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DATELINE PH envoy sees opening for U.S. immigration changes FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Romualdez cites concerns over arrests and detention as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress
Democrats Take Control of Congress Midterm victories give party both House and Senate, delivering major setback to Trump by AJPress WASHINGTON - Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, overturning Republican majorities and delivering a major political setback to President Donald Trump as he enters the final two years of his second term. The party secured a projected majority of at least 54 seats in the 100-member Senate and gained at least
30 seats in the House of Representatives, according to election results and projections available Thursday. Several contests remained unresolved, including Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi, leaving the final margins subject to additional vote counting. The victories extended into traditionally Republican states, including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, where Democrats captured Senate seats. The party also made substantial gains in House districts across the country, overcoming Republican advantages in states that had supported Trump in the 2024 presiden-
Becerra, Ford make history in California and Nevada
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez expressed hope Thursday that Democratic control of Congress will open the way to changes in federal immigration enforcement, particularly arrests and detention affecting foreign nationals whose immigration status is in question. Romualdez said during a November 5 radio interview that Democrats had sought a different approach to immigration enforcement and that changes could ease concerns among Filipinos facing uncertainty over their status in the United States. “Hopefully it would be a different kind of approach, maybe. But we will see what happens,” he said.
California elects its first Latino governor by popular vote, while Nevada chooses its first Black governor as historic victories extend across America by AJPress
u PAGE 3
Health insurance premiums climb as 2027 enrollment begins Higher costs, reduced federal assistance and changes in plan availability confront families reviewing coverage WASHINGTON — Americans buying health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces are facing another year of higher premiums, narrower access to federal aid and changes in participating insurers as enrollment for 2027 coverage gets underway. Premiums for benchmark silver plans are increasing an average of 13% nationwide, according to KFF, an independent health policy research organization. The increase follows a 26% rise for 2026. Both figures u PAGE 3
Photos courtesy of the Facebook accounts of Virginia Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and California Assemblymember Jessica Caloza
Victories from California and Nevada to Virginia highlight community representation in government by AJPress FILIPINO American candidates won congressional, statewide and legislative elections across the United States in Tuesday's midterm elections, returning incumbents to office in several states while competitive races in California, Hawaii and other parts of the country remained unsettled as ballot counting continued.
Transport, fuel and utility costs drive price increases as lower-income households face 9.5% inflation
MANILA: Philippine inflation accelerated to 7.8 percent in October, its highest level since February 2023, as sharp increases in transport, fuel and household utility costs added to pressure on consumers, according to data released Thursday, Nov. 5, by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The rate rose from 7.2 percent in September and 1.7 percent a year earlier. The latest increase pushed
CALIFORNIA elected its first Latino governor by popular vote and Nevada its first Black governor in the November 3 midterm elections, as victories elsewhere established new milestones for women and minority candidates in statehouses and Congress. Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton in California. In Nevada, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford unseated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. Both races were called, but returns remain uncertified. Becerra's California milestone Becerra, 68, will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom in January. He is the first Latino elected governor of California. In 1875, Lt. Gov. Romualdo Pacheco, also Latino, succeeded Newton Booth after Booth won a U.S. Senate seat. u PAGE 3
Filipino American candidates win across U.S. Malampaya gets new lifeline The results included the reelection of Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with victories by state lawmakers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Nevada. Candidates of Filipino ancestry also retained uncontested legislative seats in Georgia and Alaska, while others held substantial leads in New Hampshire, Maryland and Hawaii. Scott, a Democrat who has represented u PAGE 2
Philippine inflation hits Marcos appoints Rodil Zalameda 7.8%, highest since 2023 as 28th Philippine chief justice by AJPress
tial election. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, becoming the state's first Democratic U.S. senator-elect since 1988. Adam Hamilton unseated Republican Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas, while Annie Andrews won South Carolina's Senate contest. Democrats also captured Republican-held Senate seats in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio. The results reflected widespread dissatisfaction with the cost of living, the direction of the federal u PAGE 2
average inflation for the first 10 months of 2026 to 5.6 percent, above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' target range of 2 to 4 percent. Transport prices registered a 20.1 percent annual increase, up from 14.6 percent in September. The index covering housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels climbed 9.3 percent from a year earlier, compared with 8.4 percent the previous month. Fuel costs and passenger fares were among the pressures on u PAGE 5
by AJPress PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda as the Philippines’ 28th chief justice, selecting a former prosecutor and appellate court judge to succeed Alexander Gesmundo, who retires Friday, November 6, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Lino Cayetano announced the appointment Thursday, November 5. Zalameda, 63, will be the first chief justice appointed by Marcos since he assumed the presidency in 2022.
The appointment places Zalameda at the head of the country's highest court as the judiciary continues efforts to reduce case delays, modernize court operations and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice. Zalameda was chosen from five nominees submitted to the president by the Judicial and Bar Council on October 29. The other candidates were Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez. The council, which screens candidates for judicial appointments, conducted public interviews beu PAGE 5
as gas begins flowing
Two new wells off Palawan add an estimated 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas, potentially extending production until 2034 by AJPress
BATANGAS CITY, Philippines — Two new deepwater wells off Palawan began delivering natural gas into the Malampaya production system on Thursday, Nov. 5, providing another source of domestic fuel for Luzon power plants and potentially extending the field’s productive life into the next decade. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined energy officials and representatives of the operating consortium at the Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant in Batangas City for the ceremonial start of deliveries under the project's fourth development phase. The first flow came from Malampaya East-1 and Camago-3, wells drilled and tested in January and March, respectively. They were linked to the existing offshore production infrastructure in June. Gas from Malampaya is transported through an undersea pipeline to Batangas, where it supplies power plants generating electricity for the Luzon grid. The two wells contain an estimated 222 billion cubic feet of
recoverable natural gas, according to government figures. The Department of Energy estimates that this volume could generate approximately 31.46 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to one year's consumption by about 13.11 million households. Those figures measure potential generation from the reserves, not electricity already produced or the number of homes newly connected to the grid. Government projections indicate that the additional reserves could keep Malampaya producing until 2034, compared with an earlier forecast that its resources might be depleted by 2027. Prime Energy, the field's operator, estimates that the wells could extend production by approximately six years, depending on future demand for gas. The operator said Thursday that the wells' integration and production ramp-up would continue over the coming months. Sustained output levels have not yet been established. The $893 million Phase 4 development is operated by Prime Energy under Service Contract 38, u PAGE 3
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From the Front Page
Filipino American candidates win...
PH-SPAIN TIES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. receives the credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Spain to the Philippines Xavier Martí Martí, during a ceremony in Malacañang on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The President underscored the deep historical ties between the Philippines and Spain, describing them as unmatched by any other in Philippine history. PCO photo
Democrats Take Control of...
PAGE 1 government and the continuing U.S. war with Iran. Voter surveys identified inflation and household expenses as major concerns, while the administration's trade policies and handling of the conflict became prominent campaign issues. Trump acknowledged Wednesday that the Iran war had contributed to Republican losses but defended his decision to pursue the military campaign. Vice President JD Vance separately identified the conflict as a principal factor in the election outcome. The incoming Democratic majorities will begin their terms on January 3, 2027, ending two years of unified Republican control of Washington. Republicans retain their existing congressional majorities until then. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is positioned to become speaker when the new Congress convenes. If elected by the House, he would become the first Black American to hold the position. Jeffries has identified reducing living costs, expanding access to health care and strengthening congressional oversight as priorities for the incoming majority. Democratic leaders are preparing an agenda for their first 100 days that includes efforts to restore expired Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, reverse Republican reductions in Medicaid spending and address the administration's tariff policies. They also plan to pursue legislation concerning the war with Iran and the authority of Congress over military operations.
The change in congressional control will substantially alter the relationship between the White House and Capitol Hill. Democrats will gain leadership of congressional committees, greater authority over legislative priorities and the ability to conduct investigations into executive branch decisions and federal spending. Democratic lawmakers have outlined plans to examine the administration's use of federal resources and other government actions through hearings, document requests and possible subpoenas. Some have raised the prospect of impeachment proceedings, although party leaders have not committed to pursuing that course. Control of the Senate will also give Democrats greater influence over presidential appointments, including nominations to the federal judiciary. The chamber's advice-and-consent authority could become an important constraint on the administration's ability to fill senior government positions. Despite their congressional victories, Democrats will face significant limits on their ability to enact legislation. Trump retains the authority to veto bills passed by Congress, with a two-thirds vote required in each chamber to override a presidential veto. Under existing Senate rules, most legislation also requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, potentially forcing Democrats to seek Republican support for major policy changes. The president has indicated that he could negotiate with Democratic leaders while emphasizing his
willingness to veto legislation he opposes. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has acknowledged that the election does not necessarily represent unconditional public support for his party. He said Democrats must demonstrate that they can address the economic concerns that influenced voters. Republicans, meanwhile, face a leadership transition following their losses. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has decided not to seek the position of House Republican leader in the next Congress. His departure from party leadership opens a contest that could involve Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio. Johnson won reelection to his House seat. Senate Republican Leader John Thune of South Dakota has pledged to oppose Democratic initiatives that Republicans consider inconsistent with their legislative priorities, signaling continued resistance to efforts to reverse major Trump administration policies. The congressional transition also comes as lawmakers confront unfinished business during the remaining session, including federal spending legislation needed to maintain government operations beyond December. Republicans will retain authority over those negotiations until the incoming Congress takes office, when Democrats will assume responsibility for directing the legislative agenda and exercising congressional oversight of the administration. n
PAGE 1 Virginia's 3rd Congressional District since 1993, won an 18th consecutive term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He defeated Republican Edwin Rivera and two independent candidates, receiving more than 70% of the reported vote. Scott, whose maternal grandfather was Filipino, became the first voting member of Congress with Filipino ancestry when he was elected in 1992. In California, Bonta secured another four-year term as attorney general, defeating Republican Michael Gates, a former Huntington Beach city attorney. Bonta received approximately 64% of reported votes, according to unofficial returns. Appointed attorney general in 2021 and elected to a full term in 2022, Bonta is the first Filipino American to hold California's highest law enforcement position. Democratic Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, who became the first Filipina elected to the California Legislature in 2024, also won reelection in Assembly District 52. She received more than 85% of reported votes against Republican Andrea Lee Anderson. Former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, another Democrat, held a substantial lead over Republican Paulo Morales in the open Assembly District 67 contest, covering portions of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Pulido had approximately 62% of reported votes, although the result had not been certified. In North Carolina, Democratic Rep. Maria Cervania won another term representing House District 41, defeating Republican Bruce Forster with approximately 76% of the vote. Wisconsin Democratic Assemblymember Angelito Tenorio was reelected in District 14, defeating Republican AmyRose Murphy. Tenorio, first elected in 2024, became Wisconsin's first Filipino American state legislator. In Tennessee, Democratic Rep. Justin Jones, who has Black and Filipino ancestry, secured another term representing Nashville's House District 52. Jones received 11,922 votes,
compared with Republican Michele Vetter's 2,763 and independent Martez Coleman's 247. Nevada Democratic Assemblymember Erica Mosca, the first Filipina elected to the Nevada Legislature, retained he r Assembly District 14 seat in Clark County without a general-election opponent. In Georgia, Democratic Rep. Marvin Lim, who immigrated from the Philippines as a child, faced no named opponent in House District 98. Alaska Democratic Rep. Genevieve Mina, the daughter of Filipino immigrants, likewise appeared without a named opponent in Anchorage's House District 19. Additional Filipino American candidates held leading positions in state races that had not been certified. In Maryland, Democratic Delegate Kriselda Valderrama was among the three leading candidates for three seats in House District 26. Valderrama received 27,395 votes in the latest available unofficial tally, behind fellow Democrats Veronica Turner and Jamila Woods and substantially ahead of the Republican candidates. In New Hampshire, Democratic state Rep. Luz Bay, a Filipino immigrant, led Republican incumbent Joseph Kenney in the Executive Council District 1 race. Bay received 63,622 votes, or approximately 51.6%, compared with Kenney's 59,627 votes, or 48.3%, in an unofficial results compilation. The five-member Executive Council exercises authority over state contracts, certain gubernatorial appointments and judicial nominations. In Hawaii, Democratic Sens. Joy San Buenaventura and Rachele Lamosao held substantial leads in their reelection races, as did Democratic state Reps. Greggor Ilagan, Darius Kila and Shirley Ann Templo. San Buenaventura received 10,832 votes against Libertarian Frederick Fogel's 2,893 in Senate District 2. Lamosao led Republican Elijah Pierick with 6,707 votes to 3,290 in Senate District 19, according to the state's latest available unofficial summary.
