092619 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

OCTOBER 26-29, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 84 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

No need to release Duterte’s medical bulletin — Palace

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo Philstar.com photo

DATELINE

MALACAÑANG on Friday, October 25, dismissed calls to release a medical bulletin of President Rodrigo Duterte’s condition since the Constitution only requires a health dispatch in case of a “serious illness.”

Duterte’s visit to Japan on Tuesday, October 22, was cut short because of an “unbearable” pain in his spine and pelvic area following a motorcycle accident last week.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte was advised to rest after

he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and medical evaluation on Wednesday,October 23.

However, when the spokesman was asked if the Palace would release a medical bulletin on Duterte’s health, Panelo said it wasn’t necessary.

“There’s no need for that [medical bulletin]. It comes only when there is a serious illness, that’s the Constitutional requirement,” he said.

Malacañang on Wednesday vowed that the president will publicly disclose the result of his medical consultation after his u PAGE A2

Palace, DFA: No Japanese royal snub of Duterte

USA

by CHRISTINA

MENDEZ, PIA LEE-BRAGO

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Following court injunctions, immigration experts weigh in on the future of public charge Five judges impose injunctions, delaying implementation of the new rule that would expand the definition of public charge in immigration AFTER multiple judges halted the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the public charge rule, immigration experts and attorneys are assessing the impact of public charge in immigration law and the next steps.

As previously reported by the Asian Journal, federal judges in California, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Washington State blocked the controversial new rule regarding government assistance programs for appliu PAGE A4

Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies gets $1-M state allocation for research THE year-old Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at the University of California, Davis will be receiving $1 million in state funding to go towards expanding research on Filipino American communities.

Announcing the funding on Thursday, October 24 was Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda), who was born in Quezon City, Philippines and became the first Fil-Am to ever be elected to the California Legislature.

“This is a time for celebration,” said Bonta, who championed the funding. “I hope this is just a down payment for ongoing funding.”

The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies (BCFS) is the first of its kind not only in the University of California (UC) system, but in the nation.

It’s named after Fil-Am labor activist, migrant worker, and author Carlos Bulosan who is best known for his 1946 book “America Is in the Heart.” u PAGE A2

MEETING WITH CHINESE DELEGATION. President Rodrigo Duterte greets members of Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China Hu Chunhua’s delegation as they pay a courtesy call on the president at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, October 24. The leaders discussed the implementation of key infrastructure projects funded by China. Duterte’s independent foreign policy resulted to a warmer relation with the Asian economic giant, with China becoming the Philippines’ major trading partner, the biggest source of imports and exports, and the second largest source of tourists.

Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias

Philstar.com

MANILA — A widely shared post by a netizen that President Rodrigo Duterte did not receive proper treatment at the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in Japan last Tuesday, October 22, was “absolutely false,” according to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio shows her chatting with State The Department of Foreign Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the state Affairs (DFA) also issued yesterbanquet hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday, October 23.

Malacañang photo day the same declaration, say-

ing it had even sought clarification from Japanese officials.

They were reacting to a viral post in social media by a certain Ding Velasco who claimed that the president had to feign “unbearable pain” in the pelvic area so he could cut short his Tokyo trip and save face after being snubbed by Japanese leaders.

In his post, Velasco said the president was “unceremoniously ignored in Japan” and “relegated down the line” in the ceremony’s seating arrange-

ment after he confirmed his attendance at the last minute.

The president had declined an earlier invitation in August but changed his mind and showed up at the enthronement ceremonies.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said Velasco’s viral post was not true as attested to by Japanese officials. “I verified with Tokyo, the allegations are false,” Meñez said in a message to reporters.

Malacañang earlier said the u PAGE A4

No reason to stop drug war — DILG

by EMMANUEL

TUPAS

Philstar.com

MANILA — There is no reason for the government to stop the war on illegal drugs, Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said.

Año made the statement in response to the call of Vice President Leni Robredo to President Duterte to halt the controversial anti-illegal drug campaign where thousands of suspected drug offenders have been killed.

“The war on drugs must continue withu PAGE A3

Korean Air launches flight from LA to Clark International Airport

by AJPRESS FOR those Los Angeles travelers heading to the Philippines, but want to avoid flying into Manila, there’s a new alternative.

Korean Air began a daily flight on Friday, October 25 from Los Angeles Inter-

Clark International Airport

national Airport (LAX) to Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga, which is becoming a preferred landing hub to avoid the congestion in the Philippines’ capital city.

Clark International Airport will be airline’s third destination in the Philippines, u PAGE A3

PNA photo

Samples of hotdog, longganisa and tocino have been detected positive with African swine fever (ASF).

Philstar.com photo

DOH: Pork and processed pork products are safe to eat

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippine Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, October 24, assured the public that eating pork products contaminated with African swine fever (ASF) does not affect human health.

“It is completely safe. It has no effect on human health. It is safe for human consumption,” Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo.

“Those threatened by (ASF) are only hogs, and not humans.

ASF has no health hazards to humans,” he added.

Domingo, who also serves as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief, advised everyone

to choose processed pork meat products with a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) as these products and the factories where they came from have been inspected by the FDA. He added that FDA has not seen the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) report confirming that samples of hotdog, longganisa and tocino have been detected with the ASF viral DNA, but said they will look into the details of the laboratory findings.

“We want to know the specifics of the testing made, such as if they tested raw meat or slightly processed food only. Because meat processing, especially in high temperature, is supposed to u PAGE A5

A october 26-29, 2019 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

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From the Front Page

No need to release Duterte’s...

PAGE A1 t health was once again put into scrutiny due to his accident.

Duterte’s health has been a recurring issue in his presidency, with the public expressing concern over his health condition.

He recently revealed that he has myasthenia gravis, a chronic auto-immune neuromuscular disorder that affects the muscles in his eyes and limits his ability

to control eye movement. Apart from his eye condition, he also has Barrett’s esophagus, which affects his throat; as well as Buerger’s disease from the heavy smoking he did in his younger years.

Under the Constitution, information about the state of the president’s health should always be available to the public in case the chief executive has a serious

illness.

“In case of serious illness of the president, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.

The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the president during such illness,” Section 12 of Article VII read. n

Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies gets $1-M...

PAGE A1 t “This allocation provides a crucial early boost to a center focused on an area that deserves more study,” said Robyn Rodriguez, director of the Bulosan Center and chair of Asian American studies.

“It gives the center, the first of its kind at a major research center, a very strong start in better researching the second-largest American group in the nation.”

The allocation announcement comes as Fil-Ams across the U.S. celebrate October as Filipino American History Month. With a population of 3.5 million, the Fil-Am community is among the largest AAPI groups in the nation. The large majority of FilAms live in California, mainly in the Los Angeles region (500,000), the San Francisco Bay Area (300,000), and in greater Sacramento (75,000).

Roughly 1,800 students at UC Davis are of Filipino descent, according to the university.

“The Filipino American community is one of the oldest immigrant groups in California, but

our community’s place in California history and U.S. history more broadly — from leading the farmworker movement to fighting during World War II — is not widely known or taught,” said Rodriguez.

“As one of the largest and fastest-growing Asian American communities, Filipino Americans’ contemporary issues will require deeper investigation and understanding. We are excited to lead efforts to expand the field of Filipino studies,” Rodriguez added.

The BCFS launched last October 2018 with the goal of continuing Bulosan’s legacy through education, advancing research, and promoting advocacy for both contemporary and historical issues faced by Filipinos both in the U.S. and abroad.

Among the center’s programs is the Welga! Filipino American Digital Archive, an online archive that serves as the center’s informational repository, and is free for researchers. The archive was established in 2014 and currently

has collections primarily on Filipino American labor history, but will expand to include research material on other aspects of the Fil-Am experience such as immigration, culture, neighborhoods and historic buildings, the workforce, and veterans.

Other planned projects mentioned at the center’s opening last year included an oral history project called “Preserving California’s Historic Filipino American Sites,” which will conduct interviews to record and preserve the movements, successes, and experiences of those who have worked to preserve and promote their Fil-Am communities.

Since its launch, the center has raised $30,000 in private donations.

“The aim of the center is to uplift the voices of the most marginalized in the Filipino community in the United States and diaspora,” said Rodriguez. “Its programs are driven by close collaboration with communitybased organizations.” (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

Robyn Rodriguez, director of the center and chair of Asian American studies, and Assemblyman Rob Bonta engage with students as they celebrate a $1 million gift to the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies, UC Davis, Thursday.

Photo by Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis

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No reason to stop drug war...

PAGE A1 t

out letup but with the rule of law keenly observed,” Año said.

In an interview with Reuters, Robredo said there has been no evidence of decline in drug supply and usage in the country despite thousands killed in the government’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs in the past three years.

“We ask ourselves, ‘why is this still happening?’ The President has already made very serious threats to drug syndicates, to drug lords… and yet it’s still very prevalent, so obviously it’s not working,” Robredo was quoted as saying in a report released on Wednesday, October 23.

“We have seen a lot of police that have abused their powers and not been penalized so this is where the International Criminal Court (ICC) could come in, if we do not show the world that we can take care of our own mess,” she added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) previously reported that at least 6,800 suspected drug offenders were killed in what authorities claimed were legitimate shootouts.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said measures have been put in place to ensure that lawmen will respect human rights.

“The PNP enforcement of law

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 26-29, 2019

A

Census Bureau embarks on a hiring blitz Thousands of high-paying jobs available in California, nationwide

by Mark Hedin Ethnic Media Services

WITH Census Day — April 1 — fast approaching, the Census Bureau is ramping up its hiring.

There are thousands of jobs to fill.

The national census, taken every 10 years since 1790, is the country’s biggest single peacetime project. The goal is to count each and every person living in the United States, no matter how Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año Philstar.com photo young or old, no matter their citiagainst illegal drugs will remain ICC prosecutor Fatou Ben- zenship, no matter anything. If relentless following established souda earlier initiated a prelimi- they’re here, they count. procedures and rule of law, nary examination on the alleged Knowing how many people live with utmost respect for human crimes against humanity com- where will affect political reprerights,” he said. mitted in connection with the sentation and billions of dollars’ Banac said they maintain the drug war. worth of spending decisions over validity of all official reports of The move prompted the the next decade. It’s so important law enforcement operations, Duterte government to pull out that California has committed disputing the allegation of the from the international body, al- $180 million just to try to make Free Legal Assistance Group though it did not stop the pro- sure everyone in the state re(FLAG) that the police just cut cess of inquiry that is still ongo- sponds to a census questionnaire, and paste the same information ing. whether it’s done online, on pain describing every operation.

Earlier this year, the 47-mem- per, over the phone or in person.

“We stand by these reports ber United Nations Human There’s that much at stake. despite how some quarters Rights Council narrowly passed The federal government will branded it according to how a resolution seeking an inves- spend billions to do that countthey perceive it,” Banac said. tigation on the situation in the ing and hire about a half-million Human rights organizations Philippines. people to do the work. Plenty of said the casualty count is even The Philippine government, jobs are still open. Pay varies dehigher, noting the number of a member of the human rights pending on where you are, but in those killed by suspected vigi- body, has condemned the coun- Northern California, hundreds of lante groups since Duterte took tries that supported the mea- jobs are still open that pay from over in 2016. sure. n $24 to $33 per hour.

“We still urgently need people to apply for the jobs,” a San Francisco-based census recruiter told Ethnic Media Services. “We wela new livable and business- this year alone, Clark reached come all applicants.”

Just as the 2020 Census will be friendly hub under the current more than a million passenger the first to rely on people going administration’s Build, Build, arrivals. n Build program. The expansion of the airport is slated to cost P9.36 billion. A Subic-Clark Railway is also another project to connect the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Clark Freeport Zone.

“Clark, on its own, has become an ideal tourism destination. It’s been quiet for a while, but I’m very happy to announce that there are many different investments, infrastructures being up [there],” said Richmond Jimenez, Philippine tourism attaché in Los Angeles.

He cited nearby destinations like Subic, Tarlac, and even up north to Pagudpud as being “more accessible because of all of these infrastructure developments.”

The Clark airport also serves as a flight connection to major domestic destinations, such as Cebu, Boracay, Bacolod, Davao, and Palawan.

Clark International Airport is projected to receive up to 8 million passengers annually once the new terminal is operational by 2020, and will have the capacity to invite more international airlines to service there.

“With the promise of an expected 8 million people coming through Clark, that’s a huge amount of people that we’re going to take away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” Jimenez said.

In the first three months of

Korean Air launches flight from LA...

PAGE A1 t following Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Currently, Korean Air has two daily flights out of LAX to NAIA. Korean Air uses an Airbus A380-800 with 407 total seats — 12 in First Class, 94 in Business and 301 in Economy.

The LAX flight departs at 10:40 p.m. and will arrive in South Korea’s Incheon Airport at 5:10 a.m. the next day for a brief stopover. Then the flight will depart at 7:55 a.m. and land in Clark at 11:05 a.m.

The morning arrival will make it easy “for those those passengers who go beyond Clark to nearby cities so it will be a great connection,” Alan Fan, Korean Air’s LA manager, told the Asian Journal.

For many whose final destination is in the central or northern part of the Philippines, for example, they would have to fly into Manila and then still travel by land transportation.

“We want to make this flight schedule convenient for the Filipino American community,” he added.

The Korean Air flight out of Clark leaves at 1:10 p.m. and arrives in Icheon at 6:10 p.m. for a stopover, then departs at 7:40 p.m. and will arrive in Los Angeles at 1:40 p.m. the next day.

The Philippine Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has been developing New Clark City into

Dateline USa

The Census Bureau reports having completed its process of verifying addresses for purposes of mailing notifications about the 2020 Census. Now, it is hiring thousands of enumerators who will go door-to-door next spring to collect information from those who do not respond to the online questionnaires.

online to fill out their household questionnaires, would-be workers must use a computer to apply for census jobs. The website for applying is: www.2020census. gov/jobs.

Nationwide this week, the Census Bureau is hosting thousands of events as it kicks its recruitment effort into high gear to help fill those jobs.

About a half-dozen different types of work need to be done. The biggest need: Workers to ring the doorbells or knock on the doors of people who didn’t fill out the census questionnaires online, on paper, or by phone. These workers, known as “enumerators,” will have to instill enough trust to get an in-person response.

Every “Area Census Office” (there are 30 in California, from

Bakersfield to West Covina) will need 600-800 enumerators. The pay scale can range up to $30 per hour in some areas, such as the Northern California counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco.

In San Diego County, the pay rate for enumerators is pegged at $20.50 per hour; in Del Norte and Fresno counties, it’s $16.50; in Kern County, $17. In Los Angeles, there are eight ACOs, seven of them are offering $21 per hour.

At the eighth, it’s $18.

For every 20 enumerators, there has to be a supervisor. So every ACO needs between 30 and 40-some of those, depending on the size of the local population it’s trying to count. Supervisors make a few dollars more per hour, and

u PAGE A4

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Census Bureau embarks on a...

PAGE A3 t recruiters too.

Then, every census office also needs dozens of office clerks, and for every 10 of those, a supervisor.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the pay rate for those positions runs to $24 and $31 per hour, respectively.

The Census Bureau has filled most of its office management positions, the Bay Area source said, and completed the address verification stage of the census process, finalizing the lists of addresses where it believes people live.

So, for now the main thrust is to attract job applicants for the actual enumeration process.

The census figures it may need up to eight applicants for every opening: An applicant may find that temporary work is not for them, or find other jobs while the census is reviewing their application, or simply change their mind about wanting the job.

The positions, though, are ideal for people seeking extra income because the hours are flexible and the schedule could allow the workers to hold another job or attend school.

Applicants must clear a background check, be citizens, 18 or older and have an email address.

They’ll be fingerprinted, too.

Having a misdemeanor conviction isn’t necessarily a disqualifier, a census spokesperson told Ethnic Media Services.

Although census work is under way already, the jobs the Census Bureau is recruiting for now are expected to begin next year.

Office staff will be employed in the run-up to the release of the census questionnaire, April 1 at the latest, earlier in some cases, whereas enumerators won’t be brought in until it’s clearer how much follow-up work needs to be done to collect data from those who didn’t respond to questionnaires.

The non-response follow-up work that comprises the bulk of the enumerators’ assignment is expected to run from May through the end of July.

In all cases, before the new employees begin working, there will be weeks of paid training, for instance in using government-issued mobile devices to collect the information.

Another essential aspect of the

Dateline USa

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training process involves taking an oath to preserve the confidentiality of respondents’ personal information.

The toughest laws the government has on protecting people’s personal information are the laws about handling census data.

Workers can face $250,000 fines plus five years in jail if they violate their sworn oaths to protect people’s privacy. All the data will eventually be made public, but not until 72 years after it was collected.

So for next year’s census, personally identifiable information is locked up until 2092. It’s the aggregate data the census compiles, HAIL TO ‘NENE’. Senate President Vicente Sotto III delivers his eulogy during the necrological service of former Senate President Aquilino not the personal data, that’s used “Nene” Pimentel Jr., at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 23. Pimentel, who was hailed as the Father of the Local Government to make decisions about billions Code, also authored the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan of dollars’ worth of federal spending every year, or how many Electoral College votes and Congressional representatives you get.

The San Francisco recruiter said that although specific language skills are not required for pected to pick up again on Sun- pany Pacific Gas & Electric told

by Rae ann VaRona any job openings, multilingual AJPress day. state regulators that they bepeople are encouraged to apply While many followed evacu- came aware that a jumper from and may get preferential considWITH nearly 50,000 people ation orders, Osby said that one of its transmission towers eration because those skills will already under evacuation orders they were aware that there came close to where the fire help assure that every community due to the Tick Fire in Santa were people who chose to stay ignited. The jumper alert hapis fully counted. n Clarita, California that broke home. Shelters had been set up pened seven minutes before the out Thursday, October 24, the in Santa Clarita’s College of the first started.

An internal investigation is fire continued to grow and even Canyons and West Ranch High being conducted to see if the jumped a highway overnight and School L.A. County Supervisor Kath- jumper had anything to do with prompted more evacuations.

As of Friday morning, October ryn Barger of the 5th District, the start of the Kincade fire.

OVER 17 YEARS 25, the fire burned roughly 4,300 which includes Santa Clarita, PG&E was responsible for last acres and was 5% contained. described the Tick Fire as hav- year’s Camp Fire, deadliest to Authorities confirmed that six ing the “largest evacuation occur in California. we’ve had.”

As of Friday morning, the fire structures had been destroyed.

Santa Clarita is California’s covered 34 square miles and “However, we know that it’s going to rise today,” said Los 18th largest city, according to was only 5% contained. EvacuAngeles County Fire Chief Daryl the city’s website. It states that ation orders remained for the of Santa Clarita’s diverse Asian 2,000 people near the Sonoma Osby.

Authorities also reported that population, Filipinos make up County wine town of Geyserville, and 290 buildings were rethe 14 Freeway had been closed the largest chunk at 36%.

Gov. Newsom declares State ported to have burned down. in both directions from Golden Announcing the state of Valley Road to Escondido Can- of Emergency over LA and Sonoma county fires emergency on Thursday, Newyon Road.

California Governor Gavin som said that California had reAll public schools in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Val- Newsom declared a state of ceived money from the federal Darrick V. Tan, Esq. leys were also closed Friday. emergency in Los Angeles as government to assist firefightWhile no flames were active well as in Sonoma Counties due ing efforts.

Licensed in California for “We are grateful for the swift as of Friday morning, Osby said to wildfires also happening in over 17 years the Bay Area. approval of our request to en“significant and erratic winds” Licensed in Nevada for Authorities say the Kincade sure all resources are available required them to stay vigilant. over 12 years* “At any moment, an ember fire, which started on Wednes- to support the heroic work of our UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science with Cum Laude honors could get out of our containment day, isn’t expected to be fully firefighters and first responders Southwestern University Law contained until next Thursday. working to contain this fire and line,” said Osby.

