092918 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 2, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 77 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

USA

DATELINE ICE arrests 150 people in Greater LA area operation FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

IN a massive immigration operation this week, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency targeted and arrested 150 undocumented immigrants, ICE announced on Wednesday, September 26.

The 3-day operation occurred from Sunday, Sept. 23-25 all over the Southland, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside counties. ICE officials cited sanctuary state laws that prevent “cooperation from local jails” which “is negatively impacting public safety.”

According to data provided by ICE, the arrestees included 76 from LA County, 34 in Orange County and 16 in Riverside County.

A majority of those in custody — 123 — hail from Mexico, and most of them were men (138 vs 12 women).

Immigration advocacy groups as well as some lawmakers have condemned ICE’s frequent presence in Southern California, and have even called for the abolition of the agency. Raids and operations have undertaken with heightened frequency, and many experts attribute that to President Donald u PAGE A5

PNP seeks to further relations with global Filipino community through new program IN an effort to connect with Filipinos all around the globe, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched the Global Police Community Relations (PCR) program.

According to the PNP PCR Group’s website, the program will allow Filipinos to report crimes from outside the Philippines and provides access to assistance from the PNP and “will truly help to promote and preserve peace and security not only within the country but all over the globe.”

“Our foremost concern in launching the Global PCR is to connect to all our kababayans abroad,” Chief Supt. Rhodel Sermonia said at an official launch of the program at the Philippine Consul General’s office in Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 21. “Or, in our own little way, we’ll be able to address their problems especially the emotional problems that they will encounter if their loved ones left in the Philippines are encountering also some emotional problems. u PAGE A5

Duterte admits EJKs as his only sin Palace: President was not serious when he made the statement’

by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, September 27 said that the “only sin” he has committed in his two years in power is ordering extrajudicial killings (EJKs).

“What are your sins? Me? I told the military ‘what are my sins?’ Did I steal money? Even just one peso?

the rampant drug abuse in the country.

“There are things that I have to do because I have to do it. Who will do it? You know, the police them, they said, before you Duterte, there was really no killing, no extrajudicial (killings). Look what happened,” Duterte said.

He noted that a lot of the drug users and pushers came clean and sur-

Did I prosecute somebody I sent to jail? Ang kasalanan ko lang yung mga extrajudicial killing (My only sin is extrajudicial killings),” Duterte admitted.

The tough-talking leader revealed his transgression before the new career executive service officers in Malacañang during their oath taking. He justified that killing criminals without a fair trial is necessary due to

rendered when he became president out of fear for their lives. For the president, that deemed as an effective approach.

“When I became president, I insisted in opening the records. Many thousands — hundreds of thousands came out. They are thin, all of them are thin, you saw them on TV,” he added.

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PH military denies plans to oust Duterte

by AJPRESS THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday, September 27, denied the claims that some of its officers are planning to oust President Rodrigo Duterte from office.

AFP Spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalos vowed that the Philippine military would remain professional and obedient to the 1987 Constitution “that it has sworn to uphold and to defend.”

“We will never allow ourselves in the ranks of the active service to take direct or indirect participation in any political actions against the present duly constituted authorities,” Arevalo said as reported by The Manila Times.

Military arm still supports Duterte Aside from AFP, the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Marine Corps all supposed ongoing recruitments in their respective commands to participate in the “Red October” plan supposedly involving the Liberal Party, the Magdalo group and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

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THE PRESIDENT’S MEN. President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año, and Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President during a meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday, September 27.

Malacañang photo by Toto Lozan

Philippines, US agree on more joint security activities in 2019

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

U.S. Navy Admiral Philip Davidson, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and General Carlito Galvez, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, sign agreements on security cooperation activities for 2019 at this year’s Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) Meeting on Thursday, September 27 at Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Photo by Donald Vinluan/PAO SAF

VIRAY

MANILA — The militaries of the Philippines and the United States have agreed to conduct 281 security cooperation activities next year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

This is more than the number of joint activities between the two militaries this year, according to the AFP, without mentioning how many activities were done in 2018.

The agreement on more cooperation activities was made as Gen. Carlito Galvez, AFP chief, and U.S. Navy Adm. Philip Davidson, U. S. Indo-Pacific Command commander, concluded the 2018 Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) meeting last Thursday, September 27.

“We have been doing this year after year

and yet there is still so much left to learn. We hope that this year would be another fruitful interaction that will lead to favorable outcome,” Galvez said in a statement.

‘Continued, robust relations’ The meeting between Galvez and Davidson resulted in a commitment of continued, robust relations between the Philippine and U.S. militaries, the AFP said in a statement.

The MDB and SEB work together to form a framework for defense and security cooperation between the countries.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have reaffirmed the commitment of the two countries to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) during the former’s recent visit to Washington.

In their meeting, the two top government

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City of Carson preps for Fil-Am History Month festivities Federalism sidelined for now Four free weekend events lined up for the month long celebration

by RAE

City of Carson community members and leaders of the city discussed what attendees could expect during the upcoming Fil-Am History Month in October.

AJPress photo by Mark Xavier Bautista

ANN VARONA

AJPress

THE City of Carson has been gearing up for a month long celebration of Filipino American history. At the Carson Community Center on Tuesday, September 25, community members and leaders of the city and the Fil-Am community gave a preview of what attendees could expect during the upcoming Fil-Am History Month in October.

“The City of Carson is proud to partner with Filipino community organizations to bring everyone a month-long Filipino-American

celebration,” said City of Carson Mayor Albert Robles in a statement ahead of the celebration preview.

“We are filled with pride to have this annual event in Carson and honored to have been instrumental in the movement to get October 25th recognized as Larry Itliong Day throughout California and officially have it as a holiday in the City of Carson,” said Robles.

Speaking at the Tuesday evening event, Alex Cainglet, member of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce and a

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to address inflation, says Palace

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA – Other matters, including Charter change are sidelined for now as the Philippine government is addressing inflation in the country, Malacañang said on Thursday, September 27.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Duterte administration acknowledges the need to prioritize addressing the rising prices of commodities.

“Of course, right now the foremost priority of the administration is fighting inflation so everything is sidelined now because

we did not really expect the sudden increase in prices of crude and petroleum,” Roque said in a press briefing.

A recent Pulse Asia survey found that a sizeable majority of Filipinos want the administration to immediately address inflation.

The country’s inflation rose to 6.4 percent in August, hitting a nine-year high as oil and rice prices jumped.

“The whole economic, including the Department of Agriculture and other departments, is active to give solution to rising

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A September 29-OctOber 2, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

PH military denies plans to...

PAGE A1 t Army spokesman Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva assured that no officer or soldier had been monitored to be involved in plans to oust the president.

“There is no reason for us to lose our loyalty. When you say loyalty, of course, [we refer]to the Constitution. We work for the Constitution, we work for the sovereignty of the state, we are always sticking to that,” Villanueva

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From the Front Page

said.

He that the 96,000-strong army was also supportive of the Duterte administration.

Navy spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata stated that none of their activities are in any way associated with removing Duterte from office.

“As what the [military]chief of staff said, these rumors should not be dismissed outright, but as I mentioned, I haven’t heard of any AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

rumors of recruitment or anyone being recruited within the Navy’s ranks,” Zata said.

Air Force spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang Jr. said that his Air Force troopers were very grateful to the president for boosting their morale through the support they have been receiving in his administration.

“With all the platforms we have been receiving and the ongoing modernization program, our troops and officers, we are all focused on the modernization program of the Air Force,” Galang said.

Philippine Marines spokesperson Capt. Jerber Belonio still pledged the Marines’ loyalty to the Constitution despite reports that some Marine personnel and officers were getting haircuts to sympathize with Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, the former Navy officer whose amnesty was revoked

by President Duterte.

“So far, nothing out of the ordinary is happening here,” he said.

Palace urges the military to work with NBI Palace spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Thursday, September 27 urged the military to work together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) by sharing intel on the supposed “Red October” ouster plot against Duterte.

“It is the mandate of the NBI and law enforcement agents to investigate and look into every possible crime that may happen.

So, if the military has intelligence information, I hope they can share it with the NBI so we can know whom to punish,” Roque said.

On Monday, September 24, Duterte expressed his disappointment upon hearing rumors that some of the military officers were working together with the Liberal Party to remove him from office. n

PDEA MASCOTS. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino (2nd from right) poses with the PDEA mascots Agent Phed, Buster 2.0 and Agent Eyah at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City on Friday, September 28.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Duterte admits EJKS as...

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the war on drugs has killed 4,854 drug suspects. However, human rights groups claimed that the death toll is more than 12,000 as reported by The Manila Times.

‘President was just being playful’ In defending the president, Malacañang used the oft-repeated explanation that Duterte was not serious when he made the statement.

“Well, alam mo naman si presidente, ano. Hindi na naman iyan seryoso ‘no. Sinasabi lang niya iyan, kasi nga palaging sinasabi iyan ang ginagawa niya ano (You know the president.

He wasn’t serious. He was just saying that because that’s what [critics] always say he does, no?),” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a radio interview Friday, September 28.

Roque noted that Duterte was only “being himself, being playful” and “highlighting the point that he is not corrupt.”

“I don’t think na ang konteksto niyan ay literal (I don’t think the context of that is literal),” he said.

Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the president meant that the only issue against him was the spate of extrajudicial killings under his leadership.

Duterte claps back at EJK critics The president then criticized International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for their investigation on the bloody war on drugs.

“Eh ‘yang extrajudicial killing naman, itong mga ulol, lalo na ‘yung, itim na sino ‘yun, sabi ko, ‘wag ka, ihampas ko sa ulo mo ‘yung prosecutor na ‘yan (That extrajudicial killing, these fools, especially the black person, whoever, I’ll hit the head of that prosecutor),” Duterte said.

He reiterated that the international court will not have jurisdiction over him, “not in a million years.”

“Why would we be answering? Why, who are they? And who are you to interfere in the way I would run my country?

You know very well that we are being swallowed by drugs,” he added.

Duterte also attacked Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan for

his criticism against the said extrajudicial killings. He assured the Liberal party leader that he won’t win in the elections.

“Ito naman si pontifical Pangilinan, akala mo walang kasalanan kung magsalita, siya pa ‘yung presidente ng Liberal. Tingnan mo pati siya hindi manalo ‘yan (This pontifical Pangilinan, you, you think he has no sins from the way he speaks, and he’s the president of the Liberal Party.

You’ll see, he won’t win),” said Duterte.

In February, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. announced that the administration is willing to be interrogated should there be an investigation by the United Nations into the alleged drugrelated killings.

However, Duterte in a speech ordered uniformed personnel to keep their mouth shut when being asked by those who might investigate.

“I have announced before that I have your back. When it comes to human rights or any rapporteur inviting you, do not answer. Do not bother,” Duterte ordered. (With reports from Inquirer.net)

DATELINE USA

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City of Carson preps for Fil-Am History... Governor signs bill expanding dual language immersion programs PAGE A1 t

member of the event planning commission shared the celebration’s significance in Carson which has been celebrating FilAm History month since 2011.

“Carson is the only city that we know of in California that celebrates a whole month dedicated to Filipino American History Month which includes, as many of you know, the Larry Itliong Day celebration,” said Cainglet.

“The City of Carson has a paid holiday on behalf of Larry Itliong Day. No city does that,” Cainglet added.

Carson has been celebrating Larry Itliong Day annually since Filipino city councilman Elito Santarina acknowledged the city as the first in the U.S. to hold Larry Itliong Day in 2010. The holiday is held on the labor leader’s October 25 birthday.

Kicking off the month-long series of four free weekend events will be the wreath-laying at the Philippine national hero D. Jose P. Rizal monument at the Carson International Sculpture Garden on Saturday, October 6.

Immediately following the wreath laying will be kick off speeches by Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, Southern California Pilipinx American Student Alliance (SCPASA) Chairperson Kamille Magante, and Santarina who authored the Carson Filipino American History Month. The event’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Mary Talusan-Lacanlale, a scholar of Filipino American history and heritage, and professor of Asian Pacific Studies at local California State University Dominguez Hills.

Awards will also be presented to seven outstanding FilipinoAmericans: Florante Ibañez, Rose Ibañez, and Arturo Garcia for Community Leadership; Paolo

Roca and Matheo Leuterio for Youth Achievement; and LCDR Edgardo Labao (ret.) and Deputy Melvin Castro for Heroism.

The Fil-Am History Month celebration will also include a dance group competition called “FilAms Got Talent” on Saturday, October 13 at the Southbay Pavilion Mall in which top dancers will receive over $2,000 in total cash prizes.

On Saturday, October 20, two events will be held, starting with the Leyte Landing Commemoration and Walkathon at the Carson Community Center to commemorate the 74th Anniversary of the Leyte Landing in which Filipino and American leaders General Douglas MacArthur, former Philippine President Sergio Osmeña, and Brigadier General Carlos P. Romulo landed near the Leyte capital of Tacloban City, Philippines during World War II. In the afternoon, festivities will be moved to the Southbay Pavilion Mall for the Fil-Am Medical, Health, Sports and Wellness Day. Physicians, dietitians, professional chefs, insurance providers, and other vendors and professionals will be available to the community to answer questions and concerns on medical, wellness, health, and sports.

Winding up the Fil-Am History Month festivities on Saturday, October 27 will be the 9th annual commemoration of the Larry Itliong Day at the Veterans Park. The celebration finale will include a parade of numerous Filipino organizations, followed by a variety program of speakers, performances, awards, and a Larry Itliong poster contest for kindergarten to 12th grade students.

Special speakers at the Larry Itliong Day celebration will include Larry Itliong’s son Johnny

Janice Jimenez

Dr Jenny Batongmalaque

Alex Cainglet

Elito Santarina AJPress photos by Mark Xavier Bautista

Itliong, and Mexican labor leader Cesar Chavez’ son, Fernando Chavez. Roger Gadiano, a Vietnam veteran and former grape field crew supervisor, will also give a speech on the importance of the 1965 Delano Grape Strike.

A posthumous award will also be presented to the late Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon who passed away last August 10 at the age of 46. Mabalon was an activist, Filipino-American historian, and history professor at the San Francisco State University.

Among her most notable works and achievements were her 2013 book titled “Little Manila is in the Heart,” and her co-founding of the Little Manila Foundation in Stockton, California.

Other finale event awardees will include Ivy Quicho who has been involved in the labor movement for over a decade, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) which represents primarily dock workers along the West Coast.

Presenting the Fil-Am History Month events on Tuesday night were Dr. Jenny Batongmalaque, Evelyn Andamo, Frederick Docodil, and Janice Jimenez of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of South Bay Los Angeles Area. ■

SACRAMENTO – AB 2514, authored by Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond), supports the creation and expansion of dual language immersion programs in schools. The bill passed out of both legislative houses with bipartisan support and was signed by the Governor yesterday.

“22 percent of our public school students are English learners,” Thurmond said. “Our school districts need more resources to support these students. This bill gives schools the tools to develop programming proven to improve student learning and student success.”

There are over 1.3 million English learners (EL) in California.

These students often face language barriers, requiring services tailored to their needs. EL students benefit from dual language instruction that helps them learn in both English and their native language. Pupils that are enrolled in dual language programs perform better academically, gain more confidence, and possess greater cultural awareness.

“California leads the nation in honoring our students for their proficiency in English and another language with the State Seal of Biliteracy,” said, Shelly SpiegelColeman, Executive Director of Californians Together. “With the passage of AB 2514 (Thurmond) we will again lead in supporting new and expanding multilingual programs preschool through 12th grade. The linguistic and academic achievements of California’s students contribute to the future of communities across our state.”

AB 2514 establishes the Pathways to Success Incentive Program to be administered by the California Department of Education. The three-year program will annually award grants of up to $300,000 to school districts and county offices of education to assist in establishing or expanding dual language immersion programs, developmental programs for ELs, or establishing early learning dual language learner programs.

In support, State Superintendent of Public Education Tom

Torlakson said, “Numerous studies show that fluency in another language boosts students’ mental flexibility and enhances their ability to learn all subjects. This legislation will give more students the opportunity to become fluent in a world language by making it easier for districts to launch Dual Language Immersion programs, allowing students to start learning a world language in kindergarten. I thank the governor for signing the bill and Assemblyman Tony Thurmond for writing this important legislation.”

The California Association for Bilingual Education and Californians Together were the cosponsors of this bill. The California School Boards Association, California Language Teachers Association, and the AVID Center were in support of this bill.

Assemblymember Tony Thurmond represents the 15th Assembly District, comprised of the cities of Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Hercules, Kensington, Piedmont, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo, Tara Hills, and a portion of Oakland.

US: ASEAN committed to counter ‘unilateral’ actions in South China Sea

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MEMBER states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have committed to uphold the rule of law in resolving the South China Sea dispute, a U.S. Department of State official said.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan said all ASEAN countries acknowledge that there are disputed claims in the South China Sea. Sullivan recently co-chaired the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, along with Laos Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

“I would say that there is consensus, a commitment by ASEAN and the United States to the rule of law, the Law of the Sea treaty, that that should govern these claims, disputed claims to the South China Sea, and not unilateral actions by one country to develop features in the South China Sea and, even worse, to militarize them,” Sullivan said in a press briefing in New York on Thursday, September 27.

The deputy secretary added that ASEAN countries are looking forward to a resolution of the overlapping claims under the norms of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In July 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a landmark ruling, which concluded that Beijing violated its commitment under the UNCLOS when it constructed artificial islands in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

China’s so-called nine-dash line claim over the South China overlaps the claims of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“We want international law to be followed and for there to be a peaceful process, not a unilateral decision by one country, to resolve those claims, which involve a number of different countries – Philippines, Vietnam, et cetera, Malaysia,” Sullivan said.

Beijing, on the other hand, has been refusing to acknowledge

the arbitral ruling and insisted that it has indisputable sovereignty over the contested waterway.

“And our opposition to what the Chinese Government has done in the South China Sea is not because we think we’re making a determination that China does or does not have a claim to a particular feature of the South China Sea,” Sullivan said.

China has reportedly installed anti-cruise ship missiles, surfaceto-air missiles and electronic jamming equipment on its “big three” islands in the South China Sea — Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs — which are also being claimed by the Philippines.

Washington has been consistent on its position to reject Beijing’s territorial claims and has been insisting that its military will “continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows at times and places of our choosing.”

The U.S. recently flew nuclear-capable B-52 bombers in the

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A September 29-OctOber 2, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

Filipino clerk pleads guilty of filming roommates in shower An unnAmed 41-year-old Filipino clerk admitted he installed a GoPro camera to film his Filipino flatmates in the shower, in dubai, united Arab emirates.

The clerk pleaded guilty to the charge of molesting and breaching the modesty of his female roommates at the dubai Court of First Instance last Thursday, September 20, as reported by Gulf News. A ruling on the charges will be heard on October 8. “during questioning, the suspect admitted that he had filmed his flatmates naked in the shower,” an unnamed police corporal told the prosecutors, the report stated. “When asked why he did so, he alleged that he used to

film them nude and watch the content to please his sexual desires.”

Apparently, the camera was discovered in the ceiling of their washroom by one of the clerk’s roommates in August. She, unnamed also in the report along with her fellow female roommates, immediately made her discovery known to them. They then decided to take the camera down on their own.

When they removed the camera’s memory card to inspect its content, they stumbled upon videos of themselves naked in the shower, the report said. They confronted the clerk who admitted to installing the said camera.

The clerk assured them that

there were no more images and so his roommates decided to forgive him instead of reporting him to the authorities. However, one of his roommates browsed the content of the memory card the day after they spotted the camera and learned that he had been filming them longer than they had initially thought.

It turns out that the clerk started filming them from december 2017, amassing more than 100 videos and images of them naked, the report stated. Because of their findings, they decided to forego their initial resolution to forgive their flatmate, proceeding to file their complaint against him. (Kate Matriano/Inquirer.net)

UNICEF calls Sotto’s proposal lowering criminal liability ‘giant leap backward’

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

InSTeAd of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the government should improve the implementation of the existing juvenile law.

The united nations Children’s Fund stressed this point Thursday, expressing strong opposition to the proposal of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto to lower the age of criminal respon-

sibility to 13 years old from the current 15. earlier this week, Sotto filed Senate Bill 2026, which amends several sections of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. unICeF called the senator’s proposal a “giant leap backward.”

“To brand children as criminals removes the responsibility and accountability from adults who have failed them. Children

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Fil-Am biochemistry major receives CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement

Cal State LA student Janiella Cuala plans to develop a mentoring program in Guam for students interested in a STEM career

WHen she was growing up in Guam, Janielle Cuala’s favorite subject was science. But her family didn’t consider that an appropriate field for a woman, so she set out to earn a degree in nursing.

But her passion for science and research proved so strong that she changed her field of study, even though that meant she would have to pay her own way through college.

Cuala is now a biochemistry major at Cal State LA, and one of 23 students statewide to receive the 2018 California State university (CSu) Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement—the CSu’s highest recognition of student achievement and scholarship.

“It’s really exciting. Receiving this scholarship will help me focus on school and research rather than worrying about financial issues,” said Cuala. “I am proud

in conflict with the law are victims of circumstance, mostly because of poverty and because they are not able to access a caring, nurturing and protective environment,” it said. unICeF added: “By lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility, syndicate groups who exploit children into committing crimes for them, will instead use and abuse even younger children to commit their wrongdoings.” unICeF stressed that already disadvantaged children should be protected, not detained. under the proposed measure, children above nine years old to 12 years old would be deemed neglected under the Child and Youth Welfare Code if they commit serious crimes such as parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and homicide. They would be placed within a youth care facility or Bahay Pag-asa.