Filipino American candidates also competed in closely watched municipal and county races, particularly in California, where mail ballot processing can extend well beyond election night. In San Mateo County, Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Cabrera Manalo led South San Francisco Councilmember Mark Nagales in the District 5 supervisor contest. Both candidates are Filipino American. Manalo received 10,657 votes against Nagales' 9,036 in the county's final electionnight report, a margin of 1,621 votes. County officials reported approximately 130,000 unprocessed ballots countywide as of Wednesday afternoon. Other Filipino American candidates occupying leading positions included incumbent Rod Daus-Magbual in Daly City, Melissa Ramoso in Artesia, Ollie Cantos and Letty Lopez-Viado in West Covina, and Ditas Yamane in National City. In Guam, Shelly Vargas Calvo, a Republican candidate of Filipino ancestry, ranked among the top 15 candidates competing for the territory's 15-member Legislature. Calvo received 11,428 votes in unofficial returns. The territorial Legislature is separate from the U.S. Congress. Several races remained narrowly divided. In Carson, California, incumbent Councilmember Arleen Bocatija Rojas trailed challenger John Hollaway by 59 votes in District 4, according to the latest available unofficial tally. In Hawaii, Republican Rep. Diamond Garcia led Democratic challenger Anthony Makana Paris by 137 votes in House District 42, receiving 2,997 votes to Paris' 2,860. Another Hawaii contest saw a reversal in the standings as additional votes were counted. Republican incumbent Julie Reyes Oda moved ahead of Democratic challenger Rose Martinez in House District 40, receiving 2,915 votes to Martinez's 2,760. Martinez, a Filipino American former state legislator, had led in earlier election-night returns before the margin shifted to Reyes Oda by 155 votes. n
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Malampaya gets new lifeline as gas begins... PH envoy sees opening for U.S. immigration... PAGE 1 alongside consortium partners UC38 LLC, Prime Oil & Gas Inc. and the state-owned PNOC Exploration Corp. The company said the project reached first gas 27 months after its final investment decision, about five months ahead of its original schedule. The expansion comes as the Philippines imports much of its energy. Government data show that imports supplied 52 percent of Philippine primary energy needs in 2025. Imported liquefied natural gas accounted for 55 percent of the country's natural gas supply that year, while Malampaya provided 45 percent. Marcos said greater use of locally produced gas "could contribute to more competitive power rates" by reducing exposure to swings in international fuel prices. That prospect does not establish an immediate reduction in household electricity bills, which also depend on power supply contracts, plant operations and other charges.
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the ceremonial first gas activation of the Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) project at the Malampaya Onshore Gas Plant in Barangay Tabangao Ambulong, Batangas City, marking a key milestone in the country's energy development efforts. PCO Photo
Malampaya has supplied natural gas to power stations in Batangas since 2001. Its aging original reserves prompted a search for new resources, including the two wells now delivering gas. A further exploration well, Bagong Pag-asa-1, is planned about 30 kilometers north of the field. It was not part of Thursday's first deliveries, and its production potential remains to be tested.. n
Becerra, Ford make history in California...
PAGE 1 Pacheco served the remaining months of Booth's term without winning a gubernatorial election. Latinos make up California's largest racial or ethnic population group. Becerra was born in Sacramento to a mother from Mexico and a father born in California who grew up in Tijuana. His father worked in agriculture and construction; his mother held clerical jobs. The first in his family to earn a college degree, Becerra graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Law School. After winning a California Assembly seat in 1990, Becerra served 24 years in Congress representing a Los Angeles-area district and held House Democratic leadership positions. He became California's first Latino attorney general in 2017 and later served as U.S. health and human services secretary under President Joe Biden. He will take office with California facing steep housing costs, rising wildfire-related expenses and pressure on health coverage from federal health spending changes. Federal Medi-Cal funding changes could complicate state budget decisions. During the campaign, Becerra proposed declaring a statewide housing emergency and identifying financing for nearly 40,000 approved affordable homes awaiting final funding. He also promised to defend health care access and challenge federal actions he considers unlawful. Hilton campaigned on lowering taxes and reducing regulation, arguing that Democratic policies had contributed to high living costs. Becerra emphasized his experi-
ence in state and federal government, although the financing and implementation of several proposals remain to be determined. Ford's breakthrough in Nevada Ford will become Nevada's first Black governor and the first Black person elected governor in a state west of the Mississippi River. His victory returns the governorship to Democrats after Lombardo's single term in office. A former mathematics teacher and lawyer, Ford was elected to the Nevada Senate in 2012 and became its first Black majority leader. He won the attorney general's office in 2018, becoming Nevada's first Black attorney general when he took office the following January. As attorney general, Ford brought consumer protection actions and joined litigation challenging federal policies. Ford spoke during the campaign about growing up in poverty and placed housing, household expenses and education at the center of his platform. Nevada also faces economic uncertainty tied to tourism and electricity costs. He proposed limits on corporate purchases of single-family homes, measures to assist renters and first-time buyers, and a pause on new tax incentives for artificial intelligence data centers pending an audit of their economic benefits and utility demands. Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff, defended his administration's spending on education, housing and public safety. He questioned the cost of Ford's proposals and criticized his record on criminal justice. Ford, meanwhile, challenged Lombardo's vetoes of
bills dealing with housing and free school meals. Democrats also won Nevada's other five statewide constitutional offices, giving the party control of all six for the first time since 1962. That result adds to Democrats' legislative majorities in a state President Donald Trump carried in 2024. Historic firsts elsewhere Georgia elected Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, as the first Black woman governor in U.S. history. New Mexico elected Democrat Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo and former interior secretary, as the first Native American woman governor. Texas elected Democrat Gina Hinojosa as its first Latina governor. Florida elected Republican Byron Donalds as its first Black governor; Wisconsin elected Democrat David Crowley as its first Black governor. Amy Klobuchar and Marsha Blackburn became the first women elected governors of Minnesota and Tennessee. Amy Acton became the first woman elected governor of Ohio, where a woman previously served briefly by succession. In U.S. Senate races, Michigan elected Democrat Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim senator, Minnesota elected Democrat Peggy Flanagan as the first Native American woman senator, and New Hampshire elected Democrat Chris Pappas as the first openly gay man to the chamber. Illinois elected Juliana Stratton, who will serve alongside Sen. Tammy Duckworth, making it the first state represented simultaneously by two women of color in the Senate. n
The ambassador said the Philippine Embassy in Washington has been in regular contact with the Department of Homeland Security about concerns affecting Filipino nationals. He did not announce an agreement with U.S. authorities or changes in arrest and detention procedures. Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, giving the party authority to set congressional agendas and oversee federal agencies when the next Congress convenes in January. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and detention practices are among the subjects Democratic lawmakers have identified for investigation. The election, however, does not transfer authority over immigration enforcement from President Donald Trump's administration. Federal agencies remain
responsible for implementing immigration law, and changes enacted by Congress would generally require the president's signature or sufficient votes to override a veto. Trump has said he is willing to work with Democrats on some issues and would consider an immigration agreement he viewed as appropriate, while emphasizing his power to reject legislation. Existing funding also limits the prospect of immediate changes. The Secure America Act, signed by Trump on June 10, provides nearly $70 billion for immigration enforcement and related activities through fiscal year 2029, including money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. Those appropriations do not lapse when congressional control changes. For Filipino nationals, the November 3 election does not itself grant legal status, halt removal
proceedings or change visa conditions. Immigration cases continue to depend on existing law and individual circumstances. In an August 26 advisory, the Philippine Embassy urged Filipinos to stay informed about U.S. immigration rules and seek qualified legal advice when uncertain about their status. The notice cited reports of reviews of certain business and tourist visas issued to foreign nationals who later applied for asylum. It did not say Filipino applicants had been singled out. Romualdez also said he expected relations between Manila and Washington to remain steady, citing support for the Philippines among members of both U.S. political parties. Filipinos requiring emergency consular assistance may contact the embassy's Assistance-to-Nationals service at 202-368-2767 or 202-769-8049, or email atn@ phembassy-us.org. (AJPress)
Health insurance premiums climb as 2027... PAGE 1
reflect the price before financial assistance, not necessarily what a subsidized household will pay. Insurers attribute the increases principally to rising medical and prescription drug costs. Their rate filings also cite changes in the customer pool following the Dec. 31, 2025, expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits. Standard tax credits remain for many eligible households, but people whose incomes exceed 400% of the federal poverty level generally no longer qualify for federal premium assistance. Premium increases vary by state The impact differs by state. Covered California reported a preliminary 9.9% average increase for 2027, while Nevada regulators approved a 17% average increase for plans offered through Nevada Health Link. New Jersey reported a 19.8% weighted average increase for its individual insurance market, including policies sold outside the state marketplace. New York approved a 6% average increase in its individual market after reducing insurers' requests. These measures cover different groups of plans and cannot be treated as direct comparisons with the
national benchmark figure. California is allocating $300 million for state premium assistance in 2027, up from $190 million in 2026, extending aid to eligible enrollees earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Covered California estimated on Oct. 30 that 55% of its enrollees would see no increase in their monthly premiums after available assistance. The estimate is not a guarantee for individual households. Fewer plans and tighter eligibility rules Some customers will also need to choose new coverage. Molina Healthcare will discontinue marketplace plans in northeast Los Angeles County and Orange County, affecting about 1,600 enrollees, according to Covered California. CalOptima Health is entering the Orange County marketplace. Nationally, 11 insurance carriers had announced departures from at least one state marketplace as of Oct. 29, while seven planned to enter new state markets, KFF found. Federal law also tightens eligibility for financial assistance for certain lawfully present immigrants starting in 2027. Among noncitizens, federal premium tax credits and income-based cost-sharing assistance will
generally be limited to lawful permanent residents, Cuban or Haitian entrants and qualifying migrants from countries covered by Compacts of Free Association. Others who are lawfully present may still buy marketplace insurance but cannot receive those federal subsidies under the new rule. What consumers should check before enrolling Consumers renewing coverage should check the price after tax credits, not only the listed premium. Provider networks, prescription formularies, deductibles and annual outof-pocket limits can change. Applicants should also update income estimates: starting with the 2026 tax year, there is no income-based cap on repayment of excess federal premium tax credits. HealthCare.gov and Nevada Health Link enrollment closes Jan. 15, 2027; California, New York and New Jersey close Jan. 31. To begin coverage Jan. 1, consumers must generally enroll by Dec. 15 through HealthCare. gov or New York's marketplace, and by Dec. 31 in California, Nevada and New Jersey. Free enrollment assistance is available through the official marketplaces. (AJPress)
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Sarmiento declines role as Sara Thomas Markle Jr. named person of Duterte’s first defense witness interest in abuse-material inquiry
Former law dean cites independence as defense prepares for November 9 hearings by AJPress MANILA — Former law dean Ralph Sarmiento has declined to testify as Vice President Sara Duterte’s first defense witness in her Senate impeachment trial, saying he wants to preserve his independence as a constitutional law scholar. His announcement on November 5 came a day after Duterte’s lawyers sought a subpoena for his appearance at the November 9 hearing. The defense had proposed that he testify on constitutional and legal principles relevant to Article II, the remaining impeachment charge against the vice president. Sarmiento, a former dean of the University of St. La Salle College of Law in Bacolod City, said he had asked the defense to withdraw its subpoena request or, if a subpoena had already been issued, seek its recall by the impeachment court. Independence cited “After careful consideration, I have decided to decline participation as a witness in the procee-
dings,” Sarmiento said. He described the decision as a way to protect the independence of his scholarship and the impartiality of his legal opinions. He thanked Duterte’s lawyers for recognizing the constitutional views he had shared publicly but said he had not anticipated their possible use in the proceedings. Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said the team respected his decision. “We respect Dean Sarmiento’s personal decision and appreciate his initial consideration of our invitation,” Poa said. The defense’s filing had identified Sarmiento’s proposed testimony as concerning legal principles. It did not describe him as a witness with personal knowledge of Duterte’s finances. Article II alleges unexplained wealth, deficiencies in asset disclosures and prohibited business interests. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and challenged the proceedings. Prosecutors withdrew three other articles concerning confidential funds, bribery and grave threats when they rested their case on October 13.
Other witnesses proposed Court spokesperson Regie Tongol said the defense filed two manifestations on November 4 requesting subpoenas for 25 intended witnesses for the November 9–13 hearings. Sarmiento was included in that total. The other proposed witnesses include corporate counsel, local government officials and personnel from several banks. Their identification in the filings does not establish that they will all testify. The defense seeks corporate records concerning GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp., property tax declarations and maps, and payroll documents covering Duterte’s service in Davao City. Tongol said presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero would review the subpoena requests under the court’s procedural rules and its standards for relevance and admissibility. Additional hearings are scheduled for November 19, 20 and 23. The court said witnesses for those sessions would be identified in accordance with its five-day notice requirement. n
BARMM, South Cotabato seek closer peace and trade cooperation by AJPress COTABATO CITY - Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. discussed closer cooperation on peacebuilding and trade during a November 4 meeting, with Tamayo offering to encourage business expansion into the autonomous region. Tamayo visited Macacua at the Bangsamoro government center and said his province would continue supporting Bangsamoro peace and socioeconomic programs. He cited established commercial links between South Cotabato and the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. As national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, Tamayo said he would appeal to fellow governors to encourage traders and other businesses to consider operating in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). No confirmed investments, com-
pany commitments or signed agreements were identified in the account of the meeting. Proposed regional coordination Macacua proposed forming a small liaison team to connect the Bangsamoro Parliament with Tamayo's office in Koronadal City and that of Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza in Kidapawan City. No timetable, budget or finalized arrangement for the proposed team was disclosed. Tamayo chairs Region 12's Regional Peace and Order Council, which coordinates regional security matters. Taliño-Mendoza leads the region's separate Regional Development Council, responsible for coordinating development planning. The governments maintain ties through communities whose livelihoods and access to services extend across administrative boundaries. Cotabato City belongs to BARMM, while neighboring South Cotabato and Cotabato provinces remain part of Region 12. Peace and investment priorities Macacua was elected chief min-
ister by the Bangsamoro's first regularly elected Parliament on October 30, receiving 51 votes among 79 lawmakers present. He previously headed the transitional administration. His newly announced policy agenda places peace and security alongside agriculture, small-business support, public services and infrastructure development. At an October 27-28 Mindanao development forum in Davao City, Macacua emphasized the importance of predictable policies and reliable institutions in attracting investment. The Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area presents another area for cooperation. Its 63 barangays, formerly part of Cotabato province, joined BARMM following a 2019 plebiscite and were subsequently organized into eight municipalities. Macacua said Cotabato's provincial government continued providing humanitarian assistance to residents of those communities even after they came under Bangsamoro administration. n
Philippine inflation hits 7.8%, highest since... PAGE 1 transportation. Higher household energy charges also contributed to the overall increase. Food and nonalcoholic beverages remained the largest contributor to national inflation, accounting for 2.4 percentage points of the 7.8 percent rate. Housing and utilities contributed 1.9 points, and transport added 1.8 points, according to the PSA. Food inflation itself eased to 6.4 percent from 6.8 percent in September, partly because prices of fish and vegetables increased at a slower annual pace. The broader food and nonalcoholic beverages category rose 6.1 percent, down from 6.7 percent. But the improvement did not extend to staple grains. Rice prices were 20.7 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with a 20.3 percent annual increase in September. Corn inflation reached 19.3 percent, up from 17.3 percent.