School, Juris Doctor It’s unclear as to how the fire keep local communities safe,” Winds are expected to die Admitted to U.S. District Court, down by late Friday, but are ex- started, but public utility com- said Newsom. n

Santa Clarita Tick Fire jumps freeway overnight Gov. Newsom declares State of Emergency amidst California fires

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Palace, DFA: No Japanese royal snub...

PAGE A1 t

President’s “unbearable” pain in his spine was an effect of a motorcycle accident last week.

He was able to attend the enthronement proper but had to use a cane to walk.

He missed the post-enthrone-

ment banquets hosted by the emperor on Tuesday and by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday. Panelo said presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte represented the president at the two official functions.

Velasco said in his post that if the president were really in “unbearable pain,” he would not have been able to attend the wake of the late senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. in Heritage Park in Taguig City shortly upon his arrival in Manila. n

Following court injunctions, immigration experts...

PAGE A1 t cants seeking permanent residency or a non-immigrant visa from taking effect. (It was to take effect on Tuesday, October 15.)

In other words, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed changes to what defines a public charge do not currently apply.

On Thursday, October 17, immigration experts and attorneys broke down the current state of the public charge rule in a national teleconference hosted by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) along with the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC).

The Trump administration sought to expand the list of benefits that would determine whether or not someone is a public charge.

Included in that list are Medicaid, supplemental security income (SSI), certain subsidized housing (e.g. Section 8), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and food stamps, justifying the rule change by saying that “self-sufficiency has long been a basic principle of U.S. immigration law.”

Per the Trump rule, immigration officials may administer the public charge test, and if they find that a person has received any of the applicable government-funded services during a 12-month period within the last three years.

On the call, each speaker emphasized the fact that the public charge rule only affects a small sect of immigrants and, historically, has had a limited impact on the sect of immigrants seeking permanent residency that also relies on public benefits.

“The concept of public charge has been a part of immigration law for 100 years, and what is changed now is how the DHS wants to interpret it. They want to apply a stricter standard,” Allison Davenport, supervising attorney at the ILRC, told reporters on the call.

Several categories of immigrants are not affected by the public charge test, including refugees, asylum seekers, victims of crime applying for special visas like the U-visa and T-visa, unaccompanied minors, those seeking renewal of Temporary

Protected Status or recipients of DACA. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of immigrants who are permanent residents or already citizens are not affected by either the current rule or the Trump administration’s new rule if it is passed in the future.

“No matter what the courts decide, these people will not be directly affected by that potential change in the public charge rules,” Davenport said.

Davenport noted that if the court injunctions are lifted in the future, there will be a grace period before the public charge regulation will take effect. For now, the pending court cases will determine the future of public charge as a determinant in immigration law.

Despite the recent court injunctions, the confusion surrounding public charge has resulted in many immigrant families fearing that their existing benefits will be threatened.

Any rule changes to public charge would not apply retroactively. For example, if an immigrant is on food stamps before the rule is put into effect, they will still receive that assistance.

“Families should continue to use the services they need,” Mayra Alvarez, president of the Children’s Partnership, said during Thursday’s teleconference. “People should feel safe using those benefits even if the injunctions are lifted. This rule was not meant to be retroactive.

It would only count benefits received after the date the new regulation goes into effect. The injunction is clear, that benefits received before that would not be considered.”

According to the Migration Policy Institute, misinformation and misrepresentation of the public charge rule may result in “millions of immigrants” who “will stop asking for help with health, nutrition and social services.”

How does public charge affect the API community?

When the rule was first implemented immigration advocates and attorneys estimated that millions of legal immigrants would lose crucial benefits.

Last year when the rule change was first proposed, senior policy

manager with the Health Access Project Heng Lam Foong told the Asian Journal that roughly 3.8 million Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants have relied on public benefits.

“The Trump Administration’s proposed public charge rules would force families to choose between meeting basic needs like putting food on the table or seeing a doctor or maintaining immigration status,” she said.

Research from the Migration Policy Institute backs this up, revealing that 300,000 immigrants of the more than 941,000 recent green card holders that would have been subjected to the rule come from Asian countries.

“The policy itself, the mere suggestion that the administration was considering the policy, has resulted in Asian immigrants and other immigrants pulling out of public benefits,” John C. Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, told NBC News this week, adding that the new rule was “just a made-up reason to exclude certain classes of immigrants.”

Another barrier to entry that may hinder Asian immigrants involves language. Currently, the public charge test factors in an immigrant’s age, health, family status, finances and education and skills.

The Trump administration’s rule would examine those categories on a more granular level wherein skills would involve English proficiency, which would disproportionately set back the high concentration of Asian residents who speak little to no English.

“The Trump administration has a very narrow view of what types of immigrants are socalled desirable in the United States and, frankly, it is a racist and xenophobic view,” Yang said. “That view is that only people who are desirable are already proficient in English already have a certain level of wealth or high skills.”

The attorneys and experts on Thursday’s conference call also encouraged immigrants who may be worried about their public benefits to seek legal assistance before either going off their benefits or signing up for them. n

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Dateline USa

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Manila inks pact with World Intellectual Property Organization

by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

According to Colliers, overall vacancy in Metro Manila’s retail space rose to 10% in the first three months of 2019 from 9% six months ago, bucking three consecutive quarters of decline as shoppers migrate online.

Filipinos’ love for shopping malls to keep Manila retail afloat

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

THE number of vacated retail spaces in Metro Manila have risen early this year, but not by a lot, as e-commerce continues to disrupt traditional retail.

But Filipino consumers still enjoy going to brick-and-mortar stores and mall operators should seize this opportunity to stay afloat amid the rise of online retailers.

“Shopping malls have been an integral part of the Filipino lifestyle and have become de facto public spaces due to the lack of parks in Metro Manila,” real estate consultancy services firm Colliers International Philippines said.

According to Colliers, overall vacancy in Metro Manila’s retail space rose to 10% in the first

three months of 2019 from 9% six months ago, bucking three consecutive quarters of decline as shoppers migrate online.

To retain old consumers and appeal to a younger profile of mall-goers, Colliers said shopping malls should take advantage of Filipinos’ appreciation of brick and mortar by renovating spaces, as well as housing experiential and lifestyle-centric tenants to improve consumers’ buying experience.

“Shoppers will likely be drawn to physical malls if retailers offer a wide array of food and beverage (F&B) options; spacious public seating; interactive kiosks and pop-up stores; instagrammable spaces; and limited-edition items,” Colliers said.

“Differentiators may include airconditioned chapel; organic vegetable garden; gourmet

food hall; and an expansive retail space for bazaar tenants,” it added.

Colliers said food and beverage firms — which account for nearly 40% of incoming tenants in malls across Metro Manila — will likely have the highest retail space absorption in the next years. “For Filipinos, food will remain king,” the consultancy services said.

Meanwhile, clothing and footwear will cover about 17% of tenants that are set to occupy retail space from 2019 to 2021.

“Creating unique destinations with program-driven experiences is just as important as the physical structures such as permanent attractions, architecture and design,” said Karla Domingo, Colliers Philippines’ associate director for advisory services. n

DOH: Pork and processed pork products are...

PAGE A1 t

kill viruses,” Domingo said.

DILG order will stay until further notice Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, meanwhile, said the order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to local government units allowing the distribution of processed meat will remain for now despite some products testing positive for ASF. He added that the DILG memorandum contains measures to prevent products with ASF from reaching consumers.

“There are conditions and requirements that should be complied with before transporting

and selling of processed meat products are allowed,” Año said.

He also said they would impose stricter measures on processed meat contaminated with the virus, including intensified checkpoints and quarantine measures.

“This will ensure that all requirements and conditions are met on movement, transport and selling of processed meat products,” he added.

No product recalls The Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan on Friday, October 25 said the department will not reveal the brands as well as recall their processed pork products report-

edly contaminated with ASF. “At this time it’s premature to name na ‘yun pong nakitaan na ‘yun ay contaminant na po siya o nakakahawa sa kapwa baboy (that the products that tested positive with the disease were contaminants),” he said during an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s “Headstart.”

“Wala po kaming any instruction or issuance na nagpapa-recall ng product (We don’t have any instructions yet to issue a recall of any product),” he added.

According to Cayanan, more tests are being conducted to validate the three brands of processed pork that tested positive for ASF. n

THE Philippines recently entered into an agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to enhance the country’s use of intellectual property in support of Manila’s national development agenda.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines Director General Josephine San-

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS66571 - Regional Rail Strategic Financial Advisory On Call Servicesat the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

A Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, 10:00 a.m., at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Palisades: Room 08-98. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, November 25, 2019. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS66571.

For a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.netor for further information email Erica Rodriguez-Duvergel at rodriguezduvergele@metro.net.

10/26/19 CNS-3307594# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

tiago and WIPO Director General Francis Gurry signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on October 7 in Geneva.

The MoU aims to support universities and research institutions to strengthen their competencies on intellectual property and university-industry collaboration, establish a network of technology professionals, and

develop related support structures, among other objectives.

The DFA said that the WIPO had been “a longstanding partner of the Philippines in pursuing its development plans, including through the development of a National Intellectual Property Strategy for which WIPO itself provided technical support.” n

A october 26-29, 2019 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

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Palace distances from junking of another Marcos ill-gotten wealth civil case

by Darryl John

EsguErra

Inquirer.net

MANILA — Malacañang has kept its distance from the junking of another ill-gotten wealth case against the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his first lady Imelda and their cronies.

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has dismissed a P267-million ill-gotten wealth case against the Marcoses, their associates Fe Roa Gimenez and Ignacio Gimenez, and other cronies due to insufficiency of evidence.

This is the third case against the Marcoses to be dismissed this year.

But presidential spokesman

Salvador Panelo said the administration would not meddle in the affairs of the judiciary and would always follow the rule of law.

“The Administration does not interfere with the judiciary. The rule of law must always prevail in courts regardless of who are the parties,” Panelo said in a statement on Friday, October 25.

“Their decision must be accorded respect and obedience,” he added.

In August, the Sandiganbayan Second Division dismissed the P102-billion forfeiture case against the Marcoses in 1987, Roberto Benedicto and other cronies also due to insufficient evidence.

The antigraft court said the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the agency in charge of recovering the late dictator’s ill-gotten wealth and the plaintiff in the case, failed to prove its allegations that officials of Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), acting on orders of the Marcoses, extended loans to various shipping companies held by Marcos cronies.

Earlier this month, the same division also junked the P1.052billion civil case against the Marcoses in 1989, former Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr. and some of his relatives due to insufficient evidence as well. n

NEW PHILIPPINE CHIEF JUSTICE. President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath to newly appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, October 24.

Malacañang photo by Karl Normal Alonzo

Manila opens country’s largest free dialysis facility Duterte: Supreme Court needs truth, fairness by gabriEl

Pabico Inquirer.net

lalu

MANILA — The local government of Manila has opened the Flora V. Valisno de Siojo Dialysis Center, dubbed as the country’s largest free dialysis facility.

According to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, the new center inside the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center has 91

dialysis machines, which may eventually be increased to 100 — matching the capabilities of the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI).

The center’s aim is to accommodate as many poor patients as possible and to deliver efficient but free service. Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, a doctor by profession, said that dialysis treatment costs around P2,200 per session, while

prices may rocket up to P5,000 per session in private hospitals.

Moreno also said that naming the center after Flora V. Valisno de Siojo — former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s late grandmother — was a way to honor Lim for founding the said hospital and for his service in the city.

The move was enacted into a city ordinance under the helm of Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who heads the city council.

“This is just a small recognition for the 12 years of service Mayor Lim rendered to Manila. This Siojo Dialysis Center will be now known as the largest in the Philippines,” Moreno said in a statement.

“We enacted this because we want this (name) to last for life. If we want to heal the city, we have to give credit where it is due. It is only just,” he added.

Lim, who was with Moreno and Lacuna during the inauguration of the center and the blessing of four vehicles that could ferry dialysis patients, heaped praises to the two officials and the local government of Manila.

Moreno assured that he would try to at least match Lim’s achievements in the city.

“Don’t worry, the things that we should emulate, we would emulate. We would try to exceed your achievements but the minimum would be to at least match it,” Moreno added. n

by aJPress PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, October 24, told newly appointed Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta to be fair and truthful as head of the Supreme Court (SC).

According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte relayed his message to Peralta after he formally swore him in at Malacañang on Wednesday, October 23. in closed-door ceremonies, with no media coverage.

“In the oath-taking of CJ Peralta this afternoon in Malacañang, PRRD told him that all he asks is that the SC under his watch should be characterized with fairness and truth,” Panelo said.

“That every citizen be treated equal before the law regardless of the status in life,” the spokesman added.

Peralta was named as the new chief justice by Duterte on Wednesday, Oct. 23, replacing Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin.

He will serve as chief justice until March 27, 2022, when he reaches the mandatory retire-

ment age of 70.

Peralta, who said his work experiences are more than enough to compensate for his lack of honors, applied three times for the chief justice position. The first two times he applied, he lost the position to retired chief justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro and then Bersamin.

Panelo said the Palace is certain that with Peralta at the helm of the SC, the Judiciary will continue to be well-managed as it thrives to uphold the principles of judicial excellence, integrity, and independence. n

19 Filipinos injured in Rome accident ippine Embassy in Rome, reported that according to doctors who evaluated the FiliTHE Department of Foreign pinos, “no one was critically Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, Oc- injured.”

Chargé d’Affaires Candy Cytober 22, said at least 19 Filipinos figured in a road accident pres-Bauzon said nine of the in Via Cassia, north of Rome on Filipinos told the embassy that they had received immediate October 16.

The DFA, through the Phil- medical attention. by bErnaDEttE

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

They also claimed to have suffered muscle trauma. Three of them sustained wounds on the forehead, while two had fractures on their shoulder and leg.

The embassy will continue to coordinate with Italian authorities to determine the cause of the accident. n

Hunger in Filipino families lowest in 15 years –SWS

by Janvic

matEo Philstar.com

MANILA — The number of Filipino families who said they have experienced hunger at least once in the past three months dropped to its lowest in the past 15 years, according to the third quarter survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey, conducted from Sept. 27 to 30 with the results released Wednesday, October 23, showed 9.1 percent of the 1,800 adult respondents said their families have experienced involuntary hunger due to lack of food to eat.

This translates to an estimated 2.3 million families, the lowest since the 7.4 percent hunger rate obtained in a similar survey conducted in March 2004.

The SWS said the drop in hunger rate was due to decreasing number of families who experienced moderate hunger, or those who experienced involuntary hunger only once or a few times in the last three months.

Moderate hunger fell from 8.7 percent in June to 7.4 percent in September, also the lowest in 15 years.

Meanwhile, the number of people who said their families experienced severe hunger – or those who experienced it often or always – in the past three months have slightly increased from 1.3 percent to 1.7 percent.

Based on the survey, the hunger rate fell among those who classify their families as poor, from 16.2 percent in June to 14 percent in September.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

Based on the survey, the hunger rate fell among those who classify their families as poor, from 16.2 percent in June to 14 percent in September.

Meanwhile, the number of families who do not consider themselves as poor but have experienced hunger increased from 4.9 percent to 5.6 percent.

By geographic location, the number of families who experienced hunger in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon went down, from 15.7 percent to 8.3 percent and from 9.3 percent to 8.1 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, it went up in Mindanao, from nine percent in June to 11.9 percent in September. It remained unchanged

among respondents from the Visayas at 8.7 percent.

The country’s hunger rate has spiked to over 20 percent several times during the term of former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III. It reached the record-high 23.8 percent in 2012, before going down towards the end of the previous administration.

The hunger rate has stayed relatively low during the present administration, with its highest at 15.9 percent in December 2017.

The latest survey has 1,800 respondents and an error margin of +/- 2.3 percent for national percentages. n

SC suspends ‘Hello Garci’ poll officer Lintang Bedol from law practice A FORMER election officer who was linked to a cheating scandal in the 2004 presidential elections was suspended from law practice for a year over a disbarment case that was filed against him before the Supreme Court.

In a ruling penned by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, then an associate justice, lawyer Lintang Bedol was found “guilty of violating Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and he is hereby ordered suspended from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year, with a stern warning that a repetition of the same or a similar offense will warrant the imposition of a more severe penalty.”

The high court said Bedol’s suspension from law practice would take effect “immediately upon receipt” and directed him to inform the tribunal that “his suspension started” and to “furnish all courts and quasi-judicial bodies where he has entered his appearance as counsel.”

The ruling, which Associate Justices Mario Victor Leonen, Andres Reyes, Jr., Ramon Paul Hernando and Henri Jean Paul Inting concurred with, adopted and approved the resolution of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Board of Governors, dated April 16, 2010.

Bedol’s suspension stemmed from a complaint filed by Mike Fermin who claimed that Bai Susan Samad, one of his opponents and defeated candidate for the mayoralty post of Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) an en banc petition to declare a failure of election and hold special polls in two precincts of Barangay Guiawa.

The Comelec granted the petition and held special elections on July 28, 2004.

In its Sept.16, 2019 ruling, which was released recently, the Supreme Court affirmed that Bedol’s act of issuing notices ahead of the Comelec en banc resolution calling for a special

election was not in compliance with the procedures under the law and poll body rules.

“In doing so, he breached his duty to obey the laws and the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities, thus, violating Canon 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility,” the high court ruled.

Bedol was referred to in the “Hello Garci” phone conversations between then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano as the man who would deliver a 12-0 victory in Manguindanao for the incumbent’s candidates in the 2007 senatorial polls.

Arroyo, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Jr., and Bedol were consequently charged with electoral sabotage.

Amid public pressure, Arroyo was forced to admit her “lapse in judgement” over the phone calls for which she said she was “sorry”. (Jomar Canlas/ManilaTimes.net)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 26-29, 2019

A

Carpio ends ‘defining era’ stint at SC 60-40 sharing ‘fair’ as China will spend for WPS exploration—Esperon

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio served the Supreme Court for 18 years, and he would leave behind more than 900 “erudite and eloquent” court rulings.

Carpio officially steps down from the high court when midnight strikes on October 26, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Earlier this week, Carpio faced his colleagues at the tribunal during the flag ceremony for the last time as an associate justice.

Addressing the SC, clad in colors of the Philippine flag, the senior justice thanked them for their “unselfish support.”

“It was a very long journey, allowing me to write 935 full blown long decisions, 79 dissenting opinions, 30 concurring opinions, 13 separate opinions and four concurring dissenting opinions,” he recalled.

A justice who wrote ‘enriching’ ponencias Integrated Bar of the Philippine National President Egon Domingo Cayosa said Friday that Carpio has been a “good judge and lawyer,” whose “steadfastness, moral courage and delicadeza at crucial moments” are worth emulating.

The president of the national organization of Philippine lawyers also said Carpio’s landmark decisions “reflect his independence, fealty to the Constitution, adherence to the rule of law and due process and genuine concern for the welfare and longterm interests of Filipinos.”

As an SC justice, Carpio’s voting history includes concurring on the Philippine custody of U.S. Marine Daniel Smith in relation to the Subic rape case, concurring on the unconstitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund and dissenting the hero’s burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

One of Carpio’s final voting at the SC was a dissenting vote in issues surrounding former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Carpio, and member-in-charge Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, voted to junk Marcos’ poll protest, following Rule 65 of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

They were, however, overruled

“That’s the net because they spend for all construction and all other things,” Esperon said in a MANILA — The proposed 60- Palace briefing.

“They’re spending for it and 40 sharing scheme in the joint oil exploration deal with China in the we’re getting more. More than West Philippine Sea is “fair” since fair right?” he added, noting that Beijing will be the one spending the 60-40 sharing deal was also for most of the exploration, Na- used in the Malampaya gas field.

China has proposed a 60-40 tional Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Friday, sharing scheme in favor of the Philippines in the planned joint October 25.

by Darryl John

esguerra

Inquirer.net

In this photo taken on Monday, October 21, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio thanks and bids farewell to his colleagues, as well as to Supreme Court officials and employees, for their unselfish support during his 18 years as a magistrate of the highest court of the land.

Philstarc.om photo

by 11 other justices.