“A 12-year-old child is not yet even a teenager. A nine-year-old child has not yet even reached the standard age of puberty.

These ages are too young and exposing them to the harshness of the criminal justice system, where even adults are rightly intimidated, is a grave wrongdoing,” the body said.

Child Rights International network earlier said Sotto’s proposal will only draw more children into the criminal justice system instead of addressing the issue. n SFC Anthony Bustamante

Janielle Cuala.

to represent minorities, women and people from Guam trying to pursue a career in the STem fields.”

Cuala was honored for her superior academic performance,

Photo by J. Emilio Flores/Cal State LA

exemplary community service, and significant personal accomplishments during the CSu Board of Trustees meeting in September. She was awarded

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US Army Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion performs change of command ceremony u.S. ARmY Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion Commander, LTC Patrick Flood presided over the change of command ceremony from Captain Tifani Summers to Captain miguel diaz at the museum of military History in Simi Valley on Wednesday, September 19.

Captain Summers served in Los Angeles for two years and has done a tremendous job connecting with the local community. She recently accepted a position into the Public Affairs Brand and will be attending school at The defense Information School (dInFOS), Ft. meade in maryland before being stationed in Korea.

Captain diaz, who grew up in east Los Angeles, will be taking over the Ventura Recruiting Company. Captain diaz enlisted in the u.S. marines Corps as an infantryman in 2003. In 2010, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Adjutant General Corps from the Army’s Officer Candidate School in FT Benning, GA. He has served in various locations and duty positions across the continental united states and has amassed several distinctions throughout his career.

Working with Captain diaz is SFC Anthony Bustamante, a Filipino-American recruiter based in Tarzana. He can assist in answering questions about college opportunities through the u.S. Army.

In his speech, Commander, LTC Flood quoted former u.S. President Theodore Roosevelt saying: “The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”

He also swore in some future soldiers. Lunch was served at the reception for local dignitaries, families, friends and supporters. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 29-OctObER 2, 2018

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Nietes wants former super flyweight champs next after controversial draw with Palicte

by Josef

Ramos ManilaTimes.net

TRIBUTE TO WOMEN LEADERS. Senate President Vicente Sotto III pays tribute to the work and legacy of the late Senator Geronima Pescon in advancing women’s rights and causes during his speech at the 60th Founding Anniversary of the Federation of Asia Pacific Women’s Association (FAWA) on Thursday, September 27. Sotto said as the country’s first female senator, Pecson initiated the creation of FAWA, which has contributed to cultural understanding, harmony and peace in the region. “Her foresight, intelligence and leadership have opened doors and paved the way for countless other women in the region to hone their talents and skills and use these to improve society,� Sotto said.

Senate photo by Jun David

officials discussed mutual defense and security challenges. “Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Lorenzana discussed cooperation on addressing regional security challenges, including the militarization of the South China Sea and the threats posed by terrorism and efforts to achieve denuclearization in North Korea,� U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

The U.S. Secretary of State also conveyed Washington’s willingness to extend support to

the modernization of the AFP. Aside from the MDT, Manila has two more standing military agreements with Washington — the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The present relationship between the Philippine and American militaries veer away from President Rodrigo Duterte’s previous hostility toward the U.S. ‘Balikatan’ exercises When he first assumed office in 2016, Duterte declared an end to the annual Balikatan

ICE arrests 150 people in...

PAGE A1 t Trump’s tightening of immigration policies and practices.

Thomas Giles, acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in LA, said he wanted to clarify “the misconception that ICE goes out there and does random raids and sweeps and just picks people up� and that the 150 in custody were “targeted,� he told reporters outside the Federal Building in downtown LA. Giles condemned the sanctuary state bill, SB 54, for hindering federal immigration agencies’ efforts in capturing criminals who are undocumented. SB 54 prohibits state and local law enforcement from handing over information or aiding federal immigration agencies, including allowing access to local jails.

As a result of that mandate, “we have to go out in the communities to find these people — and it puts community members and officers at risk,� Gilles said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) recently went under fire for allowing ICE into its county jail facilities,

but LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said that the the decision to allow ICE agents into the jail facilities of the LASD was to keep ICE out of the streets.

By allowing these agents entrance into jail facilities to target the specific offenders they are searching for, it prevents ICE from detaining any additional undocumented immigrants on the streets. “By doing that we were hopeful that would prevent ICE from having to go into the community to locate the person they could’ve taken into custody in a jail environment without risk to anybody else and in an orderly fashion,� McDonnell told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. “[ICE agents] could potentially, not only arrest the individual they’re looking for, but if there are additional undocumented people in the environment, they’re potentially subject to investigation and deportation as well, and many of them would be people working hard and trying to make a living. We didn’t want to subject them to that,�

McDonnell explained. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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judges. He claimed that he hit Nietes several times during the fight. “Ang tingin ko nga sa fight namin split decision at panalo ako.

Tumatama ako eh pero okay na ako sa decision ng mga judges na draw. Bahala na sila (Nietes) Kung gusto pa nila ako labanan,�

Palicte told The Manila Times in separate interview. “Nasa WBO na yan at sa promoter kung sino makakalaban ko basta maghahanda lang ako.�

Palicte said his next fight — whether it’s a rematch with Nietes or against any opponent — may happen in February or March of 2019. “Kung ayaw nila lumaban bahala sila kasi No. 2 pa rin naman ako (in WBO super flyweight rating). Anytime laban ako,� he said. n

PNP seeks to further relations with global Filipino...

PAGE A1 t

In essence, the Global PCR seeks to improve communication between the police force and Filipinos everywhere. The joint military exercises between program has a crucial social Philippine and U.S. troops. media component that will The joint military exercises make it easier for Filipinos to in 2017 were toned down and submit tips to the PNP. focused on humanitarian and Since the election of Philipdisaster response, contrary to pine President Rodrigo Duterte the previous year’s drills that in- and his violent campaign on ilcluded maritime defense drills. legal drugs, the PNP has come The exercises this year, how- under intense international ever, focused on mutual defense scrutiny for its role in killing and counterterrorism, which drug suspects in neighborhood also included lessons learned raids. According to Balitang from the Marawi siege. n America, Filipinos who attend-

Philippines, US agree on more joint security...

PAGE A1 t

DONNIE “Ahas� Nietes wants to fight next super flyweight’s big names like former world champions Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua and Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico.

The three-division world champion also said that he was not interested in having a rematch with fellow Filipino Aston Palicte after their September 8 world title bout in the U.S. for the vacant World Boxing Organization super flyweight belt ended in a controversial draw. “Gusto ko sana makalaban kahit kanino kina Juan Francisco Estrada at Roman Gonzalez. Dapat [world] title fight ito kasi ako naman ang No. 1 sa WBO pero sa ngayon hindi ko pa alam sa WBO

kung ano ang magiging desisyon nila,� Nietes, 36, told The Manila Times in a phone interview. “Ready lang ako kung gusto pa rin nila bigyan ng pagkakataon si Palicte pero gusto ko sana sila Gonzalez at Estrada na,� added Nietes, who remains convinced that he won the fight clearly. “Maganda naman ang ipinakita namin ni Palicte sa judge lang nagkaproblema.�

Nietes (41-1-5 win-loss-draw record with 23 knockouts) will return to training next month while waiting for the next move of his promoter and the WBO. “So far wala naman tayo injury pasa lang.�

But on the side of Palicte (242-1 record with 20 knockouts), the boxer from Bago City, Negros Occidental said he was satisfied with the decision of the

ed Friday’s launch and who have relatives and loved ones back in the Philippines expressed concern over the crime rates in certain barangays, or neighborhoods.

The United Nations and Amnesty International are among the most prominent human rights advocates that have condemned Duterte’s ruthless drug war which has claimed the lives of thousands of suspects and civilians without granting them due process of law.

Sermonia said that the program will not only work to efficiently prevent crimes, but it

will also display law enforcement’s efforts in drug rehabilitation measures, too. “Of course another objective [is] to show all our kababayans all over the world that the Philippine government under the leadership of our President Duterte is again coming up with a very strong program which is taping malasakit, or shall we say courage and compassion program, and would like to show to you this global PCR that another malasakit more than 10 million Filipinos all over the world.� (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

A September 29-OctOber 2, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

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

Philippine Embassy and fylPro select 2018 delegates WAShINGTON, D.C. — The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative of the Philippine embassy under the leadership of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), is pleased to announce the 2018 FYLPRO Delegates: Amanda Bantug (Washington, DC), Baron Cabalona (Chicago), Anthony Dela Rosa (Miami), Lauren Lalicon (New Jersey), Catherine Luib (San Diego), Charlynne Mae McGinnis (honolulu), Melissa Palma (Chicago), Joshua Price (Maumalle), Brian Tajo (San Francisco) and Meriden Villanueva (Los Angeles).

The ten leaders have carried out inspiring work in their communities driven by their passions for the Filipino culture

and the advancement of Philippine interests and advocacies in the United States. They now join a prestigious network of 70 young, Filipino-American leaders across the nation to collaborate, exchange ideas, and continue to inspire a wave of diplomatic innovation.

The 2018 FYLPRO delegates will be traveling in a week-long Immersion trip to Manila, Philippines this November and be provided with the opportunity to interact with Philippine Government officials and leaders in the fields of business, arts and culture, and civil society.

“Our family has grown and I am beyond honored to lead amongst exceptional peers,” said Dondi Leonidas Quintans, FYLPRO president. “We are thrilled to welcome the 2018 Delegates into our program

and to show them a side of the Philippines only a select few are privileged to experience.

We hope our future partnerships will lead to collaborative, imaginative, community-driven, and long-lasting advocacies between the Philippines and the United States.”

“It was not without difficulty that we selected the 2018 delegates among many outstanding applications. But it gives me great pride to know through the FYLPRO selection process just how talented, driven and inspiring the young leaders of the Filipino diaspora community are,” said Ambassador Romualdez. “I am confident that this year’s cohort will substantially contribute to the strength of the program and reaffirm the enduring bonds between the Philippines and the United States,” he added. n

US: ASEAN committed to counter ‘unilateral’...

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South China Sea and east China Sea as part of “regularly scheduled operations.”

“So there’s nothing out of the ordinary about it, nor about our ships sailing through there,” De-

fense Secretary Jim Mattis said.

Beijing, on the other hand, considered Washington’s fly-by over South China Sea airspace as “provocative.”

“As for the provocative actions taken by the U.S. military aircraft

in the South China Sea, we are firmly against them and will continue to take necessary measures in response to these actions,” Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang said. n

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ANGARA PUSHES FOR BOOKS TO REMAIN TAX-FREE. On Wednesday, September 26, Senator Sonny Angara has assured that his committee will not touch any provision that grants incentives and tax exemptions to the book publishing industry.

Senate photo

ICC chief ignores critics, says work continues

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

The head of the International Criminal Court (ICC) maintained that the Court cannot be distracted by critics and would continue to do its work.

ICC head Judge Chile eboeOsuji pointed out that there are more conflicts in the world today than in 1998, when the Rome Statute established the ICC to address genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. he also urged countries to focus on why the Rome Statue was adopted.

“We cannot be distracted, by whatever reasons some people feel irritated by what the Court does,” eboe-Osuji said.

In March, President Duterte announced the Philippines’ pull out from the Rome Statute that created the ICC after the tribunal announced it would initiate a preliminary examination of alleged crimes against humanity under his war on drugs.

The ICC expressed regret over the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute and encouraged the country to remain part of the ICC. A withdrawal, the ICC said, has no impact on ongoing proceedings or any matter which was already under consideration by the Court prior to the date on which the withdrawal became effective nor on the status of any judge serving at the Court. eboe-Osuji said that everyone should keep in mind that there are strong systems in place

around the Rome Statue that ensures that there is no unfair prosecution against anyone. “humanity cries for justice, adding that no country can do it alone. The world needs a collective effort to solve collective problems,” he said.

The ICC said it remains committed to its independent mandate to help end impunity in a complementary manner with states and contribute to the prevention of future atrocities.

The ICC was officially notified on March 19 by the United Nations that the Philippines deposited on March 17 a written notification of withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty, with the United Nations Secretary-General as the depositary of the Statute.

Withdrawing from the Rome Statute is a sovereign decision, which is subject to the provisions of Article 127 of that Statute, that becomes effective one year after the deposit of notice of withdrawal to the UN Secretary-General.

The Court stressed that the participation of states in the Rome Statute and their continued support for the ICC in the discharge of its independent and impartial mandate is essential to global efforts to ensure accountability and strengthen the international rule of law.

The Philippines ratified the Rome Statute on Aug. 30, 2011 and the statute took effect Nov. 1, 2011.

Petitions were filed before the Supreme Court to invalidate the country’s withdrawal from the

ICC head Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji

ICC following Duterte’s order, since the Senate did not concur through a two-thirds vote.

The ICC president deflected the significance of remarks reportedly made by U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton earlier this month, that the ICC was an illegitimate court.

In response to Bolton’s reported remarks indicating that the U.S. would be prepared to ban ICC judges and prosecutors from entering the country should a proposed investigation into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan proceed, the judge responded that it was unfortunate that kind of threat was made, but again stressed the importance of focusing on the Rome Statute.

The U.S. is not a party to the ICC and has consistently opposed an international court that could hold U.S. military and political leaders to a uniform global standard of justice.

The U.S. underscored it has a strong and independent judicial system and recognizes that “every situation is different.” n

federalism push sidelined to address...

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prices (of commodities), however, we do not really have a solution on the rising price of oil and other goods,” Roque said.

The Malacañang spokesman added that the inflation issue is relatively “new” as prices of goods only spiked due to a hike in oil prices.

Gov’t not abandoning federal-

ism Roque clarified that the government is not abandoning its efforts for the proposed shift to federalism while it is prioritizing to address the rising prices of commodities.

“We are not abandoning federalism. We will get there but we know that we need more discussions, more studying and more

(information) dissemination that we have to do for federalism,” Roque said.

The same Pulse Asia survey found that changing the Constitution was the least urgent national concern for Filipinos.

Among 1,800 respondents nationwide, only 3 percent said charter change should be an urgent national concern. n

fil-Am biochemistry major receives CSU...

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$6,000 and named a SoCalGas Scholar.

“Ms. Cuala is an incredibly focused and determined student,” Cal State LA President William A. Covino said. “Upon completing her Ph.D., she plans to return to Guam and help others pursue careers in science. I am certain Ms. Cuala will make contributions that will reflect well on the California State University.”

As a child, Cuala enjoyed conducting experiments and participating in school science fairs.

She remembers being fascinated by a can-crushing experiment, which demonstrated the science of water vapor pressure.

But there were few opportunities for STeM enthusiasts in Guam, and Cuala felt obligated to please her parents by studying nursing.

When she wound up living in Los Angeles, 6,000 miles from her home, she enrolled in Los Angeles City College and was introduced to the Bridges to the Future Program, which is part of the Minority Opportunities in Research (MORe) Programs at Cal State LA. The ten weeks of scientific research the summer program offered solidified her passion and confirmed her career path.

Cuala never knew what it meant to actually conduct research until that point. “This was exactly what I wanted to do in biochemistry,” she said. “I am so thankful for Professor Cecilia Zurita-Lopez for being my research mentor.”

That summer led her to transfer to Cal State LA through the MORe Research Initiative for Scientific enhancement program, where she continued her research in Zurita-Lopez’s lab.

She excelled in her coursework

and research and was accepted in the university’s Minority Access to Research Careers-Undergraduate Student Training for Academic Research honors program.

MARC U*STAR helps prepare undergraduate students to successfully compete for positions in top graduate programs, leading to a Ph.D. in scientific fields useful to biomedical research.

A Dean’s List student, Cuala is currently conducting research with Zurita-Lopez on cellular signaling, such as modifications on proteins to find potential drugs to treat diseases.

She is in her senior year and on her way to completing her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. her goal is to earn a doctorate, become a research scientist and serve as a role model for students in Guam who are interested in the STeM fields.

“I want to go back to Guam to create a mentoring program, like the MORe Programs, to help future students achieve a Ph.D. or career in STeM,” she said.

In the summer of 2017, Cuala was accepted into the highlycompetitive WAVe Fellows program at Caltech, where she created potential biomaterials for tissue engineering through chemical engineering of artificial proteins.

This past summer, she returned to Caltech as an Amgen Scholar focusing on immunology research, specifically T-cell development. “having opportunities at Cal State LA and off-campus to do intensive biochemical research has given me the opportunity to translate what I learn in the classroom to my research in the lab,” Cuala said.

In addition to her research,

Cuala is vice president for the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club at Cal State LA, where she coordinated outreach events for children to encourage interest in science and inspire them to go to college. She has also volunteered in National Chemistry Week activities and assisted other students as a chemistry tutor.

The CSU Trustees’ Award scholarship program was originally established in 1984 by the William Randolph hearst Foundation. In 1999, the hearst Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to supplement the endowment with contributions from CSU Trustees, the CSU Foundation Board of Governors, and private donors. Today, more than 340 students have been honored.

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 28,000 students and has more than 245,000 distinguished alumni.

Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA. edu. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 29-OctObER 2, 2018

A

Dateline PPricehiliPPines surges major concern among Filipinos, says poll by aJPress

TEACHERS PROTEST. Teachers’ Dignity Coalition National chairperson Benjo Basas (2nd from right) and public school teachers seek reforms in their benefits and workload during a press conference at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Wednesday, September 26. The teachers are asking for simplified lesson preparations and implementation of the six-hour workday, among others.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

DOJ: More Magdalo men may face arrest by aJPress THeRe is a possibility that more former mutineers from the Magdalo group, who were granted amnesty by the previous administration, might have their amnesty like Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV revoked.

This was hinted by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday, September 26, when he revealed that a review on the amnesty given to Magdalo soldiers has started.

According to Guevarra, voiding the amnesty for the other Magdalo members is a possibility he cannot preempt.

“That’s the matter being reviewed by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) people — to check whether the other members of the group, the Magdalo group, might have also not complied. So I’m not preempting them, but my understanding is that their cases might be reviewed or opened,” he said on the sidelines of the celebration of the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s 121st anniversary.

“We cannot take away that risk that they’re found to be deficient or non-compliant with the requirements for amnesty. Then any other person who might

not have complied may suffer the same situation as Senator Trillanes,” he added.

The ongoing review on the amnesty grant for other Magdalo members, Guevarra said, is proof that Trillanes is not being singled out by the government.

The DOJ chief explained, “We cannot say the government is picking on him, no, and being selective. Just so happened that he’s the most vocal and he’s the leader of the pack, so to speak.

So, it was just natural, if not logical, to start with him.”

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator Nicanor Faeldon — who are currently on the opposing sides of the political spectrum — are among the Magdalo soldiers granted immunity by former president Benigno Aquino III. The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150’s decision to issue the arrest warrant and hold departure order on Trillanes was welcomed by Guevarra.

It was an affirmation of the DOJ’s position that Proclamation No. 572 has reopened the coup d’etat and rebellion cases against Trillanes despite Makati RTC’s earlier dismissal of the case, Guevarra stressed.

“By the very fact that the trial courts accepted the motions and deliberated the motions, that by itself is already a recognition by the court that it continues to have jurisdiction over the subject matter and even over the persons or the accused,” he said.

Guevarra also said they are expecting Makati RTC Branch 148 to rule on the prosecutors’ motion for issuance of arrest warrant and HDO against Trillanes within the week.

The coup d’etat case, unlike the rebellion case, is non-bailable.

Military will not rush court martial proceedings The military will not rush its court martial proceedings against Trillanes in spite of the issuance of an arrest order against him.

According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would take its time as President Duterte’s revoking of Trillanes’ amnesty is still being challenged before the Supreme Court.

“We will take this one step at a time… Arrest first, then wait for further development,” he said.

Trillanes posted bail right after the Makati RTC Branch 150 issued an arrest warrant for him

u PAGE A10

creating jobs (30 percent), fighting graft and corruption on govMAJORITY of Filipinos want ernment (26 percent) and comthe current administration to im- bating criminality (23 percent) mediately address rising prices were the other issues deemed urgent by Filipinos followed by of basic goods and services.

The figures from the Septem- inflation and pay hike.

A portion of the respondents ber 2018 Ulat ng Bayan revealed that 63 percent of the 1,800 re- also listed other concern such as spondents said controlling the rising costs of commodities is their top concern.

“This is the predominant opinion in all geographic areas (53 percent to 66 percent) and socioeconomic classes (52 percent to 65 percent),” Pulse Asia, a nationwide public opinion polling body noted on Thursday, September 27.

Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes also confirmed that the most Filipinos are not satisfied with the efforts of the government in curbing inflation as reported by The Philippine Star.

“As far as the national issue deemed most urgent by Filipinos is concerned (i.e., inflation), disapproval is the predominant opinion with 51 percent of Filipinos having a negative assessment of the present administration’s handling of this issue,” Holmes said.

Similarly, 28 percent of Filipinos were not satisfied with the measures of the government in reducing poverty while 21 percent disapprove of the work done by the administration on the issue and increasing the pay of workers.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque assured the public that the government is prioritizing the problem with regards to inflation.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Inflation rose to 6.4 percent in August, the highest reported price surge in nine years, followed by oil and rice price hike nationwide.

Other concerns Salary hike ranked second on the list of concerns in the said survey. About 50 percent consider it an urgent national concern according to most people in Metro Manila (55 percent), Visayas (59 percent) and Class ABC which constitutes upper to middle-class citizens (52 percent).