Core inflation, which excludes selected volatile food and energy items, increased to 5.4 percent from a revised 4.8 percent in September. The higher reading indicated that inflationary pressure was not confined to fuel and other frequently changing prices. The burden was greater among lower-income families. In a separate survey, the PSA reported 9.5 percent inflation for households in the bottom 30 percent of the income distribution, up from 9 percent in September. Food and nonalcoholic beverages accounted for more than half of the inflation rate for those households. Their rice inflation rate stood at 23.6 percent. Inflation in Metro Manila reached 5.9 percent, while areas outside the capital recorded 8.2 percent. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had the highest regional rate, at 9.9 percent. On Thursday, November 5, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raised
its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point to 5.5%, seeking to contain inflationary pressures. Higher borrowing costs are intended to curb spending and contain inflation, but they can also weigh on households and businesses. Its next scheduled rate-setting meeting is Dec. 17. Following the inflation release, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development said the government would strengthen food production and distribution and provide targeted assistance to sectors facing higher fuel costs. The department pointed to expanded farm assistance and KADIWA outlets linking producers with consumers. The administration had announced a P3 billion fuel-subsidy program in October for about 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk and drivers transporting agricultural goods. Officials described the program as an effort to reduce the impact of expensive fuel on food production and delivery. n
Marcos appoints Rodil Zalameda... PAGE 1 fore submitting its recommendations. Under the Constitution, the president appoints Supreme Court justices from the council's shortlist without confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. From prosecutor to Supreme Court justice Born in Caloocan City on August 2, 1963, Zalameda earned his law degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1987 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1988. He began his judicial career as a branch clerk of court at the Makati Regional Trial Court before entering private law practice in 1990. He returned to government service as a prosecutor in 1995 and was appointed Mandaluyong city prosecutor in 2002. In 2008, he joined the Court of Appeals, where he served for 11 years and chaired its 17th Division. Former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him to the Supreme Court on August 6, 2019. His career has included work in trial court administration, criminal prosecution and appellate adjudication. Judicial record One of Zalameda's notable Supreme Court decisions involved former first lady Imelda Marcos,
the president's mother, whose 2018 conviction on seven counts of graft was overturned by the court's First Division. Zalameda wrote the June 10, 2026 decision, made public September 9, which acquitted the former first lady after finding that prosecutors had failed to establish her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The case concerned her alleged financial interests in foundations associated with accounts and investments in Switzerland during the administration of her husband, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The court found that key documentary evidence had not been properly authenticated and that prosecutors failed to establish that the foundations constituted businesses covered by the relevant anti-graft provision. It also identified defects in the charges involving several of the foundations. The ruling addressed Marcos' criminal liability in the seven graft cases. It did not determine whether assets associated with the foundations constituted unlawfully acquired wealth, an issue addressed through separate forfeiture proceedings. Priorities for the judiciary
During his October 26 interview before the Judicial and Bar Council, Zalameda outlined an approach to judicial reform based on assessing existing conditions, establishing priorities and implementing changes in stages. He emphasized reducing delays, strengthening accountability and improving services to litigants and court personnel. He also called for prompt and fair treatment of misconduct allegations and stronger protection for people who report wrongdoing. His proposals called for testing reforms before expanding successful measures across the judiciary. Zalameda will succeed Gesmundo, who has served as chief justice since April 2021. The outgoing chief justice oversaw the implementation of a multiyear judicial modernization program that includes digital transformation, improved access to courts and measures intended to make judicial proceedings more efficient. Zalameda's appointment establishes the next leadership of the Supreme Court, where he will assume responsibility for judicial administration while continuing to participate in the court's adjudicative work. n
by AJPress PHILIPPINE authorities have identified Thomas Markle Jr. as a person of interest in an investigation involving suspected child sexual abuse material, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Nov. 5, while investigators continue to determine who owned the devices he surrendered. Remulla said the younger Markle was not being treated as a suspect. His father, Thomas Markle Sr., who has been the subject of allegations concerning the material, has denied wrongdoing. The elder Markle is the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. His son turned over electronic devices and other belongings to authorities in Cebu in October, saying the items belonged to his father. Ownership unresolved The Philippine National Police said Nov. 4 that child sexual abuse material had been found on three memory cards and a cellphone submitted by the younger Markle.
Police said they had not established who owned, produced or distributed the material. “We have to establish where these came from, who may be responsible, and whether Philippine laws were violated,” PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. Remulla said authorities had sought assistance from the FBI to help establish ownership of the devices. He said investigators had recovered approximately 7,500 photographs and one video involving minors, but ownership of the equipment remained unresolved. At a Nov. 3 briefing, police Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta said forensic work was incomplete and no complaint had been filed against the elder Markle at that time. Asueta said investigators had obtained a court warrant to examine the devices. Police units responsible for cybercrime, criminal investigation, intelligence and the protection of women and children are participating in the inquiry. Inquiries abroad In Mexico, the Baja California
prosecutor’s office said investigators searched a storage unit rented by the elder Markle after receiving an anonymous tip about suspected child sexual abuse material. Authorities reported recovering magazines and computer equipment for examination. The prosecutor’s account did not specify whether the seized magazines contained illegal material. A separate inquiry in Britain concerns police handling of earlier allegations. London’s Metropolitan Police said Oct. 29 that it had received a letter in January 2019 containing claims of offending outside the United Kingdom, passed it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and did not share the allegations with other law enforcement agencies. The Independent Office for Police Conduct subsequently announced an investigation into the failure to pass those allegations to overseas authorities. The Metropolitan Police also said it was arranging referrals to relevant agencies abroad. n
Suspected P20,000 scam underscores need to protect loved ones in Philippines by AJPress A reported attempt to draw an elderly woman into a P20,000 GCash transaction in the Philippines illustrates the pressure tactics that financial service providers warn families to watch for when discussing money requests with loved ones. For Filipino Americans with parents, relatives and friends in the Philippines, the practical concern is helping them verify unfamiliar callers and recognize when to stop a transaction. According to a published account of a video circulated online, the woman approached a neighborhood store and asked the seller to speak with a man on her phone. The caller requested a cash-in transaction. When the seller asked whether the woman had the money, the caller urged her to leave, claiming the seller did not understand the transaction. The seller challenged him and warned the woman about
a suspected scam. The transaction reportedly did not proceed. The account says the video was posted in September and shared again on Oct. 28. It does not establish the encounter’s exact date or location, the caller’s identity or whether a police complaint was filed. Verify before sending GCash’s security guidance identifies pressure to act immediately as a warning sign. It also cautions against unexpected prizes or rewards that require an advance payment. Those are general warnings, rather than confirmed details of the woman’s encounter. The company says it will never ask customers for their mobile personal identification number, or MPIN, or a one-time password over the phone. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center likewise advises people to keep one-time codes private and verify online requests for money by calling the person involved. Families can apply that guidance
by agreeing to pause unexpected requests and contact the relative or friend through a number already known to be theirs before transferring funds. Reporting in the Philippines GCash advises customers who were tricked into sending money to report the incident immediately through the app and to the Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation. In the app, users can select the affected transaction, tap Get Help, choose Report as scam and submit the required information. GCash cautions that recovery of funds is not guaranteed. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directs consumers to report suspicious transactions promptly to their bank or e-money issuer. Before escalating a complaint through BSP Online Buddy, consumers should first file it with the institution and obtain a reference number. Relatives in the Philippines can also report online scams to the CICC through its 1326 hotline or by email at report@cicc.gov.ph. n
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Opinion
Features
NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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The blue tsunami and the message Washington must hear Democrats reclaimed Congress by addressing economic anxiety and expanding their reach. Their victory offers lessons about political accountability, the limits of party loyalty and the obligation to earn public trust. AMERICANS have now delivered two powerful electoral judgments in two years. In 2024, frustration over the economy helped return Donald Trump to the White House. On Tuesday, many of the same economic pressures contributed to a Democratic sweep that ended Republican control of Congress. The parties changed places. The anxieties confronting American households did not. The Democratic victories in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, states where Republicans had dominated Senate elections for decades, illustrated how dramatically the political landscape could shift. But beyond the electoral map was a more consequential question: What persuaded voters to reconsider their political choices, and what should those entrusted with power learn from their decision? The economy was central, though hardly the only concern. An October survey by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 85% of voters considered the economy among the most important issues in deciding their vote, while 84% cited
the cost of living. Health care, the war with Iran and dissatisfaction with government also weighed heavily on the electorate. These were not abstract concerns. The difference between reassuring economic statistics and what families experience at the grocery store, the pharmacy or the gas station can be substantial. Voters may hear that an economy is performing well while finding little relief in their own finances. Democratic candidates brought those concerns into their campaigns, emphasizing affordability, health coverage and the consequences of federal policy for ordinary households. They challenged the administration on whether its decisions had made life more manageable for the people it was elected to serve.
Editorial
BUSINESS MATTERS
Julia Abad EVERY exporter knows the frustration. The goods have already been shipped. The buyer is ready. The bank is waiting. Yet payment cannot be released because a critical document is still somewhere between ports, courier services, customs offices, banks, and trading partners. For decades, global trade has relied on paper documents, such as bills of lading, warehouse receipts, bills of exchange, and promissory notes. While businesses have embraced digital payments, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce, much of trade still relies on paper documents by law. This is not merely an inconvenience. It is a competitiveness problem. When paper documents take days or even weeks to move between parties, businesses experience delays in receiving payment, accessing financing, releasing cargo, and completing transactions. Those translate directly into higher costs, reduced liquidity, and lost opportunities. Globally, governments are addressing this problem by adopt-
Ana Marie Pamintuan THE Marcos administration has consistently received the lowest approval ratings in managing inflation. With inflation surging from 2.0 percent in January this year to 7.2 percent in September, and 8.2 percent seen for October, President Marcos is unlikely to get better marks in managing inflation all the way to year-end. BBM is correct in pointing out that there’s not much he can do about the Middle East war, which has sent global fuel prices soaring, or the strengthening of the US dollar, which has weakened many currencies including the peso. He can also do little at this point – except to initiate projects and programs that will bear fruit long after he’s no longer in power – to correct the weakness of the local manufacturing sector and export industries, or
Health care provided a particularly effective point of engagement. Democrats criticized the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies and reductions in Medicaid spending. An analysis by KFF of the 2026 Voter Poll found that voters trusted Democrats over Republicans to handle health care by 49% to 30%. The survey was conducted by SSRS, an independent, non-
The Philippines needs the legal FIRST PERSON backbone for digital trade ing laws that recognize electronic trade documents as legally equivalent to paper ones. The Philippines is now considering similar reforms through legislation aligned with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (Uncitral) Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR). This aligns with something every business leader understands: getting paid faster, reducing costs, and operating more efficiently. Electronic transferable records allow documents, such as bills of lading, warehouse receipts, and bills of exchange, to exist and be transferred digitally with the same legal validity as their paper counterparts. Instead of waiting days for documents to be printed, couriered, received, reviewed, and presented, parties can exchange them electronically within minutes. The impact can be substantial. Industry pilots show that digital trade documentation can reduce document transfer times from several days to a matter of hours or minutes. Trade finance processing times that traditionally take between one and two weeks can be significantly shortened. Administrative and docu-
ment-handling costs can also be reduced, while the risks of document loss, duplication, and fraud are lowered. For exporters, this means faster access to working capital. For importers, quicker cargo release and reduced delays. For banks, more efficient trade finance operations. The business case is compelling across the supply chain. The national case is even stronger. The Philippines has invested heavily in digital transformation. The government is implementing the Philippine National Single Window-Integrated Trade Facilitation Platform to modernize trade processes and improve coordination across border agencies. We are also actively participating in regional initiatives such as the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the UN Escap Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific. Yet without legal recognition of electronic transferable records, many of these investments can’t fully deliver their intended value. Digital platforms enable electronic information exchange, u PAGE 7
Airlines’ perfect storm
Sketches
ManilaTimes.net photo
wean the economy from heavy reliance on imports and remittances from overseas Filipino workers. Economists we have interviewed point to something BBM can do quickly to temper inflation: bring down the cost of logistics. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the country’s largest business group, consisting mostly of the micro and small enterprises that account for the bulk of businesses, has suggested lifting, suspending or substantially cutting not only the fuel excise tax but also the larger 12-percent value-added tax. PCCI officials have said this will reduce logistics costs, which are passed on to consumers. BBM, however, has rejected all such proposals, preferring instead targeted fuel subsidies, and suspending the excise tax only on kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas. The fuel pain is felt across all modes of transportation, including air travel.