His fellow justices meanwhile cited Carpio’s opinions as “clear, erudite, strategic and always with a perspective towards insisting on a just result that should benefit the Filipino people.”

The SC also acknowledged Carpio’s ponencias that, it said, “greatly enriched Philippine jurisprudence.”

In a Certificate of Appreciation the SC handed to Carpio Monday, the tribunal recalled that the retiring justice penned the 2002 ruling on Chavez v. Public Estates and Authority and Amari Coastal Bay Development Corp., which upheld the public’s right to public information and the state police on transparency in transactions involving public interest.

The tribunal also thanked Carpio for leaving institutional legacies, such as the SC e-Library and Republic Act 9446 or An Act Granting Additional Retirement Survivorship, and Other Benefits to Members of the Judiciary.

A patriot IBP President Cayosa also said that while Carpio is retiring from the SC, they are looking forward to his continuing contribution in moving forward the Philippines’ landmark legal win at the West Philippine Sea. Carpio was part of the legal team that fought and won the 2016 landmark arbitral ruling at The Hague.

Even during his stint at the SC, Carpio went around the country to speak about the ruling and impart his knowledge on the maritime dispute.

His passion for the West Philippine Sea has earned the ire of,

u PAGE A9

ASSISTING U.S. PERSONS WITH THEIR PHILIPPINE ASSETS Tax Amnesty Act of 2019 Inheriting Philippine Assets Has a relative passed away owning Philippine based assets?

Generations of Filipino families still hold properties in the names of their deceased relatives. Traditionally, properties >Ài «>ÃÃi` ` Ü LÞ Ü À` v ÕÌ LÕÌ À>Ài Þ LÞ vw V > government deeds. Why? Well, it is all due to one scary thing—estate taxes. Estate tax refers to the tax imposed on the conveyance of property upon the death of the estate owner. In other words, the estate tax must be paid in order to transfer a decedent’s estate to his or her lawful heirs and Li iw V >À ið /À>` Ì > Þ] iÃÌ>Ìi Ì>Ý V Õ`ià > Óä¯ Ì>Ý the net estate of the decedent, plus any additional penalties ­LiÌÜii Óx x䯮 > ` ÌiÀiÃÌà ­Ó䯮° 1 Li iÛ>L i] À } ̶ With such cost-prohibitive taxes imposed on a decedent’s estate, it is no surprise that many families avoid estate taxes by simply not transferring their assets; leaving them unprotected and subject to accruing penalties with the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Luckily, the newly approved Republic Act No. 11213, also known as the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019, has provided new provisions on estate tax amnesty and tax amnesty on delinquencies. Beginning on June 15, 2019, legal heirs of an estate of a decedent who died on or before December 31, Óä£Ç] V> Li iw Ì vÀ Ì Ã iÜ >Ü° i iw V >À iÃ Ü }> immunity from the payment of estate taxes, as well as civil, criminal, and administrative cases and penalties. This can be accomplished by settling estate tax obligations within two years from the amnesty’s effective date. Unlike previous iÃÌ>Ìi Ì>Ý «À Û Ã Ã] Ì i > iÃÌÞ «À Û `ià v À > y >Ì È¯ Ì>Ý on the decedent’s total net estate at the time of death, with a minimum tax amnesty amount of P5,000 per decedent, and without penalties at each stage of transfer of property. The Ã>Û }à à à } w V> Ì LÕÌ ii`Ã Ì Li ÃiÌÌ i` Ü Ì Ì i ÌÜ year period!

Our team of licensed and experienced attorneys, from both the United States and the Philippines, can guide you through the intricate maze of the Philippine inheritance laws and help you receive, and protect, what is rightfully yours. To schedule a phone or video consultation, please visit us online at www.

FilAmLawyers.com or contact us at 323-FILAMLAW or 323Î{x ÓÈxÓ°

oil exploration in the West Philippine Sea. President Duterte earlier said that a 60-40 sharing scheme would be acceptable to him.

The Philippines and China have agreed to form groups that will finalize agreements on joint oil and gas exploration in specific areas in the West Philippine Sea. This was one of the products of

u PAGE A10

A8 OCTOBER 26-29, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

A ‘lose-lose’ situation

FEATURES

HOSPITAL administrators are threatening to withdraw from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., pointing to about P2.5 billion in unpaid reimbursements.

Processing of claims has slowed considerably and some hospitals in Mindanao have been stripped of their PhilHealth accreditation, according to the president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines or PHAP. Complaints about slow processing of PhilHealth claims are not new. Department of Health officials have pointed out that it is not the first time that the private hospitals have threatened to withdraw from the PhilHealth system.

The difference this time is that PhilHealth services are indispensable in implementing the ambitious expanded universal health care law, whose implementing rules and regulations were approved only recently for a progressive rollout in several pilot areas. Even if not all of the 1,000 private hospitals will join a boycott of PhilHealth, the government – with only 600 hospitals – cannot afford to have fewer health care facilities.

On the other hand, most hospitals need a healthy cash flow, in which PhilHealth plays an important role. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III says it will be “a lose-lose situation”

if the private hospitals withdraw from PhilHealth and lose their “income stream,” and he believes the group is just bluffing.

PhilHealth reportedly processes about one million claims a month. Computerization has helped speed up the process, but the latest scandal involving fraudulent PhilHealth claims by certain hospitals led to more stringent requirements including detailed documentation in seeking reimbursements. This has also meant longer processing time.

Similar scandals have erupted in the past, and reforms should have been implemented by both PhilHealth and all hospitals to put an end to fraudulent claims. Instead the reforms are being put in place just now. If the “lose-lose situation” materializes as the government is rolling out the expanded universal health care program, the biggest loser will be the public. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Obama eulogizes Rep. Elijah Cummings’ legacy: ‘Our children are the living messengers we send to a future we will never see’

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS ONE of the pillars of true public service who made his light shine upon others has been called back to heaven by our Creator.

His life’s purpose has always been to serve and not be served, to sow a seed of honor, justice, faith and compassion in our lifetime so that the future generations may be blessed with such bountiful harvest of goodwill and love that they, too, will pass on to the next generations after them.

The chaos and divisiveness in the country have escalated to exasperating magnitudes, making us feel like we have been stripped of our humanity in the spiritual, cultural, social and political environment we are in. This causes us to lose hope and faith in each other, and in the future of our country.

The passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings made us all the more feel the growing void within our soul. Thankfully, former President Barack Obama re-ignited that hope and faith we have in our hearts through the eulogy he delivered on Friday, October 25, to honor one of the most honorable and selfless public servant we’ve ever had.

Allow me to share this eulogy so we may find our way back to the core of our humanity. We need to hear this. We need to hear this NOW. Hopefully, on All Saints’ Day

and All Souls’ Day, we will all be inspired to reflect on the kind of legacy we will leave behind when it will be our time to go.

REST IN PEACE, Rep. Elijah Cummings.

“The seed on good soil, the parable of the sower tells us, stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. The seed on good soil.

Elijah Cummings came from good soil. And in this sturdy frame, goodness took root. His parents were sharecroppers from the South. They picked tobacco and strawberries, and then sought something better in this city, South Baltimore. Robert worked shifts at a plant, and Ruth cleaned other people’s homes. They became parents of seven, preachers to a small flock. I remember I had the pleasure of meeting Elijah’s mother, Ruth, and she told me she prayed for me every day, and I knew it was true, and I felt better for it. Sometimes people say they are praying for you, and you don’t know. They might be praying about you, but you don’t know if they are praying for you. But I knew Miss Ruth was telling the truth.

So they were the proverbial salt of the earth, and they passed on that strength and that grit, but also that kindness and that faith to their son. As a boy, Elijah’s

dad made him shine his shoes and tie his tie, and they’d go to the airport—not to board the airplanes, but to watch others do it.

I remember Elijah telling me this story. Robert would say, “I have not flied. I may not fly, but you will fly one day. We can’t afford it right now, but you will fly.”

His grandmother—as Elijah related—and as grandmothers do, was a little more impatient with her advice. Your daddy, she said, “he’s been waiting and waiting for a better day. Don’t you wait.”

And Elijah did not wait. Against all odds, Elijah earned his degrees. He learned about the rights that all people in this country are supposed to possess, with a little help, apparently, from Perry Mason. Elijah became a lawyer to make sure that others had rights, and his people had their God-given rights, and from the statehouse to the House of Representatives, his commitment to justice and the rights of others would never, ever waver.

Elijah’s example: a son of parents who rose from nothing to carve out just a little something, a public servant who toiled to guarantee the least of us have the same opportunities that he had earned.

A leader who once said he would die for his people, even as he lived every minute for them—his life validates the things we tell ourselves about what’s possible in

this country. Not guaranteed, but possible. The possibility that our destinies are not preordained. But rather, through our works, and our dedication, and our willingness to open our hearts to God’s message of love for all people, we can live a purposeful life. That we can reap a bountiful harvest. That we are neither sentenced to wither among the rocks nor assured a bounty, but we have a capacity, the chance, as individuals and as a nation, to root ourselves in good soil.

Elijah understood that. That’s why he fought for justice. That’s why he embraced his beloved community of Baltimore. That’s why he went on to fight for the rights and opportunities of forgotten people all across America, not just in his district. He was never complacent, for he knew that without clarity of purpose and a steadfast faith, and the dogged determination demanded by our liberty, the promise of this nation can wither. Complacency, he knew, was not only corrosive for our collective lives, but for our individual lives.

It has been remarked that Elijah was a kind man. I tell my daughters—and I have to say, listening to Elijah’s daughters speak, that got me choked up. I am sure those of you who have sons feel the same way, but there is something about daughters and their fathers.

And I was thinking, I would want my daughters to know how much I love them, but I would also want them to know that being a strong man includes being kind. That there is nothing weak about kindness and compassion. There is nothing weak about looking out for others. There is nothing weak about being honorable. You are not a sucker to have integrity and to treat others with respect. I was sitting here and I was just noticing the honorable elijah e. cummings and, you know, this is a title that we confer on all kinds of people who get elected to public office.

We’re supposed to introduce them as honorable.

But Elijah Cummings was honorable before he was elected to office. There’s a difference. There is a difference if you are honorable and treated others honorably outside the limelight. On the side of a road; in a quiet moment, counseling somebody you work with; letting your daughters know you love them. As president, I knew I could always count on Elijah being honorable and doing the right thing. And people have talked about his voice. There is something about his voice. It just made you feel better. There’s some people, they have that deep baritone, a prophetic voice. And when it was good times and we achieved victories together, that voice and that laugh was a gift.

But you needed it more during the tough times, when the path ahead looked crooked, when obstacles abounded. When I entertained doubts, or I saw those who were in the fight start to waver, that’s when Elijah’s voice mattered most.

More than once during my presidency, when the economy still looked like it might plunge into depression, when the healthcare bill was pronounced dead in Congress, I would watch Elijah rally his colleagues. “The cost of doing nothing isn’t nothing,” he would say, and folks would remember why they entered into public service. “Our children are the living messengers we send to a future we will never see,” he would say, and he would remind all of us that our time is too short not to fight for what’s good and what is true and what is best in America.

Two hundred years to 300 years from now, he would say, people will look back at this moment and they will ask the question “What did you do?” And hearing him, we would be reminded that it falls upon each of us to give voice to the voiceless, and comfort to the sick, and opportunity to those not born to it, and to preserve and nurture our democracy.

Elijah Cummings was a man of noble and good heart. His parents

u PAGE A10

Rogue cops – What else is new?

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA REMEMBER that sick joke about how fast the cops arrived at a crime scene? Cops in other countries were said to arrive in just a few minutes. But Pinoy police were said to be at the scene of the crime at the moment it was being committed.

That’s the bad news. The worse news is that rogue cops are not unique to the Philippines. Even the “ninja cops” that have been hoTgging the Manila headlines are unique only in terms of the cinematic nickname given them by the media. Drug-dealing policemen – specifically, cops who do a drug bust and then turn around and sell the drugs – are not a Pinoy innovation. They do it all over the world.

Remember the movie, “The French Connection” A Wikipedia entry tells about a French police officer whose business operation PNP General Oscar Albayalde would find familiar: “François Stuber was a police captain and Deputy Head of the Drug Squad in Strasbourg,

France. One of Stuber’s duties was to destroy drugs seized from operations; however between 2003 and 2007, the officer instead traded narcotics including marijuana, heroin and cocaine to an established drug network. In addition to this, Stuber also imported drugs from various other networks. The former captain had an intimate relationship with a worker from the local court, Laurence Hamon, where they would use court information to ensure his drug network associates were not under investigation.

This method was also employed to avoid tracing mechanisms imposed by the Inspection Generale de la Police Nationale to detect any abuse of information. Stuber worked closely with Laurence, using her residence to store the seized drugs and her banking accounts to launder money. Stuber was jailed for the maximum term of 10 years.”

European police departments, particularly those in Eastern Europe, are notorious for rouge cops. Even Scotland Yard, with which Pinoys are familiar because of Sherlock Holmes, has not been spared. Wikipedia also posted this entry: “In the UK, an internal in-

vestigation in 2002 into the largest police force, the Metropolitan Police, Operation Tiberius found that the force was so corrupt that ‘organized criminals were able to infiltrate Scotland Yard at will’ by bribing corrupt officers... and that Britain’s biggest force experienced ‘endemic corruption’ at the time”.

The celebrated story of New York plainclothesman, Frank Serpico, is best remembered because of the portrayal of his crusade by Hollywood star, Al Pacino, in the movie “Serpico.” The cop exposed the corruption at the Brooklyn North Police precinct. He was shot during a drug bust but lived to tell his tale.

Do all of these make us feel any better? Well, only in the sense that misery loves company. Pinoy policemen are not the only scumbags. In fact, they are not the worst scumbags. Politicians and drug lords probably outrank them in the karera ng korap (corrupt race).

There’s more good news of sorts. The headlines tell us that some of the ninja cops and their bosses are actually being exposed.

By politicians, no less! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

But that is small comfort. As I pointed out in an earlier column, corruption is as old as Adam and Eve. While well-meaning and heroic citizens must continue to expose and combat corruption — and resist being corrupted themselves — this is a scourge that is unlikely to be eliminated, no matter how hard crusaders try.

The police authorities on whom we depend for protection are as likely to be charmed by snakes and corrupted. That leaves us no choice but to regard authorities with caution and to prepare ourselves for the worst, the better to defend ourselves.

It’s pretty much like going to Rome, one of the most visited tourist places in the world. Upon arriving at the airport, you are immediately warned to beware of pickpockets (on my last visit there, I forgot the warning and lost my wallet).

Having said that, here’s something that should truly alarm us.

Ninja cops are bad enough because they make President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war against drugs” a big joke/ But what is worse is that the bigtime police scumbags have encouraged other rogue cops to prey on unwary and vul-

nerable citizens.

Remember the “tanim bala” (planting a bullet) epidemic that made the airports a hazardous place? Well, this Facebook post shared by my friend Divina Valencia Quesada (yes, the movie star) is even more scary: ” From an Ateneo Messenger group: On my way home today at around 8:15 pm, as soon as I took a right turn from star gate towards old terminal, a policeman signalled me to stop.

“As I stopped, he asked me to open the trunk of the car. I opened the trunk from inside and was about to step down, but the policeman said, ’Ok u may go.’

“I started my car and started driving, but something struck my mind, as from my rear view mirror, I saw one of the policemen immediately on his phone.

“I went a bit ahead and finding a good road light stopped my car.

Switching off the engine I went and opened my car trunk.

“Guess what.... I was shocked to see two small zip lock pouches with white crystals inside. I was numbed but just decided to throw it away and thanked God for saving me from such rascals who would have caught me in a drug

related case.

“The policemen must have informed their comrade standing at the next checkpoint to get hold of so and so car number.

“I was correct in my guess.

Approx half a mile later I was stopped by another policeman.

This time too I was asked to open my trunk.

“Now I got down, went behind and opened the trunk physically.

I’m sure they must have been puzzled and surprised that they did not find anything.

“Please don’t open your car trunk from inside, for anyone, even at Malls. Always step down and open the trunk with keys and permit searching under your own supervision.

“Kindly share this as much as u can, to save people.”

That warning about not leaving security guards at malls to open the trunk of cars on their own makes sense, but too much of a hassle. Frankly, we should be thankful that the way these security guards “check” our vehicles is so perfunctory that a terrorist could bring in a load of explosives without being detected.

They could do worse. Not just tanim bala but tanim drugs! ■

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 26-29, 2019

Red Cross targets to vaccinate 100,000 kids vs polio

MANILA — The Philippine Red Cross is aiming to vaccinate 100,000 children against polio, which has re-emerged nearly two decades after the country’s last cases.

The re-emergence of vaccinederived polio—a non-wild form of the disease—last month has triggered a mass vaccination campaign.

The Philippine Red Cross announced on Friday, October 25, that is tripling the number of children it aims to immunize in a door-to-door polio vaccination AID FOR FIRE VICTIMS. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, talks to fire victims in North Bay Boulevard, Navotas City. Go handed over campaign from 30,000 to 100,000. financial assistance and relief goods to hundreds of families affected by the blaze on Wednesday, October 23.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan It has reached nearly 60,000 children.

“We’re particularly worried children under five in urban slums, rural areas, migrant families and indigenous communities pension of election would affect Jimenez said that the poll body is

by Mayen JayMalin who have missed out on life-savready to conduct special polls if the result of the polls.

Philstar.com ing vaccinations. It’s simply not Brillantes said it is almost the PET, composed of SC magisright that these children are at MANILA — Special elections impossible for the Presidential trates, issues the order. risk of death or lifelong disability in connection with the electoral Electoral Tribunal (PET) to call “Marcos has yet to hurdle in the 21st century,” Sen. Richard protest of former senator Fer- for special elections for vice Rule 65 and his protest is still dinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. president in Lanao del Sur, Ma- facing dismissal given PET’s reare highly unlikely, according to guindanao and Basilan. cent confirmation of his failure former Commission on Elections Former chief justice Artemio to show any recovery,” Marañon (Comelec) chairman Sixto Bril- Panganiban said the PET must said in a post on Facebook.

PAGE A7 lantes.

He was referring to the PET call for a special election if it “Election is over. This is for grants Marcos’ petition to annul rule mandating the dismissal of and expletives from, President the annulment of results, not for the election results for vice pres- the electoral case if the protes- Rodrigo Duterte, who opted for failure of elections. There can be ident in the three provinces. tant failed to substantially recov- a softer stance in enforcing the no more special elections,” BrilMarcos filed a petition seek- er votes after the recount in the landmark ruling.

Carpio, however, lauded lantes said, referring to Marcos’ ing to void the election results selected pilot provinces. petition.

Robredo’s lead widened by Duterte when, in his third State for the position of vice president Brillantes said failure of elec- in these provinces and nullify the 15,000 votes after the PET fin- of the Nation Address, said that tions could be declared only if proclamation of Robredo due to ished conducting the recount “our improved relationship with the election is not over and there alleged terrorism, intimidation, of votes in Camarines Sur, Iloilo China does not mean we will wahas been no proclamation yet. and Negros Oriental, the pilot ver to defend our interest in the cheating and harassment.

West Philippine Sea.” “You’ll have special elections But even if the PET would an- provinces selected by Marcos.

Carpio said: “That’s the corso that we will know the win- nul the poll results in the three Robredo’s camp maintained ner, the one that should be pro- provinces, Brillantes said Marcos that the PET should dismiss the rect position. We should never claimed. And Leni has already could not make a significant re- electoral case altogether based give up our rights there.”

For his colleagues at the SC, been proclaimed. Marcos just covery in the votes of Robredo. on Rule 65. wants the votes annulled,” he Earlier, Jimenez said it is the they remember Carpio for havHe said Marcos should have said, referring to Vice President considered using Lanao del Sur, PET, not the Comelec, that must ing “unparalleled” knowledge Leni Robredo, who narrowly beat Maguindanao and Basilan as first determine if there was a and applied wisdom on national Marcos in 2016. pilot provinces for the recount, failure of elections in these areas and international law.