Reducing poverty (32 percent),

promoting peace (14 percent), protecting the environment (13 percent), reducing the amount of taxes paid by citizens (12 percent), and enforcing the rule of law (11 percent).

Among the issues with the least concern were the welfare

u PAGE A11

A8 SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

O PINION Void from the start?

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

FEATURES

THE criminal cases against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV were revived after the amnesty granted to him by then president Benigno Aquino III was declared void by President Duterte. While the amnesty was granted to a group of rebel soldiers following the same procedures, only Trillanes lost the privilege.

Malacañang argues that the amnesty granted to Trillanes was invalid because he did not apply for it, and only Aquino’s defense chief Voltaire Gazmin approved it.

Aquino has said his amnesty proclamation covered all the rebel soldiers.

Yesterday, Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court’s Branch 150 set aside materials presented by Trillanes to prove that his amnesty grant is valid. Alameda went along with the petition of the Department of Justice and ordered Trillanes’ arrest for rebellion. But the judge allowed Trillanes to post P200,000 bail.

Trillanes might yet end up back in detention for the crime of coup d’etat in connection with the Oakwood mutiny. This was filed before another Makati trial court, Branch 148. The offense normally does not allow bail.

Malacañang voided the amnesty on the same day that Trillanes’ committee began its probe into possible conflict of interest and graft against Solicitor General Jose Calida, whose family-owned security company has bagged several contracts with various government agencies. The President said the voiding of Trillanes’ amnesty was the idea of Calida, who was also the one who

initiated a quo warranto petition to kick out Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice.

Still to be resolved is whether Malacañang can void an amnesty without Senate approval for individual recipients. The Supreme Court under Teresita de Castro, however, has refused to touch the amnesty issue.

Some quarters argue that what applies to one should apply to all. With Alameda’s order, all the other rebel soldiers who were given amnesty together with Trillanes, some of them now working for the government, are in limbo.

The amnesty given by Fidel Ramos during his presidency to those who launched coup attempts against Corazon Aquino may also be affected. Among the recipients are Sen. Gregorio Honasan, Armed Forces chief Carlito Galvez and Chairman Danilo Lim of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

If the government is challenging the validity of Trillanes’ amnesty, it should also go after the other recipients. Failing to do this bolsters accusations that the government, supported by a compliant judiciary, is engaged not in prosecution but persecution of its critics. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh vs Dr. Christine Blasey Ford: Who would you believe?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS BRETT Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Justice of the Supreme Court thought he would get the affirmative votes to be confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday, especially after how the Republican members of the committee pushed hard to move forward with the vote despite the very powerful and credible testimony of the accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, on the alleged sexual assault committed by Kavanaugh against her.

Oh yes, President Donald Trump and the Republican members of the committee had already been urgently calling for a vote even days, if not weeks, before hearing the testimony of

Dr. Ford, and had set to vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination the day after the vote.

In the long, excruciatingly painful nine-hour hearing where both Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh were both given the chance to make their opening statements and were questioned by an outside prosecutor retained by the Republican members of the committee and by the senators themselves in a highly politicized and emotionally charged showdown, both the accused and the accuser told the committee the same thing— that Dr. Ford was 100 percent sure that it was Kavanaugh who sexually assaulted her that night in a party, as Kavanaugh himself said he was 100 percent sure it was not him, and that he had never sexualized anyone in his life.

In this case of he-said-shesaid, whom do you believe?

Should you believe a woman who was abused as a teenager allegedly by the nominee when he himself was in high school.

Should you believe a woman who, six years before Kavanaugh was to be nominated for SC justice, told her husband, her therapist about her traumatic experience and had named Kavanaugh as the one who sexually assaulted her?

Despite her trauma, she bravely came forward to do her civic duty to inform the public what she knows about Brett Kavanaugh through her representative in Congress when Kavanaugh was just on the shortlist of Trump’s nominees.

She did not want any fame nor fortune, and had nothing to gain

by coming forward and speaking the truth. She only had so much to lose — her privacy and that of her family, her safety, her reputation after the stigma of being sexually assaulted.

Though terrified, she shared her story under oath, and answered questions with grace under pressure, candor and the desire to help the nation through the Senate, in making an informed decision on the fitness of Kavanaugh for the lifetime position of Justice of the Supreme Court.

She called for a complete FBI investigation to prove the veracity of her story.

Or should you believe a man who revealed during the confirmation hearing that he flares up when his nomination was challenged, who claimed to respect

and sympathize with Dr. Ford but would claim in the hearing that she was just there as part of the grand conspiracy of the Democrats to discredit him as a revenge for Clinton, who talked as though he was entitled to be Justice of the Supreme Court, when in fact this hearing was part of his job interview to determine if he does indeed have all the qualification, character, temperament, integrity and candor required of the position in the High Court?

Would you believe this man who would repeatedly resist a complete FBI investigation when in fact he should welcome and even support it because it would clear his name IF he is indeed telling the truth in his testimony?

Thankfully on Friday, Repub-

lican Senator Jeff Flake rocked the boat. After having a sleepless night after hearing the testimonies of both Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh, and after being confronted by two women rape survivors after he said yes he would vote YES to confirm Kavanaugh, Jeff Flake changed his vote to a NO, but said he would support a vote ONLY if the Senate delays the full vote by a week so that the FBI could do an investigation that Dr. Ford deserved, just as the Democrats in the committee have been asking all along. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

High standard for judicial nominees: Impartiality, an instrument of our common unity and fidelity to the Constitution

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “Every judge needs to have both the intellectual capacity to deal with the incredible variety and complexity of the issues and an instinctive understanding of the human implications of the decisions being made. And I just talked to her [Ruth Bader Ginsburg] about her life and her experience, and her family and her work and judging and that‘s really what I wanted to know--- you know, that it wasn’t just stuff that she had written, it was way more than just an intellectual concern of hers. She got the actual human impact of these decisions. I chose Ruth Bader Ginsburg for three reasons: First, in her years on the bench, she has genuinely distinguished herself as one of our nation’s best judges, progressive in outlook, wise in judgment, balanced and fair in her opinions.

Second, over the course of a lifetime in her pioneering work on behalf of the women of this country, she has compiled a truly historic record of achievement in the finest tradition of American law and citizenship. And finally, in the years ahead, she will be able to be a force for consensus-building on the Supreme Court, just as she has been on the Court of Appeals, so that our judges can become an instrument of our common unity in the expression of their fidelity to the Constitution.” – President

Bill Clinton, New York Times, June 15, 1993.

THE quotes refer to Pres. Bill Clinton’s transcript of his announcement in choosing Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the U.S. Supreme Court. “After her opening statements, and the next two days featured thirty-minutequestion-and-answer periods by individual committee members, before banging the closing gavel at 2:43 that Friday afternoon, Senator Hatch commended the president for making an excellent choice. Senator Biden then thanked Senator Hatch for being a “gentlemen and a scholar,” and ended by saying that “next Thursday hopefully we will be able to make the recommendation to the U.S. Senate, “ according to notes on Ginsburg’s nomination, as cited by Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her book, My Own Words.

Fast forward to Sept. 27’s U.S. Senate hearings wherein Dr. Christine Basley Ford came forward to give a credible, authentic, and reliable testimony about Judge Brent Kavanaugh’s attempted rape assault on her when they were in high school.

Brent was 17yo at that time, she was 15 yo.

Before the 21 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, she provided testimony when she attended a party in a suburban house in Montgomery County in the 1980’s. She went upstairs

to use the bathroom. But someone pushed her to a bedroom, pinned to the bed, and the door was locked. Brent Kavanaugh pressed himself on top of her, grinding down on her and twice Mark Judge threw himself on Kavanaugh and Ford. When she screamed, Kavanaugh put his hands over Dr. Ford’s mouth and groped her and attempted to remove her clothes. Inebriated and stumbling drunk, Kavanaugh had difficulty removing her clothes as she had also a one-piece bathing suit underneath.

“I thought he might inadvertently kill me,” said Ford, now a 51-year-old research psychologist in northern California. “He was trying to attack me and remove my clothing.” Ford said she was able to escape when Kavanaugh’s friend and classmate at Georgetown Preparatory School, Mark Judge, jumped on top of them, sending all three tumbling.

She said she ran from the room, briefly locked herself in a bathroom and then fled the house,” Washington Post’s Emma Brown reported on Sept. 16, 2018.

As she testified, America was riveted watching her testimony on television, listening to podcasts, while inside gyms, break rooms, students’ lounges, airplanes and homes, as reported by MSNBC. Reporters watched how women cried with Dr. Ford, anguished by their own incidents of

trauma, and also “moved by her credible, reliable and truthful testimony.” That assertion in quotes is not mine, but was enunciated by former U.S. federal prosecutors interviewed on MSNBC, as Cynthia Alksne.

Lack of judicial temperament and credibility One of the judicial requirements in any branch of government in America is the judge’s ability to be impartial and to have the judicial temperament to stay calm and to restrain oneself.

Cynthia Alksne, Esq. a former U.S. prosecutor described Dr. Ford as a fair and an outstanding witness and contrasted that to Judge Kavanaugh’s screaming, unhinged behavior, very partisan in describing that there was a “left-wing conspiracy, a vengeance being carried out on behalf of the Clintons, fueled by pent-up anger on the Trump win,” in his opening statement to the US Senate Confirmation hearing.

It revealed his inability to be impartial and instead, demonstrated his bias and unsubstantiated, extreme points of view.

While it could be argued that he was simply indignant as he feels that he is being falsely accused, he acted inappropriately and cultivated more doubts about his judicial fitness to have a lifetime position in the U.S. Supreme Court.

When he was questioned 19 times and more directly by Senator Dick Durbin if he would call for an FBI investigation, his answer was silence, a long pause, silence, until he was questioned again and then, he said he would go along with what the committee wanted to do.

Would you not find this strange, as it was Dr. Ford who asked for a federal investigation, she submitted herself to a polygraph test and yet, she is not an officer of the court and Judge Kavanaugh is, and did not care to arrive at the truth, through an FBI investigation? He also had not done any polygraph test. Though others will say that the polygraph test results are not court-admissible evidence, the polygraph test is an indicator of one’s truthfulness.

He was asked about a “Renate Alumnius” entry on his high school yearbook where he and his male friends posed for a photo and explained that this was their way of showing their admiration towards Renate Schroeder Dolphin. Hardly true, as they even had a rhyme about not having a date and to seek Renate. “Renate Alumni jokes were part of the demeaning pattern in which boys bragged about having sex with Dolphin,” according to Vox’s Anna North on Sept. 25, 2018.

The former US federal prosecutor Alksne described Kavanaugh’s demeanor and itemized

the lies he has made, including the “Leahy lies,” where he supposedly used stolen staff briefing notes prepared by the Democrats, and when asked about this in a Senate hearing he lied about it, another indicator of his lack of credibility.

When Judge Kavanaugh made his opening statement, he relied primarily on: “My two male friends who were allegedly there, who knew me well, have told this committee under penalty of felony that they do not recall any such party and that I never did or would do anything like this. Dr. Ford’s allegation is not merely uncorroborated, it is refuted by the very people she says were there, including by a long-time friend of hers. Refuted.”

It turns out Judge Kavanaugh’s statement is false and untrue, as he did not bother to watch Dr. Ford’s testimony and he would have learned that the single piece of evidence he relied upon was not done by Leland Ingham Keyser but her attorney. According to the Washington Post and the personal testimony of Dr. Ford that Keyser texted her: “while Keyser said she did not recall the party, but that she was close friends with Ford and that she believes Ford’s allegation.”

Kavanaugh’s disrespect towards Senator Amy Klobuchar When he was queried if he

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 29-OctObER 2, 2018

A

DOH: 19 out of 154 kids died of dengue despite Dengvaxia shot

poral relationship with Dengvaxia,” though there was insufficient evidence to determine if this was LATEST data showed that 19 actually related to the vaccine. out of 154 children who died afSix deaths also had some facter receiving at least one dose of tors “consistent with causal asDengvaxia, had dengue despite sociation to immunization” but the vaccination as reported by were likewise considered “indethe Department of Health (DOH). terminate” for lack of evidence According to DOH Undersec- to establish a possible relationretary Enrique Domingo, of the ship to the vaccine.

19 individuals who had dengue, six were diagnosed clinically and 13 were confirmed to have the illness through laboratory tests.

“Of those deaths, 19 were definitely due to dengue…. Meaning they were vaccinated with Dengvaxia and somehow the vaccine failed or caused severe effects,” he said.

There’s still no solid evidence on whether or not the Dengvaxia vaccine itself directly caused the deaths, Domingo clarified.

He said the vaccine may only be “possibly related” and further studies over the next few years will be needed to establish it.

The latest data showed an increase in both the number of deaths and children who were confirmed to have dengue and died despite receiving the vaccine. Last May, 11 out of 87 kids died of dengue despite the vaccine.

Domingo said the other 135 deaths were from non-dengue cases — other illnesses that include heart disease, pneumonia, central nervous system infections, leukemia, or asthma, all of which occurred naturally.

The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Dengue Investigative Task Force (PGH-DITF), formed in January 2018 to review the deaths of children who received the Dengvaxia dengue vaccine, said part of these 154 deaths are “the first 62 deaths.”

Only the first 62 deaths were reviewed so far as these were continuously sent to the PGHDITF chronologically, Domingo said.

As Rappler reported, of the 62 deaths the task force investigated, one was “consistent with causal association to immunization,” which means patient’s death occurred within 30 days and thus may be possibly related to the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Eight deaths were considered “indeterminate,” meanwhile, since these had a “consistent tem-

by AJPress

JAPANESE SHIP VISIT. Members of the Philppine Navy (PN) band welcome the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Murasame-class JS Akebono (DD-108), with its two SH-60K patrol helicopters and 200 officers and enlisted personnel, during its arrival at Pier 15 Manila South Harbor on Thursday, September 27.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

High standard for judicial nominees...

PAGE A8 t remembers drinking beer, specifically a lot of beer, Judge Kavanaugh responded: “You are asking about a blackout. Have you?” It caught the Senator by surprise, yet she remained calm and repeated the question and no response. She said “I don’t have a drinking problem,” but described her father’s alcoholism and still goes to his AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) meetings. Judge Kavanaugh, with an indignant tone, “I also don’t have one.” Afterwards, he apologized to the Senator.

But Kavanaugh’s statement that he has no drinking problem is reputed by Mother Jones’ Tim Murphy’s Sept. 27, 2018 account describing the “Judge’s speech he gave at Yale Law School in which he described stumbling out of a bus at 4:45 am after barhopping in Boston. The bus had a keg on it. He was asked about that speech on Thursday, but characterized it simply as a fun night out with friends.”

When asked about the yearbook’s reference to “Devil’s Triangle,” Tim Murphy reported that Kavanaugh told the senators that it was a drinking game he played with friends. Yet, David Enrich, one of the Times’ reporters disputed that, as Kavanaugh’s own classmates say those are also false.

At the end of the day, America: The Jesuit Review Magazine had written an editorial calling for Kavanaugh’s nomination to be withdrawn, “But even if the cred-

ibility of the allegation has not been established beyond a reasonable doubt and even if further investigation is warranted to determine its validity or clear Judge Kavanaugh’s name, we recognize that this nomination is no longer in the best interests of the country. While we previously endorsed the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh on the basis of his legal credentials and his reputation as a committed textualist, it is now clear that the nomination should be withdrawn.”

The American Bar Association called for the confirmation vote to be postponed until FBI investigates allegations.

Senator Doug Jones, from Alabama, issued this statement at 1012pm: “The Kavanaugh nomination process has been flawed from the beginning and incomplete at the end. Dr. Ford was credible and courageous and I am concerned about the message our vote will be sending to our sons and daughters, as well as victims of sexual assault. I will be voting no.”

The LA Times’s headline reads: “Do we really want a man consumed with rage, self-pity and hate on the Supreme Court?”

For this writer, Judge Kavanaugh failed to meet the high standard met by Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s nomination and ultimately her endorsement by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, 18-0.

On August 3, 1993, US Senate by a vote of 96-3 confirmed

Judge Ginsburg to be the Supreme Court’s 107th U.S. Justice.

She reminded us in her confirmation hearing statement about Alexander Hamilton’s words: the mission of judges is “to secure a steady, upright, and impartial administration of the laws.”

We just witnessed a judge get unhinged during a Senate Confirmation hearing, a job interview as he called it, and one with a clear bias towards the right and an animus towards the left. Judge Ginsburg added Justice Benjamin Cardozo who said: “Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances.”

The U.S. Senate is clearly not giving us a fair, impartial hearing and instead, a sham! What a shame for once an august institution – and it is up to all of us to make our voices heard. Next man or woman up! #notthisnominee #donotconfirmkavanaugh *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years.

She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine.

Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

Domingo said the 15 deaths occurred within 6 months of immunization, meaning there may still be a “temporal relationship” with the vaccine.

“For these 15, may possibility talaga na may relationship sa bakuna kasi yung time frame happened within 6 months and majority of them died because

u PAGE A10

A10 September 29-OctOber 2, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Boracay tourists may be required to wear access bracelets

by AJPress In order to regulate the number of visitors in Boracay Island, tourists going to the island after its reopening may soon be required to wear access bracelets, according to the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DEnR).

Registering in a tourist database may also become a requirement for visitors should the proposed measure be approved before Boracay’s reopening on October 26.

According to Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, the proposal also sought to require tourists to state the duration of their stay.

The access bracelet may also serve as an alternative payment scheme as it can be loaded with a cash value.

“It is still on the drawing board and will still be finalized,” Antiporda told Philippine Daily Inquirer.

‘Visitors would feel like intruders’ Several residents and busi-

ness operators, however, expressed their qualms about the access bracelets, saying it would be an imposition on tourists who only want a leisurely stay on the world-famous island.

One resident said, “Visitors would feel like intruders rather than guests. This is also not feasible to implement and somebody could make money [from] this [access card].”

Another resident from Barangay Manoc-Manoc said, “This is too much. Many residents here are struggling to meet their daily needs because of the loss of livelihood. now, they want us to get and pay for another identification or access card?”

The resident also pointed out that they already have barangay identification cards — a requirement for entering the island.

“How many times do we have to prove that we are residents here?” the resident asked.

Boracay’s closure to tourists was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 26 so the island could undergo a sixmonth rehabilitation. n

DOH: 19 out of...

PAGE A9 t

of dengue. (For these 15, there is a possibility it is related to the vaccine the time frame (of death) happened within 6 months and majority of them died because of dengue,)” he said.

Domingo also said that of the remaining deaths, 37 were “coincidental” — which means the patients got sick from other diseases and also happened to receive the vaccine. Eight deaths were “unclassifiable” as well since there was not enough information on the patient to make any sort of judgement on the death.

The remaining 2 deaths where patients had no available records for examination, as stated by Rappler.

When asked what DOH is planning to do about this, Domingo said heightened surveillance of children who received Dengvaxia is ongoing and will be done for the next five years.

They are also looking at some hospitals which can possibly become Dengvaxia specialty centers, where children who would be diagnosed with severe dengue and received Dengvaxia will be treated. n

SHABU PROBE. Senator Richard Gordon (right), chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chats with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino (center) and Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena (left) during the continuation of the Senate investigation of the alleged P6.8-billion shabu shipment into the country, held at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, September 26.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Historian pushes for a textbook review on martial law revisionism

by AJPress PHIlIPPInE Historical Association Secretary Jonathan Balsamo said on Monday night, September 24, that in order to address the impending historical revisionism among younger generation, the existing learning materials about the martial law period must undergo a thorough review.

In his interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One news, the historian explained that there were instances wherein the textbooks would describe the martial law period under the regime of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in a positive light.

Balsamo cited reports that textbooks allegedly explain only a one-sided view of the Marcos administration. The learning materials were reportedly focused on the supposed achievements rather than its negative implication on the country and its citizens.

This proved to be alarming as it limits the perspective of the students who knew nothing about what transpired during the said dark times in the Philippine history. Their knowledge of history most likely stems from the

information fed to them and at the same time the articles they read made available in alternative resources.

“Maybe it is necessary to review what kind of material sources are accessible to the public because of technology,” the historian added as reported

by The Philippine Star.

Despite the abundance of nonconventional learning tools like the Internet, what is taught inside the four corners of the classroom still holds much value.

“What are the accessible materials? There are a lot that are accessible online and are engaging,” Balsamo said.

He also said that the sudden rise of the new technology may constitute a narrow picture of the events that transpired during the iron-clad rule.

In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary leonor Briones said that the K12 curriculum is keen on training Filipino students to critically assess the information about martial law period and the dictatorship.

“You have to take a look at the overall framework of education right now, specifically K-12,” Briones said.

She said that the public education system changed throughout the years. The education secretary noted that instructors now provide students with a balanced perspective of the dictatorship in order to develop in them the skill to critically analyze the issues.

“Part of the new way that we are trying to teach our learners is to be able to analyze, but in the first place, you have to know how to analyze yourself. You have to teach them to read both sides,” Briones added.

Briones opted to mold the education system into teaching the students to learn not just the negative side of martial law, but also the supposed positive sides of it as claimed by some groups.

“You have to hear both sides, whether it is the good side or the bad side,” she said. “If you say that martial law is bad but you do not see claims that martial law is good, then how do you draw your conclusions?” she asked.

