112721 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

NOVEMBER 27-30, 2021 Volume 31 - No. 94 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

USA

DATELINE What to know about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 through 11 FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Why children should get vaccinated now and other FAQs EVERY person in the country 5 years old and older is now eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Parents and caregivers face decisions about protecting their children from COVID-19 and have questions about vaccines.

Read on for answers to questions that families have about making a COVID vaccination decision for their children.

Are the vaccines safe for children?

Parents should take comfort that the COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Robust clinical trials featuring thousands of children were conducted to evaluate the safety and immune response to a COVID vaccine in this age group.

In the United States, the vaccine will be given in a smaller dose and is specially formulated for children in the 5-11 age group.

Why do children need to get vaccinated?

While children were less likely to get COVID-19 early in the pandemic compared with adults, kids now get the disease as often as u PAGE A3

Suspect in San Diego stabbing of elderly Filipino man arrested A MAN wanted in the brutal stabbing of an elderly Filipino man outside a trolley station in El Cajon, California has been arrested in Texas following a high speed chase.

Israel Ezekiel Valdivia, 24, allegedly stole a car from a 7-Eleven store in Abilene around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 23. After driving to Winters and attempting to hit a pedestrian, a high-speed pursuit started, according to the Runnels County Sheriff Carl Squyres.

“He was definitely running pretty hard from the California authorities. I have no idea how he got here,” Squyres said.

After a long chase, Valdivia lost control, drove across a ditch, and was taken into custody. He is currently being held in the Runnels County Jail, where he faces charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle from Abilene and evading arrest.

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PH to allow entry of fully vaxxed foreigners from certain countries starting December 1

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FULLY-VACCINATED travelers who don’t need a visa to enter the Philippines can now enter the country starting December 1, according to Malacañang.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet

Secretary Karlo Nograles on Friday, November 26, announced that the latest guidelines were approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in Resolution No. 150-A and will take effect until December 15, subject to conditions.

“Upon the implementation of this ng (on) December 1, siyempre imo-monitor natin (of

course, we will be monitoring this), we will make proper adjustments kung kinakailangan (if necessary) while we are monitoring its implementation on the ground. If we will extend it, we will extend it,” he said.

“Right now the IATF is just prepared to release a resolution that says up to December 15 pero

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Pres. Biden nominates Nani Coloretti as deputy budget director

by MOMAR

KIDDIE PARK. Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Austria-Barzaga, (2nd from right) walks with a priest during the blessing and inauguration of Promenade Des Dasmariñas children’s park in Barangay H2 in Cavite on Friday, November 26. Community playgrounds provide children the opportunity to practice and hone key skills including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

PRESIDENT Joe Biden has nominated two women of color to lead the Office of Management and Budget, which has been called “the nerve center of the government.”

According to the White House, Nani Coloretti, former Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will take over as deputy director while Shalanda Young, who has been serving as acting director of OMB, will serve as its director.

If confirmed by the Senate, the Filipino American Coloretti would become one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans in the administration. Young, on the other hand, would be the first Black woman to serve in the top role in the agency.

“Today it’s my honor to nominate two extraordinary, history-making women to lead the Office of Management and Budget,” Biden said in a video announcement u PAGE A4

ICC suspends probe into PH drug war

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its investigation into the killings linked to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics crackdown following a deferral request from the Philippine government.

“The prosecution has temporarily suspended its investigative activities while it assesses the scope and effect of the deferral request,” ICC prosecutor Karim Khan wrote in a court notification dated November 18.

“The Prosecution will, however, continue its analysis of information already in its possession as well as of any new information it may receive from third parties, and

actively assess the need for applications to the pre-trial chamber for authority to conduct necessary investigative steps for the preservation of evidence under Article 18(6) of the Statute,” he added.

Based on court documents released by the ICC, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Eduardo Malaya requested the deferral on November 10, in which he said that the administration was already looking into the alleged crimes against humanity committed during the drug war.

Malaya also said that the Philippine government “has undertaken, and continues to undertake, thorough investigations of all reported deaths during anti-narcotic Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. operations in the country.”

Inquirer.net

Marcos says he tested negative DOJ: Possible Apollo Quiboloy in cocaine test, insists he wasn’t extradition may have to wait being alluded to by Duterte while PH reviews pending case u PAGE A4

by DAPHNE

GALVEZ Inquirer.net

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Apollo Quiboloy

G. VISAYA

AJPress

THE possible extradition of Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy back to the United States may be deferred as local court reviews a pending case against him, according to the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Maaring mangyari diyan ay hindi muna itutuloy ang extradiInquirer.net file photo tion hanggang hindi natatapos

ang criminal prosecution dito sa Pilipinas kasi meron kasing offense apparently committed dito sa atin eh (What might happen is the extradition may not proceed until the criminal prosecution against him here in the Philippines is not finished he apparently has an offense committed here),” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told ABSCBN’s TeleRadyo.

