OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 86 • 2 Sections – 20 Pages
USA
DATELINE Meet the Fil-Am millennial serving as a Trump campaign spokesperson FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
THOUGH surveys show that Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are largely rallying behind the Democratic Party and its nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, there remains a segment of the electorate that upholds the conservative values, and is pushing for a second term under President Donald Trump. The 2020 Asian American Voter Survey in September found that 54% of Asian Americans favor Biden, while 30% would re-elect the current president. Breaking it down by ethnic group, 52% of Filipino Americans back Biden, while 34% call for another four years under Trump, showing the second-highest support among the groups after Vietnamese voters. To court the fastest-growing electorate, the Trump re-election campaign announced “Asian Pacific Americans for Trump” earlier this summer, which includes six individuals of Filipino descent on the advisory board. Since then, Filu PAGE A2
Analyst: US to continue support for PH’s South China Sea claim after election by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines’ claim on the South China Sea would continue to have the backing of the United States regardless of whoever wins the 2020 U.S. presidential race, according to an analyst.
“It certainly comes down to the Philippines and how hard is the Philippines going to seek to protect its claim, how is it gonna hedge between the U.S. and China,” Drew Thompson, visiting senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said Tuesday, October 27.
Filipino Dodgers fans rejoice the team’s first championship since 1988 by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
PH-born suspect in fatal hit and run extradited back to SoCal THE suspect in a fatal 2017 hit-and-run in Whittier who fled the United States three years ago arrived in Southern California on Thursday, October 29 after being extradited from Australia. Andrea Dorothy Chan Reyes, a former Whittier resident who was born in the Philippines, was identified by the city’s Police Department as the driver of the white Lexus sedan. She currently faces charges of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. “On Monday, January 30th, 2017, the Whittier Police Department responded to a hitand-run vehicle versus bicyclist traffic collision in the area of Calmada Ave and Flomar Drive. A female driver, driving a white Lexus sedan struck the bicyclist, dragging him under the car for a long distance, and then fled the scene. The bicyclist, Agustin Rodriguez Jr., age 46, succumbed to his injuries,” the Whittier Police Department said in a statement on Thursday, October 29.
“The U.S. will continue to adapt to that,” he added. Thompson noted that the main interest of the U.S. in the South China Sea having the freedom to traverse and cross through the contested waters. “[The] freedom of navigation issue is really the u PAGE A2
Los Angeles City Hall was lit up in blue on Tuesday night, October 27 after the LA Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays and won the World Series, 32 years after the team’s last title. Photo courtesy of the Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti
IT’S almost too saccharine, as an Angeleno, to think about the perfectness of the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series in the same year that the Lakers won the NBA Championship. It’s almost too dramatic, the redemption arc for a baseball team based in the City of Angels — the cinematic capital of the world — for whom the Dodgers finally clinched a World Series victory after losing two back-to-back World Series in 2017 and 2018, the former which involved one of the most egregious cheating scandals in the history of sports. It’s almost way too good to be true that all of this happened in Los Angeles, a city and county that continues to tread through civil unrest and deaths from a global viral pandemic that continues to cast a shadow over the country. It’s a beautiful, perfectly-tied-up-in-a-bow conclusion to a weird, confusing MLB season, but stranger u PAGE A3
Among Asian countries, Trump gets From in-language help to 2nd highest approval rating in PH reporting voter suppression: Resources available for Fil-Ams nationwide to safely vote
“According to a yearly poll by Gallup, approval of U.S. President Trump is varying widely across Asia, with MonUNITED States President Donald golia and the Philippines exhibiting the Trump has received the second-highest highest level of support. The poll asked level of support from the Philippines, ac- approximately 1,000 persons over the by CHRISTINA M. ORIEL AJPress cording to a recent survey of Asian coun- age of 15 per country if they approved or tries by German market and consumer disapproved of U.S. leadership,” Statista WITH increased concerns about data company Statista. said. The country gave Trump an approval “Other countries with a majority of voter suppression and intimidation rating of 58%, closely following behind people approving of the U.S. president across the country, voting rights u PAGE A4 Mongolia’s 62% rating. u PAGE A2 advocates serving groups like the Filipino American community are ramping up efforts ahead of Election Day to provide protection resources and dispel misinformation. Historically, voter suppression has looked like waiting in long lines, receiving misleading information, or being intimated at a polling location to dissuade voters — especially voters of color most essential workforces in this — from exercising their right to by KLARIZE MEDENILLA country, whether we’re in a pan- vote. AJPress demic or otherwise. This year, during an already But the COVID-19 undoubtedly high-stakes election, reports have IF you’ve ever been to a hospital or were treated in a hospital complicated life for Filipino nurs- included armed individuals outside in the U.S., the chance that a Fili- es, who were disproportionately of polling places and drop boxes in pino nurse treated you is high, to affected by the government’s LA County and Boston being set failed response to the crisis, sig- on fire, as mail-in ballots are besay the least. It’s a stereotype and a joke that, naling the need for union orga- ing encouraged as the preferred indeed, reflects reality: nearly ev- nizing and a clear plan to protect option to keep voters safe from the ery hospital wing in America is the most vulnerable health care continued COVID-19 threat. flowing with Filipino nurses, doc- workers. “Whatever is going to happen To celebrate this year’s Filipino on Election Day or in the early vottors, caregivers and technicians. It’s no question that Filipinos American History Month — which ing period, we need to be prepared are abundantly influential in the is themed around social justice — but we also need to be a calming overall registered nursing work- the California Nurses Association influence on the electorate. The force, which nearly everybody (CNA)/National Nurses United fear of chaos, the fear of despair National Nurses United President Zenei Triunfo-Cortez speaks at the union’s Filipino American can agree is among the u PAGE A3 that my vote won’t count in of itHistory Month celebration on Thursday, October 29. by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
‘Putting the welfare of the group over the individual’: Nurses union celebrates FAHM by reflecting on Fil-Am contributions to the profession Looking back at the history of racism, resilience and activism in the rich community of Fil-Am nurses
self is voter suppression. We need to continue encouraging people to vote and if they see something, say something,” Francey Lim Youngberg, a former deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration, told the Asian Journal. Youngberg joins several other Obama administration appointees who have banded together to direct individuals to national and state voter protection resources through a site (protectvotevols. org) that has links to voting tip sheets, assistance hotlines, and a list of virtual volunteer opportunities in the final get-out-the-vote weekend. Whether it’s requiring in-language assistance or needing to report an experience at a polling location, volunteers are on alert to help ensure that voters can cast their ballots safely and thoroughly. “This is especially important for the Filipino American community because we’re still looking for Tagalog speakers to help man those hotlines,” Youngberg said. Even if Fil-Ams live in ‘blue states’ like California or New York, u PAGE A3
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From the Front Page
Among Asian countries, Trump gets... PAGE A1
were Nepal and Myanmar,” it added. “The least support – in the single digits – came out of Laos.” Statista noted that overall, the world did not approve of Trump’s administration, with the U.S. president receiving a global disapproval rating of
42% compared to his median approval rating of 33%. “Overall, the world disapproved of President Trump: His administration’s global approval rating was at a median of 33%, compared with a disapproval rating of 42 percent,” it said. “Median approval was low-
est in Europe at 24%, followed by Asia at 32%,” it added. Below is the list of approval ratings Trump received from different countries in Asia: • Mongolia, 62% • Philippines, 58% • Nepal, 54% • Myanmar, 53% • South Korea, 41% • India, 34% • Japan, 34% • Pakistan, 27% • Indonesia, 21% • Malaysia, 19% • Laos, 8% Earlier this year, a Pew Research Center survey found that 77% of Filipinos said they are confident that Trump would do the “right thing” concerning world affairs, while 19% believed otherwise. “The Philippines showed the most positive review for the U.S. president among 32 other countries surveyed, which collectively displayed little support for him. A median of 64% respondents say they do not have confidence in Trump, while only 29% say they do,” the Asian Journal reported in January. “Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has previously said that the Philippines and the U.S. continue to share amicable ties, even with certain American lawmakers criticizing PH President Rodrigo Duterte’s human rights record and the latest U.S. Senate resolution to put sanctions on local government officials involved in the arrest and detention of opposition Senator Leila De Lima,” it added. A recent Associated Press report said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was among the world leaders seen to benefit from a Trump victory. “Regarded by some as Asia’s Trump for his unorthodox political style and brash language, Duterte has nurtured friendly ties with the U.S. leader and even called on American Filipinos to vote for Trump,” AP reporter Josef Federman wrote. The article also noted that a Joe Biden victory “could potentially bring a more adversarial relationship” between the Philippines and the U.S. n
Analyst: US to continue support... PAGE A1 critical interest. It’s not about the claims of the territory,” he said. In July, the U.S. announced that it was rejecting most of China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. “We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. “The world will not allow Bei-
jing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire,” he added. Pompeo also stressed that the U.S. stands with its Southeast Asian allies. “America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law. We stand with the international community in defence of freedom of the seas and respect
for sovereignty and reject any push to impose ‘might makes right’ in the South China Sea or the wider region,” he said. According to Pompeo, the unanimous decision “rejected the (People’s Republic of China’s) maritime claims as having no basis in international law.” “As the United States has previously stated, and as specifically provided in the Convention, the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both parties,” he added. n
Meet the Fil-Am millennial serving as a Trump... PAGE A1
Am supporters have voluntarily held caravans, outdoor park rallies and virtual events across the country. Behind the scenes working to help get Trump re-elected is a Filipino American millennial whose job it is to speak on behalf of the campaign and continue honing in on the president’s record of the past four years, as well as the values of the Republican Party. Like many Fil-Am stories, Ken Farnaso — whose parents are originally from the Philippines — was bound for a medical career, but today, he’s a deputy national press secretary for the incumbent’s re-election bid. Asian Journal (AJ): As a Filipino American, what drew you to a career in politics and especially toward the Republican Party? Ken Farnaso (KF): Unlike many people who work in politics and public service, I wasn’t initially drawn to a career in politics. After graduating from N.C. State University with a degree in human biology, I intended to attend medical school; yet, God had other plans. Instead of making the rounds in the corridors of hospitals, I found myself walking in the halls of the U.S. Capitol and eventually working on the President’s re-election campaign. Republicans believe in freedom, limited government, and the understanding that the government which governs least, governs best. And so for my parents, who were very aware of the dangers of government overreach, the GOP was a natural home. And now, just one generation removed from poverty, their only child is working for the re-election of the
leader of the free world—this could only happen in America. AJ: How did you get involved with the Trump campaign? What is a “typical day” like as a deputy national press secretary? KF: I joined the Trump campaign after serving as press secretary for U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) on Capitol Hill. While I consider Sen. Scott a mentor and a friend, this opportunity to help craft the President’s message to voters was an opportunity of a lifetime. On any given day, I’m playing offense, defense, and shaping the narrative by responding to reporter emails, pitching stories, drafting quotes, correcting articles, and speaking on-therecord as a campaign spokesman. Usually, my day ends only after I’ve turned off the lights, closed my eyes, and my phones finally stop buzzing. Being ‘press staff’ means I’m always on call. AJ: How has the pandemic shifted in how you and the campaign are campaigning/communicating with voters? KF: Thanks to our early and ongoing investment in data and technological infrastructure that began in 2015, the Trump campaign moved to online campaigning seamlessly. Now, in the final stretch, our campaign has been hitting the road hard meeting voters where they are while still taking the necessary precautions. AJ: What are some of the campaign’s priorities in reaching out to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, which is the fastest-growing electorate in the country? KF: Our community has consistently supported candidates who
Ken Farnaso, deputy national press secretary of the Trump re-election campaign. Contributed photo
advocate for a safe and strong America, opportunity for a better tomorrow, more money in our pockets, the freedom to pick the best schools for our children, and lower taxes. President Trump has delivered on all of that and more in just 47 months compared to the 47 years Joe Biden has held public office. AJ: For those who are still undecided, what are key things they should remember from the current administration? KF: During President Trump’s first term, his unwavering leadership and successful economic policies built an American renaissance and the strongest economy in the world. Joe Biden’s globalist record would be detrimental for American foreign policy and national security, and after deu PAGE A3
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 31-NOvEmbER 3, 2020
‘Putting the welfare of the group over the... Filipino Dodgers fans rejoice the team’s first... PAGE A1
(NNU) hosted a special webinar on Thursday, Oct. 29 saluting the tireless (and often thankless) work of the countless Filipino registered nurses in the U.S. “The history of Filipino nurses is made up of millions of personal stories about our dedication to our families, our patients and our profession,” CNA board member and RN Dahlia Taglay said on Thursday. “It’s about how our experience has been shaped by imperialism, capitalism and racism but it is also a story about solidarity and what we can achieve through collective action,” added Taglay who has been an RN for more than 40 years. Hospital nurses, especially those working in ICUs, were given a spotlight this year when the greater public reignited its value in the RN workforce during the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Aug. 24, at least 193 RNs in the U.S. have died of COVID-19related issues and 30% of those who passed were Filipino, the NNU reported. The Filipino American nursing workforce has played a crucial role in American health care since the mid- to late-20th century when nurses from the Philippines migrated to the United States to supply staff shortages in American hospitals. To any Filipino or anybody who knows Filipinos, it’s no surprise that Filipinos are among the most trusted group of health care workers. Hospitality and genuine, selfless care are seemingly inherent characteristics in most Filipinos. Today, Filipinos comprise 4% (about 150,000) of the overall nursing community in the U.S. according to the NNU, but regions with a higher concentration of Filipinos employ a much larger share. ProPublica found that 1 in 4 Filipinos in the New York tri-state area are health care workers, and “they are four times more likely to be nurses,” according to a Business Insider report. In California, Filipinos cover 18% of RNs across the state.
