First Filipina American San Francisco supervisor Beya Alcaraz resigns after one week in office
San Francisco’s District 4 supervisor Beya Alcaraz resigns as scrutiny over her former pet store’s inspection history intensifies
BEYA Alcaraz, the newly appointed supervisor for San Francisco’s District 4, resigned Thursday night, November 13, after roughly one week in office. Her departure followed intensified scrutiny over her former ownership of a Sunset District pet store, including questions stemming from inspection records and employee messages that surfaced in local media.
Alcaraz, 29, had been appointed by Mayor Daniel Lurie on November 6 to replace recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio. Community groups initially noted the milestone, as Al-
Court blocks GOP friendly Texas voting map in major blow ahead of 2026
Federal court blocks Texas’s new GOP drawn congressional map, ruling it racially gerrymandered. Decision keeps current districts for the 2026 midterms
AUSTIN, TEXAS – A federal judicial panel has barred Texas from using its newly drawn congressional map for the 2026 midterm elections, ruling that the Republican backed plan relied unconstitutionally on race when reshaping districts. The decision prevents the state from implementing a mid decade map that GOP leaders hoped would create an advantage in at least five additional U.S. House races. Republicans currently hold 25 of Texas’s 38 seats under the existing boundaries.
Judges find race predominated in key districts
In a 2 to 1 ruling on November 18, the three judge federal panel concluded that Tex-
Marcos rejects resignation calls as protest wave and graft cases jolt PH politics
by AJPress
tends to allow investigations to proceed through the proper institutions while maintaining stability in gov
The League of Cities of the Philippines, representing 149 mayors, publicly reaffirmed its support for Marcos as the country’s elected leader. In a statement on Nov. 19, the group said it would continue aligning local programs with national priorities in education, health and infrastructure while calling for transparent public spending.
High-level departures test Marcos admin as infrastructure scandal widens
Marcos reorganizes top leadership, naming new Executive Secretary, DBM OIC and Finance Secretary as infrastructure and budget probes deepen
by AJPress
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the departure of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, a significant reshuffling of his senior leadership as
faces graft complaint over P352
by ElizabEth MarcElo Philstar.com
MANILA — A lawyer has filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Sen. Francis Escudero and several officials of Sorsogon over the alleged misuse of the provincial government’s funds in 2021 amounting to P352 million, during Escudero’s term as governor. In a 51-page complaint filed on November 14, lawyer Eldridge Marvin Aceron urged the ombudsman to investigate Escudero and several Sorsogon provincial officials for violation of Republic
the administration confronts a widening corruption scandal involving alleged ghost flood control projects and contested budget allocations.
The Palace announced the changes on Monday, November 17, 2025, and described the exits as acts of delicadeza (a
by Mark ErnEst VillEza Philstar.com
MANILA — Former Bamban
Mayor Alice Guo and seven others were convicted of qualified trafficking in persons by a Pasig trial court on Thursday, Novemmber 20 and sentenced to life in prison. The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 found Guo, Jaimielyn Santos Cruz, Rachelle Malonzo Carreon and Walter Wong Rong guilty of organizing human trafficking at the Baofu compound, while Chinese nationals Wang Weili, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang and Lang Xu Po were convicted for acts of trafficking. Each was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P2 million
per case. The entire P6-billion Baofu compound in Bamban, Tarlac was also ordered forfeited in favor of the government. Guo, who attended the hearing through videoconference, will be transferred immediately from the Pasig City Jail to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the ruling demonstrated the impact of cooperation among agencies and whistleblowers. He said the conviction was “a victory for the government,” noting that the case started from an employee complaint.
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines also declared its backing for the president, warning that political instability could disrupt essential services in more than 1,400 towns. Both organisations acknowledged public frustration over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects but encouraged investigations that do not disrupt government workflows. Their statements came as tens of thousands participated in anti-corruption protests across Metro Mau PAGE 2
Budget insertion scandal deepens as Zaldy Co’s claims coincide with Cabinet shake-up
FORMER Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has escalated his claim that approximately P100 billion was added to the 2025 national budget at the direction of senior government officials. His allegations, delivered in a video released on November 14, now unfold alongside a significant Cabinet shake-up that has intensified public and institutional scrutiny of the administration’s budget process. Co alleged that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued the instruction through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and that then House Speaker Martin Romualdez supported the move. He said the questioned items consisted largely of flood control and infrastructure projects allegedly inserted during the bicameral conference committee proceedings.
MANILA — A new rift within one of the country’s most prominent political families erupted this week after Senator Imee Marcos publicly alleged that her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., has long used illegal drugs.
The accusation, delivered before a massive crowd at an Iglesia ni Cristo gathering on Monday, November 17, was swiftly rejected by Malacañang and members of the First Family, who pointed to official records and described the claim as baseless.
Speaking from the stage at the Quirino Grandstand, Senator Marcos said she had long been concerned about her brother’s well-being and decision-making. She expanded her allegation by naming members of the First Family and several individuals she identified as close to the President. No documents, medical records or laboratory findings were presented to substantiate her remarks.
Palace cites 2021 test results and PDEA clearance In a livestream later that evening, Presidential Communi-
by AJPress
by AJPress
Sen. Imee Marcos
Photo from Facebook/@ImeeMarcos
Marcos rejects resignation calls...
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nila and several provincial cities.
The largest turnout was on Nov. 16, when Iglesia Ni Cristo led a mass gathering at Rizal Park that drew hundreds of thousands calling for accountability over alleged “ghost projects” and substandard flood works. Student-led and civic-group demonstrations were also reported in Quezon City and several provincial centres.
Congress weighs investigation, not impeachment
In the House of Representatives, minority lawmakers said there is “no compelling reason yet” to initiate impeachment proceedings against Marcos. They noted that the Constitution requires a verified complaint supported by sworn affidavits and documents and that no such complaint has been filed.
Lawmakers across factions have called for a formal inquiry into allegations raised by former Ako Bicol representative Elizaldy Co, who previously chaired the House appropriations committee. Co has publicly claimed in interviews and online statements that “higher officials” influenced billions of pesos in flood-control budget insertions, although he has not submitted these allegations under oath. Legislators, including Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, have urged him to testify formally and provide documents that can be evaluated in a congressional investigation.
Flood-control investigation enters new phase
The controversy traces back to an audit disclosed by Marcos in
August that identified irregularities in thousands of flood-control projects. Investigators have since flagged incomplete, substandard or nonexistent works linked to concentrated contract awards. Authorities have frozen billions of pesos in assets tied to suspect projects and have begun filing criminal complaints.
On Nov. 18, the Office of the Ombudsman charged Co, several Department of Public Works and Highways officials and private contractors over an allegedly anomalous 289-million-peso flood-control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Prosecutors filed counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of documents and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
On Nov. 21, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said his office may be able to file a case against House Speaker Martin Romualdez within six to nine months, although he emphasized that all actions must be evidence-based and that no determination has been made about whether the probe could eventually reach the president. As of this week, none of the complaints publicly filed name Marcos as a respondent. Debates intensify over sedition and foreign funding
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government is reviewing speeches made at recent rallies to assess whether any statements approached “inciting to sedition,” a crime under the Revised Penal Code. Human-rights lawyers and legal
scholars disputed the interpretation, saying calls for a president to resign over public controversies fall within constitutionally protected freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly unless they explicitly promote unlawful acts.
Separately, Malacañang said on Nov. 20 that it is monitoring reports suggesting that some protests may have received foreign funding. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are examining information, though officials have not released evidence publicly substantiating the claim.
Marcos stands firm as turbulence continues
Officials say Marcos aims to restore public trust by allowing investigations to run their course while continuing the administration’s economic and infrastructure programs. They point to strong expressions of support from mayors’ groups and the absence of any verified impeachment complaint as signs that the President retains key institutional backing.
How long that support holds may depend on the progress of the anti-graft probe, the testimony gathered in Congress and the outcomes of cases now moving through the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan. The coming months will test the resilience of the country’s oversight institutions in one of the most consequential corruption investigations in recent years. n
Budget insertion scandal deepens as...
Co later added a more explosive assertion: that P25 billion of the supposed insertion went to the President. These allegations have not been made under oath, are unsupported by documentary evidence and have been categorically denied by all officials named. Cabinet resignations heighten political tension
On November 17, President Marcos accepted the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Pangandaman. Palace officials described the resignations as voluntary acts of delicadeza after their offices were linked to controversy. Both officials denied wrongdoing.
Their departure intensified speculation of internal pressure within the administration and added urgency to calls for greater transparency over budget decisions and infrastructure spending. Senior appointments were immediately announced to stabilize top government ranks amid the ongoing controversy.
Palace and DBM reject Co’s narrative
Malacañang has dismissed Co’s allegations and urged him to testify before the appropriate investigative bodies. Officials said the President will not respond to claims lacking sworn testimony
or corroborating evidence, noting that the administration itself ordered expanded reviews of public works and flood control spending.
Before stepping down, Pangandaman outlined why Co’s account conflicts with the national budget process. She emphasized that any presidential directive for new appropriations must appear in the National Expenditure Program, which is drafted months before congressional deliberations. The Executive branch, she explained, cannot introduce new funding during bicameral negotiations, a process governed entirely by the Legislature. She said the scenario Co described is not possible under established budget rules.
Lawmakers and experts press for sworn testimony
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Co’s assertions carry no probative value without sworn testimony. He noted that if the President intended to fund additional projects, they would have appeared directly in the NEP rather than through last-minute insertions.
Several budget scholars echoed this view, pointing to inconsistencies in Co’s timeline and description of the budget process.
A controversy now shaped by evidence and institutional response Investigators and lawmakers
now face the task of parsing Co’s allegations against the backdrop of a national budget already enacted and a public works system under intensified review. Senate leaders say the next phase depends on whether Co appears under oath and whether procurement or audit records support any part of his narrative.
For now, his claims occupy a space between political shock and untested assertion, with their trajectory to be defined not by rhetoric but by the evidence, testimony and institutional responses that emerge in the weeks ahead. n
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo
Senator Imee Marcos accuses President Marcos... Guo gets life for qualified...
cations Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed the allegation as unfounded and pointed to the President’s previously disclosed drug tests. Castro cited Marcos’ voluntary test taken at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig in November 2021, which returned a negative result for cocaine. The test was released during the 2022 presidential campaign, and St. Luke’s later clarified that the printed report followed a standard format used by facilities authorized by the Department of Health to conduct dangerous drug testing. Government records and widely reported accounts also show that Marcos tested negative for methamphetamine in a separate police laboratory test in 2021. In January 2024, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency issued a formal statement saying the president “is not and was never” on its illegal drug watch list, a clarification made after drug-related allegations surfaced in political speeches that year.
Palace officials told several Philippine media outlets there are no immediate plans to pursue legal action against Senator Marcos. Any review, they said,
would fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice. First Family responds The controversy widened as other members of the Marcos family weighed in. An Associated Press report said the president’s camp described the accusation as a recycled political attack already contradicted by publicly released drug tests. On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos issued a statement calling his aunt’s allegation “dangerously irresponsible” and reiterating that no member of the First Family uses illegal drugs. The first lady has not issued a direct statement addressing the allegation. On her verified social media account, Liza Araneta Marcos posted, “…and speaking of FAKE NEWS… ‘welcome to entertainment, Pinoy style,’” a comment widely understood as a response to a fabricated quote card circulating online that falsely attributed statements to her.
The Presidential Communications Office recently clarified that one such quote attributed to her was fake.
Political reactions and broader context
The allegation drew reactions across the political spec-
trum. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, the current chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and a longtime anti-corruption advocate, called the decision to raise such a claim at a mass religious event “un-Filipino,” saying that serious accusations of this nature should be brought through formal and accountable channels.
Palace officials, in separate interviews, suggested that the timing of the allegation may have been intended to distract from ongoing corruption and infrastructure investigations, though Senator Marcos did not link her remarks to any specific inquiry during her speech.
What public records confirm and do not confirm
Verified public documents confirm that President Marcos tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine in 2021. PDEA’s 2024 statement similarly affirms that the president has never been on the agency’s drug watch list. These records, however, speak only to the specific tests disclosed at the time.
No new toxicology tests have been released by Malacañang, and no government agency has announced that further testing has been conducted. n
First Filipina American San Francisco supervisor...
caraz was described by several outlets as the first Filipina American to serve on the Board of Supervisors. The mayor presented her as a community-rooted resident of the Sunset with experience as a small business owner and a background in arts and education.
Inspection trail casts long shadow
The controversy centered on The Animal Connection, a pet supply store Alcaraz operated until selling the business earlier this year. Public inspection reports obtained by Axios and confirmed through city health and animal welfare agencies documented multiple sanitation violations between 2023 and 2025. Inspectors cited rat feces, spilled seed and food debris, and persistent odor problems during several visits.