“May karapatan din ‘yung u PAGE A3

MANILA — To put to rest speculations brought by President Duterte’s claims of a cocaine-hitting presidential aspirant, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, November 23, claimed he has undergone a cocaine test, and had tested negative.

Marcos said he had the drug test done on Monday, November 22, and his results were submitted on Tuesday to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National

Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation.

“I really don’t feel that I am the one being alluded to. In spite of that, I believe it is my inherent duty as an aspiring public official to assure my fellow Filipinos that I am against illegal drugs,” he said in a statement.

“This is why I took a cocaine test yesterday and the result was submitted this morning to the PDEA, the office of the Chief of the PNP, and the NBI,” he added.

Marcos said he is a “vigilant

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A2 NOVEMBER 27-30, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

PH to allow entry of fully...

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‘pag makita naman po natin na maganda ang implementation nito, ie-extend natin ang dates (but if we see that the implementation is good, we may extend the dates),” he added.

Under the resolution, fullyvaccinated foreigners will be allowed to enter the Philippines if they are holders of passports valid for at least six months at the time of arrival, and have return or outbound tickets to their country of origin or next destination.

Prior to their arrival in the Philippines, the foreigners should have stayed exclusively in “green” list countries, territories, or jurisdictions for 14 days.

They must also have proof of vaccination such as: • World Health Organization’s International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, • VaxCertPH, or • National or state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise

permitted by the IATF. Nograles also said that arriving foreigners should have a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and on-arrival RT-PCR test will be required.

However, they are enjoined to self-monitor for symptoms until the 14th day from their arrival with their arrival date as the first day.

Further, Nograles said that travelers merely transiting through non-green list territories are not considered having been there if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry.

“The testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them,” the resolution read.

On the other hand, those vaccinated but failed to comply with the testing requirements before their travel will need to undergo facility-based

quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on their fifth day in the Philippines and self-monitor until their 14th day of staying in the country.

Currently, there are 44 countries, territories, or foreign jurisdictions included in the “green” list. Among them are American Samoa, Bhutan, Chad, China (Mainland), Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), India, Indonesia, and Japan.

Also included are Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. ■

BOOSTER SHOT SIGN UP. A medical health worker checks the documents presented by residents for the booster shot at the DREAM Zone, Capitol Compound in Batangas City on Thursday, November 25. sBased on the latest data from the National COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, some 70,500 COVID -19 vaccine doses have so far been administered as booster shots since these were rolled out for medical front-liners, senior citizens, and immunocompromised persons.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

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Beating holiday blues in COVID era LA County offers mental health aid, urges trying it

by MARK HEDIN Ethnic Media Services

What to know about COVID-19 vaccines for...

PAGE A1 adults. Some children develop serious COVID-19 symptoms requiring hospitalization. With the highly contagious Delta variant, 1 in 5 new COVID-19 cases have been in children and sometimes they have serious and long-term health effects.

What are the side effects for children?

It’s very unlikely that COVID19 vaccines will cause long-term health problems. The risk for serious health problems due to the vaccine is lower than the risk of health problems if they’re unvaccinated and get COVID-19.

COVID-19 can leave children, as well as adults, with heart and lung damage and other conditions that

require long-term treatment. The benefits from COVID-19 vaccines outweigh any potential risk from the vaccine. Getting your children vaccinated will give them the strongest possible protection from COVID-19.

Why should children get the vaccine now?

Vaccines are now available to protect more kids as they prepare to gather with family during the holidays, spend more time indoors due to cold weather, and continue going to school in person. Children who are getting sick from COVID-19 can also spread the virus to others, including older families who may live with them.

Where can I find a vaccine for

my children?

Vaccines for kids ages 5 and older are now available through a range of providers, including pediatricians, family doctors, children’s hospitals, pharmacies, and community health centers. More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers have enrolled to administer vaccines, and the numbers are growing. Tens of thousands of local pharmacies across the country in the federal pharmacy program offer vaccination for kids ages 5 through 11, as well as for adolescents and adults. COVID-19 vaccines are given at no cost.

For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www.vaccines.gov. ■

rate speech describing Marcos, the scion of the late dictator former President Ferdinand Marcos, as a “weak leader,” as he rejected the idea of forming an alliance with Lakas-CMD, the political party of her daughter, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who will run for vice president in tandem with Marcos Jr. in next year’s polls.

The camp of Marcos Jr. has brushed aside Duterte’s remarks, saying they feel that their candidate is not the one being alluded to by the President.

Meanwhile, in an effort to prove they were not the ones being alluded to by Duterte, presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson, along with his running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III, went to the PDEA on Monday to undergo voluntary drug testing.

They were found negative for cocaine and other illegal drugs. ■

Marcos says he tested negative in cocaine...

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anti-illegal drugs campaigner” and called on political aspirants to take the drug test to “ensure our people, particularly the young generation, that no elected leader is into illegal substances.”

Duterte earlier questioned the leadership skills and the contributions of a presidential aspirant, pointing out that the individual is even using illegal drugs such as cocaine.

He did not name the candidate, whom he described as a “weak leader” but said he came from a rich and well-known family with a famous patriarch.