The DepEd chief said that the inaccurate textbooks were not produced by the department and claimed that such are already outdated. She assured the public that they are also working on the nationwide review of textbooks in private schools. n

Napoles husband to proceed to trial for P16-M tax evasion

by AJPress THE Court of Tax Appeals dismissed the motion of Jaime napoles, husband of priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scam alleged mastermind Janet lim napoles, to quash the lawsuit against him over national Internal Revenue Code violations, thus proceeding to trial.

“Upon denial of petitioner’s Motion to Quash, the Court must proceed with the trial,” the decision read as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Associate Justice Cielito Mindaro-Grulla promulgated the 11page decision on Wednesday, September 19, that expels the request of napoles. The court “denied the motion to quash for lack of merit” and therefore “finds the existence of probable cause to hold the accused for trial.”

“The Motion to Quash cannot, in any way, be considered as a decision finally disposing the case against petitioner,” Grulla wrote. napoles requested the court to drop the complaint from the Bu-

reau of Internal Revenue (BIR) over the alleged “deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in his income tax returns (ITR)” amounting to P16.47 million.

The Tax Court’s Third Division also denied napoles’ motion for reconsideration. He then hoisted the case up before an en banc, thus requiring a full court resolution through a petition for the judges to review the case.

However, the CTA in its ruling, declared that a petition to review the case before a court en banc right after the dismissal of his motion to quash the lawsuit is not a proper move for the petitioner.

The tax court also indicated that even if, hypothetically, the filed motion before an banc is deemed proper, it is not possible that the Third Division would commit such a mistake or ruling that would guarantee a reversal of decision in favor of napoles.

The husband of the pork barrel scam primary suspect is in trial for allegedly failing to declare and file his ITRs for six years, specifically in 2004, 2006,

2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012. He even allegedly declared an income of “P0.00” in his ITR way back 2009.

The investigation conducted by the BIR proved otherwise, as it showed the estates napoles owned in his name including real properties, vehicles, insurance policies and club memberships, and millions worth of investments.

The data obtained five years ago showed that napoles’ total acquisition is worth P1.42 million in 2004, P5.51 million in 2006, P0.78 million in 2008, P9.25 million in 2009, P2.1 million in 2010, P1.17 million in 2011 and P3.65 million in 2012.

The acquisitions included condominium units in City & land Mega Plaza and the Discovery Center, parcels of land in Pangasinan and Kidapawan City, Insurance policies with Insular life Assurance Co., ltd., Philippine American life & General Insurance Co., Inc., and Philippine Axa life Insurance Corp., and vehicles such as Ford lincoln navigator, Honda Civic and Porsche Cayenne. n

DLSU joins UP among top 1,000 universities in the world MAnIlA — De la Salle University entered this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, joining University of the Philippines. last year, UP was the lone tertiary education institution included in the list of top 1,000 universities in the world.

UP moved up to the 501-600 bracket this year, a jump from last year’s 601-800 bracket. The state university registered an overall score of 33.5 to 37.

DlSU, on the other hand, placed in the 801-1,000 bracket, according to the london-based publication. It obtained an overall score of 19 to 25.9.

In the latest rankings, DlSU had the highest score in industry income while UP scored the highest in citations with 69.1.

UP was also the only Philippine tertiary education institution in the 2018 THE Asia University Rankings, which was released in February. The country’s premier state university ranked 156th in the region.

China’s Tsinghua University emerged as the top university in Asia, ranking 22nd with an overall score of 82.8. The Chinese university has overtaken national University of Singapore, which ranked 23rd with an overall score of 82.4.

“It is the first time that a Chinese university has topped Asia’s representatives under the current methodology of the world rankings (since 2011). nUS led the continent between 2016 and 2018, while the University of Tokyo was pre-eminent between 2011 and 2015,” THE said Meanwhile, the University of Oxford maintained the top spot in the world, followed by the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, Massachussetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology.

(Patricia Lourdes Viray/ Philstar.com)

DOJ: More Magdalo men may...

PAGE A7 t

on Tuesday, September 25.

Earlier, AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the military “submits to the majesty of the Supreme Court (SC) and yields to its wisdom.”

Galvez also said that court martial proceedings would be held in abeyance since the high tribunal is still tackling the petition filed by Trillanes questioning Duterte’s Proclamation 572.

Chief Presidential legal ad-

viser Salvador Panelo, however, said Trillanes should face the music instead of crying political persecution.

“Trillanes should face the music and dance as Frank Sinatra’s would croon in his song with the same title. He has to stop milking the issue and act pathetically as if he is a victim of injustice,” he said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, for his part, advised Trillanes to focus on preparing his legal defense instead

of playing the “victim card” and “resorting to ad hominem attacks against the president.”

Roque dismissed claims that Duterte is obsessed with Trillanes who had previously exposed his and his family’s alleged illegally acquired wealth during the 2016 presidential campaign.

“In the first place, the decision was issued by the RTC. It’s the court’s decision to void his amnesty and not the president’s,” he said. n

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A11

Calida tells Trillanes: ‘Say sorry or face libel case and pay damages’

by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

SOLICITOR General Jose Calida on Thursday, September 27 denied stealing or destroying Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty application form, and demanded an apology from the mutineer-turned-lawmaker.

The embattled Trillanes, whose rebellion case has been revived after the Duterte administration revoked his 2011 amnesty, said he would not apologize to Calida and told the solicitor general he could do whatever he wanted.

Calida, in a statement, threatened to file a libel case against Trillanes, a fierce critic of the Duterte government.

“The putschist Mr. Trillanes ranted to the media yesterday that I ‘stole’ his amnesty application document. In effect, Mr. Trillanes maliciously branded me as a thief, which I’m not,” he said.

“Unless Mr. Trillanes expresses his sincere apology for calling me a thief, I shall be constrained to file a criminal case for libel plus damages against him,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte

Law and Order Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (J1) who is the custodian of the records issued a Certification that there is no available copy of Trillanes’ application for amnesty in the records?” Calida said.

“Second, I have never entered the offices of the J1 or the Personnel Division of the AFP at Camp Aguinaldo so how could I ‘steal’ documents kept there?” he added.

The senator said he expected the worst out of Calida.

“He is in no position to demand anything. He knows the truth. The entire country knows the truth at this point,” Trillanes Solicitor General Jose Calida said in a news conference.

Philstar.com photo Trillanes noted that no less revoked Trillanes’ amnesty in a than Defense Secretary Delfin proclamation earlier this month, Lorenzana had admitted that it stating that the former Navy of- was Calida who requested on Auficer’s application could not be gust 16 the amnesty application found and that he did not comply documents.

The senator’s lawyer, Rey Rowith the requirement to admit guilt in connection with the 2003 bles, said: “That was publicized Oakwood mutiny and the siege in the media. Secretary Lorenzaof the Manila Peninsula hotel in na himself said that Solgen Calida asked for the documents. Then 2007.

“First, what is there to steal after two weeks, they were misswhen Lt. Col. Thea Joan N. An- ing already. What conclusion can drade, Chief of the Discipline, you draw?” n

Human rights not popularity contest — CHR

by Janvic

mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Policies that impact on human rights should not be implemented simply because they are popular with the public, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairman Chito Gascon said in reaction to survey results showing high public’s approval for the government’s war against illegal drugs.

Gascon stressed that the high public approval will not stop the CHR from calling for investigations on the thousands of deaths related to police anti-drug operations.

“We have been well aware

that the president and his antidrug efforts have been popular with the people,” said Gascon on Monday. “But this does not and cannot constitute a license to run roughshod on the Bill of Rights and the rule of law as human rights are too important to be subjected to a popularity contest.”

A recent SWS survey showed 78 percent of Filipinos supporting the war on drugs. It also showed that 60 percent believe that the arrests of tambays or loiterers constitute human rights violations.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said the commission has always been supportive of measures addressing the illegal

drug trade and use in the country due to its ill effects to the lives of people. However, she stressed, this support is qualified by issues relating to how the government implements its anti-illegal drug campaign.

“It is important to probe if Filipinos also approve of the ways in which the campaign against illegal drugs is carried out on the ground. If we recall in September 2017, Social Weather Stations also released a survey noting that half of Filipinos don’t believe in our police’s alibi of ‘nanlaban’ (resisting arrest) to justify deaths during anti-drug operations,” she added. n

Price surges major concern among Filipinos...

PAGE A7 t of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and population growth both with six percent, terrorism and national territorial integrity at five percent and charter change with only three percent.

The said survey was conducted from September 1 to 7 using face-to-face interviews. It has a + 2 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

“In keeping with our academic nature, no religious, political,

economic, or partisan group influenced any of these processes.

Pulse Asia Research undertakes Ulat ng Bayan surveys on its own without any party singularly commissioning the research effort,” said Pulse Asia. n

ANTI-BOMB ROBOT. Members of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police look at an Explosives and Ordinance Disposal robot on display at the 3rd Asian Defense, Security and Crisis Management exhibit at the World Trade Center. Among the exhibitors are South Korea, the United States, Russia, Czech Republic, Indonesia, India, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Turkey and Israel.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

Makati court sets hearing on Trillanes amnesty issues

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has deferred ruling on the Department of Justice’s plea for warrant against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV so it can look further into issues surrounding the senator’s amnesty.

The amnesty was granted in 2011 and then voided this month over a missing application form.

Judge Andres Soriano, instead, set a hearing on the presentation of evidence on October 5.

Soriano stressed that the the move is “without necessarily reopening the case and/or giving due course” to the DOJ’s motion and is pursuant to the SC’s order to tackle the factual matters on Proclamation 572, which voided the amnesty granted in Proclamation 75.

The judge said the parties can present evidence on whether Trillanes filed an application for amnesty or not and on whether he admitted guilt or not. Both are requirements for the grant of amnesty and that the government claims Trillanes failed to comply with.

Branch 150 ruling Makati RTC Branch 150 earlier this week issued a warrant

of arrest against Trillanes after the court said that Proclamation 572 has factual and legal basis.

Judge Elmo Alameda, in his order, said that Trillanes “failed to convince the Court that he indeed complied with the minimum requirement” in applying for amnesty.

“Evidently, he failed to present the original hard copy, duplicate copy, or even a photocopy showing that he personally accomplished and filed with the DND Amnesty Committee his Official Amnesty Application Form duly acknowledged and stamp marked received by said office,” the court order read.

Evidence presented to Makati RTC 150 During the motion hearing on September 14 at Makati RTC Branch 150, state prosecutors and Reynaldo Robles, lawyer of Trillanes, presented before the court pieces of evidence to be marked.

Trillanes’ camp failed to submit the filled-out application form—he and others who applied for amnesty have said that form was submitted to the Department of National Defense— presented secondary evidence to support their assertion that

he did file it.

Later, they filed a Rejoinder, where they attached the affidavit of Col. Josefa Berbigal, who received the form from Trillanes and had him read the admission of guilt that was part of the form.

But Soriano said that the pieces of evidence Trillanes had presented must be “disregarded” as they “barren of probative weight to prove compliance by Senator Trillanes of the minimum requirements set forth in the rules and procedures in the processing of amnesty application.”

Branch 148 hearing Judge Soriano held a motion hearing on September 13, a day before Alameda did.

During the said hearing, Soriano gave both parties more time to file their respective pleadings.

Trillanes’ camp filed their Supplemental Comment on Monday, September 24, where they also attached Berbigal’s affidavit as an annex.

Trillanes, who has been staying at the Senate since the publication of Proclamation 572 last September 4, said in a press conference that he will head home on Saturday morning. n

A12 September 29-OctOber 2, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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B

Journal Piolo Pascual gives Inigo Pascual, Fil-Am footballer wins ‘Big Brother’ Maris Racal 21st birthday blessings

by AJPress

by Jan

Milo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor Piolo Pascual gave his 100 percent support on the rumored relationship of his son Inigo and teen star Maris Racal.

In an interview with Philstar. com during a Mega Sardines launch where he is the endorser, Piolo said that as 21st birthday wish for MarNigo, he hopes that Inigo and Maris will always be honest to each other.

“I hope the level of their relationship is not just professional but personal, that they don’t fool each other around,” Piolo said.

Nonetheless, the matinee idol clarified that it is up to the rumored couple to make their relationship grow as he does not want to always tell them what to do because they are in the proper age.

“Malalaki na ‘yung mga ba-

tang ‘yon. They’re both 21 already and so I just wish them well. I wish they get to enjoy each other’s company.”

Piolo was all praises for Maris and her performance as a singer and actress.

“She’s promising, she registered well on screen, she’s very talented, a good musician,” he said.

It can be recalled that when Maris was still in the “Pinoy Big Brother” House and Piolo visited the house, Piolo found Maris mesmerizing.

They had a duet together inside the house, and Piolo told Maris to not have a boyfriend yet and wait for his son.

“Gusto mo hintayin ‘yung anak ko? Magka-edad kayo nun. Musikero din ‘yon. May boyfriend ka na ba? Wag ka munang magbo-boyfriend ha.

Hintayin mo ‘yung anak ko,” he said. (Deni Rose M. AfinidadIñigo Pascual with Maris Racal Bernardo/Philstar.com) Photo from Instagram/@inigopascual

Rhian: There’s life after pain

by Maridol

rañoa-BisMark Philstar.com

Rhian Ramos Photo from Instagram/@whianwamos

Rhian Ramos may be alone again, now that she and boyfriend of three years Jason Choachuy have broken up. But she’s not letting the void he created dampen her spirits.

Not Rhian, who has loved and lost before. Not Rhian, who admits feeling depression “a few times,” and in so doing, learned how to go through the usual bumps on the road.

Her secret? Time.

“You can get past everything if you give it time,” she says.

“You’d be surprised. There’s life after pain. You just have to let it pass.”

For her, the process means having more “me time” to savor

the moment and become, as she puts it, a little more selfish. Being single again, she explains, means “having nothing to focus on, except myself.”

Press people whom Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario invited for an early lunch in connection with his comeback action film The Trigonal, saw how Rhian’s “me time” is doing wonders to her.

If she feels down and out, she doesn’t show it. She was blooming that day. She was brimming with plans — about flying to New York to take a course on improv (no script, just adlibs) at Upright Citizens Brigade.

She had it all figured out.

She’d be gone for a week after she turns 28 on Oct. 3 to find a PAGE B2

FILIPINO-American footballer Kaycee Clark was proclaimed the winner of the 20th season of reality TV show “Big Brother.”

Winning via a 5-4 vote, Clark closely beat out fellow finalist/ houseguest Tyler Crispen to win the $500,000 prize on Thursday, September 27.

Clark shared that she would use the money she won to help out her family. Born to a Filipina mother and an American father, Clark’s parents met in the Philippines while her father was traveling in the Navy.

Clark also became the first lesbian winner of the CBS reality series.

“Being full lesbian, with tattoos and into sports I was just different than what they’ve seen in past seasons,” Clark said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s so huge to be the first lesbian to win the game. It still hasn’t hit me,” Clark added.

Clark won by incorporating a social gameplay that she worked to her advantage. She remained calm amidst the stress blowing up during the entire competition.

“Just as a person I am really calm and laid back and it takes a lot for me to blow up. That’s what helped me throughout the house. But I wanted to blow up when I knew people were lying to my face. There was so much I wanted to say, but I knew that I had to bite my tongue. Less is more and you don’t want to blow up,” Clark explained.

In an interview with Parade, the 30-year old professional football player emphasized the importance of being true to oneself in order to survive all throughout the game.

“Be me and not lie and do too much. If you do too much, there’s even more work trying to backtrack. Make this easy, be who I am, and stay loyal. The

Kaycee Clark

house was already crazy. And whatever happens from there, cool, we’ll move on and figure it out,” Clark said.

Clark also noted that it is also important to care about the people around her. Despite the intense competitive vibe, she remained genuine to the other houseguests.

“I think it’s huge. I genuinely care about people; I love people.

I knew the houseguests felt that.

That’s who I am, being true to myself, being loyal, and being Kaycee. Being happy, being positive. The other houseguests were going to feel that,” Clark said.

Clark’s attitude might be one of the few reasons why the other players voted in her favor. She won the votes of fellow houseguests Bayleigh Dayton, Angie “Rockstar” Lantry, Faysal Shafaat, Scottie Salton, and Sam

Photo by Sonja Flemmings/CBS

Bledsoe.

“It was huge that I could simply be me, and I didn’t hide anything. It made it easier. I like things to be simple; I don’t like to be extra. Let’s just keep it simple, make it easy. I wanted to stay as loyal and true to myself as much as possible. And I wanted to stay low from the very beginning. It’s crazy how everything worked out as how I wanted to play the game,” she added.

Clark also won five of the last six Power of Veto competitions.

She gained a remarkable hold on the late phase of the game thus tying the record for most Veto wins in a season. Among the other record-holders were Big Brother All-Stars‘ Janelle Pierzina, Big Brother season 8 runner-up Daniele Donato, and Big Brother season 19 runner-up Paul Abrahamian.

B2 SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Chito Roño movie now Philippines’ official entry for Oscars 2019

by JAN

MILO SEVERO

Philstar.com

FILIPINO director Chito Roño’s movie “Signal Rock,” starring Christian Bables, is now officially the Philippines’ entry to the Foreign Language Film category of the 91st Academy Awards. “‘When a family is in trouble, one rescues the other.’ Congratulations SIGNAL ROCK for being chosen as the official representative of the Philippines for the Foreign Language film nomination for OSCARS’ / The

Academy Awards!” Film Academy of the Philippines wrote on its Twitter account.

The movie’s distributor, Regal Entertainment, also posted the news confirming the film’s entry.

“Congratulations! Chito S. Rono’s Signal Rock, starring Christian Bables, is the Philippines’ entry to Oscars 2019 Foreign Language Film category,” Regal Entertainment posted on Facebook.

Produced by CSR Productions and distributed by Regal Entertainment as the official entry to

the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, “Signal Rock” is based on a true story set in the 1990s.

Small town secrets are unearthed in “Signal Rock” when Intoy (Bables) tries to help his embattled sister abroad win a child custody case.

Christian also shared the different congratulatory messages for the film on his Twitter account.

The Philippines has been sending entries since the 1950s, but has not yet won at the Foreign Language Film category of the Academy Awards.

Photo from Instagram/@missizacalzado

Iza Calzado shares wedding details, road to recovery from bad relationship

by DENI ROSE M. AFINIDAD-BERNARDO Philstar.com

Christian Bables

Photo from Instagram/@ christiaaan06

Official poster for ‘Signal Rock’

BEFORE actress Iza Calzado marches down the aisle toward boyfriend of more than five years, Ben Wintle, she recalled how she healed from the wounds of a difficult relationship, which affected her wellness and selfesteem.

In a recent interview with Philstar.com, Iza shared how she became depressed following a breakup.

“What you didn’t know is that I was in a very difficult relationship. That’s why I’ve been so obsessed of losing weight kasi

I was kinda pressured to look a certain way. I wasn’t of sound mind and body because I was going through a lot mentally and emotionally, but you don’t see that,” she admitted.

Being in this relationship with an unnamed boyfriend made her very insecure about her body and pressured her to trim down to fit into society’s “unrealistic” beauty standards.

“Some people forget that you’re a human being,” she fretted.

“Your photos are being liked because of what you look like, the things you have or how you style yourself. It’s not like they’re liking you because you look mabait or magaling na artista, she’s compassionate, she’s strong. You’re not liking the photos because of that. Maybe sometimes… But oftentimes it’s because it’s maganda.”

Since her body used to be bigger than it is nowadays, she developed stretch marks that made her the target of bashers on social media. Apart from being called “reyna ng stretch marks,” netizens also criticized her body and her skin in one of her bikini photos shot in a resort.

“I’m no stranger to body shaming. Even before body shaming became a thing, they’ve been body shaming me on Twitter. Because as you know, I’m not exactly what’s perceived as perfect. My body is not the ideal size, or my skin being bruised, so I’ve honestly been targeted.”

To heal herself from a broken heart, brought about by both bashers and a bad relationship, she went on a journey she called “self-love.”

That journey, said Iza, includes the following: • Understanding where people are coming from because they can be coming either from a place of ignorance, insensitivity, or lack of education of being more politically correct. Some people could only be mean, but oftentimes, it is because they have also gone through something, and so they lash out on other people.

• Knowing that other people’s words should not define you.

• Accepting the truth even if it hurts.

• Not fighting negative energy with more negative energy.

“Just because somebody attacks me, doesn’t mean I should attack them, too.” Instead, send light their way.

• Knowing that the world is visual, which is why people should not base their self-worth on social media.

After finding herself again, Iza also found the love of her life.

She took note of how supportive her fiancé, Ben, has been.

“Actually, he’s one of those people who raised my awareness that I’m more than my body. Kasi

if he compliments that I’m sexy, thin and good, it’s still is just about my body, but I’m more than my body. I am an artista, I am a girlfriend, I am a sister, I am a tita, I have my accomplishments in life. You are more than the physical.”

She and Ben chose to have a beach wedding in an undisclosed location in the Philippines because they both love nature.

“I’m not a bridezilla, but I’m a tired bride. Taping life is tough!” shared the actress, who is about to star in an upcoming TV series.

“I must admit that I’m also pressured to slim down for the wedding, but I’m not obsessed to the point of starving myself. I’m now eating cleaner, working out, but whatever happens, I’d be happy with myself.”

Just like her, she wants others to also find their strength and happiness via The Body Love Revolution Conference, which she organizes together with her advocacy group, She Talks Asia.

Founded by Iza, model-host and creative entrepreneur Victoria Herrera, model-host and culture columnist Sarah Meier, and award-winning social entrepreneur and educator Lynn Pinugo, She Talks Asia is a movement that aims to celebrate the modern woman, providing a space for inspiration and support among women across multiple platforms.