The store’s new owner, Julia Baran, who took over in May, told the San Francisco Chronicle that she encountered severe odor and rodent activity upon assuming control of the business. Baran provided reporters with copies of inspection notices and additional documentation detailing the store’s condition at handover.
ABC7 News also published text messages appearing to show Alcaraz discussing paying certain workers outside standard payroll procedures and describing personal outings as business expenses. Financial information reported by the Chronicle indicated the store had operated at a loss for several years and had fallen behind on rent in certain periods.
Alcaraz has publicly acknowledged the difficulties she faced running the business. In an interview with ABC7 last week, she said she regretted the conditions documented by inspectors and noted that many small businesses struggle to remain compli-
ant and financially stable in San Francisco.
A resignation shaped by rapid scrutiny Coverage of the inspection findings and text messages accelerated within days of her appointment, prompting criticism of the mayor’s vetting process.
Several civic groups argued that the controversy was overshadowing District 4’s concerns about public safety, small business recovery and coastal access.
Mayor Lurie said in a statement that he met with Alcaraz on Thursday and that they mutually agreed the unfolding attention on her former business risked distracting from the Sunset’s needs. He thanked her for her willingness to serve and said he respected her decision to step down. Lurie also stated that he regretted not doing more to support her success.
Her resignation took effect immediately.
Mixed reactions from a divided district Reactions in District 4 reflected a spectrum of disappointment and frustration. Some residents said they were discouraged that the city’s first Filipina American appointee to the Board had such
a brief tenure. Others argued that the situation demonstrated how intensely the past conduct of public officials will be examined, particularly for appointees stepping into high-visibility positions.
Jamie Hughes, lead organizer of the recall that removed Engardio from office, said the episode underscored the need for deeper review and broader community consultation in selecting the next supervisor.
Mayor begins search for a successor
Mayor Lurie must now appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term, although his office has not provided a specific timeline for the selection.
District 4 encompasses much of the Sunset neighborhood, which has faced ongoing debates over housing pressures, commercial corridor revitalization and safety concerns.
The Animal Connection continues to operate under Baran’s ownership. City health and animal welfare agencies maintain routine oversight of businesses within their jurisdiction, and there are no public indications of pending enforcement actions beyond previously documented findings.
A broader reckoning on representation and readiness
Alcaraz’s abrupt resignation has prompted conversations among Filipino American community leaders about the balance between representation and readiness for public office. Advocates note that historic firsts carry symbolic importance, yet public officials are expected to withstand rigorous scrutiny of their professional and business histories.
Alcaraz has not announced her next steps or whether she plans to remain engaged in civic work following her departure from the Board. (AJPress)
Court blocks GOP friendly Texas voting map in...
as lawmakers used race as a predominant factor when drawing the 2025 map. The court found substantial evidence that minority voters were either split apart or packed together in ways that reduced the number of multi ethnic coalition districts. These districts are places where no single minority group forms a majority, but where Black, Hispanic and Asian American voters collectively hold significant influence.
The panel ruled that the state failed to demonstrate that its use of race was justified or narrowly tailored. Because federal law prohibits racial gerrymandering, the judges ordered Texas to revert to the congressional districts used in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
Implications for control of the House
The decision has immediate national consequences. Republicans pursued a 2025 redraw after concluding that the existing map limited their ability to expand their majority in Washington. The blocked plan would have made several Democratic held seats more competitive and would have altered the political makeup of districts in fast growing suburbs around Dallas, Houston and Austin.
By keeping the current boundaries, Democrats retain a more favorable landscape in at least five districts that analysts expected to shift rightward under the disputed map. For both parties, the ruling clarifies the districts under which candidates must file before December deadlines.
How the map fight unfolded Texas lawmakers approved the
“It’s a show of how unity works – that no matter how powerful or influential the opponent of the agency is, as long as everyone works together, including the community, because this started from a complaint of an employee, it really shows how big the impact is when everyone helps each other toward one goal,” Acorda said.
Acorda said he hoped the decision would discourage illegal operators.
This should show others that the government is serious about enforcing the law,” he said, adding that agencies are updating baseline figures to determine how many offshore gaming operations remain active.
Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas said details of the ruling remained confidential due to the nature of the case, but confirmed that eight key players were convicted.
She said it was the first conviction by a court under Section 4(l) of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law for organizing trafficking activities. “The important thing is that the main players were all convicted,” she said.
The case stemmed from a joint Philippine National Police and PAOCC raid on the Philippine offshore gaming operator Zun Yuan Technology last year inside the Baofu compound, which was leased out to the firm by Guo’s company.
Torrevillas said several other accused remain at large.
Ruling hailed
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has hailed the conviction of Guo for qualified human trafficking, saying that this is proof that the justice system in the country is working.
Alice Guo and her cohorts’ conviction is a big win for the Philippines’ fight against human trafficking. It is also an indication that our justice system is working,” DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said.
For his part, National Bureau of Investigation chief Angelito
Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, technical malversation under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), falsification of public documents under Article 171 of the RPC and fraud against public treasury under Article 213 of the RPC.
Aceron said Escudero and the other respondents must also be held liable for administrative offenses of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dishonesty.
Apart from Escudero, also included as respondents in the complaint were Sorsogon provincial accountant Rena Garcia, provincial general services officer Rosalina Hainto and unnamed provincial treasurer, members of the Bids and Awards Committee and other accountable officers.
Aceron said his complaint was based on the Commission on Audit (COA)’s Annual Audit Report on Sorsogon for 2021, wherein several irregularities were supposedly noted in the provincial government’s implementation of
new plan in August after a rapid redistricting process. Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and voting rights organizations, sued immediately. They argued that the map diluted the voting strength of Black, Hispanic and Asian American residents, even though these communities account for most of Texas’s recent population growth.
The litigation centered on specific districts where minority neighborhoods were divided or consolidated in ways that increased the partisan advantage of Republicans. These concerns formed the foundation of the court’s conclusion that racial considerations drove major components of the map.
Next steps in the legal battle
Texas officials are expected to appeal to the United States Supreme Court, arguing that the map reflected permissible political choices rather than unconstitutional racial targeting. If the high court declines to act
quickly, the 2026 elections will proceed under the existing 2022 era lines.
Election administrators must now prepare ballots, precinct assignments and candidate filings based on the restored map. Legal experts note that even if the Supreme Court accepts the case, changes are unlikely before the upcoming cycle due to tight election deadlines. What the ruling means for minority voters
Civil rights groups welcomed the decision, saying it protects the ability of Black, Hispanic and Asian American communities to elect candidates of their choice.
The restored map preserves more competitive coalition districts and maintains minority voting influence in several suburban regions.
With Texas’s population continuing to diversify, advocates say the ruling reinforces the principle that political power cannot be reshaped at the expense of minority communities. (AJPress)
Magno said the conviction of Guo was a milestone in the government’s campaign against criminal syndicates and POGO-related abuses.
He said that the ruling showed that “no network is too sophisticated, no operation too well-funded, and no position too powerful to escape accountability,” stressing that public office can never shield criminal activity.
Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian – who led the Senate investigation on the crime syndicate behind the now outlawed POGO – yesterday lauded the conviction of Guo.
“Today, justice has been served. The conviction of Alice Guo aka Guo Hua Ping is a victory against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and many other transnational crimes,” Hontiveros said.
Gatchalian said Guo’s conviction “is a big win for the Filipino people, including foreign nationals who have been victimized by various criminal activities perpetrated by POGOs.”
“The rule of law has prevailed, and justice has been served. Her conviction should serve as a wake-up call against Filipinos or foreign nationals alike who seek to take advantage of the bureau-
infrastructure projects and several procurement contracts.
“This complaint exposes systematic financial irregularities and potential malversation amounting to P352,679,063.46 in public funds during the administration of Respondent former governor, as documented in the Commission on Audit Annual Audit Report for the Province of Sorsogon for Calendar Year 2021,” Aceron said in his complaint.
Among the subjects of Aceron’s complaint were 40 infrastructure projects with a total contract cost of P125.7 million, supposedly with overlapping implementation.
He said the audit records showed that the projects were awarded to the same contractors with the same personnel and equipment, thus making it physically impossible to properly implement them.
Aceron said there was also misappropriation of P15.47 million that Sorsogon received from the national government, of which P10.17 million was intended for typhoon relief but remained un-
cracy to carry out atrocities such as human trafficking and online scams,” he said.
In Congress, deputy minority leader and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima welcomed yesterday the guilty verdict against Guo. “We are happy that Alice Guo was already meted her sentence that will give justice to her victims,” she said.
De Lima also called on Congress for the urgent passage of the proposed Anti-Espionage Act. “As we know, espionage today is not limited to shadowy operatives meeting in alleys. It comes disguised as business investments, online gaming hubs, recruitment agencies, students, telecom partnerships, and even public officials,” she said.
For Manila 6th district Rep. Benny Abante, the guilty verdict handed down to Guo has “strengthened the total ban on POGOs in the country.” For too long, these illegal POGO hubs operated like shadow syndicates—trafficking workers, violating human rights, and making a mockery of our laws. Today, justice finally caught up with one of the most visible symbols of this despicable crimes,” he said. (With reports from Daphne Galvez, Jose Rodel Clapano, Marc Jayson Cayabyab)
disbursed for six years. He said the audit report also flagged P8.44 million worth of janitorial and laundry service contracts that the provincial government entered into due to submission of falsified documents. Aceron also alleged irregularities in the provincial government’s implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers program, involving P1.65 million, citing “defective signatures, missing authorizations and improper implementation by board members.” He said there were also P5.65 million worth of development projects “improperly charged to the (provincial government’s) 20 percent Development Fund, outside the approved procurement plan.” Lastly, Aceron said the COA also flagged P195.74 million worth of supposed assets recorded in the provincial government’s Property, Plant and Equipment accounts, as they supposedly included “ghost assets and demolished structures.” n
High-level departures test Marcos...
gesture of ethical propriety).
Officials have emphasized that neither Bersamin nor Pangandaman is named in the first wave of criminal complaints filed by the Ombudsman, and both have denied wrongdoing.
But Bersamin publicly disputed the Palace’s account, saying he did not submit any resignation and was instead asked to step down. He said the statement announcing his exit “did not reflect my account” and challenged anyone accusing him of irregularities to “file the case so I can answer in the proper forum.” Marcos moves quickly to reconstitute his inner circle
To stabilize his command structure, Marcos appointed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto as the new Executive Secretary, placing the veteran lawmaker at the center of Palace operations during a politically sensitive period.
Former presidential adviser Frederick Go was named Finance Secretary, moving from his role as the President’s adviser for investment and economic affairs into one of the government’s most influential economic posts.
At the Department of Budget and Management, Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was designated officer in charge, a move intended to maintain continuity in the rollout of the 2025 budget and the preparation of the 2026 National Expenditure Program.
This is the second major realignment under Marcos in 2025, following a midyear shakeup tied to the poor performance of administration-backed candidates in the midterm elections.
Budget insertion claims intensify scrutiny of flood control funds
The leadership changes unfold as the administration faces mounting questions over the integrity of the country’s flood control program. Billions of pesos in projects are under audit for irregularities, including substandard work, incomplete infrastructure and alleged “ghost” projects reported as finished despite evidence to the contrary. Former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, who once chaired the House appropriations committee, has claimed publicly that roughly P100 billion in projects were inserted into the 2025 national budget during the bicameral conference. His claims remain unproven and are rejected by the officials he has named.
Pangandaman has categorically denied relaying any such instruction, saying presidential priorities must already appear in the National Expenditure Program and that intervening at the bicameral stage would violate budget procedures.
Bersamin has also been cited in testimony and sworn statements alleging a “15 percent commitment” tied to public works contracts. He has rejected the allegation outright, saying the Office of the Executive Secretary “does not choose projects and has no participation in DPWH funding decisions.” He has reiterated his willingness to cooperate with investigators. Public pressure builds as protests swell The departures come as demonstrations grow across the
capital. Over several days, members and supporters of Iglesia ni Cristo staged a large rally at Rizal Park and the Quirino Grandstand calling for transparency in the use of public funds. Manila officials estimated at least 27,000 participants at one point, while organizers and international reports placed cumulative turnout in the hundreds of thousands.