In a later speech, Duterte said the presidential aspirant was able to elude the police because he does cocaine in exclusive places such as yachts and private planes.

Duterte also went on a sepa-

DOJ: Possible Apollo Quiboloy extradition may have to....

PAGE A1 kung sino man ‘yung biktima na i-prosecute ‘yung kaso dito sa ating mga korte. Kaya madedefer ‘yung extradition process (Whoever filed a case against him here has a right to see to his prosecution in our courts.

So, the extradition process may be deferred),” he added.

In December 2019, a woman filed rape, child abuse, and human trafficking charges against Quiboloy and five other church members, claiming she was raped by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC) founder in 2014 when she was a minor.

The Davao City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed her case in 2020 for lack of sufficient evidence, but the woman appealed to the DOJ, which is now reviewing her case’s dismissal.

Guevara said that the agency has yet to receive a request from the U.S. to extradite Quiboloy.

In a previous statement, the Justice chief assured that Quiboloy will not be accorded any special treatment should the U.S. send an extradition request.

“The DOJ, through the InterAgency Council Against Trafficking, will perform its mandate under the law, regardless of the persons involved,” he said.

He also pointed out that the Philippines has “an existing agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with that country.”

“Our treaty obligations are

as legally binding on us as our own laws,” stressed Guevarra.

However, in the event that the U.S. seeks for Quiboloy’s extradition, the Philippine DOJ and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will have to determine first if the case is covered by the existing extradition treaty.

If the charges are covered by the treaty, Guevarra said that the DOJ will file a petition for extradition before a Philippine court.

“If granted, and the judgment (of the Philippine court) became final, the respondent (Quiboloy) may then be physically turned over to the requesting state for further legal proceedings,” he added.

On Nov. 19, U.S. prosecutors charged Quiboloy and two other top church officials for participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.

In a 74-page indictment, the three church leaders were alleged to have recruited females ranging from approximately 12 to 25 years of age to work as personal assistants or “pastorals” for Quiboloy.

“The victims prepared Quiboloy’s meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages, and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called ‘night duty,’” it added.

Five females allegedly fell victim to this, three of whom were minors when the supposed sex trafficking began. ■

Suspect in San Diego stabbing...

PAGE A1 Texas police said Valdivia will face local charges in the state before being extradited back to California where he will face his attempted murder charge for attacking and stabbing 71-year-old Jose Serra.

Serra, 71, was walking to a nearby manufacturing facility at the Arnele Avenue trolley stop around 5 a.m. on Nov. 3 when he was attacked by Valdivia using a 12” knife, as previously reported by the Asian Journal.

Valdivia followed Serra after getting off the trolley and stabbed him repeatedly, slashing his head, hand, and stomach.

In a Nov. 11 news release,

the El Cajon Police Department noted Serra “had numerous lifethreatening stab wounds and had been severely slashed across his face.”

“The victim’s ear was nearly severed off and he had lost a significant amount of blood,” it added.

Serra, who was recently released from the hospital, expressed hope that the arrest will bring him justice.

“I felt relieved. Hopefully, he gets what’s coming to him,” he said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Serra with the medical expenses as he recovers from his injuries. (AJPress)

WE all want to be at our best with family and friends over the holiday season. But almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, with so many loved ones lost and multiple other challenges before us, our mental health is at risk.

But it’s OK to ask for help, and there are a host of resources available in L.A. County for doing so.

At a briefing hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Ethnic Media Services, county officials urged the public to not be shy about getting help – for their own sake, and that of their communities – and detailed some places to find it.

“Depression is the number one issue facing people,” Barger said.

“Without support, mental health problems can quickly snowball and have a deep impact on our lives.”

“But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our county is committed to providing residents with the tools to get well and thrive,” she said, acknowledging how the pandemic has also taken a toll through social isolation, job losses, heightened childcare needs and more.

“Mental health stress doesn’t discriminate,” Barger said.

“Please know that you are not alone. The holiday blues can impact someone of any age or background.”

“It is OK to ask for help. It is not a weakness, it is a sign of strength

that you are putting your health first to be able to be there for your family.”

Dr. Jonathan Sherin, of the county Department of Mental Health, called out the value of small kindnesses we can extend to each other and the importance of maintaining bonds with friends, family, and community.

“It seems cheesy,” he admitted, but related how little things like letting other drivers merge in front of us, with a wave and an acknowledgment, or even opening doors Beyond that, he said, the county has some helpful interventions to offer, too.

There’s a hotline, (800) 8547771, staffed around the clock to provide everything from a calm, concerned voice to help find a way through a crisis, to someone who can send a team out to address a situation in person.

Also, the county has two appbased programs. One, Headspace (https://www.headspace. com/lacounty), is a mediationoriented. The newer one, Iprevail (lacounty.iprevail.com), provides web-based, avatar-based cognitive behavioral therapy.

“We have found that this type of virtual process is as effective as in-person treatment for many people.”