To be held in Whitespace Manila, Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City on September 29, The Body Love Revolution Conference aims to take a deeper look into a wide array of topics surrounding body love.

These include knowing one’s self-worth, how emotions affect the physical state, myths of body positivity, and media and different beauty perceptions. The event features a lineup of 24 speakers, including restaurateur Erwan Heussaff, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, and renowned photographer Sara Black.

Iza hopes that through the conference, she could inspire more people to celebrate the body they are in.

“Through The Body Love Revolution, we want to say that no matter your shape, your size, your color, you are worthy of love and one of the key messages is you are more than your body, knowing that there’s more to celebrate about you than just your body,” she enthused.

She admitted that by setting up the conference, she is putting herself at risk of not being listened to or worse, being bashed again.

“Sometimes, it’s a lost cause, but I don’t mind. You know, the fact that I tried to enlighten them is already victory for me.”

Rhian: There’s...

PAGE B1 place to stay in New York.

No, she hasn’t enrolled yet.

The process starts weeks before classes start, and she hopes she’ll get a slot. But she’s ready to have a white Christmas once she gets accepted into the program.

Meantime, Rhian has her hands full promoting The Trigonal, where she’s woman power personified. She does action scenes the way her co-stars, real-life martial arts experts like Monsour, a taekwondo Olympic medalist, his student Ian Ignacio, a gold medalist in the sport, and Chinese Wushu champion Sarah Chang do. Rhian herself has a white belt in taekwondo.

Rhian appreciates their patience in showing her the proper martial arts techniques and the right poses to take, even during shooting breaks.

“This way, I can look legit,” she laughs.

Thanks to these tips, her martial arts background and previous action films, Rhian didn’t incur the slightest bruise on the set, although she admits accidentally hitting a stuntman (he

forgave her, pronto) on the set in Bacolod.

Rhian ended up enjoying the action scenes, because she saw how it “combined acting and dancing at the same time.” And she’s proud of what she did, especially a long action sequence (the movie which is now showing in cinemas nationwide).

Yes, Rhian is moving on — again. And she’s bent on exploring everything there is to explore in her craft. If it means being away from her family for the first time, even on Christmas and Year’s Day, so be it.

“If I cry (out of homesickness), it’s okay. This will make it clear what my priorities are.”

If she has to wash dishes and prepare a meal for the first time, no problem.

Rhian has dreams for herself, and the luxury of time and space to fulfill them. She’s willing to pay the price to see those dreams come true. Most of all, now that she’s single, she can pour her heart and soul into anything that puts a smile on her face.

And this time, it doesn’t have to be a new romance.

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B3

For internationally acclaimed author, the secret to aging beautifully is to eat healthy

by PAULINE JOY

M. GUTIERREZ BusinessMirror.com.ph

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

A family petition denied due to abandonment was successfully reopened, and a family reunited on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy!”

ELSINORE was petitioned by his father in 2001. However, years later, they discovered that his petition was denied due to “abandonment” when the USCIS sent a notice for additional documents to their old address and they never submitted the documents.

The reason the family failed to respond to the notice was because they never received it.

The family changed address, and did not notify USCIS of their move. However, USCIS still sent

MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

SUMMONED by invitation from the cultural office of the Philippine Consulate, out of ink-the news world trooped to the Community Hall to witness the launching of PNP Global Community Relations (PCR), headed by PC Supt. Rhodel Sermonia.

Townhall meetings at the Philippine Consulate is where elbows, perfume, conversation invaded even the cramped space of one’s chair. The meeting last Friday, September 21, was more like a convergence of the relatively tame media, who constantly complain in silence that they are treated with benign neglect. So they’re pinning their hopes on the new cultural officers that seemed fair and congenial.

The ubiquitous Filipino-American community is bound by their strength in numbers, locked with dedication to their respected endeavor. They represent and affect collective thoughts and ideas into victory of any partnership.

We have various reasons to like Consul General Adelio Cruz.

He is a good man, whose exemplary support for the Fil-Am community under his jurisdiction is unwavering. That, plus he faithfully defends our interests, without blinkered insularity. He is just and expedient, and applies tact and humor while remaining polished and elegant — true diplomat in any form of conduct. In the news world, he has finally captured the media — or have we captured him?

Nobody escapes the phenomena of crime, and at the center is a brotherhood of hard men who fight for justice and peace. Cops are there to quell threats to peace and public safety – plus to control and reduce criminality in spite of their meager pay, which comes from the national budget.

Gunned down cops are also sadly overlooked. People think, “You took the job, it’s part of the job to get killed.” Cops take the jab to protect people and help them, and as they go out there, they could get shot, stabbed, beaten. Nobody takes a degrading salary just to die.

You watch them with attention with their pigeon breast thrust, as they stand straight. They are tasked to clean up the world’s garbage, where including the family, the church and the school had failed: The drug menace.

PC Supt. Rhodel Sermonia is a handsome man in a vigorous and wholesome way. With deep brown eyes that missed nobody, he rests his case with a cultivated elegance and earthiness of a modern mistah. A product of a system in which manhood is tightly defined and continuously challenged.

And for the greatly avoided

the notice to the old address on file. Their first attorney’s motion to reopen was denied as being untimely.

Elsinore’s mother was a regular viewer of TFC’s immigration program “Citizen Pinoy,” so she suggested they get leading U. S. immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL as their new lawyer. Initially, Elsinore’s younger sister, Elvie hesitated, worried about the expensive fees. However, when their mother’s health failed and one of her last wishes

was that they take care of Elsinore’s petition and make sure he gets to the U.S., Elvie went ahead and retained Atty. Gurfinkel.

Watch how the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, Inc. was able to get the case reopened, and how the family was finally reunited in Hawaii, realizing their mother’s dream, on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” –– on Sunday 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select cable/satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Men in blue charm town hall crowd

It was a sparkling conversation with PC Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, Director of the Global Police Community Relations.

Photos by Bobby Crisostomo (PPP/USA)

Photo op with Consul General Adelio Cruz, Gen. Rhodel Sermonia and Military Attache Col. Noble.

question, we asked, “What is actually the project ‘tokhang’?”

It has been derided by media wits, synonymous with salvage, propaganda in an overall ridicule if not malice that could not fail to hurt!

“It embodies a big spectrum..,” he said.

“Tokhang conveys katok (knock) at pakiusap (appeal) in the native tongue. It is a Visayan term of endearment. Katok (knock), pagbabago (change) at pakiusap (appeal) towards a drug-free Philippines. It is more of a recovery and wellness program spearheaded by President Rodrigo Duterte.”

It has garnered public support by former drug addicts. Then came the men in blue, and in a collective voice, launched the Global Community Relations. It seemed so grandiose transcending boundaries, fostering understanding and cooperation among overseas Filipinos, global stockholders, and international civil society organizations.

Sermonia, as Director of the Community Relations Group (PCRG), did not enter nor advance at the Community Hall, he progressed with a sangfroid, so deliberate and disturbing. As the night progressed, he became a provocative target of questions, and even echoed some queries that he cannot answer. He did not bluster, cajole or preach. He is a charmer quick of speech, rapid

of movement and became the youngest general of his genre.

The PCRG is a source of constant conjecture, appraisal and admiration. He seemed unconquerable. He takes credit and responsibility for this trusted men.

Wondering where all the surrenderees will be housed? The administration has the most ambitious program for reformed addicts, which is now all over the archipelago: Plan Pagbabago, Simula ng Pagbabago, Harong Pagdaon, Sagip Bukoo, Ifugao Reflections Center and community-based programs on rehabilitation.

His cops will meet the challenge with patience and professionalism, as well as being helpful, courteous and looking their best.

We watched the men in blue, with hopes that they puncture the myths, biases and untended assumptions.

On the query of what makes a good cop or a bad cop? Sermonia and Col. Noble had it in this capsule: They balance fairness with courage, how to treat people with patience and compassion because police work requires enthusiasm persistence and courtesy. They will need breadth and view, connections skills, philosophic perspective slammed with wisdom.

To say that’s a tall order, would be an understatement. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.com

“PEOPLE don’t have a choice when it comes to aging, but they can choose how they will age,” writes Grace Ouano, award-winning author of The Age Beautifully and The Age GRACEfully Cookbooks. “The foods they eat, exercise and healthy habits can have dramatically positive effects on age-defying.”

In a WebMD article (www. webmd.com /healthy-aging/ guide/seniors-boost-immunity#1), Aaron E. Glatt, MD and chairman of the department of medicine at South Nassau Communities Hospitals, said that the body’s immune system tends to get weaker with age, which, in turn, contributes to the contraction of infectious diseases like cancer. “Just as you probably can’t run as fast as you used to in your 20s, your immune system doesn’t work as well as it used to.”

Nutritionists have long recognized that various micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the deterioration of our body’s healing abilities. Ouano, who has spent two decades in the health-care industry, penned numerous recipes that are grounded on this health concern.

The cookbooks The Power of Foodtrients to Promote Health and Well-being for a Joyful and Sustainable Life, and Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets From Around the World provide easyto-make recipes that combines modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world.

The books suggest that as you age, you need to load up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and low-fat dairy. You eat less fatty meats, butter, sugar, salt and packaged foods.

“My dad taught me that when you’re 40, you have to limit your meat consumption and instead eat a lot of vegetables because your body is no longer rejuvenating. Also when you’re 40, you need probiotics to avoid acid reflux; an alternative to this is eating fermented pickles,” said Ouano at the launch of her books

Award-winning author Grace Ouano

in Alphaland in Makati.

Grace O has identified eight categories of “FoodTrients” (a name that she coined which pertains to the antiaging properties of food) that are essential to age-defying and healthier living: Anti-inflammatory, foods that reduce the inflammation process in cells, tissues and blood vessels to slow aging and lower the risk of long-term disease; Antioxidants, which prevent and repair oxidative damage to cells caused by free radicals; Disease Prevention, which reduces risk factors for common degenerative and age-related diseases; Immune Boosters, which support the body’s resistance to infection and strengthens immune vigilance; Mind, which improves memory and focus; Beauty, which promotes healthy skin and eyes; Strength, which increase bone density and repairs tissue and; Weight Loss, foods that encourage improved metabolism and digestion.

By incorporating these properties in an everyday diet, people are more likely to live healthier.

The internationally acclaimed author notes that FoodTrients can work like medicine. Garlic, for one, contains allicin which is an anti-inflammatory that reduces the risk of heart diseases, stroke and cancer. Ashitaba, which is more commonly used as a traditional medicine for

healing wounds, helps in aiding gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout, constipation and hay fever.

It is also used for cancer, smallpox, fluid retention, blood clots and food poisoning. Turmeric, on the other hand, contains bioactive compounds with powerful medicinal properties.

The Philippines has plenty of nutritional leafy greens, as well. The malunggay, or moringa oleifera, contains helpful compounds, such as vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B-6, folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, potassium and iron. It’s rich in antioxidants, can lower cholesterol levels, and has the potential to protect the body against arsenic toxicity.

“These books are basically showing to the mainstream Americans that we have in Asia a lot of exotic fruits and vegetables, In 2008 and 2009 nobody in the US knew about malunggay, the jackfruit and the mangosteen. Even the coconut wasn’t a fad, so I started educating them about it and then all of a sudden, it all became viral in our community,” said Ouano.

Ouano shared that food can also help the skin look younger.

Certain FoodTrients like omega3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E are very good for building collagen, hydrating skin, improving elasticity and helping to build strong hair and nails.

“This is really an antiaging cookbook. It’s not a diet book or a meal program. It’s full of recipes that utilize powerful and even exotic ingredients like turmeric, bitter melon, acai, soursop and jackfruit, all of which help you keep looking young and healthy.” she said. **** Proceeds from the cookbook sales during the benefit and tasting event at Alphaland in Makati City will be donated to Bright Halls Children’s Foundation, an organization that provides temporary home for children while they wait for a permanent adoptive home or to be reintegrated with their birth families or relatives.

B SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Fil-Am Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz headlines ‘Blue’s Clues’ as new host

by Cody

Cepeda Inquirer.net

when it shared a video on the social media platform introducing Dela Cruz as the show’s new host.

NEW York-based Filipino- It’s a feat that requires some big American actor Joshua Dela Cruz shoes to fill as Dela Cruz replaces was recently announced as the Steve Burns, the original host of new host of beloved 1996 chil- the show, and Donovan Patton (Joe), who succeeded Burns after dren’s show “Blue’s Clues.”

The official Twitter account of his departure in 2002.

In the video, Dela Cruz shared Nickelodeon’s NickSplat! made the news known last Sept. 13 his journey in becoming the

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

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

Joshua Dela Cruz Photo from Instagram/@j_deecee

“Blue’s Clues” host. “My journey to get here was really wild,” Dela Cruz said. “When I auditioned for ‘Blue’s Clues,’ Steve was in the room.”

Dela Cruz shared that he felt “starstruck” upon seeing Burns in the flesh.

“I was starstruck, but at the same time immediately felt comfortable with him. He was just so generous with his time and his energy. It was a huge, huge moment for me to meet the person that I was watching on TV growing up and to find out that he was so cool.”

Dela Cruz further shared that it was “Blue’s Clues” that taught him to be curious and also what got him into singing. Dela Cruz is a Broadway actor and is currently understudying for Aladdin on Broadway.

Being the new host of “Blue’s Clues” still hasn’t fully sunk in for Dela Cruz, as he still thinks of it all as a dream. “It’s a wild, wild dream. One day I’ll wake up. I don’t plan on doing that anytime soon because this is amazing. To be part of such an iconic show, I am over the moon happy.”

But while Dela Cruz may find himself still in disbelief, former host Burns shared that he knew Dela Cruz was the right person for the role the moment he walked in during auditions. And he beat out the thousands of people who auditioned, including American wrestler and actor John Cena.

“I know that they saw thousands and thousands of people.

And when we saw Josh, I turned to everyone and said we can start filming tomorrow,” Burns told the Huffington Post last Sept. 13.

“He was phenomenal from Day One.” Well, it seems it won’t just be kids who’ll be tuning in on the upcoming reboot. Congratulations, Josh!

DOES caffeine hurt our health?

Researchers have found that coffee chasers have increased blood pressure, faster heart rate, and higher stress hormone level, compared to non-coffee drinkers. The substance responsible for these changes is caffeine, which is also found in cola drink and chocolates. These changes in the physiology of the body are considered harmful to health.

Somehow, tea, which also contains one variety of caffeine, has been deemed to be good for our body, especially green tea.

Does aspirin protect us against cancer?

Yes, according to clinical studies conducted on patients taking daily aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) for conditions like arthritis, etc., or among heart patients taking aspirin to thin their blood to prevent blood clots and blockages in the coronary (heart) arteries. The findings show that those taking daily dose of aspirin (as low as 81 mg a day) have almost 43 percent lesser risk in developing pancreatic cancer, compared to those who do not take aspirin daily. More investigation is underway to find out the explanation for this apparent link, and also if aspirin similarly protects us against colon cancer, other malignancies and against other conditions. Indeed, our longtime household friend, aspirin, so commonly simple and inexpensive medication for the usual headaches and pains, is truly an amazing wonder drug.

What is the cause of stomach ulcers?

In the past, the medical community thought that stomach ulcers were caused by hyperacidity (high acid content in the stomach), by eating spicy food, alcohol ingestion, or even by prolonged hunger. This was what physicians and other healthcare personnel were taught, and the prevailing scientific opinion at the time. Today, we know better.

The cause of majority of stomach ulcers is an infection, caused

by H. pylori bug. When the researcher who discovered this initially presented his theory and findings to the world medical community, he was scorned and literally laughed at, until various independent and extensive laboratory and clinical studies proved him right. He became a hero who had revolutionized the treatment of gastric ulcers, transforming this disease entity

Aspirin: Anti-cancer, etc.? from a surgical illness to a medical condition manageable by pills, instead of by a knife in the operating room.

Can vasectomy be reversed?

Vasectomy is a sterilization procedure in the male where the left and right vas deferens (about 4 mm in diameter) are surgically cut and tied to prevent the sperm from getting through, thus rendering the man infertile. The ejaculation thereafter contains seminal fluids devoid of sperm. With modern surgical technology utilizing microsurgical procedure with the aid of surgical loops (magnifying eye lenses with built-in light), vasectomy can be reversed. The cut ends of the vas deferens on both sides are prepared (trimmed and cleaned) and re-anastomosed (re-connected) together, like joining two water pipes end to end. This will then allow the sperm to pass through, making the man fertile once again. This reversal is desired by men whose only child had died, or by those who had remarried, etc.

Why is the combination of viagra and nitrates fatal?

Viagra (Sildenafil citrate) is the very effective “anti-impotent” pill prescribed for male erectile dysfunction, whose chemical action allows the veins in the penis to dilate and fill with more blood to cause engorgement and erection, enabling the individual to successful penetration and intercourse. Nitrates are heart medications that also dilate blood vessels (arteries and veins in the heart and all over the body). When the blood vessels in the body are dilated “too much” (as the combination of Viagra and nitrates will do), the blood pressure of the person falls very low, and uncontrollably leads to shock, and death in some patients. Viagra is a very safe drug to take, as the millions and millions of men taking it could attest, as long as it is taken under the supervision of a physician and not taken by heart patients who are on medications that contain nitrates.

Do we really need sleep?

Many times, we hear people (young and old) claiming that they do not need sleep, or that an hour or two was enough sleep for them. It is unhealthy not to have adequate sleep. While there is no magic number, having at least 8 hours of a restful sleep is considered good for the body. This brief “hibernation” gives our body time to recharge and repair itself, including our immune system. With inadequate sleep, our body functions less than optimal, our brain and other organs less efficient, and

our disposition a bit cloudy and irritable. Those who have enough restful sleep also feel and look better, and are more pleasant, positive and productive. On the other hand, sleeping more than 10 hours daily (except for babies and young children) does not confer extra benefits, and might even make one lazier and more sluggish.

Is it bad to wash our face often?

Washing our face 2 or 3 times a day, and as needed, on top of a daily shower, is not bad; provided we do not use harsh soap and we replace the moisture that is lost with washing by applying moisturizing cream or lotion after each wash or shower. Washing our face cleanses our face of bacteria and dirt, so it is healthy to do it at least twice a day, followed by a facial moisturizer.

Why does blood not clot inside our blood vessels?

This is one of the wonders of our body, which is replete with various multi-layer defensive mechanisms (and offensive ones against bacteria, viruses and other intruders or potential diseases or injuries), mediated by chemical reactions within us, all aimed at protecting us and keeping us healthier by constantly maintaining homeostasis (physiologic balance within our body).

Blood circulating in our arteries and veins does not clot because we have natural built-in anticoagulant (anti-clot) substances produced by our body. Also, the smoothness of the endothelium (lining of the inner wall of the blood vessels), which contains negatively charged protein, repels the clotting factors and platelets to maintain the fluidity of blood. These chemicals keep our blood “just right,” not too thin for us to have spontaneous bleeding and not too thick to produce clotting and blockages in our blood vessels. Our lifestyle (including smoking or medications we take) could adversely affect this homeostasis and throw it helter-skelter. When this homeostasis is off-balance, an unphysiologic condition ensues and an ailment develops. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com

Sam Concepcion, Louise delos Reyes, Yassi Pressman, Shy Carlos and Marco Gumabao.

Millennial actors and their advice for the broken hearted

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

THE pain of a failed relationship is an experience shared by many. It hurts so much that the phrase “broken hearted” even came to be. For this reason, any sad song that sings of the theme, any soap opera that tackles lost loves, and of course, any big screen movies that magnifies the pain never fails to tug at people’s emotions.

Needless to say then, the upcoming film adaptation of “hugot novelist” Marcelo Santos III, “Para sa Broken Hearted,” will be very relatable across generations.

Director Digo Ricio, who was given the task to bring the bestselling book to life, points out, however that besides showing what heart breaks does to people, the movie will ultimately present lessons to make a person stronger in the love department.

“Ang pagiging broken hearted is a scenario of life. Dumadaan lang siya and a lot us may think that when a person says they’re broken hearted, it’s actually a negative notion. But on the contrary, the way we want to tell

story in this movie is that being broken hearted is really a phase when you should realize you’re ready to enter another dimension,” he explained.

“A heart break is definitely very painful but the experience should tell you to become stronger. But the question is, how do you recover and find that stronger person?”

Enter Yassi Pressman, Shy Carlos, Louise Delos Reyes, Sam Concepcion and Marco Gumabao as Shalee, Jackie, Kath, Dan, Alex and RJ, respectively. They each have stories in the movie to show the different ways in mending a broken heart. They also did so at Para sa Broken Hearted’s grand media conferences as follows.

“Mahirap talaga mag-move on but ‘yung masaktan ka, maging broken hearted, part talaga ‘yun ng buhay, eh. I realized na kung kailangang umiyak ka, then do so. Don’t deny the pain kasi mas mahihirapan ka; but after that, rise again and move forward ka na. And it’s best na ma-experience ‘yun ninuman kahit once in his or her lifetime,” Pressman went first.

“Nakatulong nga ‘yun sa akin for my role as Shalee in our movie. Naka-identify ako sa character

kahit magkaiba kami, but the bottom line, pareho lang kaming gustong maging happy. Dito, in love ako kay Sam Concepcion, but it turns out may kasosyo pala ako sa kanya.”

“When you’re going through a break up, parang something in you dies with the relationship.