The protests reflect rising public frustration over corruption allegations and apprehension about the pace of reforms. Analysts note that the scandal has weighed on investor confidence, contributed to market volatility and led at least one major institution to revise its 2025 economic growth projections downward. A government under scrutiny recalibrates Malacañang has framed the reshuffle as an effort to reinforce administrative stability while investigations continue. The Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit and a newly formed infrastructure commission are pursuing parallel probes into alleged ghost and substandard projects. The first criminal complaints have been filed against local officials, contractors and a former lawmaker. As of this publication, neither Bersamin nor Pangandaman is named as a respondent in those cases. Whether the latest changes satisfy public expectations for accountability will depend on the progress of Senate hearings, audit findings and prosecutorial actions as investigators determine responsibility for weaknesses uncovered in the country’s flood control program.
Beya Alcaraz Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s office
Former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who attended the hearing through video- conference, will be transferred immediately from the Pasig City Jail to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. Philstar.com file photo
OPiniOn FeAtures
In the path of every storm, and still unprepared
THE Philippines has lived with storms for as long as it has existed on the map. In this context, a storm refers broadly to severe weather systems that bring destructive winds and heavy rain. When these systems intensify over the warm Pacific and reach sustained winds of at least 119 kilometers per hour, they are classified as typhoons. Typhoons are the same powerful tropical cyclones known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and cyclones in the Indian Ocean, distinguished only by the region in which they form. Yet after two destructive typhoons that arrived just five days apart, the question persists: why does the country remain so storm-vulnerable, and what must finally change?
A geography that guarantees exposure No one can alter the coordinates of the islands. The Philippines lies squarely in the Western North Pacific, the world’s most active breeding ground for tropical cyclones. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the national weather and climate agency, reports that about 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility each year, and eight to nine make landfall. Its 36,000-kilometer coastline and 7,641 islands ensure that no region is spared for long. This is the natural burden of location. But geography alone does not explain why disasters become tragedies. Storms are inevitable. Catastrophe is not. A season that exposes deeper fault lines
Sketches
AnA MArie PAMintuAn
THE peaceful, non-political ral-
ly of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Rizal Park became politically charged on its second night as it allowed a politician to address the crowd: President Marcos’ estranged elder sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.
Ate Imee reminded everyone of an issue that was hurled against her only brother when he was running for president in 2022: that he was a cocaine-abusing weakling who did not deserve to lead the nation.
The accusation was publicly made by then President Rodrigo Duterte, as he was trying to persuade his headstrong daughter Sara to either move to succeed him or else support his preferred successor, his anak-anakan and super alalay Bong Go.
It wasn’t even a new accusation.
Since his days as the princeling of the first Marcos administration, rumors of illegal drug use have hounded Ferdinand Marcos Jr. While low-key even at the height of power of the conjugal dictatorship, Bongbong Marcos was rumored to lead a sybaritic lifestyle.
The brains and achiever in the
CAN corruption risk a country’s economic growth?
That question is at the core of discussions among some economists and political scientists amid the current national trauma over a trillion pesos disappearing at the hands of senators, congressmen, DPWH district engineers and private contractors. Corruption, some economists say, is not a deterrent to economic growth. They cited South Korea, China and Vietnam as proof.
Yuen Yuen Ang, a professor of political economy at the Johns Hopkins University, in a recently published book by the Cambridge University Press, wrote that “while corruption is never good, not all forms of corruption are equally bad for the economy, nor do they cause the same kind of harm.”
The rise of capitalism,” she pointed out, “is accompanied not by the eradication of corruption, but rather by the evolution of the quality of corruption from thuggery and
Editorial
This November, the Philippines was battered by two destructive typhoons that arrived just five days apart. Typhoon Tino cut across the Visayas, leaving at least 269 people dead, according to the Office of Civil Defense, with hundreds more injured and more than a hundred missing. Entire rural communities in Southern Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Palawan were submerged or swept away. Before recovery could begin, Super Typhoon Uwan struck Dinalungan, Aurora, on November 9 with sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 230. Updated government assessments report at least 27 deaths linked to Uwan as of mid-November, though officials caution that the number may rise once isolated municipalities become fully accessible.
Marcos vs Marcos
family, with a sense of humor almost as formidable as that of Digong Duterte, has long been seen to be the eldest: Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios Romualdez Marcos, a.k.a. Ate Imee.
Probably because it’s dictator Ferdinand Marcos who needed redemption in global image, it was his only son and namesake rather than Imelda Junior who took on the role of savior of the family name (and colossal fortune), by running for president in 2022.
Inday Sara and her bestie Imee ignored Tatay Digong’s rants and worked to get the UniTeam led by BBM elected – with spectacular results.
Why keep quiet about the drug abuse issue in 2022, only to dredge it up now? And if the concern about drug abuse is genuine rather than opportunistic, why skip mention of the drug trafficking allegations against Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte?
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The beef about drug abuse is problematic in itself. I’ve always considered substance abuse a public health, social and personal problem. In impoverished neighborhoods, children still sniff rugby to forget their hunger. It’s a complex issue that can’t be lumped together with the motivations that drive drug trafficking, and the cor-
ruption and violence that the illegal drug trade engenders.
Drug abuse can be overcome, and those who want to kick the habit deserve full support in their effort. Many of them are youths and they deserve a second chance.
I entered my teenage years in the drug trafficking hot spots of Manila – Quiricada and its surrounding streets in Sta. Cruz where college students rolled joints around mounds of marijuana from the Cordilleras, piled high on shanty floors.
In the mom-and-pop pharmacies around the San Lazaro Hospital, you could buy strictly regulated drugs such as depressants and powerful tranquilizers along with cough syrups with high-inducing stimulant components that would later be removed by Big Pharma.
Genuine “yellow prescriptions” were stolen by teenage kids from their doctor parents, or by interns from hospitals, and used to buy the drugs. The small pharmacies largely looked the other way and filled the bogus prescriptions.
Those were the same pharmacies, along with hole-in-the-wall clinics, where drug abusers sold blood to finance their habit.
The young pushers and abusers I met were non-violent folks. Many of them liked rock music u PAGE 7
Corruption and economic growth
theft to influence peddling.” I take it that she is saying a corrupt developing country can still grow significantly and even reach developed-economy status, but corruption makes that path harder and riskier, and the costs are substantial.
Prof. Ang distinguishes four types of corruption: petty theft, grand theft, speed money and access money. Petty theft is when bureaucrats steal, extort, or misuse small amounts of public funds. The bureaucrat is simply pocketing money or valuables for personal enrichment, without providing any service in return. Like grand theft, it is directly growth-damaging by draining public and private wealth. Grand theft is the embezzlement or misappropriation of large sums of public money by political elites who have control over state finances. It is perpetrated by high-ranking officials and political leaders, as opposed to street-level bureaucrats.
Grand theft also involves the manipulation of government pol-
Uwan affected more than 4.4 million people across Luzon, and prolonged outages left 3 million to 3.4 million households without electricity.
Nearly 300 domestic and international flights were cancelled as winds and low visibility grounded airports, and dozens of seaports were shut for days.
In the Visayas, the sugar industry alone has reported approximately P1.2 billion in losses after Typhoon Tino inundated plantations in Negros and
Con-
stantino posted a video commentary that resonated with me – and, I suspect, with most Filipinos. She reflected on government’s anti-corruption drive and posed this question: Is all this for show? Her guest, Father Wilmer Tria, asserted that government’s actions appear driven less by accountability and more by political survival – a way for the President and his allies to survive until 2028 without being implicated.
This suspicion grows stronger everyday.
Last week, the president boasted about nine contractors blacklisted, seven bank accounts frozen and 37 officials charged. These may seem bold, but in the context of this multibillion-peso scandal, they are little more than symbolic gestures.
Everyone agrees that the results of government’s 100-day investigation has been frustratingly underwhelming. Marcos defends the slow pace as prudence. He said, It’s better to be careful and take a little longer than to rush and make mistakes… We’re afraid those
linked to this shamelessness will get away with it because of a legal technicality.”
While Malacañang takes its sweet time “building the case,” many of those implicated have had their plundered wealth safely hidden overseas. Witnesses have been intimidated, neutralized or paid into silence. Zaldy Co’s passport remains valid. Many of those implicated have fled the country, leaving government flatfooted. Worse, structural reforms to prevent institutional corruption from recurring is hardly in the conversation. There is a difference between being careful and being deliberately slow. This administration appears to be releasing piecemeal developments to create an illusion of action. What we are seeing feels like delay by design – enough movement to claim action, but not to uncover the truth.
I’m beginning to think Constantino and Tria are right. This is all for show and all about political survival.
Zaldy Co’s bombshell This is why Zaldy Co’s claims cannot be dismissed. He alleges that the president and Speaker Martin Romualdez personally benefited from P100 billion in budget insertions for 2025 – funds he claims were delivered directly to
their homes. While Co has yet to present evidence, he maintains that he will produce receipts in due time.
Even more damning is Co’s claim that both Marcos and Romualdez advised him not to return to the Philippines – a move that, if true, suggests fear of exposure.
Malacañang’s defense is that the president never needed to make insertions. If inserting P100 billion in the budget was the aim, he could have incorporated it in the National Expenditure Program from the beginning. So it’s Co’s word against the administration’s. Let us see what the evidence reveals.
These accusations cannot simply be brushed aside. Fact remains that then speaker Romualdez oversaw the 2023, 2024 and 2025 budgets and President Marcos approved them despite being pregnant with pork and unappropriated appropriations. If there is nothing to hide, why has accountability been so slow and resistance to transparency so strong?
And when you add this to the documented history of institutional plunder associated with the Marcos-Romualdez clans, it is only reasonable for the public to demand clarity. Power regained does not erase the facts of history u PAGE 7
icies or contracts. This form of corruption is directly growth-damaging because it drains the public treasury for no productive return.
Grand theft is a clearly illegal and outright abusive form of corruption. This describes what Marcos Sr. and his cronies did and now the trillion-peso flood projects scandal.
“Speed money” is the small, petty bribes paid to low-level bureaucrats to get around red tape and expedite a process. The intent is not to obtain exclusive privileges, but to speed up an otherwise slow or inefficient process.
“Access money,” involves highstakes bribes to powerful officials for exclusive privileges and can have growth-enhancing, though risky, effects.
This “access money” corruption, Ang argues, has acted like “steroids for growth.” It funnels huge investments into major state-led or public-private projects (infrastructure, real estate, etc.), helping drive rapid expansion.
Yet this does not mean that u PAGE 8
OUR country is going through one of those bad, explosive times when accusations take the place of proof, and anger overtakes investigation. The recent videos and public comments, including Zaldy Co.’s shocking accusations, the Palace’s vehement denials, and the rush by commentators to either crown or crucify, have created a political soundtrack of rumors, accusations, and counter-accusations. People on both sides may enjoy that show for its excitement, but it does nothing for the country. We need to be honest: big claims need big proof. Names yelled on social media, papers waved in videos shared from abroad, and pictures of bags are not enough to show the people what they are due. Lists of tasks, rough budgets, and images with timestamps are all examples of facts that need to be checked out before they can be believed. It is against the law to believe the worst accusations against a public figure without more proof
and due process. It is like trading the rule of law for rumors. That’s not okay with us. The other extreme, automatic removal, is just as dangerous. Malacañang’s description of the accusations as a “comedy series” and ‘critics’ demand that everything must be true because it fits a story, are both examples of failures. One side takes accusations as proven facts, while the other just sees them as play. Both make democracy life look bad. There is a middle ground between these two extremes: demand full, clear, and detailed proof and be patient while it is created. The time we live in lets people change pictures and sounds in scary ways. No longer just the stuff of science fiction, deepfakes, edited clips, and fake papers are used to change people’s minds, increase complaints, and stir up conflict. Because of the way technology works, we have to expect scientifically sound confirmation
whenever shocking digital “evidence” shows up. For the sake of public trust, every important piece of potentially damning evidence must go through independent forensic analysis and chain-of-custody checks. This goes for videos, photos, and documents as well. Anything less is being careless. We also need to recognize the political theater going on here. Time is important. It is not safe to assume that accusations that fit in with protests, power plays, or election-season math are not made for a strategic reason. But assuming someone is trying to trick you is not the same thing as showing proof of it. Lack of evidence leads to distrust and weakens institutions; on the other hand, blind trust makes deception possible. Being skeptical with clear eyes and always wanting proof is the smarter thing to do. What should people, reporters, and leaders do now? A short and u PAGE 7
JAke J. MAderAzo
Sharp Edges
Panay. Fisheries and farm systems across both typhoons’ paths continue to tally mounting damage. Together, Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan have affected more than eight million people across 13 regions, with the combined death toll nearing 300. The scale of the crisis once again exposes how compounding disasters overwhelm local capacity long before recovery can take hold. u PAGE
The Corner oracle
Andrew J. Masigan
NEWS anchor Karmina
and sins of plunder.
Loss of confidence
Institutional rot
Government has become so inept under the weight of corruption and the country’s development indices prove it. Confidence in national leadership is collapsing –and for good reason.
