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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 22 - No.43 • 12 Pages
T he F ilipino A mericAn c ommuni Ty n ewspAper
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2023
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
US, Philippines reaffirm alliance after DATELINE USA Fil-Am candidate for state China’s dangerous maneuvers in WPS assembly leads in California FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Democratic Party vote
LOS ANGELES – Jessica Caloza, the Filipino American millennial running for a seat in the California State Assembly, emerged as the leading candidate in Assembly District 52’s California Democratic Party pre-endorsement conference vote over the weekend. “As a lifelong Democrat, I am honored to have earned the support of a diverse coalition of so many local grassroots Democrats across the district,” said Caloza, a longtime public servant and community organizer, in a statement. “Democratic activists make up the backbone of our party, and I’m proud to have earned their critical vote. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the local delegates in AD-52 who gave me their support,” she said. Caloza finished first place, receiving 45 votes (45.5 percent of those voting) while the other three candidates received a range of 0 to 16 votes. Since none of the candidates received over 50 percent of the vote, the
MANILA — The Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to their alliance following China’s dangerous maneuvers during a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea. According to a White House readout, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke with Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año
after Chinese vessels hit a Philippine resupply boat and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. “Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Año reaffirmed the enduring alliance and friendship between our nations and discussed upcoming U.S.-Philippine engagements and ways to further strengthen our close partnership,” the statement read. “Mr. Sullivan emphasized the ironclad U.S.
More Pinoys seeking repatriation from Israel by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com
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The new vaccines and you: Americans better armed than ever against the winter blechs LAST year’s “triple-demic” marked the beginning of what may be a new normal: a confluence of respiratory infections — RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 — will surge as the weather cools each year. Like blizzards, the specific timing and severity of these outbreaks are hard to forecast. But their damage can be limited in more ways than ever before. More protective vaccines against influenza are on the horizon. And new vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, were approved this year, as were updated COVID vaccines. Although the first days of rollout for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines saw hiccups, with short supplies at some pharmacies and billing confusion with some insurers, the shots now are generally available at no cost. What’s more, after enduring the worst pandemic in a century, people are more u PAGE 4
‘UNDAS’ PREPS. With barely a week to go before the observance of All Saints’ Day (Undas), families and relatives clean and repaint the tombs of their dear departed at the Manila South Cemetery on Wednesday, October 25. The Manila Cemetery earlier said cleaning, painting, and renovation of tombs would only be allowed until Oct. 25. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
MANILA — Aside from the three batches of 60 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have arrived from Israel, 120 are still expected to come home, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac. “We still have more or less 120 requests for repatriation,” Cacdac said in a radio interview, noting that the Philippine government is already processing the repatriation. “When I say process, it means calling them three times and making sure that they really want to go home.” Half of those who requested repatriation assistance, Cacdac said, had already finished their employment contract and were scheduled to return home when hostilities in the Gaza Strip broke out. Cacdac said the government is ensuring that OFWs will still be on good terms with their employers so they could have the option to return when the situation in Israel improves. Most of the Filipinos requesting repatriation are caregivers while the rest are hotel workers. The repau PAGE 4
Lawmaker pursues criminal charges vs ‘No Filipino should be left ex-president Duterte over death threats behind in Israel-Hamas conflict’ by ian laqui Philstar.com
MANILA — Rep. France Castro (ACTTeachers) filed criminal charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 24 at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. The Makabayan Bloc lawmaker, along with lawyers Tony La Viña, Rico Domingo, and others from the Movement Against Disinformation, initiated legal action in response to Duterte’s death threats against
Castro. The death threats stem from her scrutiny of the confidential funds of vice president and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. “Kailangan niyang harapin ang accountability sa matinding pagbabanta sa aking buhay (He [Duterte] must be held accountable for the serious threats to my life),” Castro said in a press conference. The charges filed fall under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), aimed at addressing Duterte’s tirades against u PAGE 5
Marcos vows ‘world-class’ AFP by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
alliance commitments to the Philippines under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces — to include those of its Coast Guard — in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea,” it added. Manila and Beijing have traded blame u PAGE 2
THE government will continue implementing programs and policies to make the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “world-class,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. “Rest assured that we will remain steadfast in transforming and modernizing the AFP into a world-class force that is respected by its counterparts and is a source of national pride,” the president said during the traditional dinner for the AFP Council of Sergeants Major in Malacañang on Monday, October 23. “So, let me likewise assure Malacañang file photo you that we will continue to
implement programs and policies that will promote your welfare, and not only those who are in active service but those whose families I consider also to be in active service. So, keep up the good work. Know that this administration and the entire country are behind you as you fulfill your duties to the nation,” he added. Marcos noted the enlisted personnel’s crucial role as “the backbone of the military force.” Enlisted personnel comprise 90 percent of the troops, and their specialized abilities support the daily operations and institutional activities of the AFP. “You are vital to our u PAGE 5
by Delon Porcalla Philstar.com
MANILA — A senior administration legislator is calling on the Marcos administration to do all it can in ensuring that no Filipino is trapped in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. “Let us stand united, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind, and reaffirm our commitment to their welfare during this critical period,” Rep. Ron Salo, chairman of the House committee on overseas workers affairs, said following the recent opening of the Egypt-Gaza border. “It is crucial to seize this opportunity for the safe exit of Filipinos. We urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate closely with Egyptian officials and international organizations,” he said.
“It is imperative that we ensure Filipinos won’t be left behind when other nationalities are allowed to exit. Every effort must be made to bring our countrymen home swiftly and securely. In the midst of this operation, maintaining clear and constant communication with Filipinos is paramount,” he said. Eighteen Filipino repatriates arrived on Sunday, October 22 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Israel. They were the second batch of repatriates who arrived in the country over the weekend since Oct. 20. As of October 21, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assisted a total of 34 overseas Filipino workers through the provision of u PAGE 4