You can’t say that you will be the same person. That’s the beauty of the whole experience — that within the chaos, a beautiful thing grows. When it’s over, accepting that makes it bearable,” Concepcion weighed in.

For Carlos, she believes, “Dapat mahalin mo muna yung sarili mo para malaman mo kung anong klaseng pagmamahal ang deserve mo din makuha at mabibigay.”

And finally, delos Reyes adviced. “Yung pag mo-move on, hindi dapat siya minamadali kasi hindi mo lang sinasaktan yung sarili mo parang pinagmumukha mo din siyang tanga. Hindi din siya dapat minamadali dahil yung bawat sagot sa tanong mo, hindi mo dapat hinahanap ng overnight. Yung mga tanong mo sa partner mo, hindi mo siya dapat hinahanap instantly, kasi that will only start a deeper argument.”

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018

B

The wave of BCD Tofu House The (female immigrant owned) House that Tofu Built

by Rae ann VaRona AJ Press

The “Korean wave,” or hallyu, has been making a stronger with the first BCD Tofu House location. Her vision of familhit in the U.S. recently, and its impact has undeniably also iarizing Americans with Korean food quickly became a goal, made hit on the food scene, bringing its influence beyond and another location followed just ten months later. that of just kimchi and Korean barbecue.

In less than ten years, Lee was able to turn BCD Tofu With a steaming bowl of freshly soft tofu, vegetables, and House into one of the most successful ethnic restaurants in a fresh egg in a savory and slightly spicy stew, Buk-Chang- the U.S. next to Panda Express. With 13 restaurants curDong Tofu House — better known as BCD Tofu House — has rently standing throughout Southern California, New Jersey, built a legacy off of serving Americans with the authentic South Korea and New York, BCD Tofu House has become a Korean eating experience. known name to Americans.

Rightly described as “The House that Tofu Built,” its fa- Its popularity grew so strong within the states that Lee mous soon-dubu, or soft tofu soup, has been dubbed as the eventually brought her brand back home to South Korea ultimate Korean comfort food. where it also has developed a strong following and amassed BCD Tofu House first opened up in 1996 along Vermont a number of imitators, partly due to its American success Avenue in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, seven years after its story. In 2006, BCD Tofu House was selected by the Korean owner Hee Sook Lee moved to the U.S. Its acronym “BCD”, government to be a representative Korean restaurant.

only the highest quality of tofu in its dishes.

As for the rich and comforting flavor of the bright, red soup, no MSG flavor is added (or needed), for those avoiding it.

Walk into any BCD Tofu House on any given hour and you’ll most likely find it packed and busy with a diverse range of customers. This is true even in its current Koreatown Wilshire location that is open 24 hours and is solid with customers way into the late hours.

And while the BCD Tofu House menu offers 8 variations of soon-dubu to explore with ingredients ranging from vegetables to seafood to meats, the restaurant also offers other Korean favorites like hot-stone bibimbap, soy bean cold noodle, galbi, bulgogi, kimchi dumpling, tofu japchae, and crispy garlic tofu bites among others. They even have a pays homage to the South Korean city of Buk-Chang-Dong And while soon-dubu spots have sprouted around Kore- soup starter kit that can be found in selected asian market which is well known for its restaurants. atown and elsewhere, there’s a reason BCD Tofu House thas for people to enjoy at home.

For Lee, who had experience in the restaurant business become a standard when it comes to the comforting soft tofu For 22 years, BCD Tofu House has been introducing Amerfrom working with her husband’s family restaurant in South soup and the Korean eating experience. icans and the world to tofu through its warm, savory, and Korea, it made sense to start a restaurant in the states and Aside from putting in Lee’s own secret ingredient, BCD comforting soon-dubu, and its safe to say that they aren’t her vision from the start was simple. Lee thought that if Chi- Tofu House makes the effort of choosing high quality ingre- done yet. nese food was able to find popularity in the states, Korean dients. In each personal bubbling cauldron in which the BCD Tofu House Southern California locations include Kofood surely would too. soon-dubu is cooked, is soft, fresh, and 100 percent US- reatown, Garden Grove, Artesia, Irvine, Torrance, Fullerton, Despite facing the many challenges that naturally came DA-certified organic tofu. Packed with essential nutrients Rowland Heights, and the San Fernando Valley. More inforwith opening up a restaurant, along with the added chal- like calcium and iron, tofu has become widely known for its mation on BCD Tofu House can be found on their website, lenges of being an immigrant woman, Lee found success health benefits, and BCD Tofu House makes sure to serve www.bcdtofu.com.

B SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018

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Tourist visa granted despite unfavorable factors FOR years Maria dreamed of visiting the United States.

However, she believed that her chances of being granted a tourist visa were pretty slim due to the fact that she has numerous close family members living in the U.S. and an approved immigrant visa petition from a U.S. employer. Maria, whose name has been changed for confidentiality reasons, thought that it would be nearly impossible for her to obtain a tourist visa at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, as she heard many stories from family and friends who time after time were denied tourist visas.

To be eligible for a B-2 tourist visa, a noncitizen must demonstrate that they have a foreign residence that they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will only be visiting the U.S. temporarily for tourism or pleasure. The burden is on the visa applicant to show they do not have “immigrant intent� - that is, their visit to the U.S. will be only temporary.

In determining whether to grant the visa, consular officers look at a variety of factors including whether the applicant has stable employment in their home country, a family and a home to which they can return, and sufficient funds to support their temporary stay in the U.S. While Maria had many favorable factors in her case, she also had numerous adverse factors that could lead an officer to conclude she had immigrant intent.

Several years ago Maria applied for a job with a U.S. employer who subsequently filed an employment-based petition on her behalf. The employmentbased petition was approved, but for various reasons Maria was unable to immigrate to the U.S. at that time and she remained in the Philippines. Even though Maria had long abandoned her plan to immigrate to the U.S. to work for that employer, the approved petition still remained in her immigration record and was available for a consular officer to see and use as potential support for a finding of immigrant intent.

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. BRITTANY MILLIASSEAU In addition to the approved employment-based petition, Maria also has numerous family members living in the U.S., including U.S. citizen parents and siblings - other factors that would heavily weigh against her in being granted a tourist visa. Maria was also hesitant to apply for a tourist visa as both her children had previously applied for tourist visas and were ultimately denied

tion for the visa interview. Not only did Maria have a complete application packet and strong documentation, but she went into the visa interview well-prepared and with confidence. After so many years filled with doubt and uncertainty as to whether she would ever get to visit the U.S., Maria’s dream finally became a reality. Her tourist visa application was approved, and Maria will now be able to use her B-1/B-2 visa to come to the U.S. multiple times over the next 10 years.

While it may seem like obtaining a tourist visa should be a relatively painless task, obtaining one at a consular post where there are historically high rates of denials (China, Mexico, and the Philippines), is definitely not easy. Heightened screening and vetting of applications for visas and other immigration benefits has been underway for the past several months and has made it even more difficult to obtain visas.

However, as Maria’s story shows, with competent immigration counsel and the right preparation, obtaining a tourist visa is not impossible even with multiple adverse factors. Maria is now able to finally visit her loved ones in the U.S. after so many years and is looking forward to the wonderful memories they will make during her temporary visit.

“Heightened screening and vetting of applications for visas and other immigration benefits has been underway for the past several months and has made it even more diffcult to obtain visas.� after being told by the consular officer that their applications had been denied because their mother had an approved immigrant visa petition.

Despite all of the above, Maria was not willing to give up her dream of visiting the U.S. She contacted Reeves Immigration Law Group (RILG) to see if she had any chance at obtaining a tourist visa. The attorneys at RILG explained that obtaining a tourist visa was possible, but that she would need to submit a very detailed application with supporting documents and make sure she was thoroughly prepared for the visa interview.

Tired of being unable to visit friends and family members in the U.S., Maria retained RILG to assist her in her tourist visa application.

The team at RILG guided Maria through the entire visa application process step-by-step, from document collection and review, to completion of application forms, to thorough prepara-

*** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with ofďŹ ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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Pilgrimage to Some of ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience.

Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unjust condemnation.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL

Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi.

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â&#x20AC;? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history while admiring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giottoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist.

Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage

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C SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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What do you bring to an IRS audit?

THE IRS will tell you what records to bring to an audit. The requested documents varies based on your situation. They will need support for income that you report and deductions that you claim.

This may include income records for wages, dividends, stock trades, and bank statements.

This may include records to support deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, or donations.

If IRS asks you to respond by mail (correspondence audit), they will provide the address for you to mail the paperwork. They may also require you to fill out a questionnaire. Ask your tax preparer to fill out the questionnaire or compose letter and review documentation. If you send the wrong stuff, it will be hard to undo a letter or anything else that you send. You have to do this right from the start. This is not the time to be stingy on fees.

It could cost much more in the end.

If the IRS wants to see you in

Tax Tips victoR sy, cPA, mBA

person at their office (office audit) they will instruct you on what documents to bring via IDR (Information Document request).

Gather and organize your paperwork methodically by year and by income or expense category to speed up the process. Again, ask your tax preparer to go for you - for you - not with you. I don’t want you going with your representative to the IRS. You won’t enjoy it. You may hinder your POA’s settlement skills. Personally, it’s hard for me to settle with you in the room. I can’t negotiate with you around. I work better without you. I rarely lose audit cases but I did lose a few when I brought some taxpayers to the IRS early in my career.

After they receive your paperwork, the IRS will evaluate your documentation. They can request more documentation or make a determination to end your suffering.

After determination, the audit process ends with either: • No-change or • Proposed changes with an itemization of adjustments and bill or amount of refund.

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.

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Two priests and their long years of selfless and “big” service ON World Youth Day in 2014, Pope Francis challenged young people with this message: “Do you really want to be happy? In an age when we are constantly being tempted by vain and empty illusions of happiness, we risk settling for less and living ‘small.’ Instead: Think big!

Open your heart! As Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati once said, ‘To live without faith, to have no heritage to uphold, to fail to struggle constantly to defend the truth: This is not living, it is getting by. We should never just get by, but really live.’”(Pope Francis, Happiness in this Life. Published by Random House, New York, 2017) Two priests, who died this past month, lived these words of Pope Francis to the fullest. Not only did they “think big” and opened their hearts, but they also thought “long”—long years of service! They didn’t merely get by in the priesthood; they prospered and achieved! They were Fr. Michael J. Mandala, SJ, 71 years old and Msgr. James J. Loughnane, 81 years old. Both priests left a significant legacy to the people of God in the Archdio-

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs cese of Los Angeles. Fr. Mandala was a Jesuit for 54 years and a priest for 41 years, while Msgr.

Loughnane was a priest for 47 years.

I knew Fr. Michael J. Mandala when I was the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

He was the dean in our area and the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church. I remember him working hard to bring faith and life to a challenging and diverse parish community of Hollywood. He reached out to the “unchurched,” the undocumented, the LGBT, and others who felt alienated in the society. He advocated for affordable housing for underprivileged people and senior citizens.

Along with his staff and parishioners, he provided food, clothing, and shower for the homeless. He kept the parish school open de-

spite its struggling enrollment.

Fr. Sebastian described Fr. Michael’s legacy in a few simple and familiar words during his funeral sermon for his dear friend: He had a deep love for God and neighbors.

Msgr. James J. Loughnane is also known as a tireless priest.

Not only that he dedicated his life as a pastor, but he also headed various committees and councils in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. When Bishop Oscar Solis left Los Angeles to head the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah, Msgr. Loughnane bravely took his position as Episcopal Vicar of San Pedro Region while still the pastor of St. Denis Church in Diamond Bar. Priests and parishioners will always remember Msgr. Loughnane for his high energy, hard work, holiness, humor, and love for the Church and the priesthood. “He had no other agenda except the welfare of the Church and the archdiocese,” Fr. Sebastian, the presider during his Vigil Service, remarked. “He would go to almost every wedding reception of his parishioners,” one

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3 reasons why filing bankruptcy might make sense for your situation NO one ever likes to talk about bankruptcy. However, it’s simply a fact of life. Things happen.

Whether it’s losing your job, going through a divorce, having huge medical bills that you can’t pay – or sometimes simply making poor financial decisions- any of these can lead to bankruptcy.

It’s a scary thing to a lot of people and most never imagine that it could ever happen to them.

But like everything else in life, fear often comes from a lack of understanding. Most people have heard negative things about bankruptcy so they try to stay away from it the best they canuntil one day they realize that it’s the only option they have left.

Understanding that bankruptcy is not the end of the world and that it is simply a chance for you to start over can be helpful if you ever find yourself in such. Under what circumstances is bankruptcy advisable? Well, cases vary, but let me mention a few examples.

When There Is No Other Way Out of Debt- Some people are so buried in debt that unless they file bankruptcy, they will simply

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes INTERNET and social media has become a way of life these days. Almost everyone these day have Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, etc. as part of their daily lives. These media are used frequent as people used to use land lines and TV. However if you have a pending divorce case or are contemplating filing for divorce, you should try to either refrain from using social media or exercise extra care in using social media because anything you post in social media can be used against you in court. Posting certain pictures or comments in social media can affect issues relating to domestic violence, child custody, spousal support, child support, attorney’s fees, and property division.

Domestic Violence Sometimes, people will post comments in social media such as facebook or tweeter ranting about their spouse when they

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon remain in debt until hell freezes over. This is especially true for people who owe large amounts of credit card debt. As you already know, credit card companies usually charge anywhere from 18-29% in interest and paying only the minimum required every month guarantees that you will never pay off what you owe.

If your credit card accounts are now seriously delinquent and you’ve been sued by creditors or about to be sued, filing bankruptcy may be the only way for you to either wipe out or consolidate your debts.

When Creditors Have Taken You To Court- Creditors will often harass you for months, making you feel like a deadbeat and a criminal, to force you to pay. But sooner or later, they will bring a

lawsuit so they can obtain a judgment against you. Once they have a judgment, they can enforce the judgment by several ways- going to your employer to garnish your wages, levy your bank account or place a lien on your home or other real property. Unless you can work out a reasonable settlement with creditors to avoid the above, you may be forced to file bankruptcy in order to protect yourself and your assets. Filing for bankruptcy protection immediately stops all legal proceedings against you and your property. Even the IRS (a government agency that you don’t want to mess with), who has more powers than ordinary creditors, cannot continue to collect from you once you are in bankruptcy. Unpaid tax liabilities can either be discharged in bankruptcy or be paid back with no interest and additional penalties.

If Your Home or Other Property Is In or Under Threat of Foreclosure- Bankruptcy immediately halts foreclosure proceedings. If a Notice of Default or a Notice of Trustee Sale has been filed by

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Five ways internet and social media presence can affect your divorce case

get upset about certain issues.

Other times, people would post comments that are threatening to a spouse or other household members. These type of posts and activity can be construed by the Court as domestic violence towards a spouse and towards other household members. It is best to restrain your emotions, and refrain from posting such rants or other harassing comments on line. In addition, hacking into your spouse computer and disclosing and disseminating materials downloaded from your spouse’s e-mail, social media, etc may result to a finding of domestic violence. Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. It includes actions that can destroy to mental and emotional calm of your spouse or ex spouse such as disseminating your spouse private information.

Custody Pictures of yourself in parties drinking alcohol or smoking in

the presence of your minor child is a common piece of evidence parties try to introduce in Custody hearings specially when there is allegations of alcohol abuse.

Avoid posting these type of pictures in social media and the internet. If you have monitored visitation of your child, avoid comments and pictures in social media that depicts you exercising visitation without a monitor . Avoid any type of social media pictures or comments referring to use of marijuana or other types of drugs. Even if your spouse or ex spouse is not within your list of social media friends or contacts, you will be amazed how these type of information can get to your spouse through common friends. In addition, if there is a finding of domestic violence against you as discussed above, there is a rebuttable presumption against giving you sole or joint physical custody of your

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018

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Filipino survivors of human labor Rescinding removal/ deportation order to allow for adjustment of status trafficking bring “Employers” to justice EARLY this month, state and local law enforcement arrested employers who were operating adult residential and child care facilities in the Bay Area. The employers were charged with human trafficking and other labor-related crimes, according to various news reports.

The charges resulted from a year-long investigation conducted by government agencies into the Rainbow Bright care center facilities. The facility owners were found to have targeted Filipino immigrants who were subjected to labor exploitation.

Some of the Filipino workers’ passports were confiscated by the employers. Rainbow Bright’s owners reportedly forced their employees to work practically 24 hours each day under inhumane conditions.

Employees were told to sleep on floors and in garages. Some employees were locked outside the facility in the rain when the owners were not home. Three employees were raped. Employees were regularly threatened with deportation if they expressed the desire to leave the employment. Fourteen illegal assault weapons were recovered at the facilities, one from the child care center.

The California Attorney General’s Office hailed the trafficked employees who reported the crime and helped the government arrest the perpetrators. Despite the horrible work situation, the Attorney General noted that the trafficked employees “were providing by all accounts loving care” to the residents in their care. It is

Debt Relief

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. c. Joe sAyAs, Jr. believed that the facility owners may have exploited hundreds of workers over the 10 years that they had been operating their business.

Human trafficking, also known as modern day slavery, is obtaining labor by the use of force, fraud or coercion in order to subject a person to involuntary servitude or slavery. Human trafficking is a criminal offense. However, the laws also allow the victims to obtain compensation for their damages against the traffickers.

In California, trafficking victims are allowed to sue their socalled “employers” for “forced labor,” which means labor or services obtained or maintained through force, fraud, or coercion.

Trafficking victims are entitled to: Actual damages, including wages, overtime pay, interest, and penalties; Damages for emotional distress; Treble damages (which means the victim’s actual damages multiplied by three); Punitive damages; Attorneys fees Trafficking victims do not have to be physically restrained (or locked up) by the “employer.”

They may be able to go outside the home of the “employer” but the “employer” still maintains psychological control over them

by threats of harm to them or their family, or threats of being arrested by police or of being deported.

According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), there is no single profile for trafficking victims – they can be any age, from any economic background, with varied levels of education, and may be documented or undocumented. They can be foreign nationals or American citizens. For as long as they are compelled by force, fraud, or coercion to provide labor or services, they are victims of labor trafficking.

Human trafficking preys on immigrant workers, especially women and the undocumented. It violates fundamental civil rights. Victims and those willing to help trafficked workers should not hesitate to confidentially consult with an experienced employment attorney to stop this modern-day slavery. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic.

All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [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 the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

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WE have all heard the popular saying, “Timing is everything.” Unfortunately, this saying often adversely applies to those persons who have found an avenue from which to obtain a green card, only to be prohibited from doing so because he/ she has a prior removal/deportation order. A typical scenario involves a person who entered the US years ago on a B-2 tourist visa, overstayed, and was ordered removed by the Immigration Court. Fast forward to today, that person who was ordered removed finds true love and marries a US Citizen.

Seemingly close to finally obtaining permanent resident status, he/she is precluded from doing so because of the prior removal/deportation order.

What options does one have in such a case?

A motion to reopen the removal/deportation proceedings and rescind the removal/ deportation order can be filed in Immigration Court. If the motion to reopen the proceedings and rescind the removal/ deportation order is successful, the alien can pursue whatever relief from removal/deportation that is available to him/her. For the scenario cited in the first paragraph, the relief would be adjustment of status to permanent resident via marriage to a US citizen spouse.

The relief would be presented in Immigration Court, with the Immigration Judge to decide the merits of the adjustment of status application. Alternatively, if an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can be obtained to terminate the proceedings, a decision on the adjustment of

LET’S assume that you have incurred too much debt. What do I mean by too much debt? By this I mean that you are now a slave to creditors because your debt level is beyond what your income can handle comfortably such that there is every month you have no savings. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy for the following clients: Client no. 1: Senior with $18K levy on her bank account.

This client is 60 and is married.

She makes about $2K a month as a caregiver. Her husband is 58 and works part time earning about $1K a month. Their combined net income is $3K. They don’t own a house. They own a 2016 Camry with a money purchase loan. They pay $400 a month for this. Last week, her bank calls her and tells her that a judgment creditor has levied her checking account. The money in that account was $1,500 and it’s now frozen. The bank gives her a copy of the notice of levy. It says that she owes creditor $18K. She tells me that she doesn’t know why there’s a judgment against her for $18K but suspects that this has something to do with the pick up that was repossessed 10 years ago.

Apparently, the pickup creditor filed a lawsuit against her for the repo deficiency 9 years ago.

But she tells me that she remembers that the repo deficiency was

only $7K so why is the levy for $18K? Well, judgments accrue legal interest at 10% p.a. so now it’s $18K because it includes compounded legal interest for 9 years.

So, what’s the next judgment enforcement action from creditor she can expect? If creditor finds out who her employer is, the next step will be a wage garnishment. The wage garnishment will deduct 25% from her gross monthly income. That’s something client cannot afford because 25% of her $2K salary is $500 a month. They use that to pay their room rent of $600, or the car payment of $400.

They don’t have minor children so other monthly necessities are about $1,400. It’s quite clear that even without the judgment of $18K, client household is financially tight and all they earn goes to pay monthly expenses.

Before the bank levy, they could save a little at the end of the month. With a 25% wage garnishment imminent, what feasible remedy does client have to be relieved of the $18K judgment?

She can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This will wipe out the judgment of $18K as well as all her other debts so she can get a fresh start without any debt.

She can keep her 2016 Camry if she continues her car payments even if she files Chapter 7.