But as such ethnic minorities in nearly every industry, Filipino nurses were not warmly welcome and many faced discrimination and racism socially and financially. Many Filipinos who fled the motherland due to the unrest of the Marcos regime settled in the U.S., but were rudely awakened to the racism that many minorities faced in 1970s America. Famously, two Filipina nurses named Filipina Narciso and Leonora Perez were falsely accused and charged of murdering 10 patients at the Ann Arbor, Michigan Veterans Administration Hospital in 1975. The two nurses were only found guilty on poisoning and conspiracy charges, the prosecution’s case was scant and colored by xenophobic and racist rhetoric. A lead witness for the prosecution in that case referred to the two nurses as “slant-eyed b*tches” and claimed of a bogus conspiracy by Filipino nurses to murder patients in the United States. “Filipino nurses are no stranger to racism. They deal with institutional discrimination along with workplace prejudice and harassment from managers, co-workers and employers,” said the narrator of a documentary by Filipina American filmmaker Marissa Roy called “The Strength of Many,” which was produced by NNU. The decades of discrimination — which also included Filipinos being turned away from nursing positions because hospitals had “too many Filipinos” — led the formidable force of Filipino nurses to organize and fight for equal rights for all nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic’s detrimental impact on health care workers have left 70% of Filipino nurses in California reporting “difficulties [in] affording housing, food and other necessities,” said Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, a registered nurse and member of the Council of Presidents of NNU, the largest union and professional organization of RNs in the U.S. Throughout the pandemic, Triunfo-Cortez — who is the first Fil-
From in-language help to... PAGE A1 they are encouraged to volunteer in battleground states, like Pennsylvania, Florida, or Nevada, that have sizable AAPI populations. For those who put up excuses for not voting — especially in a year when states like California or Nevada have automatically mailed out ballots to all voters — or believe that one vote won’t count, Youngberg reminds eligible voters to be rooted in the history of voting rights in the United States. “The reason I’m spending every waking hour working on voter protection is because I grew up in the Philippines during martial law and came to this country when I was 11. I saw what Ferdinand Marcos did in the Philippines and I don’t want that to happen to my adopted country,” she said. “In this country, your vote is as important as anyone else’s. Whether you’re an immigrant or were born here, there were a lot of people before us who fought to get our right to vote.” The Democratic Party has created IWillVote.com where individuals can check/update their voter information and check polling lo-
cations. Voters can call 833-DEMVOTE (833-336-8683), a hotline monitored 24/7 to report instances of disenfranchisement, voter purging, poll worker misconduct, and more. The Nevada state Democratic Party recently launched a Tagalog voter protection hotline at 888525-VOTE (888-525-8683) for any similar questions or concerns. Nonpartisan efforts helping the Fil-Am/AAPI community until Election Day include: • Election Protection, a national, nonpartisan coalition, has an English hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683). • APIA Vote’s bilingual assistance hotline at (888) API-VOTE (888-274-8683), which has live help in English, Tagalog, and seven other languages. • The National Filipino American Lawyers Association’s Voter Protection Program, through which voters can be connected with attorneys in California, Arizona and Nevada. California’s hotline is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST by calling/texting (213) 316-8458 or emailing NFALAVOPROCA@ gmail.com. n
Meet the Fil-Am millennial... PAGE A2 cades of the status quo, President Trump has made it clear that the United States will no longer be taken advantage of by other nations. Next week, the ideals that make us uniquely American will be on the ballot: freedom versus socialism, democracy versus anarchy, and strength versus appeasement. AJ: What do you wish people knew about the Filipino American electorate? KF: At the end of the day, I hope that my fellow Filipino Americans
will look at this election and consider the true issues facing us this November: do you want to raise your children in a country that allows individuals to make the best decisions for their own lives and those of their family, or do you want a country where the government mandates what citizens can and cannot do? For those who share the same Filipino values passed to me by my parents, I am confident they will see that the only answer is electing Donald Trump for a second term. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
ipina president of the NNU — and other prominent Filipina RNs led boycotts and demonstrations demanding adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safer working conditions for nurses. Though nonpartisan by nature, nurses unions have been striking against the president’s response to the pandemic, specifically, citing his dangerous rhetoric that includes racist misnomers and “scapegoating immigrants” and China. “President Trump has tried to avoid responsibility for his disastrous pandemic response by blaming China and scapegoating immigrants, which has led to a rise in anti-Asian racism here, including against Filipino nurses and health care workers,” Triunfo-Cortez said. In order to maintain a forceful community of RNs, Triunfo-Cortez encouraged all nurses to organize and get involved in unions. Although the NNU comprises 150,000 members nationwide, there are nurses throughout the country — especially immigrant nurses — who may be undergoing dangerous working conditions as they treat COVID-19 patients. “We understand the importance of solidarity and putting the welfare of the group over the individual, and that’s why it’s easy for us to see that there is power in a union,” Triunfo-Cortez said. “So, let’s get together as nurses and trade unions and keep fighting until we get the protections we need to keep ourselves and patients safe because none of us is safe until all of us are safe.” n
PAGE A1 things have happened and all that matters to Angelenos is the joyousness and pride of back-toback celebrations of LA’s greatest sports organizations. The Dodgers were the favorite to win and did not disappoint, pulling off an impressive Game 6 win against the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The series was filled with twists and turns, especially the disastrous defensive play at the end of Game 4 on Saturday, Oct. 24 that angered Dodgers fans everywhere. But come Games 5 and 6, the Dodgers came back around and eventually won the organization’s seventh World Series title, their first since 1988. “As soon as it became clear that the Dodgers would win, I immediately called my dad because he would always replay the 1988 World Series and the legendary [outfielder] Kirk Gibson,” Kyle Mendoza, a 43-year-old Filipino nursing assistant in Pasadena, told the Asian Journal, referencing the iconic pinch-hit walk-off home run hit by Gibson who previously sustained injuries. Those living in LA proper didn’t need to watch the game to know the Dodgers won the World Series. As soon as the final inning ended, illegal fireworks, cheers and car alarms sounded off in classic LA fashion. News coverage showed fireworks going off in multiple neighborhoods, prompting law enforcement to cite individuals for illegal fireworks. “It was insane!” said Miriam
Nunez, a half-Filipina, half-Mexican mother of two in Lincoln Heights. “We’ve been waiting for this for so long and the whole cheating scandal [in 2017] and [the Dodgers] losing in 2018 was too much, but as fans, you gotta keep cheering them on, even during the difficult times.” Nunez told the Asian Journal that she believes that the Lakers winning the NBA Championship just weeks ago provided a “boost of morale” for the city. “We’ve been through so much. We lost Kobe, we’re living in this crazy pandemic, so these two wins were really needed, I feel. I think there’s a lot to be said about the healing effects of sports, especially in LA where we’re all so passionate about our teams, almost to a fault,” Nunez added. For the Dodgers, the 32-year gap between World Series wins is one of the longest droughts in MLB history, making Tuesday’s win all the more sweet for the team that has been poised to win the title for years. According to FiveThirtyEight, the Dodgers have won more regular-season games since 2012 and spent almost more money (second to the New York Yankees) on players and front office staff than any other team. The Dodgers remain one of the glitziest teams in the league with iconic logos, stadium and, of course, geographical and spiritual adjacency to both the Lakers and Hollywood. But as said in the old book, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, in Mendoza’s eyes. Though Mendoza is a die-
A
hard Dodgers fan, he recognizes when his own team makes mistakes and this time, that mistake involved fan-favorite third baseman Justin Turner. Turner sparked massive controversy after it was revealed that he knowingly tested positively for COVID-19 and participated in post-game festivities with his teammates anyway. Turner’s coronavirus test results came back positive in the late innings of Game 6, when he was immediately pulled from the game and quarantined. But after the Dodgers won the game and the World Series, Turner was seen in close quarters with not only his teammates, but also his wife, the families of his teammates, executives, league officials and press members. “That was incredibly disappointing to see. One minute I was cheering for my boys in blue and then to see Turner, whom I love and we all love in the Dodgers family, acting irresponsibly,” Mendoza said. “As someone who works in the medical field and has been a huge voice for being responsible during the pandemic, that was so frustrating to see. Especially after seeing how successful the NBA was in containing the virus,” Mendoza noted, referencing the zero positive coronavirus results that came from the NBA’s intensive efforts in “the bubble.” “But, all in all, this was really really necessary for us. Sports brings people together, and it’s been so refreshing to feel that closeness with other fans even if it’s just through social media,” Mendoza added. n
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PH-born suspect in fatal hit and run extradited... First-time Fil-Am voters share
PAGE A1 t Reyes, a 35-year-old accountant, fled to Hong Kong after the collision, prompting the authorities to issue an international ar-
enforcement authorities, she was taken into custody. “A lengthy extradition proceeding has been in the works for over a year, and yesterday, Reyes was transferred to the custody of the United States Marshals in Australia. She was flown to the United States and landed this morning at the Van nuys airport,” the Whittier Police said. Upon arrival, Reyes was transferred to the custody of the Whittier Police Department. the fugitive investigation and the successful return of chan Reyes was the result of a collaborative international effort among the Whittier Police Department; the los Angeles county District Attorney’s office; the Federal Bureau of investigations los Angeles Field office: the United States Department of Justice, office of international Affairs; the United States Attorney’s office in los Angeles; the Australian Federal Police; the United States Embassy in canberra, Australia; the FBi’s legal Attaché in canberra, AusAndrea Dorothy Chan Reyes, who was born in the Philippines, arrived in Southern California on tralia; the United States Marshals Thursday, October 29 after being extradited from Australia. The 35-year-old fled the scene after Service in los Angeles and the fatally hitting a bicyclist with her car on January 30, 2017 in Whittier, California, and subsequently los Angeles Airport Police, Van hid out in Hong Kong and then Australia. Photos courtesy of the Whittier Police Department nuys. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress) rest warrant for her. in 2018, the Federal Bureau of investigation found Reyes living in Australia, and through cooperation with Australian law
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why they’re motivated to vote by AJPress
ElEction Day is a few days away and some new voters exercised their voting power by casting their mail-in ballots or heading to the polls in person. Whether they’re Gen Z voters, new citizens or those who want to finally express their civic duty, the Asian Journal spoke to several Filipino American voters about what issues motivated them to participate for the first time. Charisse Arboleda, 41 Employee | new York Voting method: Mail-in ballot and dropped off at Brooklyn Board of Elections on speaking out: “trump’s incompetence, racism and treatment of women and people of color are the main reasons for my determination to speak out through my vote. this government’s coViD-19 response (or lack thereof) and trump’s attacks on scientists and Dr. Fauci are some of the most disturbing issues that came up when the pandemic started. i believe Biden/Harris align most with my values.” on motivating others: “i convinced a friend to register to vote a few months ago and sent her a link that was easy to follow so she can do so. i also donated to a few campaigns in swing states like Sc, AZ, KY. i called a close friend in AZ to ask if she’s voting. She said yes and voting for Biden.” Jon Jon “JJ” Augustavo, 35 Filmmaker | los Angeles Despite being eligible to vote in previous election cycles, this is Augustavo’s first time voting in a presidential election after seeing the current administration. The filmmaker is using his platform to help get out the vote and has directed a video for MoveOn adapted from Carlos Bulosan’s poem, “If You Want To Know What We Are.” Voting method: Mail-in ballot Participating for the first-time: “A feeling that the current person in power does not represent what i stand for as an American. the person in charge goes against everything i believe i was promised and taught this country was supposed to be. A common decency and care for your fellow American, white, brown,
(L-R) GET OUT THE VOTE. Fil-Ams Charisse Arboleda, Jon Jon “JJ” Augustavo, Julienne Buenaventura, and Orly Medrano share their experience voting for the first time.