There’s a sentiment in the aviation industry, sometimes passed off as a joke, that if you have an enemy, punish him with an airline. Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic famously said, “If you want to be a millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline.” Even investment guru Warren Buffett described the airline industry as a “death trap” and a “bottomless pit” for investments. This year, Philippine carriers are expecting to lose billions from a perfect storm of surging aviation fuel prices, a weakened peso, slowing demand and increases in airport fees. Flag carrier Philippine Airlines prices its fares in US dollars, so it’s not as badly hit by the falling peso as carriers whose pricing is based on the local currency. All domestic airlines, however, are affected not only by the perfect storm, but also regulations that prevent them from adjusting fares commensurate to u PAGE 7
Alex Magno AFTER all the country suffered in the wake of the flood control scandal, the congressmen are at it again. Funds from regular public services were again shifted to pet projects distributed according to congressional districts. The Supreme Court boldly ruled unconstitutional the practice of pushing regular expenditures to the “unprogrammed” category, thereby ensuring funding for pet projects. Undeterred, the congressmen repeated the scheme that had the effect of inflating the budget total. It is not that our legislators learned nothing from the monumental infra scandal that continues taking a deadly toll on our economy. It is that they need to skim from the budget to survive the coming election year. Three decades ago, Jose Almonte, then national security adviser to former president Fidel Ramos, aptly described our politics. He said we have a “pork barrel state” and this is the root of all the evil that traumatizes us. We have a weak political par-
partisan public opinion research firm originally known as Social Science Research Solutions. It was commissioned by a consortium of seven major news organizations: The Associated Press, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media, NBC News and MS NOW. The research combined surveys of early voters with interviews conducted at polling places on Election Day. u PAGE 7
Symbiosis ty system for a reason. Political allegiance is not built on shared adherence to a program of government or a vision of the country’s future. Political support is mustered through transactional politics. Which is to say money politics. Without effectively functioning political parties, elections are won on the basis of sheer name-recall in a contest were all contenders promise a bottomless cornucopia of state- sponsored social goods. Reliance on name-recall opens the way to celebrity politics. The political economy for this is fairly straightforward: the better known the candidate, the less campaign resources are necessary to build recall. Our weak political party system is, therefore, a measure of the vitality of transactional politics. Voters are loyal to a candidate, not any party program. Once elected, the winning candidate is expected to deliver patronage goodies to his voters. This is the popular notion of “public service.” It is not to build the nation. It is to distribute the subsidies. Transactional politics is expensive. Constituencies expect to be pampered in between elections. Voters expect to be
courted by the politicians. They expect elected officials to broker the delivery of services in their favor. This is why politicians are involved by way of guarantee letters for patients even if we have, in principle, universal health care. Elected officials are supposed to have financial aid ready for everyone in need. Trapped in transactional politics, governments tend to spend way more than they earn. A pork barrel state cannot be fiscally prudent. Because of the nature of our politics, the Philippine government is driven into unsustainable debt. We have seen the recent riots in France. With an outstanding debt that is bigger than its economy, the French government has lost the fiscal headroom to fulfill its end of the presumed social contract. With an aging population, government finds it more politic to spend for pensioners than invest in education. Thus the riots among the young. This is an explosive situation. It repeats itself in many other countries where distinct constituencies compete for a larger share of the public spending pie. Whether in Kathmandu, in Jakarta or in Paris, the increasingly difficult economic conditions u PAGE 7
The quiet before the budget public lives Randy David
ONE would have thought that, after last year’s protests against massive corruption in flood control projects, our politicians would know better than to pad the 2027 national budget once more with pork barrel insertions. But a patronage-driven political system must be fed, and there seems to be no other way to feed it. So we are treated to a House-approved budget that barely bothers to hide its sordid side under a veneer of technical transparency. It cannot, however, evade the scrutiny of the young professional accountants who have been combing through past budgets since the flood control scandal broke. We expect them to promptly report their analysis of the 2027 budget at every stage of this tedious process. Their work is important because protest needs concrete proof of political abuse. A budget remains abstract until someone
shows where the pork is hidden. The question is whether the movement that brought so many angry people to the streets in September last year will still be there to act on what the People’s Budget Coalition and BetterGov. PH find in the 2027 budget. Elsewhere in the region, the young have not been quiet. In Indonesia, students have marched for weeks against rising prices and the government’s failure to contain the forest fires whose haze has smothered Sumatra and Kalimantan—fires traced to corporate forest concessions licensed in Jakarta. Youth-led protests have toppled governments in Bangladesh and Nepal, and forced the resignation of India’s education minister. Why does our own protest movement seem suddenly timid? Part of the answer lies in the nature of social movements. They begin outside electoral politics. They imagine themselves standing outside society, judging its structures and calling to account those who rule and have ruled it. They demand answers but do not offer to govern. That is why they sound as
though they are above politics— cause-oriented rather than power-oriented—and why they can draw people of every affiliation. It is also why their organization is fragile. Much of its energy dissipates the moment a movement becomes the electoral opposition, or the government itself. The other reason may lie in how the Marcos government responded to the flood control scandal. To its credit, it kept in step with public anger over the insatiable corruption in these public works projects. It named the biggest contractors, opened a website for citizens to report on public works, and created an Independent Commission on Infrastructure. Congress held its own performative hearings. Officials were dismissed or made to resign, the most significant being then House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, the President’s cousin and close ally, now on pretrial detention in a nonbailable plunder case. One need not dismiss all this as mere show. What matters is the effect. When those in power take up the very cause of a prou PAGE 7
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The Philippines is a maritime nation. Why don't we think like one? News Commentary Restituto Padilla TOMORROW morning, before most Filipinos have finished breakfast, they will already have depended on the maritime industry several times without realizing it. The fuel that brought food to the supermarket. The wheat in bread. The farmer's fertilizer. The medicine at the pharmacy. Much of what we use has traveled by sea. We rarely think about the ships, ports or people that moved them. That may be the maritime industry's greatest paradox. The better it works, the less we notice it. But stop the ships. Close a port. Interrupt a supply chain. Damage a fishing ground. Suddenly, maritime is no longer invisible. It is food prices. Fuel supplies. Raw materials for industries. A fisherman's livelihood. An island awaiting relief after a typhoon. For an archipelago, the sea does not merely surround the economy. The sea is part of the economy. And yet we have never quite learned to think about it that way. We talk about seafarers as a labor. Ports as infrastructure. Shipbuilding as industrial policy. Fisheries as agriculture. Maritime security as defense. Education as training Filipinos to work aboard ships. Each matters. But the sea does not divide itself according to the government's organizational chart. We miss the larger picture connecting them. That is the proposition behind Blue Philippines: to look at our maritime and marine ecosystem as one national development platform. Congress is taking an important step through proposed Blue Economy legislation. The House-approved measure recognizes fisheries, tourism, shipping, shipbuilding, renewable energy and maritime education, providing a foundation for sustainable ocean development. But we should go further. The Blue Economy framework can help us govern the ocean asset. Blue Philippines should ask how we organize the national economy around the full value that asset can sustainably support. Consider what is already there. The Philippine ocean economy generated about P1.08 trillion in 2025 and employed 2.46 million Filipinos. More than half a million Filipino seafarers were deployed internationally, generating billions in remittances.
We are also a significant shipbuilding location, with enormous potential in offshore renewable energy. Our marine ecosystems support food, tourism, livelihoods and coastal protection. The pieces already exist. What we have not done is connect them. And perhaps our greatest opportunity lies not beneath the sea or inside our ports, but in our people. For generations, one Philippine maritime success story has stood above all others: the Filipino seafarer. Filipinos help operate the ships that carry the world's food, energy, raw materials and manufactured goods. Few global industries have Filipinos playing such a significant role. We should be proud of that achievement and protect it. But perhaps it has also narrowed our imagination. In the Philippines, maritime has too often become synonymous with seafaring. It is not. Someone owns a ship. Someone finances and insures it. Someone designs, builds and repairs it. Someone manages and supplies it. Someone writes its software, handles its cargo and advises on its law and regulation. Around it are ports, logistics networks, shipyards, energy installations, universities, technology companies and coastal communities. Why shouldn't Filipinos participate in much more of that value chain? This question becomes especially important in education. The Philippines has more than 80 maritime higher-education institutions. Yet our system still largely defines maritime education as preparation for work aboard a ship. International maritime degrees require onboard training, but berths are limited. Some students cannot complete the pathway they entered. The answer is not to lower standards for going to sea. Those standards must remain high. The answer is to widen the number of places a maritime education can take a young Filipino. Imagine a Philippine Maritime and Marine Skills Framework mapping the professions our economy will need over the next 10 or 20 years. A marine engineering student might become a ship's engineer or pursue shipbuilding, marine technology or offshore energy. A marine transportation student might go to sea or build a career in ports, logistics or fleet operations. Then add marine science, maritime law, insurance, finance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and environmental management. Instead of educating Filipinos principally for jobs on ships, we begin educating them for careers across the maritime world.
That is how a manpower advantage can become a knowledge advantage and eventually an economic one. The same thinking should extend across the country. Ports should become engines of regional development. Shipyards should anchor industrial clusters. Marine ecosystems should be treated as productive natural capital. Maritime technology should become an innovation opportunity. Offshore energy should build Filipino engineering and service capabilities, not simply generate electricity. And environmental protection cannot be an afterthought. There can be no Blue Philippines if the blue disappears. Healthy seas are not the alternative to development. Sustainable maritime growth depends on them. All of this requires policy, investment and institutions. But perhaps it begins with something even more basic. A conversation. A finance official asking why more maritime value is captured elsewhere. A university president asking what new professions a maritime school could teach. An entrepreneur wondering what maritime technology company could be built here. A mayor asking how better ports could transform a local economy. A student discovering that a career connected to the sea does not necessarily mean going to sea. A policymaker asking why an archipelago has never organized development around one of its most obvious advantages. One question creates another. One conversation creates another. We do not need 50 million maritime experts. We need 50 million Filipinos who understand why maritime matters. This is one of the few truly global industries that moves food, energy, trade, people and opportunity across borders every day. Filipinos are already helping move it. They represent 25% of the total global workforce working on the international fleet. The Philippines is already a maritime nation by geography. The question is whether we now have the imagination to become a maritime economy by design. We have spent decades helping move the world. It is time to ask what maritime can do to move the Philippines. (Philstarlife.com) *** 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.
*** MGEN Restituto Padilla (Ret.), former Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs J5 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Non-Resident Fellow at the Stratbase Institute.
Symbiosis...
PAGE 6 will make the young feel disenfranchised. In our own case, the budget debate has the potential to spark unrest. The House of Representatives hijacked the budget. They took money out of foreign-assisted projects, education and health to make way for 7,000 petty district projects. This is, of course, an election-year budget. But in hijacking funds for strategic infrastructure, such as the commuter rail system, the congressmen’s interest run against the interest of the section of the elite that depends on national constituencies. The executive branch wants funding for its legacy projects restored. The senators will want funding for health and education left intact. In a season of scarcity, a battle looms between those who need to keep their home constituencies happy and those who want the agencies of national government adequately funded.
We have been hearing a lot of brave talk from senators about purging the 2027 national budget of all the insertions made by the Lower House – including that fantastic infra fund set aside for the President’s son. We will see next week, when plenary deliberation happens at the Senate, if the senators find the courage to wipe away all the distortions in the House version of next year’s budget. The pork barrel state will fight back. They will remind the ruling faction that the congressmen’s ability to deliver the votes depends so much on their getting their way with the budget allocations. The camp of Marcos Jr. might not be ready to wage a budget war against the congressmen. These district-level politicians, after all, effectively constitute the electoral machinery of a presidency whose public approval ratings are now under water. Without the support of the congressmen, Marcos Jr. has
nothing. His electoral endorsement is, as things stand, a kiss of death. But congressional support is contingent on the district-politicians getting their share of the gravy train. They need money to indulge in money politics. Thirty-five of our most influential business associations have put out a statement demanding that the congressional insertions be stripped out. This is unprecedented. Over the next few days, spokesmen for civil society groups will flood media channels with horror stories about the congressional budget insertions. They will hold vigil over the budget hearings and the bicameral conference committee. But money politics involves a deleterious symbiosis. (Philstar. com) ***
international investors. This is particularly important as regional competitors continue to move ahead. The question is not whether trade documentation will become digital. The real question is whether Philippine businesses will be able to compete on equal terms in an increasingly digital trading environment. Providing a policy framework that will allow business to trade at digital speed is a critical step. Pending bills providing for the legal recognition of electronic transferable records, which adopt the principles of the Uncitral MLETR into Philippine law, are good examples of reforms that would provide the legal foundation necessary for digital trade documentation, digital trade finance,
The quiet before the budget...
PAGE 6 test, the protest loses part of its reason to stand apart. This is one of the curious paradoxes of social movements: success can be the beginning of their demise. Then there’s the bitter, public break between President Marcos and the Dutertes, his allies in 2022. The Duterte bloc moved aggressively into the role of opposition, and, as a result, the accountability movement lost the ground from which it had once opposed both. It found itself on the same side as the Marcos camp on the West Philippine Sea, the dismantling of the Philippine offshore gaming operators, the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte’s arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court, and the
impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. The contest between the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties has thus displaced the conventional distinction between government and opposition. Until the Vice President’s impeachment trial is concluded, any protest against the Marcos government can be easily portrayed as pro-Duterte propaganda. For a middle class whose deepest fear is a Duterte return in 2028, that is a heavy price. This may explain why the movement has largely held its tongue on the worsening economic situation, and its ambivalence toward some senators, also implicated in the flood control scandal, who found instant relief from the investigations
after switching sides. Their new loyalties now serve the effort to remove the Vice President from the 2028 race. But the government’s indifference to the smoldering resentment over budget insertions will make silence harder to keep. And a middle class-led movement that cannot speak to rising fuel prices and inflation risks losing the masa, for whom accountability means little unless it touches the price of rice. (Inquirer.net) *** 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.