The President has shown weakness in most aspects of leadership, except perhaps in foreign policy.
His weakness is particularly evident in the management of the economy, national competitiveness and in handling this corruption crisis.
The same for the Vice President. Her unimpressive body of work, corruption accusations, pro-China stance and unbecoming conduct prove her unfit to lead.
Congress and the Senate have long ceased to function as a mechanism for checks and balance.
Decisions are driven not by principle or moral correctness, but by party loyalty and pork. Too many are tainted by corruption, dynastic interests and criminal activities.
Lawmakers parade as patriots but act as profiteers. They have become a national liability.
The Supreme Court, Office of the Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan have often shown greater
loyalty to those who appointed them than to the people they pledged to serve. The absence of honor. Not a single public servant of this generation has had the courage to own up to their wrongdoings. Denial and deflection have become the national default. The rot reeks. Where do we go from here?
The path to restore public trust must remain firmly within constitutional bounds. Any solution must be rooted in law and the people’s will – not by force or coercion. The following could be a viable scenario: Voluntary resignation of the President, Vice President and members of the Senate and Congress. This would be a profound gesture of accountability and humility while respecting constitutional processes.
Formation of a constitutionally-sanctioned caretaker government. The Constitution provides a line of succession. A senior, respected member of the Supreme Court could oversee a caretaker government tasked only with maintaining basic governance and prepare the nation for elections –nothing more.
Snap elections for vacant positions. Elect new leaders with renewed legitimacy. This would give
citizens the opportunity to reset the political landscape and choose candidates untainted by scandal. Creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the flood control and other major corruption cases and bring charges to those liable. Too, recommend long-term reforms to dismantle systemic corruption. Immediate protective measures for accountability. Issuance of hold-departure orders for individuals under credible suspicion; freezing of personal and corporate assets under investigation.
We deserve leaders who honor their oath – not exploit it; who protect our interest – not plunder it. Institutions that uphold the truth – not bury it.
Ordinary Filipinos have carried the burden of the nation long enough while public officials satiate their greed. If we don’t change now, this institutional rot will fester. (Philstar.com)
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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.
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Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan
Marcos vs Marcos
that was banned during martial law. No one packed a gun; many of them instead toted guitars.
Several of them died before they were 30, some from suspected suicide, including guys I would not hesitate to describe as gentle, fragile souls.
Duterte’s take-no-prisoners approach may work on the largescale drug traffickers who can buy their way out of any criminal indictments, but confronting the demand side of the drug scourge calls for a different tack.
* * * I learned to spot people high on drugs, or who were addicted. The habit takes a visible toll on the body.
So far, I haven’t seen either BBM or his wife in a public engagement with bloodshot eyes or looking, talking or behaving like they’re high on drugs.
The first lady in fact strikes many as her husband’s highly efficient secret weapon – someone who has brought out the best in Bongbong Marcos. Their marriage and family seem rock solid.
I’ve written that those who have been blessed with high public of-
fice in our country should follow the example of Barack Obama, who came clean on his cocaine and marijuana use to send the message to America’s youth that if he hadn’t kicked the habit, he would not have become U.S. president.
BBM won the presidency by the biggest margin ever despite the accusation that he’s a cokehead.
The story was brushed aside at the time. Today the hiss in administration circles is that in dredging it up, Senator Imee wants VP Sara to replace BBM. Ate Imee can then become the VP, in a prelude to a 2028 team-up.
BBM must be thinking: with a sister like this, who needs enemies?
Recently, Rep. Sandro Marcos, who was also accused by his Tita Imee of being a dopehead, responded with a not-so-subtle reference to long-running rumors that she is Imeldific’s daughter by another man.
As for the peanut gallery, there are folks who are wishing the warring camps mutual annihilation. * * *
PS: Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco
texted to inform me that in 2023, he didn’t go directly to then House speaker Martin Romualdez to request a P200-million funding insertion for a project in Tiangco’s home city of Navotas because it’s not in his nature to seek favors or “special accommodation.”
Reacting to my previous column, Tiangco clarified that at the time, he was still “OK” with Romualdez, his relative by marriage, but he didn’t want to be indebted to anyone because it usually entailed a quid pro quo. “Even kay PBBM, I have not asked for anything special from him. I value my independence,” Tiangco told me, referring to President Bongbong Marcos. “My first 9 years in Congress, I don’t recall entering the Speaker’s office, during the time of (Feliciano) Belmonte, (Pantaleon) Alvarez, GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo). Alam ko na ang special favor ay may kapalit yun kaya ayaw ko humingi.” (Philstar.com)
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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.
In the path of every storm...
The science we already know Climate science offers no comfort. The western Pacific is warming more quickly than many of the world’s oceans, and sea levels around the Philippines are rising nearly four times faster than the global average, particularly along the country’s eastern seaboard.
The University of the Philippines has recorded land subsidence of up to 10.9 centimeters a year in parts of Bulacan, Metro Manila, and several coastal cities nationwide. At the same time, the country has lost about half of its mangrove forests, erasing natural storm buffers that once absorbed the force of waves and tides.
Scientists have long warned that stronger, wetter storms will arrive more frequently as ocean temperatures climb. The back-to-back arrival of two major typhoons strengthens that warning. Climate volatility is no longer the exception. It is the expectation.
The failure of memory
The Philippines has faced far stronger and deadlier typhoons, including Yolanda in 2013 and Pablo in 2012, but the pattern remains unchanged: the severity of impact is shaped as much by governance and planning as by wind speed. After every storm, the
country promises to build back better. But rebuilding is not reform. What remains missing is follow-through, continuity, and a national vision that links recovery to long-term risk reduction.
Forecasting and evacuation protocols have improved. PAGASA has modernized. Yet the Philippines remains one of the world’s most disaster-exposed nations because land-use planning remains poorly enforced. Unsafe settlements continue to rise in floodplains and coastal strips. Groundwater extraction remains inadequately regulated, contributing to land subsidence in many urban and coastal areas even as sea levels continue to rise. Every storm confirms that danger increases when governance fails to keep pace with the risks.
A moral duty of governance
With around 74 percent of Filipinos considered vulnerable to multiple natural hazards, resilience is no longer just a technical matter. It is a moral obligation. Leaders must stop treating calamities as seasonal spectacles and start treating them as governance audits. The test of leadership is not found in post-disaster visits. It begins long before a storm forms. It begins in zoning laws, environmental safeguards, and public investment choices.
The meaning of resilience True resilience is not endurance through suffering. It is the ability to transform the conditions that make suffering inevitable. That means restoring mangroves and wetlands so they can serve as natural storm barriers. It means directing housing programs to higher ground. It means building public works that can withstand the cascading effects of extreme weather, not simply the storms of the past. Climate adaptation is not a luxury. It is the cost of survival.
Where resilience must lead Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan struck different regions but exposed the same national fragilities. They forced families to flee twice in one week. They overwhelmed shelters. They collapsed roads. They reminded the nation that disasters are no longer sequential. They are simultaneous. The sea will not recede. The storms will not weaken on command. But the country can decide whether the next typhoon season unfolds as an annual tragedy or as evidence that lessons have finally been learned. The devastation left by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan is a reminder of what is at stake and why prevention, not just response, must define the nation’s future. (AJPress)
Hysteria harms the country...
clear list:
• Ask for written proof. When someone is accusing someone of something, they should bring papers and witnesses and question them under oath in a court, a special house committee, or the Senate. Making accusations in public without being held responsible is not a moral act.
• Demand a thorough review by a third party. Digital and paper data must be looked at by experts who are not biased and whose methods and results are clear and can be repeated.
• Make sure proper process is followed. The investigation must go forward without political pressure or threats against witnesses, and it must follow all the rules of the law. The idea that people are innocent until proven guilty is not a gift to strong people; it is a way to make sure that everyone in a democracy is treated fairly.
• Do not use mob justice online. Demands for instant removal, street action based on unverified clips, or financial punishment of people based on rumors are all things that can risk security and hurt people’s reputations and ways of making a living in a way that can’t be fixed.
• Keep organizations alive. Investigations should be based on the Ombudsman, the courts, or an independent committee, which can produce reliable, public results. If those organizations are weak, make them stronger. Don’t put gossip mills in their place. Don’t think that any of this makes you feel better. People need to know about the accusations if they are real, and those responsible need to be held responsible. If they are not true, we should show that they are lies and punish people who use lies as weapons. But truth isn’t served by shows that make headlines or by automatical-
ly taking content that goes popular as gospel. Unreasonable belief and automatic rejection are two things that hurt justice. In the end, leaders on every side have a special job to do. People who make claims should go home, swear under oath, and show their proof in the right places. If someone says they didn’t do it, they should fully work with independent investigations, make relevant records public, and stop turning serious public issues into political theater. To journalists: check before spreading, and don’t give in to the urge to put clicks over trustworthiness. To the people: expect method, not passion that looks like theory.
It’s not just political identities that are at stake. They are what makes our democratic systems work, what keeps our public debate healthy, and what holds citizens and the government togethu PAGE 8
DAteline PhiliPPines
House elects Ferdinand Hernandez as senior deputy
by AJPress
MANILA – The House of Rep-
resentatives has elected South Cotabato Second District Rep. Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez as its new senior deputy speaker, completing a leadership adjustment under Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.
Hernandez’s election was approved during the House plenary session on Wednesday, November 19. House Deputy Majority Leader and Sorsogon Rep. Wowo Fortes moved for his election, which the chamber accepted without objection. The House Public Information Office confirmed the action.
Before his elevation, Hernandez served as one of the deputy speakers in the Twentieth Congress. He represents South Cotabato’s Second District and is a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the political party chaired nationally by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Quezon Second District Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez, a senior
ICI
member of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, was then elected deputy speaker to fill the position vacated by Hernandez. Suarez previously held the senior deputy speaker post from July until November.
Role of the senior deputy speaker The senior deputy speaker is the highest ranking among deputy speakers. The position is next in protocol to the Speaker and is responsible for presiding over sessions in the Speaker’s absence, helping manage plenary debates and ensuring the continuity of legislative business. Under House rules, deputy speakers are elected by a majority of members present, provided there is a quorum. The senior deputy speaker coordinates with other deputy speakers, represents the House in official functions and assists in shepherding priority measures through the plenary.
Hernandez’s legislative background
Hernandez previously served
reviews Bernardo’s
by KAthleen de VillA
mARy Joy sAlcedo Inquirer.net
MANILA — The plan of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to recommend this week a new set of charges against three more senators has been delayed.
ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. told reporters Wednesday that the probe body will still have to “reevaluate” the affidavits submitted by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, one of the officials so far found to have criminal and administrative liability over several anomalous flood control projects, before it comes up with recommendations to the Office of the Ombudsman against the unnamed legislators.
“We are evaluating everything because of the affidavit of (Bernardo). So we’re studying that. So we’ll have a delay of maybe 10 days… Hopefully, we’ll finish it,” he said in a media briefing.
The review will cover the first and second affidavits that the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official presented before the commission when he appeared as a resource person in September.
The ICI chair last week said that the three senators are aside from incumbent Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, who were among the respondents in the ICI referral to the Ombudsman last Oct. 29.
Bernardo had skipped multiple scheduled appearances before the ICI in the last two months, citing medical reasons.
He was supposed to attend the hearings again this week, but did not appear on the grounds that he has applied to be admitted into the Witness Protection Program under Republic Act No. 6981.
A confidentiality clause in the law restrains Bernardo from disclosing further information related to his application as a state witness, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka had explained.
by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
speaker
in Congress from 2013 to 2022 before returning in 2025. His background includes positions with the Office of the President, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. He took his oath before Speaker Dy following his election.
Suarez remains in leadership Suarez, a former Quezon governor and vice governor, remains part of the Dy leadership team despite moving to a lower presiding officer rank. His appointment as deputy speaker maintains representation for Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats within the House majority coalition.
The leadership adjustments reflect efforts to align party blocs within the House while retaining experienced presiding officers. Both Hernandez and Suarez continue to play visible roles in the management of House proceedings and in representing their respective constituencies as the Twentieth Congress advances its legislative agenda. n
claim tagging 3 more senators
During the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon panel’s inquiry into the flood-control projects scandal on Friday, Bernardo repeated his previous testimonies implicating former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Nancy Binay, as well as incumbent Senators Francis Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada, as among the legislators alleged to have received “commitments” or kickbacks from DPWH projects. Moving forward, expect more names to come out and more filings to follow. We will continue to work hard for the Filipino people,” Reyes vowed.
Lookout bulletin Also on Wednesday, the ICI asked the Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Bureau of Immigration (BI), to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) against 17 individuals, including officers of Sunwest Inc., the construction firm founded by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, in light of the criminal cases filed against them in the Sandiganbayan on Monday.