“His effort to protect our naUnder the Omnibus Election instead of Negros Oriental, Iloilo that warrants the holding of spetional sovereignty and ensure the Code, failure of elections may be and Camarines Sur. cial polls. declared on account of force ma“It is the Comelec’s job to hold accountability of all government Too early jeure, violence, terrorism, fraud Meanwhile, the camp of Ro- elections. So, obviously, yes, the officials remains tireless, unceasor other analogous causes. bredo said it is too early to Comelec would be able to do it ing and enlightening,” they said.

A leader of the SC Failure of elections can also be discuss the conduct of special if it becomes necessary,” he said SC justices also remembered declared if voting was not held elections for vice president as when asked about the conduct of Carpio’s leadership, during the in any polling place on the date Marcos’ protest is still facing special elections. fixed, or had been suspended be- dismissal before the PET. But Marañon said this is not as many times he stood as acting chief justice, that “provided stafore the hour fixed by law for the Robredo’s lawyer Emil Mara- simple as it sounds. closing of the voting, or after the ñon III said the question of spe“With all due respect, hold- bility for the institution.”

“He is always a solid anchor, a voting and during the prepara- cial election is a very remote ing a ‘special’ election is not as tion and the transmission of elec- possibility and currently just simple as this. There are many firm and impenetrable rock, and tion returns. exists in the realm of academic considerations, not just a matter an immovable tower of strength The law also provides that spe- discussions. of willingness on Comelec’s part. that holds the Court together cial elections must be called in Marañon issued the statement Administrative questions have to when it truly mattered,” the remaining justices of the SC told cases wherein the failure or sus- after Comelec spokesman James be settled,” he said. n

‘Special polls for VP post impossible’

Gordon, PRC chair, said.

The re-emergence of polio comes after the Philippines was hit by measles and dengue outbreaks earlier this year stoked by falling vaccination rates.

Chris Staines, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Philippines head, said the current outbreaks of measles and polio in the Philippines are a “serious risk.”

“There is a real danger that the situation could return these preventable diseases to being endemic. While mass immunization right now, successfully implemented, will stop the transmission, we need routine vaccination for several years to bring these diseases under control,” Staines said.

Polio can cause paralysis and can be fatal in rare cases. The disease has no cure and can only be prevented with several doses of oral and injectable vaccines. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

Carpio ends ‘defining era’...

Carpio in a Plaque of Recognition.

Among the many times that he stood as acting chief justice was when the late Chief Justice Reynato Corona was impeached.

Corona had accused Carpio of being part of the scheme to boot him out of the SC, but Carpio denied this.

He also served as acting chief justice when then-Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno went on leave during the height of the quo warranto petition against her that eventually ousted her.

This was a moment that retired Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin once referred to as “a moment in the history of the Supreme Court we will never forget.”

On both times that the top judge was ousted, Carpio declined nominations to apply for the chief justice post.

The tribunal, for its part, thanked the retiring justice for giving “a steadying hand during some of its most challenging times.”

As SC justices put it: “The Honorable Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, through his participation and leadership, defined an era of the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines.” n

A

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP NO. E746-20 ON-CALL ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND STAFF ASSISTANCE SERVICES The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Authority) is seeking to retain a bench of qualified firms to provide oncall engineering project management, construction management and staff assistance services. The period of performance for this project shall be for a three-year base period and one two-year option.

Requests for Proposal (RFPs) may be obtained via download at: http://www.metrolinktrains. com/doing_business. (Vendors must register on the website in order to download the document). Electronic Proposal Submittals are due at 2:00 p.m.

(PST) on November 14, 2019.

In addition to the electronic submittal requirement above, Proposers shall also submit one (1) original and five (5) hard copies of their entire proposal in a sealed package by 2:00 PM on November 18, 2019 at the address identified in the RFP document.

The contract to be awarded is subject to a financial assistance agreement between the Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) under grants issued by the Federal Transit Authority. In conformance with the Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy and Program, the Authority has established a 20% DBE contract-specific goal on this project. Prime Proposers will be required to either meet the DBE goal or submit a Good Faith Effort (GFE) demonstrating intent to meet the goal for their Proposal to be deemed responsive to DBE Program requirements.

For further information contact: Marjorie Morris-Threats, Senior Contracts and Compliance Administrator at MorrisThreatsM@scrra.net.

10/26/19 CNS-3307276# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

A10 october 26-29, 2019 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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

PH, China sign agreements on infra, trade Misamis Occidental town mayor

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

MANILA — Manila and Beijing on Thursday. October 24, signed six agreements to fund the feasibility study of two infrastructure projects and improve cooperation in trade and communications, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

Philippine officials led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua witnessed the signing and exchange of bilateral documents, following a high-level meeting between the two countries on Thursday morning.

According to the DOF, two documents were signed after the meeting.

These include the agreement for the construction of the

Marawi sports complex and central market, which will form part of the reconstruction program for the war-torn city of Marawi.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Deng Boqing, vice chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), signed and exchanged letters for the project.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Zou Zhiwu, vice minister of General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), also signed the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the export of avocado from the Philippines to China, according to the DOF. “This protocol was formulated after the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), in coordination with the GACC, completed the risk assessment and onsite inspection for the Philippine

market access of fresh avocado for export to China,” DOF said.

“With China as among the world’s largest consumer markets, this accord is expected to raise incomes and create more jobs in the farm sector,” it added.

The DOF said four handover certificates were also exchanged between Philippine and Chinese officials after the meeting. Among these was the feasibility study for the Davao City Expressway, which was conducted by CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. and funded by the Chinese government through a grant.

The signing and exchange of documents were done by Villar and Chinese Vice Commerce Minister and China International Trade deputy representative Wang Shouwen. n

CHR probes deaths of 500 inmates

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it will initiate its own investigation on the reported death of almost 500 suspects in police custody since President Duterte assumed office in 2016.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said they welcome the initiative of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to map out the causes of deaths of the inmates and look at possible irregularities on the part of the police.

“If found guilty, administrative and criminal complaints must be filed against erring cops to bring justice to the families of inmates who did not die a natural death,” she said.

“The Commission will conduct its own investigation and hopes

to have an open coordination with the PNP-IAS in probing these deaths and coming up with recommendations in accordance with human rights standards,” she added.

IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo earlier expressed alarm over the increase in the number of inmates who have died while in police custody, noting that the number of deaths in the first nine months of the year has nearly doubled compared with the figure for the entire 2018.

De Guia said there were already 236 deaths as of September, compared to 138 last year. Meanwhile, there were 32 deaths recorded in 2016 and 81 in 2017, bringing the total to 487.

Based on the IAS data, some 70 percent or 343 died due to various illnesses, while 38 com-

(AFP) said the Philippines’ share may still increase but couldn’t categorically answer if the government will push for a bigger share during the meetings with the Chinese steering committee.

“You will know after the talks,” he said without elaboration.

As for the area of exploration, Esperon said they are still looking at areas yet to be awarded by the government.

The Philippines and China

by ratziel

San Juan Philstar.com

MANILA — Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro, who was arrested on Thursday, October 24, for physical assault and acts of lasciviousness, was killed in a Friday, October 25, ambush while aboard a van en route to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office where he was set to undergo inquest.

The incident occurred at around 2:30 p.m.

Police Master Sergeant Carlo Balasoto, one of the escorts, said there were around 10 unidentified perpetrators, one of whom grabbed the mayor from the van and shot him.

At least one police officer was reported injured.

Navarro in 2016 and 2019 was

tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the alleged “narco-politicians.”

On March 14, Duterte released a list of 46 local government officials, including Navarro, allegedly linked to illegal drug activity.

“My decision to unmask these drug personalities was anchored on my trust in the government agencies who have vetted and validated the narco-list,” Duterte said in a release.

“I have no intention to hurt anybody.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government filed complaints against the listed officials before the Office of the Ombudsman. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the list was provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Arrest The 50-year-old was arrested after allegedly mauling a 23-yearold male massage parlor worker who didn’t comply with his request for a female therapist. Once his order was met, he allegedly tried to solicit sexual favor from the female worker.

The mauling incident was caught on footage by a closed-circuit television camera at the said spa. This includes moments prior when spa worker John Dueñas is seen on camera at the reception area as if anticipating an attack.

Dueñas filed a formal complaint at the Abellana Police Station on Thursday morning.

The mayor was arrested in the afternoon at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport less than an hour before his scheduled flight back to Misamis. n

mitted suicide. Ten died for allegedly putting up a fight with the police, while the cause of death of the remaining 96 was not specified.

De Guia said the IAS is hopeful that the investigation on inmate deaths will yield a solution to alleviating the condition of the prisoners.

She noted that the appalling situation of inmates in over-congested and dilapidated detention facilities is a gross violation of their rights as it has led to deaths and a lot of health and sanitation problems among prisoners.

“But authorities’ direct denial of basic needs to inmates such as clean water supply, food, medicines, sleeping quarters, among others, is a disregard of the Constitution and the minimum standards set by the United Nations A man fishes for his dinner on the Kaliwa River, where the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is planning to build a dam. for prisoners,” she said. n

60-40 sharing ‘fair’ as China will spend for...

PAGE A7 Duterte’s fifth visit to China last August.

According to Esperon, the steering committee from the Philippine side is already preparing for the first round of talks with China.

Esperon is part of the five-man steering committee from the Philippines.

The former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

named on ‘narco-list’ shot dead

signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year for joint oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea. The MOU was signed amid China’s refusal to budge from its claim of ownership over the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The international arbitral tribunal had invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim in July 2016. n

Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toldeo IV

NCIP urged to block Kaliwa Dam amid community opposition MANILA — Party-list representatives on Thursday, October 24, called on the National Commission on Indigenous People to stand with the Dumagat people in Rizal and Quezon who are opposed to the construction of the multibillion-peso Kaliwa Dam project.

The Environmental Management Bureau issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate for the project earlier this month, bringing the project closer to implementation.

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the proponent of the China-funded project, also needs to get the Free and Prior Informed Consent of the Dumagat communities whose ancestral domain will be affected by the dam.

“Many of the families who will be affected are Dumagats and the NCIP’s stand on this will show if it is really defending the communities, livelihoods and homes of indigenous peoples,” Rep. Eufemia Cullamat, a member of the Manobo people, said.

According to an EMB executive summary on the project, 1,465 households in three villages in Rizal and Quezon will be affected by the project, 1,041 of which “will be at risk of flooding and other effects of possible dam failure or dam break.”

The dam project “will also indirectly impact 56 indigenous

people households and will place around 284 IP households at risk of flooding and other effects of possible dam failure or dam break.”

The MWSS, in its Environmental Impact Statement, acknowledged that parts of the Dumagat ancestral domain, including culturally important sites like a burial ground in Sitio Queborosa in General Nakar in Quezon, will be inundated when the dam is built.

Under the ECC, which was issued on October 11, MWSS must “ensure that the sacred sites and burial grounds, as well as the culture and livelihood of the IPs are preserved an protected.”

MWSS must also implement “mitigating measures” to protect and preserve Tinipak Spring and Tinipak White Rocks, which are sacred to the IP communities that live along the river.

The ECC specified that work on the project cannot commence without “necessary certifications from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples prior to project implementation.”

Pete Montallana, a priest and head of the Save Sierra Madre Network, told Philstar.com on Monday five IP community clusters are opposed to the project against one that has said ‘yes’.

“The NCIP should not sign the Free Prior and Informed Consent or any document that allows the

destruction of homes and the environment for the construction of the Kaliwa Dam,” Cullamat said.

“With the granting of the Environmental Compliance Certificate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources it seems that the Duterte administration is hellbent to push through with the Kaliwa dam even if it located over a fault line, it would displace the Dumagat people, destroy thousands of hectares of watershed areas and even if there are other less destructive options to supply Metro Manila with water like the rehabilitation of the Wawa Dam,” Rep. Carlos Zarate said.

According to the EIS submitted

by MWSS, “the major engineering structures of the project are not susceptible to ground rupture due to their significant distance from the active Philippine Fault and the active Marikina Fault.”

The two lawmakers, along with other members of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives, filed a resolution in July calling for hearings on the dam project.

It has been pending at the Committee on Rules since then.

“We hope that the House leadership would immediately schedule a hearing for the measure and hear the voices of the Dumagat people and other sectors that would be affected,” Zarate said.

(Philstar.com)

PCG chief vows to beef up WPS patrol by robertzon

raMirez evelyn Macairan Philstar.com

MANILA — Intensified patrol and monitoring in the West Philippine will be the main thrust of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) under its new commandant, Vice Admiral Joel Garcia.

PCG spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said Garcia called for a command conference on Wednesday morning, October 23, shortly after his arrival honors at PCG grounds, to discuss his policies regarding operations in the West Philippine Sea. “High on the agenda are policies on the West Philippine Sea as well as maritime safety,” Balilo said in Filipino.

Balilo added that Garcia also discussed during the meeting the PCG’s preparations for the coming All Saints’ Day holiday during which there would likely be an

influx of sea travelers.

He said Garcia also emphasized the need for greater vigilance against terrorism and drug syndicates.

Duterte appointed Garcia as the 28th commandant of the PCG, replacing admiral Elson Hermogino.

Meanwhile, visiting United States Coast Guard (USCG) chief Admiral Karl Schulz dismissed as mere rhetoric China’s claim that it is engaged in peaceful conduct in the South China Sea (SCS).

“You asked how (I) assess China in the SCS, my personal observation is that China seems to be more focused in advancing their role and expanding their interest in the region,” said Schultz.

“China talks about the peaceful conduct but then we see man-made islands where there were no islands before, we see runway islands, we see ship

cruise missiles and other military capabilities that don’t match that rhetoric,” he said.

“I think given the Coast Guard is part of a U.S. government response, in a multilateral U.S. government partner nation ally, our response is really focused on continuing free and open IndoPacific region and that it is based on internationally accepted norms in the rules-based order,” he pointed out.

He cited as an example the Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef that has been turned by China into its airbase.

“We are clearly seeing rhetoric that says we are not militarizing the region in the past years, now we see the behavior that indicate otherwise. If you look at China’s one belt and road initiative, if you look at it, it is clearly a roadmap that it is trying to increase its access across the globe,” he said. n

Obama’s eulogy for Rep. Elijah Cummings’ legacy...

PAGE A8 and his faith planted the seeds of hope, and love, and compassion, and righteousness in that good soil of his. He has harvested all the crops that he could, for the Lord has now called Elijah home, to give his humble, faithful servant rest. And it now falls on us to continue his work, so that other young boys and girls from Balti-

more, across Maryland, across the United States, and around the world might too have a chance to grow and to flourish. That’s how we will honor him. That’s how we will remember him. That’s what he would hope for. May God bless the memory of the very honorable Elijah Cummings. And may God bless this city, and this state, and this nation that he loved. God

bless you.”

***

Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community.

You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 26-29, 2019

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A12 october 26-29, 2019 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26-29, 2019

SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal Fil-Am musical drama ‘Yellow Rose’ picked up

by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions

by AJPress

SONY Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) announced on Thursday, October 24 that it has acqui red a l l worldw ide rights, excluding the Philippines, to the film “Yellow Rose,” directed by Filipina American Diane Paragas in her narrative feature debut.

“Yellow Rose” is a timely story about a Filipino teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while facing

the threat of deportation. The film stars two-time Tony Award Nominee Eva Noblezada (Hadestown, Miss Saigon) in her feature film debut, Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga (Once on this Island, Miss Saigon), Princess Punzalan (Mula Sa Puso), Da le Wat son ( F r iday Night Lights), Gustavo Gomez (The Walking Dead), Libby Villari (Boyhood), and Liam Boot h (Ghosts Never Sleep).

Eva Noblezada received her most recent Tony nomination for her portrayal of Eurydice in “Hadestow n,” which won

eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. She received her first nomination for portraying Kim in the revival of “Miss Saigon.” Lea Salonga won the Tony Award for her portrayal of the same role in the original production of “Miss Saigon.” “’Yellow Rose’ has been a labor of passion for over 15 years and I’m thrilled that we can now share this very relevant story with the world,” says Paragas.

“We have the added honor of representing the real experiences of Filipino Americans, Asian Americans, and all im-

Claudine sees no end to family squabble

by IzA IglesIAs ManilaTimes.net

AFTER Marjorie Barretto’s television interview on Tuesday, October 22, where she lashed out at elder sister Gretchen, Claudine, who was in the thick of the altercation that occurred during the wake of their father, said reconciliation is no longer possible.

“Hindi. Ayaw ko na (No. I give up),” she said when asked if she sees and end to the squabble between them. “I haven’t spoken to any of my siblings. I mean on Marjorie’s side. So kahit nahati kami, divided kami, it’s so sad na napahiya na naman kami. Hindi sa harap ng Presidente, hindi na bale ‘yun. Pero ‘yung second night, gan’un na naman ‘yung away — worse. Parang wala na, wala nang pag-asa. Mas maganda na lang ‘yung, pagkatapos nito, tama na (Thus, though we are divided; it’s so sad that we were again shamed. Not in front of the President, that can be

Claudine and Gretchen Barretto Photo from Instagram/@claubarretto

Marjorie Barretto Photo from Instagram/@marjbarretto

excused. But the second night, the fight worsened. There’s no more hope. I’ve had enough),” Claudine said.

In a radio interview, she narrated her version of the fight during their father’s wake last week that had become fodder for media.

Claudine said it was Marjorie who taunted her on that night when she and her sisters had a scuffle that was witnessed by

President Rodrigo Duterte.

“May press na dumating. Akala nila pinadala ko or pinadala ni Gretchen. Tapos hindi ko alam na nagpa-interview na pala si Gretchen. So Marjorie went to my mom screaming, ‘You tell Gretchen!’ So sabi ng mommy ko, ‘You want to tell her, why don’t you tell her.’”

The actress said she, her mother and brother Jay Jay were PAGE B3

migrants seeking a better life in America.”

Yellow Rose features original songs developed for the film, written and composed by Watson, Paragas, Noblezada, and Thia Megia. The film is written

by Diane Paragas, Annie Howell, and Celena Cipriaso, based on a story written by Paragas and Andy Bienen.

The film’s producers include Lead Producer Cecilia R. Mejia, Rey Cuerdo, Orian Williams and Paragas. Executive Producers include Carlo Katigbak, Olivia Eva Noblezada as Rose in “Yellow Rose.”

PAGE B3

File photo

B OCTOBER 26-29, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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‘Long Distance’: A podcast capturing stories from the Filipino diaspora returns for a second season by

Christina M. Oriel AJPress

LIKE most “1.5 generation” Filipino Americans, Paola Mardo learned about American life through pop culture, particularly by watching teen movies and romantic comedies.

Though she was born in Los Angeles, she lived and grew up in Manila and Kuala Lumpur before moving to the Bay Area suburb of San Ramon at the age of 15, which came as a “culture shock.”

“The teen comedies made me think that was how life was like in America. In the movies, you don’t see how diverse America actually is. It brought a lot of confusing feelings as I was finding it hard to find my place,” Mardo recalled in an interview with the Asian Journal.

Fast forward through her formative years, the lack of representation in mainstream storytelling continued to stick with her — from deciding to study film and theatre production and Asian American studies at UC Santa Barbara to working five years at Sony Pictures in the international publicity department and then marketing at Annapurna Pictures.

“I started to think, ‘Okay, I moved to LA to do something for myself, something that’s creative’ and also I realized I wanted to do something meaningful,” Mardo said. “So I started a podcast.”

This was back in 2015, a year after “Serial,” a podcast under “This American Life,” was released and arguably jumpstarted this audio interest and trend we’ve been experiencing over the last five years.

Today, after several iterations, Mardo is the creator, producer and host of “Long Distance,” a year-old monthly podcast that tells stories of the Filipino diaspora. She does this alongside her partner and co-producer Patrick Epino, who also lends his voice acting chops to reenact scenarios to fill in gaps where archival tapes are not available.