immigrant, legal/illegal — i always believed as Americans we fought for one another no matter what, but this president is only creating division. Honestly Yang and Bernie were my first choices but at this point i’m [with] anyone that ain’t Donald.” Maisha Mason-Belden, 50 Stylist | los Angeles Voting method: Mail-in ballot on the issues: “issues like [the] national economy, especially post coViD, freedom to practice my religion, response to civil disobedience, and public health insurance / issues are all [at the] top of my priority list. And it seems that the candidate that aligned most with my values is the Republican candidate…[But] i am very confused [by] both parties. it seems like they both just want power and position and [are] not at all concern about what the people really need. My decisions are based on my personal life experiences.” MasonBelden has since voted, but did not reveal her final choice. Julienne Buenaventura, 18 Student majoring in dance | Queens, nY Voting method: Drop off absentee ballot at early voting site Motivation to vote: “the climate crisis, coViD response, justice for the BiPoc community, women’s rights (abortion, funding of Planned Parent-
hood), lGBtQ+ rights. Joe Biden aligned most with my values. i converse with my friends/family or in school about current events, i watched clips of the debates on Youtube, and recently i’ve been getting a lot of information from reputable sources on instagram.” Orly Medrano, 52 Hospitality employee, Uber driver | Washington, Dc After 16 years of living in the United States, Medrano became a citizen this past July during a naturalization ceremony attended by Vice President Mike Pence. One of his sons is an Army medic at Fort Carson in Colorado, while the other is a cargo specialist in the Army Reserve. Voting method: in-person on the first day of early voting Making a choice: “i just observed what’s been going on and listened to news on tV and social media. i was excited to vote for the first time and i voted [on] the first day of early voting in Washington Dc. i encouraged friends to do the same by posting on social media. i voted for the re-election of President Donald J. trump because i believe in the issues of law and order, upholding the constitution, and the economy.” Elijah Paschal, 18 Freshman at cal State Univer-
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Fil-Am reserve deputy sheriff recognized for frontline service by AJPress ABOUT four days a week, Charlie Ongsingco suits up in uniform and reports for duty at the Altadena Sheriff’s Station. Ongsingco is among over 600 active reserve deputy sheriffs in the county’s Reserve Forces Details, which is one of the largest law enforcement reserve units in the nation. As a reserve deputy sheriff for the past two years, Ongsingco is on patrorl and carries out duties similar to his colleagues who are full-time with the department. These days, he’s been a part of the station’s civil unrest team and COVID-19 crisis patrol. But, he doesn’t take more than $1 a year — or about 67 cents after taxes. “It’s just for the love of it. It’s one thing you want to bring back to the community to help and reach out, especially at times like right now,” Ongsingco said. When not in uniform, Ongsingco, who immigrated from Bacolod, Philippines in 1989, owns a business specializing in construction and first response restoration. With Filipino American History Month coming to a close, the LA County Sheriff Community Advisory Council honored Ongsingco with a “frontliner award of excellence” in a ceremony on Monday, October 26 during a ceremony at the Hall of Justice in Downtown LA. “[Ongsingco] is not compensated for his time working patrol or when he’s assisting the station’s duties,” LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in his remarks, adding, “This is what makes our
Maria Cynthia Delos Santos
Ongsingco (center) was honored with a “frontliner award of excellence” by the LA County Sheriff Community Advisory Council during a ceremony attended by Sheriff Alex Villanueva (center right) and representatives of Fil-Am community organizations on Monday, October 26. AJPress photos
county, nation so great — everybody comes together. I know there’s a crowd that thinks that diversity is a weakness, it’s actually a strength. The more heterogeneous, the more diverse our culture is, the richer we are as a community.” Several Fil-Am community groups — such as the Long Beach Bacolod Association, Los Angeles Philippine Women’s Club, Filipino Americans Who Support Law Enforcement, and National Federation of Filipino American Associations — also recognized the reserve deputy with certificates. “We wanted to see if we could honor a Filipino American that basically would give his life for just $1 year. When I heard about that, I said, ‘We’ve got to honor this man,’” said Peter Ramirez, a member of the sheriff’s advisory council and president of the Long Beach Bacolod Association. Though law enforcement has been under fire lately amid protests against the use of excessive force and over-policing of certain communities, Ongsingco continues to volunteer his time and hopes to show a different side of
Charlie Ongsingco, a reserve deputy sheriff at the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.
the department’s duties. “Is it difficult? Maybe. But like I said, if it comes from the heart, you’re doing the right thing. I wouldn’t do anything else in the world….At the end of the day, you’re making a difference in everybody’s life, or at least, a life,” he said. n
First-time Fil-Am voters...
PAGE A4 t sity, Long Beach On exercising voting right: “There is nothing more beautiful and inspiring than seeing a group of people band together in hopes of achieving a common goal for the betterment of our future. Taking part in the most important election in the history of this country has shown that every vote will and does matter.” Maria Cynthia Delos Santos, 66 Semi-retired | Las Vegas, NV
Voting method: Drop off absentee ballot at early voting site On leadership: “I became a U.S. citizen this year after living here for 10 years. I got so excited to finally vote for the first time. I want a president who’s compassionate and accepts all types of people, like immigrants or other ethnicities, so that’s why I voted for Biden. I don’t want to continue seeing division, discrimination and a disregard for lives like those lost through COVID.” n
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 31-NOvEmbER 3, 2020
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A OctOber 31-NOvember 3, 2020 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL
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A8 OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
War on corruption
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FeATUres
WHILE some quarters welcomed President Duterte’s creation of a “mega task force” to fight corruption in all government agencies, others – pointing out the enormity of the problem – greeted the announcement with skepticism. The past years, after all, have been marked by disappointing campaigns against a problem that has become deeply entrenched, and where the biggest perpetrators include top officials of the land. the previous administration of Benigno Aquino iii was borne to power on an anti-corruption platform, amid the corruption scandals that hounded the presidency of his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His presidency ended with corruption accusations hounding the Metro Rail transit 3 and his political party as well as the Disbursement Acceleration Program. Arroyo herself assumed power following the ouster of Joseph Estrada in the second people power revolt triggered by a corruption probe. the first revolt, in 1986, was also fueled by public unrest not only over the egregious human rights violations of Ferdinand Marcos’ authoritarian regime, but also over large-scale corruption imputed on the dictator and his wife imelda. today the dictator is buried in the heroes’ cemetery, while his widow – after having served several terms as a member of the House of Representatives – remains free on bail following her first-ever conviction for a graft case involving her family’s
ill-gotten wealth. After the 1986 revolt, the office of the tanodbayan was created as the principal investigator of graft cases, together with a special antigraft court, the Sandiganbayan. the court has since dismissed a slew of graft cases against the Marcoses. it also issued a bizarre decision that cleared Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. of plunder involving his pork barrel allocation, but also declared that he should return P124.5 million to public coffers. So far, Revilla has refused to return the money. the tanodbayan, now known as the office of the ombudsman, will be remembered for the recent orders stopping lifestyle checks and the public release of the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of government officials. it remains to be seen whether ombudsman Samuel Martires will be challenged for his interpretation of Section 17, Article Xi of the constitution, which specifically declares that the SAlns of the President, the Vice
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective
can people to pull together and push forward.