In a request letter addressed to DOJ officer in charge secretary acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Reyes said the Ilbo request was in relation to the criminal cases filed on Tuesday by the Ombudsman at the Sandiganbayan against Co, several officials of the DPWH, and key officers of Co’s construction company Sunwest Inc. An Ilbo enables the BI to monitor an individual’s travel and is different from a hold departure order, which the court issues to bar a person from leaving the country.
The Ilbos were requested for Sunwest president and chair Aderma Alcazar; treasurer Cesar Buenaventura, and board members Consuelo Aldon, Anthony Ngo, and Noel Cao.
The others were DPWH officers and personnel from the DPWH Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) office, including its regional di-
rector Gerald Pacanan; assistant regional directors Gene Ryan Altea and Ruben Santos Jr., bids and awards committee (BAC) chair Dominic Serrano; BAC vice chair Friedrich Camero, project engineer III Felisardo Casuno; materials engineer Timojen Sacar; accountant IV Lerma Cayco, and BAC member Grace Lopez.
Also asked to be covered by an Ilbo were the officers in charge or heads of various DPWH divisions: Montrexis Tamayo (planning and design); Juliet Calvo (maintenance), and Dennis Abagon (quality assurance and hydrology).
“Given the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing proceedings, their participation remains essential and there is a reasonable possibility that they may attempt to leave the country while the cases are pending,” the ICI said in the request letter signed by Reyes.
It added that the prompt issuance of an Ilbo is necessary to avert any attempts to obstruct the proceedings and ensure continuity of the probe.
Meanwhile, among the next resource persons the ICI is looking to call in is Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Rolando Toledo, who was recently named officer in charge after Amenah Pangandaman stepped down, Reyes noted.
Co, in a series of videos on social media, implicated former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangdandaman as one of the Cabinet officials who supposedly relayed and confirmed the instruction of Marcos to insert pet projects amounting to P100 billion during the deliberations for the 2025 budget when he was chair of the House appropriations committee.
We’d like to talk to the new one (DBM OIC),” Reyes said, adding that the ICI would like to get Toledo’s insights about the “budget process.” n
Palace on speaker change: Up to House
by Alexis RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — It is up to the mem-
bers of the House of Representatives to decide on their leadership, Malacañang said on Thursday, November 20, as rumors swirled that Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III may be replaced as Speaker.
The change in the leadership of Congress is not in the President’s hands,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
Whatever they want to do at the House of Representatives is up to them,” she added.
Online media entity Politiko said Dy, who was elected Speaker last September, is “reportedly on shaky ground” as he had “not inspired confidence” and had “not built real relationships.”
According to the news website, there are talks that Malacañang “is eyeing yet another leadership shake-up” in the House as the Marcos administration grapples with the flood control mess.
However, Caloocan Rep. Egay Erice said the lower chamber cannot afford another shake-up just two months after a new speaker was elected.
“I don’t think that we can afford the leadership change right now,” Erice told One News’ “Storycon”, noting that the demotion of Suarez to deputy speaker shows that Dy’s power is growing.
Meanwhile, the Northern Luzon Alliance declared “unequivocal support” for Dy as it high-
PAGE 6
lighted the Speaker’s leadership, character and steady hand in guiding the House of Representatives.
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos III of Ilocos Norte led the signing of the manifesto, together with Deputy Speakers Kristine Singson-Meehan of Ilocos Sur and Francisco Paolo Ortega V of La Union. In a two-page declaration, the alliance—composed of lawmakers from Regions I and II and the Cordillera Administrative Region—said its support is grounded on conviction, unity and trust.
The House of Representatives in the meantime has elected South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez as its new senior deputy speaker during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Hernandez succeeded Quezon Rep. David Suarez, who in turn was elected as House deputy speaker.
Hernandez’s election as senior deputy speaker was approved upon the motion of House deputy majority leader and Sorsogon Rep. Wowo Fortes.
Prior to his election, Hernandez was already one of the House deputy speakers in the 20th Congress.
Hernandez is the principal author of 20 House bills aimed at providing or improving government support to various marginalized sectors, such as seniors, persons with disabilities, persons with mental health issues, health workers, teachers and non-teach-
ing personnel, among others. He is also listed as co-author of HB 404, 819 and 3839. He sits as vice chairman of the House committees on appropriations, higher and technical education, transportation and ways and means.
Hernandez is also a member of the committees on accounts, banks and financial intermediaries, energy, games and amusements, good government and public accountability, national defense and security, and overseas workers affairs.
The Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats, for its part, closed ranks behind party chairman former senator Ramon Revilla Jr., issuing a strong call for due process and cautioning against hasty conclusions as public debate intensifies over ongoing inquiries into infrastructure-related matters.
In a joint statement signed by senior party officials from across the country, Lakas-CMD underscored its “full support” for Revilla and reminded the public that democratic safeguards are meant to protect every individual — public servant or private citizen — from prejudgment.
“As a party that has always upheld democratic values, we reaffirm a principle fundamental to any just society: every individual is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence,” the joint statement read. (With reports from Jose Rodel Clapano, EJ Macababbad)
Corruption and economic...
“access money” is “good” for the economy – on the contrary, it distorts the allocation of resources, breeds systemic risks and exacerbates inequality, the professor warns.
Corruption is conventionally defined as the abuse of public office for private gain. But Prof. Ang pointed out that in China, local bureaucrats know that it doesn’t pay to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Ang explains that in China, local governments compete for investments and it makes no sense to try to extort from a potential investor.
I saw this first hand as top provincial officials from different regions rolled out the red carpet for Carlos Chan who was looking for sites for Oishi factories all over China. They were on their best behavior.
It is so unlike here where LGUs and even barangay captains will extort as much as they can from an entrepreneur (kasi mayaman naman sila) to the point of extinguishing any enthusiasm of a potential investor.
Some of my economist friends say that perhaps, it is not so much that corruption deters serious economic growth but that we lack the right industrial policies and economic goals and the structures to
carry these out. And we lack focus.
One economist in my Viber Group explains:
Park in Korea understood immediately that the shortest way out of poverty and low income in the 1960s (they were below the Philippines) was industrialization and exports. Very clear, targeted and focused.
“Korea in the 1960s-70s did not have a much better government than the Philippines, and it was very corrupt. But the focus on manufacturing and exports put the economy on steroids (corruption included).
“Korea reached high income in less than 30 years. In our case, please read the current Philippine Development Plan. A Christmas tree with over 350 targets. Absurd.
“Today, we cannot do what Korea did but we can do much better with a bit of focus on industrializing the countryside, focusing on a few manufacturing activities… And we need to understand that many things the government is doing are useless or not a priority.”
Prof. Ang rejects simplistic conclusions about corruption being either “good” or “bad” for growth. All corruption is harmful, she says, but the harms of different forms of corruption manifest themselves in different ways.
Some may say some corruption in an authoritarian regime may re-
sult in high economic growth, but we have tried that route with the martial law regime of Marcos the First and miserably failed. Corruption and crony incompetence were major causes of that failure. Same problem with Duterte’s Chinoy crony from Davao whose companies are now bleeding after Duterte left office. Crony firms are mostly managed badly. They are just out to milk government support. When things go bad, the government has to bail out many of them. To answer our original question: Corruption and development can probably co-exist but not in our country with the kind of politicians and greedy rent-seeking economic elite that we have. We must work smarter, harder and with a sense of national purpose. Grand corruption in our context is equivalent to treason because it threatens the country’s survival, as it does now. It should be punishable by death. (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.
* * * Boo Chanco’s email address is bchanco@ gmail.com. Follow him on X @boochanco
Hysteria harms the country...
MANILA — Fifty-seven more skeletal remains have been recovered from Taal Lake in November, said the Department of Justice on Thursday, November 20, as the search for the remains of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados) continued. According to DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez, in a press conference, that 57 skeletal remains were recovered in three separate operations in the lake. This is following the resumption of the investigation and dive operations, which were suspended because of recent typhoons and volcanic conditions in the area,” said Martinez. On Nov. 6, 25 pieces of human skeletal remains were collected, six pieces were recovered on November 17 and 26 more pieces were collected on November 18. Martinez also noted that the bones discovered on Nov. 17 included several items, namely, black pants with a black belt,
white underwear, and a single “cut wheat flour cloth.”
It was whistleblower Julie Patidongan who first revealed that all the missing sabungeros had been killed and buried beneath Taal Lake in Batangas
The government then began its search for the remains on July 10. Patidongan then later claimed that businessman Atong Ang, Claudine Barretto, an ex-judge, a former local government official, and several police officers were also involved in the case. n
PAGE 7
er. At this hot moment, being calm is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of pride. Not being interested is not calm; it’s bravery. Make sure there is proof. Keep the process safe. Let truth, not showmanship or rumor, decide what we do and how we act.
Joy Belmonte’s people-first politics shows how LGUs should serve Quezon City’s recent string of national and foreign awards isn’t just a result of good press. Mayor Joy Belmonte’s budget choices are putting people first, systems that stop cheating, and that services reach everyone quickly and fairly. Today, her words turned into policies and policies into results. The outcomes can be seen in happy citizens, better finances, and repeated praise at home and abroad. Where a government spends its money is the best way to see what it stands for. Quezon City’s budget has more than doubled under Mayor Belmonte, rising from about P21 billion in 2019 to a planned P43.3 billion for 2026. More than half of that amount is set aside for social services, which is very important. That 54% allocation for housing, health care, and education is not symbolic. Since 2019, over 50,000 Lungsod Iskolar scholarships have been given out, and the goal is to reach 80,000. It also pays for free tertiary education at QC University for about 12,000 students, a P5-billion investment in healthcare that supports programs like Yakap, and almost P5 billion set aside for housing for thousands of families. These aren’t just short-term deals. These are investments in people that make communities less vulnerable, give people more chances, and create the social security that is necessary for longterm growth. When a city supports health clinics, mental health ho-
tlines (Helpline 122), programs for people with disabilities, and funeral help with real money, it shows that government is measured by how many lives are changed, not by how many photos are taken.
Good money management is needed for the city to be able to pay for big social projects. Quezon City has had the most Locally Sourced Revenues (LSR) of any city in the Philippines for five years in a row, from 2020 to 2024. In 2024 alone, it made P28.8 billion in LSR. From January to October 2025, new ways of collecting taxes, such as digital platforms like iDeclare Easy, online payments, faster assessments, and focused amnesty programs, brought in P20.8 billion. These changes show a simple truth: openness and efficiency bring in more money for the government, and a bigger, cleaner source of income is the best way to make sure that social spending will continue. Without trustworthy methods, recognition doesn’t mean much. The Commission on Audit has given Quezon City a “unqualified opinion” for five years in a row, which is the best audit grade possible. The city has also set up independent checks and balances like the Internal Audit Service to do compliance and operations audits. The city has committed to the Open Government Partnership, has open budgeting processes (with nearly P6 billion of the 2026 budget being looked at by each sector), and has digitalized buying and permitting. These measures cut down on discretionary handling and corruption. These changes to institutions are what make prizes like the Open Gov Challenge Regional and Thematic prizes more than just trophies. They show that open government, public involvement, and civic space are not just ideas; they are required.
The awards keep coming because the same things keep happening: Mayor Belmonte won the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for the third year in a row; the Department of Finance–BLGF inducted him into the Hall of Fame for generating the most money in the area; the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry named him the Most Business-Friendly LGU; the city received global recognition for its nutrition and open government (Milan Pact and OGP awards); and it received numerous national recognitions for its work in family planning, tourism, and public service.
Listen to communities, tie resources to measurable results, digitize processes to make services available, and hold systems (not just people) responsible are some of the things that make Belmonte’s time in office stand out. A complete approach to inclusion can be seen in the city’s programs for MSMEs, unions, and job creation, as well as in projects like Tindahan ni Ate Joy and Lipad-Pinay. Mayor Belmonte shows that honest and skilled local government can work. It shows that when processes and results win the trust of the public, awards follow. But what’s more important is that people’s lives get better. Now it’s up to everyone in the archipelago to keep these changes going, increase public oversight, and spread these ways of doing things. For all that she did, Belmonte deserves to be recognized. Even better, it should lead to more copies of QC Mayor Joy Belmonte in LGUs nationwide. That’s what good government should really leave behind. (Inquirer.net)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the
ASIAN
by AJPress
ACTRESS Ellen Adarna has
publicly accused her husband, actor Derek Ramsay, of cheating on her. She released screenshots, dated message exchanges and a recorded argument that she described as her receipts. Ramsay has denied the allegation and said he never cheated. The couple’s separation and living arrangements have since become a subject of wide public discussion.