The first season wrapped up earlier this spring, with six episodes taking listeners from Little Manila in Stockton to an introspective as to why 2018 was a breakout year for Filipinos across industries.

Paola Mardo during an interview at the PRX Audio Studio at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP in Brooklyn, New York.

Photo by Patrick Epino

Paola Mardo

“Was it just me or was 2018 Hella Filipino?” Mardo asks in the third episode, featuring interviews with Bay Area-rapper Ruby Ibarra, the Pinays behind Historic Filipinotown gin bar Genever, and “Bitter Melon” director H.P. Mendoza.

She continues, “You’d have to be living under a rock if you didn’t hear or see or smell or taste anything Filipino this year.”

One of the most beloved episodes of the season was the fifth one entitled, “Long Distance Love Story,” a story following an undocumented Filipino couple who reunite 40 years later in Los Angeles after being ex-high school sweethearts.

“The love story of Terry and Jun is an epic one, like the kind you see in the movies or teleseryes,” Mardo narrates.

Like the movies Mardo savored, it’s a story of fate and love, but doesn’t shy away from capturing the hardships many

Photos courtesy of “Long Distance”

overseas Filipino workers face as caregivers and laborers on top of being undocumented in the current political climate.

And that’s exactly what “Long Distance” tries to encapsulate: the Filipino story is not solely about the triumphant moments, or about sweeping the hardships under the rug.

“The show is about stories in the Filipino diaspora and they’re not just going to be all the good stuff. I want to do stories that are real, which I think is missing in mainstream media and honestly, in the Filipino community,” Mardo said. “We’ll hear about the Miss Universe win or so and so is a Filipino actor starring in a Hollywood movie. That’s great, but there are so many other things happening. The Filipino experience is transnational, multicultural, and that’s what I want to talk about.”

Capturing the diaspora narrative “Long Distance” wasn’t the

Paola Mardo during an interview in LA’s Historic Filipinotown.

Patrick Epino

first podcast idea Mardo had, however. Maybe it would be about movie marketing, given her professional work in that industry. Then it came to life through “F This Weekly” about women of color in the arts of entertainment, which had one season and 27 episodes.

“Podcasting is so intimate and it can just be you with a mic in a closet and that’s it,” she described. “It is a simple production but it does take work to put it all together.”

It was around the same time she was accepted to the arts journalism master’s program USC Annenberg as a Sony Pictures Entertainment Fellow. She created her own syllabus on podcast production, which she said served as the basis of classes the university offered after she graduated in 2017. While studying, Mardo had her first endeavor in the radio world as an intern for KPCC’s arts, culture and entertainment show “The Frame,” but

Photo by Patrick Epino

her audio recording and production expertise is self-taught for the most part.

On the side, Mardo began recording stories around LA’s Historic Filipinotown and pitched them to Third Coast’s residency workshop during their annual audio festival, like the “Sundance of Radio.”

“When I was at the residency, they were like, ‘I want to hear what it was like in HiFi.’ I didn’t know what it was like 50 years ago. How do I do that? That’s where journalism school helped because it made me think of creative ways to tell stories, especially for stuff when you don’t have tapes or historical archives,” she explained.

The second season of Long Distance, which began production this summer, is set to be released on November 5, with the trailer teasing: “In this season, we’re going deep into the past to make sense of our present with new stories, new voices, new places…”

Though the first six episodes were U.S.-based because of access, Mardo promises more of a global perspective in episodes to come. Already, it has reached listeners beyond the United States in places like Saudi Arabia or Brazil, for example, and has received feedback from other Filipinos who are stunned by how popular Filipino food is in America.

“Long Distance’s” episodes are around 40 minutes, but the amount of work that goes into each one is a process, from researching, writing the script,

pre-interviews, actual interviews and editing.

What makes this podcast stand out is the crisp and seamless weaving in of Mardo and Epino’s narration and interviews that make the storytelling engaging. The episodes seem to go by quickly, but you are left informed and impacted.

“I like hearing our voices and letting these Filipino folks talk.

I do narrate and there is a point of view from my lens that these stories are told through but I interview people for them and let them speak because I want them to speak. Putting them in this medium allows that,” Mardo said.

This is why a podcast is the best way to tell the stories Mardo chooses — they’re digital, accessible and free; though it covers long distances, it makes the Filipino experience not so isolating.

“Being expressive and proud of our Filipino American identity is important, but I felt that I would be doing a disservice if I kept the show to just that because of what I know about my own experience and what I know about the Filipinos’ experiences being outside the United States,” Mardo said. “It’s global. You can say that about a lot of cultures but I think our Filipino experience specifically, we are one of the largest diaspora populations in the world.”

Sustainable storytelling In the past year, “Long Distance” has gained a steady following, and was included in The Bello Collective’s 100 ‘outstanding podcasts’ of 2018 and among YES! Magazine’s recommendation as a podcast that doesn’t ‘whitewash race.’

One of the proudest moments Mardo notes was their acceptance into a competitive podcast program.

Out of 6,000 applicants from over 100 countries, “Long Distance” was one of six podcasts chosen in January to participate in the inaugural Google Podcasts creator program with Public Radio Exchange (PRX). Under the 20-week program, the creators received a one-week training crash course in Boston as well as seed funding to grow their series.

PAGE B4

Features

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26-29, 2019

B

Liza, Enrique mark fifth anniversary by

Krissy AguilAr Inquirer.net

SHOWBIZ and real-life couple Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil kept their messages short but sweet as they marked their fifth year together.

Liza shared Thursday night an Instagram photo of Enrique hugging her from behind with the caption: “This is to us. I love you always and forever.”

Her post was also attached with a short clip of them having a simple candle-lit dinner with James Arthur and Martin Jensen’s song “Nobody” playing in the background.

Enrique also took to Instagram to greet his girlfriend.

“My always and forever. Happy anniversary. Thank you for always making me smile baby.

I love you so much,” Enrique said.

The “LizQuen” couple revealed in February that they have been a in a relationship since 2014, the year they starred in their first television series “Forevermore.”

CAN WE REINSTATE OUR SON’S PETITION FROM 1999 SINCE HE IS NOW SINGLE AGAIN AFTER HIS MARRIAGE WAS ANNULLED IN 2018? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED ON “CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT!” More Kapamilya who came to the “Citizen Pinoy” taping in Illinois will get the chance to have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out what is the fastest way to petition children from a previous marriage. What can one do if her visa renewal was denied because she overstayed on her first trip? A woman was petitioned by her first husband, but she has since remarried. She discovers that her first husband passed away in 2010. What are her chances of being a U.S. citizen now that the petitioner has died? Can her second husband petition her? Get answers to these questions and more on an encore episode of — “Citizen Pinoy”, this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil

Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano

Fil-Am musical drama...

PAGE B1 De Jesus, John D. Lazatin, and Juan Miguel Sevilla from ABSCBN Global and Cinematografo Originals, Karen Elizaga, Gail A lvarez, Victor A lvarez, and Da le Watson. Co-P roducer s i nclude Jerem ia h Abra ham, Courtney Jones, and Thea Kerman.

The film premiered at this year’s Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival where it received the Grand Jury Award and the Breakout Performance Award for Noblezada’s outstanding performance. Already having won a total of five Grand Jury Awards, the film is scheduled to screen at Austin Film Festi-

val Monday, October 28 as well as the Hawaii International Film Festival in November.

“Yellow Rose” will be distributed in theaters in the Philippines by ABS-CBN. Paragas is managed by LBI Entertainment and is represented by Morris Yorn Barnes & Levine.

Claudine sees no end...

PAGE B1 sitting with some guests when Marjorie blurted, ‘I’m not the one who goes to a psychiatrist, I’m not the one who’s crazy.’

“She was taunting me. So ako, tawa lang ako ng tawa. Akala niya mapipikon niya ako (I just laughed. She thought I would be piqued). Tapos sabi niya (Then she told me), ‘You, it’s your fault.

You tell Gretchen… Sabihan mo yang ate mo.’ Sabi ko, ‘You tell her yourself.’”

“Sabi niya (She said), ‘What?

Lalaban ka?’ So tumayo ako.

Sabi ko, ‘Oo lalaban ako.’ Tapos parang dinuro ako sa ulo. Ayun na, sinampal ko siya. Sinampal ko talaga siya. Nagsabunutan

kami (So I stood up. I said, yes, I will fight. She pointed a finger at me. I slapped her. We pulled each other’s hair),” Claudine continued.

She admitted that the fight got so bad that their mother had a nervous breakdown.

Nicole, Atong’s girlfriend Claudine also confirmed that her niece Nicole, daughter of Jay Jay, was businessman Atong Ang’s girlfriend. On Monday, Ang denied he had a relationship with Nicole.

“So ‘yung pinagkakalat nila na si (the gossip that Atong and Gretchen [are in a relationship], wow! Mahiya naman sila kay (They should feel shame toward

Dada [Cojuangco].” Dada is Tonyboy Cojuangco, Gretchen’s partner.

According to Claudine, Gretchen had planned on visiting their father when he was in the hospital, contrary to what Marjorie had said that their elder sister only wanted a staged reconciliation for everyone to see.

“Gretchen was thinking of going pero she didn’t have the strength, the courage to face my dad yet. And pinagsisihan niya ‘yun (she was sorry for that).”

Shortly after Marjorie called her an “evil” woman, Gretchen said she was not allowed to go to the hospital because of the former’s outbursts.

Why Epy finds KZ very much like the Superstar Nora Aunor by

AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net

IT’S probably just the height!” quipped KZ Tandingan, trying to downplay her “The Art of Ligaw” leading man Epy Quizon’s remarks that there’s something in her that reminded him of iconic actress Nora Aunor.

“Don’t say that! Baka mag-expect ang mga tao!” she told Epy at a recent press conference for the said romantic-comedy movie, which opens in cinemas on Nov. 13. “I’m not worthy of that comparison—I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.”

Just the same, the 27-year-old singer is thankful that an acclaimed actor like Epy acknowledged her potential in a field foreign to her.

“I find it heartening that they see something in me. And this will only inspire me to work harder to improve myself as an actress… to be good in this craft,” she said.

Parallels Epy, who’s an unabashed Noranian, pointed out that there are parallels between the two women’s journey in show biz.

“All I’m saying is that KZ has the makings of a good actress.

She and Ate Guy started out as singers. They’re both petite and

KZ Tandingan with Epy Quizon

have very expressive eyes. That’s what I’m getting at,” he said.

“That’s immense pressure!”

KZ said in response to Epy’s praises. “But I’m taking it as a challenge.”

Produced by CoreMinds, “The Art of Ligaw” has KZ playing a young, feisty, but emotionally guarded call center agent

Contributed photo

in Davao.

Epy is Jake, a 40-something guy looking for a meaningful relationship; a man who feels tired and empty after years of one-night stands and random flirting and hookups. Meeting KZ, however, inspires him to go old-school and—for the first time PAGE B4

B4 OCTOBER 26-29, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

‘Long Distance’: A podcast...

PAGE B2 A main takeaway from the program, Mardo said, is how to transform “Long Distance” into a production company and sustainable business.

As of June this year, there are more than 750,000 podcast shows and over 30 million episodes. This comes at a time when traditional media players are crossing over to podcasting and hefty investments are being put into production — whether

it’s Spotify acquiring podcast creators Gimlet and Anchor or Luminary, a podcasting production company that received $100 million in funding and offers a premium option for $7.99 per month through its app.

“People ask me if I’d work with a network. If there was a network it would work for, then yes, but pitching a show about Filipino stories has been a challenge.

That’s the thing about making something for the Filipino com-

munity, I find it so important, but in the larger skew of things, it feels like it’s not important enough,” she said.

Despite podcasts seemingly going the corporate giant route, podcast listeners have become more diverse in the last 10 years, with 4% of listeners being Asian, based 2018 data from Edison Research. There are around 300 Asian American and Pacific Islander-created podcasts, according to Asian American Podcasters; in the Fil-Am community alone, there is a handful to listen to, whether they’re about the nuances of Fil-Am life or Filipina entrepreneurs.

“I don’t think people know that Filipinos in general, we have a really rich audio/radio storytelling history. I learned this recently after my dad told me he grew up listening to these radio dramas that his mom, my grandma, would listen to in the afternoons while they were doing housework,” Mardo said. “To me, that’s fascinating but that’s what’s exciting about podcasts because we can bring some of that back.”

Though Mardo has invested her own resources into developing the two seasons and works on freelance projects outside of the podcast, she’s turning to the community for support either by contributing to the Patreon, sponsorships, leaving a review, or sharing it on social media.

She maintains that it should still be “independent as possible,” so don’t expect any mattress or e-newsletter ads in the middle of the show anytime soon.

Leading up to the second season, it’s been a busy few months for Mardo and Epino, as they have been moderating panels and speaking at podcast festivals, such as Werk It!, the International Documentary Association and Wondery’s Podcast Day and Podcast Movement.

“I want ‘Long Distance’ to be more than a podcast — a community — and it’s slowly starting to be that on Instagram as a way to share stories,” Mardo said. ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s a story of accomplishment or a story about being undocumented. They’re all important and we want the community to know that.”

“Long Distance” can be streamed on platforms like Apple, Spotify or its site https://www. longdistanceradio.com.

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MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

IT is time for the bad news.

I think of the bad news as a huge bird, an albatross with wings of a crow, the face of Hydra, rancid teeth and a wrinkling frown; sailing around the world under cover of darkness pleased to be the bearer of ill tidings. Carrying a basket of rotten eggs, it knows exactly where to drop them.

On me, for one.

Now it’s right there on the table, but there is a basic courtesy required for others’ need to wallow mindlessly, free of bad news at least, before their first cup of coffee. Just as others need to spew catastrophe, some bilious green bad news gland or bladder inside them will burst and they’ll get peritonitis of the soul, if they don’t exhale halitosis of the intellect. Others call this affliction malignant narcissism.

Is bad news worse with pictures? I think so. Pictures make you look, whether you want to or not. Children massacred, or world leaders killed by an assassin’s bullet to end a regime. But what about character assassination, the perpetual blood sport? That which feeds nothing noble among humans? Not even echo can answer that.

I’m not impervious to bad news. In my years of crime reporting, I ate tragedy, and shocking news for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had access to people’s emotional pains and tragedies. With a tourniquet

Dealing with bad news, gossip and rumors

in my heart, watched careers derailed, homes fractured; but I wrote it with complete understanding of wounded souls — void of literary sarcasm.

I am not hardened by bad news. On the contrary I am angular. With less body fat now than I did before the Big C, I have less capacity to absorb, cushion, or to turn the calories of bad news (and it does have calories). It raises your blood pressure into the substance of your own body.

We don’t like gossips, but we need it. We need to know about it, in case it’s coming our way. It conjures up herd of deer in the meadow, heads down grazing, peacefully by a rippling brook.

Then, woof-woof — wild dogs in the woods. Heads up, ears forward; prepare to flee — or the musk ox defense. Wolves approaching are the bad news.

Snort and paw the ground¸ prepare to horn the enemy, except that we humans are not brutes without souls.

A beautiful day that smells of fruits and flowers means nothing to barbarians. In fact, they prefer to invade during beautiful days. It provides more visibility for looting and massacre. But they were, long ago, far away and not in our lifetime, perhaps; the barbarians of our genre.

They are those young brainwashed in character, dreaming of 77 virgins welcoming them in paradise. These are news that assail nostrils like an offensive perfume, a slap on the face, scourging the soul.

There was bad news long before we were born, and now we’ll get through it, especially if we

get the bad news early. If you got it, and understood it, then you’ll have known what to do.

I’ve personally dealt with bad news. Gossips and rumors, I think. Portents, forebodings: Birds in flight, like sparrows; flitting in and out of the barn. Bad news are sheep’s entrails. You never know if the news is true until it pounces, until it’s on top of you, until you reach out in the night and there’s no more breathing, you’re howling in darkness. Why some creatures can’t discriminate between healthy freedom and sick license, even an echo cannot answer that.

But we’ve faced it head on. I am still alright. We have no wounds, no blood pouring out... we are not scorched. We got through the worst bad news.

Now while everything seems to take longer than it did before, we all want to get on with our lives in spite of the bad news — too much of it. Sometime we can’t take it.

Today, on an early fall morning, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, there’s no reason not the feel pretty good. The bad news comes from so far away…most of them explosions, oil spills, genocides, famine, and the Arabs spring copious blood spilled in the quest of freedom. There will be other news later. There always is, but we’ll worry about it when it comes.

And I don’t have to write about it anymore. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com.

Moira nominated Best Southeast Asian Act at MTV EMA 2019

by DENI ROSE M. AFINIDAD-BERNARDO Philstar.com

SINGER Moira Dela Torre is the sole Filipino nominee at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) to be held on November 4 in Spain.Moira competes with Yuna of Malaysia, Suboi of Vietnam, Rich Brian of Indonesia, Jasmine Sokko of Singapore and Jannine Weigel of Thailand for the award Best Southeast Asia Act. “Moira Dela Torre is a singersongwriter with over 400 million streams on Spotify. She started her year with so many achievements. Last MYX Music Awards 2019, she won Mellow Video

of the Year for ‘Tagpuan’ music video with 60.6 million streams on Spotify and 16.7 millions views on YouTube,” MTV said of the Filipina singer on its website.

Voting for Moira as Best Southeast Asia Act is ongoing at https://mtvema.com/en-asia/ vote/.

If victorious, Moira would be the third Filipino artist to receive the award after Sarah Geronimo (2013) and James Reid (2017).

Moira is the fifth Filipino artist to be nominated for the award after Geronimo (2013), Reid (2015 and 2017), Nadine Lustre (2015) and IV of Spades Moira Dela Torre Photo from Instagram/@moirarachelle (2018).

Alex apologizes amid accusation of ‘indecent proposal’ to fitness coach by

KRISSY AGUILAR Inquirer.net

ACTOR Alexander Diaz has apologized amid allegations he made an indecent proposal to fitness coach online.

“I ask forgiveness from my management, the brands, supporters, friends, my family and everyone else I let down by what I did and/or who I am,” Diaz wrote Tuesday in an Instagram post.

“Im sorry, I was wrong in my actions and failed to uphold the values I so strongly try to convey online,” he added.

Diaz’s apology came after a certain fitness coach named Miguel Chanco reportedly took to Facebook last week to accuse the actor of making an indecent proposal to him.

The actor then expressed thanks to supporters and vowed he will not “be shackled” by the fear of what others would say about him.

“But I sincerely thank everyone for not failing to remind me that I am human and that I too am loved,” Diaz said.

“Never again will I be shackled by the fear of what might be said about who I am for fear of losing my career and instead, I will seek help, heal and champion change, acceptance and

Alex Diaz

representation for the bisexual community and/or anyone who is met with prejudice in our society,” he added.

Diaz also announced he will “rest” for now and will “come

Photo from Instagram/@alexandermcdizz

back stronger.”

“For now, I will rest, reevaluate and come back stronger and better than ever. I love you all, I have learned and I am growing. thank you,” the actor said.

Why Epy finds KZ very much like...

PAGE B3 in his life—initiates a courtship at a time when dating is just a swipe away.

Perfect choice Director and screenwriter Jourdan Sebastian said KZ was the perfect choice for the role.

“The film was shot in Davao, and it so happened that KZ is also from Davao and can speak Bisaya,” said the filmmaker, who likened KZ to a durian fruit. “The durian is quirky, but majestic and complex.”

When the project was presented to KZ, she thought she

was only being commissioned to record the film’s official theme song.

“I was shown the proposal.

I liked the story, so I asked my handler of the song file,” she recalled.

“But my handler said, ‘No, you’re not doing the song—you’re acting in it,’” she continued. “I couldn’t believe it until an actual meeting was set, and discussions were already being had.”

For KZ, who won the reality talent search “X Factor Philippines” in 2012, singing is all she has ever known. “I was

overwhelmed, because music is what I have been doing professionally for the past seven years,” she said.

