just too different for us to be able to say that you know babalik siya sa ganoon (that he will return to what he was before). And also you see, time of life na rin niya eh (it’s the time of his life now),” Marcos said. The President said he has previously asked Enrile about his relationship with his father and concluded that the latter’s past actions arose from his desire to “defend the country.” “It didn’t seem to be an attack really on my father because I was privy to their conversations noong nandoon siya Crame na — ako ang may hawak ng telepono nung dad ko eh, so naririnig ko lahat ng usapan nila

JOB HUNTERS. during a job fair at Robinsons Place, Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Friday, Sept. 16. Among the event production machine operators, customer service representatives, factory workers, technicians, cashiers, assemblers, and company drivers.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Up close President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sits next to ‘Tito Johnny’ during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang. Contributed photo

“I don’t see any reason for him

Enrile has no reason to betray...

(when he was in Crame — I was holding my dad’s phone so I heard their conversations),” Marcos said.

“So hindi ganoon talaga na, ‘Hindi kayo — kayo pababagsakin namin kayo.’ Hindi ganoon eh. Hindi ganoon. Hindi ganoon ang pagkatrato niya (So it’s not like he was thinking ‘We’re going to overthrow you.’ It’s not like that).

I think he felt that he was really defending the country in some way,” he Marcosadded.described Enrile as “one of the three best lawyers” that he knows. It was this brilliance that prompted him to appoint Enrile as his chief legal counsel.

“Kasi siya ang pinakamagaling (he is the brightest). As a legal adviser, he certainly fits the bill. Ang dami nang nangyari since ‘86 (A lot has happened since ‘86). We have discussed it sufficiently that we are happy to be with one another and happy to work with one another,” the President added.

Marcos named Enrile as his chief legal counsel in June.

The 98-year-old Enrile vowed

to devote his time and knowledge to the country because he said he wanted Marcos to succeed.

Enrile held key posts during the presidency of the elder Marcos, including finance undersecretary, chairman of the board of directors of the Philippine National Bank and acting head of the Insurance Commission, acting customs commissioner, acting finance secretary and concurrent chairman of the Central Bank’s monetary board.However, he is best known as the elder Marcos’ longtime defense minister and martial law administrator.

Martial law

Meanwhile, Marcos defended his father’s imposition of Martial Law, saying it was necessary to suppress the armed rebellion from twoHefronts.said the military rule was needed to prevent the rising disorder caused by the new Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and the Muslim separatist movement of the Moro

National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“Martial law was declared because of the two wars we were fighting on two fronts and that is in the countryside, the CPPNPA was fomenting revolution. They wanted to bring down the government through violent means so the government had to defend itself. The second front was the secessionist movement down in the south led by MNLF and chairman Nur Misuari at the time, he started that uprising, the secessionist movement, and that eventually turned into violence and essentially war that was even supported,” Marcos said.

“Most people do not realize, the rebels, the communist rebels, how close they came to Manila and how close they came to large urban centers and slowly gained control. That’s why it was necessary to, in my father’s view at that time, declare martial law kasi may giyera na talaga (because there was really war already),” he added.

The President claimed that this side of history was barely taught in schools. 

Marcos New York trip to focus...

Chan-Gonzaga said in a press briefing on Thursday, September 15.

77th UNGA

While at the UNGA, Marcos is expected to deliver a national statement at the High-Level General Debate on September 20. His speech will put emphasis on the administration’s priorities such as climate change, the rule of law, and food  Askedsecurity.ifMarcos would bring up the issue in the South China Sea in his speech, the DFA said the speech it prepared for the chief executive emphasizes both the rule of law and the role of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the  However,Sea.the draft speech is still awaiting a greenlight from the Office of the President.

“We [can] expect that his speech will be relating to how the Philippines will be recovering from this pandemic and where he intends to take this and how he will do so in cooperation with other states,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said during the joint briefing, adding that economic recovery has been on the forefront of the administration's priorities.

Over 152 heads of state and government officials from around the world are expected to participate at the event. While the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Press Secretary left out on the specifics, they noted Marcos will take time to meet with other world leaders and “some key

UNForeignofficials.”

Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier said they are trying to arrange a meeting between Marcos and U.S. President Joe Biden.

“We agreed to work together over the next couple of months in firming up opportunities for our presidents for a possible meeting on the sidelines of the [UNGA] next month as well as a possible visit by President Marcos to Washington DC their schedules permitting in response to an open invitation extended by President Biden,” Manalo said in a virtual press conference with Blinken during the latter’s visit in August.

Meanwhile, the presidential delegation for the upcoming trip will be composed of officials and members of the country’s economic team — such as the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Finance, and the National Economic and Development Authority — as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers.

Philippine economic briefing

Aside from the UNGA, the Philippine delegation will also be pitching to U.S.-based institutional investors, business leaders and analysts, as well as academics and think tanks through a Philippine Economic Briefing.

There will be business delegation composed of at least 20 to 30 senior Philippine corporate executives who will go on the trip

with"TheMarcos.president’s keynote address at the PEB will be an opportunity to outline the key economic priorities of his administration, with a special focus on how we can hopefully expand and strengthen PhilippineU.S. trade and investment relations during his term," Chan-Gonzaga said.Marcos will also participate in CEO roundtables “on targeted sectors" and one-on-one business meetings.Thechief executives will also hold discussions with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S.ASEAN Business Council, and the U.S.-Philippines Society.

Earlier this month, Marcos went on his first state visits to Indonesia and Singapore, where he reportedly inked business deals, through memoranda of understanding and letters of intent. His trip to New York would be his third overseas visit as the country’s chief executive.

In Indonesia, the government scored $8.5-billion worth of investments in sectors such as textiles and garments, renewable energy, satellite gateway, wired global technology, and agrifood, as well as in infrastructure and trade supply of coal and fertilizer.Meanwhile, the government was able to get $6.540-billion deals in Singapore for renewable energy, the blue economy, start-ups, data centers, among others. 

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PINOY SNACKS. A woman (2nd from right) buys “suman” (rice cake) sold at a stall on the walkway of the Quezon City Hall on Friday, Sept. 16. “Suman,” a traditional Filipino snack, is made of glutinous rice, sugar, and coconut milk wrapped in banana or coconut leaves PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

A disability program promised to lift people from poverty, instead, it left many homeless

CHARLOTTE — After two months of sleeping in the Salvation Army Center of Hope homeless shelter, Margaret Davis has had no luck finding an apartment she can afford.

The 55-year-old grandmother receives about $750 a month from the federal government. She’s trying to live on just $50 cash and $150 in food stamps each month so she can save enough for a place to call home.

Davis is homeless even though she receives funds from the Supplemental Security Income program, a hard-to-get federal benefit that was created nearly 50 years ago to lift out of poverty Americans who are older, blind, or Davis’disabled.job options are limited because she gets dialysis treatment three times a week for kidney failure. As she prepared to spend another night in the crowded shelter, she checked her phone to see whether a doctor wanted her to have her left leg amputated.

“My therapist is trying to help me stay positive but sometimes I just want to end this life and start over,” Davis said.

Falling into homelessness is not a new issue for people who receive supplemental income from the Social Security Administration. But moving recipients out of shelters, crime-ridden motels, and tent encampments and into stable housing has been getting harder, according to nonprofit attorneys, advocates for people with disabilities, and academic researchers.Rapidly rising rents and inflation deserve a share of the blame.But SSI recipients, activists, and others said the issue underscores for them how the program itself locks millions of people into housing instability and deep poverty even as President Joe Biden promises to fix“Weit. are trapping people in a place where dignity is out of reach,” said Rebecca Vallas, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank that conducts research on economic equity. “The program started with good intentions,”

she said. “It is hard for me to see this as anything but willful neglect.”Inacountry where roughly 1 in 4 residents live with some type of disability, supplemental income is meant to ensure that the most vulnerable can get housing and other basic needs. Most SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that covers medical costs for people with lowInincomes.addition to people who are blind or who are 65 or older, those who prove they have a medical condition that prevents them from working for at least one year are eligible for a monthly payment from SSI, which maxes out at $841. But there’s a catch that makes seeing a better financial future difficult for people like Davis. The monetary benefit decreases if the person earns more than $85 a month in additional income. And both the income and Medicaid benefits are revoked if the person saves more than $2,000, which critics say discourages people from saving.The amount that recipients receive has not kept pace with rising rent prices, advocacy groups say.

The amount of money Davis said she gets each month from the program is about $60 more than the maximum amount offered 10 years ago, when she first started receiving the benefit. Yet the average apartment in Charlotte, where Davis lives, now rents for $1,500 a month, about 70% more than it did nearly a decade ago, according to Zumper, which has been tracking rental prices sinceThere’s2014.no chance she can afford her dream: an apartment or house in a safe neighborhood where she can spend afternoons crocheting. “I don’t like to talk like this, but I am not sure what’s going to happen to me,” Davis said.When Congress created SSI in 1972, the legislation promised that recipients “would no longer have to subsist on belowpoverty-level incomes.”

Today, nearly 8 million people rely on the federal program for income.Over the past five decades, Congress under both Republican and Democratic leadership has

declined to make major changes to the program. The $85 outside income limit, for instance, has never been adjusted to account forTheinflation.Social Security Administration, which oversees the program, did not respond to multiple requests for comment about how the rates are set.

Biden committed to reforming SSI during his 2020 presidential campaign, saying that he would “protect and strengthen economic security for people withButdisabilities.”forsevenmonths, Delisa Williams has been stuck in the same homeless shelter as Davis. Diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis have left her body weakened, and the stress of living in the Salvation Army Center of Hope is taking a toll on her mental Williams’health.onlyreal chance to get out had been the combined $881 she got each month from SSI and the Social Security Disability Insurance program, which has similar limits and requirements. She quickly realized that would not be enough to afford the rent for most places.