*** Email: public.lives@gmail.com
Airlines’ perfect storm... PAGE 6 the costs of their inputs. Aviation fuel accounts for about 33 percent of operating expenses of a full-service airline like PAL, and nearly 40 percent for budget carriers. Jet fuel used for international flights is fully exempt from value-added and excise taxes, with dedicated fuel tanks required for such purposes. But domestic flights are subject to regular fuel taxes: P4 per liter in excise tax and the standard 12 percent VAT. Still, the price of jet fuel has jumped by a dizzying 121 percent, from $85 per barrel before the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28 to $188 as of mid-September, adding over P10 billion in the monthly fuel expenses of Philippine carriers. While fuel surcharges have also increased for air travel, industry players say these allow the carriers to recover no more than 40 percent of the added fuel costs. The economic downturn has also slowed travel. For this year’s Undas (Oct. 27 to Nov. 2), the number of travelers at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport was down by 11.55 percent to just over one million from over 1.2 million in 2025, according to data from the Manila International Airport Authority. With no immediate relief in sight, industry players say airlines may have to reduce flights and capacity, defer expansion and reassess investments. This is according to a position paper prepared by the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP), which is hoping to get some relief from the government. Industry players acknowledge that it can be complicated to explain their losses to people who believe the carriers are earning billions. But ACAP, citing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), points out that Asia-Pacific carriers have been struggling even during recent good years. Last year, for example, IATA noted that Asia-Pacific carriers made an average profit of only $1.80 per passenger – “less than the cost of a Starbucks latte,” the ACAP paper pointed out. In the first half of 2026, ACAP
reported that Philippine carriers lost P8-P12 billion, which could hit P25 billion for the entire year. The fallout from the perfect storm, according to ACAP, “imperils the viability of Filipino airlines and affects national connectivity, tourism, trade, investment, employment and overall economic competitiveness.” Their woes are apart from the long-term challenges of inadequate aviation infrastructure. The industry needs more airports, runways, terminals. Intermodal connection facilities and airways need improvement. ACAP pointed out that the industry supports 1.9 million Filipino jobs and contributes $20.3 billion to Philippine gross domestic product. In its position paper, ACAP says it welcomes “any economic relief that will lower costs and help airlines navigate this crisis.” (Philstar.com) *** 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.
The blue tsunami and the message...
PAGE 6 The party also ventured beyond familiar electoral territory. House Majority PAC, a Democratic political organization, reported that it began an extensive recruitment effort shortly after the 2024 election, evaluating 120 prospective candidates across 50 congressional districts. Its strategy included competing in Republican strongholds with candidates whose professional backgrounds and local connections could distinguish them from the national party. The victories do not establish that recruitment alone determined the outcome. But they challenge the assumption that The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints communities which have voted expressed by the author do not necessarily consistently for one party should reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of be written off by the other. the Asian Journal, its management, editorial There is a lesson here about board and staff. respecting voters rather than reducing them to political categories. Communities have histories, concerns and expectations that cannot always be addressed and the broader modernization by a uniform national message. of Philippine trade. Candidates still have to earn the Exporters, manufacturers, attention and confidence of the banks, logistics providers, and people they hope to represent. investors all stand to benefit Yet the election was also a from a more efficient, secure, judgment on the presidency. and fully digital trading enviThe national Voter Poll found ronment. Their voices help to that approximately four in 10 reinforce that this is not simply a voters cast their congressional legislative reform but a compet- ballots to express opposition to itiveness imperative for the Phil- Trump. About seven in 10 beippine economy. (Inquirer.net) lieved Congress was doing too *** little to check presidential powThe opinions, beliefs and viewpoints er. expressed by the author do not necessarily Those findings suggest that reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Democratic gains cannot be exthe Asian Journal, its management, editorial plained by economic messaging board and staff. alone. Concerns about govern*** ment accountability, presidenJulia Abad is the executive director of the tial authority and the direction Makati Business Club. Business Matters is a of national policy were substanproject of the Makati Business Club (makati- tial parts of the decision. businessclub@mbc.com.ph) Republicans should not dis-
The Philippines needs the legal backbone...
PAGE 6 but paper-based negotiable documents keep trade only partially digital. The economic implications are significant. Research by the UN Escap estimates that cross-border paperless trade measures could reduce trade costs by more than 25 percent in parts of the Asia-Pacific region. For a trading nation such as the Philippines, full digital transition promises a 13 percent trade cost reduction, putting $1.8 billion (P104 billion) back into the pockets of local businesses every year. These translate directly into improved competitiveness, lower operational overheads, stronger participation in global value chains, and far greater attractiveness to
LIBRENG SAKAY. The Departments of Tourism (DOT) and Transportation (DOTr), including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), on Wednesday (Nov. 4, 2026) unveil the modern jeepneys that will be used for their Libreng Sakay Program on Nov. 5-14. The program is part of the government's promotion of the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Photo by Joyce Rocamora
miss the results as merely a consequence of unfavorable political circumstances. The election raises legitimate questions about whether the administration's assurances on affordability matched voters' experience. At the same time, the concerns that drew voters to Republicans in 2024, including immigration, public safety and government spending, remain part of the national debate. Democrats, meanwhile, have reason to approach their victory with restraint. According to the same SSRS survey, approximately one in five people who supported Democratic House candidates nevertheless held an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party. An earlier AP-NORC survey found that only about four in 10 voters viewed the party favorably. Those findings temper any claim that Tuesday's result represented an unconditional endorsement of the Democratic agenda. The party gained congressional power even as substantial doubts about its leadership and effectiveness persisted. The results also caution against treating any voting population as politically uniform. The 2026 AAPI Voter Survey, conducted by AAPI Data and APIAVote, found that 90% of Asian American registered voters considered the cost of living and inflation very or extremely important. Among Filipino respondents, preferences in Senate races were divided, with 49% favoring Republican candidates and 42% Democrats. Those were pre-election preferences, not final voting results. They nevertheless illustrate the diversity of political opinion within a community often dis-
cussed as though its members shared identical priorities. Political parties cannot build lasting relationships with communities they approach only when an election is near. The same survey found that 42% of Asian American and Pacific Islander respondents had received no contact from the Democratic Party, while 58% reported none from Republicans. The responsibility to listen does not end when the votes have been counted. The new Democratic majority will have significant authority over legislation, federal spending and congressional oversight. President Trump will retain his veto power. Neither side can reasonably promise that sweeping changes will follow without negotiation, disagreement and compromise. Americans are entitled to vigorous debate about the country's direction. They are also entitled to expect that debate to address the circumstances in which they live. The blue tsunami has given Democrats an opportunity to demonstrate what they would do differently. It has given Republicans compelling reasons to reassess their relationship with the electorate. And it has reminded both parties that public confidence cannot be secured indefinitely by winning an election. The people who placed their trust in the ballot box will continue making decisions about medical care, household expenses, employment and the future of their families. They will be watching whether Washington takes those concerns as seriously after the election as it did during the campaign. (AJPress)
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MNLF faction rejects claims it is sheltering dela Rosa Armed-group protection alleged by interior secretary remains unverified as authorities pursue ICC arrest warrant by AJPress
ASEAN STAMP. The PHLPost stamp for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings unveiled at the DOT Office in Makati City on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held in Nov. 15-17. Photo by Joyce Rocamora
OSG defends Senate rule that could cut Duterte conviction threshold to 14
Comelec aims to register 3 million more voters as nationwide registration reopens Nov. 10 by AJPress MANILA, Philippines. The Office of the Solicitor General has urged the Supreme Court to reject a challenge to the Senate impeachment court’s voting rule, which could reduce the votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte from 16 to 14. In a 47-page comment submitted this week, the OSG asked the justices to dismiss a petition by Senators Robinhood Padilla and Christopher “Bong” Go and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). It opposed requests to suspend the rule while the case is heard. The dispute concerns Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, which requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members for an impeachment conviction. In a 24-member chamber, that ordinarily means 16 votes. On September 23, the impe-
achment court voted 13-1 to interpret the requirement as applying to senators legally and factually able to participate when the verdict is reached. The ruling allows exclusions for substantiated legal restraints, medical incapacity or other qualifying circumstances, rather than automatically counting every seat. If 20 senators qualify, 14 votes would be sufficient. The court has not determined that four senators will be excluded. Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are detained in separate criminal cases; Ronald dela Rosa is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant; and Loren Legarda has been on medical leave. Their eligibility for a final vote remains unresolved. Padilla and Go argue that the Constitution requires counting the full Senate membership regardless of attendance or incapacity. The OSG counters that
the tribunal interpreted, rather than amended, the constitutional requirement after hearing the prosecution, defense and invited legal experts. Retired justices differed on the question. Three former chief justices endorsed counting eligible participants; retired Justice Adolfo Azcuna supported the full-membership interpretation. The Supreme Court directed responses to the Padilla-Go petition in an October 14 resolution. It dismissed three earlier challenges on procedural grounds, without deciding the constitutional issue. Duterte’s trial is scheduled to resume November 9 on the remaining article alleging unexplained wealth and improper business interests. She denies wrongdoing. Her defense has challenged the admissibility of financial and corporate documentary records offered by House prosecutors. n
Sotto seeks Senate rules on prolonged unauthorized absences Proposal calls for clearer disciplinary procedures as four lawmakers miss proceedings under different circumstances by AJPress MANILA - Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has proposed clearer rules for senators who stay away from legislative proceedings for extended periods without authorization, saying current procedures leave unanswered questions about disciplinary action. In Senate Resolution No. 751, filed October 27, Sotto asked the Committee on Rules to study how the chamber should handle prolonged absences that prevent members from performing legislative duties. The resolution seeks a rules review; it neither establishes penalties nor identifies individual senators as offenders. “Such absenteeism and neglect of duty is deemed a waste of taxpayer funds and has caused public clamor over the past months,” the resolution states. Sotto, who chairs the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, also cited complaints filed against unnamed senators. The Senate already has limited attendance and disciplinary
procedures. Under Section 23 of its rules, unexplained absences from five consecutive committee meetings may lead to the loss of regular committee membership. Section 99 provides a way to compel attendance when a quorum is lacking. Section 97 allows the chamber, on the ethics committee’s recommendation, to punish disorderly behavior and, with a two-thirds vote, suspend or expel a member. Four senators have missed Senate proceedings, although their circumstances differ. Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains at large under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant unsealed May 11. The court found reasonable grounds to believe he was involved in the alleged crime against humanity of murder during anti-drug operations under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela Rosa has denied involvement in unlawful killings. Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are detained in separate plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan. Both have denied wrongdoing. Their detention
does not, by itself, establish that their absence from Senate proceedings was unauthorized. Sen. Loren Legarda has been on medical leave since August 3. Her leave has been reported to Senate officials, distinguishing her situation from unexplained nonattendance. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said in late October that the four senators were not receiving their salaries or office maintenance and operating funds, while regular staff members continued to be paid. He previously described their decision not to draw salaries as voluntary; the Senate has no automatic “no work, no pay” rule for lawmakers. Article VI, Section 16 of the Constitution authorizes each house of Congress to compel attendance and establish its procedures. Suspension or expulsion requires a two-thirds vote of all members, and a Senate-imposed suspension cannot exceed 60 days. Gatchalian has said Estrada and Marcoleta would need approval from the courts handling their cases before they could attend Senate sessions. n
Philippine voter rolls could reach 74 million by 2028 Comelec aims to register 3 million more voters as nationwide registration reopens Nov. 10 by AJPress MANILA — The Philippine electorate could expand to approximately 74 million registered voters for the May 2028 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections said, as it prepares to reopen domestic voter registration on Nov. 10 with a target of three million additional voters. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Thursday, Nov. 5, that the country currently has about 71 million registered voters. The projected increase would be achieved if the commission meets its new-registration target. It is not a tally of voters already added to the rolls. Registration will run through July 30, 2027. Garcia said Comelec moved the cutoff forward from a previously planned Sept. 30 deadline to allow time to verify voter records, including whether prospective candidates are registered in the areas where they intend to seek office. Registration requirements The commission will accept first-time registrations, requests to transfer existing records, applications to reactivate deactivated registrations, and corrections to
voter information. The previous registration period, from October 2025 through May 2026, produced more than 5.47 million applications across different categories, not necessarily the same number of new voters. Garcia has also encouraged roughly three million people with deactivated records to seek reactivation. Those applicants would be restoring existing registrations rather than joining the voter rolls for the first time. Applications will be received Tuesdays through Fridays at local election offices and designated satellite and mall locations, with registration also scheduled on selected Saturdays and holidays. Comelec's Register Anywhere Program and Special Register Anywhere Program will provide additional access at designated sites. Garcia said barangay certifications and community tax certificates, known as cedulas, would not be accepted as identity documents. Applicants should check the current list of acceptable identification with Comelec before visiting a registration site. Special election schedules The Nov. 10 opening will not apply to Naga City in Camarines Sur
or Batanes, which have separate votes scheduled this month. Naga City will hold a Nov. 21 plebiscite on its proposed conversion into a highly urbanized city, while Batanes will hold a Nov. 28 special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. Garcia said registration would begin in each area one week after its vote. The national and local elections are scheduled for May 8, 2028. Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are set for Nov. 13, 2028, under Republic Act No. 12326, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 24. The law also established five-year terms for barangay and youth council officials. Overseas registration Filipinos living abroad follow a separate registration schedule, which began Dec. 1, 2025, and ends Sept. 30, 2027. Qualified overseas voters may cast ballots for president, vice president, senators and party-list representatives. The Philippine Embassy in Washington reported on Oct. 22 that it had approved 679 overseas voter applications filed from July through September, covering registrations, reactivations and other changes to records. n
MANILA, Philippines — A faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has denied protecting Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, disputing speculation that the former national police chief is receiving shelter from the organization while authorities seek his arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. The faction led by Muslimin Sema said dela Rosa had “no established formal relationship” with the MNLF and that there was no verified evidence he was receiving its protection. The denial followed statements by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla that dela Rosa was believed to be in Mindanao under the protection of a powerful armed group. Remulla did not identify the organization or publicly substantiate its alleged involvement.