Adarna also received attention for praising her former partner John Lloyd Cruz, the father of her son Elias. She described him in a media interview as honest, responsible and consistently present for their child.
Screenshots and early signs of marital strain
On November 17, Adarna posted a series of Instagram Stories that included screenshots of what she said were messages between Ramsay and another woman. She told followers that the content of the messages confirmed concerns she had carried for a long time. She said she chose not to confront Ramsay directly and instead released the screenshots publicly because she believed the timestamps and the content were clear.
Adarna said she experienced what she described as gaslighting. According to her, she was made to feel unreasonable or jealous for questioning Ramsay’s communication with another woman. She clarified that the woman she referred to is not any of Ramsay’s previous public partners.
She also said that she and Ramsay have not lived together for some time. She stated that she sought assistance from local authorities in previous weeks and that Ramsay had already moved out of their home.
Argument video posted by Adarna
As reactions intensified, Adar-
na released a video of an argument that she said took place while she was six months pregnant with their daughter. In the video, a man identified by her as Ramsay can be heard calling her “duwag,” (coward) along with comments that she described as saying she was all talk. She said she shared the recording to show what she considered the emotional difficulty of the relationship.
Adarna also said in her posts that Ramsay had once suggest-
ed he may have been affected by what he believed to be “kulam,” or a curse, something she said he associated with a former partner. She stressed that she is not accusing anyone of physical violence and stated that no one is battered. Ramsay denies cheating Ramsay issued short public comments denying the allegation. He stated that he did not cheat and that this is the truth. In another message that circulated online, he was quoted saying that he and Adarna had been separated for several months and that she learned certain information only weeks earlier. Adarna reposted those statements along with her own captions that emphasized the dates and timestamps of her screenshots.
As of this writing, Ramsay has not released a detailed statement addressing the screenshots, the argument video or Adarna’s additional claims. No legal action relating to the cheating allegation has been publicly announced by either party.
Ramsay and Adarna married in November 2021. They share a daughter, Liana, who was born in 2024. Adarna’s son Elias is from her previous relationship with actor John Lloyd Cruz.
Adarna praises John Lloyd Cruz as a present father In a media interview, Adarna
said she has nothing but good things to say about Cruz. She described him as an honest and responsible father and said he is consistently present in Elias’s life. She recalled that Cruz made efforts to attend important milestones for their son and remained engaged even during periods that required logistical challenges.
Adarna and Cruz have been co-parenting Elias since their separation and maintain a cooperative arrangement for his upbringing.
A public conflict with an uncertain path forward
Adarna’s decision to release screenshots, timestamps and a personal video to the public sparked wide reactions online that ranged from expressions of support to calls for both parties to handle the matter privately. Many comments focused on the welfare of their children and encouraged a resolution away from social media.
For now, the situation remains unresolved. Adarna maintains that her screenshots and videos reflect what she experienced. Ramsay maintains that he never cheated. With no formal proceedings or legal filings announced, the public continues to follow the story through posts, statements and brief interviews from both sides.
Ellen Adarna goes public with cheating allegations against Derek Ramsay, praises ex John Lloyd Cruz as very present father His Father’s Son : Eman Bacosa Pacquiao is finding his own way in the ring and in the legacy he now carries
by AJPress
BEFORE he ever entered a boxing gym or signed his first professional fight contract, Emmanuel Joseph “Eman” Bacosa lived with a story that preceded him. He grew up with his mother’s surname and with the knowledge that the man people said he resembled was a global icon he rarely saw. What he inherited was not fame but distance.
Today, the 21-year-old lightweight carries a new name. Bacosa and Pacquiao now appear side by side, the result of a long and complicated journey marked by persistence, patience, and a slow and deliberate recognition.
A childhood lived outside the frame
Eman was born in 2004 to Manny Pacquiao and Joanna Rose Bacosa and was raised by his mother in Tagum City, the provincial capital of Davao del Norte in Mindanao. The city is far from the Manila-centered imagination most Filipinos know. It was in this quieter, more distant place that he learned to navigate the complicated reality of being connected to a man who occupied national headlines.
Joanna’s own story shaped much of Eman’s early life. She met Pacquiao in 2003 while working in Manila, and later described their relationship as one that unfolded briefly before circumstances pulled them in different directions. In 2006 and again in 2011, she stepped forward publicly to assert that Pacquiao was the father of her son and to seek acknowledgment and support. Those moments drew media attention, but they also reflected a mother’s effort to secure stability for her child. What never changed was the consistency with which she raised Eman. She shielded him as much as she could from public drama, pieced together reassurance when he asked questions, and carried most of the emotional and practical weight of
enting.
Rosa Rosal, beloved actress and humanitarian icon, dies at 97
The award-winning actress and longtime Philippine Red Cross humanitarian leaves a national legacy rooted in compassion, credibility and devoted public service
by AJPress
ROSA Rosal, the postwar screen legend who became one of the Philippines’ most respected humanitarian figures, died on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan. She was 97. A family member, broadcast journalist William Thio, confirmed that she died at 9:17 a.m. of septic shock due to pneumonia and kidney failure. Family members said she had been bedridden and fell critically ill the day before. The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), where Rosal served for decades, announced her passing and honored her as a pillar of its humanitarian programs.
The PRC said Rosal dedicated more than seventy years to public service, describing her as a guiding force in voluntary blood donation and a trusted face of national relief efforts. Tributes from government agencies, civic groups and colleagues in entertainment and public service highlighted her compassion, credibility and lifelong commitment to those in need.
From Golden Age cinema to national recognition
Born Florence Lansang Danon on October 16, 1928, Rosal grew up in Manila with Kapampangan, French and Egyptian ancestry.
After World War II she worked at San Lazaro Hospital, where her presence reportedly caught the attention of filmmaker Luis Nolasco
during a film shoot. She made her screen debut in 1946 in Fort Santiago and later signed with LVN Pictures, becoming one of the most recognizable stars of the postwar era. Rosal became known for depth and versatility in films such as Anak Dalita (1956), Badjao (1957) and Biyaya ng Lupa(1959). In 1955 she won the FAMAS Best Actress Award for Sonny Boy, a role that cemented her status as one of the leading actresses of Philippine cinema’s Golden Age. She later
transitioned to television, which expanded her reach to households across the country. A lifetime of service with the Red Cross Rosal’s humanitarian work began in the early 1950s when she volunteered with the Philippine National Red Cross blood program. In 1965 she was elected to the organization’s Board of Governors, a position she would hold for decades. Her celebrity status helped bring national attention to
Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay with their children during their wedding. Photo from Ellen Adarna’s Facebook page
A Timely Gathering Amid Calls for Good Governance
The recent Law and Governance Forum in Makati City stood as a premier convergence of legal wisdom, ethical leadership, and enlightened discourse.
Organized by Rising Tigers Magazine and its holding company TAG Media Group, in collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia in the Philippines and the Carl E. Balita Review Center, the event highlighted the power of multisectoral cooperation. Together, these institutions created a platform where governance, diplomacy, media, and youth leadership intersect—an inspiring testament to how collaboration can elevate national conversations.
The speakers were as follows: Supreme Court Justice Midas Marquez; Justice Undersecretary Atty. Margarita Gutierrez, Congressman Brian Poe Llamanzares, Atty. Margarita Nograles, Atty. Lyca Balita, and Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.
The forum was moderated by Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas (President and Editor-in-Chief of Rising Tigers Magazine, and the first female President of the American Association of the Philippines) and Faye Arellano Marquez (Board Member of the Indonesia Philippines Business Association). Their presence brought depth and dynamism, reflecting Rising Tigers’ vision to highlight today’s most inspiring leaders.
The forum offered another avenue for active citizenship— shaping dialogue, strengthening democratic institutions, and cultivating leaders who can guide the nation forward.
3rd Dangal ng Lahing Filipino Awards 2025 I was deeply honored to learn from Maria Liza F. Lorenzo that I will be recognized at the 3rd Dangal ng Lahing Filipino Awards 2025, to be held on November 23 at Lancaster Hotel, Mandaluyong City.
To my surprise, I will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in Freelance Journalism.
The organizers shared this
HEALTH @HEART
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS
AS the world ushers in the age of Artificial Intelligence, allow me to take you back in time to revisit some of the great moments in medical science, which made possible the great strides man has made in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases that benefit all of us today. I had the great fortune and privilege in 1972 to train as a Fellow in Cardiac Surgery under one of the world’s giants of heart surgery, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, founder and cardiac surgeon-inchief of the Texas Heart Institute in Houston.
The management of heart diseases was still in the Dark Ages during my undergraduate years in the late 50s. Physicians then did not know how to treat heart diseases, much less save the lives of patients with these ailments. Looking back, the physicians at that time did not even know that simple aspirin had any potential role in the prevention or treatment of heart attacks. Treatment was mainly symptomatic, using pain pills or pain shots. The most sophisticated pill was the nitrate pill, a vasodilator that “relaxes open” the coronary artery, since the “current” knowledge in physiology then said angina pectoris (chest pain) was due to spasm in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscles with oxygen and nutrition.
The first milestone that started it all was in 1628 when an English physician first described blood circulation. Inspired by that, these historical events followed:
1706 - Raymond de Vieussens, a French anatomy professor, first described the structure of the heart’s chambers and vessels.
1733 - Stephen Hales, an English clergyman and scientist, first measured blood pressure.
1816 - René T. H. Laennec, a French physician, invented the first stethoscope.
1903 - Eillem Einthoven, a Dutch physician, developed the first electrocardiogram.
1912 - James B. Herrick, an American physician, first described heart disease resulting from hardening of the arteries, a fundamental concept that led to the modern therapy of today.
1938 - Robert E. Gross, an American surgeon, performed the first heart surgery (closed-heart,
humbling tribute on their Facebook page:
“Honoring a Leader with a Heart to Serve! We are awarding Rogelio Constantino Medina the Lifetime Achievement Award for Most Outstanding Freelance Journalist of the Year. His work goes beyond titles; he serves with compassion, integrity, and genuine concern for others. Through his dedication, he has touched countless lives and inspired many to lead with kindness and purpose. Congratulations, Sir! Your legacy of service is truly worthy of recognition.”
Other awardees include Director Romm Burlat, Elia Ilano, Camille Postolero, Jigo Postolero, Nanette Medina, Tonz Llander Are, Cyline Emerlli Tabares, Cyean Ernest Gabrielle Tabares, Joselito Alamares, Darwin Leonardo Granados, Ronald Timogan, Leah Deang Ocampo, Hannah Marie Alejandro, Jefrey Hernandez, Jinwen Emei Sumanda, Nicol Ramador, and Sixteen P. Ablero, among others.
Two Pinoys Shine at SXSW in Austin, Texas
Two Filipino artists, Kimmortal and Muri, made waves at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas—a globally recognized celebration of technology, film and TV, music, education, and culture.
not open-heart).
Kimmortal (Kim Villagante): A Filipino-Canadian musician, singersongwriter, and visual artist based in Vancouver. Muri (Muriel Gonzales): A Filipino indie R&B/soul-pop singersongwriter and violinist, also a member of The Ransom Collective. She has gained international recognition for her soulful melodies and genre-blending artistry. In March 2025, CITEM supported her exposure through its benchmarking mission at SXSW.
Founded in 1987, SXSW has become a premier destination for global professionals to network, discover talent, and achieve creative goals. It is renowned for launching careers and shaping cultural trends, while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact for Austin annually.
The 2026 SXSW is scheduled for March 12–18 at Brazos Hall, 800 Congress, and The Downright.
First Lady Trump & Second Lady Vance in North Carolina
US First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance spent time with military members and their families in North Carolina this holiday season, expressing appreciation for their service.
Their engagements included activities with students on base, focusing on children’s education initiatives. The day concluded with
Pre-AI era
1951 - Charles Hufnagel, an American surgeon, developed a plastic valve to repair the aortic valve.
1952 - F. John Lewis, an American surgeon, performed the first successful open-heart surgery.
1953 - John H. Gibbon, an American surgeon, introduced the heart-lung machine (which he published as a concept in 1937) and first used this mechanical heart and “blood purifier” to do the first “real open heart surgery” utilizing the heart-lung machine, precursor of the modern-day cardiopulmonary bypass machine.
1950 - John Hopps, a Canadian, invented the external heart pacemaker. That same year, Willem Greatbatch introduced the concept of an implantable (internal) heart pacemaker.
1960 - The first self-contained implantable heart pacemaker made by Medtronic was inserted by W. C. Lillihei. Over the years, this has been improved, made more versatile, smaller, better, and longer-lasting.
1961 - J. R. Jude, an American cardiologist, led a team in performing the first external cardiac massage to restart the heart, the foundation for today’s CPR.