“God will see me through,” she said. “He didn’t bring me this far for nothing.”

Among developed nations, the United States is one of the hardest places for people to meet the criteria for disability payments, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a global intergovernmental group the U.S. helped create to advance social well-being.

If a person applies for disability income, they can wait months or even years to get benefits. Thousands go broke or die while waiting for help. A data analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that from 2014 to 2019, about 48,000 people filed for bankruptcy while trying to get a final decision on a disability appeal. The same report said that from 2008 to 2019 more than 100,000 people diedThewaiting.situation was made worse during the covid-19 pandemic because the Social Security Administration closed more than 1,200 field offices across the nation and kept them shuttered for roughly two years.

Alex Eala happy to see Filipino fans appreciate...

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that we give attention to all of the athletes,” she said. “I’m super happy and super grateful for all of the small things, pay-per-view or staying up in the night. I’m super thankful.”

Trailblazers

With her recent historic feat of becoming the first Filipino to become a Grand Slam singles champion, Eala also joined a group of athletes outside basketball and volleyball who have brought honor to the country, like EJ Obiena, who finished first place in six of his eight world tournaments, and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

The Filipinas also made history, booking a ticket to the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023, winning a championship in the AFF Women’s Cup, and a historic bronze medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. Yuka Saso also brought honor to the country by winning US Women’s Open golf win in San Francisco’s Olympic Club

in June 2021 before deciding to change her citizenship.

Eala didn’t expect that speaking in Filipino upon receiving her U.S. Open trophy would have a significant impact on the Filipino fans, who were inspired and felt pride after watching her speech.

“I didn’t think that it would be such a big thing. But I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from that. And I guess it hit a spot for the Filipinos because it is not a lot of the times that you hear Tagalog on a worldwide stage,” she said. “I’m super happy (with) the impact it’s had on the Filipino people and I hope that it meant something to Thethem.”Rafael Nadal Academy scholar admitted she misses home. But she still doesn’t know when is she coming back to the Philippines due to her busy schedule in the pro circuits for the remainder of the year.

“I would really love to go home. Especially my family, deserves to share this win with

me and I just want to tell them about all of my matches, all of the experiences that I had but unfortunately, it’s not so easy to schedule that,” Eala said. “I have a lot of tournaments and I think it’s part of the journey and it’s part of keeping my head down is that I’m reminded that I still have to work and life still goes on even after a big win.”

Despite being away from the country for several months, the young tennis sensation expressed her love to the fans, hoping to give back someday.

“I would just like to say thank you, that’s really all I can say right now. There’s so much that you’ve done to help me and motivate me. And I hope that I can return the favor and maybe just make you a little happier in the day by seeing my matches, or seeing that I won, or seeing my speech or whatever,” she said. “But thank you so much for the support It really means a lot to me and it does affect me and make an impact.” (Lance D. Agcaoili/Inquirer.net)

Family of murdered Fil-Am o ers $100,000 to nd...

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Home.”Jones allegedly killed Alexis for breaking up with him. Police said Jones got rid of Alexis’ car on the night of Jan. 26, and had evaded authorities since then. Police search of his home

found a blood sample with Alexis’ DNA. He eventually fled to a suburb of Seattle where he was killed by police officers who were trying to arrest him.

(Inquirer.net)Anyonewho wants to search for Alexis’ remains is asked to

sign up at the Gabes’ website at alexisgabe.com. Registration on the website is required to qualify for the reward. Anyone with tips on her disappearance can call 925-625-7009 or email AlexisTips@ci.oakley.ca.us with any information.

'DIRTY' ICE CREAM. Students buy ''dirty" ice cream on cones from a vendor near the Dasmarinas Elementary School in Barangay Salawag, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Thursday, Sept. 15. Ice cream has been a popular snack among the students in the area. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

New abortion laws jeopardize cancer treatment for pregnant patients

AS abortion bans go into effect across a contiguous swath of the South, cancer physicians are wrestling with how new state laws will influence their discussions with pregnant patients about what treatment options they can offer.

Cancer coincides with roughly 1 in 1,000 pregnancies, most frequently breast cancer, melanoma, cervical cancer, lymphomas, and leukemias. But medications and other treatments can be toxic to the developing fetus or cause birth defects. In some cases, hormones that are supercharged during pregnancy fuel the cancer’s growth, putting the patient at greater risk.

Although new abortion restrictions often allow exceptions based on “medical emergency” or a “life-threatening physical condition,” cancer physicians describe the legal terms as unclear. They fear misinterpreting the laws and being left in the lurch.

For instance, brain cancer patients have traditionally been offered the option of abortion if a pregnancy might limit or delay surgery, radiation, or other treatment, said Dr. Edjah Nduom, a brain cancer surgeon at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta.

“Is that a medical emergency that necessitates the abortion? I don’t know,” Nduom asked, trying to parse the medical emergency exception in the new Georgia law. “Then you end up in a situation

where you have an overzealous prosecutor who is saying, ‘Hey, this patient had a medical abortion; why did you need to do that?’” he

Pregnantsaid.patients with cancer should be treated similarly to nonpregnant patients when feasible, though sometimes adjustments are made in the timing of surgery and other care, according to a research overview, published in 2020 in Current Oncology Reports.With breast cancer patients, surgery could be performed early on as part of the treatment, pushing chemotherapy to later in the pregnancy, according to the research. Cancer experts typically recommend avoiding radiation therapy throughout pregnancy, and most chemotherapy drugs during the first trimester. But with some cancers, such as acute leukemia, the recommended drugs have known toxic risks to the fetus, and time is not on the patient’s side, said Dr. Gwen Nichols, chief medical officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.“You need treatment urgently,” she said. “You can’t wait three months or six months to complete a pregnancy.”Another life-threatening scenario involves a patient early in her pregnancy who has been diagnosed with breast cancer that’s spreading, and tests show that the cancer’s growth is spurred by the hormone estrogen, said Dr. Debra Patt, an oncologist in Austin, Texas, who estimated

she has cared for more than two dozen pregnant patients with breast“Pregnancycancer. is a state where you have increased levels of estrogen. It’s actually actively at every moment causing the cancer to grow more. So I would consider that an emergency,” said Patt, who is also executive vice president over policy and strategic initiatives at Texas Oncology, a statewide practice with more than 500Whenphysicians.cancer strikes individuals of child-bearing age, one challenge is that malignancies tend to be more aggressive, said Dr. Miriam Atkins, an oncologist in Augusta, Georgia. Another is that it’s unknown whether some of the newer cancer drugs will affect the fetus, she said.

While hospital ethics committees might be consulted about a particular treatment dilemma, it’s the facility’s legal interpretation of a state’s abortion law that will likely prevail, said Micah Hester, an expert on ethics committees who chairs the department of medical humanities and bioethics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine in Little Rock.

“Let’s be honest,” he said. “The legal landscape sets pretty strong parameters in many states on what you can and cannot do.”

It’s difficult to fully assess how physicians plan to handle such dilemmas and discussions in states with near-total abortion bans. Several large medical

Biden administration guts most of...

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potentially impacts approximately 10 million immigrants and 12 million children, many of whom are U.S. citizens, but born into mixed-status families.

“We welcome this longawaited change in policy. It will have a beneficial impact on millions of immigrants, primarily women and children,” said Essey Workie, director of the Migration Policy Institute Human Services Initiative.“Butwhile the rule is moving in the right direction, immigrant communities are still fearful of what might happen in the future.

A change in administration might bring back the restrictive rules, impacting immigration status,” said Workie in an interview with Ethnic Media Services.

Lawsuits and injunctions are definitely expected, but those must be based on technical or procedural issues. “I don’t see that applying to this situation,” saidZenobiaWorkie.Lai, executive director of the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, said: “The Department of Homeland Security has realized the chilling effects of the public charge rule on immigrant families, especially those with US born children. We must move from that chill to a thaw.”She  noted that benefits received by children or other family members would not count when an immigration officer determines whether an applicant is deemed a public charge. She clarified that only government assistance would count and — under the new rule — would be limited to TANF and long-term medical institutionalization.

Lai expressed her hope that those two categories would be removed in the future.

Lai also clarified that benefits received during the COVID-19 pandemic would not be considered for inadmissibility under the public charge rule.

She noted that immigration officers are mandated to weigh in on the totality of an applicant’s financial resources and future income prospects. Almost 60 percent of people applying for adjustment of status will be asked to provide an affidavit of support from a family member or other“Thisindividual.willbehighly considered for the approval of the application to adjust status,” said Lai.

The Trump administration’s rhetoric had a chilling effect on immigrant families. For example, during the Trump administration, more than 240,000 children in Texas were dis-enrolled by their parents from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, noted Anne Dunkelberg, Program Director for the Health and Wellness Team at the non-profit organization Every Texan.

In Texas, one out of every four children has a parent who is not a U.S. citizen. Many of them are undocumented, Dunkelberg

noted at a press briefing Sept. 13.“Parents no longer need to fear enrolling their eligible family members in public benefits. It will not affect their own immigration status,” she said.

There has been so much misinformation about the public charge rule, which has deterred people from enrolling themselves for benefits to which they are entitled, said Jennifer Duarte of Texas-based Project Vida. “Families are still fearful, based on misinformation. The new public charge is a small win in an ongoing battle,” she said.