Pros: No more judgment of $18K and no more debt; can save $500 a month; credit score

will increase every year if she handles her car payment well after Bk, and handle her new credit cards obtained after Bk well; peace of mind, no need to worry about future garnishment or bank levy from any creditor; becomes productive again; credit score increases every year and becomes very good on 5th year and perfect between 6th to 10th year. Credit score will be over 700 on 6th year. On 10th year, no record of Chapter 7, credit is perfect.

Cons: none Client no. 2: Senior owes $60K credit cards, owns a house.

Client is recently widowed. Her husband died last year. She is 74.

She owns a house with $150K of equity. Her social security is $1,000. And she has a pension of $2,000. Her house payment is $2,000. Pension takes care of the house payment completely, so she has $1,000 left from social security. She lives by herself.

She should be in good financial shape as her monthly necessities in $600. She still has $400 left from her social security income.

The elephant in the room is that she owes $60K of credit cards. When she was still working, she was able to make the minimum payment of $1800 a month to keep the $60K current.

But she stopped working when her husband died last year.

Doesn’t want to work anymore.

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U Visa and its basic requirements IN today’s column, we will address U nonimmigrant status, commonly known as the “U visa.” This temporary immigration status may be available to a domestic violence victim who is not married to the abuser, or if the abuser is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

It is very important to remember that the information below is not a substitute for legal advice.

Assessing U visa eligibility and procedural requirements as well as the current risks to applying for a particular individual can be very complex, so it is critical that you consult with an experienced, trustworthy immigration attorney before proceeding with any application.

U Nonimmigrant Status (“U visa”) is a visa or a form of temporary legal status created by federal law that allows non-citizens who have been victims of certain crimes to stay in the country lawfully and eventually obtain a green card.

The basic requirements for a U visa are: 1) The immigrant is a victim of certain specified crimes that violate United States law; 2) The immigrant suffered substantial physical or mental abuse because of the crime; and 3) The immigrant cooperated

Atty. DArrick tAn status application can be made outside Immigration Court, by the USCIS. Generally, a motion to reopen removal/deportation proceedings must be filed within 90 days of the date of entry of the removal/deportation order. However, several bases upon which a motion to reopen may be filed past 90 days exist, and are discussed below.

Under 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(4), a motion to reopen can be filed at any time if notice of the proceedings was not received by the person subject to the removal/deportation order, and a removal/deportation order was entered in his absence. Written notice of the time and place of removal proceedings must be given in person to the alien, or shall be given by certified mail to the alien or to the alien’s counsel of record. INA §242B(a)(2)(A).

Further, written notice of the proceedings, if provided by certified mail, must be provided at the most recent address reported by the alien. Matter of Grijalva, Interim Decision 3246 (BIA 1995). The requirements for notice of removal/deportation proceedings are strict, and careful analysis of a person’s immigration court file often results in finding evidence that DHS did not comply with required procedure, which can be the basis for reopening the removal/deporta-

tion proceeding.

Further, the Immigration Judge has discretionary authority to reopen or reconsider cases on his or her own motion (“sua sponte”) at any time providing a valid basis can be shown. 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(1).

Careful analysis of not only the immigration court file, but also the specific facts and circumstances of the case is necessary to put forward a valid basis on which the Immigration Judge can rely to reopen the proceedings. Some bases upon which cases I have been able to reopen cases include improper section cited by the DHS attorney in the charging document, insufficient evidence presented by the DHS attorney in proving up the case against the alien, and hardship and humanitarian concerns.

If you have a prior removal/ deportation order which is preventing you from adjusting status, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney to ascertain the bases upon which a motion to reopen can be filed. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277.

Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

What are the pros and cons 3 reasons why filing bankruptcy... of filing for bankruptcy?

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Atty. LAwrence yAng

Legal Advice

Commentary

Lou MArie reyes with law enforcement and assisted in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

In addition to domestic violence, these specified crimes include, but are not limited to, rape, torture, trafficking, incest, sexual assault, kidnapping, abduction, false imprisonment, manslaughter, and murder.

To apply for a U visa, you must first obtain a “law enforcement certification” before filing an application. A law enforcement certification is a document that must be completed and signed by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, or a prosecutor, judge, or other authority that is responsible for the investigation of the crime. Some examples of possible certifying agencies include the police, child protective services, and the district attorney’s office. The signed certification is proof that you have been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Once you obtain the certification, it is

valid for six months and you will need to file the U visa application within that period to use that certification in your application.

In addition to obtaining legal status in the United States, a U visa holder is eligible for public benefits such as food stamps and Medi-Cal, a work permit, and can later apply for a green card. A U visa applicant may be able to include certain family members on his or her application.

U visa status is good for up to four years. In certain situations, you may be able to ask for an extension on your U visa status. After three years, the U visa holder is eligible to apply for adjustment of status (green card).

If you have questions about your situation or need legal assistance, please contact Advancing Justice - L.A’s Tagalog helpline at 855-300-2552. *** Lou Marie Reyes is a community legal advocate at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles. She joined the organization in February 2018 and staffs the Tagalog helpline, which prioritizes in-language assistance to the local Filipino community. Ms. Reyes works alongside Advancing Justice – LA’s attorneys that specialize in family law, domestic violence, citizenship and immigration, and employment law.

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your lender, you have very limited time to protect your property so you must act quickly. Chapter 13 may be an option for you if you have regular income and you can afford to continue making mortgage payments. All back mortgage payments are combined with other debts and can be paid back under a 5-year plan.

In certain cases, you may even be able to wipe out debt owed under a second mortgage (lien

stripping) or significantly reduce the amount owed. If mortgage payments are too high, modifying the first mortgage and then “stripping off” the second mortgage may be your best strategy in making your home more affordable.

Bankruptcy can be a tool for financial recovery. Don’t be discouraged. There is hope for you and it could be the only way for you to put your finances back in order. To schedule a free con-

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sultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. 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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C4 SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

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merica

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS S E P T E M B E R 29

Laoguenian Association of Southern California to hold induction ball in City of Industry, CA The Laoaguenian Association of Southern California, Inc. (LASC) will hold its induction of new set of officers on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at the Pacific Palms Resort & Hotel (1 Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744). The new inductees are headed by Mario Medina, president-elect. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions, please call Sonny Siazon, past president & adviser, at (714) 720-3913.

PHII and JPRMM symposium on modern-day heroes in Rosemead, CA The Philippine Heritage Institute International and the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement invite the youth, ages 15-35, to the 12th Annual PHII Youth Congress on Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Garvey Community Center (9108 Garvey Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770-3337). Join to celebrate the stories and achievements of modernday heroes that inspire our youth to dream, to act, to find, to emulate, or to be just their own heroes. Keynote speaker is Dean Tanglao, Doctor of Physical Therapy; CEO/Founder of Kinda Fit Kinda Fat®. Joining him are featured speakers: Josef T.D. Madrigal, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA; Christelle Narvasa, nursing student, Mount San Antonio College; Cristina Narvasa, undergrad student at Cal State Univ., Fullerton majoring in Biological Science; Delilah Dijamco, Financial Advisor, The Prudential Insurance Co. of America; and soon-to-be teen Ryan dela Cruz, 3-time Taekwondo national champion. PHII’s vision is to improve the quality of life affecting Filipino American communities through research, education, and recognition, with the youth as its main focus. Breakfast and lunch will be served. To RSVP, please contact: Josie E. de Jesus (714) 272-0300; Dr. Anna A. Chickey (562) 900-0379; Email Amelia Carpio at ameliacarpio33@yahoo.com or freyabnish@gmail.com.

PBRC 30th Anniversary in South San Francisco, CA The Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC) will celebrate its 30th Anniversary on September 29, 2018 at the Holiday Inn along South Airport Blvd. in South San Francisco, CA starting at 6 p.m. According to PBRC president Ray Satorre, the event will recognize the organization’s outstanding volunteers, as well as honor Perla Gange Ibarrientos and Monica Abello for their continuous service to the PBRC. Both Ibarrientos and Abello were among the founders of the organization about 30 years ago. Money raised from the event will enable the nonprofit organization to continue their projects, including legal immigration clinics, Tai Chi classes for seniors, senior cultural dance, Eskabo (Filipino martial arts) classes for youngsters and adults, Tagalog classes, and the PBRC outreach project for the Daly City Public Library children and their parents (parol-making or bamboo lanterns). For more information about the 30th Anniversary celebration of the PBRC, call (650) 992-9110 or send email to pbrc333@ sbcglobal.net.

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Asian Small Business Expo in Montebello, CA The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services.Don’t miss the opportunity on Saturday, October 6 to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. This year’s theme is “Growing your business online: Standing out in the digital world,” featuring 40+ exhibitors and workshops. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Quiet Cannon (901 Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640). Visit https://www. eventbrite.com/e/annual-asian-small-business-expo-free-event-tickets-45785739379 to register for free. Walk-ins are also welcome.

City of Carson kicks off 9th annual Fil-Am History Month festivities On Saturday, October 6 the City of Carson will have the kick-off ceremonies for its 9th Annual Filipino American History Month festivities. The day starts at 8:00 a.m. by the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument outside the Carson Community Center on 801 E. Carson St. in Carson, California. This will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony, and a program from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. that highlights their leadership awards in three categories: Community Leadership, Youth Achievement, and Heroism. Headliners for the program are singers Fe de los Reyes and Miguel Vera. Other performers are the CSU Long Beach Filipino American Coalition, Shane Selloria, Jason Farol, Kindreds of Carson, and former “Fil-Ams Got Talent” champions Charishma Marquez, Shekinah Austria, and Therese Masangcay. Keynote speaker is Asian Pacific Studies Professor Dr. Mary Talusan-Lacanlale. Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz and Councilmember Elito Santarina will also grace the kick-off. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

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Serenata Filipina Ver. 2 at LA’s Ford Amphitheater “Serenata Filipina Ver. 2” is the only Filipino music concert at the famed Ford Theatres’ Summer Season. Features female OPM stalwarts: jazz diva Louie Reyes, vocal powerhouse Annie Nepomuceno, hitmaker Odette Quesada and many more, backed by a live band. Part of the proceeds benefits Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, and other community partners.

Grounds open for picnicking at 4:30 p.m., show is at 6:30pm. Tickets are $100 VIP, $70, $55, $40 and $35 for students. Buy online at www.fordtheatres.org or by calling the box office at (323) 461-3673.

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Daly City hosts Fil-Am History Month celebration Daly City celebrates Filipino-American History Month via Kasayahan sa Daly City at the Marchbank Park (2001 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City, CA 94014) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be food trucks, a family fun zone, arts and crafts, a jump house, a beer garden, several vendor booths, a bubble machine, and entertainment from homegrown talent. Parking is free at the DC Station Garage on 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard, and Marchbank Park is accessible on the second floor. This is a free event, and everyone is invited.Entertainment throughout the day will be provided by Melvinsings! Maddie B, Kariktan Dance Company, American Center of Philippine Arts, Rudy Kalma, Mike Dayao, Guji, and more. Headliners to perform at the TFC Hour are “Queen of Freestyle” Jocelyn Enriquez and rapper and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra. For more information about this event, call (650) 991-8001 or go to their Facebook events pagehttps://www.facebook.com/events/264867907630476/.

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Special Celebration in honor of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima On Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5 p.m. at Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. With main celebrant: Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar. All the faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are cordially invited to join us in October, the month of the Rosary, to pray for peace and conversion in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. Please share this announcement with your parish, families and schools. Together we can bring peace to our world. Together in prayer, we make a difference. All are welcome!

For more information, please call 323-578-8411 or 818-421-6534.

Fil-Am Association of SCV,Inc. 35th Anniversary Gala The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its 35th Anniversary Gala. A black tie and hollywood glamour dinner and dance $60.00 (prepaid) on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. For details and purchase of tickets, please call: Mul (661) 253-1825, Zeny (661) 284-0181, Myra (424) 350-1056, Zony (661) 312-3422, Nic (661) 312-9077, Linda (661) 904-1365 and Emie (661) 877-2699.

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

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What are the pros and cons of filing...

PAGE C3 t

Just wants to live and enjoy life.

Chapter 7 will wipe out the $60K credit cards. She gets to keep her house because her equity exemption is $175K, which covers the $150K of house equity.

Pros: No more $60K credit cards so no more pressure to pay $1800 a month of minimum payments to keep them current.

Fresh start with no debt. Still owns her house and still has her social security and pension income untouched. Peace of mind and peaceful life. Saves $400 a month, which she can use to travel wherever she wants to, or use it any way she wants to.

Cons: none Client no. 3: young man with 2 corporations Client is 40 and owns two corporations. Both businesses were doing good and making $100K

a year net profit, but because of the trade war, his cost has gone up because of the increased tariff for merchandise made in China.

Now, both businesses are losing money. One company has debt of $300K. The other company has debt of $250K. Creditors are threatening to sue.

Client will file Chapter 7 for both corporations to wipe out $550K of debt of the business.

If creditors sue client personally which is unlikely unless he has signed personal guaranties, client can also file a personal Chapter 7 for a fresh start without debt.

Pros: Fresh start in life. No business or personal debt. Keeps all his personal assets. Look for new business to do maybe become the next Walt Disney who also did Chapter 7 twice for fresh start. Now Disney is multibillion global business. Fresh start for

Mr. Disney after two Chapter 7s.

Cons: none If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. You only have stressful debt to lose.

“Wjoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the almighty, can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. you are my God; In you I trust.” Psalm 91.

Written by Moses. *** 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 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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Two priests and their long years...

PAGE C2 t

of the eulogists said.

As I reflect on the lives of these two noblemen and their dedication to their vocation, I cannot help but become inspired in my life too as a priest. I’m eager to continue dedicating my life wholeheartedly to serve the People of God. In it, I also find my meaning, purpose, and happiness.

St. Denis Church aptly put on its website the words of Pope Francis to memorialize their loving and hardworking deceased pastor, “One who serves and gives seems defeated in the eyes of the world. Because a life di-

vested of itself, losing itself in love, emulates Christ: he conquers death and gives life to the world.”

In these times when the Catholic Church is undergoing crisis because of clerical sex scandals, we can find solace and hope in the lives of priests like Fr. Michael J. Mandala and Msgr.

James J. Loughnane. Some priests and bishops fell and failed the Church by their grave crimes and sins, but let’s not forget those who led an exemplary life of service. Let’s not forget those who are faithful to their vows and vocation. Let’s pray that all of us continue thinking big, opening

our hearts, and dedicating our lives to serve God, our families, friends, and communities. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

Five ways internet and social media...

PAGE C2 t

will be able to get a hold of these pictures and comments through common friends and use it as evidence against you as to why you should pay more child support and spousal support.

Your argument in Court that you are broke and living paycheck to paycheck might be questioned if there are pictures and comments regarding you having a blast in Las Vegas or going on that Caribbean Cruise with your new significant other. Pictures of your expensive hobbies such as hunting, shooting in firing ranges with your expensive gun collection can be used against you to put into question your contention that you are broke. Likewise if you are the spouse asking for support, evidence in social medial that you are living a high lifestyle or that you are gambling can affect your claim for spousal support and child support.

Attorney’s fees The above conduct in social media and the internet can also affect your claim for attorney’s fee. Most of the attorney’s fee request in family court are based on needs. (Family Code Section 2030). If there is evidence of what appears to be a flamboyant

lifestyle, this could undermine your need to have your spouse contribute to your attorney’s fees.

Division of Property The Family Code requires the parties to make full and complete disclosure of all assets, debts, material facts and information, income and expenses. If there are assets and businesses that you failed to disclose but pictures and statements referring to it is posted in social media and the internet, your spouse can use this evidence to file an omitted asset RFO and have the Court divide the community interest in such asset or business even after the divorce judgment had been entered. For example, if you invested as a part owner in a business without disclosing this interest. This new business posts pictures of you cutting the ribbon during its inaugural grand opening, this can be used in court as evidence of your undisclosed asset. It would also tip your spouse to propound further discovery to obtain evidence regarding your undisclosed asset or business interest.

When you have a pending family law case, it would probably be in your interest to either refrain or

be very mindful of the information you post and disseminate in social medial and the internet because it can have a material effect on the issues in your family law case. ***

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 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 kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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People and Events

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018

C

PNHS Alumni, USA 7th Biennial Grand Reunion, a fun filled event

by Emma

Hilario

Chem. Engr., MBA, J.D.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 was a fun-filled evening at the Westgate Hotel and Resort, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alumni of the Pangasinan National High School, formerly known as Pangasinan Provincial High School, travelled far and wide, eager to reunite with friends and former classmates.

The event started at five o’clock in the afternoon with guests arriving early and were full of enthusiasm and smiles.

Dinner was served early so that fun would immediately start.

The event started with the inspirational speech of the Honorable Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil. PNHS is located in the town of Lingayen, in the province of Pangasinan. Lingayen is one of the ones in the Honorable

Batoil’s Congressional District.

He was selected as the guest speaker because of his many accomplishments in improving and modernizing the town of Lingayen. One of his notable projects is the improvement and building of the Lingayen Beach bay-walk. It connects some of the towns and cities whose boundaries are located along the shoreline. Residents are now able to enjoy the beauty that the beach ad shorelines have to offer.

The food served was simple and delicious. The attendees were seen going from one table to the next, exchanging greetings and pleasantries with friends and former classmates. Alumni who graduated on the same year were seen taking group pictures ad had many such pictures posted on social media.

Most of the night was spent by the attendees dancing their hearts

and their feet away. From oldies but goodies to modern music, the alumni danced to the beat. From waltz, to tango, to cha-cha, to the twist, to line dancing, and to rockn-roll and other modern dances, the guests filled up the dance floor till the end of the event.

In recognition of the Hosting Class 1967, plaques of recognition and certificates of appreciation were given out. Kudos to the Executive Committee Host Class 1967 for a job well done namely: Teresita Quitlong Luciano, Sergio Ignacio, Elizabeth Hilario Sison, Sally Dalisay De Guzman and Rose Yanes Sacks. Many thanks to the Treasurer Virginia Panoringan Cantillo.

PNHS Alumni USA, through its Founder Mario Panoringan announces that the next Biennial Grand Reunion will be held in 2020 in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Stay tuned…

Message from Mario Cendana Panoringan founder of PPHS-PNHS Almuni, USA LAS VEGAS, NV – The Pangasinan Provincial National High School Alumni, USA (PPNHS) held its 2018 7th Biennial Grand Reunion August 31 to September 2 in this city, with a standing room only attendance at the Westgate Resort Hotel & Casino. The 3-day event hosted by Class 1967 was Chaired by Teresita Quitlong-with Virginia Panoringan-Cantillo as Treasurer. Members of the Executive Committee include Rose Yanes-Sacks, Sally Dalisay-De Guzman, Sergio Ignacio and Elizabeth Hilario-Sison.

Founded in late 2005 by respected and retired San Francisco Bay Area business executive, Mario Cendana-Panoringan of Class 1965, PPNHS Alumni, USA held its first Biennial Grand Reunion in San Francisco, California on a Labor Day weekend in 2006, with close to 300 alumni and their guests in attendance.

The Alumni group was established specifically to serve as a link amongst its graduates and preserve the legacy of their Alma Mater, formerly Pangasinan Provincial High School and now Pangasinan National High School. It also aims to help the educational institution thru worthwhile projects that will benefit current students and the school.

Projects delivered include the 2008 Adopt A Classroom Project (10 classrooms with Classes 1965 and 1967 leading the way with 3 classrooms each), the Renovation of the Medical Dental Clinic, Donation of 20 benches along the

Lingayen Baywalk, conducted Medical and Dental Missions, Major Sponsor in the Photo Exhibit at the Agew Na Pangasinan Celebration (2017-2018), Donation of Books for the Provincial Library and a Major Sponsor of the School Feeding Program.

This year’s Biennial Grand Reunion brought more than 300 alumni, who came from Aruba, Australia, Canada, England, Philippines and the United States.

They took part in the 3-day celebration attending the Friday Meet & Greet and Hosted Cocktail Reception, the Saturday Night Grand Ball & Awards Dinner and the Sunday Fellowship Breakfast.

Congressman Leopoldo N. Bataoil of Class 1970 served as the Inspirational Speaker. A special video presentation titled “Through the Years” which was produced by Jovito Viray-Macam, was featured during the evening’s program.

The Mario Cendana-Panoringan Founding Chairman’s Perpetual Trophy for Largest Attendance was presented to Class 1975, together with the Largest First Timers Award. Special recognitions were given to Juanita Mangasi-Samiley of Class 1959, Lifetime Achievement Award, while Virginia Panoringan-Cantillo was presented with a glass trophy by the hosting Class of 1967, for her leadership role as an outstanding alumnae and teacher of Pangasinan Provincial National High School.

Other awards recipients included Linda Hilario of Class

1955 Most Senior Alumni; Jolly Juan Santos-Diaz of Class 2014 Youngest Alumni; Jovito MacamViray of Class 1970 and Fely Quitevis of Class 1962 Founding Chairman’s Plaque of Appreciation. Those receiving the Founding Chairman’s Medallions and Certificates of Appreciation for their continued support of the Alumni, USA included: Rose Yanes-Sacks, Sergio Ignacio, Sally Dalisay-De Guzman, Elizabeth Hilario-Sison all from Class 1967, Myrna Sison-Guiang and Bert Velasco of Class 1963, Ben and Angelina –Sison-Biag of Class 1965, Benjamin Tendilla, Class 1968; George Mata, Class 1970; Faustino Sino Cruz, Jr., Class 1971, Yolanda Ong-Ramos and Janice De Guzman-Rosales, Class 1972, Melva EvangelistaValdez and Arnold Galvez, Class 1975, Badette Pua and Gerry Gajeton, Class 1979 and Blas Tiangson of Class 1989.Friends of the Alumni, USA recognized for their support included Lydia Morales-Bautista, Mary Ann Verdeflor-Macam, Lito RamosCantillo and Jess Burguillos.