Shirley Ray, of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, described from her own experience some of the ways the county can help people overcome the holiday blues.

She led “a very exciting life,”

working and married with children, until she suffered heart attacks and wound up homeless.

Reluctant to impose on her now-grown children, she lived in her car for “a number of years.”

But, she recalled, “Around the holidays it was difficult for me.”

Eventually, nurses from Mental Health America Long Beach noticed her and got her into a housing lottery that she won. They also helped her to overcome fear of being stigmatized by visiting a mental health clinic.

There, counseling and art therapy helped. Her artwork was featured in the county’s “We Rise” program and she was moved to try to help others.

“It’s not good to be idle,” she said. She leads the “What’s the Word, Word Up” peer-to-peer support group as a volunteer at the San Pedro Mental Health Clinic that helped her.

“I’m a happy camper now,” she said.

“When we’re able to care for ourselves, we have more energy, more resources to care for others,” said Dr. Jorge Partida del Toro, chief of psychology at the county Department of Mental Health.

But, he said, “for generations, people of color have not been able to use their voice. We’re used to being silent, to stuffing our feelings. That is the reason we have such issues with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, but also higher incidence of mental illness, depression, anxiety,

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Pres. Biden nominates Nani Coloretti as...

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released Wednesday, Nov. 24.

“A proud Filipino-American, Nani will be one of the most senior Asian American leaders in government, Biden said. “I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm them again so they can lead OMB at this important time.”

The president also cited the historic nominations as he continues to build what he called “the most diverse presidential cabinet in history” and noted both had previously won Senate confirmation for other posts.

The OMB oversees the $4 trillion federal budget and helps coordinate operations and regulations across the government, giving it significant influence over the President’s agenda.

Coloretti currently serves as senior vice president for financial and business strategy at the Urban Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank that conducts economic and social policy research.

“This will be a homecoming for Nani, who started her career as a presidential management fellow at OMB,” Biden said.

Before joining HUD under the Obama administration, Coloretti spent five years at the US Department of Treasury and helped establish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau where she served as its chief operating officer.

“I think the broader challenge for me as a Filipino American who is half Filipina is to make sure that my voice can be heard in an effective way. I think it helps that I come from a diverse state of people with different ways of communicating and interacting,” Coloretti said in a 2016 interview with

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PH diplomatic posts in US train to aid survivors of intimate partner violence SAN FRANCISCO – Consulate and other Philippine foreign service posts in the U.S. on Nov. 19 attended an online webinar-training on intimate partner violence to mark the annual observance of the 18-Day Campaign To End Violence Against Women.

The Alliance for Community Empowerment (ALLICE) the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco hosted the training.

The entire personnel of the Consulate in San Francisco as well as representatives from the

Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Philippine Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York took part in the online event.

Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer said the training aims to raise the competency of Philippine foreign service personnel in the U.S. in dealing with domestic violence cases, which disproportionately affects overseas Filipino women.

“It is an unfortunate reality that many of those who experi-

ence physical, verbal, sexual or psychological abuse from their partners would rather keep silent about their ordeal or stay in an abusive relationship, for fear of further retribution from their partners or judgment from others. They often hold the mistaken belief that staying in such a toxic and unhealthy relationship would keep their families together,” Ferrer lamented.

In line with the Philippine Safe Spaces Act of 2019, Ferrer said

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Nani Coloretti

the Asian Journal. “I also think that any challenge can also be an opportunity. So, being someone who is different from others in a table can be helpful, particularly if I am operating with both ears open and with curiosity.” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview.

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Coloretti spent several years as a policy adviser and budget director for then San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. ■

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The training aims to raise the competency of Philippine foreign service personnel in the U.S. in dealing with domestic violence cases, in line with the Philippine Safe Spaces Act. Inquirer.net photo

ICC suspends probe into PH...

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PAGE A1 In September, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber found a “reasonable basis” to proceed with a full investigation into Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs.

The decision was signed by Presiding Judge Péter Kovács, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

“On the basis of the above, the Chamber concludes that there is a reasonable basis for the Prosecutor to proceed with an investigation, in the sense that the crime against humanity of murder appears to have been committed, and that potential case(s) arising from such investigation appear to fall within the Court’s jurisdiction,” the judges said.

No jurisdiction For its part, Malacañang welcomed the ICC’s decision to suspend its drug war probe.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Saturday, Nov. 21, maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippine government.

“This, however, does not preclude the government from communicating with the ICC, and it should be stressed that the government’s communication to the ICC was conditioned on the fact that in making that communication the Philippine government was not waiving its position regarding the ICC’s lack of jurisdiction,” he said.

“In any event, we welcome the judiciousness of the new ICC prosecutor, who has deemed

it fit to give the matter a fresh look and we trust that the matter will be resolved in favor of the exoneration of our government and the recognition of the vibrancy of our justice system,” he added.

Meanwhile, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the ICC’s decision is proof that the Philippine institutions are “working.”