“Politicians have stoked fear in the immigrant community, and will continue to do so,” said Esther Reyes Martinez, director of immigration policy and advocacy at the Children’s Defense Fund in Texas. She noted that the new rule has been written in a way to make it much more difficult for future administrations to attempt to change it.

Several organizations hailed the new rule. Asian Americans Advancing Justice released a statement, noting that the previous public charge rule was “cruel by design.”

“It was not only meant to favor white and wealthy immigrants applying for admission or a green card, but also aimed to create fear and confusion about the use of critical, life-saving programs within low-income communities of

“Tragically,color.” the issuance of the last rule caused many immigrants of color, including Asian Americans, to withdraw from health care, nutrition programs, housing services, and other benefits,” said the organization, noting that the new rule greatly simplifies the public charge

Marielenatest.

Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said in a press statement: “The Biden administration’s public charge rule aligns with longstanding principles in immigration law and provides helpful clarifications to pre-existing guidance.”

“This policy is an important step in advancing the Biden administration’s priority of addressing socioeconomic and racial inequities that have been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. 

A disability program promised to lift people from poverty...

That decision left hundreds of thousands of needy people unable to seek benefits, since phone lines were jammed with calls and the agency provides no way to submit applications online, said David Weaver, a former associate commissioner for research, demonstration, and employment support at the Social Security Administration.

“The number of SSI awards just collapsed,” Weaver said.

Homeless shelters and other nonprofits often help clients apply for the supplemental income in hopes that the money will help get them a place to live.

Rachael Mason, a social worker at the Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, South Carolina, has learned to temper people’s expectations.“Anytime someone shows up and says I want to pursue housing, my heart drops a little bit,” Mason said. “I have to be honest and tell them it could be a year to three years. Even if someone wants to just rent a room in a house, it could take up their entire check.”

As the 50th anniversary of SSI approaches this fall, Congress is deciding whether to make changes to the program.

In an April 2021 letter to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, more than 40 lawmakers lobbied them to raise cash benefits above the poverty

level, increase the amount of money recipients can save, and eliminate reductions for taking help from loved ones, among other changes. “People with disabilities and older adults receiving SSI represent some of the most marginalized members of our society,” the letter said. “History will not forgive us if we fail to address their needs in the recovery effort.”

A group of Republican and Democratic legislators have now proposed the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, which would raise the asset limit for recipients from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for

couples.Davis, the woman whose leg might be amputated, is trying to remain hopeful. She started seeing a therapist to cope with depression. She stopped smoking to save money for an apartment.Askedwhen she might be able to move out of the shelter, she said, “I don’t know.”

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

MASKS ON. People still wearing face masks while walking in the pedestrian lane along the intersection of Taft Avenue and Pedro Gil Street in Manila City on Wednesday, Sept. 14. OCTA Research shows that a big chunk of the Filipino population will continue to wear face masks even if the spread of COVID-19 will be controlled. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

Over $1 billion lost in cryptocurrency scams since 2021

Young people, minorities among those reporting the biggest losses

THE promise of hefty returns is what initially drew Jeffrey Vaulx, a secondgrade special ed teacher in Memphis, Tennessee to go in on a cryptocurrency investment opportunity introduced to him by a Facebook friend.

Vaulx would soon discover that he had been taken by a scheme that data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows is part of a billiondollar industry in the United States.Vaulx set up an account on a website that he says, “looked legitimate.” He then transferred $500 cash to his friend, who was supposed to purchase the cryptocurrency – a form of unregulated digital money where transactions are verified through digital ledgers. His investment quickly grew to $8000, though to access that newfound wealth Vaulx learned that he would have to pay an additional fee of $500.

That’s when he says the red flags began to appear. “I went back to my friend’s website and saw it was all a hoax,” he recalled. “Fraud was in the back of my Vaulxhead.”was among a panel of speakers during a September 9 media briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services and the FTC.Experts at the FTC stress that most cryptocurrency scams start with an unsolicited message, either through text, email, or social media. “Social media and crypto is a very combustible combination,” said Cristina Miranda, consumer education specialist at the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection.

“Just know that a lot of these scams start off with tips or secrets on online message boards,” Miranda added.

“There’s not going to be a whole lot of detail about what you’re investing in, because scammers are always trying to get you to be emotionally invested.”

According to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, an online resource for tracking scams, from January 2021 through June 2022 cryptocurrency scams have cost consumers over $1.3 billion. Nearly half of those victimized

say the scam began with an ad, post, or message on social media.Thelargest share of the losses, about $785 million, involved bogus investment opportunities, followed by romance scams at $220 million, business imposters at $121 million, and government imposters at $56 million.Miranda explained that romance scams or online dating scams involve charming the intended target before offering help with cryptocurrency investing. That’s when the request for money typically comes in.

In the case of fraudulent business scams, victims will often receive unexpected texts or security alerts popping up on their screens claiming to be from well-known companies like Amazon or Microsoft.

“If you click on any link, you will be connected to a scammer who tells you about fraud on your (cryptocurrency) account and that your money is at risk,” saidOtherMiranda.scams attempt to impersonate government agencies, warning potential victims that their accounts or benefits will be frozen as part of someYounginvestigation.peopleaged 18-35 and minority populations are among the groups that have reported the highest losses. These groups, Miranda explained, typically exist “outside the traditional financial ecosystem, they typically are unbanked and most open to using these emerging payment technologies.”

The unregulated nature of cryptocurrency — which exists outside traditional financial systems — has made it both more attractive to smalltime investors and opened the door to a ballooning scam industry.

And because transactions happen digitally, with no middleman involved, getting money back for victims has proven to be difficult, said Elizabeth Kwok, assistant director of litigation technology and analysis for the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Kwok added that because cryptocurrency is not backed by any government there is significant volatility in the market. “There is nobody overlooking the system… If

there’s a run on a particular exchange, no entity is going to step in and make sure that consumers can get their money back.”Since 2021, Bitcoin — the largest cryptocurrency by valuation — has fallen from a high of $60,000 per coin to as low as $22,000. The entire crypto market has dropped from a valuation of over $3 trillion to just over $1 trillion today.

Kwok noted the Biden administration is working to impose some regulation over the crypto market. “They are aiming for a more coordinated regulatory environment,” she said, pointing to an executive order from the president in March that directs federal agencies to implement policies and regulations for assets including cryptocurrencies.

The IRS currently taxes crypto assets as physical property like a car, and if they are used as an investment, the Securities and Exchange Commission gets involved, Kwok said.

“Education is really the first line of defense when it comes to avoiding problems in the marketplace,” said Rosario Mendez, senior attorney with the FTC Division of Consumer and Business Education.

As part of that effort Mendez urged people to come forward and report scams in their communities. “It’s really important,” she said, “so we can do something about it and alert others about these problems.”

“There are real people out there being hurt by this,” Mendez attorneycomplaintsalsoexchangeitscam,iscriptomonedas.andatCommissionUSTradingagencytheSpanish,itsdirectlyVictimsWhereconcluded.toReportScamscanreportscamstotheFTCthroughwebsiteinEnglishandaswellasthroughwebsiteoftheregulatoryCommodityFuturesCommissionandtheSecuritiesandExchangeMoreresourcesareavailableftc.gov/cryptocurrencyinSpanishatftc.gov/Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowthevictimofacryptocurrencyyoushouldalsoreporttothecryptocurrencyinvolved.TheFTCrecommendssendingtoyourstategeneral.

Marcos to tackle climate change, rule of law...

PAGE A1

“The President’s statement will also articulate his administration’s priorities which include climate change, the rule of law, and food security,” she added.

Azucena said around 152 heads of state and government are expected to participate in the high-level debate.

Marcos to talk about West Philippine Sea, Hague’s arbitral ruling?

While in New York, the President will have the opportunity to meet some heads of state. Azucena said he would also meet with some key UNShe,officials.however, said the DFA cannot yet disclose the names of the world leaders who will be meeting President Marcos in New York.“The President’s participation in the 77th UN General Assembly is important because it marks his first engagement with the UN, which the Philippines recognizes as the world’s most important multilateral organization,” she said.The DFA official added that this year’s UN General Assembly is “significant” as it will be the first one to be held completely in person since the pandemic started in Azucena2020.said former President Rodrigo Duterte attended the UN event in 2020 and 2021 virtually via pre-recorded videos.

Marcos to talk about West Philippine Sea, Hague’s arbitral ruling?

When asked if President

Marcos will discuss in his speech the country’s assertion on the West Philippine Sea and uphold a 2016 decision by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that favored Manila’s diplomatic protest against Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, Azucena said the final speech of the President still has yet to be vetted.

Azucena said that in the draft statement prepared by the DFA for President Marcos, there is a “very strong diction” on the rule of law, and the rule of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea However,(UNCLOS).thespeech of the President usually undergoes vetting by his office, she added.

“In the draft statement that the DFA prepared for the President, there is a very strong diction on the rule of law, on the rule of UNCLOS. But, of course, the statements on the speeches of the President are usually vetted by the OP. Beyond that I cannot offer any further comments,” the DFA official said.

Investments, pandemic recovery

For his part, DFA Assistant Secretary JV Chan Gonzaga said Marcos’ U.S. trip also aims to bring investments for the country’s economic recovery.

“Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and with much uncertainty and disruption around us, the President is not sparing any effort to address the economic challenges facing the country today,” he said in the

same“Thebriefing.President has made it very clear from the initial discussions preparatory to this trip to New York that it will be more than his debut on the world stage. He gave unequivocal instructions that his meetings, whether with fellow world leaders, or with US corporations, should focus on finding necessary partnerships or synergies that will benefit the Philippine economy and the Filipino people,” Gonzaga added.

The DFA official said Marcos is set to speak before an economic briefing that aims to bring in investments for the Philippines.