The Sema faction acknowledged ties between MNLF founder Nur Misuari and former President Rodrigo Duterte, a political ally of dela Rosa, but said those connections did not establish organizational involvement. The MNLF has longstanding leadership divisions, and Sema's statement does not represent every faction. The group said dela Rosa's previous dealings with Moro organizations involved peacebuilding and proposals to integrate qualified former combatants into government security forces, rather than organizational allegiance. Officials associated with the separate Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have also rejected allegations that their members were sheltering the senator. The government announced a P50-million reward in October for information leading to dela Rosa's arrest. Police have examined reported sightings without
publicly confirming his location. On Nov. 4, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said dela Rosa's former position as police chief would not affect enforcement efforts. Police also denied issuing any shoot-to-kill directive. Dela Rosa has remained out of public view since leaving the Senate complex in May following attempts to serve the ICC warrant. Issued under seal on Nov. 6, 2025, and made public May 11, 2026, the warrant alleges his criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator in the crime against humanity of murder involving at least 32 deaths during the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa denies involvement in unlawful killings. His lawyers have challenged the legal basis for his arrest and surrender to the ICC. The warrant does not constitute a conviction. n
Paolo Duterte libel complaints moved to regional prosecutors
Davao case records transferred after NBI chief questions city prosecutor’s impartiality by AJPress
MANILA — Criminal libel and cyberlibel complaints brought by Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte against National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag and other respondents have been transferred from the city prosecutor’s office to the regional prosecution office in Davao, according to Matibag. Matibag said in a radio interview Thursday, November 5, that the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office issued a resolution transferring the case records to the Region XI Prosecutor’s Office. The resolution itself was not available for independent examination. Challenge to prosecutor’s impartiality The transfer followed Matibag’s October 26 request to remove Davao City Prosecutor Jhopee Salvador Avanceña from the proceedings. Matibag said Avanceña was a first cousin of Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, longtime partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the congressman’s father. Matibag argued that the reported relationship could raise questions about impartiality even
without a legally recognized relationship by marriage. The family connection has not been independently confirmed, and the transfer should not be construed as a finding that the prosecutor had acted improperly. The NBI chief initially sought to have the complaints handled by the Department of Justice’s central prosecutors rather than the Davao City office. The reported action instead placed the records with the regional prosecution office, within the same administrative region. Under the Prosecution Service Act of 2010, a regional prosecutor may designate another prosecutor to handle a matter when a party challenges the impartiality of a city or provincial prosecutor. The law also gives regional prosecutors authority over cases arising in their regions. No assignment of an investigating prosecutor was confirmed in the reports available Thursday. Complaints stem from television allegations Duterte filed the complaints on October 23, naming Matibag, dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and television executives and journalists as respondents.
His congressional office identified several broadcast personnel and network officers in the complaint. The filing concerned a September 25 television report featuring allegations by Gracioso, a former security aide to ex-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. Gracioso alleged that he delivered cash to members of the Duterte family at Velasco’s direction. Those claims have not been established. Paolo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte denied receiving the alleged payments, while Velasco rejected the account. Duterte’s lawyer, Peter Paul Danao, said the lawmaker sought P20 million in moral and exemplary damages and questioned whether the allegations had been adequately verified before broadcast. The broadcaster said on October 23 that it had yet to receive the complaint and would review it before responding. Matibag said previously that the NBI’s inquiry into Gracioso’s account remained underway. The transfer of Duterte’s complaints concerns which prosecutorial office handles them, not whether the underlying allegations are true or whether libel charges should be brought to court. n
Marcos warns against graft in P8.6B disaster rebuilding aid President says local governments must prevent fictitious projects, kickbacks and substandard construction as rehabilitation funds are released to 306 disaster-hit areas by AJPress MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned local officials Thursday, November 5, against diverting disaster recovery money into fictitious or substandard projects as his administration announced P8.6 billion in approved assistance for 306 local governments affected by calamities between 2024 and 2026. “There must be no room for corruption in this program,” Marcos said during a ceremonial turnover at Malacañang. He prohibited nonexistent projects, kickbacks and poorly constructed rehabilitation work, warning that those who profit from disaster victims would face legal consequences. The assistance is being provided through the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP), which gives local governments funding to restore damaged infrastructure and essential services. Projects can include roads, bridges, public buildings, evacuation centers and housing, along with education, health care, agriculture, fisheries and social protection. Funding and oversight The presidential office said more than P6 billion had been released, while a further P2.5 billion had been approved and was being transferred. Those figures describe the government's reported funding releases and approvals, not completed reconstruction projects. The 2026 national budget appropriated P15.33 billion to DRRAP, a larger amount than the P8.6 billion covered by Thursday's announcement. Under the appropriations law, funded projects must be based on approved local rehabilitation and recovery plans, with consideration given to the recipient government's ability
PCO photo
to carry them out. Implementing agencies must also report financial and physical progress quarterly. The Department of Budget and Management's latest publicly posted monthly fund-status report, dated September 30, listed no releases against the 2026 DRRAP allocation at that cutoff. The November 5 figures are more recent, but the presidential announcements did not provide a recipient-by-recipient accounting of the releases or the status of individual projects. Local rebuilding priorities Marcos said local governments should have flexibility to select the most urgent recovery work. He asked them to submit comprehensive damage assessments to the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council so funding decisions could reflect local conditions. The administration said it had reduced the processing period for certain rehabilitation requests from eight to 11 months to four to six months. That timetable concerns administrative processing rather than the completion of construction or restoration of services.
Corruption concerns and political neutrality The warning followed continuing investigations and court cases involving alleged irregularities in separate flood-control contracts, including projects that authorities have described as unfinished, overpriced or nonexistent. The president's warning was general, and Thursday's announcements did not identify any of the 306 recipient governments as suspected of misusing the newly approved assistance. Marcos also said disaster assistance should be based on need rather than political allegiance. Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, his opponent in the 2022 presidential election, attended the ceremony and told reporters that the presence of officials from different political parties supported her assessment that political affiliation had not determined the distribution. Separately, the Department of Budget and Management has proposed P14.67 billion for DRRAP in the 2027 national budget. That proposed allocation is distinct from the 2026 assistance announced Thursday and remains subject to legislative approval. n
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Features
ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2026
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JOUR N AL Friday, November 06, 2026
INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E
Filipino American actor Vincent Rodriguez III lands guest role in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ by AJPress LOS ANGELES — Filipino American actor Vincent Rodriguez III, known for his starring role in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” has secured a guest appearance on ABC’s medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” playing a patient at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Rodriguez announced the role in a Nov. 3 social media post accompanied by a photograph of himself in a hospital gown and wristband. He said filming involved bloody prosthetic makeup and live aquatic animals placed on his body, but did not disclose his character’s name or medical condition. His appearance is in “Love on the Brain,” the fourth episode of the series’ 23rd season, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5. ABC’s synopsis describes Dr. Amelia Shepherd treating a young patient with an exceptionally rare condition, Dr. Miranda Bailey receiving unfavorable feedback from a teaching assistant, and Dr. Jo Wilson attending a birth trauma support group. The net-
work has not confirmed whether Rodriguez’s character is the patient in Shepherd’s storyline. ABC scheduled the episode for 10 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, with streaming on Hulu the following day. Chandra Wilson, Caterina Scorsone and Camilla Luddington portray Bailey, Shepherd and Wilson, respectively. Created by Shonda Rhimes, “Grey’s Anatomy” premiered in 2005 and follows the doctors and staff of a Seattle hospital. The current season began Oct. 15. Born in San Francisco and raised in Daly City, Rodriguez studied acting, singing and dance at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. He spent years in musical theater, appearing in touring and Off-Broadway productions, including “Here Lies Love,” the musical about former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos. His breakthrough television role was Josh Chan, the romantic lead opposite Rachel Bloom in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” which ran from 2015 to 2019. Subsequent credits include “Insatiable,” “With Love” and the Hall-
Photo from Instagram/@phoemelabaranda Photo from Instagram/@vrodrigueziii
mark films “Christmas on Cherry Lane” and “Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane.” Rodriguez has also voiced Raiden in the video game “Mortal Kombat 1” and Val Rizal, a Filipino father, in the animated series “Kindergarten: The Musical.” In March 2025, he was billed for a solo show in Pasig City, featuring songs and stories from his career in theater and television.
Martin Nievera acknowledges past mistakes in marriage to Pops Fernandez by AJPress MANILA - Martin Nievera has acknowledged being overly controlling during his marriage to Pops Fernandez, saying he did not fully recognize her ability to build an independent career. His remarks came ahead of Fernandez’s concert marking 40 years in entertainment and her approaching 60th birthday. In an interview published Nov. 5, Nievera said he had once tried to control much of their life together and initially struggled to accept how much Fernandez could accomplish without him. “I was such a control freak that I never let Pops blossom to be what she is today,” he told columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal. Nievera said Fernandez had since demonstrated her abilities not only as a performer but also as a producer capable of organizing shows for herself and other artists. He credited her with developing greater independence and described his own attitudes during their marriage as a failure to appreciate her capabilities.
He also expressed gratitude for the way Fernandez handled their separation, saying she had not spoken badly of him to their sons, Robin and Ram. Asked what might trouble him if Fernandez wrote a tellall book about their marriage, Nievera pointed to occasions when he had failed her. He said an account of their experiences might be useful to younger couples, particularly those in entertainment. The question was hypothetical; Fernandez did not announce a book. The former spouses, whose marriage was annulled in 2000, have maintained a professional partnership. They reunited onstage for the Always & Forever concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in February 2025. In interviews surrounding that show, Fernandez said they had become more comfortable talking publicly about their history. Fernandez has also described their friendship in measured terms. In remarks made in 2024, she acknowledged that disagreements still arose but said they had learned to settle mis-
Photo from Facebook/@martin.nievera.75
understandings privately. Nievera will be among the guests at Fernandez’s Pops concert on Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City. The production is billed as a celebration of her 40 years in show business ahead of her Dec. 12 birthday. Other announced guests include Regine Velasquez, Vina Morales, Erik Santos, Jay Durias and Helen Gamboa. Homer Flores is the musical director and Calvin Neria the concert director.
Lea Salonga says she is not seeking new romance after separation by AJPress MANILA, Philippines — Lea Salonga says she is not pursuing a new romantic relationship following her separation from businessman Robert Chien, describing a life centered on her family, friends and work. The Tony Award-winning singer and actress discussed her views on dating in an Oct. 31 episode of “Beyond the Exchange” with broadcaster Rico Hizon. She said she remained open to the possibility of a relationship but was not actively looking for one. “It’s not something that I am actively building a life towards,” Salonga said. The 55-year-old performer described advice she had encountered online encouraging people to establish fulfilling lives without treating marriage as an inevitable destination. She compared that approach to tending a garden filled with flowers, which would attract butterflies without having to chase them. “Don’t chase the butterflies, attract them to your garden,” she said. Salonga said she would consider a relationship if she met someone who made her life better. She also said her friends would be unlikely to arrange dates for her because they knew her well and respected her choices. Her immediate priorities, she
Photo from Instagram/@msleasalonga
said, include her son, Nic, her friends and her home. She described her professional life as fulfilling and said she had considerable work ahead. Asked about an old-fashioned courtship tactic in which a woman drops a handkerchief to attract a man’s attention, Salonga rejected the idea of manufacturing an encounter. She said her views on dating were more modern. Salonga publicly confirmed her separation from Chien in January, saying the two had been apart for some time. The couple married Jan. 10, 2004, at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. She did not disclose when the separation began or what led to it. In September, Salonga became the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is scheduled to star in Theatre Group Asia’s Filipino-language “Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba,” opening in February 2027 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Makati. The company announced eight additional cast members Nov. 1, including Sheila Francisco and Gabby Padilla.
Phoemela Baranda says patience is central to motherhood by AJPress
PHOEMELA Baranda says one of the hardest parts of raising a young child is remaining patient when she is exhausted. The television host and actress said motherhood has also sharpened her sense of responsibility to set an example for her daughters. Speaking at a café opening in Taguig City, Baranda described patience and unconditional love as central to her experience as a parent. She acknowledged that fatigue can make patience difficult, but emphasized the importance of maintaining it. Baranda, 46, is the mother of two daughters born more than two decades apart. Her eldest, Kim Nichole, is an adult. Her younger daughter, five-year-old Illya, was born in March 2021 and is her
child with longtime partner Jason Choachuy, a businessman and race car driver. The differences between those periods of her life have been a recurring subject in Baranda's public interviews. In a 2021 first-person account, she recalled feeling unprepared when Kim was born and relying on her own mother for help while supporting the family financially. She said she was more prepared, both mentally and physically, when she became a mother again. Choachuy and Kim were part of the support system she described after Illya's birth. Baranda has also spoken about the pressures surrounding her first pregnancy. In a 2025 television interview, she said modeling contracts at the time included morality provisions that influenced the
decision not to disclose publicly that she had a daughter. She discussed the experience as part of her relationship with Kim, which she has said continued to develop into adulthood. Baranda began modeling as a teenager before establishing a career in television hosting and acting. Her agency, Viva Artists Agency, lists her as a host of Anong Ganap?. In the 2025 mystery series Slay, she portrayed Margarita, the mother of a character played by Gabbi Garcia. She also mentioned another Viva One project during the Taguig interview, although no title or premiere date was announced. Baranda said one of the rewards of caring for Illya comes in a simple expression of affection: hearing her daughter say, "Mama, I love you."