But as her personal mantra goes, “You will never grow if you just stay in your comfort zone.” Despite her misgivings, KZ took the plunge. And she’s glad she did.

“Taking this opportunity was like jumping off a cliff. But I was confident that good, talented people would catch and guide me,” said KZ, who found a “new love” while working on her first acting project.

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COMMUNITY Journal

Arts and glamour night awards visual artists and more in Long Beach on November 16 Community hero and trailblazers also honored at dinner-dance with art exhibit

Art by Micah V. Javier

Visayan Viajeros (2019) by Eliseo Art Silva will be available in Giclee on Canvas (24” x 24”). This panel recognizes the achievement of the earliest global Filipinos from this region in settling St. Malo (1763) and Manila Village (1765) in Louisiana, to become the first OFWs.

Painting by Alberto Dulay

A UNIQUE and premiere event spearheaded by Emerald Lantern Group’s President Rosemarie De Vera aims to give world-class visual artists recognition. In cooperation with Pangasinan Brotherhood USA, the November 16 dinner-dance at the Long Beach Marriott will be a visual feast.

This unique concept is the vision of De Vera and the Emerald Lantern Group who want to showcase

the world-class caliber of Filipino American Visual Artists.

Receiving Emerald Awards for Excellence in the Arts are international architect Wilson Deomampo and author of “Visual Diary” A celebration of Creative Spark in 30 years of Architecture. Another recipient is Archie Gadon, Senior Designer and Architect of Freidmutter Group Newport Beach, Project Designer of Ceasars Forum

Convention Center, Solaire Resort and other international properties.

Also receiving an award is Filipino-American muralist Eliseo Art Silva, the creator of the landmark mural in Historic Filipinotown’s Unidad Park.

Emerald is proud to honor Trailblazer Emmanuel “E-Man” Coquia, celebrity who was named Director of Programming of sev-

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Tax & Stock Tips

Community Journal

Mutual Funds (ETF)

Exchange-traded funds versus mutual funds

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Minding Your Finances

Part 2 of 2

Victor Sy, cPA, MBA

Mutual Funds allow you to trade without paying commission: Because ETFs are traded like stocks, you typically pay a commission to buy and sell them.

There are some commission-free ETFs available, but they may have higher expense ratios to recoup money lost from being commission-free. Mutual funds, by contrast, do not charge commission, although front-end or back-end loads paid when buying or selling can work similarly to a commission. There are, however, many no-load mutual funds that can be bought and sold with no broker commissions. Investors who plan frequent transactions, such as investors using dollar-cost averaging, may be better off with a mutual fund that does not charge a broker commission for each

Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAMSon ANG green card holder ay maaaring mag-file ng N400 Application for Naturalization kung ang kanyang green card ay may 5 taon na bago ang filing (3 taon kung ang green card ay nakuha dahil sa kasal sa US citizen at sila ay nagsasama pa din). Ang aplikante para sa naturalization ay kailangang magpakita na sa statutory period na 5 taon bago ang filing, siya ay may good moral character (GMC). Kung ang aplikante ay kusang hindi nagbigay ng suporta sa kanyang mga anak sa loob ng statutory period, maaaring masabi na siya ay walang GMC. Kailangang magpakita ang aplikante ng extenuating circumstances para sa hindi pagtupad ng obligasyon na magbigay ng child support. Kasama sa obligasyon ng child support ang mga child support order sa ibang bansa o sa labas ng US. Kahit walang court order para sa child support, ayon sa mga korte, ang mga magulang ay may legal at moral na obligasyon para magbigay ng child support sa kanilang mga anak. Ayon din

trade.

Mutual Funds are more likely to be actively managed: Most ETFS are index funds, which track market indexes. While there are some actively managed ETFs, these tend to have higher prices. While some mutual funds are passive index funds, there are far more actively managed mutual funds than actively managed ETFs. With an actively managed mutual fund, a fund manager makes choices about how to allocate fund assets as opposed to assets being purchased simply to track an index. Active management can be a good thing if the fund manager is talented and is able to outperform the market. However, not all fund managers are good ones -- and you’ll still likely pay higher costs for a poorly managed mutual fund than for passively managed ETFs. Are ETFs or mutual funds right for you?

Both ETFS and mutual funds provide an easy way to invest in

stocks and build a diversified investment portfolio. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors including your tax strategy, the amount of money available to invest, and your overall investment strategy in order to determine which option is right for you.

Good luck. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

Child support and naturalization

sa mga korte, ang hindi pagbigay ng suporta ay nagpapakita na ang aplikante ay walang GMC. Kung ang aplikante para sa naturalization ay may arrears o pagkukulang sa pagbigay ng child support, o ang kanyang binigay na child support ay hindi naaayon sa court- ordered child support, kailangan niya ipakita kung magkano ang kanyang arrears, kung gaano siya katagal na hindi nagbayad ng child support, at ang dahilan sa hindi pagbayad ng child support. Ang mga sumusunod ay maaaring maging konsiderasyon sa hindi pagbayad ng child support: (1) ang aplikante ay walang trabaho at walang pinansyal na abilidad para sa pagbayad ng child support; (2) mga dahilan kung bakit walang trabaho ang aplikante; (3) ebidensya ng good-faith effort para magbigay ng child support; (4) kung inakala ng aplikante na wala na siyang obligasyon na magbigay ng child support dahil tapos na ang obligasyong ito; at (5) kung ang arrears ay dahil sa miscalculation ng court-ordered support at arrears.

Kung ang aplikante ay makakapagpakita ng extenuating circumstances sa hindi pagbayad ng child support, maaari pa ring magkaroon ng determinasyon ang USCIS na siya ay may GMC.

*** A green card holder can apply for naturalization if he has held permanent resident status for at least 5 years prior to the filing (3 years if green card was based on marriage to a US citizen and applicant is still married to US citizen). An applicant filing for naturalization must show that during the statutory period of 5 years prior to filing he was a person of good moral character (GMC). If the applicant has willfully failed or refused to support his dependents during the statutory period, he cannot establish GMC unless he shows extenuating circumstances. Child support obligations may also include child support obligations and child support orders abroad.

Even if there is no court-ordered child support for the applicant for naturalization, the Courts have held that parents have a legal and moral obligation to provide support for their dependents, and a willful failure to provide such support shows that the naturalization applicant lacks GMC. If the applicant for naturalization has not fully-paid child support pursuant to a court order and has arrears, the applicant must show how long there was

Atty. rAyMond BulAon FACING serious debt problems can be depressing to a lot of people. It may seem like the end of the world. You may feel angry, depressed, guilty- or a combination of all three. You may even be blaming yourself for making the decisions that led you to your present situation.

I’m here to tell you, however, that like most things in life, whatever you’re going through is most likely only temporary and will soon pass. How can I possibly say this?

Well, did you know that millions of honest, hard-working people just like yourself are having problems paying their debts? As a matter of fact, more than 1 million file bankruptcy in the United States every year as a result of being in debt. Do you think these people file bankruptcy simply because they don’t want to take personal responsibility for their debts? Not at all.

The truth is that most people who file bankruptcy do so as a result of circumstances beyond their control. Study after study has shown that some of the most common reasons why people file

The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS CAN we recognize the giftedness of the person next to us?

Can we appreciate him or her as a sister and a brother in Christ?

Can we honestly say that we have embraced the whole humanity in all its varied colors, languages, and cultures?

To answer these questions, we need to examine ourselves thoroughly. Are our thoughts and behaviors inclusive, loving, kind,

Barrister’s Corner

Atty. Kenneth u PAGE C3 urSuA reyeS WHAT is the difference between a divorce and an annulment? Many people think these concepts are the same and interchangeable. There are many differences between the two concepts. A divorce ends a valid existing marriage. In a nullity, a determination is made about the validity of the marriage itself.

When a marriage is annulled, it has the same effect as if the marriage never existed. A nullity results in a void.

In California, any spouse can obtain a divorce regardless of the reason. A common basis used is a catchall phrase “irreconcilable differences.” However, anyone who wants to end a marriage can end the marriage and there is nothing the other spouse can do to stop that. However in a petition for nullity, the court will not automatically grant you the nullity. There has to be a legal basis for seeking the nullity as outlined in the family code. Some of the basis are 1) entering into a bigamous marriage 2) incestuous marriage 3)fraud in obtaining the other spouse’s consent to marriage 4) incurable physical incapacity 5) unsound mind among others. The petitioner would have to prove one of these grounds in court to be able to get a nullity.

In a Nullity, there is a statute of limitations. That means you have to file your nullity within a certain time period depending on the basis for seeking the Nullity.

Each ground has a different stat-

Debt Relief

Atty. lAwrence yAnG THE first client is 75. Her husband passed four years ago and left her with $30,000 of credit card debt. She has been making minimum payments on their credit cards for the last 15 years as far as she can recall at the rate of $800 a month.

So in one year, she pays about $10,000 of minimum payments to keep the $30,000 current. In 10 years she paid $100,000 to keep them current. In the last 15 years, she has paid $150,000 to keep her credit card masters happy. Mastercard and Visa are very happy with her. They lent her $30,000 15 years ago. After 15 years she paid them $150,000, and she still owes them the same $30,000! Well, of course, that a great business profit

Is your situation forcing you to file bankruptcy? for bankruptcy -unemployment, sickness, disability, death in the family- are events which are beyond our control. It is not always your fault. `Thus, if you find yourself totally unprepared for the financial challenges that life brings your way, take comfort in the fact that the law provides a solution for you to get relief. At one time or another, we all face those moments. Life is very unpredictable and you never know what lies ahead. If we all had a crystal ball, our lives would be perfect and we’ll always be prepared for everything that might happen. But that’s not how life works.

So if you’ve found yourself in a situation where bankruptcy is the only way out, don’t be too hard on yourself. More often than not, it’s not as bad as you think. Dwelling on the negative only makes things worse because it stops you from taking positive action to change your situation for the better.

Like most people, you will survive bankruptcy, get on with your life and do just fine. Wallowing in self-pity and feeling sorry for yourself will not help your situation one bit. Instead, be proud of the fact that you have made the decision to make things happen by taking matters into your

own hands instead of waiting for things to magically change in your life. It’s really all up to you.

Bankruptcy is not for everyone. But if appropriate for your situation, why not make the legal process work for you so that you can get on with your life and create the freedom that you’ve been wanting for yourself and your family? Put your money worries behind you forever and start with a clean slate. It’s never too late but you need to start somewhere.

Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of debt in order to live more financially secure lives. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is right for your situation or if other options are available in order for you to avoid it. Call Toll-Free 1866-477-7772 to schedule a free office consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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On recognizing our blind spots and appreciative of others, without any taint of discriminative, self-righteous, and judgmental attitudes? If we say so, are we able to sit at a table with someone different from us, engage with him or her in a respectful or delightful conversation?

If we’re sincere and humble, we’d say that no, we’ve fallen short of these Christian attitudes. We’re not as kind, loving, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful as we think we are. We have a long way to go.

Recognizing and accepting our failures, weaknesses, and blind spots in human kindness and charity is a big step towards

Christian growth. It’s what the Pharisee lacked in this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 18:9-14). Instead of acknowledging his shortcomings, he boasted about his moral excellence, while looking down on the tax collector praying next to him.

On the other hand, the tax collector humbly prayed to God and asked for forgiveness, saying, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

Might we have thought and acted like the Pharisee? Let’s think deeply and examine our hearts. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

What is the differnce between an annulment and a divorce? ute of limitation. For example, if you are filing the nullity based on fraud, you have to file within 4 years of discovering the fraud. If you blow the statute of limitation, this can be used as a defense to dismiss your case. On the other hand there is no statute of limitation in a divorce. You can file a divorce at any time regardless of how long you have been separated from your spouse.

In a divorce, husband and wife are presumed to be the parents of children born during the marriage. In a Nullity, the marriage has no validity so it will affect the presumption of parentage of the children. The Court will have to make a finding of parentage for the children on a different basis before it can make orders relating to custody, visitation, and support.

The treatment of spousal support (alimony) is different between the two. In a divorce, the spouse that has less earning capacity and access to resources may seek an award of spousal support. This is not available in a Nullity since the marriage is invalid and there is no spouse as a result.

The division of property is also different. In a divorce, community property is divided equally between the spouses. In a nullity, since there is no valid marriage, there is no community property created and properties are not divided between the spouse.

Similarly, neither party can receive survivorship benefits and inheritance rights from the other party in a Nullity.

Finally, there are different immigration consequences between

a divorce and a nullity when an immigrant spouse is involved. In a divorce, the immigrant spouse who obtains a greencard from a US Citizen spouse stands a bigger chance of keeping his or her greencard and ultimately become a US Citizen. In a nullity, the immigrant spouse may lose their greencard status when the marriage is found to be invalid since it is the basis for the greencard.

It can jeopardize the immigration status of the legal permanent resident spouse. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail: kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

for Mastercard and Visa, right?

Borrow $30,000 and pay back $150,000 in 15 years but still owe the same $30,000!

Just imagine the client was only 60 when she got her $30,000 of credit cards with her husband.

Now, her husband has gone on ahead of her. Together, they have paid $150,000 on the $30,000 starting at the age of 60. At 75, she has paid $150,000 and still owes the very same $30,000.

Never mind that she could put the $150,000 to much better use now at 75, if she did not owe the $30,000 in the first place. Now that she is retired and receiving social security of $1,300, forking over $800 a month to make these minimum payments to Mastercard and Visa means that 61% of her retirement income goes to minimum payments. Now that doesn’t sound good, does it? She rents a

room for $500 a month, so just the credit card payments and the rent use up all of the social security of $1,300!

So get this, at 75 she has to get part-time work at Walmart, to have money for food and other necessities. Without the $800 paid to credit cards, she literally would not have to work anymore. $800 a month after rent is paid is more than enough for food and other necessities for a single person.

The client has been living this way, until two months ago, when her 2015 Lexus RX330, which she leased for $450 a month was repossessed. She thought she wouldn’t owe Toyota anything since they took the car back. But last week, Toyota sent her notice that, she owed them a lease deficiency of $18,000. This, of course, is the proverbial last straw that

Repo deficiency causes senior to seek Chapter 7 relief

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Community Journal

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26-29, 2019

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Discriminated at work due to your Permanent residence based on same sex marriage hairstyle? You may have legal remedies!

Legal

Q: MY new supervisor recently told me that I need to wear my hair in a “more conventional” way because it is distracting other people. My hairstyle is appropriate to my ethnicity and is part of my cultural identity. More importantly, my hair does not interfere with my work. When I said so, my supervisor told me that I may have to look for another job as my look does not fit the company requirements. How do I handle this?

A: Your supervisor is likely engaging in discriminatory conduct and needs to stop.

Perhaps you can hand your supervisor a copy of California’s Assembly Bill 188, newly signed into law, which revises California laws concerning the definition of race.

Under existing California laws, it is unlawful to discriminate against employees by, for example, firing or demoting, based simply on the employee’s protected characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, and national origin. The nature of race discrimination may sometimes be subtle and may be overlooked because skin color is not overtly targeted. In recognition of all the insidious ways that race discrimination may be perpetrated by targeting cultural practices instead, California’s lawmakers have recently expanded the definition of “race.”

Under Assembly Bill 188, the definition of race now includes traits or characteristics that are historically associated

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr.

with race, including hair texture and hairstyles. In explaining the purpose of the new law, the lawmakers noted that “societal understanding of professionalism . . . still is, closely linked to European features and mannerisms, which entails that those who do not naturally fall into Eurocentric norms must alter their appearances, sometimes drastically and permanently, in order to be deemed professional.”

Additionally, dress codes and grooming policies that prohibit natural hair, including afros, braids, twists, and locks, may have a disparate impact on a group of people. “Disparate impact” discrimination occurs when the employer adopts a seemingly neutral policy that applies to all employees, but the policy has a more negative impact on those with a certain protected characteristic.

For example, afros, braids, twists, and locks are historically associated with Black individuals. The dress code and grooming policy will therefore more likely affect Black applicants and burden or punish Black employees than any other group. Where hair has historically been one of many determining factors of a person’s race, hair then remains a proxy

for race. Therefore, hair discrimination targeting hairstyles associated with race is racial discrimination.

The lawmakers recognize that continuing to enforce a Eurocentric image of professionalism through supposedly race-neutral grooming policies that disparately impact Black individuals and exclude them from some workplaces is in direct opposition to equity and opportunity for all.

California law provides several remedies for victims of employment discrimination. These remedies included: back pay for past lost earnings; front pay for future lost earnings; reinstatement to the job; out-of-pocket expenses; policy changes; reasonable accommodation(s); damages for emotional distress; punitive damages (where the employer’s conduct was especially bad); and attorney’s fees and costs. *** 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 HYPERLINK “http://www.joesayaslaw.com” www. joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.]

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non-payment, the current arrears due, and the circumstances for the non-payment and arrears. The following circumstances may be considered by USCIS in determining GMC despite the child support arrears: (1) applicant’s unemployment and financial inability to pay child support; (2) cause of the unemployment and financial inability to support dependents; (3) evidence of good-faith effort to reasonably provide child support; (4) whether the nonpayment was due to an honest but mistaken belief that the duty to support mi-

Arts and glamour night awards visual artists...

Rosemarie De Vera-Javier

Emmanuel E-man Coquia

Wilson Deomampo

Faith Bautista

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eral radio stations after an exhaustive nationwide search. Mereulo Media’s CEO Otto Pardon selected Coquia for his sensible plan and vision that lined perfectly with the company’s goals. Coquia head programming for 3 stationsL Power 106FM, Classic HipHop 93.5, and Cali 93.9 Latin Music Station.

Also to be bestowed recognition are Faith Bautista as a Community Hero awardee for her tireless work in retrieving $331 million dollars back into the housing fund amongst other non-profit efforts.

Special Recognition will be given to Henry Sadang, for his charitable work for “Gabay”, parents group of children with autism and cerebral palsy. Gabay is also the beneficiary who will receive part of the proceeds from this event.

The art exhibit shall feature the works of Alberto Dulay, Butch Lara, Napoleon Merana, Roland Escalona, Micah V. Javier, Gani,

Dino, Rodolfo Mora, event art curator Ron Tuanquin, and more.

The exhibit will be open for the duration of the event, open doors at 5:30pm. Guests shall enjoy dinner before the awarding ceremonies, followed by social dancing with DJ Luigi Dizon.

Attendees shall have first dibs in purchasing from these featured artists. One such work on display, and for sale, is a Giclee Print on Canvas of “Visayan Viajeros”, a 24” x 24” version of this commissioned work that hangs in the newly opened Mabuhay Credit Union in Carson.

Though people mostly recall Rosemarie De Vera as Mutya ng Pilipinas 1980, recording artist and actress in films with the likes of renowned action star Fernando Poe Jr. she has a great passion for the fine arts. She is married to Giovanni Javier, with whom she runs a Marketing Business. Javier is also a professional painter, model mold

maker with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through a scholarship at the Arts Institute in Chicago. Javier is part of the Emerald team, along with Rose Valbuena Capobres and Ron Tuanquin.

Tickets are regularly $100, but readers of this article can use the discount code “AJ” for a 25% discount online at www.artsandglamournight.eventbrite.com, or call Vanie (818) 284-7966 or Wawan (818) 648-4709. For more information email emerald@ musicartsevents.com or visit www. emeraldlanterngroup.com. Event starts at 6:30pm on November 16 at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel at 4700 Airport Plaza Dr, Long Beach, CA 90815.

Sponsors of this event are Pangasinan Brotherhood, the Asian Journal, Henssa International Inc. Entertainment, Island Pacific Supermarket, WFL Wealth Financial Life, Smart Tax and Accounting Corporation & Toy Alano. n

Advice

Atty. DArriCk tAn same-sex marriages are recognized, then the US citizen or permanent resident spouse can file an I-130 petition and adjustment of status application (if the nonUS citizen/permanent resident spouse is in the US) or immigrant visa application (if the non-US citizen/permanent resident spouse is outside the US). As with marriages between the opposite sex, the same-sex couple will need to demonstrate that the marriage is a real marriage and not merely for immigration purposes.