“This order is a recognition that the Philippine institutions are working and that the ICC will not exercise original jurisdiction precisely because sovereignty and jurisdiction provides that it is Philippine authorities that must investigate, punish, and prosecute these alleged instances of illegal killings in connection with the drug war,” he said Sunday, Nov. 21. ■

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 27-30, 2021

When you GET VACCINATED you have greater protection against hospitalization and death.

CYCLISTS’ HAVEN. Many cycling enthusiasts do their laps at the Neopolitan Business Park Center in Novaliches-Fairview in Quezon City on Friday, November 26. The business leisure park is popular among cyclists and other fitness buffs, especially on weekends.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

PH diplomatic posts in US train to aid survivors...

PAGE A4 t that the training seeks to turn the Philippine embassy and consulates in the U.S. into “safe spaces for those who have found the courage to end their silence and unshackle themselves from intimate partner violence.”

Ferrer also thanked ALLICE for collaborating with the Consulate for the webinar, the first-ever training held for the Philippine embassy and consulates in the U.S. “Following the mantra of the late Alice Peña Bulos, who said: ‘To achieve empowerment, we must reach out and empower the community,’ the Consulate will continue to support ALLICE’s noble mission of keeping Filipino and Filipino American homes free from domestic abuse and vio-

lence,” Ferrer said.

Dr. Jei Africa, ALLICE Clinical Director and Marin County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) director, discussed the many forms and nuances of intimate partner violence in the Filipino American setting.

He also outlined ways to detect signs that a person is experiencing domestic violence, and the community resources that can help survivors.

ALLICE is a non-profit all-volunteer organization promoting healthier relationships, homes, and communities through education. ALLICE has long been a partner of the Consulate in community and women empowerment in the Bay Area through activities such as the annual “Free from Violence” Seminar and Re-

Beating holiday blues in...

PAGE A3 t because we just are sitting on so much suffering.”

“We learn that what makes us strong is to be silent. We need to teach our children that the opposite is true, to stay connected and share.”

An added stressor of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted, is prolonged grief.

The pandemic “hasn’t allowed our communities to grieve properly,” he said. “The ritual of being able to let go and say goodbye is interrupted… Because we’re afraid to be so open and honest, there’s a tendency to hold onto this prolonged grief.”

This manifests, del Toro said,

in “increases in suicide attempts, domestic violence, self-harming behaviors, particularly in men, more acting out through addiction, sexual compulsion, gambling, an indirect way of addressing and expressing the unresolved grief we are sometimes experiencing.”

Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez of the Department of Public Health concluded the briefing with an update on the availability of vaccinations and boosters, for free and regardless of immigration status for anyone who lives or works in the county. Information on accessing these is available at vaccinatelacounty.com.

The county still records more

source Fair, and public forums on IPV. Those who are experiencing abuse or violence from their partners may avail themselves of the following resources: • U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotlines: 1-800-799-7233; 1-800-787-3224; 206-518-9361 (for the hearing impaired) • Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA): 1-800200-1080 • San Mateo District Attorney’s Office Victims’ Center: 650-5997479 • Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco’s Assistance-toNationals (ATN) Section: atn@ pcgsanfrancisco.org • Alliance for Community Empowerment (ALLICE): http://allicekumares.com (Inquirer.net)

than a thousand new cases every day, although there is no indication of a surge following Halloween, an outcome Gonzalez credited to greater awareness, careful, thoughtful planning by residents and higher vaccine rates.

Vaccination rates are lowest among Black residents, at 54% overall, 43% among those ages 18-29, and 46% among those 12-17, while seniors are at 75%.

Among Latinx residents, those 18-29, at 58%, are the least likely to be vaccinated.

“If we don’t do better there could be even greater disproportionality in health outcomes by race and ethnicity if we experience another surge.” ■

WEAR A MASK when it can protect you & others.

GET TESTED & STAY HOME when you feel sick.

Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you MyTurn.ca.gov

833-422-4255

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OPINION

Commitments

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FEATURES

DID the Philippine government commit to Beijing the pullout of the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal?

Despite a denial from Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the question lingers, after Chinese coast guard vessels stopped blocking and harassing Philippine boats delivering supplies to Armed Forces personnel on the Sierra Madre, which is serving as a military outpost on Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal.

On Nov. 23, two Philippine boats with Navy crew delivered supplies to the Sierra Madre, unhampered by the Chinese coast guard, which still sent a team on a rubber boat to take photos and video of the delivery.

This occurred a week after three ships of the Chinese coast guard blocked and fired water cannon on two Philippine boats on their way to the Sierra Madre. The Philippine boats were forced to turn back.

Lorenzana has been consistent in asserting the country’s sovereign rights over areas within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone or EEZ, as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Did Beijing hallucinate over the supposed commitment from Manila to pull out the Sierra Madre? The World War II-vintage vessel has been beached on Ayungin since 1999.