1960s - Denton A. Cooley of Houston, Texas, rose to world fame for his extraordinary dexterity in performing thousands of congenital heart surgeries in infants, and for being the first to successfully remove pulmonary emboli (clots in the lungs).
1965 - Michael De Bakey and Adrian Kantrowitz, American surgeons, implanted a mechanical device to help the diseased heart.
1967 - Christian Barnard of South Africa performed the first whole heart transplant from one person to another.
1968 - Denton Cooley performed the first heart transplant in the United States on a 47-year-old man, using a donor heart from a 15-year-old. The patient lived for 204 days. He had done 22 heart transplants over the next year, a record at the time.
1969 - Denton A. Cooley implanted the first artificial (mechanical) heart on a man to “tide him over” and keep him alive while waiting for a donor heart.
1972 - In the field of clinical application, Denton A. Cooley had, by this time, performed more than 10,000 open heart surgeries, more than any other surgeon in the world. That year, in his honor, the Denton A. Cooley Car-
formal remarks to a large gathering of service members and military families at a hangar in Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River.
Dr. Sonny de Guzman Installed as MCC President
A historic milestone for Mabalacat City College (MCC) unfolded during the 2025 Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) National Conference at The Heritage Hotel Manila, as Dr. Sonny N. De Guzman was formally invested as MCC President.
The solemn ceremony was led by Dr. Raymundo P. Arcega, CESE (President of ALCU), alongside Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez (Secretary of TESDA) and Henry Rhoel Aguda (Secretary of DICT).
Their participation underscored the importance of strong leadership and collaboration between local colleges and national institutions in advancing education and innovation.
This investiture marked a defining moment in MCC’s journey, symbolizing renewed commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community service under Dr. De Guzman’s leadership.
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. rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
His Father’s Son : Eman Bacosa...
serious training, a routine that hardened his resolve rather than his heart. Eman eventually continued his studies in the Philippines through the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System while deepening his commitment to the sport. The ring was no longer an escape. It had become the place where he felt most honest about
he wanted to be.
A name, a meeting, and a turning point
Nearly ten years passed before father and son reconnected. Joanna had carried the responsibility of raising him throughout those years and had been the one to explain the distance and the public story. As Eman grew older, he chose to reach out himself.
In 2022, Pacquiao formally recognized him and initiated the legal process to give him his surname. For Joanna, it was the confirmation she had sought for years. For Eman, it was a moment that placed closure where uncertainty once lived. He recalls returning to his room afterward and crying, overwhelmed not by triumph but by relief.
Honoring both Bacosa and Pacquiao
Eman now introduces himself as Emmanuel Joseph Bacosa Pacquiao. His choice to keep both surnames speaks to loyalty and clarity. Bacosa is the name that carried him through childhood and hardship. Pacquiao is the name that reflects reconciliation and lineage. He speaks about his mother with deep gratitude, describing her as the reason he found discipline, faith, and direction. He also speaks respectfully of his father and warmly of Jinkee, whom he calls “Tita,” and acknowledges the stepfather who helped raise him. Whatever tensions once surrounded his early life have settled into something more private and grounded.
A quiet relationship with the Pacquiao siblings
Eman’s connection to his half-siblings has been steady but understated. He is aware of the five children whom Pacquiao and Jinkee raised together, and he has said that he understands the reality that his father has his own family. Details of daily interactions remain private, yet he has spoken openly about having a warm and supportive relationship with his half-brother Jimuel, who is also pursuing boxing.
He has expressed excitement about the possibility of sharing a fight card with Jimuel one day and has publicly voiced his support for his brother’s boxing journey. Eman says he also speaks with Jinkee from time to time and appreciates the kindness she has extended to him. Information about the extent of his relationship with the other siblings remains private, but his public comments suggest respect and acceptance rather than conflict.
Building a life beyond legacy
Eman now fights under Manny Pacquiao Promotions and trains with veteran coaches Buboy Fernandez and Dodie Boy Peñalosa. His professional journey began with a debut in September 2023. Since then, he has compiled a record of seven wins, zero losses, and one draw, with four victories by knockout. Each fight has shown steady improvement, suggesting a fighter learning to balance aggression with control.
Images of him embracing Pacquiao after recent bouts present a striking contrast to the distant years he once described. Yet Eman remains careful about the expectations tied to his surname. He draws a line between inheritance and identity. He has said that he is not Manny Pacquiao. He is Eman Bacosa Pacquiao.
He explains that he fights to uplift his family, to honor the mother who carried him through uncertainty, and to glorify God. These values shape his ambition and the path he is carving for himself.
A name restored and a future reclaimed
Eman’s story resonates because it is grounded in quiet courage. It reflects the strength of a mother who sought recognition for her son and the resolve of a young man who refused to be defined by absence. His career is still unfolding. What comes next depends on discipline, opportunity, and the choices he makes inside and outside the ring. Yet one chapter has already reached closure. The boy raised largely by his mother in a distant provincial capital now walks into arenas with both sides of his story intact.
He enters every fight with two surnames. One is the name he lived with. The other is the name he waited for. In that dual inheritance lies the beginning of the life he is building for himself and the legacy his mother helped secure.
Ahtisa Manalo declares she will give her all in ‘last’ pageant
diovascular Surgical Society was founded. Its members are more than 800 heart surgeons from 50 countries around the world, whom he trained at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) in Houston. (As a Filipino-American heart surgeon, I was truly humbled to be elected as its first president.) The THI has been doing more than 30 open-heart surgeries per day since then.
1970s - Michel Mirowski, M.D., and his associates, Morton Mower, Stephen Heilman, M.D., Alois Langer, PhD, and a company called Medrad in Pittsburgh, developed the automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator. In 1980, the prototype AICD was implanted at Johns Hopkins to prevent sudden cardiac death.
1982 - Willem DeVries, an American surgeon, implanted a permanent artificial heart, designed by Robert Jarvic, also an American physician. O. H. Frazier and his team under Dr. Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute have performed more than 600 heart transplants, and are doing extensive work on artificial (mechanical) hearts. Someday, they will be available on the shelf like pacemakers today, and heart bypass and cardiac valve surgeries will be a thing of the past.
A crazy idea
A most worthy pioneer was Werner Forssmann, who, as a surgical resident in Germany in 1929, experimented on himself by inserting a catheter through a vein in his arm and into his heart. He walked to the basement where the X-ray machine was, and X-rayed himself to prove that the catheter was in his heart. In another experiment, he injected dye into his heart through that catheter and took X-ray film. Many of his fellow physicians were outraged by his “daring and insane” acts.
This, by the way, was the origin of what we know today as coronary or heart angiogram or cardiac catheterization, which made possible life-saving procedures, like angioplasties and heart bypass surgeries, all over the world. Thanks to Forssmann’s “crazy idea.” In 1956, Forssmann was awarded a Nobel prize, shared with Dickinson Richards and Andre Cournand,
AS Ahtisa Manalo is set to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2025, she declared that she will give it her all, especially that the global tilt will be her final foray into pageantry.
Manalo confirmed that Miss Universe 2025 will be her last pageant in an interview with CNN on Thursday, Nov. 20, while looking back at her 18-year run as a beauty queen.
The interview also featured glimpses of the Quezon Province-based stunner training her “pasarela” (catwalk) with Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) president Jonas Gaffud and interactions with MUPH EVP Voltaire Tayag.
This is my last pageant, so I’m seeing it as an opportunity to close that chapter of my life. There’s always a pressure of carrying the Philippine sash with you because of the women who came before you,” she said.
One of the reasons why Manalo wanted to join Miss Universe was to fulfill a dream of her late grandmother, as she pointed out
that backing out would be doing her a “disservice.”
After losing my grandmother, it put into perspective what things are important in life. I realized that with how my grandmother worked, if I don’t push for that dream of being Miss Universe, I would be doing her a disservice,” she said. My theory is that beauty queens are usually stories of inspiration, stories that inspire us to do better, and work hard.”
Noting her attempts to clinch the Miss Universe Philippines title, the pageant veteran also noted that she wanted to join the global tilt to “be a symbol of hope” when it comes to not giving up on one’s dream.
Miss Universe is one of the most influential platforms, if not the most influential, when it comes to beauty pageants. When you come from a poor background, you always think that the world is limited, that the world is very small for you and dreams are not possible to [be] achieved. It would mean a lot to be that symbol of hope for people to never give up on their dreams,” she said.
Before competing in Miss Uni-
Rosa Rosal, beloved actress and humanitarian...
blood donation, and she led drives in schools, military installations and communities across the Philippines.
Beyond blood services, Rosal advocated for vulnerable women and children. She supported crisis assistance for unwed and disadvantaged pregnant women and helped place children in foster homes. She also managed scholarships for low income students, quietly connecting benefactors with deserving youth.
Her public service reached millions through programs such as Damayan and Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko, long running shows known for mobilizing medical and financial assistance for patients in need. These programs helped cement Rosal’s reputation as a reliable and compassionate advocate who used
television to bring urgency to the plight of ordinary Filipinos. For her decades of work, Rosal received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1999. She was later honored with the Order of the Golden Heart from the Philippine government and the UP Gawad Plaridel for her contributions to public service broadcasting. Reader’s Digest Asia named her the most trusted Filipino in 2010.
Family and personal life
Rosal married American pilot Walter Gayda in the 1950s. The marriage was brief but produced her only child, television host Toni Rose Gayda. Rosal rebuilt her life in the Philippines, raising her daughter with the support of her mother while continuing her work in film and humanitarian service. Rosal is survived by her daugh-
ter Toni Rose and her grandson Edward John Lim. She was predeceased by her grandson Edward James Lim, who died in 2010.
A legacy that endures Rosa Rosal’s life spanned more than six decades of film, television and humanitarian leadership. While she was celebrated for her artistry, it was her service to others that defined her public legacy. Generations remember her gentle appeals for blood donors, her visits to hospitals and her unwavering advocacy for vulnerable communities. The systems she helped build remain part of the country’s humanitarian backbone. Her example of compassion and integrity continues to guide the work of those she inspired, ensuring that her legacy endures long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Photo from Instagram/@ahtisa
by hAnnAh mAlloRcA Inquirer.net
verse, Manalo joined national competitions before representing her hometown in Binibining Pilipinas 2018, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, and Miss Universe Philippines 2025. The pageant veteran has been a fixture in the international pageant scene where she placed first runner-up and Top 10
Supreme Court Justice Midas Marquez.
Filipino artist Muri, or Muriel Gonzales.
Filipino Canada-based artist Kimmortal, or Kim Villagante.
Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.
Grace Bondad Nicolas, editor-in-chief of Rising Tigers Magazine.
Mabalacat City College President Dr. Sonny N. De Guzman (seated) with TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez (in blue barong).
Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina.
US First Lady Melania Trump (right) with Second Lady Usha Vance (left)
How we can all make a difference through everyday recycling
By: Sue Vang, Senior Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
EVERY November,
America
Recycles Day reminds us that our small actions, like recycling a can or composting an apple core, can have a big impact for our planet and our future generations. As a Californian, an environmental scientist, and an Asian American, this day holds deep meaning for me.
Growing up, I learned the importance of resourcefulness and respect for the environment not in classrooms, but from my family’s everyday habits. Like many Californians in diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, my parents believed nothing should go to waste. They made the most of every ingredient in the kitchen. Our fridge was full of food packaging containers from the grocery store that we would reuse to store leftovers. Clothes were repaired or passed along to siblings and cousins when we outgrew them. These simple acts taught me that wasting less is one of the simplest ways to care for our planet and those who come after us.
Why Recycling Matters More
Than Ever Californians throw away 40 million tons of materials each year. When food scraps and beverage containers end up in landfills, they waste valuable resources and release harmful climate pollution that leads to more droughts and wildfires. But when we recycle and compost properly, we:
• Reduce litter and pollution
•Conserve our limited natural resources
•Protect our climate
•Build a healthier future for our children.
Reducing waste and recycling doesn’t have to be complicated. It starts with small, consistent choices that add up to a powerful collective impact.
3 Easy Ways to Make a Difference Today
Recycle bottles and cans.
Make sure your cans, bottles, and other California Redemption Value (CRV)-labeled beverage containers – which now include wine and liquor bottles – are empty and dry before you redeem them for cash at over 1,300 recycling sites. Find a site near you at RecyclingReimaginedCA.com/cash-for-crv. They can also be recycled in your curbside blue bin.
Compost your food scraps. Don’t toss your fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, bones, or old rice! Compost them in your green bin so they can be turned into nutrient-rich compost or renewable energy instead of releasing gases that lead to climate pollution. Get a kitchen countertop container for easy food scrap collection or freeze your food scraps until your weekly curbside pickup day. Check out what you can put in your green bin and other tips at RecyclingReimaginedCA.com/ curb-your-food-scraps/. Reduce and reuse first. The best thing we can do for the planet is to not create waste in the first place. Choose reusable bags, bottles, and containers, and always look for items that can be reused or repaired, or made from recycled materials. Many of our families already do this, and it’s a tradition worth continuing.
