SAN DIEGO
We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!
OCTOBER 20-26, 2023 Serving San Diego Since 1987 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c a n C o m m u n i t y N e w s pa p e r
Also published in LOS ANGELES • ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE • NORTHERN CALIFORNIA • NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY • LAS VEGAS
USA
DATELINE City of LA to celebrate Fil-Am History Month FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
THE City of Los Angeles will celebrate Filipino American History Month (FAHM) with a ceremony highlighting Filipino culture, cuisine and the lighting of LA City Hall in the colors of the national flag of the Philippines. Los Angeles County is home to more than half a million Filipino Americans, the largest population of Filipinos in the world outside of the Philippines. The ceremony at City Hall on Friday, October 20 will honoring outstanding Filipino-American leaders across a range of work, including those who have dedicated themselves to the arts. This year’s honorees include: standup comedian and actor Nico Santos, chef Margarita Manzke, DJ E-Man, fashion designer Puey Quinones, beauty entrepreneur Patrick Starrr, artist and cultural ambassador Anna Lisa de Guzman, and Broadway musical “Here Lies Love.”
550 East 8th St., Suite 6, National City, CA 91950 Tel: (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588 • Email: info@asianjournalinc.com
Another Filipino fatality confirmed in Israel-Hamas war by Gaea Katreena Cabico Philstar.com
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday, October 19 that a fourth Filipino had been killed following the attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. “I regret to inform the nation that we have
received confirmation from the Israeli government of another Filipino casualty in Israel,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on X. Manalo did not provide details on the deceased individual’s identity, but he assured that the government will provide the victim’s family with support and assistance. The government earlier announced the deaths of
SACRAMENTO — Amid California’s housing crisis, 56 bills signed by Gov. Newsom Wednesday, Oct. 11 expedite lowincome housing, notably on church and college land. The two landmark bills in the package are sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D — San Francisco). Support for these bills from historically opposed environmental and labor groups suggests the beginning of an unprecedentedly pro-housing majority bloc in California politics. SB 4 Wiener’s SB 4 is formally known as The Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act and informally known as “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY). It opens 171,000 acres of land across California by allowing institutions of faith (e.g. churches, synagogues and mosques) and nonprofit colleges to build 100% affordable housing on their property “by right,” bypassing most local permitting rules and environmental reviews. It passed 32-2, with support from faith groups like the Jewish Public Affairs Committee and pro-development groups
u PAGE 2
by Dempsey Reyes, Jerome Aning, Tina G. Santos Inquirer.net
ARRIVAL HONORS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) arrives for the celebration of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) 122nd founding anniversary at Pier 15 of South Harbor, Port Area, Manila on Tuesday, October 17, welcomed by Admiral Artemio Manalo Abu (left). He lauded the PCG’s integrity, discipline and professionalism, which have helped the administration advance its collective vision of a stronger, more harmonious, and more resilient Philippines. PNA photo by Alfred Frias
u PAGE 2
MANILA — The government has appealed for the immediate opening of Gaza’s border with Egypt to let in Filipinos who want to avoid getting caught in the ongoing war between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. “The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is hopeful for a solution to be reached soonest in order for the Rafah crossing to start receiving foreign nationals so that our kababayan (fellow Filipinos) in Gaza will be allowed to cross into Egypt,” it said in a statement on Monday, October 16. “From there, our teams will work on their repatriation to the Philippines.”
u PAGE 3
Teodoro says China a ‘squatter’ in West PH Sea miles EEZ [exclusive economic zone], sila ang squatter dito — illegal occupants sila dito,” Teodoro said in a Kapihan sa Manila MANILA — In a fiery response to Bay media forum when asked about China’s remarks against the country, China’s latest pronouncements on Pagasa Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Island. on Wednesday, October 18 called Beijing (If the Philippines occupied Hainan a “squatter” and an “illegal occupant” in Island, that’s illegal occupation; but if they the West Philippine Sea (WPS). are here within our 200-mile EEZ, they Teodoro fired back after China claimed are the squatters here — they are illegal that the Philippines is “illegally occupying” occupants.) Pagasa Island, which is inhabited by Hainan is the largest and most populous Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin hundreds of Filipinos as it serves as the island province of China. seat of the local government of Kalayaan “Pwede naman silang mag-apply ng municipality in Palawan. visa,” he also said. “’Pag in-occupy ng Pilipinas ang (Maybe they could apply for a visa.) Hainan Island, ‘yun, illegal occupation Teodoro also said that China’s assertion ‘yun; pero ‘pag dito sila within our 200 u PAGE 2 by John Eric Mendoza Inquirer.net
by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com
Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang file photo
Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB
Marcos suspends Maharlika fund implementation
House leaders condemn ex-President Duterte Hamas tried to infiltrate PH in 2018, 2022 – NSC LEADERS of the political parties in the House of Representatives hit former President Rodrigo Duterte for criticizing the chamber over the reallocation of confidential funds and for declaring that the funds that would have been allotted to the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education aim to crush communists. The political leaders urged the former president to “avoid making threats or insinuating harm against any member of the House or the institution.” “Our foremost duty as public servants is to the Filipino people, and it is incumbent
u PAGE 2
DFA seeks safe route for Filipinos, expats out of Gaza
u PAGE 4
California governor signs 56 bills fast-tracking affordable housing
three Filipinos in Israel, including a Filipina nurse and two caregivers. Around 30,000 Filipinos reside in Israel, with most living outside the conflict area in the southern region near the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, about 150 Filipinos are in Gaza. The October 7 attack by Hamas was the deadliest
MANILA — Two alleged operatives of the Hamas militant group now at war with Israel were in the Philippines and attempted to operate and ally themselves with local extremists in 2018 and 2022, according to the National Security Council. NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said one was a bomb expert who was arrested and deported five years ago. “We saw there was intent by Hamas to launch activities in the Philippines. In fact, in 2018, there was a Hamas bomb maker that was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and deported to Turkey,” he said.
u PAGE 4
by Ronnel W. Domingo Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stopped the rapid push to bring to life the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) this year, directing the key people concerned to stand down and further study the plan. In a memorandum dated Oct. 12 and addressed to the heads of the Bureau of the Treasury, Land Bank of the Philippines, and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that “upon the directive of the president, the Treasurer of the Philippines, in coordination with [Landbank] and DBP, is hereby directed to suspend the implementation of the
IRR (implementing rules and regulations)” of the law that created the MIF. According to Bersamin, the suspension stands “pending the further study” of the IRR. The national treasurer and the chief executive officers of Landbank and DBP were also told to notify “all concerned heads of departments, bureaus, offices and other agencies.” Bersamin did not elaborate. Confirmation Enacted on July 18, Republic Act No. 11954 mandated the national treasurer to develop the IRR for the MIF law within 90 days. The Treasury issued the IRR 41 days later, on Aug. 28. When sought for confirmation, DBP president and chief executive Michael de Jesus told
u PAGE 3