“As such, the other most important speech that the President will deliver in New York, aside from his UNGA address, will be at the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB). The PEB is expected to attract institutional investors, senior corporate executives, business analysts, and even academics, think tanks, and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Marcos is also expected to participate in roundtables with targeted sectors, some U.S. companies, the US Chamber of Commerce, U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, and the U.S.PhilippinesMalacañangSociety.said the President would leave the Philippines for New York on September 18 and return on September 24.

Aside from the participation in the UN General Assembly, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles has no other scheduled activities in the U.S. 

FELINE JAB. City Veterinary Services (CVS) vaccinator Daniela Fondavilla (right) injects an anti-rabies jab into a woman’s pet cat during the free vaccination for pets in Barangay 175, Franville 2, Camarin, Caloocan City on Friday, Sept. 16. The CVS held free anti-rabies vaccination at the basketball court in the area. PNA photo by Ben Briones

OFEATURES PINION

Govt tries anew to erase housing backlog

THE Marcos administration will launch a six-year plan to build six million housing units to finally wipe out the country’s housing backlog.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has said the objective is to create a million housing units every year until the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term in 2028.

It's an ambitious mission, but one that needs to be done if the administration is sincere in confronting a major social problem that seems to defyHousingresolution.Assistant Secretary Avelino Tolentino puts the backlog at 6.5 million units. The previous target under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino program was 200,000 units annually. Raising the target to 1 million units, if achieved, could spell the end to the country's "housing poverty."Thatwould be a landmark achievement for the Marcos government. Challenges, however, lie in wait.Clearly, there is an urgency to finding a solution to the housing shortage; the deficit swells every year as the population grows, and the government has to play catch- up to close the gap.

The problem had worsened to the point that last year, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution declaring a housing crisis in the country. The House called on the DHSUD and other concerned agencies "to immediately undertake the inventory of idle government lands and fasttrack the development and disposition of these properties for socialized housing, in partnership with the private sector."

It also urged the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to look for funds for ramping up housing production.

The DHSUD had in fact come up with a 20-year

The OracleCorner

ANDREW J. MASIGAN

IN his State of the Nation Address, President Bongbong Marcos announced that he will pursue an independent foreign policy. This means that while he will continue to honor our responsibilities to the United States with whom we share a Mutual Defense Treaty, this will not preclude us from proactively establishing areas of cooperation with nations of geopolitical and economic importance to us. This includes Australia, India, Japan, the European Union, the Arab States, South Korea and even China.There is much to do to calibrate our foreign policy. Although former president Duterte advocated an independent foreign policy too, in reality, his was an outright pivot to China. During his term, Mr. Duterte did not meaningfully engage with the United States nor any European nation. He state visits were Asia-centric, with one visit to Peru and two to Russia.

We look forward to things being different under President

HAS the human rights situation in the Philippines improved, as some United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) member states want to Sincebelieve?Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president two months ago, Philippine press reports about killings in the “war on drugs” seem to have decreased. Perhaps because the evervolatile Rodrigo Duterte left office, there is less sense of urgency around “drug war” violence. Many observers now appear willing to buy the idea that perhaps Mr. Marcos is different, that he may improve

strategy precisely to bridge the housing gap, which it figured would reach 22 million units by 2040 if something is not done.

The head of the department at the time, Eduardo del Rosario, even ordered the formation of a technical working group to flesh out theApparently,plan. that plan never got off the ground.

Some housing experts point to government bureaucracy and rural-to-urban migration as among the factors that have allowed the housing problem to fester.

They say difficulties and delays in getting permits prevent housing projects from finishing on schedule. Land developers believe that if the process can be shortened by cutting red tape, development costs can be minimized and projects completed faster.

The migration to urban centers by poor families from the countryside seeking a better life further strains the resources of cities that are already encumbered with providing housing for resettled formal settlers.

In 2018, there were about 4.5 million people who were homeless or living in informal settlements in the country. Three million of them were in Metro Manila.Anyhousing strategy will not be sustainable if it does not involve a wide segment of the housing industry.In2011, there were 3,164 players in the housing sector. Many of them were in real estate development, with low-cost, socialized and economic housing as their market. While there has been a considerable rise in housing production, the new target set by the government will require

Marcos. Our strategic interest should no longer be hinged on a single ally, be it the U.S or China, but a host of nations . with whom we share common interest. Such is the true essence of an independent foreign policy.

The fact that President Marcos has gone on two state visits before his first 100 days in office and has accepted the invitations of China and the U.S. for respective state visits is an indication of proactivity. This is a good thing. It’s about time the Philippines shuns its timid, reactionary stance and becomes more preemptive in setting out its global agenda.

After all, the global community is keen to engage with the Philippines, given our pivotal geographic location, fast-growing economy and diplomatic gravitas as a middlepower nation. Our value to bilateral, trilateral or multilateral accords cannot be denied.

State visits broaden our relationships with partner nations, deepen areas of cooperation, enhance peopleto-people engagements and open economic opportunities.

Just as FVR did during his time, President Marcos will do well to forge alliances with as many like-minded countries as

possible.Thechoice of Indonesia and Singapore as the first countries to be visited is an indication that the Marcos administration gives primary importance to its neighbors. It shows that ASEAN is a vital pillar in the formation of our foreign policy. It also highlights Mr. Marcos’ intent to cement the Philippine’s position as a force in ASEAN in the context of security and economicIndonesiadevelopment.wasa superb choice as the first country to be engaged. Not only is it the most populous nation in the region, it is also a trillion-dollar economy with the world’s 15th strongest military.Itwas wise for the Philippines to sign a five-year PhilippineIndonesian Plan of Action that covers defense, security, antiterrorism, cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. Our new agreements with Indonesia add another member to our cast of allies and bode well for our independent foreign policy. Indonesia and the Philippines have much in common outside DNA and culture. Like the Philippines and our West Philippine Sea, Indonesia is geographically critical to world trade with its Straits of Malacca,

a far bigger output.

The developers must be encouraged to invest more on building affordable houses or on projects for the poor and underserved. The government must convince them to enter into such ventures by dangling benefits or incentives.

More importantly, resettlement sites should provide relocated families an environment that allows them to have a decent lifestyle. Resettlement areas should be more than just relocation sites; they must be full-fledged communities with markets, hospitals or clinics, churches and recreational

Lombok and Sunda. Seventy percent of Chinese oil supply and 60 percent of its trade pass through these straits. Like the Philippines again, Indonesia has territorial disputes with China, particularly over the Natuna Islands. Yet, Indonesia has maintained a firm and dignified relationship with the red republic despite its tense territorial dispute. There are important lessons to be learned in the way Indonesia engages with China.

It will be recalled that Indonesia deployed fighter jets when the Chinese encroached the Natuna Islands in 2019. Despite the show of aggression, it continued to enjoy good diplomatic and commercial relations with the Chinese. In fact, it received the lion’s share of Chinese investments and Official Development Assistance, while the Philippines received a pittance despite president Duterte’s meek stance. It shows that China treats meek leaders with contempt, but will strike mutually beneficial deals with leaders who stand their ground and refuse to be intimidated.

President Jokowi leveraged the U.S. against China. In contrast, president Duterte laid out his cards from day one,

facilities.P50billion was proposed in the House to initially finance public housing, resettlement programs, government employees housing, subsidies for informal settlers and similar projects. That was before the DHSUD reset its goal to one million housing units a year. The tab will definitely be bigger now.

The government has created fresh momentum in tackling the housing problem. We can only hope that it will have the will to see its plan through. (ManilaTimes.net)

proclaiming a pivot to China. Later, he even went so far as to cancel the Visiting Forces Agreement with the U.S., to China’s delight. This turned out to be a foreign policy catastrophe which the Chinese took advantage of. China baited Mr. Duterte with $24 billion worth of development assistance, among other concessions. In exchange, he would grant China economic concessions including the third telco franchise and, most damagingly, commit not to assert the Philippines’ arbitration victory in the United Nation’s Permanent Court of Arbitration. The $24-billion development funds never materialized.Thedivergent strategies of Indonesia and the Philippines yielded varying results. Indonesia bagged the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, among other highvalue projects, under the best possible terms from China. The Philippines secured a few low cost bridges and the PNR line. Worse, Chinese foreign direct investments to the Philippines was a pitiful $28.8 million in 2017 and $198.7 in 2018.

The Indonesian experience shows the benefits of pursing

an independent foreign policy and how to correctly balance relationships.Singapore is an excellent second choice for a state visit. Not only is it where 200,000 Filipino OFWs are deployed, it is also the hub of multinational corporations and our top source of foreign investments. The President inked several agreements relating to cyber security, data privacy, OFW welfare and anti-terrorism.

But the real action happened in the sideline meetings where Singaporean companies engaged with our economic managers and private sector leaders. Investor interest was piqued for infrastructure development, high technology manufacturing and knowledgebasedPursuingindustries.an independent foreign policy is definitely the best option for . The key is to be proactive and to do it right. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * *

Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan

UN still needs to scrutinize the Philippines

the country’s human rights situation.Theresult is that HRC member states now appear less inclined to take a strong action on the Philippines at the 51st session that begins Monday, September 19 in Geneva. This mindset runs counter to the continuing human rights calamity in the Philippines.Drug-related killings remain commonplace. Dahas, a program of the University of the Philippines’ Third World Studies Center, found by looking at police and media reports that there were more drug-related killings—in which the victim had alleged links to the illicit drug trade—in July, the first month of the Marcos Jr. presidency, than in June, the last month of the Duterte administration. Altogether, 72 drug-related

killings were recorded in July andImpunityAugust. persists. Out of the more than 6,200 “drug war” killings by police since 2016, according to their own statistics, only one case—JUST ONE— has resulted in conviction. Authorities assert that some cases are being investigated but when only 12 officers have been charged out of thousands of cases, that’s a travesty both for the victims’ families and society at Thelarge.much-vaunted UN Joint Program that the HRC and the Philippine government began last year got off to a slow start. The government has been unhelpful or unwilling in fully carrying out the program’s mandate. It has failed to provide significant information on “drug war” cases. It has opposed the

participation of several rights groups. Not one of the six “technical working groups” has conducted strategic planning sessions and couldn’t even meet regularly. Despite the effort that the UN side put into devising a good program, Manila treated the program as a public relations tool to provide window dressing for ongoing abuses.