Sustainability is a Shared Leg-
acy
When I think of my earliest experiences with sustainability, I think of my parents composting fruit and vegetable scraps in our garden and using almost all parts of an animal to prepare a meal, and my grandmother collecting CRV containers and repairing clothes and other items before buying new. These acts of care connected us to one another and to the earth while helping save money.
At CalRecycle, we’re working to make recycling easier and more effective. But real change happens when you take action, at home, at school, and in your community. Every container, every composted food scrap, and every reused bag brings us closer to a cleaner California.
As we celebrate America Recycles Day on November 15, let’s honor our families, our communities, and our planet by making daily choices that protect our future. To learn more about how Californians are rethinking recycling and building a waste-free future, visit RecyclingReimaginedCA. com.
About Sue Vang Sue Vang is a Senior Environmental Scientist at CalRecycle, California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. With nearly two decades of experience working on waste and recycling issues, she helps lead statewide efforts to reduce waste and protect California’s natural resources. As a proud Asian American, she is passionate about empowering communities to waste less and reuse and recycle the rest through everyday actions.
New Trash Bin Delivery Continues for Properties Serviced by City of San Diego
AS the City of San Diego contin-
ues to deliver new gray trash bins to more than 225,000 homes, approximately 20% of homes have received the bins so far, with more than 50,000 delivered since the phased rollout of new bins began last month.
Households that are eligible for City-provided trash service will receive their new trash bins by March 2026 and new recycling bins by late summer. Gray trash bins will be delivered first, and then the City will deliver new, light blue recycling bins and remove the old ones on a later visit.
For most customers, the delivery will occur on their regular trash day schedule, and crews will also remove the old black trash bins within the same day. As the older bins are being removed, they are being recycled into new bins and other products.
Customers can check their delivery date by searching their property address on the City’s bin delivery schedule. The phased rollout ensures that every customer will have the opportunity to receive a new bin, and the City will provide additional opportunities for old bins to be collected if a customer misses their scheduled day.
“Our teams are working hard to ensure a smooth bin delivery and pickup process, but we know there will be hiccups, and we ap-
preciate the patience of our customers,” said Jeremy Bauer, Assistant Director for Environmental Services. “If traffic, construction or other challenges keep us from completing a route on its scheduled day, we have contingencies in place and will proactively return on a future date. We also encourage residents to engage with us using the Get It Done app or directly through our call center.” As the bin rollout continues, crews are generally completing all deliveries of new gray containers on their scheduled days. However, if a delivery date has passed and someone has not received a new container, City staff are available to assist. Contact ESD at trash@sandiego.gov or 858-6947000.
If a customer receives their new gray container but their old black container is not removed on the same day, this could be the result of unanticipated delays in the delivery schedule or because the resident pulled the container back onto their property before the crew was able to access it. In this case, the customer should place the black container out with their gray container on the following collection day for removal. If the black container needs to be removed sooner, or is still on the property after one week, the resident is encouraged to report the
County Awarded $900,000 Grant to Support Careers in Health and Human Services
THE County has been awarded a $900,000 grant to help facilitate collaboration between the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and partner organizations. The funding will be used to drive a coordinated, regional approach to develop the health and human services workforce in San Diego County.
The grant, which was accepted by the Board of Supervisors today, is from Health Career Connection (HCC), a national nonprofit working to expand opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and inspire a new generation of health leaders. The grant is part of the Regional Health Workforce Initiative supported by HCC and funded by The California Endowment’s Social Bond.
Building a diverse, competent and engaged health and human services workforce is a priority for HHSA. San Diego County faces a worsening health and human services workforce shortage due to workers getting older and retiring or leaving for other jobs, this has particularly impacted the behavioral health workforce.
According to a 2022 San Diego Workforce Partnership report, the region needs to double its work-
force by 2027. Beyond behavioral health, there is a persistent demand for other licensed professionals, including nurses, therapists and social workers.
The new HCC grant funds will support the Live Well Center for Innovation and Leadership, a County academic-practice partnership with San Diego State University (SDSU) and its expansion to include California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). It also complements current HHSA initiatives, led by Behavioral Health Services and Public Health Services, to drive meaningful progress in workforce development across the region.
One component of the grant will expand career-connected learning by offering internships and providing unique, hands-on cross-training opportunities for SDSU and CSUSM students to help bring more diverse, qualified workers to the County and other regional health and human services careers.
A national model in academic-practice partnership, the Live Well Center for Innovation and Leadership, was the first of its kind in California when it
launched in 2022.
“These investments will facilitate collaboration between our university partners, other academic institutions, HHSA departments, contractors and community organizations to support a regional approach for health and human services workforce development in San Diego County.” said Carey Riccitelli, Director of the HHSA Department of Strategy and Community Engagement. “Stronger and coordinated career pathways mean more students will go on to serve in essential roles as social workers, public health nurses or in public health to support the residents of our region.”
County of San Diego Communications Office
Office of Traffic Safety Awards Grant to SDPD for Traffic Enforcement Program
THE San Diego Police Depart-
ment (SDPD) announced today that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its ongoing enforcement and education programs and help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on San Diego’s roads. The grant program runs through September 2026.
“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Sergeant Gregory Minter said. “Through a combination of education and enforcement efforts, our goal is to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
The grant will provide programs and resources, including:
• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
File photo/www.sandiego.gov
issue on Get It Done and leave their container out and accessible for removal. In these cases, the City targets removal on the same day or the day after the scheduled trash collection day, or on the following Saturday if necessary. Delivery of new trash and recycling bins is expected to continue through late summer 2026. After customers have received their new bins, the City will collect only from the new bins. Until then, the City will continue to service old containers to avoid disruptions in customer service. Green organic waste bins, which were provided to more than 200,000 City households in 2023, will not be provided at this time unless a customer doesn’t already have one or they request an additional green bin.
Environmental Services notified customers about their bin delivery dates and other instructions through mailers sent to property owner addresses. Those who opt in for notifications when setting up their account in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal will also receive text and/or email alerts. Property owners who have not done so are still encouraged to set up an account in the Waste Collection Services Portal at wasteportal.sandiego.gov. County of San Diego Communications Office
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running and improper turning or lane changes.
• High-visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Expert. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from OTS, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. City of San Diego Release
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9019810
North County Dental Care located at 1000 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084.
Registrant: Edward Adourian DDS Inc., 1000 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 . This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/10/2014.
Signature: Edward Adourian. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/16/2025.
AJ 1800 10/31, 11/07, 11/14, and 11/21/2025. AJSD 1800
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020785
U-Trust Notary, LLC located at 1473 Franceschi Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: U-Trust Notary, LLC, 1473 Franceschi Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Xiao Cui. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/31/2025.
AJ 1806 11/07, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28/2025. AJSD 1806
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9019868
a. Chicana Pride San Diego Car Club located at 3761 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113.
b. Chicana Pride San Diego CC located at 3761 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113.
c. Chicana Pride SDCC located at 3761 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113.
d. Chicana Pride 1904 CC located at 3761 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Sofia Irene Toral, 3761 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/08/2025.
Signature: Sofia Irene Toral. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/17/2025. AJ 1801 10/31, 11/07, 11/14, and 11/21/2025. AJSD 1801
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020811
Saffron And Sage APC located at 2555 State St Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92101. Registrant: Kasawa Medical APC, 2555 State St Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/25/2025. Signature: John Kasawa. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/31/2025. AJ 1807 11/07, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28/2025. AJSD 1807
Request for Proposals
State Route 11/Otay Mesa East Land Port of Entry Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Technology Services Solicitation No.: SOL1483551 CIP 1201101 Federal Aid Project No.: STPBIPL-6066(170)
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking innovative solutions and competitive pricing for the provision of non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology and systems integration at the new Otay Mesa East Land Port of Entry in the San Diego Region.
The Optional Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Thursday November 20, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PDT. The deadline for electronic proposal submittal is December 12, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum.
A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be accessed via www.bidnetdirect.com/ sandag.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9019937
Cali Calibrations Consultants located at 360 Zenith St, Chula Vista, CA 91911.
Registrant: Omar Beltran, 360 Zenith St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Omar Beltran. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/17/2025. AJ 1802 10/31, 11/07, 11/14, and 11/21/2025. AJSD 1802
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020563
DaBella located at 3333 Camino Del Rio S. Ste 230, San Diego, CA 92108.
Registrant: Viceroy Improvement LLC, 400 E Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752
This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/15/2021. Signature: Donnie McMillan Jr. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/28/2025. AJ 1808 11/07, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28/2025. AJSD 1808
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9021235
Pho Mai Cali & Grill Inc located at 1635 Sweetwater Rd #H, National City, 91950. Registrant: Pho Mai Cali & Grill Inc, 1635 Sweetwater Rd #H, National City, 91950. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/07/2025. Signature: Reginald M. Regala. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/07/2025. AJ 1812 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, and 12/05/2025. AJSD 1812
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020495
4 Seasons Smoothie Drink located at 14413 Penasquitos Dr, 2301, San Diego, CA 92129.
Registrant: a. Sayed Ali Hashimi, 14413 Penasquitos Dr, 2301, San Diego, CA 92129.
b. Fatima Hashimi, 14413 Penasquitos Dr, 2301, San Diego, CA 92129. This business is conducted by A General Partnership.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/27/2025. Signature: Sayed Ali Hashimi. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/27/2025. AJ 1803 10/31, 11/07, 11/14, and 11/21/2025. AJSD 1803
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020968
a. SD SISIG located at 1845 Jake Mills Ct, San Diego, CA 92114.
b. SAN DIEGO SISIG located at 1845 Jake Mills Ct, San Diego, CA 92114.
Registrant: PINOYS FINEST LLC, 2122 Via Estancia, Chula Vista, CA 91913
This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Rhicon Turla. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/04/2025. AJ 1809 11/07, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28/2025. AJSD 1809
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9021114
a. Practice And Prosper By NP Sandee located at 914 E. 8th Street Suite 210, National City, CA 91950. b. Glowhaven Aesthetics located at 914 E. 8th Street Suite 210, National City, CA 91950.
Registrant: Neuromattters And Wellness APNC, 914 E. 8th Street Suite 210, National City, CA 91950 . This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Sandee C San Mateo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/05/2025. AJ 1813 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, and 12/05/2025. AJSD 1813
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020474
Tony’s Independent Living located at 1514 Klauber Ave, San Diego, CA 92114.
Registrant: Sergio Cervantes Ortiz, 1906 E Ave, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/27/2025. Signature: Sergio Cervantes Ortiz. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/27/2025. AJ 1804 11/07, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28/2025. AJSD 1804
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9021124
Imperial Precision Contractors located at 12005 Wintercrest Dr. Apt 247, Lakeside, CA 92040. Registrant: Robert Doerr, 1093 Red Maple Dr., Chula VIsta, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/05/2025. Signature: Robert Doerr. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/05/2025. AJ 1810 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, and 12/05/2025. AJSD 1810
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9021446
MBA Tires LLC located at 908 Paraiso Ave., Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: MBA Tires LLC, 908 Paraiso Ave., Spring Valley, CA 91977 . This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/26/2025. Signature: Kristina Tizapaneco Andres. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/12/2025. AJ 1814 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, and 12/12/2025. AJSD 1814
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9020776
a. Big City Painting located at 510 62nd St #12, SanDiego, CA 92114.
b. Big City Water Damage Restoration &Reconstruction located at 510 62nd St #12, SanDiego, CA 92114. Registrant: Josue Salazar, 510 62nd St #12, SanDiego, CA 92114. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/31/2025. Signature: Josue Salazar. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/31/2025. AJ 1805 11/07, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28/2025. AJSD 1805
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9021307
Aging Gracefully Care of Vista located at 228 Iron Drive, Vista, CA 92083. Registrant: Aging Gracefully Care Homes, LLC, 1895 Avenida Del Oro #6605, Oceanside, CA 92052. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/01/2025.
Signature: Irene Palad. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/10/2025. AJ 1811 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, and 12/05/2025. AJSD 1811
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2025-9021547
a. Lumea Studio located at 7465 Mission Gorge Road Suite #106, San Diego, CA 92120. b. Lumini located at 7465 Mission Gorge Road Suite #106, San Diego, CA 92120. Registrant: Diya Siev, 6903 Halifax St, San Diego, CA 92120. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Diya Siev. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/13/2025. AJ 1815 11/21, 11/28, 12/05, and 12/12/2025. AJSD 1815