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NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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Celebrate the season of giving at Sky River Casino ELK GROVE, Calif. (October XX, 2026) –– This November, Sky River Casino invites guests to experience a month filled with fall giveaways, community celebrations, and exclusive entertainment. From opportunities to win a share of $1.2 million in prizes, including a brand-new 2027 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, to festive giveaways, culinary-inspired gifts, and social experiences, November is packed with reasons to visit and celebrate. $1.2 Million Mercedes Giveaway | November & December The holiday season arrives in grand style with one of Sky River Casino’s biggest promotions of the year, featuring $1.2 million in prizes and two exciting ways to win a 2027 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. • Mercedes Match Game | November 1 – December 19 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Guests can play the Mercedes Match Game every Saturday for a chance to win up to $5,000 in Free Play, $50,000 in cash, and entries into the December 19 drawing for a 2027 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. • Double Down Hot Seats | November 3 - December 23 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sky River Rewards members actively playing any table games each Wednesday can win up to $1,500 in cash and Free Play prizes during Double Down Hot Seats. Every qualifying win also earns entries into the December 23 drawing for a guaranteed 2027 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Wild Pair: Beasts & Bourbon | November 19 at 5 p.m. Discover the bold character of two legendary Kentucky bourbons during an exclusive guided tasting at The Humidor Bourbon & Cigar Lounge. Guests will savor the distinctive flavors of Buffalo Trace and Stagg Jr., exploring the craftsmanship and rich heritage behind these highly sought-after spirits in an intimate and refined setting. Gather Around the Table to Savor the Season | November 25 and 26 Celebrate the season with a limited-time lineup of holiday dishes. Dragon Beaux will feature festive specialties including braised pork belly with lotus root, orange beef, and a comforting morel mushroom black chicken soup, blending bold
flavors with traditional culinary craftsmanship. 32 Brews Street serves up holiday favorites with a flavorful twist, including bourbon-glazed pork belly bites and roasted turkey breast accompanied by classic stuffing, creamed green beans, cranberry coulis, and crispy onions. End on a sweet note with a decadent maple pecan tart. An Elevated Happy Hour Experience Awaits SR Prime Steakhouse's Happy Hour offers an indulgent selection of chef-crafted bites and cocktails, featuring steak tartare paired with Pinot Noir, bacon-wrapped shrimp served with sparkling rosé, and filet mignon sliders complemented by an Old Fashioned. $50,000 Rake in the Cash Giveaway | Friday, November 6 from 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Kick off the month with a chance to win a share of $50,000 in cash prizes. Winners will be selected every 30 minutes throughout the evening, with prize amounts increasing from $500 to $4,000 before culminating in a $25,000 grand prize drawing at 10:30 p.m. $50,000 Piece of the Pie Cash Giveaway | Friday, November 20 from 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. The season of gratitude gets sweeter with another opportunity to share in $50,000 in cash prizes. Guests can win escalating cash prizes ranging from $500 to $4,000 before one lucky guest takes home a $25,000 grand prize. $50,000 Game Day You Pick 'Em | Every Monday until January 4 Football fans can make their Monday Night Football prediction count. Sky River Rewards members who correctly pick the winning team will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win $250 Free Slot Play and a $25 dining voucher for 32 Brews Street. Guests who participate every week remain eligible for a season-ending VIP Big Game prize package which includes $5,000 in Free Slot Play, plus a VIP Viewing Experience at 32 Brews Street for four people during the Big Game. Holiday Hosting Gift Collection | Beginning November 5 Prepare for holiday entertaining with a three-week gift collection featuring practical hosting essentials. Eligible members can earn and redeem a serving plat-
ter set, chip and dip platter, and a 3.7-quart slow cooker while supplies last. Those who collect all three gifts will be automatically entered to win a Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker. Holiday Pie Earn & Get | November 24-25 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Make this season even sweeter with a complimentary holiday pie from Sky River Casino. The first 1,000 Sky River Rewards members who earn 500 Tier Credits each day can take home a delicious holiday pie, just in time for family gatherings and festive celebrations. Black Friday Mystery Multiplier | November 27 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Rewards reach a new level this Black Friday. Sky River Rewards members who visit a promotional kiosk can unlock a Mystery Multiplier worth up to 6X points, giving players the opportunity to accelerate their earnings on game play all day. Two Community Celebrations, One Great Bonus | November 4 and November 7 Sky River Casino continues its dedication to community engagement through sponsorships and cultural celebrations, including Sacramento State's Native American Heritage Night on November 4 and the International House Festival in Davis on November 7. Guests visiting the Sky River booth at either event can receive $10 Free Play. Sky River Casino Since opening in August 2022, the casino has become a premier entertainment destination featuring over 130,000 square feet of gaming, 2,500 slot machines, 81 table games, and 18 restaurants, bars, and lounge destinations, along with a 1,600-space five-story parking structure. The casino recently broke ground on a significant hotel resort expansion that is expected to generate regional economic impact through job creation, increased tourism, and long-term investment in the local community. Planned additions include a 300-room luxury hotel, a new porte cochère with expanded valet service, a full-service day spa and salon, an outdoor pool, and approximately 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event, and entertainment space. To learn more about Sky River Casino and its continued growth, please visit www.SkyRiver. com.
A Tribute to Atty. Lucas Carpio Jr.
AS I entered the chapel at Heritage Park in Taguig City with William Seva and Raquel Espina, I saw fellow De La Salle University alumnus and the country’s second gentleman, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, delivering a eulogy for his father, Atty. Lucas Carpio Jr., who recently passed away at the age of 80. The elder Carpio was a prominent Filipino corporate lawyer and litigator and the father-inlaw of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte. On the final night of the wake, I saw Manila Mayor Francisco “Yorme” Domagoso. He sat beside me for some time, and we had a friendly conversation. We then listened attentively to a tribute by Carpio’s widow, retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Agnes Reyes-Carpio, who later told this columnist, “my husband was generous and caring especially to those who have less in life.” “He was approachable and loved to help a lot in a quiet way,” Agnes Reyes-Carpio added. The couple had three sons: Manases, Waldo and Benedicto. I learned that Carpio earned his undergraduate degree from De La Salle College in Manila and his law degree from Ateneo de Davao University. He co-founded Carpio & Bello Law Offices with former Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, specializing in corporate law and litigation. He began his legal career as a junior associate at Yulo & Bello Law Offices and later managed the litigation group at Security Bank & Trust Co. He also served as an independent director of Now Corp. and NOW Telecom Co. Inc., as well as a director of Manila Jockey Club Inc. In February 2025, Carpio joined former President Rodrigo Duterte and other lawyers in representing Vice President Sara Duterte in a petition before the Supreme Court challenging her impeachment. Carpio was the brother of retired Supreme Court Associate
HEALTH @HEART Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS THE Philippines, with its more than 118 million people, is facing a major crisis, with two predominant killers: coronary heart disease and cancer, much like in the United States, with a population of almost 342.7 million. The Promise and the Pitfalls In 2019, the signing of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act (Republic Act No. 11223) was hailed as a historic milestone for the Philippines. The legislation boldly promised to automatically enroll every Filipino citizen into the National Health Insurance Program, aiming to shield the population from the catastrophic financial burdens of medical emergencies. At the absolute center of this ambitious framework sits the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), tasked with acting as the national purchaser of healthcare services. However, the journey toward true universal coverage has exposed a deep divide between legislative intent and operational reality. The structural blueprint of the UHC Act is undeniably progressive. Under the law, PhilHealth is positioned to fund comprehensive outpatient benefits, free diagnostic tests, and affordable medicines. Despite this noble vision, PhilHealth’s operational vulnerabilities have severely hindered the smooth implementation of universal healthcare. In recent years, the state insurer has been buffeted by allegations of systemic corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and massive fund mismanagement. These internal crises have severely eroded public trust and compromised the agency's financial stability. This financial strain manifests acutely in the ongoing conflict between PhilHealth and private healthcare providers. Delayed reimbursements from PhilHealth have forced many private hospitals to threaten disengagement from the national insurance network to avoid bankruptcy. When hospitals cannot collect what they are owed, they are left with no choice but to demand higher out-of-pocket payments from patients or reduce their services. Any breakdown in the relationship between PhilHealth and private providers immediately compromises the safety net promised by the UHC Act, leaving citizens vulnerable to the exact financial ruin the law was designed to prevent. To salvage the promise of universal healthcare, aggressive structural and cultural reforms within PhilHealth are non-ne-
Healthcare crisis gotiable. The institution must prioritize absolute transparency through digitized tracking systems to eliminate fraudulent billing and expedite legitimate hospital reimbursements. Furthermore, the government must ensure a steady, insulated stream of funding to PhilHealth, minimizing its vulnerability to economic fluctuations, political meddling, and chronic administrative friction. Ultimately, PhilHealth and the Universal Health Care Act represent the best structural hope for achieving health equity in the Philippines. The UHC Act provides the necessary vision, but PhilHealth must provide the operational integrity required to sustain it. It requires building unshakeable, accountable institutions capable of delivering on those promises. The current crisis The Philippine healthcare system today is a study in stark contradictions. While the nation proudly exports world-class medical professionals to every corner of the globe (about 12,500 Filipino physicians are in the USA alone), its own citizens face a severe shortage of care at home. This paradox lies at the heart of a protracted healthcare crisis that compromises the well-being of millions of Filipinos. Far from being a simple issue of underfunding, the current crisis is a complex web of systemic brain drain, severe regional disparities, and bureaucratic inefficiencies that leave the country’s most vulnerable populations without a reliable safety net. At the center of this crisis is the continuous depletion of the country's medical human resources. The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the world's leading suppliers of registered nurses and a major exporter of physicians. However, this global contribution comes at a devastating domestic cost. The resulting "brain drain" has left local public hospitals chronically understaffed. This severe shortage of professionals exacerbates the deep geographical divide in healthcare distribution. The modern medical infrastructure of the Philippines is overwhelmingly concentrated in Metro Manila and a few other major metropolitan areas. In contrast, rural and isolated communities rely on ill-equipped barangay health stations and underfunded municipal hospitals. For an individual living in a remote island province, a treatable illness can quickly escalate into a life-threatening emergency due to the sheer absence of specialized diagnostic equipment and medical personnel. This regional inequity effectively creates a twotiered system where geographic luck determines an individual's
life expectancy. Furthermore, financial barriers continue to push families into poverty. Despite the intent of the Universal Health Care Act, out-of-pocket expenses remain prohibitively high for the average Filipino. The national health insurance program, PhilHealth, has frequently been plagued by structural bottlenecks, fund mismanagement controversies, and delayed reimbursements to private and public hospitals. Consequently, many Filipinos engage in "delayed health-seeking behavior" only when an illness has reached an advanced, catastrophic stage. The fear of financial ruin often outweighs the desire for early medical intervention, transforming preventable chronic conditions into fatal diagnoses. Resolving this multi-faceted crisis requires a fundamental shift in how the nation values both its health infrastructure and its healthcare workers. Concurrently, decentralizing medical infrastructure through sustained government investment in provincial hospitals is vital to bridging the urban-rural divide. Finally, ensuring the financial integrity and efficiency of public insurance systems is non-negotiable if universal healthcare is to become a reality rather than a legal abstraction. The healthcare crisis in the Philippines is not an insurmountable destiny, but a reflection of historical neglect and structural misallocation. Healing the system requires moving beyond temporary fixes and addressing the root causes that drive medical professionals away and keep quality care out of reach for the poor. Only when the country can care for its caregivers and guarantee equitable access across its islands will health truly become a basic human right for every Filipino. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Asian Journal Publications columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina (left) with Manila Mayor Francisco “Yorme” Domagoso at Heritage Park in Taguig City.
Atty. Lucas Carpio Jr. with Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina and retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Agnes Reyes-Carpio.
Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio delivers a eulogy for his father, Atty. Lucas Carpio Jr.
Justice and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and a cousin of former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. Cineprod + Photo Expo Philippines 2027 Media Launch I recently attended the media launch of Cineprod + Photo Expo Philippines 2027, scheduled for July 9–11, 2027, at SMXCITE Manila in the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Organizers describe the event as a major exhibition and conference for visual content creation, production technology, imaging solutions and creative services. Bringing together professionals in filmmaking, photography, broadcasting, digital media, content creation, livestreaming and emerging technologies, the expo aims to provide a platform for industry professionals, enthusiasts, creators, businesses and technology providers to connect, exchange ideas and explore developments in visual production. During the media launch, I had a brief conversation with CMB Film Services Inc. Pres-
CMB Film Services Inc. President and Managing Director Jim Baltazar (left) with Filipino American cinematographer Saul Molina of the American Society of Cinematographers.
ident and Managing Director Jim Baltazar and Filipino American cinematographer Saul Molina, who is affiliated with the American Society of Cinematographers. *** 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. *** Associate Professor III Rogelio Constantino Medina is an award-winning Filipino international journalist, columnist and academic. He is well regarded for his extensive contributions to Philippine media and major international news publications. His career spans several decades and covers a wide range of fields, including news, business, travel, lifestyle, science, sports and health. He has written for major international publications such as the Far Eastern Economic Review in Hong Kong, The Japan Times in Tokyo and Gulf News in Dubai. Notably, he made history as the first Filipino journalist to interview Japan’s first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri. He is also credentialed with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers in New York City and Washington, D.C. *** Email: rogelio.medina@asianjournalinc.com
Photo from Facebook/@PBBabscbntv
Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes discuss family milestones, missed moments on ‘PBB’ by AJPress MANILA - On the November 2 episode of Pinoy Big Brother: Collab Edition 3.0, Marian Rivera recalled the family she had dreamed of creating, while Dingdong Dantes spoke about occasions he missed with their children because of work. The married actors led the housemates in a discussion about moments they wanted to remember and days they wished they could forget. The visit followed a challenge in which contestants recreated characters previously played by Rivera and Dantes. Rivera chose their wedding day as the memory she most wanted to preserve. She said she had grown up without her parents by her side and had long hoped to raise a family of her own. Marrying Dantes, she told the housemates, helped make
that possible. The couple married on December 30, 2014, and have two children, Zia and Sixto. They renewed their wedding vows at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Quezon City on their 10th anniversary in 2024, with their children present. Dantes reflected on important occasions in his children’s lives when work prevented him from attending. He said he knew they wanted both parents there and hoped they would eventually understand that he had been working to support the family. The housemates also discussed personal losses. Mikee Quintos expressed regret over not spending more time with her grandmother before her death. Ethan Benares recalled the last Christmas he spent with his late grandfather. Rivera encouraged the contestants to learn from difficult experiences. “So, kapit lang
kayo. Tiwala lang,” she told them. In interviews about their forthcoming film, Rivera acknowledged hesitating before a shoot in Canada that would keep her away from Zia and Sixto. In a November 3 interview, she also described how working with child actors drew on her experiences as a mother. The couple’s television appearance preceded the release of Remember, a drama filmed in Quebec and directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, who also directed their 2023 film Rewind. Rivera and Dantes play Ria and Joseph, estranged parents who reunite when their daughter is diagnosed with a rare genetic illness. Child actress Zia Grace plays the daughter. The film is scheduled to open in the Philippines on November 11, with screenings in the United States, Canada and Guam beginning November 13.