HoW Do WE StARt rebuilding our lives and our nation amid the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic, more than nine months after it has become a health emergency around the world? Earlier i wrote about Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s plan “Bring Back Better.” His website states that Biden believes “this is no time to just build back to the way things were before, with the old economy’s structural weaknesses and inequalities still in place. this is the moment to imagine and build a new American economy for our families and the next generation.” More excerpts: that starts with a real strategy to deal with the pandemic. We can’t solve the jobs crisis until we solve the public health crisis. Biden will also provide further immediate relief to working families, small businesses, and communities. But that’s just the start. the Biden economic recovery plan for working families will build our economy back better. Whenever America has had its back against the wall, we have acted together to lay the foundation — through public investment and a strong social contract — for the Ameri-
Building back better means an updated social contract that treats American workers and working families as essential at all times, not just times of crisis –– with higher wages, stronger benefits, and fair and safe workplaces. We’ve seen millions of American workers put their lives and health on the line to keep our country going. the Biden plan will mobilize the American people in service of four bold, national efforts to address four great national challenges. As President, Biden will: Mobilize American manufacturing and innovation to ensure that the future is made in America, and in all of America. We’ve seen the importance of bringing home critical supply chains so that we aren’t dependent on other countries in future crises. But Biden believes we can’t stop there — he is releasing a plan today to build a strong industrial base and small-businessled supply chains to retain and create millions of good-paying union jobs in manufacturing and technology across the country. Mobilize American ingenuity to build a modern infrastructure and an equitable, clean energy future. We’ve seen the need for a more resilient economy for the
long-term, and that means investing in a modern, sustainable infrastructure and sustainable engines of growth — from roads and bridges, to energy grids and schools, to universal broadband. Biden will soon release updated proposals to meet the climate crisis, build a clean energy economy, address environmental injustice, and create millions of good-paying union jobs. Mobilize American talent and heart to build a 21st century caregiving and education workforce which will help ease the burden of care for working parents, especially women. We’ve seen in this pandemic the immense burdens working parents, and especially women, carry in juggling their jobs and their caregiving responsibilities. We’ve learned anew how hard this work is, and how underappreciated those who do it are. Mobilize across the board to advance racial equity in America. We’ve seen again this year the tragic costs of systemic racism. Biden believes that addressing those costs has to be core to every part of the economic agenda, and also a distinct priority in its own right. Donald Trump: “Let’s Go Back” President Donald trump’s plan is to go back — go back to the pre-coViD-19 pandemic
A vital election
ALEX MAGNO tHiS is an unusual presidential election in the U.S. the pandemic is spreading much more widely than it has ever been. last thursday, nearly 90,000 new cases were detected – the highest over a 24-hour period. over the next few days, new daily cases could climb to over 100,000. Experts have warned that the spread of infections will worsen as the colder months set in. it is only autumn. Americans are in for a terrifying winter. the peril of infection notwithstanding, millions of Americans have endured long lines to vote early. Millions more have mailed in their votes. in some areas, early and mail-in votes surpass total voting numbers in the 2016 elections. the 2020 elections will smash all voting records by the time all this is done. Should a sea-change happen
manner provided by law.” Given these circumstances, people can be forgiven for greeting the creation of the mega task force with a yawn. (Philstar.com)
DECISIONS 2020: Trump vs Biden on plans to heal and rebuild America amid the coronavirus pandemic (Part 2)
GEL SANTOS-RELOS
First Person
Philstar.com photo
President, members of the cabinet, congress, Supreme court, constitutional commissions and other constitutional offices, as well as star-rank military officers “shall be disclosed to the public in the
after the votes are counted, ordinary Americans defying the odds to cast their ballots will have performed something truly heroic. After the sheer insanity of the trump years, America will be back on the rails of civility and modernity. After months of downplaying the pandemic, trump shifted his tune yesterday. He is now urging people to wear masks and observe distancing protocols. But as he does so, his rallies are crammed with people not wearing masks. Studies have demonstrated that trump’s reckless political rallies have become a major factor contributing to the recent spike in infections. With 100 hours left before voting ends, his opportunistic shift in tone comes too late. it will not conceal the fact the trump administration was a colossal failure in managing this pandemic. the numbers speak loudly. this colossal failure has been due principally to trump’s underplaying the peril posed by the coronavirus to serve what he thought were his political
goals. now the spike in infections has become the major reason Americans will deny him a second term. this is the supreme irony. it is a painful and costly irony. tens of thousands of lives were lost because of trump’s mismanagement and disdain for science. By his weekend, the U.S. coViD-19 caseload will pass 9 million. it will continue to exceed that through this terrible winter. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci says the U.S. will be able to return to some semblance of normality by 2022 despite the availability of a vaccine. the U.S. presidential elections and the ugly spike in infections cannot be decoupled. Both will have great implications for the rest of the world. if trump loses this electoral battle, as the opinion polls strongly indicate he would, much of the rest of the world will heave a sigh of relief. He has upset America’s closest allies, undermined international institutions and inflicted a sense
days. And despite supposedly having been infected by the virus himself along with his family, members of his staff and the Republican Party in super spreader events, trump continues with rhetoric and course of action that just exacerbated the effect of the pandemic in our health, our lives, or economy. trump’s plan of action to “go back”: downplay the threat of the virus, downplay the number of Americans infected by the virus, downplay the death toll of Americans killed by the virus. Just last october 27, tuesday, the White House “Science office” put out a statement yesterday listing “ending the coViD-19 pandemic” as the top accomplishment of President trump’s first term. on thursday, october 29, trump’s son Don Jr. appeared on Fox news host laura ingraham’s show to downplay the U.S. death toll saying, “the reality is this: if you look, i put it up on my instagram a couple days ago, because i went through the cDc data, because i kept hearing about new infections.” “But i was like, ‘Well, why aren’t they talking about deaths?’ oh, oh, because the number is almost nothing. Because we’ve gotten control of this, and we understand how it works,” Don Jr. concluded.
President trump himself has been complaining that all the news media had been talking about was “coViD! coViD! coViD!”, instead of all his accomplishments. He has also been doubling down on his discrediting testing, tweeting again on Friday, october 30, “More testing equals more cases. We have best testing. Deaths WAY DoWn. Hospitals have great additional capacity! Doing much better than Europe. therapeutics working!” these claims and misinformation tactic are so different from the reality. As nBc news reported: The United States set yet another pandemic record with more than 90,000 new Covid19 cases reported in a single day, the latest NBC News tally showed Friday. The new benchmark of 90,456 cases was hit Thursday just hours after the U.S. logged its 9 millionth coronavirus case and shattered the previous daily record of 80,662 infections, set a day earlier. Also, the 540,035 new Covid19 cases reported from last Friday, Oct. 23, to Thursday was the most for any seven-day period since July, the figures showed. Amid the uptick in coronavirus cases and death in the United States and heading to
the november 3 election, trump has been holding super spreader campaign rallies around the country — no masks, no social distancing in these crowded events. there were reports of stranded trump supporters in freezing temperatures after the trump rally, 30 had to be rushed to the hospital for hypothermia. trump supporters also passed out amid the heatwave in Florida. trump did not care. What mattered to him were the adoring crowd, the cheers and adulation he needed to brag about — all for the optics that his fans pack his rallies without regard to their safety. cases of coronavirus have spiked in a series of states where Donald trump has held campaign rallies, according to a new analysis of infection rates, the independent reported. in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the number of coronavirus cases rose at a faster rate after the rally than before. Researchers at USA today found coronavirus cases have spiked in these areas where trump held his rallies at, contributing to the third spike in cases across the country. this is the trump plan toward healing and rebuilding America amid the coronavirus pandemic.
of chaos on everything from trade agreements to humanitarian cooperation. But even if trump loses, the U.S. will continue to be a swirling epicenter of the pandemic. the severity of the current spike in infections will undermine America’s economy and produce volatility in the global equities market. the imminent arrival of a vaccine will not end the pandemic quickly. Administering the vaccine to billions of individuals (most in two doses) will be the most massive logistics operations in history. Some of the vaccines being developed are only 30 percent effective. We have no idea how long the immunity they confer will last. the world will have to cope with fluctuating rates of infection into the foreseeable future. Europe and the U.S., given the current outbreak, will probably take longer to return to normality. American response to the pandemic will likely be better with someone other than trump at the helm. it is hard to imagine any other leader doing worse than this incompetent
and cruel man. this is why this election is vital. For Americans, it is a choice between chaos and sober management. the nation has never been more divided than it has become with trump at the helm. only a united nation can beat this pandemic. For the rest of the world, the end of trump will mean we can rebuild our institutions for international cooperation. Without those institutions, humanity will find it difficult to climb out of this hole of economic contraction and a deadly disease. We will know in 100 hours. opinion polls so far give Joe Biden an overwhelming lead. But we are haunted by the outcome of the 2016 elections. trump managed to defy the opinion polls and stage a strong finish, winning several battleground states with thin margins. it does not seem this will happen again. the pollsters have corrected for their wrong predictions four years ago. in fact, they might have overcompensated to magnify the size of trump’s voting base and understate Biden’s.