So far, Mr. Marcos has not introduced measures to improve human rights in the country. Instead, he has promised to continue Duterte’s “drug war.” He has not convened a new Commission on Human Rights nor indicated he will appoint qualified, independent human rights experts who will uphold the commission’s constitutional mandate to investigate and help prosecute cases. Other longstanding rights

problems are also going unaddressed. “Red-tagging” and the country’s anti-terrorism law continue to be used to harass leftist activists and human rights defenders. The security forces continue to commit often deadly violations in their campaign against the insurgent New People’s Army.

In June, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor submitted a request to the court to resume the investigation into “drug war” killings, which it paused last November at the Philippine government’s request. The prosecutor’s request to reopen the investigation came after he concluded that the government was not taking adequate steps to ensure accountability at the domestic level. Members of the HRC should take heed of the

prosecutor’s determination, which only further underscores the need for international engagement. For those who see Mr. Marcos as offering a breath of fresh air, the ICC is an instructive example. All UN HRC member states should support a resolution at the upcoming session to ensure continued, strong scrutiny of the Philippine situation. The council needs to send a message that a new presidency is not a clean slate to commit new abuses. (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.

* * * Carlos Conde is a senior Philippines researcher at Human Rights Watch.

An independent foreign policy, let’s do it right this time

As activated, promise of awaited

by KURT

MANILA — Most overseas

Filipino workers (OFWs) seek repatriation because of contract violations, maltreatment, and medical reasons, the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) had said.

Repatriation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said, is the process of returning a distressed OFW—or his or her remains—to his or her country of residence.

POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said his office receives an average of 6,000 repatriation requests every year, the reason that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) launched a 24/7 hotline to act on requests for immediate repatriation.

Olalia said there was a need to have a “One Repat Center” to assist distressed migrant workers, pointing out that in 2019 and 2020, 9,000 and 6,000 OFWs, respectively, asked POEA to bring them

“Topmosthome. reason for repatriation in 2019 was maltreatment and abuses, and in 2020, it became medical and border closure that they can’t go home due to the pandemic,” he said.

But from 2021 to date, Olalia said thousands of OFWs are requesting repatriation, with “end of contract” as the main reason, stressing that some have nowhere to go, especially because of travel restrictions in the past two years.

Taking OFWs out of Saudi Based on POEA data, there were 4,958 repatriation cases from Saudi Arabia alone in 2021, with most of requests coming from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. Saudi Arabia also topped the list of repatriation cases received by the OWWA.Second on the list was Kuwait, followed by Qatar, Oman and Jordan. The DMW said the main reasons for the repatriation requests were contract violations, and physical, psychological and verbal violence.

Last year, the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices revealed that there were 4,302 cases of maltreatment, 21,127 cases of contract violation, 138 cases of contract substitution, 209 cases of sexual harassment, and 31 cases of rape in the Middle East in 2020.

Then in Asia, 593 cases of maltreatment, 2,355 cases of

contract violation, 56 cases of contract substitution, 35 cases of sexual harassment, and 51 cases of rape were recorded.

There were only 86 cases of maltreatment, 232 cases of contract violation, 7 cases of contract substitution, 32 cases of sexual harassment, and 3 cases of rape in Europe and the Americas in Migrant2020.

Workers

Undersecretary Hans Cacdac said on Thursday, Sept. 15 that the government, through the DMW, has negotiated the immediate repatriation of distressed OFWs in Saudi Arabia, saying that these OFWs, mostly domestic workers, needed urgent help.

He said the repatriation process was one of the concerns discussed by Migrant Workers Secretary Toots Ople with the Saudi minister of labor, stressing that the repatriation of an OFW, who has a contract-related complaint or is abused, should be facilitated as soon as possible.

“No one can force a person to work especially in another country because that is slavery. That is slavery if they no longer want to work there but is not allowed to go home,” he said.

Cacdac said some 500 OFWs are presently staying in different shelters run by the Philippine government in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 500, 101 came home with Ople as the Saudi Arabia government agreed to their repatriation.

Leaving PH out of desperation

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, there were 2.18 million OFWs in 2019, however, because of the COVID-19 crisis, the figure fell to 1.77 million in This,2020.despite threats that come with working overseas. Looking back, the government, in 2018, stressed that there are countries , like Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen, that are deemed “not safe” for OFWs.

By gender, more women were reported to be working overseas, 59.6 percent or 1.06 million, in 2020, while men comprised 40.4 percent or 0.72 million. The same trend was observed in 2019—55.4 percent women and 44.6 percent men.The PSA said by place of work, OFWs working in Asia accounted for 83.6 percent or 1.77 million— about 26.6 percent worked in Saudi Arabia, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 14.6

percent.Some countries in Asia that have a high number of OFWs included Kuwait (6.4 percent), Hong Kong (6.3 percent), Qatar (5.4 percent), and Singapore (5.3 percent).

OFWs working in Europe were registered at 6.7 percent, while OFWs in North and South America and in Australia were reported at 5.2 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.Backin2005, Pulse Asia said 23 percent of Filipinos felt the Philippines was a hopeless case and that 33 percent of Filipinos, especially from class ABC, expressed intention to migrate.

Making them stay

Last Sept. 6, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told OFWs in Singapore that the government will improve working conditions in the Philippines as a way of thanking OFWs for their service not only to their own families but also to the entire country.

“Our Cabinet members are doing everything to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos and improve the economy to create more jobs. If we become successful, then you can go home and work in the Philippines,” he said.Currently, however, while the unemployment rate hit its lowest level—5.2 percent—since the start of the pandemic, the think tank Ibon Foundation stressed that “more and more Filipinos are forced to make do with informal work given the lack of better jobs” in the ComparingPhilippines.data in July 2022 with figures in January 2020, the number of employed Filipinos grew by 4.8 million from 42.5 million, however, the think tank noted that by hours worked, 54.7 percent of the jobs created were part-time.Itsaidthose working less than 40 hours increased by 2.7 million from 13.4 million in January 2020 to 16.1 million in July 2022. Those “with a job, not at work” grew by 141,000 to 474,000.

Ibon Foundation stressed that while full-time workers—those working 40 hours and over— increased by 2.1 million, “[it] was not enough to offset the number of part-timeLikewise,workers.itstressed that the minimum wage in Metro Manila, which is already the highest at P570 per day, is still way below the think tank’s estimated family living wage of P1,107. 

Filipino teachers migrating abroad amid low pay, says ACT

MANILA — A teacher’s group on Thursday, September 15 disputed the remark of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on increasing the salary of public school

Teachersinstructors.inboth the public and private sectors are “underpaid” and looking for new employment opportunities abroad,  the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said.

It added that Duterte’s argument that higher pay for public school instructors would lead to the closure of private schools is disproved by the reality that teachers from those institutions would instead move into the public sector.

To prevent losing “the best of our teachers,” ACT chairman Vladimer Quetua asked the Department of Education to act swiftly on this exodus.

“Teachers in public and private [schools] are both underpaid,” said Quetua, noting that 92 percent of public school teachers have a salary of P25,000 to P30,000 a month. ACT said there are private school teachers who receive a monthly pay of P6,000.

The low salaries in the Philippines, according to Quetua, constitute a significant factor in why many Filipino teachers look abroad for “Leavingemployment.theirown families and the Filipino students that they vowed to serve is a difficult decision that teachers make, but the government is leaving us with no other choice, especially with such stance of the DepEd being unsupportive of our call for salary upgrading,” he added.

“In no time, we will be losing the best of our teachers both in the public and private sector if the

government does not remedy our situation quickly,” he further said.

Quetua was also critical of Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, who Vice President Duterte reported suggesting that public school teachers’ salaries should be in line with the private sector.“The government, being the biggest employer of teachers, is well in the position and has the responsibility to set the teachers’ salaries at decent levels,” he said, emphasizing that 75 percent of basic education teachers are hired by the“Ingovernment.fact,itshould also subsidize the salaries of teachers in small private schools which truly have no capacity to pay decent salaries to their teachers’ if it sees these private schools as partners in education delivery,” he added. 

New abortion laws jeopardize cancer treatment...

PAGE A4 centers contacted for this article said their physicians were not interested or not available to speak on the Othersubject.physicians, including Nduom and Atkins, said the new laws won’t alter their discussions with patients about the best treatment approach, the potential impact of pregnancy, or whether abortion is an option.

“I’m going to always be honest with patients,” Atkins said. “Oncology drugs are dangerous. There are some drugs that you can give to [pregnant] cancer patients; there are many that you cannot.”

The bottom line, maintain some, is that termination remains a critical and legal part of care when cancer threatens someone’s life.Patients “are counseled on the best treatment options for them, and the potential impacts on their pregnancies and future fertility,” Dr. Joseph Biggio Jr., chair of maternal-fetal medicine at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, wrote in an email. “Under state laws, pregnancy termination to save the life of the mother is legal.”Similarly, Patt said that physicians in Texas can counsel pregnant patients with cancer about the procedure if, for instance, treatments carry documented risks of birth defects. Thus, physicians can’t recommend them, and abortion can be offered, she said.