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New laws curb evictions over small rent debts, hidden fees SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Daniel Lurie signed two renter-protection ordinances Oct. 29 that will limit evictions over small unpaid rent balances and require disclosure of recurring housing charges. The Board of Supervisors approved both measures Oct. 27. One, sponsored by District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, will prohibit eviction for nonpayment when the outstanding balance is below the monthly fair-market rent set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a comparable-size unit. The benchmark is not necessarily the rent specified in a tenant's lease. The ordinance does not erase rental debt or prevent landlords from seeking payment through
other legal means. Eviction for nonpayment remains possible once the outstanding amount reaches the applicable threshold. The other measure, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood's No Hidden Rent Act, will require online rental listings and lease agreements to display the total estimated monthly cost, including mandatory recurring fees and charges. It covers rent-controlled and rent-exempt housing. Examples may include required charges for utilities, trash collection or building amenities, which can make advertised base rents appear more affordable. Tenants who do not receive adequate disclosures may terminate leases early without penalty under provisions of the ordinance. Land-
lords also face restrictions on imposing late penalties or pursuing eviction for unpaid fees that were not properly disclosed. Lurie included Fielder's measure in a broader rent-relief package announced in September, as the city faced rising housing costs and eviction filings. Advocates say the rules could prevent displacement over modest debts and give prospective renters a clearer picture of housing expenses. Landlord groups have objected to the unpaid-rent threshold, arguing that local limits may conflict with state eviction law. The California Supreme Court agreed in August to review that question in a case involving a similar Los Angeles ordinance; the case remained pending as of early November.
Alameda to host storm and flood preparedness meetings ALAMEDA, Calif. — With unusually high tides and winter storms approaching, Alameda is holding public meetings on flood risks and household preparedness, while expanding access to sandbags and readying emergency crews. Two sessions remain in the four-meeting series: Monday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. at Albert H. DeWitt O-Club, 641 West Redline Avenue, and Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at Earhart Elementary School, 400 Packet Landing. Two earlier meetings were scheduled Nov. 4 and 5. City emergency management staff will discuss El Niño conditions, vulnerable neighborhoods,
possible flooding and steps residents can take. Attendees can ask questions about local risks and available assistance. Alameda expects seasonal King Tides Nov. 24–26, Dec. 22–25 and Jan. 20–23, 2027. Exceptionally high tides can flood low-lying areas, particularly when combined with heavy rainfall, though the extent of flooding depends on actual weather conditions. The city partially activated its Emergency Operations Center Oct. 19. Crews are clearing storm drains, inspecting pump stations and checking backup equipment. Free sandbags are available at
Lexington Street and West Hope Street, Washington Park at 1300 Eighth Street, and Grandview Pavilion at 300 Island Drive. Residents may collect up to five prefilled bags while supplies last or bring bags to fill themselves. City staff will help residents load sandbags at Lexington and West Hope streets from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7. Officials advise residents to register for AC Alert, identify evacuation zones, prepare emergency supplies and avoid flooded roads. More information is available at alamedaca.gov/READY or 510-3372236.
Graton Resort & Casino marks 13th Anniversary with $500,000 giveaway and dotting of the eyes ceremony Graton Resort & Casino is celebrating its 13th anniversary this November with the Lucky 13 Anniversary Giveaway, featuring $500,000 guaranteed in cash prizes. Every Saturday in November, guests have the chance to win $13,000 Cash every hour from 7PM to 11PM at The Portal, along with 25 weekly winners of up to $5,000 cash. Dotting of the Eyes Ceremony – Saturday, November 14, 10 p.m. The Chinese Eye-Dotting Ceremony is a beloved tradition that symbolically awakens a lucky dragon after its rest season, and cures its sleepy “blindness” by painting red dots on its eyes. That gives the dragon life, and spreads good fortune. Grab your own good luck at the High Limit Baccarat Room, with earning play running November 7 – November 14, featuring $20,000 guaranteed in cash prizes. IN CONCERT The celebration continues with major Asian artists taking the stage through the end of the year, including Filipino superstar Sharon Cuneta and legendary Hong Kong pop group Grasshopper. Sharon Cuneta – Saturday, November 21 at 8PM Filipino megastar Sharon Cuneta is coming to Graton Resort & Casino. One of the best-selling Filipino artists of all time, Sharon brings her legendary voice and enduring star power to the stage. Join her for an evening of beloved hits, timeless favorites, and memories that last a lifetime. Grasshopper – Friday, December 4 at 10PM | 2ND Show Added by Popular Demand Grasshopper is one of Asia's most iconic pop groups for over four decades, rising from their award-winning 1985 debut to dominate Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Taiwan with a string of classic hits such as "Club Broken Heart," "Lonely," and "Blame It on the Samba." Record-breaking winners of the "Best Group (Gold Award)" for six consecutive years,
Community
ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2026
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Newsom proposes $1 billion annual film and TV tax credit
HOLLYWOOD — Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed increasing California’s annual film and television tax credit from $750 million to at least $1 billion, seeking to draw more productions to the state as location filming in Los Angeles continues to struggle. The plan announced Nov. 2 would reserve $100 million annually for independent films and make certain payments to actors, directors and other above-the-line talent eligible for credits, subject to funding limits. That allocation would rise by $26 million from current funding. Companies committing to at least two qualifying California productions would receive an additional 5% incentive. Newsom also wants to extend the program through 2040. The changes would require approval
by the Legislature. California increased its annual film and television credit from $330 million to $750 million in 2025. State officials say applications rose 82% compared with the preceding year. They associate more than $8.25 billion in planned production spending and over 43,000 cast and crew jobs with projects supported under the expanded program. Those figures include estimates associated with approved productions, rather than an independently verified tally of completed spending and employment. The incentives come as the industry weighs California against competing locations with lower costs and different subsidy structures. In the third quarter of 2026, Greater Los Angeles re-
corded 4,171 on-location shoot days, down 4.8% from a year earlier, according to permit agency FilmLA. Tax-credit-supported projects accounted for 40.3% of scripted on-location filming, nearly twice their share the previous year. The regional figures exclude soundstage work and do not measure all production across California. Newsom also urged Congress to pass legislation establishing a 20% federal credit for eligible domestic film and television production, which could be used alongside state incentives. He separately signed a California tax credit for post-production work in September, covering eligible editing, sound and visual effects expenses.
San Francisco clears way for 67,000-square-foot produce warehouse SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Daniel Lurie has signed legislation revising the city’s long-term lease with the SF Market, enabling the wholesale produce center to pursue financing for a planned 67,000-square-foot warehouse in Bayview-Hunters Point. The Board of Supervisors approved the lease resolution Oct. 27, and Lurie signed it Nov. 2. The changes allow the nonprofit San Francisco Market Corporation to arrange separate parcel leases to secure private construction loans. Work on the building at 1900 Kirkwood Ave. is expected to begin in 2027. The market’s long-term lease runs through 2073, according to city documents. The expansion is intended to give existing produce merchants
additional distribution and storage space. City officials estimate it will generate 125 permanent onsite jobs and 134 construction jobs. Those figures are projections, not positions already created. Operating on a 23-acre, cityowned campus, the SF Market has approximately 485,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution facilities. Its independent merchants supply restaurants, neighborhood grocers and other food businesses across the Bay Area. More than 500 people currently work at the market, according to its operator. Lurie described the investment as a way to support small businesses while maintaining a reliable supply of fresh produce. District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton said the market provides
employment in Bayview-Hunters Point and serves businesses across the region. The agreement also provides greater flexibility for future improvements across the campus. The city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development worked with market officials on the revisions. The market operates a food recovery program that collects surplus produce from merchants and delivers it to community organizations, including Bayview Senior Services and Farming Hope. The program distributes more than 4,000 pounds daily, according to market officials. In October 2025, the market reported that cumulative donations since the program began in 2016 had surpassed 10 million pounds.
Consulate Watch
As Filipino American History Month drew to a close, the Philippine Consulate General participated in three San Francisco events in October: the City Hall celebration on Oct. 21, the Larry Itliong Leadership Awards on Oct. 24 and the San Fran-
cisco Sister City Program’s anniversary on Oct. 28. The gatherings included a mayoral proclamation, recognition of four Filipino American community leaders and an official commendation for the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee.
City Hall marks Filipino American History Month
Parangal Dance Company delights hundreds of attendees during the 2026 Filipino American History Month Celebration at San Francisco City Hall
Grasshopper continues to captivate audiences with their high-energy performances and unforgettable music. Sing, dance, and celebrate over 40 years of Grasshopper! THE GAME’S ALWAYS ON AT PLAYBOOK SPORTS BAR & KITCHEN Football fans can also head to Playbook for game-day broadcasts and special giveaways. Playbook delivers a first-of-its-kind sports destination for the Bay Area, featuring a larger-than-life wraparound halo screen broadcasting the action throughout the venue. It's your front row seat for everything 49ers! On Sunday, November 8, during
the 49ers vs. Raiders game, fans can enter for a chance to win a $1,600 autographed helmet signed by 49ers legends Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice. Roaring Express Slot Machines World Premiere November 24 Jump on Board for Roaring Wins! The new game blends the excitement of a high-speed Tiger Train theme with Chinese inspired symbols. Trigger the Roaring Express Bonus to reveal even more prizes. For more information on upcoming promotions, entertainment, dining, and more at Graton Resort & Casino, visit Graton.com. (Advertising Supplement)
San Francisco held its 22nd annual Filipino American History Month celebration Oct. 21 at City Hall. Mayor Daniel Lurie presented a proclamation declaring October Filipino American History Month, received by Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon and SOMA Pilipinas Director Raquel Redondiez. SOMA Pilipinas is marking its 10th anniversary. Three honorees received awards: San Francisco Public Library program manager Jae-
From L-R: Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon, San Francisco Mayor Daniel L. Lurie, SOMA Pilipinas Director Raquel Redondiez, and Mr. MC Canlas during the handover of the proclamation for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the PH-US diplomatic relations and SOMA Pilipinas’ 10th anniversary. San Francisco PCG photo
na Rae Cabrera, the Emerging Leader Award; former Hotel Council of San Francisco chair and Philippine International Aid president James Lim, the Community Champion Award; and former banking executive and Filipino Food Movement co-founder Sonia Delen, the Trailblazer Award. Lurie discussed immigrant legal services and the expanded Gene Friend Recreation Center. Talisayon noted the 80th anni-
versary of Philippine-U.S. diplomatic relations and updated attendees on consular services, including acceptance of electronic Philippine Statistics Authority certificates for eligible transactions and overseas voter registration for the 2028 Philippine elections. The program featured cultural performances, a Filipino artisan marketplace and City Hall lighting in the colors of the Philippine flag.
Larry Itliong awards recognize four community leaders Four Filipino Americans received the fifth Larry Itliong Leadership Awards Oct. 24 at Sentro Filipino in San Francisco. Filipino American Voice United and Caring Hearts Foundation honored writer and artist Gayle Romasanta, Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo, Daly City Arts and Culture Commissioner Dorie Paniza, and San Francisco Arts Commissioner Al Perez. Romasanta wrote Larry the Musical: An American Journey. Manalo has served as Daly City mayor, Paniza has worked on cultural and community programs, and Perez heads the Filipino American Arts Exposition, which organizes the annual Pistahan Parade and Festival. Lurie attended the ceremony.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel L. Lurie (7th from left) and Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes (6th from left) join Filipino American Voice United (FAVU) President Jorge Perez de Tagle (3rd from right), the four honorees of the 5th Larry Itliong Leadership Awards, and other FAVU officers and members of the Filipino American community. The awardees are writer and artist Gayle Romasanta (2nd from right), Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo (8th from left), Daly City Arts & Culture Commissioner Dorie Paniza (5th from left), and San Francisco Arts Commissioner Al Perez (4th from right) San Francisco PCG photo
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, while G. Cortes conveyed congratula- California Attorney General Rob tions from Philippine Ambassador Bonta delivered a video message.
Manila-San Francisco sister city committee honored The Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee received a certificate of honor at the San Francisco Sister City Program’s 70th anniversary gathering Oct. 28. Mark Chandler, the city’s director for international trade and commerce, and Meron Foster of its Office of Protocol presented the certificate to committee secretary Anne Alvarez, who represented chair Carmen Colet. The gathering also drew Assemblymember Matt Haney, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto and members of the San Francisco consular corps.
Ms. Anne Alvarez representing the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee accepted the Certificate of Honor from the City and County of San Francisco, represented by its Director for International Trade and Commerce, Mark Chandler, and Ms. Meron Foster from its Office of Protocol. PCG San Francisco photo
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NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797