But what if the marriage has yet to occur, and the non-US citizen/ permanent resident person in the relationship resides in a foreign country that does not recognize same-sex marriages, and cannot travel to the US? In such a case, a US citizen can file an I-129f petition for alien fiancé(e), which would allow his/ her foreign national fiancé(e) to travel to the US under a K-1 visa to get married. The couple would have to get married in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages within 90 days of the foreign national’s arrival. After marriage, an I-130 petition and I-485 adjust-

ment of status (changing status from K-1 to permanent resident) would need to be filed. Filing an I-129f fiancé(e) petition is only available to a US Citizen and not a permanent resident.

For cases involving a permanent resident petitioner, the couple would need to find a foreign nation to which they can both travel and that recognizes samesex marriages, and get married there. Thereafter, the permanent resident petitioner can file an I-130 petition on behalf of his/her spouse, who would undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa in the country of residency when available.

Certain other requirements exist to obtain permanent residence. It is also worth noting that eligibility for other immigration benefits are now available to a same-sex spouse. It is therefore recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney. *** 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 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and 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 (Advertising Supplement)

Repo deficiency causes senior to seek...

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broke the camel’s back. Mastercard and Visa already takes more than half her social security, forcing her to continue working at Walmart at the age of 75, nor child had terminated; and (5) FIRM aims to provide excellent and ef- but now owing another $18,000 whether the nonpayment was due ficient legal representation to clients, to Toyota for a car that she has to miscalculation of court-ordered and support clients in achieving their already returned to them that goals and dreams.

As professors, she can’t drive anymore, these support and arrears.

If the applicant for naturaliza- Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to circumstances put her financial tion is able to show extenuating educate the younger generation, as it is situation into a more accurate circumstances, a failure to sup- through education and continuous study perspective. At the age of 75, she port dependents will not adversely that one can achieve success and serve needs a complete makeover of her finances. others. affect GMC determination.

Chapter 7 will wipe out the Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAM*** $30,000 of credit card debt, and SON LAW FIRM ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los the $18,000 owed to Toyota. She will wipe out $48,000 of debt LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Angeles, CA 90010 that she totally doesn’t need to Lindain and Atty. Samson are both li- Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 censed to practice law in California and Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. be burdened with at 75. We are talking about the quality of life in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were com.

(Advert ising Supplement) here. Nobody wants to live like also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW this. Her creditors own her life!

This is no way for anyone to live, no matter what age. I am sure

Child support and naturalization

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IN United States vs. Windsor, 570 U.S. ___ (2013) (Docket No. 12-307), the Supreme Court held that Federal restrictions of the terms “marriage” and “spouse” to marriages between a man and a woman were unconstitutional.

The Court invalidated Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which did not allow Federal Government recognition of same-sex marriages under Federal laws, or for Federal programs. After the Court’s decision in the Windsor case, the USCIS has considered same-sex, marriage-based immigrant petitions in the same way as those involving marriage with the opposite sex. As a result, a US citizen or permanent resident can now petition his/her spouse or fiancé(e) to get a green card.

As with marriages between persons of the opposite sex, a valid marriage between a samesex couple is required. The law of the place in which the marriage took place determines whether the marriage is valid for immigration purposes. The same-sex couple does not need to be residents of the state or foreign country in which the marriage took place. A civil union or domestic partnership cannot be the basis for a same-sex, marriage-based immigrant petition; a relationship legally considered to be a marriage where it took place establishes eligibility.

If the marriage occurred in a state or foreign country in which

that her beloved husband would agree that they should have filed for Chapter 7 at least 10 years ago, so that now, the client at least would have saved $100,000 in retirement funds instead of being saddled with debt.

Debtor opts for Chapter 7 Client no. 2 is still young. She is barely 50. Her husband suffered a stroke two years ago. His hospital bill was $200,000. Well, that obviously is one problem.

And he owes about $40,000 of credit cards. That’s another burden you don’t want to have even if you are completely healthy and able to work. She needs $1,200 a month to keep her husband’s $40,000 of credit cards happy and current. The problem is that the husband cannot work anymore because of the stroke. The husband is still ok in that he is still able to talk and not paralyzed, but I believe he is depressed be-

cause of his condition. He’s a lot younger than I am, but I feel that he’s lost the will to continue living. I feel bad for him and her.

I can help him discharge the $200,000 of medical bills and $40,000 of credit cards. That’s a no brainer. But I wish I could do more for him healthwise. But that’s now between our Almighty Father in heaven and him.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

C4 OCTOBER 26-29, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

PEOPLE AND EVENTS

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People and Events

OneWest Bank unveils new branch design at West Los Angeles grand opening Features custom local mural reflecting Sepulveda Crossing

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PASADENA, CA — OneWest Bank, CIT’s Southern California retail bank division, on Friday, Oct. 25 announced the grand opening of its West Los Angeles location featuring modern technology and a customized branch design.

“Our new branch reinforces our commitment to delivering an exceptional banking experience and empowering the diverse West Los Angeles community to meet their financial goals,” said Heather Ellison, head of Retail Banking at OneWest.

New features like redesigned ATMs, a digital bar where customers can charge their phones and laptops, and automated cash machines streamline many aspects of the branch experience, so staff can focus more on serving and interacting with customers. The design also incorporates environmentally-friendly ele-

ments like digital displays to cut down on paper usage, energy efficient lighting, and a water filtration system to reduce the use of plastic bottles.

Grand opening and custom local mural OneWest hosted a ribboncutting event yesterday for customers, staff and public officials to celebrate and tour the new space. One notable aesthetic feature is a custom mural depicting well-known images of West Los Angeles neighborhood life. The piece is called Sepulveda Crossing, reflecting the location of the branch and the corridor of West Los Angeles. Seven local artists, including lead artist Roger Dolin, and six volunteer bank employees contributed to the 28-footlong art piece. The event was also catered by Primo Donuts, a recognized neighborhood establishment owned by thirty-year

OneWest Bank customer Ralph Primo.

Supporting financial literacy across West LA As part of OneWest’s ongoing effort to empower customers to thrive, branch staff will soon introduce customized financial empowerment workshops based on its recently launched Personal Finance Empowered digital education platform offering free, customized modules for consumers of all ages.

“We’re passionate about serving the neighborhoods where we live and work,” continued Ellison. “And through programs like our financial literacy workshops, we’re thrilled to continue our efforts to support consumers across West Los Angeles.”

OneWest Bank’s West Los Angeles branch is located at 3000 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034. ■

O C TO B E R 26

Larry Itliong Day Celebration in Carson, CA The City of Carson, California will hold a Larry Itliong Day Celebration on Saturday, October 26 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. In 1966, Filipino Larry Itliong and Cesar Chavez formed the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, which later became the United Farm Workers of America, one of the greatest unions in the history of the nation. Larry Itliong Day will be at Veterans Park (22400 Moneta Ave. Carson, CA 90745). For more information, please call (310) 830-9991.

Larry Itliong Festival in Historic Filipinotown, LA The Pilipino Workers Center presents Larry Itliong Day on Saturday, October 26, featuring a celebration of music, art, education and food highlighting the life and legacy of Filipino farmworker and labor rights movement leader, Larry Itliong. Set at the heart of Historic Filipinotown, this FREE event will take place from 1pm-5pm at Unidad Park - 1644-48 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026. With this event, we aim to educate and entertain Filipinos and Filipino-Americans about the Filipino culture, the history of the Filipino labor movement in the United States and its impact to workers today. Attendees will enjoy a variety of activities such as musical performances from local artists, art workshops, jeepney ride, selfie stations, bazaar and much more. For more information, please visit pwcsc.org.

Filipino History Month Celebration in Glendale, CA West Ranch High School is proud to present the 11th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong dispThe Filipino American Business Association of Glendale is sponsoring a Filipino American History Month celebration on Saturday, October 26 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., which will be held at Incarnation Community Center (214 W. Fairview Avenue Glendale, CA 91202). The affair consists of a brief presentation of historical events and glimpses on Philippine way of life; a musical performance by Manahan Musika led by Luningning Manahan; several dances to be performed by Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts under the direction of Anna Lisa GutierrezDe Guzman and a Filipiniana collection by Carmelo Designs led by Carl Andrada. The Philippines is rich in customs and traditions which will be shared in the diverse community of the City of Glendale. On October 15th, the City of Glendale will also issue a Proclamation on the importance of celebrating our cultural identity. The event is open to all and admission is free.

Merienda will be served to attendees. For more information, please call: Marlene Cagatao (818) 450-0704 and/or Nini Maldonado (818) 919-5916.

Free health screenings at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center In honor of Filipino-American History Month, CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is offering free comprehensive health screenings for the entire family on Saturday, October 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the hospital’s auditorium in Doctors Tower on A-level. Health screenings offered include Height, Weight, BMI , Blood Pressure, Temperature, Blood (Cholesterol, Glucose), Serum Glucose, Mini Mental Health Score, Mammogram, Flu Shots, Eye Vision, and EKG. You can also watch a therapeutic mental health play by StanD Play Team from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The health screening and play is free and open to the public. No RSVP required to attend the event. Please take benefit of this offering to improve your and your family’s health. Hospital address is CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center 1300 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

$1.2 million Edison Scholars Program 2020 application period begins

N OV E M B E R 2

Oil filter exchange event in Alhambra, CA ATTENTION ALL ALHAMBRA RESIDENTS – Free Oil Filter & Motor Oil Recycling Event on Saturday, November 2! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters.

All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new Oil Filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. So don’t miss out – we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O’Reilly Auto Parts (800 E. Valley Blvd. Alhambra, CA 91801).

N OV E M B E R 22-24

World Education Summit on Sustainability and Transformation in Las Vegas AThe World Education Summit on Sustainability and Transformation is a call to action and transformation to finding solutions to the challenges of our times. Join on November 22-24 for three days of activities, learning, networking and events, such as panel discussions and presentations, industry leader keynote speeches, and a dinner and gala featuring an eco-fashion show. The summit aims to gather stakeholders from educational institutions; business and civic organizations; government agencies and international development organizations to galvanize collaborative and strategic partnership to achieve a common goal in environmental sustainability. We are expecting delegates from different countries. The Summit will serve as a collaborative platform to achieve a unified mission. The venue is The Convention Center at The Orleans Hotel (4500 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103). For more information and to register, please visit http://worldsummit.info.

D EC E M B E R 1

Kalayaan Incorporated’s Christmas Party and induction of officers in Monterey Park, CA Kalayaan Incorporated’s Induction of Officers 2019-2020 will be held during its Christmas Party on Sunday, Decemeber 1, from 12 to 4 p.m., at the Monterey Hill Event Center. The hilltop venue offers a spectacular view of the San Gabriel Valley, and is located at 3700 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, Calif. 91754. Kalayaan Incorporated, a non-profit public benefit corporation in the State of California, classified as a public charity organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, holds the annual celebration in Southern California of the anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. Chairing the Induction and Christmas Party is Violet Mislang with Lady Hope Robillos, Co-chair, and Nonie Belarmino, Program Coordinator.

Cost of lunch is $40.00. For more information, please contact Violet at (562) 644-4073, vmislang@gmail.com; Lady Hope at (310) 500-0917, lhopepr@yahoo.com; or Nonie (310) 357-0222, Idancenonie@outlook.com.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

30 high school seniors were named the 2019 Edison Scholars, each winning a $40,000 scholarship from Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, to help them follow their dreams in STEM (science, technology, engineering or math).

Photo by Elisa Ferrari

ROSEMEAD, Calif. — High school seniors whose dreams are to power the future and make a difference through the study of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) are invited to apply for Edison International’s $1.2 million Edison Scholars Program.

Each year, Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, awards $40,000 scholarships, paid over four years, to 30 high school students who plan to major in designated STEM fields at a fouryear accredited U.S. college or university. See the list of eligible STEM majors.

Scholarship applications are now being accepted through Dec. 16. To apply and obtain ad-

ditional eligibility information, visit: edisonscholars.com.

Applicants must live in SCE’s service area and plan to be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in a STEM field.

Eligible students also must be a high school senior, have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Students from underserved communities and ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply. Dependents of Edison International and SCE employees and retirees are not eligible for the Edison Scholars Program.

“These future leaders have the opportunity to change lives, communities and perhaps even the world,” said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison

International. “We are proud to help talented students realize their academic dreams and support these important STEM programs.”

Scholarship recipients will be announced next spring. They may also be eligible for summer internships at SCE after completing their second year of college.

Since 2006, Edison International has awarded an estimated $9.9 million in scholarships to 640 students through the Edison Scholars Program.

Edison International’s support of charitable causes, including the Edison Scholars Program, is funded entirely by Edison International shareholders. SCE customers’ utility bill payments do not fund company donations. ■

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Relief Act could expedite family petitions PH ‘better insulated’ in 2020 – Etiqa ON October 16, 2019, a bill (or proposal) was introduced in the Senate called the “Resolving Extended Limbo for Immigrant Employees and Families Act,” or RELIEF Act (SB 2603). If it is enacted (or becomes law), it could cut the waiting time for family and employment petitions to five years. This could include brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (F-4) and married children (F3), where right now the waiting time could be up to 30 years!

This bill would also classify spouses and minor children of green card holders as “immediate relatives,” such that they would be immediately eligible for green cards, just like the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens.

The RELIEF Act would increase the number of green cards available so as to clear out the backlog. Some of the highlights of the RELIEF Act include: • Eliminating family and employment green card backlog over the next five years, based on the dates the petitions or applications were filed. This could mean that if you were petitioned by a sibling or as a married child, you could be eligible for a green card in about five years!

• Classifying spouses and children of green card holders (F-2A) as “immediate relatives,” meaning they would be immediately eligible for green cards,

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

“ This could include brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (F-4) and married children (F-3), where right now the waiting time could be up to 30 years! ” just like the spouses and children of U.S. citizens.

• Providing additional “age out” protection for children who qualify for green card status based on a parent’s immigration petition.

We hope the RELIEF Act will pass in Congress and be signed by the president. It is not yet law. However, in the meantime, people may want to consider filing family petitions now, such as a petition of a sibling or for married children, if they have not already done so. This is because even though the waiting time is

up to 30 years, if the RELIEF Act becomes law, the waiting time could be reduced to about five years.

You may want to consult with an attorney to evaluate your immigration situation, and how this proposal could possibly help you and your family if it finally becomes law. This is great news! *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

by MAYVELIN

U. CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines’ investment landscape will remain insulated from the impact of trade tensions between the United States and China next year, according to an executive of regional insurance giant Etiqa.

In a briefing in Makati City on Wednesday, October 23, Etiqa Chief Strategy Officer Chris Eng Poh Yoon said the global investment outlook remained uncertain in 2020 because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

“I think the biggest uncertainty here is, of course, Donald Trump.

He’s probably going to do whatever he can to get reelected,” Eng said.

Despite this, he emphasized that a global recession was not likely to happen next year, as the U.S. and China would ensure that

their economies keep “humming along” with the rest of the word.

“If he sees the economy slow down too much, Trump will — as in the case of the recent tariffs in China [that were] pulled back at the last minute — make sure that things can continue humming along with the U.S.,” Eng said.

“It’s a similar situation in China, of course. You know, Xi Jinping, I think, [is] committed to remain as president for life or something. So he’s not going to raise any major recession if he can help it,” he added.

In the case of the Philippines, Eng said its economy “is better insulated,” along with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) when it comes to the trade war.

According to him, the country is more of a domestic-oriented economy where trade is a “less important” part of it.

He also noted that commodity exports are also not a major part of the economy, “so all these shows a greater resilience in the Filipino economy.”

In terms of growth, End said the Philippines was poised to be the second-fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia next year, after Vietnam.

He forecast the Philippines’ gross domestic product to expand at 5 percent next year.

“Over 6 percent would be a bit of a stretch, I think. But the high 5 percent I think is still good,” Eng said.

His 2020 projection compares to the government’s target range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent.

Economic growth in the country currently stands at 5.5 percent in the first half of 2019, well below the government’s downwardly revised target range of 6 to 7 percent. ■

Price impact on the poor softens in September

(Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week “People don’t take opportunities because the timing is bad, the fi nancial side unsecure. Too many people are overanalyzing. Sometimes you just have to go for it.”

— Michelle Zatlyn, Co-founder of CloudFlare

Inflation for bottom 30% income households stood at 0.9% in September, slower than 2.3% recorded in August and 9.5% a year ago.

Philstar.com file photo

by DAXIM

L. LUCAS

Inquirer.net

PRICE increases felt by poor families continued to ease in September on the back of more lower utility costs and food prices, the

Philippine Statistics Authority reported Thursday, October 24.

Inflation for bottom 30% income households stood at 0.9% in September, slower than 2.3% recorded in August and 9.5% a year ago.

According to the PSA, the lat-

est reading was the slowest registered for the income group since December 2015.

Headline inflation softened to 0.9% in September, slower than 1.7% registered in August and 6.7% recorded a year ago. ■

D OCTOBER 26-29, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Good for PH growth: Gov’t tospend P1T in last 3 months of 2019

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said more than P1 trillion would be spent by infrastructure agencies in the remaining three months of 2019, a commitment to splurge that he said made him optimistic about a rebound of the Philippine economy.

The commitment was made by the agencies last Wednesday, Oct. 23, according to Dominguez, head of the Duterte administration’s economic team.

He said the total programmed disbursement for 2019 was P3.769 trillion and to attain spending targets, the government must spend P1.14 trillion, or 30 percent of the total, in the last quarter of 2019.

“We are confident that we are going to hit our spending target this year,” Dominguez said after the Cabinet’s Economic Development Cluster (EDC) last Wednesday.

Combined with inflation rate that had been tamed to 2 to 4 percent, the spending binge was expected to “make up for the underspending earlier this year due to the delay in the enactment of the budget,” said Dominguez.

Add to those an accelerated implementation of “Build, Build, Build” and “human capital de-

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominquiez III

velopment projects” and the economy would be well on its way to growth levels that could exceed projections, according to Dominguez.

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 5.5 percent in the first half, below the government’s 6-7 percent target, after Congress took the 2019 national budget hostage until it had its share of kickbacks from pork barrel funds.

This led to underspending of at least P1 billion a month from January to April, which was anathema to President Rodrigo Duterte’s belief that failure to spend what had been allocated was corruption in itself.

Duterte signed the more than P3-trillion 2019 budget only in

Inquirer.net file photo

mid-April with the government being forced to rely on a reenacted budget in the first four months of 2019.

According to Dominguez, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was confident it could disburse P725 billion, its target, for 2019. In the first nine months of 2019, the DPWH had already spent P424.7 billion.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, according to Dominguez, “assured” that spending P300.3 billion in the last three months of 2019 “is attainable.”

One of the obstacles to disbursement in the DPWH was right-of-way cases and the department is already “implementing reforms” to flatten the PAGE D3

ADB supports Palawan tourism devt project by anna Leah

e. GOnzaLes Manilatimes.net

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) is working with the Department of Tourism (DoT) in preparing a tourism development project that will ensure a sustainable environment for El Nido and Coron in Palawan.

ADB earlier identified the areas as two localities requiring investments in environmentally sustainable urban facilities and marine environment protection in anticipation of higher numbers of tourists visiting the islands.

“Palawan is known as the country’s ‘last ecological frontier’ and we want to ensure its rich marine ecosystem, particularly in El Nido and Coron, will be protected amid the rapid growth in tourist demand,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

According to ADB, it will sup-

port the DOT-led program by offering solutions and financing to address the immediate need for vital urban infrastructure and services, such as solid waste management, drainage and sanitation, and clean drinking water in El Nido and Coron.

ADB will also help build the capacity of local stakeholders to protect and conserve healthy oceans and rehabilitate key biodiversity-based tourism sites.

The project is planned for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2020.

ADB will also explore innovative funding to local business enterprises and community-based groups for skills and product development, to improve the quality of services in El Nido and Coron.