“I don’t think it’s controversial in any way,” Patt said. “Cancer left unabated can pose serious risks to life.”Patt has been educating physicians at Texas Oncology on the new state law, as well as sharing a JAMA Internal Medicine editorial that provides details about abortion care resources. “I feel pretty strongly about this, that knowledge is power,” she said.

Still, the Texas law’s vague terminology complicates physicians’ ability to determine what’s legally permissible care, said Joanna Grossman, a professor at SMU Dedman School of Law.

She said nothing in the statute tells a doctor “how much risk there needs to be before we label this legally ‘life-threatening.’”

And if a woman can’t obtain an abortion through legal means, she has “grim options,” according to Hester, the medical ethicist. She’ll have to sort through questions like: “Is it best for her to get the cancer treatment on the time scale recommended by medicine,” he said, “or to delay that cancer treatment in order to maximize the health benefits to the fetus?”

Getting an abortion outside Georgia might not be possible for patients with limited cash or no backup child care or who share one car with an extended family, Atkins said. “I have many patients who can barely travel to get their chemotherapy.”Dr.CharlesBrown, a maternalfetal medicine physician in Austin

who retired this year, said he can speak more freely than practicing colleagues. The scenarios and related unanswered questions are almost too numerous to count, said Brown, who has cared for pregnant women with cancer.

Take as another example, he said, a potential situation in a state that incorporates “fetal personhood” in its law, such as Georgia. What if a patient with cancer can’t get an abortion, Brown asked, and the treatment has known toxic effects?

“What if she says, ‘Well, I don’t want to delay my treatment — give me the medicine anyway,’” Brown said. “And we know that medicine can harm the fetus. Am I now liable for harm to the fetus because it’s a Wheneverperson?”possible, physicians have always strived to treat the patient’s cancer and preserve the pregnancy, Brown said. When those goals conflict, he said, “these are gut-wrenching trade-offs that these pregnant women have to make.” If termination is off the table, “you’ve removed one of the options to manage her disease.”

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego, in the 3rd episode of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’

THIS new episode of answers to the immigration

• Marilyn, who works for the U.S. Navy, asks a question for a green card holder friend, who gave birth in the Philippines and would like to bring her child to the U.S. She tried applying for a tourist but was denied. What can she do?

• Maricar, who is married to a U.S. Navy retiree, has a sister who is residing in London. Maricar wants to know how long it will take if

Julia on relationship with dad Dennis

By jAn Milo severo Philstar.com

ACTRESS Julia Barretto revealed that she and her father, Dennis Padilla, are not on speaking terms.

The actress sat down with news anchor Karen Davila for the latter’s YouTube channel. Julia said she’s scared to open up her feelings about her dad.

“I’ll be very honest. We have not spoken and it’s because there’s just so much fear inside me now if I’m being open. I’m just really scared,” Julia said.

“Because over the years, it’s a cycle of making up and getting hurt. I want to huminga muna from that cycle. I don’t know. Maybe in God’s time may ways mag-meet kami in the middle without getting hurt again,” she added.Julia also said that she is open to forgiving her father but

it is not yet the right time.

“I think it’s not difficult for us to forgive. It’s also just, there’s a lot of fear because I don’t know what’s gonna happen. But forgiveness, of course, that’s for my own peace of mind but I’m just not that ready. There’s just so much pain since I was young,” she said.

The “Expensive Candy” star acknowledged that no matter what happens, Dennis is still her father.

Sa commandments, no matter what happens, they’re your parents so I always ask God, ‘You know a parent is a parent and I’m only just a child but at the same time san yung boundary na a child is also allowed to get hurt?’” she said.

“I just need more love. More protection. I just feel like he has to be my number one protector and that’s not what I’m getting.

Susan Sarandon sends love to Iñigo on his birthday

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

celebration he had during his first day on the series’ filming set last year, as per his Instagram page on Thursday, Sept. 15. Pascual treated fans to glimpses of the said celebration where the cast and crew were seen singing a birthday song for him.“My first day on set was also my birthday, and I was both stressed out and excited about it,”

YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN SAN DIEGO, PART 3. Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (center) answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego, in Part 3 of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot” – the U.S. Navy Episode. Some of the questions Atty. Gurfinkel (center) answers are – From Marilyn (left): My friend’s sister is a green card holder. She gave birth to her daughter in the Philippines and would like to bring her to the U.S. She tried to bring the daughter in as a tourist but was denied. What can she do?; From Maricar (2nd from left): I want to petition my sister who is currently residing in London. Will it be faster to petition her if she becomes a permanent resident or a citizen of England?; From Mark (4th from left): In my job, I often encounter U.S. Navy personnel who want to marry somebody from the Philippines. What is the process of petitioning someone for a K-1 or “Fiancée Visa?”; From Gay (right): My three children have been waiting for their interview date for two years now. I am worried that they might age out. The eldest is turning 21 in December and the second child is turning 19 soon. What can I do? Watch Part 3 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, September 18 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

Julia

PhotoBarrettofromInstagram/@juliabarretto

IÑIGO Pascual was ecstatic on his birthday after he received love and praise from Academy Awardwinning actress Susan Sarandon, who stars with him in the Hollywood TV musical drama series “Monarch.”Theactor recounted the surprise birthday

she petitions her sister now.

• Gay has a daughter in the U.S. Navy. She is worried that her children might age out because they have been waiting for their interview date for two years now. The eldest is turning 21 in December, while the other one will be 19 soon. She wants to know what she can do.

• Mark is on active duty in the Navy. His friends always ask him how they can bring a Filipina to the U.S. to marry, so he would like to know the process of petitioning someone on the K-1 or “Fiancée Visa.”

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in part three of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from San Diego. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, September 18 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases

DEAR Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the claim. The insurance adjuster for the other driver said they would fix my car, and offered me $500.00 for my injuries. Is that enough? I do not know where to go from here. –K.K.

Dear K.K., The first step is to make sure that any injuries that you have suffered in the accident are examined and treated. You can recover treatment costs since they are considered “economic damages” that you suffered due to the accident. You can also recover for time away from work as “economic damages,” even if you used paid time off or sick leave.

The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.”

Civil Code Section 1431.2(b) (1) . A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by persons who settle their accident cases on their own, or with the assistance of inexperienced counsel.

Loss of earnings are often a significant part of

an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/ she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/ she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C

How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those selfemployed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider.

After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of

sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lostApartearnings.from economic damages, you can recover “general damages,” which are damages for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience due to the accident.

If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim.

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

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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 (CAALA) and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277.

Email: info@dtanlaw.com

CornerBarrister’s 4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case

COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows:

1. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens

If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your U.S. Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your U.S. Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category.

This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of

waiting another 10 years. Married sons and daughters of legal permanent residents

If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of Forage.those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In theory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date.

3. Conditional legal permanent residents in failed

marriages

For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their U.S. Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident spouse would fall out of status.

The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the U.S. Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. U.S. Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR status based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR

Is $3.7M car accident liability dischargeable in bankruptcy?

ReliefDebt

IT was 9 p.m. at night. Client had just finished his “hot pot” dinner at a famous restaurant and was on his way home. Home was only 10 minutes away. He had lived in this neighborhood for 30 years and was familiar with all the streets. This time he decided to make a right turn which crossed a pedestrian lane. The street light was a little dimmer than usual, but no matter, he had made this turn hundreds of times since he moved into this neighborhood. As his car crossed the pedestrian lane, he heard a thud coming from the right. Still, he didn’t see anything that might cause the thud but decided to stop the car to get a visual of the pedestrian lane on foot. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach when he saw a man, in his fifties, lying prostrate beside his right front bumper, moaning in pain.

There you have it. This car accident results in a $4M liability lawsuit against client. Client’s car insurance only covers $300K, so there’s still a difference of $3.7M. Client now considers filing a Chapter 7 to wipe out the $3.7M resulting from the accident.

Is the $3.7M a dischargeable debt in bankruptcy?

What does bankruptcy law say about this situation? The general rule is that a debt is dischargeable unless it is excepted from discharge. Section 523 of the bankruptcy code contains the exceptions to discharge.

Section 523(a)(3)(6) Section 523(a)(3)(6) excepts from discharge a debt “for willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another entity or the property of another.” This means that a distinction is being made by the code between injury caused by “negligence”, and an injury that is caused by a “tort” which is willful and malicious.

The U.S. Supreme court pointed out in Kawaauhau v. Geiger, 523 U.S. 57 (1998) that a “willful and malicious” act is not the same as a “negligent” or even a “reckless” act. This means that only acts done with the actual intent to cause injury fall within the scope of Section 523(a)(3)(6). Kawaauhau v. Dr. Greiger

What happened in the case of Kawaauhau v. Geiger? Kawaauhau sought treatment for her injured foot. Respondent Dr. Geiger examined and hospitalized her to attend to the risk of infection. He prescribed oral penicillin even though he knew that intravenous penicillin would have been more effective as he understood that his patient

wanted to minimize treatment costs. Dr. Geiger then went on a business trip, leaving Kawaauhau in the care of other physicians, who decided she should be transferred to an infectious disease specialist. When Geiger returned, he canceled the transfer and discontinued all antibiotics because he believed the infections had subsided. But Kawaauhau’s condition deteriorated requiring amputation of her leg below the knee. Kawaauhau then sued Geiger for malpractice and the state court awarded her $355,000 in damages. Geiger carried no malpractice insurance, moved to Missouri, where his wages were garnished by Kawaahau. Geiger then filed for bankruptcy. Kawaahau filed an adversary case objecting to discharge alleging “willful and malicious” intent to cause injury. The bankruptcy court held the debt non-dischargeable concluding that Geiger’s treatment fell far below the appropriate standard of care and therefore ranked as “willful and malicious” and held the debt non-dischargeable.