At any rate, the Democrats are not taking any chances. they are chasing down every vote they could possibly win. they are encouraging, against trump’s voter suppression efforts, all qualified citizens to go out and vote. Pop stars and famous athletes have used their platforms to bring out the vote. A high voter turnout in US elections generally favors the Democrats. We hope the long lines of determined voters accomplish what we all need: the end of trump. no one knows how the infantile trump will handle electoral defeat. if the numbers are close, he will likely deploy an army of lawyers to slow down the count and contest the results. For the first time in American history, there is a real possibility partisan violence could break out in the wake of elections. We all hope sobriety prevails and democracy triumphs in the U.S. (Philstar.com)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 31-NOvEmbER 3, 2020
Dateline PhiliPPines
PH ranks 7th among countries with worst journalist killings by aJPress THE Philippines is the seventh country among the world’s worst impunity offenders, according to a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In its 2020 Global Impunity Index, released on Wednesday, October 28, Somalia remained as the world’s most dangerous country for journalists with 26 unsolved journalist deaths in a country of 15.4 million people, while the Philippines dropped down from last year’s fifth to seventh, with 11 unsolved murders in a country of 108.1 million people. “The Philippines is the biggest mover in this year’s rankings, improving from the fifth worst country worldwide to the seventh worst,” CJP noted. “The change reflects the fact that the November 2009 Ampatuan, Maguindanao, massacre of 58 people, including 30 journalists and two media workers, no longer falls into the 10-year time frame for calculating the index,” it added. According to the New Yorkbased watchdog, it adjusted the status of the Ampatuan cases
to “partial impunity” from “full impunity” previously after a landmark ruling convicting the mastermind, his brother, and 26 accomplices. “The Philippines has 11 unsolved murders in the current 10-year index period, compared with 41 for last year’s index,” CJP said. CJP, however, noted that the convicted masterminds have appealed their convictions. “In the Philippines’ labyrinthine and politicized legal system, their legal challenges could take several years to be tried and the possibility of their acquittal on appeal still looms large. Scores of suspects remain free, including Ampatuan clan members, leaving those who have pursued justice for the slain journalists exposed to possible reprisals,” it said. “Meanwhile, the unaccountable killings continue apace, with at least two Filipino journalists murdered for their work so far in 2020,” the non-profit international organization added. CJP’s Global Impunity Index annually “spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free.” Below is the list of the 12
worst countries when it comes to prosecuting murderers of journalists: 1. Somalia (26 unsolved killings) 2. Syria (22 unsolved killings) 3. Iraq (21 unsolved killings) 4. South Sudan (5 unsolved killings) 5. Afghanistan (13 unsolved killings) 6. Mexico (26 unsolved killings) 7. Philippines (11 unsolved killings) 8. Brazil (15 unsolved killings) 9. Pakistan (15 unsolved killings) 10. Bangladesh (7 unsolved killings) 11. Russia (6 unsolved killings) 12. India (17 unsolved killings) CPJ’s Global Impunity Index calculates the number of unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country’s population. It examined journalist murders that occurred between September 1, 2010, and August 31, 2020, and remain unsolved. Only those nations with five or more unsolved cases are included on the index. n
Villar still wealthiest senator; De Lima poorest by Bella
Perez-ruBio Philstar.com
MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar, whose family’s business empire ranges from retail to property, kept her spot as the richest member of the upper chamber last year while Sen. Leila de Lima retained hers as the poorest, according to their wealth declarations. This is based on the Senate’s updated summary of its members’ statements of assets liabilities and net worth as of December 2019 which was obtained by News5 on Thursday, October 29. Villar, who topped the Senate race in 2019, declared a net worth of over P3.81 billion. Her husband, former Sen. Manuel Villar, recently topped Forbes’ list of richest Filipinos with a net worth
Philippine Senator Cynthia Villar
of $5.6 billion as of April. Sen. Manny Pacquiao, boxing icon-turned-politician placed second on the list with a declared net worth of P3.17 billion. Meanwhile, opposition Sens. De Lima
ManilaTimes.net photo
and Risa Hontiveros ranked last and second to the last on the list, with the detained senator declaring a comparatively meager net worth of P8 million and with Hontiveros posting double that. n
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A10 OctOber 31-NOvember 3, 2020 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL Dateline
Senate panel approves bill declaring ‘Marcos Day’ a special non-working holiday by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE bill seeking to declare September 11 as a special nonworking holiday in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has been approved by a Senate committee. The Senate Committee on Local Government on Monday, October 26, approved HB 7137, authored by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ria Fariñas, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, and Probinsyano Ako Rep. Rudys Caesar Fariñas. The virtual hearing was attended by eight members of the committee — Senators Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Cynthia Villar, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald de la Rosa, Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay and Marcos daughter Imee Marcos. However, Binay clarified that she did not vote on the mea-
sure’s approval. “I did not vote for the approval of House Bill No. 7137,” Binay said on Wednesday, October 28. “I had to leave the hybrid hearing of the Senate committee on local government after the discussion on the re-districting of the province of Bulacan due to a prior commitment. Thus, I was no longer a part of the hearing when House Bill No. 7137 was tackled and discussed,” she added. Binay also stressed that she would not support “any bill that would cause historical revisionism.” Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan questioned the Senate committee’s endorsement of the bill. “Congress, in enacting the Human Rights Compensation Measure in 2013, recognized the widespread abuses and atrocities committed by the Marcos regime and apportioned 10 billion pesos as compensation to thousands of its victims taken
or 240.76 kilometers per hour (kph), thereby reaching super typhoon category on Saturday, October 31. This will occur briefly over open water with Rolly nearing the east of Luzon. It is expected to weaken anew into a typhoon with winds of 212 kph on Sunday, November 1 before touching land. Rolly is the sixth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the last
month and a half. As of Thursday night, it was spotted in the northwest Pacific Ocean about 1,474 kilometers east of Manila, Philippines. It is tracking at a speed of 22.2 kph with winds of up to 148 kph and gusts of up to 185 kph. State weather agency PAGASA has so far categorized Rolly as a severe tropical storm as of early Thursday evening. The cyclone entered the Philippines’ jurisdiction at 5:30 p.m. (Philstar.com)
Dolomite sand not washed out, still intact – DENR “There is no truth to the news reports that the dolomite sand has been washed out to MANILA — The Department the sea,” DENR Undersecreof Environment and Natural tary for policy, planning and Resources (DENR) maintained international affairs Jonas Lethat the artificial white sand ones said. overlayed on a portion of MaLeones issued the statement nila Bay was not washed out but in response to reports quoting was only covered by black sand him as saying that “about 10 caused by rains. percent of the dolomite sand in by elizabeth
MaRcelo Philstar.com
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from proceeds of recovered illgotten wealth of the Marcoses,” he noted. “The amount of 10 billion pesos was declared as ill-gotten by no less than our Supreme Court. It would be inappropriate to honor a tyrant and a thief,” he added. Pangilinan also asked why the bill was being pushed while the country is in the middle of a pandemic. Marcos, the 10th President of the Republic of the Philippines, was born on September 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 310 which declared Sept. 11 as a special non-working day in Ilocos Norte to mark Marcos’ birth anniversary. This photo taken last June 26 shows members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community protesting against the anti-terror bill in Mendiola Street, The proclamation stated that Manila. Philstar.com photo the Ilocano community would be given the opportunity to commemorate “his life and contributions to national development as a World War II veteran, distinguished legislator, and former president.” n
US agency: Rolly to briefly become a super typhoon prior to landfall MANILA — A United States weather bureau’s new forecast on Thursday night upgraded tropical cyclone Rolly (international name Goni) into a typhoon that is likely to intensify into a super typhoon as it heads toward the Philippines’ landmass. In its latest outlook as of 10:15 p.m., the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center estimated that Typhoon Rolly will reach sustained winds of 130 knots
PhiliPPines
Manila Bay has been swept to the sea by heavy rains.” He said the white sand, made of crushed dolomite rocks, has been washed in by black sand but still intact. “Dolomite sand will not be washed out because of the geoengineering intervention used for the project,” Leones explained. n
Manila joins other local gov’ts in signing ordinance prohibiting gender discrimination by FRanco luna Philstar.com
MANILA — Manila City officially joined the list of local governments with ordinances against gender-based discrimination Thursday after Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso signed Ordinance No. 8695 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression or SOGIE. The city’s anti-discrimination ordinance also mandates establishments operating in Manila to create their gender-neutral toilets come 2023 and creates a Gender Sensitivity and Development Council in the nation’s capital city to oversee the implementation of the ordinance. The ordinance takes effect immediately. “In our small step, we can at least make you feel that discrimination in Manila will not work. Discrimination cannot work because of social status - the poor, the middle class, the rich, the gay, lesbian, women and men,” Domagoso said. “Every young man in Manila should feel the same right and proper respect for his fellow man and the people who grow up in the city of Manila in their respective fields of undertaking,” he added. Penalties for any violations include: • For the first offense: A fine of not less than P1,000 or imprisonment of six months or both at the discretion of the court;
• For the second offense: A fine of not less than P2,000 or imprisonment of six months and one day to eight months or both at the discretion of the court; • For the second offense: A fine of not less than P3,000 or imprisonment of eight months and one day to one year or both at the discretion of the court; “Subsequent violations shall be punished by a penalty of one year imprisonment and fine of not less than P5,000. Complaints may be filed before barangays as they are mandated to establish their respective LGBTQI Complaint Desks,” the city public information office said in a statement. Manila, the nation’s capital city, is the 26th city and 39th local government in the Philippines to sign an anti-discrimination policy. The Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders in its Twitter account said that its call for similar legislation on a national level remains. The SOGIE Bill is still pending in Congress after its initial filing two decades ago. What about the Pride 20? To recall, 20 protesters from groups Bahaghari, Gabriela and the Children’s Rehabilitation Center were arrested by elements of the Manila Police District in late June for taking part in a community-organized protest against the controversial and hotly-contested anti-terror bill. Cops said their arrests were due to quarantine violations and
had nothing to do with the bill being protested, which the Philippine National Police continues to staunchly defend on its social media pages. In videos of the incident that have since gone viral on social media, police are seen refusing to answer the media when asked which quarantine guidelines were violated by the protestors being arrested. “They were not informed of any charges when they were accosted. What a way to commemorate pride in [the Philippines, national police!]” Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of rights monitor Karapatan said in a statement. International rights monitor Human Rights Watch said the arrests during the Pride rally only showed why the 20 were right to oppose the controversial bill, “which would make it much easier for police to arrest critics of the government.” Despite calls for him to take action, the Manila City chief executive stayed mum as the Pride 20 spent days in police custody. “Dito sa Maynila, walang mahirap, walang middle class walang mayaman. Walang bakla, walang tomboy, walang lalake, walang babae. Lahat ay mamamayan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, sa Maynila pantay pantay,” Domagoso said. (Here in Manila, there is no poor or middle class or rich. There is no gay, tomboy, male or female. All of us are citizens of the City of Manila, and in Manila we are all equal.) n
World Bank sees slower fall for remittances this year by ian
nicolas cigaRal Philstar.com
MANILA — Remittances from overseas Filipinos would shrink slower than originally expected this year, the World Bank said in a report on Friday, October 30. Inflows from Filipinos abroad would decline 5% year-on-year in 2020, the multilateral agency said in a global migration report with KNOMAD, a think tank. The latest forecast is better than the 13% slump seen last April and reported by Bloomberg. Authors of the report did not immediately reply to request for comment. The central bank, meanwhile, had a more optimistic outlook of 2% decline on remittances in 2020. From January to August, cash remittances coursed through banks decreased 2.6% year-onyear. The Philippines is still seen as among the top recipients of overseas remittances globally this year, along with Egypt, Mexico, India and China. In East Asia and the Pacific, the country
is only next to China projected to attract the largest amount of remittance inflows this year at $33 billion. That said, the report noted that cash overseas are coming intense strain from migrant workers losing jobs from the health crisis and resulting economic crash. “Under increasing pressure to stem the tide of falling remittances and rising unemployment rates, several sending countries in the region are anxious to resume overseas placement of their workers,” World Bank said. Worse, some of them have permanently gone home, which in turn may have lasting impact on remittances. Citing government data, the multilateral agency said over 230,000 Filipinos abroad had been repatriated as of early October, equivalent to a one-tenth of Filipinos overseas. “This likely reflects the absence of formal safety nets available to migrant workers in many host countries in the face of the pandemic and the large
repatriation of Filipino workers,” World Bank said. Overall, remittances to low and middle-income countries — where inflows power up consumption — are projected to fall by 7% annually in 2020, before collapsing at a sharper rate of 7.5% in 2021. If realized, both performances would be the steepest fall in recent history. At the other end, remittance flows from the United States have remained somewhat resilient, the lender said, growing 5.8% year-on-year in the first 8 months. In contrast, 8-month inflows posted sharp annual declines in major sources like the Middle East by 13.2% and Europe 16.1%, data showed. “Migrants are suffering greater health risks and unemployment during this crisis,” Dilip Ratha, lead author and head of KNOMAD, said in a statement. “The underlying fundamentals driving remittances are weak and this is not the time to take our eyes off the downside risks to the remittance lifelines,” she said. n
DECISIONS 2020: Trump vs Biden on plans...