“This project is critically important for ADB because we share with the Philippine government the goal of seeing local econo-

mies thrive on an environmentally sustainable path. Tourism, when managed properly, can be a catalyst for inclusive development that can lift residents of El Nido and Coron out of poverty,” ADB Country Director for the Philippines Kelly Bird said.

A joint ADB and DoT team visited El Nido and Coron earlier this month to hold consultations with local government officials and local stakeholders as part of the preparations in designing the project.

The project is part of DoT’s “Transforming Communities Towards Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Tourism (TouRIST) Program,” a coordinated effort by various government agencies and local stakeholders in partnership with multilateral development banks in implementing sustainable tourism development in the country. n

DOF favors uniform road user tax

by Jess

diaz Philstar.com

THE Department of Finance (DOF) favors a uniform road user tax instead of different rates for different types of motor vehicles as proposed by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who chairs the House of Representatives committee on ways and means.

In a letter to Salceda, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez expressed support for the bill filed

by Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur. The road user tax is officially called Motor Vehicle User’s Charge or MVUC, which is paid to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the form of increased annual registration fees for the more than 11 million vehicles in the country.

Dominguez informed Salceda that the DOF is supporting Villafuerte’s Bill 3006 “as it embodies the DOF proposal on MVUC rate increase.”

He said the proposed MVUC increase would “provide sufficient source of funds for the infrastructure programs of the government.”

Villafuerte and the DOF are both suggesting a uniform MVUC rate based on gross vehicle weight (GVW) of P1.40 in 2020, P1.95 in 2021 and P2.50 in 2022.

The gross weight would include the vehicle’s load carrying capacity as certified by the LTO. Under both proposals, the road user tax on a car with a GVW of up to 1,600 kilos would amount to P2,240 on the first year, P3,120 on the second and P4,000 on the third, excluding registration and miscellaneous fees.

The road user tax is officially called Motor Vehicle User’s Charge or MVUC, which is paid to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the form of increased annual registration fees for the more than 11 million vehicles in the country.

Philstar.com file photo by Ernie Peñaredondo

On the other hand, in Bill 4695, Salceda proposed that the MVUC on the same car would go up from the present P800 under Republic Act 8794 to P2,912 next year, P3,028 in 2021 and P3,056 in 2022.

The tax on vehicles with a GVW of 1,600 kg to 2,300 kg will increase from P1,800 to P6,552 in 2020, P6,814 in 2021 and P6,876 in 2022; while the levy on those exceeding 2,300 kilograms in gross weight will jump from P4,000 to P14,560, P15,142 and P15,280 in the next three years.

For utility vehicles of up to 2,700 in GVW, Salceda’s proposed rates are P3,640, P3785 and P3,820 for 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The present tax is only P1,000.

For those exceeding 2,700 kilograms, there would be an additional charge for every 100 kgs in

excess of 2,700.

Motorcycles with engine displacement of up to 400 cc will be exempt from paying MVUC. At present, they are levied P120 if without a sidecar and P150 if with a sidecar.

Motorcycles exceeding 400 cc in engine displacement will be levied P437, P454 and P458 over the next three years if without a sidecar, and P546, P568 and P573 if there is an attached sidecar.

The proposed rates show that the planned increase would be more than 300 percent.

The DOF is proposing that the MVUC should apply to all types of vehicles, including so-called green cars, since these are using the same road network in Metro Manila and the provinces.

The rates proposed by the DOF and Villafuerte are higher than those Salceda suggested. n

Optimism amid dark global economic clouds highest in PH, says think tank by daxim

L. Lucas

Inquirer.net

GLOBAL uncertainty may be on the rise but Philippine companies have kept an optimistic outlook on the domestic economy, according to a recent business survey by accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton International.

In the Asia-Pacific region, emerging markets including the Philippines are holding up well, Grant Thornton’s International Business Report said.

The report was based on a

quarterly global survey of nearly 5,000 mid-market companies in over 30 countries interviewed in May and June this year.

Data on the first half of 2019 showed that optimism, revenue expectations, and profitability forecasts were down in economies around the globe compared with second-half 2018 data, “with most of the main measures of growth at levels not seen since 2016,” the report said.

Yet pockets of resilience were seen across mid-sized companies, such as in export expecta-

tions, which are expected to fare well globally amid the threat of a U.S.-China trade war.

The outlook continued to vary between emerging and developed economies in the Asia-Pacific, reflecting varying levels of exposure to the trade war. Optimism was generally down in the region, falling 8 percentage points since the second half of 2019 and more than 50 percent lower than the first half of 2018.

Less developed economies like the Philippines, however, had PAGE D5

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World Bank says PH fares well on spurring agri businesses

Preparing for the ‘what ifs’

The Kite Runner Prof.

EnriquE M. Soriano

Inquirer.net file photo

by Karl

r. OcampO Inquirer.net

THE Philippines is faring well in terms of enabling agricultural businesses in the country as compared to its Southeast Asian counterparts, according to World Bank.

Based on the organization’s 2019 report entitled “Enabling the Business of Agriculture,” the country ranked 42nd out of 101 countries in terms of providing regulations that positively affect the livelihood of domestic farmers.

Vietnam and Thailand trailed behind and ranked 56th and 58th, respectively, while Malaysia (61st), Cambodia (84th), Papua New Guinea (88th), and Myanmar (91st) were placed at the farther end of the list.

The report assesses whether governments around the world create a conducive environment

for farmers to operate their businesses through proper legislation.

Countries were evaluated on a scale of 100 based on eight qualitative indicators namely: supplying seed, registering fertilizer, securing water, registering machinery, sustaining livestock, protecting plant health, trading food, and accessing finance.

The Philippines got an overall score of 68.03, and garnered the highest rate in terms of providing seeds at 84. Its lowest rating was 40 with regards to ensuring plant health.

First on the list was France with a score of 93.40 while Liberia garnered the lowest score of 16.42.

“Governments play a key role in enabling growth in agriculture.

Laws and regulations influence the cost of production and determine the extent to which the private sector can benefit from investment and trade,” World

Bank said.

“Supportive regulations facilitate farmers’ participation in agricultural value chains, whereas unnecessary burdens prevent them from reaping the benefits of the increasing global food demand,” it added.

The report specifically mentioned the Philippines’ move to improve farmers’ access to finance by introducing laws on agent banking. In this regard, the country is one of 13 countries that employed 13 reforms in terms of finance access.

Nonetheless, the report noted that it did not factor in physical factors that also play a significant role in terms of measuring agricultural growth.

These include infrastructurerelated issues such as the quality of connecting roads, natural disasters like droughts and floods, the type of soil present in various areas, as well as the length of growing seasons. n

Good for PH growth: Gov’t to spend...

PAGE D2 t creases and “accelerate implementation of big ticket projects,” Dominguez said.

DPWH projects that are for inauguration this year included the Central Luzon Link Expressway Phase One, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Ciudad Victoria Interchange Overpass Bridge and the Bypass Road in Bulacan, according to the finance chief.

The Department of Transpor-

tation (DOTr) had already spent P43.7 billion as of September and was on track to spend the remaining P51.3 billion of its P82-billion budget for 2019, Dominguez said.

He said after a “long discussion, we are confident that both the DPWH and DOTr can actually cover the gap.”

“So we’re moving ahead and we think that all is in place to achieve those goals,” Dominguez said.

He said Villar and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade “really stick by their projections and they’ll make sure these things happen.”

Dominguez expressed a little frustration at a decline of 4.2 percent in infrastructure spending during the first nine months of 2019 though this had already eaten up P546.3 billion, or 92 percent, of a total P594-billion full year projection. n

SUCCESSION is the greatest single challenge to family business continuity due to the fact that close family ties and overlapping management and ownership interests often make objective decisions difficult. Poor or no succession initiatives can disrupt the family enterprise and fundamentally impact business continuity and planning in many ways. Whether it is Illness or death of a key family figure, misalignment of family values, major fight among siblings, the rivalry between family branches, family scandal, any issue involving relationships among family members can trigger conflict and instability.

For example, the death of a principal owner can affect not just estate taxes but possible infighting amongst the surviving and unprepared members. When there is discord, the chances of the enterprise moving forward grounds to a halt.

Start by crafting good agreements and policies As a fundamental guide to business owners and to continue the article I wrote related to crafting solid agreements, I have listed below a succession process tailor-fitted to families that are ready to embark on this governance journey: 1st Phase - Pursue family governance by way of aligning expectations within the family system What is there to align, you might ask? I am sharing as many possible pain points where family members can focus on. When these elements are managed by way of family agreements, a significant part of the relationship process is addressed Communication is Key Enhance Human/Intellectual Asset Educate the Next Generation Stewardship over Ownership Create a Conflict Resolution Mechanism Address Ownership Issues Minimize Entitlement Pursue Succession Emphasize Shared Vision and Values

Part 2 of 2 2nd Phase - Pursue corporate ance metric, the family does not governance by way of aligning award positions as a birthright expectations in the board level or entitlement. They also value Noted family business expert, educational achievement and Dr. Ivan Lansberg once said, encourage the next generation “for all the lip service given to to likewise work hard to gain the importance of trust, it is still the respect of the professional a relatively scarce commodity managers. The Ayala group also in family businesses. By trust, I promulgates the “stewardship” mean the certainty, confidence, principle to the younger ones or faith that someone we depend by educating them on the famiupon will act in ways that benefit ly’s history, what it has achieved us and will refrain from acting in through the years and its role in ways that bring us harm. Trust is the national agenda. not created by talking about it. It Their hope is that this will independs on behavior, it’s what still a sense of pride to build on we do, not what we say, that the family legacy and inspire the makes a difference.” next generation to make their A good corporate governance own distinct contribution in the mindset can best be summarized future.

by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala Family before fortune (JAZA), the 8th Generation sucOn behalf of the W+B Family cessor of the illustrious Zobel Advisory Group, the event orfamily whose lineage can be ganizer ICON Executive Search traced back in 1834, making the and education partner, ExCED Ayala Group the oldest family Institute, I want to personbusiness in the Philippines. “We ally thank all the participants try to ensure that the next gen- who graced the 2nd W+B Fameration leaders know that they ily Business Conference titled, “CAN FAMILY-RUN BUSINESSES LAST FOREVER: A Talk About Building 100 Year Old Enterprises,” last August 31 at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Resorts World Manila. Thank you to Panay News for the media support!

I hope that everyone found the conference informative and worthwhile. are not merely owners but also The primary goal of the forum stewards of the business. Each was to bring together Governnew generation should know ance leaders (Institute of Corpoearly on the difference between rate Directors), Wealth Preservaownership and stewardship. tion and Risk experts (Deloitte Ownership is like a possession; and Bank of Singapore) under stewardship is a fiduciary role.” one roof to discuss multi-genI have listed several key corpo- erational issues currently conrate governance metrics to guide fronting 92% of family-owned family members on the impor- and managed businesses in the tance of having that fiduciary Philippines. Our objective was to mindset (single-minded loyalty share powerful strategies related to the company): to Family and Corporate Govern• Succession ance practices and inspire eve• Dividend Policy over Rein- ryone by inviting a pragmatic vesting Enterprise-founder/CEO and • Most Deserving Qualities thought leader (Mr. William Tiu • Values / Culture Lim) who willingly and gener• Cost Control vs. Growth ously shared his vision and leg• Owners’ Commitment acy initiatives geared towards • Strategic Intent transforming the business he Family unity is critical for founded, Mega Global, to Cenbusiness continuity, when family tennial status (100-Year old). members bicker among themYour presence helped to make selves, the resulting shareholder this event a huge success, maksquabble could lead to the loss ing it the biggest gathering of of family jewels. JAZA explained family business leaders in years! that they must work to prove Rags to riches to ruin their worth to deserve someFew family corporations have thing. As part of their governPAGE D5

“ There may be other owners in the partnership from previous or succeeding family generations, but typically the ownership and leadership is concentrated among the siblings from the same generation.”

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Business groups back CITIRA with refinements

by LoueLLa

DesiDerio Philstar.com

BUSINESS groups have expressed support for the proposed second package of the government tax reform program, but noted the need to make refinements such as having fixed schedule on reduction in corporate income tax (CIT) rate and a reasonable transition period for firms paying taxes under the gross income earned (GIE) regime.

In a joint statement, the Bankers Association of the Philippines, Cebu Business Club, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Management Association of the Philippines, Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Tax Management Association of the Philippines, UP School of Economics Alumni Association and Women’s Business Council Philippines said they back the overall CIT framework proposed under the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) bill.

Under the bill, the government would be gradually reducing the CIT rate to 20 percent by 2029 from 30 percent, and rationalize

fiscal incentives.

Part of the changes under the CITIRA bill is to remove the five percent tax on GIE which firms registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority pay after utilizing income tax holidays.

“The lowering of the CIT rate from 30 percent to 20 percent, although over a long period of 10 years, will eventually put us within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) range. This will not only make us more competitive in attracting foreign investments, but it will also make our domestic corporates at par with their counterparts, thus making them more competitive as they expand their operations outbound under an integrated ASEAN market,” the groups said.

While the groups recognize that some sectors are against tightening tax incentives, they see the importance of having transparent, performance-based, targeted and time-bound grant of perks.

“We believe in the equitable sharing of tax burden, as we believe in the equitable enjoyment of living in an orderly, healthy, and prosperous society,” the groups said.

In addition, the groups said they also support enhancement and modernization of the tax reporting system through the use

of electronic sales reporting system, as such would reduce compliance costs.

While the groups support the CITIRA bill, it is proposing some refinements.

In particular, the groups said the scheduled CIT rate reduction should be fixed and not conditional.

The groups said they also welcome an acceleration of the rate reduction, should fiscal circumstances call for such action.

“Uncertainty is the biggest nightmare in doing business,” the groups said.

On the GIE, the groups propose that the government provides a reasonable fixed transition period for affected firms to enable them to adjust their operations and prevent dislocation.

The CITIRA bill provides a two to five-year transition period for firms, depending on how long they have been paying the GIE. Amid concerns raised by firms, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has said his agency would continue to push for providing a five-year to 10-year transition period.

The groups said they are also supportive of a one-stop shop approach for registered enterprises that would allow them to deal with only one tax agency to avoiding going through difficult processes and different rules of local government units. n

Optimism amid dark global economic...

PAGE D2 t rosier prospects. Philippine businesses were more upbeat than anywhere else in the region, with 84 percent of those polled being optimistic about the domestic economy.

Expectations for revenue and profit growth in the ASEAN midmarket, too, rose and were now among the highest globally.

“It’s important to heed the signs of volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets, but it’s also worth highlighting that local business leaders choose not to be paralyzed or get sidetracked by the grim possibilities,” P&A Grant Thornton chair and CEO Maria Victoria Espano said.

She also cited bigger capital spending, especially by the government, and the steady flow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers that continued to boost overall economic growth and optimism.

In September, a slowdown in

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the global economy and domestic investment prompted the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to offer a slightly lower economic growth forecast for the Philippines.

In an update of its flagship annual economic publication, the ADB changed its forecast for the country’s gross domestic product growth to 6 percent in 2019 and 6.2 percent in 2020, against earlier forecast of 6.4 percent for both years. The International Monetary

Fund has a slightly lower projection of 5.7 percent GDP in 2019, 6.2 percent in 2020, and 6.5 percent by 2024. The World Bank’s updated projection for 2019 is at 5.8 percent GDP growth.

Investor sentiment in the country was generally positive paired with a pickup in business confidence, as reflected in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ third-quarter consumer expectations survey. n

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Preparing for the ‘what ifs’ PAGE D3 t survived way beyond three generations -- a curse that summarizes the life cycle of a business from rags to riches and then ruin. In the three-generation effect, a family corporation usually starts with the patriarch establishing the company to provide for the family. The second generation inherits the business and grows it, then comes the third generation to squander it.

Studies show that seven out of ten affluent families will lose the family fortune by the end of the second generation. By the end of the third generation, nine out of ten of all affluent families have blown through the family wealth, and many have suffered terrible family strife.

Research indicates that family business failures can essentially be traced to several factors: Forbidden Issues. Lack of trust and misunderstandings in the family leads to conflict avoidance, lying, hiding things from each other.

Lack of meritocracy. The inability of next generation offspring to cultivate the requisite skills that match those needed by the current and future business environment Lack of clarity. The lack of planning and governance at the business, family and ownership levels Weak or misaligned values.

Lack of common understanding of what values the company and the family lives by, and wants to preserve An unfortunate lack of succession planning. Founders and owners are notoriously poor at planning for the future of their businesses. For one, death is not an easy subject to talk about; nor is retirement, especially for rugged individualist and entrepreneurs or their families.

A family business without a formal succession plan is asking for trouble. We often hear this statement from business leaders, “No doubt, my children are being groomed to lead the business eventually but they are too young and inexperienced to make critical decisions.” Family business leaders, particularly the founders, often neglect the issue of succession because they are so protective of the business they started.

Although they want their ventures to survive them and to pass the torch of leadership on to their children, they seldom support their intentions by a plan to

accomplish that goal. They just dream of continuing the business long after they’re gone but take no steps to make that dream a reality.

Family Code of Conduct: The missing link The business is an extension of the family and successful growth comes at a cost. As the enterprise grows in size and scale, it becomes increasingly hard for the leader to manage the business. Predictably, when the company reaches this phase, we can expect internal struggles among the children, conflicts, and challenges resulting from the complexity, bureaucracy and the competitive nature of the industry.

Sibling partnership: A make or break phase Business Families Foundation states that “A sibling partnership is a partnership of brothers and sisters who inherit – totally or in part – a family business developed by the previous generation. There may be other owners in the partnership from previous or succeeding family generations, but typically the ownership and leadership is concentrated among the siblings from the same generation. The most crucial challenges for a sibling partnership are to manage: entitlement and team leadership. Sibling partnerships often struggle with defining what they view as rights versus responsibilities and ownership versus stewardship of the business(es) and family assets.”

Over time, this natural transition and conflict (the shift over generations from founder to family owner/managers to cousin consortium) can strain family relationships. The family leader may impede growth because he or she does not have time to make all the necessary decisions. A number of skilled executives may be hired in response, which promotes the development of new cultures within the organization or only the children will manage which creates more conflict.

For the business to grow and remain competitive, institutionalizing behavior and reinforcing the organization with new talent becomes imperative. This is where a Family Code of Conduct or FCOC becomes a powerful enabler to safeguard the growth momentum. The latter is one critical and important document that most Asian Family enterprises sorely lack. Setting this aside can render a family constitution inoperable and useless.

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Why is a Code of Conduct important?

Fundamentally, it all boils down to the SPA (Structure, Policies, and Accountability). An FCOC is a set of rules that help manage possible conflicts that might happen. A well-written code provides clarity, imposes rules on family members that are correlated with standards of professional conduct. It also articulates the values the organization wishes to foster among leaders and family members that are active in the business. In doing so, it defines and regulates behavior of every family member.

Briefly, the main objectives of a FCOC are the following: • Formulates the Rules, Roles, Rights and Responsibilities and accountability of family members (4 R’s and A) • Identifies problems and solve them before they occur • Creates decision making simulations by ensuring that policy formation is informed and objective rather than made based on emotion • Reduce future family tension • Increase the likelihood of long term business and family success, survival, and prosperity • Strengthen the family with the experience in coming to an agreement Additionally, the code provides a set of rules and expectations into which an individual adheres to in compliance with his/her being a member of a family. It is essential for any type of family to prevent issues from arising and hostile situations from occurring among its members. The group dynamics is volatile which makes it very difficult to handle. An FCOC is necessary to establish a common ground among members who have differing points of views and needs.

In the end, a group that values a code of conduct will remain solid and resilient because there are constant elements being followed such as shared goals, family and work standards, scope and accepted behavior and disciplinary measures. *** Prof. Soriano is a National Agora Awardee for Marketing Excellence, an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author and Executive Director of ASEAN-based Consulting group, W+B Strategic Advisory. He has close to three decades of real estate experience and is currently the Program Director for Real Estate at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

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