Ayungin, apart from clearly lying within the Philippines’ EEZ, was specifically cited in the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague as one of the spots in the South China Sea over which the country has sovereign rights. The Chinese coast guard, which is part of its military, has no right to enter the shoal, particularly since its ludicrous ninedash-line claim over nearly the entire South China Sea was invalidated by the PCA. China should dismantle its military base and get out of Panganiban (Mischief Reef), over which the PCA also awarded the Philippines sovereign rights.

After the harassment with a water cannon, Beijing declared that its coast guard was protecting its waters from “trespassers.” Several countries plus the European Union have expressed concern over the harassment. The Philippines must build on such sentiments to muster international support in asserting its sovereign rights and compliance with the arbitral ruling.

At the same time, the country must sufficiently build its own credible defense capability. The next time Philippine forces see trespassers from China or any other country in Ayungin, it must be able to shoo them away. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Should Duterte’s ally Apollo Quiboloy, megachurch the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and media empire SMNI lose privilege of operating in the PH, globally?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS “PASTOR” Apollo Quiboloy — President Rodrigo Duterte’s longtime friend and “spiritual adviser” who calls himself “Owner of the Universe” and “Appointed Son of God” — along with some U.S. based administrators of his mega-church Kingdom of Jesus Christ, has been indicted by U.S. courts on November 18, 2021 for sex trafficking operation that was supported by funds solicited by U.S. donors here in the United States.

The indictment also stated how Quiboloy used his media empire to spread disinformation about his operations and to intimidate and destroy the reputation of people who managed to escape, and “to discourage other victims from leaving, retaliate against and discredit the victims, and conceal the sexual activity between defendant Quiboloy and the victims”.

The details as stated by the United States Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California: A superseding indictment unsealed today charges the founder of a Philippines-based church and two top administrators of orchestrating a sex trafficking operation that coerced girls and young women to have sex with the church’s leader under threats

of “eternal damnation.”

The superseding indictment expands on allegations made early last year against three Los Angeles-based administrators of the church, which is known as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC). The nine defendants named in the 42-count superseding indictment are charged with participating in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity – the Glendale-based Children’s Joy Foundation (CJF) – donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the KOJC allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round.

The superseding indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury on November 10, expands the scope of the 2020 indictment by adding six new defendants, including the KOJC’s leader, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who was referred to as “The Appointed Son of God.” Three of the new defendants were arrested today by federal authorities. The remaining three, including Quiboloy, are believed to be in the Philippines.

The defendants charged in the superseding indictment are: Quiboloy, believed to be 71, whose primary residence is a

Horizons

RICHARD HEYDARIAN OVER the past week, the world bore witness to the violent outbursts of a fading autarch.

Refusing to read the writing on the wall, President Duterte took on a top contender for his throne by accusing the latter of, among other things, pressuring his daughter to slide down to the vice presidential race, supporting communists, and being “a very weak leader” who keeps cashing in on his late father’s legacy.

Like Gabriel García Márquez’s caudillo in the “The Autumn of the Patriarch” (1975), Mr. Duterte is trying to defy the physics of democratic politics, since for the past half a decade “he alone

KOJC compound in Davao City, Philippines, but who also maintained large residences in Calabasas, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kapolei, Hawaii; Teresita Tolibas Dandan, also known as “Tessie” and “Sis Ting,” 59, of Davao City, the “international administrator” who was one of the top overseers of KOJC and CJF operations in the United States; Helen Panilag, 56, of Davao City, the one-time top KOJC administrator in the U.S., who oversaw the collection of financial data from KOJC operations around the globe; Felina Salinas, also known as “Sis Eng Eng,” 50, of Kapolei, Hawaii, who allegedly was responsible for collecting and securing passports and other documents from KOJC workers in Hawaii, as well as directing funds solicited to church members to church officials in the Philippines (arrested today); Guia Cabactulan, 61, the lead KOJC administrator in the United States who operated the KOJC compound in Van Nuys (charged in original indictment); Marissa Duenas, 43, a Van Nuys-based administrator who handled fraudulent immigration documents for workers (charged in original indictment); Amanda Estopare, 50, another Van Nuys-based administrator who was in charge of tracking and reporting the money raised in the U.S. to KOJC officials in the Philippines (charged in original indictment); Bettina Padilla Roces, also known as “Kuki,” 48, a fourth

administrator who allegedly handled financial matters (arrested today in Reseda); and Maria De Leon, 72, a resident of the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, the owner of Liberty Legal Document Services, who allegedly processed fraudulent marriages and immigrationrelated documents for KOJC workers (arrested today at her residence).

The three arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles and Honolulu.

The superseding indictment charges Quiboloy, Dandan and Salinas with participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, as well as the sex trafficking of children. These three defendants allegedly recruited females ranging from approximately 12 to 25 years of age to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy.

The indictment states that the victims prepared Quiboloy’s meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty.” The indictment specifically mentions five female victims, three of whom were minors when the alleged sex trafficking began.