PAGE A8 t Go back to pre-Covid days and disregard facts, science, and denigrate and discredit those who do not go by his playbook — the news media, scientists, doctors, health officials, local government officials, critics. As revealed in journalist Bob Woodward’s interview with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House adviser, the plan was to let the governors handle the state restrictions to mitigate the pandemic because these are unpopular among people. “But the president also is very smart politically with the way he did that fight with the governors to basically say, no, no, no, no, I own the opening. Because again, the opening is going to be very popular. People want this country open. But if it opens in the wrong way, the question will be, did the
governors follow the guidelines we set out or not?” Kushner told Woodward. Kushner also bragged in that interview with Bob Woodward on April 18 about Trump “getting the country back from the doctors,” in reference to the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, Axios reported. “Trump has campaigned on a message of “opening up” the country after lockdowns designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the spring resulted in widespread economic disruption. But some health experts have criticized states for opening up too fast, leading to a second and third surge of coronavirus infections as Election Day nears,” Axios further reported. So this is Trump’s plan? “Let’s go back” at the expense of the life and safety of the American
people. Let people get infected and die and maybe there will be herd immunity? Really? We’re down to the final days until the election. Who do you trust more to heal and rebuild America amid the coronavirus pandemic: Joe Biden or Donald Trump? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
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WKND Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MANy people consulted with me after their case was denied by a USCiS officer or consul at the embassy. in some cases, the person signed a confession, but now claims it was not true. i asked them that if it was not true, why did they sign it? they reply the USCiS officer or consul told them, “it will be good for your case if you sign this.” trusting the officer or consul, the person dutifully signed the confession, relying on the officer’s assurance that by signing it, it would be helpful. but helpful to whom? Signing a confession would certainly be help-
LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe
Catriona on Rabiya’s win: Signing an untrue confession will not She has ‘amazing opportunity’ to rise above criticism help your case!
ful to the government, as that would help support and justify a denial or refusal. but i cannot see how confessing to something a person did not do would ever be helpful to their case. Sometimes, a loving couple is in a good faith marriage, yet sign a confession that it’s a fixed marriage. there have been other cases where a person, under petition by an employer, “confesses” they will repay the employer for all immigration costs, even though the employer is shouldering all costs, because the consul told them “it will be helpful for your case if you sign.”
if a person is not entitled to an immigration benefit, they should not be applying in the first place. if they are caught, a denial would be justified. but a person should not claim to be tricked or entrapped into signing something that is not true because of assurances that by signing an untrue confession it would be “helpful” to their case. that is why if you believe you were being pressured into signing confessions or statements that are not true, you should not do so. Once they are signed, it is very hard to retract or take back that PAGE B3
By Ryan
aRcadio Inquirer.net
CAtriONA Gray expressed her support for Miss Universe Philippines 2020 rabiya Mateo, saying that the latter can rise above the criticism surrounding her win. the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder also noted that having people talk about you — be it negative or positive — comes with the territory of being a Philippine queen. Despite this, Gray cheered Mateo on and shared some advice to her during the former’s interview on ANC’s “Headstart” on Wednesday, October 28. “She has an amazing opportunity considering what her batch has gone through to be able to perform at the level that they have and what the country is still going through during this pandemic,” Gray said. Gray added that Mateo now has an “amazing opportunity to
catriona gray and miss universe philippines 2020 rabiya mateo photos from instagram/@catriona_gray, @rabiyamateo
really rise above the hate and rise above the criticism” and show others how a beauty queen can help her community. Following Mateo’s coronation as Miss Universe Philippines 2020, controversy soon popped up after Sandra lemonon, the candidate of taguig City, posted cryptic messages on her instagram page. lemonon hinted
that a fellow candidate cheated during the pageant. Mateo addressed accusations that she brought her own glam team to the pageant and denied that she had prior knowledge of the question she would get in the final round, as per an interview with tV5’s MJ Marfori. Mateo stressed that she won the crown “fair and square.”
Madam Auring passes away ahead of Halloween
Her grandson Simon Pecson announced her passing in an emotional Facebook post on Celebrity fortune-teller Friday, October 30. Madam Auring passed away at “Grabe ang pinagdaanan the age of 80, her family con- mo during your senior years firmed Friday, October 30. pero you still worked hard for Madam Auring, also known your family (us). i feel sad and as Aurea erfelo, made a name happy. Sad kasi i will never see for herself by correctly predict- you again, mga wisdom words ing the victories of Spanish mo, korni jokes, happy bondbeauty queen Amparo Muñoz ings, and pagkurot sa aking at the 1974 Miss Universe pag- pisngi hanggang mamula,” he eant and Muhammad Ali at the madam Auring PAGE B3 photo courtesy of Simon pecson 1975 thrilla in Manila fight. By Ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
A SpeciAl epiSode of citizen pinoy dedicAted to nurSeS, frontlinerS, And other working women. in this special episode of citizen pinoy, Atty. gurfinkel does a safe, physically distanced, face-to-face interview with two of the many dedicated filipino nurses in the community out there. rochele (center) is a case manager for a large hospital and has her own small business. can she bring in a family member from the philippines as a housekeeper to help with the housework and to care for her aging mother in the u.S.? frances (right) tries to balance 14-hour workdays being a nurse-practitioner, an owner of a med-spa business, and a mother of a four-year old boy. can she petition a relative as a company driver, even if the relative has a college degree? this week’s episode of citizen pinoy is dedicated to all working women (and men), particularly nurses, who are faced with daunting responsibilities at work and at home. Atty. gurfinkel offers solutions on a brand-new episode of --- citizen pinoy: your tanong, my Sagot – this Sunday at 6:15 pm pSt/eSt (9:15 pm eSt thru select cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
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The end of 2020 census Citizen Pinoy offers solutions to Filipino data collection, next steps nurses, front-liners, and other working women on this Sunday’s episode and a heartfelt thanks
THE U.S. Census Bureau completed data collection for the 2020 Census on October 15, 2020. “Every decennial census makes history, but this was like no other in living memory,” said Dr. Steven Dillingham, Director of the U.S. Census Bureau. “Over the coming
days, weeks and months, we will provide periodic updates on our post-processing efforts. We are working hard to deliver complete and accurate state population counts as close to the Dec. 31, 2020, statutory deadline as possible.”
All states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico achieved total response rates over 99.0%. All but one state was at or above 99.9%. Compared to the final self-response rate of 66.5% for the 2010 Census, 67% were accounted for through self-response to date, with the rest having been accounted for through our Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) operation. “Generally, better data comes from self-response, but after a decade of global decline in census and survey participation along with the challenges presented by COVID-19, we had not expected to beat the 2010 self-response rate,” Dillingham said. “This would not have been possible without our partners and new technologies.” The 2020 Census benefited from the strong support of nearly 400,000 dedicated community and national partners who contributed to our efforts to achieve a complete and accurate count of the nation’s population. The internet proved to be the easiest and preferred option for self-reporting. 2020 Census partners served as trusted voices and census ambassadors within their communities, and their outreach raised awareness of the 2020 Census and encouraged response — particularly among those who have been historically hard to count. When COVID-19 turned everyone’s plans upside down, the partners rose to the occasion with creativity and perseverance. In-person events became virtual events. Outreach turned digital with video messages, Facebook Live events, and other online engagements. Some communities sponsored socially distanced car parades through neighborhoods. Dillingham said, “With data collection for the 2020 Census concluded, we at the Census Bureau want to keep working with you. We will continue to provide information on the 2020 Census going forward, including to our national partnership and community partnership teams. We encourage you to sign up today to receive updates at 2020census. gov.”
THIS week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy is dedicated to working women (and men), particularly nurses and frontliners who work long, exhausting shifts, and then must come home and manage a household and take care of their families. The responsibilities are daunting and exhausting, and leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel offers a solution to that predicament - petitioning housekeepers and caregivers from the Philippines, even if a relative! In this episode, Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from two nurses, Rochele and Frances. (Both nurses advised and supervised the physical-distancing require-
ments of the in-studio taping to keep the cast and crew safe.) Rochele is a registered nurse who is a case manager for a big hospital, and has her own business as well. She raised four children who are now all grown-up. Rochele and her husband would like to be able to slow down a bit and take better care of themselves. But she has to come home each night and then do housework. She asks if it is possible if she can petition a housekeeper from the Philippines. She is also thinking of bringing in a caregiver to take care of her aging mom. Rochele wants to know if it is possible to hire a relative to help her family out.
SWEET TREATS 4 A CAUSE began because 4 SCV Filipina moms who share the same core values to deliver not only high quality food and doing what they love by baking and making artisanal treats but also support world-wide advocacies. Together with their passion for baking and making delectable filipino and international goods, they were able to raise funds to donate to METAvivor, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising awareness and doing research (Advertising Supplement) for breast cancer.
Frances is a nurse practitioner who owns a successful med-spa. Aside from working 14-hour days, she is also a mother to a four-year old boy. She has been wanting to petition a nanny but worries over the length of time it takes for the petition to be processed. Also, her husband’s cousin in the Philippines, could he be potentially hired as a company driver if he is over-qualified for the position since he is a college graduate? Atty. Gurfinkel provides solutions to these questions on an allnew episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – this Sunday, at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers).
(Advertising Supplement)
For the month of October, these local businesses: Adetteskii’s, Cream & Crunch, Jenny’s Macarons and Sweet Treats Pastels have teamed up to support this Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. A portion of their sales will be donated to METAvivor. To follow them in Social media and check out their products - IG/FB: @adetteskiis, IG: @cream_and_crunch FB: @ creamandcrunchus, IG/FB: @aronmcrons FB: @ Macarons Numnum. IG/FB: @sweettreatspastels. Sweet treats
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 31 - NOvEmBER 3, 2020
99 Ranch Market expands grocery delivery with Instacart
The new service will kick off on October 29, 2020, in stores nationwide BUENA PARK, CA - October 29, 2020 - To serve customers more seamlessly and to further scale up its e-commerce channels, 99 Ranch Market is now teaming up with Instacart, the North American leader in online grocery, to grow its delivery capabilities. With the new e-commerce collaboration, customers can now have their groceries delivered directly from their nearest 99 Ranch Market to their door in as fast as one hour. “As one of the biggest Asian American/International grocers, 99 Ranch Market has been focusing on making grocery shopping easier for our shoppers. We are thrilled to partner up with Instacart to fulfill shoppers’ needs on getting groceries delivered to their doorsteps. This effort will diversify our existing offerings and elevate shopping experiences.” says Marketing & Public Relations Director, Juliet Chen. 99 Ranch Market takes great pride in its roots in Asian/International groceries. The company vision is to help connect global consumers to 99 Ranch Market’s heritage and fantastic food culture. By utilizing innovative technology, 99 Ranch Market saves customers time and money to ensure that they are getting the best quality products they need. Customers can count on 99 Ranch Market for convenience and quality and now have the ability to explore what the grocer has to offer - both in-store and online. With the new partnership, Instacart delivery is now available from all of 99 Ranch Market’s 53 store locations across nine states. “We’re excited to partner with 99 Ranch Market across their entire footprint to give customers access to the International groceries they love from the comfort of their home,” said Andrew Nodes, Vice President of Retail at Instacart. “Same-day delivery has become essential and we know how important it is for customers to be able to reach their favorite retailer online. People are looking for convenience and reliability, and we’re proud to launch with 99
advance. All Instacart orders default to “Leave at My Door Delivery” to maintain social distancing guidelines and ensure customers receive their orders safely. More than 600 products from 99 Ranch Market are available for Instacart delivery, including farm-fresh produce, a wide selection of Asian dry groceries, meat, seafood, bulk foods, and frozen items. 99 Ranch Market was established in 1984, with its first store in Westminster (Little Saigon), California. 99 Ranch Market maintains its cultural heritage by offering the best quality Asian/ International products and personalized service. With the support of our loyal customers and hardworking employees, we have grown to become the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, with over 50 store locations nationwide in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State. Instacart is the North American leader in online groceries and one of the fastest-growing companies in e-commerce. Instacart shoppers offer same-day delivery and pickup services to bring fresh groceries and everyday essentials to busy people and families across the U.S. and Canada. Instacart has partnered with more than 500 beloved national, regional, and local retailers to deliver from over 35,000 stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America. Instacart’s delivery service is available to more than 85% of U.S. households and 70% of Canadian households. The company’s cutting-edge enterprise technology also powers the e-commerce platforms of some of the world’s biggest retail players, supporting their whitelabel websites, applications, and Ranch Market to help this beloved customers select their zip code or delivery solutions. Instacart offers retailer expand its offering and city and 99 Ranch Market store- an Instacart Express memberfurther serve the communities it front and can begin adding items ship for unlimited free delivery to their Instacart grocery cart. on orders over $35. For more operates in.” 99 Ranch Market customers Once the customer has checked information or to start shopping, can begin shopping via Instacart out, an Instacart personal shopper visit www.instacart.com. For by going to https://www.insta- will pick and deliver the grocery anyone interested in becoming cart.com/store/99-ranch-market order within the customers’ des- an Instacart shopper, visit https:// or opening the Instacart app on ignated time frame – same-day, or shoppers.instacart.com/ their mobile device. From there, for convenient scheduling, days in (Advertising Supplement)
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Anchoring our lives in someone or something beyond us Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas I CANNOT imagine living one’s life without holding on to something and someone beyond us. Life can be harsh, painful, messy, brutal, and bitter. Thank God we have our family members and friends to express and unburden our fears, anxieties, and frustrations and ask for their prayers and support. Still, we need Someone beyond finite beings and finite solutions’ to life’s challenges. So, we turn to God and his promise of life beyond this world. Is this why Jesus calls
us blessed in today’s Gospel Reading? We’re blessed in the sense that we recognize our poverty in handling and understanding life’s challenges, struggles, disappointments, and mysteries. We’re blessed because we ultimately rely not on human wisdom and efforts but the mystery of God’s plan. And if we believe in the Spirit of God that still hovers this world and enters our lives, then we know that somehow God’s Spirit comes to comfort, strengthen, and encourage us. So Jesus says in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 5:112): “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.” To feel God’s presence and asPAGE B6
Madam Auring...