The 8th Biennial Grand Reunion will be held in Lingayen, Pangasinan February 17-23, 2020 with Classes of 1972, 1975 and 1985 with business executive Yolanda Ong-Ramos, Atty.

Melva Evangelista-Valdez and Atty. Verna Nava-Perez serving as Executive Co-Chairpersons.

Founding Chairman Mario Cendana-Panoringan will serve as Adviser.

C SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018

MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

&

D1

October 2018 priority dates FMIC, UA&P: Philippine economy may ‘

Immigration Corner

rebound’ in H2 but not without ‘bumps’

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

First Preference

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

February 15, 2008

December 22, 2006

December 1, 2017

August 22, 2016

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

December 15, 2007

May 15, 2007

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

June 1, 1997

June 8, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 8, 1996

June 8, 1995

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

June 1, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

July 1, 2017

June 1, 2017

*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar 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. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does 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: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week “Every time you make the hard, correct decision you become a bit more courageous, and every time you make the easy, wrong decision you become a bit more cowardly. If you are CEO, these choices will lead to a courageous or cowardly company.”

—Ben Horowitz, CEO of Opsware

by IAN

NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com

THE Philippine economy may improve in the second half of the year despite the slower-thanexpected growth posted in the April-June period, but not without “bumps,” particularly in the inflation front.

In its September report, economists at First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said they “remain optimistic” for an economic “rebound” in the second half despite the surprise slowdown in the second quarter.

“Other economic drivers that will further push [economic] expansion better than growth in [first half] include: strong [national government] disbursements and higher peso equivalent of the remittances, stronger infrastructure and capital outlay and better exports,” FMIC and UA&P analysts said.

Gross domestic product—or the value of all finished goods and services produced in the country—sharply eased to 6.0 percent in the second quarter, the slowest pace since the similar 6.0-percent expansion recorded in the third quarter of 2015.

In the first half of 2018, the economy grew 6.3 percent.

Philippine policymakers have

In its September report, economists at First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific said they “remain optimistic” for an economic “rebound” in the second half despite the surprise slowdown in the second quarter.

File photo by Philstar

been concerned about spiraling inflation, which rose to a nineyear high of 6.4 percent in August.

Some analysts expect economic growth to continue to decelerate over the second semester of the year as tighter monetary policy and higher inflation weigh on consumer spending, which accounts for about seven-tenths of the Philippine economy.

In a bid to combat inflation and strengthen the Philippine peso, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has delivered back-to-back rate hikes from May to August

and vowed to undertake “strong action” in its policy review on Thursday, September 27.

“Robust investment spending will largely contribute to faster growth in Q3 but may be tempered by higher consumer prices,” said FMIC and UA&P analysts, who expect the BSP to lift its key rate by another 50 basis points on Thursday.

“Latest inflation data, and months prior to it, showed a fast price acceleration; which is seen to keep Q3 PH expansion at the lower end of our forecast,” they added. ■

Palace: No surprise with ADB’s cut in PH growth forecast administration.

We expected this slowdown vis-à-vis our growth target for the MALACAÑANG is not sur- year, given that certain policy deprised with the revised 2018 eco- cisions, such as the closure of Bonomic growth outlook of the Asian racay and the full implementation Development Bank (ADB) for the of our comprehensive tax reform Philippines from 6.8 percent to package which would benefit the 6.4 percent. country in the long-run, contribPresidential Spokesperson Har- uted to the deceleration,” Roque ry Roque said the government was noted in a statement on Wednesanticipating this “slowdown,” cit- day, September 26. ing policy decisions of the Duterte Roque, however, assured the

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

public “that our macroeconomic fundamentals are resilient, strong, and stable.”

“Per ADB’s updated outlook, the Philippines’ growth remains the second highest in Southeast Asia,” he said.

“Our economic managers are committed to the country’s longterm vision and are swiftly addressing issues affecting our growth prospects to sustain high growth and make it inclusive,” he added. ■

D SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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DoF’s Chua: Package 2 to create ‘millions of jobs’ Fitch: Philippine banks remain ‘broadly steady’ amid rising interest rates

by Mayvelin

u. CaRaballo Manilatimes.net

“MILLIONS of jobs” will be created if the government’s second tax reform package is approved

by Congress, a senior Finance department official claimed on Tuesday, September 25, rejecting claims that the proposed law could lead to massive layoffs.

“Number one, there… will be a]significant reduction in CIT (corporate income tax) that creates a lot of new money to invest and expand and create jobs,” Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua told reporters following the Senate’s first hearing on Package 2 of the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).

Already passed by the House of Representatives and dubbed as the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) Act, Package 2 calls for the gradual lowering of corporate income taxes and the modernization of fiscal incentives.

“With lower tax rates, such a proposal is hardly inflationary while creating millions of jobs over the medium term as firms expand with more money at their disposal,” Chua said.

Department of Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua. File photo by Manilatimes

He added that the Finance and Trade departments, along with the Board of Investments, would collaborate to ensure that all sectors that satisfy criteria set forth in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) get competitive incentives.

“So we can preserve the good jobs, we are going to ‘sunset’ those that do not deserve [incentives]because maybe they are very profitable and even without incentives they will continue to operate and keep the jobs,” Chua said.

Labor department Director Dominique Tutay told the committee that Package 2 might lead to job losses, particularly at technology-driven firms, but said that the department had yet to finalize a study.

In response, Chua said a jobs assessment at this point in time “cannot be done.”

“Because first, everyone gets a chance to apply for new incentives. Second, you have to wait for the DTI-BOI to determine what industries are in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan so it cannot be done,” he added.

“That is why we don’t want to blurt out a number that has no basis, we have to wait for the process to begin formally.”

In a related development, Chua reiterated that the purchase and importation of books would remain tax exempt under Package 2.

He told a recent forum that the Philippines would continue to abide by the provisions of the Florence Agreement, a 1950 United Nations treaty where signatory-states agreed not to impose customs duties on the importation of certain educational, scientific and cultural materials, including books.

“The exemption of the purchase of books, we did not touch that. If you buy a book from a bookstore, it will still be VAT-exempt,” Chua said.

“Second, the importation exemption under the Customs PAGE D3

by ian

niColas CigaRal Philstar.com

PHILIPPINE banks’ credit profiles are expected to remain “broadly steady” amid rising interest rates, global debt watcher Fitch Ratings said.

In a report released Wednesday, September 26, Fitch said Philippine lenders would remain supported by “resilient asset quality, acceptable profitability, stable funding and adequate capitalization.”

“Receding global liquidity, a wider current account deficit and broader emerging-market jitters have placed pressure on the Philippine currency and interest rates in recent months,” the credit rater said.

“Interest rates are rising as domestic liquidity tightens, pointing to a less favorable environment for Philippine borrowers overall,” it added.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has raised its policy rates by a cumulative 100 basis points from May to August in a bid to fight inflation and stem peso depreciation.

The rate hikes brought the

Data from the central bank show consumer loans grew slower in July, a sign interest rate hikes by the BSP are slowly increasing bank lending rates.

File photo by Philstar

benchmark overnight borrowing rate to 4 percent from 3 percent originally. Banks typically use the BSP’s benchmark rate as the basis for charging their loans to consumers.

If any, the effect of the BSP’s rate increases was expected to deter bank borrowing due to higher rates. Small consumers like households are most likely to feel the first effect.

Data from the central bank show consumer loans grew slower in July, a sign interest rate hikes by the BSP are slowly increasing bank lending rates.

“We expect higher interest

rates to temper loan growth, particularly as recent higher inflation may crimp consumer demand. Any moderation is likely to be modest, however, as ongoing infrastructure spend and broadening growth beyond Manila should continue to drive economic activity,” Fitch Ratings said.

“We expect lending rates to remain manageable for most borrowers even with the latest policy rate hikes. Further large rate increases could have a greater impact on asset quality, but we do not expect excessive moves in the near term,” it added. n

Gov’t sets P270-billion borrowing More Filipinos use mobile devices to shop program for fourth quarter

by Miguel

R. CaMus

Inquirer.net

by MaRy

gRaCe Philstar.com

Padin

THE national government is planning to borrow P270 billion from the domestic market in the last quarter through the issuance of Treasury bonds (T-bonds) and bills (T-bills), the Bureau of the Treasury said Tuesday, September 25.

In a memorandum addressed to government securities eligible dealers (GSEDs), the BTr said it is programmed to auction off P180 billion worth of T-bills and P90 billion worth of T-bonds in the fourth quarter for a total amount of P270 billion.

This is lower than the P300 billion borrowing ceiling set for the third quarter, but higher than the P200 billion programmed in the same quarter last year.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said the BTr decided to lower the borrowing program for the fourth quarter as government coffers are expected to be

In a memorandum addressed to government securities eligible dealers (GSEDs), the BTr said it is programmed to auction off P180 billion worth of T-bills and P90 billion worth of T-bonds in the fourth quarter for a total amount of P270 billion.

File photo by Philstar.com

boosted by the release of program loans from multilateral institutions.

“Program loans are set to be disbursed this quarter,” De Leon said in a text message when asked about the decrease.

Deputy Treasurer Erwin Sta. Ana said the volume was lower also due to the holiday season in December.

According to the BTr, shortterm securities or T-bills would

be floated every Monday from Oct. 1 to Dec. 17 with a total volume of P15 billion each auction.

Broken down, short-term securities will comprise of P4 billion worth of 91-day, P5 billion worth 182-day, and P6 billion worth of 364-day securities each auction.

Meanwhile, Treasury bonds will still be auctioned every other week, from Oct. 9 to Dec. 18, according to the Treasury.

The BTr reduced the tenor buckets for T-bonds offering, now only including five years, seven years and 10 years. The previous quarter, the BTr offered three-year and 20-year debt papers.

Bonds of each tenor will have a total volume of P15 billion.

For 2018, the national government is programmed to borrow P986 billion from local and foreign lenders.

This is expected to rise by 20 percent to P1.19 trillion next year due to expectation of higher fiscal deficit next year. n

MORE Filipinos are turning to their mobile devices to research or purchase goods online, a practice that will ramp up during the busy Christmas season, a study commissioned by social media giant Facebook showed.

The Facebook 2018 Holiday Study, which surveyed the habits of about 1,500 respondents above the age of 18, noted that one out of every six Filipinos identify as “mobile first” shoppers. That figure represented a growth of 20 percent. Most of those, or 70 percent, are considered millennials.

“Mobile is making shopping easier,” John Rubio, Facebook Philippines country director, said in a briefing on Wednesday, September 26.

The study, conducted by Ipsos Marketing, showed that three out of five Filipinos agreed that mobile devices have made shopping easier. Moreover, half of those respondents said they use mobile shopping because it was

more convenient that visiting a physical store.

Rubio noted that part of the reason was the heavy road congestion that occurs during the Christmas season. The study showed that 50 percent of respondents started their Christmas shopping during the month of December. About a third do their shopping in November while around 16 percent start on October or earlier.

“You can imagine Christmas traffic or the lines waiting to go to the bus or jeep,” he said. “Mobile makes it much easier to do

things like Christmas shopping.”

The study provides valuable insights into the changing buying habits of Filipinos as Internet services become more prevalent.

It is also an indicator of the influence of media platforms like Facebook, which rely heavily on advertising revenues. The study noted that 94 percent of shoppers said the products they see on Facebook “influence” their holiday shopping. Another 67 percent said the same of Instagram, the popular photo-sharing platform owned by Facebook.

Rubio said Facebook has about 70 million users in the Philippines. He did not provide figures for Instagram, which has a relatively smaller and more upscale user base. Rubio said that Instagram users in the country grew 20 percent in the first semester of 2018.

“Filipinos think about Christmas as early as September and while they may not be in physical stores yet, seeing products online on Facebook or Instagram is just as powerful as window shopping,” Rubio said. n

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Bulacan is new PH growth area – PCCI Jollibee to bring Panda Express to PH

by AnGeLiCA

bALLesteros Manilatimes.net

Photo courtesy of Bulacan Provincial Capitol website

by AnnA LeAh

e. GonzALes Manilatimes.net

BULACAN province is now the country’s new “growth area” and a viable business destination for investors with the expected completion of three major infrastructure projects in the next five years, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI) said on Monday, September 24.

In a statement, PCCI Chairman Emeritus Francis Chua said investors should start considering Central Luzon as a new location for their businesses in line with the government’s long-term plan to decongest Metro Manila and spread business and job opportunities outside of it.

He said the move would also benefit residents in the adjoining provinces.

“Other than proximity to Metro Manila, affordable land costs and adequate labor, investors are always on the lookout for provinces that are very aggressive in terms of infrastructure

and there’s a consensus among our members that Bulacan is the next growth area,” said Chua.

One of the projects to help spur growth in the region is the Metro Manila Skyway (MMS) or the Skyway 3 Project, a 14.82-kilometer elevated toll road slated for completion in 2019.

It will connect the South Luzon Expressway in Alabang to Balintawak in Quezon City leading to the North Luzon Expressway, a major road leading to Bulacan.

Chua said the Skyway Stage 3 would bypass Metro Manila’s congested road network and ensure seamless flow of goods and services from South Luzon to North Luzon, which includes Bulacan.

“We are very excited with the Skyway Stage 3 project especially with the usual travel time for our deliveries from Metro Manila and South Luzon to be cut considerably for business locators in Bulacan and other areas in Luzon. That means lesser

business costs,” said Chua.

Chua said the project would also reduce vehicle traffic in EDSA and C5 roads and benefit motorists as well.

Chua said the P62.7 billion MRT-7 project, set for completion in 2020, should also be a factor in investors’ decision as employees from Metro Manila may opt to work or relocate in Bulacan to take advantage of lower cost of living.

Chua also cited the Bulacan Bulkwater Project that would bring treated bulk water to meet the demands of Bulacan residents and benefit business establishments.

“The PCCI is also closely monitoring the progress of the proposed New Manila International Airport (NMIA) of San Miguel Corporation,” said Chua.

The airport project will feature a modern terminal, four runways with a provision for two more in the future, a road network, connection to MRT and ferry services. n

DoF’s Chua: Package 2 to create ‘millions of jobs’ PAGE D2 Modernization and Tariff Act, we also did not touch that,” he added.

If included in the SIPP, the book industry could even enjoy more incentives under a proposed single menu such as income tax holidays, special rates and additional deductions, Chua continued.

Opposition to the Trabaho bill

centers on the streamlining of incentives, with foreign business chambers and even some government agencies raising objections.

Weighing in on the issue, First Metro Investments Corp. research head Cristina Ulang said the law would allow the government to focus the grant of incentives to industries with the greatest economic impact.

“Regardless on how they (legislators) will fine-tune the bill, the bottomline is it must be enacted into law the soonest possible time because this is an ideal law for most businesses,” she added.

“Those who will benefit from this law is 95 percent of business compared to 5 percent that will be affected,” Ulang claimed. (With a report from Ed Velasco) n

JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. (JFC) is partnering with United Statesbased Panda Express to bring American Chinese cuisine to the Philippines.

JFC told the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, September 27, that it was forming a 50:50 joint venture (JV) company, which will have an authorized capital stock of $5 million of P270 million, with Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. The still-to-be-named joint venture will initially open five Panda Express restaurants in Metro Manila.

“We feel fortunate to be partnering with a company that has a history of growing and adding significant value to its new businesses,” Panda co-founder Andrew Cherng was quoted as saying in a statement.

“We look forward to tapping into JFC’s market expertise to grow the Panda Express brand into a household name in the Philippines and, more importantly, actioning our shared value of inspiring people to better their lives,” he added.

Panda Express was founded in 1983 by the Cherng family in Glendale, California. At present, it has more than 2,100 stores located in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Guatemala, El Salvador, Aruba, Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Japan, and Russia.

“We are thrilled about this relationship between Panda and JFC. Starting from a single restaurant in a California mall to becoming a restaurant chain of over 2,100 stores, Panda Express

is a strong brand with a growing global footprint,” JFC Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said.

“Very much in line with JFC’s brand portfolio, it has excellent tasting dishes at reasonable price points. Long-term, Panda Express has a high potential for broad acceptance across the country,” he added.

JFC shares ended the day down P7.20 or 2.70 percent to P259 apiece against a 0.72-percent rise for the Philippine Stock Exchange index. n

Grab optimistic on PH e-payment penetration

Photo courtesy of wheninmanila.com

by MAyveLin

U. CArAbALLo

Manilatimes.net

GRAB plays a significant role in electronic payment penetration in the Philippines following the expansion of its mobile wallet— GrabPay—in the country, an official of the ride-hailing company claimed.

At the sidelines of the Seamless Philippines conference in Pasay City on Thursday, September 27, Ooi Huey Tyng, managing director of GrabPay Malaysia, Singa-

pore and the Philippines, said “20 percent of the transactions that pass through Grab platform in the Philippines is already cashless.”

Citing central bank statistics, she said more than 98 percent of transactions in the country were cash-based, while 86 percent of people remain unbanked.

“We believe Grab…can make a difference where other e-wallets have not been able to so far,” Ooi said.

Her remarks came after GrabPay announced that it would

expand in the country after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted it an e-money issuer license.

Grab consumers would soon benefit from a full-pledged, safe and convenient mobile wallet, without having to exit the app, according to Ooi. Its new features include top-up for prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, food deliveries, bill payments, and the ability to buy from stores and restaurants through the app. n

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Piñol: PH can export vegetables next year

by EirEEn JairEE

GomEz

Manilatimes.com

THE country’s vegetable industry, which has been in a slump from sky-high prices, is taking a shot at the export market, a cabinet official said.

However, the move is still the subject of debate.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told The Manila Times the Philippines has vegetable supply more than what the domestic market requires. With proper positioning, he said the country could be a vegetable exporter beginning next year.

“We are producing more than what our country needs. Not every one knows about this but it’s a truth. We produce more than enough vegetables for the Filipinos,” Piñol said in an interview.

He lamented the country is still importing vegetables including tomatoes, onions and garlic, while it is “in fact, capable of producing these to satisfy the local demand.”

Only 8 to 10 percent of domestic requirement for garlic and onion are met by local production while the rest are imported from China.

“The truth is, the [vegetable farm in four mountain towns of Bukidnon]Impasugong, Talakag, Sumilao and Lantapan, which we now call as Imtasula vegetable complex, is capable of producing all vegetables that the country needs,” said Piñol.

Talakag has 94,000 hectares of land with about 11,000 hectares devoted to vegetable production, he noted.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun engaging farmers from Imtasula to supply fresh vegetables to Metro Manila, sold at prices 50 percent lower compared to those found in large markets.

Piñol said the DA was looking at making the Imtasula area the country’s next vegetable basket alongside the Cordillera region, which used to be major source of high-value crops like lettuce, cabbage and carrots.

He, however, emphasized that local farmers still need to enhance their farming techniques and upgrade equipment to produce quality vegetables, adding the DA is seeking export opportunities for Filipino farmers in countries like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Potential vegetables for export include lettuce, cabbage, carrots and potatoes.

“But I need [the]commitment of our government officials to

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Agriculture Secretary Emmannuel Piñol

multiply our vegetable production areas because we need to stabilize the supply in the market and it can really make it possible for us to export,” said Piñol.

High cost of production Meanwhile, industry groups fear the Philippines may not be able to compete against other vegetable exporting countries because of high cost of production from the effect of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. “Assuming it’s true that we have sufficient quantity but our problem is that our cost of producing our commodities is expensive because we are not being supported by the government unlike the rest of the world, which continue to subsidize their agriculture sector,” Jayson Cainglet, executive director of agriculture group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), told The Manila Times in a phone interview.

The DA should also ensure that the country’s vegetables are affordable, said Cainglet, noting that Philippine exports, with tariffs, “may be too high and traders wouldn’t even think that we can export right away.”

This was echoed by Shen Maglinte, deputy director of Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (Sibat), who said the government only provides roughly 10 percent subsidy to the agriculture sector unlike the United States, European countries and China that give more than 50 percent subsidy to their farming sector.

Capitalize on organic vegetables Maglinte also said the Philippines may have a great potential exporting organically produced

File photo by Manilatimes.com

vegetables to Europe, particularly to countries prohibiting genetically modified crops (GMO).

“The world now is under debate and the market is slowing down from GMO products but the Philippines is joining the bandwagon on GMO agricultural products like corn, eggplant and golden rice, which is now being pushed by the government,” he said.

He said the Philippines should look at market opportunities with its traditional export partners like Europe, Japan and U.S. The country may also seek export opportunities with Hong Kong and Singapore because they do not have agricultural lands, Maglinte noted.

Vegetable roadmap For his part, former agriculture chief William Dar told The Manila Times that Piñol should look at agriculture in a “holistic” manner and urged the DA to create a roadmap for the vegetable industry before it embarks on exports.

He said the country should satisfy first its domestic requirement and assure affordable and quality vegetables for Filipino consumers.

“Looking at the situation now, the first priority is to have enough and affordable vegetables for the country. But of course, under normal situation, we can properly plan exporting high-value crops,” Dar said.

“We need to systematically plan for exports so that not only our surplus can be exported.

We should look at agriculture in holistic manner. The government should look first on the production stage then value-adding or processing then the export market,” he added. n

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