The Eighth Circuit court of appeals reversed, holding that the exemption from discharge is confined to debts for an intentional tort, so that a debt for malpractice remains dischargeable because it is based on negligent or reckless conduct. The Supreme court then affirmed what the appeals court said by stating that “Had the Congress meant to exempt debts resulting from unintentionally inflicted injuries, it might have described instead “willful acts that cause injury” or selected an additional words or words, i.e. “reckless” or “negligent,” to modify “injury.”

Section 523(a)(3)(9) Section 523(a)(3)(9) states that a debt is not dischargeable “for death or personal injury caused by operator of a motor vehicle… if such operator was unlawful because debtor was intoxicated from using alcohol, a drug, or another substance.” This doesn’t apply in client’s case as he was completely sober at the time of the accident.

Praying always helps It also helps to pray to our God, His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and the Blessed Mother Mary for divine protection against these kinds of accidents, and financial problems, because we have a God who loves us and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, showers us with infinite mercy. All we have to do is humble ourselves and pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a drop from his ocean of infinite mercy. Jesus revealed in 1930’s to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of Poland that all sinners which we all are and those who do not believe in God and those who do not

yet know Jesus, should all be brought to His sacred heart and be submerged in the ocean of His infinite mercy, for the sake of His Sorrowful Passion. Anything you ask for when you pray the chaplet for His divine mercy will be granted, if compatible with His will. Moreover, you are guaranteed a peaceful death. What is the current proof that God and Jesus are divine and all powerful? I refer you to exhibit A, the incorruptible body of Carlo Acutis!

Current ongoing physical proof God is almighty ; incorruptible body of Carlo Acutis died 2007 at age of 15

Look at the incorruptible body of the blessed Carlo Acutis who died at 15 in 2007. You can look at his body in Rome, Italy, now 14 years after his death. He looks like he’s just asleep in his jogging suit and rubber shoes! That is a perfect example of an ongoing sign on earth that the God of Moses, our God, my God, is almighty and allpowerful that He even suspends the natural laws of biology and physics without any effort. He resurrected His one and only beloved son from death on the cross. Indeed, He has power over death.

I have actually thought, “What would the other religions believe if they actually saw the incorruptible body of the blessed Carlo Acutis? I think even Buddha, if he were alive today, would truly believe that Yahweh is the one True God.” No need to think about reincarnation and nirvana because his incorruptible body is available for all to see in Rome, Italy. We won’t need any kind of explanation on the efficacy of modern day mummification. Come on, man, that’s all bull. The truth is in plain sight. Believe your own eyes, that the one true God is all-powerful and His name is Yahweh, “I am who am.” He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.

* * * Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advise for anyone. There is absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article.

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How bankruptcy helps when you can’t pay your bills

Minding Your Finances

Atty rAymond BuLAon

WHEN your financial circumstances are forcing you to declare bankruptcy, bankruptcy can be one way of dealing with debts that you can no longer manage on your own. Of course, the decision should not be taken lightly, and it is best to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to see if it is best for your situation.Thetruth is that filing bankruptcy is no longer the taboo that it used to be when people were less informed about the legal process. Now with information readily available on the internet, people can educate themselves much faster and can do their own “research” to get some general ideas about bankruptcy before they even see an attorney.

In our current economy, I’m sure you know someone in your family or perhaps at work who had no choice but to file bankruptcy to save their home, reorganize their finances or simply to wipe out their debts and start all over again.

Did you know that every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States file bankruptcy to take advantage of the fresh financial start that the law provides to those who are eligible for relief? Contrary to what creditors may lead you to believe, these are honest, hardworking everyday people just like you who simply got buried in debt with no other way out.

Bankruptcy is never a fun thing to do or just an easy way out for people who simply want to run away from their obligations. The fact is that most people want to do the right thing and pay their creditors, but their situation has gotten so bad that without bankruptcy, they would simply be trapped in debt forever. Thus, with no means to pay their debt, it may be their only chance of ever recovering financially.

Can you just imagine what would happen if someone was hopelessly buried in debt with no way out and creditors were just breathing down on this person’s neck every single day? If he works, creditors can garnish his wages. If he puts what little money he has in the bank, creditors can levy his bank accounts. If he decides to purchase a home, they can put a lien on the home. He can’t even answer his phone and is always afraid to open his mailbox. Every

time someone knocks on the door, he cringes in fear thinking that he’s being served a lawsuit.

If you were in this situation, you would almost feel like a criminal with no chance of ever rebuilding your life and learning from your mistakes. So, a long time ago, Congress decided that there had to be away for people in this situation to be able to get back on their feet financially when no other options exist. So, that’s how the bankruptcy laws started, you see.

Of course, they’ve evolved over the years to keep up with the changing times, but the concept remains the same: The honest debtor who got in too deep in debt is given a fresh financial start free from the burden of debt so he can be a free person again! Wow! Thank God we have laws like that in this country. What a blessing, don’t you agree?

Again, bankruptcy is NOT for everyone and people who can pay their bills should do so. But if you’ve tried everything and your best is just not good enough, remember that you may be eligible for relief under our bankruptcy laws. It may not seem like it but the legal process does work and it can work for you if you want it to!

Starting over after bankruptcy is not going to be a walk in the

Julia on relationship with dad...

It hurt. It’s sad,” she added. Julia said she overcame the pain by having a strong support system.

“The pain doesn’t really last. I really don’t worry. I have a strong support system. I’m just really not ready. I don’t wanna force myself also,” she said.

Leon, who she said is now the “man of the house” and who is their family’s protector. In June, Leon penned an open letter to Dennis that sparked a conversation, especially among those who have been keeping tabs on the Barrettos.  Dennis, on the other hand, has been posting about his children with actress Marjorie Barretto. Notably, he posts a photo of him with his children on their birthdays. g answers

Julia also complimented her younger brother,

Marilyn (left) and Maricar (right) ask their questions during the Citizen Pinoy “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego.

Gay (left) and Mark (right) get answers to their Immigration questions from Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Atty. LAwrence yAng

“Eternal father, we offer you the body, blood, soul and divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world, for the sake of his most sorrowful passion.”

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 Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

Atty.

CornerBarrister’s

Pahrump is in buyer’s market territory – now is a great time to nd deals

By REALTOR

THE town of Pahrump, which is considered as one of the best towns in the United States to live in, has entered buyer’s market territory. This means that those who are looking for great deals on real estate will find more selection, negotiate prices with sellers, and find a deal to fit their budget.Thisis in contrast to the period a year ago when Pahrump was in a seller’s Accordingmarket.toRocket Homes’ housing market report on Pahrump, the median sales price for homes in the town stood at $372,945 in August of 2022, which is about $198 per square feet. This is still 20.5% up from the selling point in August 2021, or a gain of about $67,495. There was a reported increase in the inventory of homes available in the market

between July to August of this year (from 306 to 345), with about 96% of the homes sold in August selling at asking (44%) or below asking price (52%).

Compared to its more recognizable cousin to the east, Las Vegas, Pahrump is a very affordable option for those looking for land, for homes or investment properties in Nevada. It is only 62 miles from Las Vegas, and is a growing town rife with opportunities for those who want to take the bull by its horns.

No longer just a town littered with large ranch-style enclaves, Pahrump has evolved with the times.Pahrump, according to the 2020 Census, has a population of 44,738, with a diversified population that counts American Indian/Alaska Native, Asians, African Americans,

Hispanics (or Latinos), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and White, among others.

The median age in Pahrump is about 54.5, which is higher than the median age in the state (38.7). Perhaps, this is why the town is a favorite of retirees and those wanting a quieter way of life.The town ranks high in livability, cost of living, crime and education, according to citytistics.com.Indescribing Pahrump, it said, “Living in Pahrump has a rural feel, which can be a little slower pace, neighbors you can count on and being part of a tight-knit community.”Thereare a lot of activities to do in Pahrump, whether it is walking/hiking, biking/off-road driving, joining a group for sports, exercise or recreational activities, or gambling (after all, it is Nevada). There are many parks and trails to walk in either by yourself, or with a group, or accompanied by the family dog.

Cost of living is also a plus in Pahrump, as it is lower than the national level and most cities in the state. That said, the site says that for the town, “the overall average of housing costs, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services are less expensive.”

In terms of crime, Pahrump has lower numbers than state or national levels, especially in terms of violent crimes and property crimes. While the per thousand average of Nevada’s is 19.0 and national rate is 27.5, the town’s average is placed at 2.7.

Education is also a plus in Pahrump, the site said as it gave the town a “B” rating, which puts it above most cities in the state and the U.S.

Aside from a strong focus on academics, students get plenty of opportunities for extracurricular activities – band/choir, art/drama programs, clubs/organizations.

Similar with more developed cities, students in the district can take Advanced Placement (AP) and dual credit classes that can help students earn college credit while still in high school.

Graudation rates, the site says, are higher in the town than the state average, and the studentteacher ratio is low which is good for students.

If weather is your concern, Pahrump has sunny weather, with summer months typically the hottest of the year. Because of its higher elevation, daytime highs are hotter than in Las Vegas during summer, but nighttime temperatures are cooler.