PAGE B1 posted. “Happy ako kasi you have done everything you could to make us feel loved the way you know how, your struggles are over. You fought your battles silently. Magkikita na kayo ni
Mama sa kabilang buhay. You shall always be in our hearts. Love you.” During the early 2000s, Madam Auring became controversial for her alleged romance with Original Pinoy Music (OPM) singer Victor Wood.
Signing an untrue... PAGE B1 signed confession and it is likely to be accepted as true. Instead, if you are asked to sign a statement, you should first have your attorney review the contents for accuracy and truthfulness. The bottom line is a person should of course be truthful and apply for immigration benefits only if they are entitled. They should not be signing confessions, admitting to things that are untrue because they felt they were pressured or persuaded that it would help their case. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is differ-
ent, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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Best car concepts at the Las Vegas CES Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, mBA & roger L. orieL THE biggest electronics convention in the world has traditionally been confined to gadgets of the future but the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas featured exciting new cars – cars of the future. Here are our favorite cars from that show. Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR AVTR stands for Avatar – the movie – that merged the blue alien Na’vi with their horses and gigantic birds using their ponytails. I’m still smarting from that film’s loss for Oscar’s best picture. Anyway, Mercedes-Benz’s concept car called AVTR replicates this merger between man and machine. This concept car can read your pulse and sense your breathing. It features a huge display inside the cabin that shows visions of the world outside. Its four wheels light up. It can pivot sideways like a crab for easy parking. The back hatch is covered in 33’ bionic flaps which can move in different directions. It has no steering wheel. You connect by using a joystick in the center console. Cool thing. Hyundai Mobis M-Vision Hyundai Mobis is a real communicator. It can communicate with people inside the car and outside pedestrians too. The Mobis communicates back with sound and led lights, digital signboards, and
headlamp projection. Blue colors indicate the car is autonomously driving itself, yellow if you are driving! Man, this robotic car doesn’t trust us human drivers. A big screen in front can send specific messages to other vehicles and pedestrians. Mobis performs a retina scan and facial recognition of each occupant, pairs with their mobile devices, and syncs their calendars to the big interior screen. It even adjusts lighting and music to your mood. Whew! Audi AI:ME Audit’s AI:ME emphasizes its occupants’ relaxation with surfaces that light up only when you need them. It sports VR goggles for entertainment, internet browsing, and more. It still has a steering wheel and pedals if you miss conventional driving. Fiat Centoventi Fiat’s Centoventi aims to be an affordable vehicle. Factory will paint your car with just one color. You can customize it with colored body panels. The modular battery pack is upgradeable. Its design is one of the coolest cars at the trade show. Byton M-Byte Byton’s M-Byte sports a huge 48-inch interior screen! It also has four touchscreens, super antennas, and cutting-edge cloud connectivity. It emphasizes connectivity and data over horsepower. Byton prefers entertainment over power and acceleration. It starts at $45,000, moves to $55,000 at mid-range, and tops at $70,000. It’s expected in showrooms in 2021. Fisker Ocean Fisker plans to mass produce its fully electric compact SUV. The Fisker Ocean will start under
$40,000 and will go on sale in 2022. Henrik Fisker, a onetime BMW designer, designed the ocean to display a radar sensor prominently at the peak of its nose instead of hiding sensors and radar units used for adaptive cruise control, and forward collision-warning systems. Honda Augmented Driving Concept Honda’s concept car has no roof. The trade show display is not a convertible because it has no roof. It has no pedals to accelerate or brake either. Instead, you push the steering wheel forward to accelerate and pull back to brake. You can even swap drivers by passing the steering wheel from left to right. Sony Vision-S Yes, we were surprised to see Sony exhibit a car. No, Sony is not planning to build cars. It merely showcased what Sony can supply other automakers with technologies for their own electric vehicles. More than 30 sensors are embedded around the car to detect people and other vehicles. It has 360 reality audio that offers amazing sounds with speakers built into the seats. *** 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.
3 different Chapter 7 cases Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng FAMILY of 3: $40,000 credit cards owed Client no. 1 is so young. She is in her late 30s. I remember when I was that young —a young lawyer with a decade and a half of experience. Seems only yesterday. Yeah, time flies and waits for no man or woman. That is certainly true. The client is lucky to be still working in this pandemic. She still has two jobs. She works hard because she has to take care of her young family. She has a 12-yearold and she’s married. But the husband, though willing to work, has not yet found a job as he is a new immigrant to this country. It’s pretty hard to get a job nowadays as you well know. Lots of citizens have lost their jobs. Indeed, millions have lost their jobs as the economy has tanked due to the raging pandemic that doesn’t exist. I thought it was basic common sense that wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of the virus. I didn’t expect that wearing a mask would be a matter of constitutional right. Well, just five more days and we get the verdict of the American people. I voted by mail like millions of others who wanted to have their vote count. As I hear it from the pundits, this is a historic election like no other before. It’s either we descend further into chaos and become a banana republic, or we get back our humanity as a people. You have the right to vote for our future. Just do it, whoever you want to lead our great nation to kingdom come. The young client owes $40,000 in credit cards. Her gross income is $50,000 a year. She’s the sole breadwinner of the family at this time. Her rent is $1,000 a month. So, her monthly gross is about $4,000. That means her take-home pay is about $3,500. Deduct the rent of $1,000 and she has $2,500
left. To make the minimum payments on $40,000 of credit cards, she needs $1,200 a month. For a family of three, food and groceries can actually reach $1,000 a month pretty easily. I mean, that’s reality, unless you scrimp and save with coupons and always on the lookout for promotions and freebies. So without further ado, you can certainly see at this point that the $1,200 for minimum credit card payments is a heavy burden for this family. She quickly decides that she needs the $1,200 that she can save from wiping out her $40,000 of credit cards for her family’s use and financial security. If she doesn’t have to pay the $1,200 to MasterCard and visa, she can save at least $12,000 a year. Every family needs to have some savings set aside for emergencies. She’ll have $24,000 saved up in two years without the $40,000 of credit cards to worry about. She doesn’t own a house. There’s no presumption of abuse under the means test. The client opts for Chapter 7 for a fresh start without the accumulated debt of $40,000. Smart and correct decision. Family of 4: $45,000 credit cards owed Client(s) no. 2 is husband and wife. Together they owe $45,000. They tried doing “consolidation” a year ago, paying $700 a month. Under the consolidation plan, they will pay $700 a month for 60 months. They are a family of 4 with two teenagers still living with them. Their gross income is $6,000 a month. Both of them are still working in this pandemic. They told me that they are just tired of paying the $700 a month. They own a house but with two mortgages, the equity in their house is less than $100,000. They are still young also in their late 40s. Believe me, they are still young but feeling old because of the burden of paying $700 a month for another four years. Fortunately for them, they can wipe out the $45K with Chapter 7. A fresh start without accumulated debt. It takes them only a minute to decide to go for Chapter 7. I proceed further with analyzing
their eligibility for Chapter 7, especially now with house prices on the ascent. The market value appears to be correct. They have less than $100,000 of equity. They are good for Chapter 7 and so they opt for a fresh start in life with no debt. Good decision. This is the correct decision for their future financial security. Single person: $50,000 credit cards owed Client no. 3 is also young, mid30s. He is single but racked up about $50,000 of credit cards in the last five years. He was making about $100,000 a year before the pandemic hit. Like so many others, he lost his job when his employer closed shop because of the virus. Sales dropped to almost nothing. His boss had to let him go. He doesn’t own a house and had to move back with his parents because he had no money to pay rent for his apartment. He is lucky he still has good parents around. He decides also rather quickly that he wants to get a fresh start in life by wiping out the $50,000 of credit cards with a Chapter 7 discharge; again, another good and timely decision. All these clients did the same thing that Walt Disney decided to do twice before the Disney Empire became successful. Yes, Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice. Milton Hershey also filed for Chapter 7 before his chocolate empire became the biggest in the world. If you have accumulated debt that has become a heavy burden, seriously think about a fresh start with no debt. It’s the right choice. *** DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE FOREGOING IS CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
Filing bankruptcy when faced with the unexpected
MANY people find themselves in the position of facing overwhelming debt, with constant calls from creditors and no obvious way out. For some, job loss sent them into a downward spiral, and they are now unable to pay their bills and meet their responsibilities. For others, a recent divorce or costly medical emergency drained their resources, leaving them in a very difficult financial situation. Over the last few months, millions of people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Unemployment is at an all-time high and without the stimulus payments provided by the government, a lot of people would have found themselves unable to pay their rent and provide for their families. The extra $600 in unemployment benefits have been a lifeline for many but that ended last month. As our Congress continues to deliberate and finalize plans on how to continue this government assistance, a lot of families are worried how
Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BULAon they are going to survive these uncertain times. In situations like what we are now facing, bankruptcy can be used as a tool to cut or minimize your losses while protecting what you have worked so hard for. If you have a home, savings, retirement plans, a business, other assets, etc., how do you protect all of these if you’re struggling with debts that you can no longer pay? In good times, people sometimes get too complacent with financial planning and they fail to prepare for financial emergencies while continuing to accumulate unnecessary debt. When tough
times come, only then do they realize that they could have done better. I realize we are facing unprecedented times and the financial problems caused by the virus could not have prepared a lot of people for what was to come so quickly. But a good financial plan definitely helps you withstand the unexpected; there is nothing worse than not having a contingency plan. Thank God we have bankruptcy laws that can help us for the worst of times when we can no longer help ourselves. Unfortunately, a lot of people are fed all kinds of misinformation about bankruptcy. So, what often happens is that people who need help so badly end up doing NOTHING for fear of making a mistake. The important thing to remember is that no one solution fits every situation. Your financial situation should be carefully evaluated by an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who can help you PAGE B6
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How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child. A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby’s life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend. One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33. Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611: (a) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married
to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce. (2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation. (c) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate. (2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order. (d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied. An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super. Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or
sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612. Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675. Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Petitions for adult children of LPR/USC
SA ilalim ng U.S. Immigration Law, mayroon dalawang uri ng family-based immigrant visas: (1) Immediate Relative: asawa, dalaga o binatang anak [na wala pang 21 taon gulang], o magulang ng US citizen [USC]; at (2) Family Preference: F1 – dalaga o binatang anak [na may 21 taon gulang na] ng USC; F2A – Asawa at dalaga o binatang anak [na wala pang 21 taon gulang] ng green card holder/ lawful permanent resident [LPR}; F2B – dalaga o binatang anak [na may 21 taon gulang na] ng LPR; F3 – may asawang anak ng USC; at F4 – mga kapatid ng USC, at kanilang asawa at mga anak na walang pang 21 taon gulang at walang asawa. Para sa mga LPR, may dalawang lamang immigrant visa category para sa family members: F2A at F2B. Ang asawa at dalaga o binatang anak [na wala pang 21 taon gulang] ng LPR ay sumasailalaim sa F2A category. Kung ang dalaga o binatang anak ay naging 21 taon gulang na, ang dalaga o binatang anak ng LPR ay sasailalaim na sa F2B category. Ito ay automatic mula sa F2A category. Kung ang dalaga o binatang anak ng LPR ay nag-asawa, ang visa petition ay
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon mapapawalang-bisa na sapagkat walang visa category para sa may asawang anak ng LPR. Ang visa petition ay invalidated, kahit ito ay pending o aprubado na, basta’t hindi pa nagkakapag-immigrate ang beneficiary sa US. Kung ang beneficiary ay nag-asawa bago siya makarating ng US bilang immigrant, siya ay hindi kwalipikado para sa immigrant visa. Dahil dito, may ilang beneficiary na nagpapakasal ng patago at palihim bago umalis ng kanilang bansa. Ngunit walang kasal ng secreto o lihim na kasal. Para sa mga USC, mayroon immigrant visa category para sa kanilang anak na dalaga, binata at may asawa. Ang dalaga o binatang anak ng USC [na may 21 taon gulang na] ay sumasailalim sa F1 category. Kung ang dalaga o binatang
Anchoring our lives... PAGE B5 suring love and mercy amid every tragic moment and distress is strengthening. To have it as one family, friends, church, and community is even more consoling. To believe that one’s life should be rooted deeply in God, who is the profound wellspring of life and love, appeases our troubled spirits. To know the great reward of heaven for our faith, works of mercy, peace, and justice reassures our salvation in Jesus Christ and longing to be with saints and angels in the afterlife, giving eternal praise and honor to our God. The apocalyptic words and im-
ages of the Book of Revelation, which we hear in the First Reading (Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14), encourage us to persevere during times of distress. “Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, ‘Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?’ These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the of the Lamb.” There is not much we can do in the most distressing times except to turn to our faith in Jesus and surrender to God’s will. The Saints demonstrated this virtue in their lives, and they did it extraor-
anak ay nag-asawa, ang kanyang F1 category ay automatic na magiging F3 category. Ang kasal ng dalaga o binatang anak ng USC ay hindi nagpapawalang-bisa ng visa petition ngunit napapalitan ang category ng immigrant visa mula F1 category at magiging F3 category. Kung ang petitioner ay LPR noong filing ng petition para sa dalaga o binatang anak [na may 21 taon gulang na], ang visa category ay F2B category. Subalit kapag nag-naturalize ang LPR, ang visa petition ay automatic na magiging F1 category. Kung ang dalaga o binatang anak ay nag-asawa pagkatapos mag-naturalize ang LPR, ang visa petition ay hindi invalidated. Ito ay magiging F3 category – may asawang anak ng USC. Under U.S. Immigration Laws, there are two types of family-based immigrant visas: (1) Immediate Relative: spouse, child [unmarried and under 21 years old], or parent of a U.S. citizen [USC]; and (2) Family Preference:: F1 – unmarried adult [21 years or older] sons and daughters of USC; F2A – Spouses and minor [under 21 years old] and unmarried children of green card PAGE B6 dinarily. There are those of our family members who exemplify this kind of faith. Although not canonized saints, we believe that God the Father sees the beauty of their faith and will make them also part of the vision of multitude in the Book of Revelation who would cry out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Blood of the Lamb.” *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
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The rights of employees working in private households Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. c. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I WORK as a housekeeper for a family in Los Angeles. I am a live-out employee and work a 12-hour shift, 7 days per week. I am paid a flat daily rate for all work hours. What are my rights? A: If your work duties are purely housekeeping without any personal attendant work, then you are a non-exempt, hourly employee entitled to overtime pay. (A person working in a private household whose main duties are to care for children, the infirm, the elderly, and those with disabilities are considered personal attendants. Personal attendants’ rights are governed by the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights enacted in 2014.) As a housekeeper, you must be paid one and a half times your regular hourly rate (“time and a half”) for all work beyond 8 hours per day or 40 hours a week. For all work beyond 12 hours per day or beyond 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day, you must be paid two times your regular hourly rate (“double time”). You are also entitled to one hour additional pay at your regular rate if you
were not provided any of your of one and one-half (1 ½) times two 30-minute uninterrupted the employee’s regular rate of meal periods, and one additional pay (“time and a half”) for all hour of pay at your regular rate such hours worked. A live-in employee must if you are not provided at least have at least 12 consecutive three 10-minute rest periods. Another issue that may arise hours free of duty during each for employees who work in pri- workday of 24 hours. If the vate households has to do with employee is required to work the distinction between live-in during the 12 consecutive off and live-out employees. Live-in duty hours, then the employee must also employees be paid are those who live at The overtime compensation time and a half for the employfor ‘live-out’ employees is all hours er’s house. Live-out computed in the same way worked. A live-in employees as that of a regular nonemployee are those who go exempt employee who works generally must be home afin other occupations. This allowed a ter their daily work means ‘live-out’ household one day off (of not less is done. employees must be paid than 24 The computation of time and a half for all hours hours) after 5 cona private worked that are more than 8 s e c u t i v e household employee’s hours in a day or more than days of work in a overtime 40 hours in a week. workweek. hours would If the emdepend on ployee is whether the required to work for a 6th or employee is live-in or not. A live-in employee may be even a 7th consecutive day in employed as much as 12 hours the workweek, the employee per day, provided that the em- must be paid time and a half for ployee has at least three hours hours worked up to and includfree of duty during the 12 hours ing 9 hours. Live-in employspan of work. Such off-duty ees who worked in excess of 9 hours need not be consecutive. hours on the sixth and seventh If an employee is required to workdays shall be compensated work during scheduled off-duty at double the employee’s reguhours, the household employee lar rate of pay (“double time”). The overtime compensamust be compensated at the rate
tion for ‘live-out’ employees is computed in the same way as that of a regular non-exempt employee who works in other occupations. This means ‘liveout’ household employees must be paid time and a half for all hours worked that are more than 8 hours in a day or more than 40 hours in a week. Hours worked more than 12 hours in a day or more than 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day must be paid double time. Correctly distinguishing between the two groups of employees working in a household makes a difference in the employee’s ability to recover overtime. Hence, it is wise to consult with an experienced employment attorney if an employee working in a private household has questions in this regard. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.joesayaslaw. com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases Legal Advice Atty. DArrick tAn DEAR Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the claim. The insurance adjuster for the other driver said they would fix my car, and offered me $500.00 for my injuries. Is that enough? I do not know where to go from here. –K.K. Dear K.K., The first step is to make sure that any injuries that you have suffered in the accident are examined and treated. You can recover treatment costs since they are considered “economic damages” that you suffered due to the accident. You can also recover for time away from work as “economic damages,” even if you used paid time off or sick leave. The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by persons who settle their accident cases on their own, or with the assistance of inexperienced counsel. Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reason-
ably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider. After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings. Apart from economic damages, you can recover “general damages,” which are damages for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience due to the accident. If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim. *** 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 (CAALA) and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Petitions for adult... PAGE B5 holder/lawful permanent resident [LPR}; F2B – unmarried sons and daughters [over 21 years old] of LPR; F3 – married sons and daughters of USC; and F4 – brothers and sisters of USC, and their spouses and children. For LPRs, there are only two immigrant visa categories for family members: F2A and F2B. A spouse and unmarried child of LPR under 21 years old falls under the F2A category. If the unmarried child turns 21 years old, the unmarried son or daughter’s F2A category is immediately converted to F2B. If the adult son or daughter gets married, the visa petition is invalidated as there is no category for married sons or daughters of LPRs. This petition is invalidated whether it is pending or approved, as long as the beneficiary adult son or daughter of LPR has not yet immigrated to the US. If the beneficiary gets married before entry to the US, the beneficiary does not qualify for immigrant visa. Some beneficiaries enter into secret marriages before leaving their country for the US. However, there is no such thing as a secret marriage. For USCs, there are visa categories for both their married and unmarried adult sons and daughters. An unmarried adult son or daughter [over 21 years old] of a USC falls under the F1 category. If the un-
married adult son or daughter gets married, the adult son or daughter’s F1 category is immediately converted to F3. The marriage of the adult son or daughter of a USC does not invalidate the visa petition but merely converts the category from F1 to F3. If the petitioner is LPR when the petition is filed for the adult son or daughter, the category is F2B. However, when the LPR petitioner naturalizes, the visa petition is converted to F1 category. If the adult son or daughter gets married after the LPR petitioner naturalizes, the petition is not invalidated but is under the F3 category – married adult son or daughter of USC. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor LawsRevised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005). SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Filing bankruptcy... PAGE B5 understand the options you may have available. By doing this, you can make an informed choice in taking the steps needed toward financial freedom. As a bankruptcy attorney, I always see people who have been stuck in their financial suffering for years because of their inaction- when they could have acted much sooner before draining all their financial resources to keep their head above water. Debt problems can happen to anyone. I understand that they can be overwhelming and can cause a lot of sleepless nights and constant worrying about the future. But things don’t have to be that way and you may have options that you didn’t even know existed. There is no shame in filing bankruptcy if that is what you need to do in order to start over and provide a better future not only for yourself and your family.
If you have not read my book, “What You Need to Know Before Filing Bankruptcy”, you can download it free of charge at HYPERLINK “http://www.beforefilingbk. com” www.beforefilingbk.com. For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. *** NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772 (Advertising Supplement)
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