SEPTEMBER 19-22, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 74 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages
Survey: Fil-Am voters most enthusiastic about DATELINE USA New AAPI study: Majority 2020 election among Asian American groups of Fil-Am, Tagalog-speaking FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Majority of Fil-Ams prefer Biden, but segment shows 2nd highest support for Trump
voters to vote by mail
Preference for in-person voting drops amid COVID-19
AS the presidential election looms just over a month away, the likelihood that the coronavirus pandemic will be gone in time for voters to hit the polls becomes more of a stark impossibility. Voting by mail is poised to be the more primary option for voters across the country to avoid interacting with others in the age of face masks and social distancing. But in California, where there are several underserved communities with low voter outreach, policy experts are encouraging greater community outreach to raise awareness of alternative voting options. “The big challenge is that, because voting will be changing for everyone in California regardless of where they live we should be thinking about our reasons to adapt,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, public policy and political sciu PAGE A4
California mayors among coalition of leaders pushing for guaranteed income programs A NUMBER of California mayors are among a coalition of at least 25 city mayors across the U.S. who are pushing to roll out guaranteed income programs for low-income individuals in their cities. Led by Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs, the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) program was launched in June with the goal of providing a monthly cash payment to those with low income who meet certain requirements. Last year, Tubbs, at 29 years old launched the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) — the nation’s first cityled guaranteed income program — with help from many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs like Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. On Wednesday, September 16, 14 new mayors joined the MGI coalition, including California Mayor Robert Garcia of Long Beach. u PAGE A4
by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
tion nears, according to a new survey. about the upcoming election and candidates, and The 2020 Asian American Voter Survey — re- their positions on certain issues. The survey, which is one of the few pre-election FILIPINO American registered voters are showing leased on Tuesday, September 15 by APIA Vote, the highest levels of enthusiasm among the major AAPI Data, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice surveys that offer an in-depth look into the Asian Asian American groups as the 2020 presidential elec- | AAJC — gauges how registered voters are feeling u PAGE A2 AJPress
House passes resolution denouncing all forms of anti-Asian sentiment by RAE
REINFORCED. The Quezon City police gets new guns and a robotic vehicle to augment their operations against terrorism, illegal drugs and crime. Inquirer.net photo by Consuelo Marquez
ANN VARONA AJPress
THE U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, September 17, passed a resolution to denounce antiAsian rhetoric and discrimination fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), the measure calls on all public officials to condemn all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and “all manifestations of expression of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, antiAsian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance.” It also asks federal law enforcement officials to work with state and local officials in investigating and documenting credible reports of hate crimes and incidents against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, and in holding perpetrators accountable. The votes were 243 to 163, with the majority “yes” votes coming from 229 Democratic lawmakers and 14 Republican lawmakers. u PAGE A3
Filipino billionaires see their wealth fall during pandemic by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines’ richest experienced a drop in their fortunes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the country’s economy. The collective wealth of the country’s 50 Richest dropped to $60.6 billion (P2.9 trillion) from $78 billion (P3.8 trillion) a year earlier, according to Forbes Asia. “Despite having one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, the Philippines saw its COVID-19 cases surpass 250,000 in September, the highest number in Southeast Asia. The country’s benchmark stock index, the PSEi, reflected the economic challenges the pandemic poses, falling 26% since fortunes were measured a year ago,” the magazine said. u PAGE A2
SM Investments vice chair Teresita Sy-Coson (second from left) and Henry Sy Jr. (third from left)
Self-made billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. Inquirer.net file photos
Pemberton will not face court-martial in the US PH named top ‘digital riser’ by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, clad in a gray shirt and black pants, was released from his detention cell in Camp Aguinaldo on Sunday, September 13, and was subsequently deported back to the U.S. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Immigration
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted of murdering Filipina transgender woman Jennifer Laude, will no longer undergo court-martial proceedings, a U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson said Wednesday, September 16. Pemberton will not be tried a second time since he already served the court-imposed penalty for his actions prior to his pardon, Major Melanie Salinas of the US Marine Corps’ Communication Directorate told online news service BenarNews. “Consistent with the due process traditions shared by the United States and the Philippines and the running of the Statute of Limitations, the Marine Corps will not try Lance Cpl. Pemberton a second time for the same crime. He will be processed for administrative discharge,” she said in an email to
BenarNews. Salinas added that Pemberton was currently on full duty with the Marine Corps, “but is administratively out-processing from the Marine Corps.” In response, Malacañang said the decision is now in the hands of the U.S. government. “That’s a decision of the U.S. government although I take note that they have said he will be processed for administrative discharge, meaning he will be fired as a Marine,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Roque on Monday, September 14 said Pemberton will continue to face court-martial proceedings in the U.S. as promised by U.S. authorities. “There was a promise made by American authorities along with a representative from the Marine corps,” he said in Filiu PAGE A3
in East Asia and the Pacific by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines was recently recognized as the top “digital riser” in East Asia and the Pacific by the Berlin-based European Center for Digital Competitiveness (ECDC). In ECDC’s Digital Riser Report, the Philippines was named as one of the world’s top digital risers along with France and Saudi Arabia. The report analyzed each country’s digital competitiveness during the last three years indicated by digital ecosystem and mindset
“In East Asia and the Pacific, the Philippines was the top Digital Riser over the last three years, while New Zealand fell significantly behind,” the report said. It also noted that the country improved the most in the mindset dimensions. “The Philippines’ outperformance can mainly be explained by its ‘Innovate Start-up Act’ lighthouse initiative, which was passed in 2019 to strengthen, promote and develop an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture,” the report read. “Further beneficial initiatives u PAGE A4