If you crave excitement and fun, Las Vegas is only about an hour’s drive away. You can catch your favorite musical acts, see a show, watch a football/soccer/ basketball game or indulge in whatever you like, and then drive back to the peace and quiet of the town after a day or night in the bustling lights of Las Vegas. Indeed, you can have the best of both worlds while living in Pahrump.Pahrump may be a good option for you to find that piece of real estate or property that fits your budget, especially if you are

priced out of the Las Vegas or nearby markets.

I have been a Realtor for decades and have helped many of my clients pursue their American dream of home/land ownership, whether it is in Las Vegas or Pahrump. In fact, many of my clients have reaped the rewards of entering the real estate market sooner, with some renting out their properties for Airbnb, or selling their investments at a good price, or growing their real estate portfolio many-fold over theNowyears.that the Pahrump market is in the buyer’s market, it is time to put your resources to work for you. My team and I will help you find the best opportunities in the market – be it for a first home, a second/vacation home, a land/ property investment, or simply an addition to your real estate

holdings.Mycompany, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-5384948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

My new wave of investors includes Mark Maiyoka who just bought in public auction the former Pahrump Medical Center for $2.6M. The building is currently being rehabilitated and being prepared for its grand opening soon. Silver State Health is coming to Pahrump and will create more job for Pahrumpians.

My two new investors, Rose Pacheco and her daughter and Jessica, bought two lots in Pahrump and are looking forward to building their home in the town. With the Pachecos in photo above is Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (center).

Another builder coming to Pahrump is Terry Collado (right) from Southern California, who plans to build more homes and medical facilities that is needed in the growing little town in Nevada. With Collado in photo above is Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman is shown in photo above with Alka Products CEO/President Andrew Hoang (right), who will build a glove factory in Pahrump. Site plans have been submitted to the Nye County Planning Department for review and approval. Once in operation, the globe factory will create hundreds of jobs

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For (702) email to fely@precious-properties.com

NotesPastor’s Our commitmentsingle-heartedtoChrist

rreverendodelG. BAlAGtAS

THE fundamental question we Christians should ask ourselves is: What difference does our faith in Jesus have in our lives? Any affirmative answer would strengthen our belief in Jesus and our allegiance to him. It would also keep us following him and convincing others to do the same. And it would inspire us to keep supporting the Church’s mission of evangelization.

Indeed, can we say that our faith in Jesus and love for him keep us firm in facing life with all its uncertainties and challenges?

Can we say that it’s what gives us joy in life and the wisdom to make some tough decisions?

Can we honestly say that without our faith in Jesus, we would have faltered or given up fulfilling our responsibilities and pursuing our dreams and goals? Can we say that being part of a Christian parish community has been a supportive experience?

If our answer is yes, then we have all the reason to testify to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus, to proclaim Christ’s love and power in our lives. Furthermore,

we would do everything to support those who continue his mission on earth.

The difference that Jesus makes in our lives is how we must understand the Gospel this Sunday (September 18). In this Gospel, Jesus told the vast crowd following him this bold and shocking statement: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”Theword “hate” that Jesus used is hyperbole to indicate his expectation from us who follow him: total and single-hearted dedication to him and his teachings. Family relationships and possessions are subordinate to the following of Jesus and whatever cross-bearing. Priority in Christian life must go to a relationship with Christ, and all other considerations, even those of family, are secondary. We can find concrete examples of total dedication to Christ among fellow Christians, particularly among lay people.

Some married couples have given up a prosperous livelihood to serve the poor in Latin America, Asia, or Africa. Others make room in their homes for unwanted or parentless children at a considerable personal sacrifice. And some are less consumerist and more simple in their tastes to help God’s poor.

There are also parents and their children who prioritize church participation and Mass attendance on Sundays. They come to Church because of their love for Jesus, their faith, and their commitment to putting God at the center of their family life.

Like the author of Psalms in this Sunday’s liturgy, may we all declare, “In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.” Amen!

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

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

Susan Sarandon sends love...

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said. “I didn’t want anyone knowing about my birthday or giving me extra attention just because of my birthday. I was too shy.”

Pascual admitted that while he was grateful for the gesture, he was “scared for his life” as he

would not know what to say if he would have been asked to share a speech.

“So grateful for my Monarch Family. After that scene I went up to my Grandma Dottie and told her that all I wanted for my birthday was a selfie with her,” he stated, referring to Sarandon’s character in the show.

Pascual and Sarandon then had an exchange via the comments section, with the acclaimed actress stating that she also looked forward to meeting the actor at the time. She also shared Pascual’s post through her Instagram Stories.

“And I was so excited to meet you and get to know you, even a little. Love to hear you sing so I’m following you,” Sarandon told Pascual. “Love from your Dottie.”

“I love you! You just made my birthday this year extra special again,” Pascual replied.

Pascual also received greetings from “Monarch” co-star Anna Friel and the series’ writer Melissa Hilfers, who described the actor’s birthday last year as a “special day.”

Pascual plays the role of Ace Grayson, the grandson of Sarandon’s Dottie and one of the lead characters in the series. “Monarch,” which premiered on Sept. 12 (Sept. 11 in the United States), tells the story of the Romans, a “country music dynasty” in Texas. g

Rights at work of injured or sick employees

Rights&EmployeeProtectingConsumer

Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr

Q: I WAS injured in a recent car accident while returning to work on an errand. I had to undergo multiple surgeries. I missed several weeks of work and will need more time off for treatments. I am afraid to tell my employer about my need for more time off because I might be fired. What can I do?

A: You must notify the employer immediately about the need for more treatments related to your injuries or medical condition. In this way, you are protected from any adverse action that may be taken against you at work. Your silence may work against you, Once notified of your medical condition or the need for more treatments related to a medical condition, the employer is obligated by law to engage you in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be

Theremade.are several instances where an employee’s personal injuries (whether these injuries happened at work or outside work) lead to violations of the employee’s rights. Consider the following situations: • The employer denied the employee’s request to take time off to undergo treatments Employers with 5 or more employees are prohibited from denying the right to use medical leave, or for disciplining,

discharging, demoting, suspending, or discriminating against an employee for using such leave for themselves (or to attend to an ill family member).

• The employer denied the employee’s request for reasonable accommodation.

The employer must engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for a disabled employee to accommodate restrictions. Sometimes, granting an additional shortterm extension of an approved leave may constitute reasonable accommodation.

• After filing a request for family or medical leave (or after filing a worker’s compensation claim), the employee experiences an adverse employment action, such as demotion, decrease in pay, decrease of work hours, loss of benefits, assignment to unfavorable tasks, suspension, or termination. Such actions violate California law.

• The employer retaliates against the employee for filing a worker compensation claim, or some other claim, by withholding the payment of all the employee’s wages due on the last day of employment. The employer must immediately pay all compensation due, and ensure that the employee receives the payment.

• After the employee requests intermittent leave or comes back from leave, the employee experiences an adverse employment action such as being assigned to unfavorable assignments, given difficult-to-achieve deadlines, being written up, demoted,

stripped of supervisory responsibilities, laid-off, or fired.

• The employee was fired for “excessive absences” even though the employee provided doctor’s notes for these absences.

Employees who have been seriously injured face difficult challenges, including having to miss work in order to get treatments. These efforts to get the employees’ health back to rejoin the workforce is protected byIflaw.the employee was fired based on a disability or medical condition, the employee can sue for wrongful termination. The employee may be entitled to the following: reinstatement, back pay, loss of earnings, damages for emotional distress, attorneys’ fees and costs, and punitive damages in certain instances.

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

* * * The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, selected as Super Lawyer for 10 years by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

How bankruptcy helps when...

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park, but it’s also not as bad as most people think. Never lose hope! Rebuilding your credit and your life will take some effort and strategy on your part but it is not impossible. You can turn bankruptcy to your advantage and regain control of your life.

* * * 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.

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NOTE: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems.

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None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.(Advertising Supplement)

Susan Sarandon and Iñigo

Pascual.Photo from Instagram/@inigopascual

Maricar on accepting weaknesses, handling pressure to be perfect

By Alex BrosAs Inquirer.net

ACTRESS and businesswoman Maricar Reyes talked about some of the things she lives by and gave tips on how to live one’s life in a stress-free way, in a recent conversation with fellow actress and Christian vlogger Rica Peralejo.

“One, alamin mo ang weaknesses mo and be okay with that. Accept it lalo na with social media,” Reyes said via Peralejo’s YouTube channel last Sunday, Sept. 11. (First, know your weaknesses and be OK with that. Accept it, especially when it comes to social media.)

“There’s pressure to be perfect. There’s pressure to be like this at a certain age,” she added. She cited how there are young people, aged 18, who already have their own companies and thinking that they need to be that way. Reyes likened it to an anomaly, which is why she would rather be contented and grateful.

“I am following this page [in] IG, bigtripsonly. They have so many places [that] I don’t think I could get to all of them. Pero, ganoon talaga, eh. (but it’s really like that),” she explained. “I have to be okay with that. Parang kung saan ka dalhin (It’s like wherever you end up at), there’s a reason forAnotherthat.” important thing for Reyes is purpose.

“‘[A] purpose beyond yourself,” she said. “[Just] be content if this is what is given to you. It’s like that for a reason.”

Reyes is married to singer Richard Poon. They celebrated their ninth anniversary last June. g

4 ways filing for divorce can benefit...

thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case.

4. Married aliens in non-immigrant visas and those without status For those who enter the U.S. as a nonimmigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a U.S. Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the U.S. to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a U.S. Citizen spouse. If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001.

Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need

to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey.

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

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Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA. Visit us at Kenreyeslaw.com to learn about our (Advertisingfirm. Supplement)

Maricar Reyes Photo from Instagram/@maricarreyespoon