“Defendant Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators coerced pastorals into performing ‘night duty’ – that is, sex – with defendant Quiboloy under the threat of physical and verbal abuse and eternal damnation by defendant

Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators,” the indictment alleges. “Defendant Quiboloy and other KOJC administrators told pastorals that performing ‘night duty’ was ‘God’s will’ and a privilege, as well as a necessary demonstration of the pastoral’s commitment to give her body to defendant Quiboloy as ‘The Appointed Son of God.’” The indictment alleges the sex trafficking scheme started no later than 2002 and continued to at least 2018, during which time Quiboloy and his top administrators caused the victims to engage in commercial sex acts by ordering female victims, including the minor victims, to have sex with defendant Quiboloy on a schedule determined by the church leader and others, including Dandan. The victims who were obedient were rewarded with “good food, luxurious hotel rooms, trips to tourist spots, and yearly cash payments that were based on performance” – which were paid for with money solicited by KOJC workers in the United States, according to the indictment.

As part of the alleged scheme, the three defendants told female victims who expressed hesitation at night duty “that they had the devil in them and risked eternal damnation.” Furthermore, Quiboloy would threaten and physically abuse victims who attempted to leave KOJC or were not available to perform night duty, according to the indictment, which also alleges Quiboloy would physically abuse victims for communicating with

other men or engaging in other behavior that upset him because he considered such conduct adultery and a sin.

Victims who managed to escape KOJC suffered retaliation in the form of threats, harassment and allegations of criminal misconduct, according to the indictment. “Defendant Quiboloy would give sermons, broadcasted to KOJC members around the world, in which he would allege that victims who escaped had engaged in criminal conduct and sexually promiscuous activity, and therefore faced eternal damnation, in order to discourage other victims from leaving, retaliate against and discredit the victims, and conceal the sexual activity between defendant Quiboloy and the victims,” the indictment states.

Quiboloy has been on the radar of U.S. authorities since Feb. 13, 2018, when he was detained for a day in Honolulu after customs officials found gun parts, at least US$335,000 and another $9,000 in Australian dollars hidden in luggage in his private aircraft,” the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” has been reporting on the accusations against Quiboloy since 2018.

Quiboloy founded megachurch Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), The Name Above Every Name, in 1985. According to the Inquirer report, the church claims a following of over 6 million in 200 countries.

Quiboloy reach grew exponen-

u PAGE A8

2022: Robredo vs Marcos Jr. 2.0?

was the government, and no one circumvented his will whether by word or deed.” Like the Latin American strongmen of the past, Mr. Duterte is simply too used to be “alone in his [personal] glory.”

The populist in Malacañang is now rallying behind his lifetime aide to have him inherit the throne next year. But the likely outcome of Mr. Duterte’s refusal to abandon the field to the Marcoses will only strengthen the hands of the opposition.

Barring another major curveball, next year’s race is increasingly looking like a rematch between former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo, except this time for the highest office of the land.

As I have argued in two previous columns, “Why the

Marcos brand remains popular” (10/26/2021) and “Macoyismo: The myth of a ‘golden age’” (11/9/2021), the resurgence of the Marcoses is a reflection of perennial institutional failures as well as the dearth of critical thinking in our public discourse.

Like Gabriel García Márquez’s caudillo in the “The Autumn of the Patriarch” (1975), Mr. Duterte is trying to defy the physics of democratic politics, since for the past half a decade “he alone was the government, and no one circumvented his will whether by word or deed.” Like the Latin American strongmen of the past, Mr. Duterte is simply too used to be “alone in his [personal] glory.”

The populist in Malacañang is now rallying behind his lifetime aide to have him inherit the throne next year. But the likely

outcome of Mr. Duterte’s refusal to abandon the field to the Marcoses will only strengthen the hands of the opposition.

Barring another major curveball, next year’s race is increasingly looking like a rematch between former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo, except this time for the highest office of the land.

As I have argued in two previous columns, “Why the Marcos brand remains popular” (10/26/2021) and “Macoyismo: The myth of a ‘golden age’” (11/9/2021), the resurgence of the Marcoses is a reflection of perennial institutional failures as well as the dearth of critical thinking in our public discourse.

So far, what’s clear is that Mr. Duterte is stepping up nationwide support for his loyal

aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who, together with Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, is in a position to establish a robust electoral “wall” in Mindanao, thus denying the Marcoses a major surge in the southern provinces.

The biggest beneficiary of the latest development is arguably Leni Robredo, who is fast emerging as the alternative candidate to the Marcoses.

Thanks to a rebranding coup anchored on post-liberal progressive politics and grassroots mobilization, Robredo has swiftly transformed from a laggard in nationwide surveys to cementing her position as the second most preferred candidate to succeed Mr. Duterte next year.

But Robredo will likely need to push her surveys numbers to

around 25-30 percent in order to trigger a “rallying effect” among alternative candidates, as grassroots support and big donors gravitate toward the top candidates.

Key to her success would be a forward-looking narrative that not only emphasizes postpandemic economic recovery, but also provides an inspiring alternative to the deficiencies of both liberal oligarchic politics as well as strongman populism.

This is what a “pink revolution” should ultimately look like.

(Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Bong Go mulls 2022 presidential run: Maybe it’s not my time yet

by DAPHNE

GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — “Sa ngayon, baka hindi ko pa po panahon,” Senator Bong Go said Thursday, November 25, as he contemplates his 2022 presidential bid, expressing his willingness to make the “supreme sacrifice” for the good of the country.

Three weeks after throwing his hat on the 2022 presidential race, Go admitted that he continues to “seek guidance from the Divine Being since the Presidency is a matter of destiny.”

“Kung para sayo ‘yan, para sayo talaga ‘yan,” he said in a long winding statement.

(If you’re meant for it, you will get it.)

But the past few days, he admitted: “that my heart and mind are contradicting my own actions.”

“Tao lang po ako na nasasaktan at napapagod din. O baka dahil sadyang napakarumi at ganun kainit lang talaga ang pulitika.

Talagang nagreresist po ang aking katawan, puso at isipan. Pati po ang aking pamilya ay nahihirapan,” he said.

(I am only human who gets hurt and tired. Or maybe politics is just so dirty and heated. My body, heart, and mind are really resisting. Even my family is suffering.)

“Pero sa ngayon, baka hindi ko pa po panahon,” Go added.

(For now, maybe it is not my time yet.)

He said he is the kind of person willing to make a sacrifice to avoid conflicts and spare President Rodrigo Duterte any burden and pain. Go was a long-time assistant of Duterte before becoming a senator.

“Ako yung taong handang magsakripisyo para wala nang maipit, masaktan at mamroblema. Ayoko na pong mahirapan si Pangulo at yung mga supporters natin. Mahal ko po si Pangulong Duterte.

Matanda na rin po siya at ayaw ko siyang bigyan pa ng dagdag na

problema,” he continued.

(I am the kind of person who is ready to make a sacrifice so that no one gets hurt. I don’t want the President and our supporters to be burdened. I love the President. He is also already old and I don’t want to give him more problems.)

Go said he is leaving his fate to God and the Filipino people, reiterating he is “willing to make the supreme sacrifice for the good of our country, and for the sake of unity among our supporters and leaders.”

The senator initially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president but eventually withdrew to avoid facing off with Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who filed her COC for the same post via substitution on November 13.

Go evneutally filed his COC for president under the Pederalismo ng Dakilang Dugong Samahan (PDDS), an allied party of the ruling political group PDP-Laban. ■

4 parties support BBM-Sara tandem

by MA.

FOUR major political parties have merged to support presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The BBM-SARA UniTeam led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on Thursday, November 25.

In his speech, Marcos said the merging of the four parties signifies unity that would heal and bring peace to a country that dirty politics has long polarized.

“We have come together on the basis of unity. And it is these unifying forces that I believe will bring the stability back first to the political arena, and secondly, to the country,” he said.

Duterte-Carpio thanked the

REINA LEANNE TOLENTINO AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

parties for coming together to support the UniTeam and asked them to “invite more parties to join the alliance.”

“This alliance does not only show our firm aspirations for our country. It also echoes loudly of our triumph to peacefully unite and stand side by side in the pursuit of continued development and positive change for our fellow Filipinos and the Philippines,” Duterte-Carpio, chairman of Lakas-CMD and HNP, said.

“As your vice presidential candidate, I am proud of this agreement that powerfully illustrates leadership transcending throughout political colors,” she said.

PDP-Laban open to alliances with Sara Duterte-Carpio’s HNP, other parties Signing the agreement were Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista, HNP president; South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., PFP president; House Majority Leader and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez, Lakas-

CMD president; and former senator Jinggoy Estrada, PMP president.

Lakas-CMD, which passed a resolution adopting Marcos as its presidential candidate, expressed confidence that the alliance would entice other parties to also support the UniTeam.

Under the agreement, each party can field one candidate in the coalition’s senatorial ticket.

The full lineup will be announced on or before December 1.

The coalition vowed to pursue good governance, economic reforms, a sustained campaign to defeat the pandemic, and national unification and healing.

Marcos described the alignment of the four parties as “a very important step” and “the beginning of our consolidating of the political forces at least on this side of the political aisle.”

A former senator who ran for vice president in 2016, Marcos

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 27-30, 2021

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A8 NOVEMBER 27-30, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

DATE LIN E PH ILIP P IN E S

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‘Preventing surge key to keeping economy open’ No request for info from ICC yet, says Palace MANILA — Preventing a surge in COVID cases is key to keeping the economy open, according to presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion.

“If we want to keep the economy open, we need to take action and vaccinate all our employees and family members, and comply with health protocols and guidelines,” Concepcion said.

“The private sector has been proactive ever since with calling of the lockdown and securing vaccines. Now we are working together to discuss how to sustain this momentum and prevent a surge again,” he said.

His call came amid the detection of a new COVID variant, identified in South Africa as B.1.1.529, which is reportedly more transmissible than Delta and is highly mutated.

A coming town hall meeting on Dec.15 called “VAX to the MAX: Preventing the Surge” will bring together data and medical experts, key government officials and the private sector to discuss how the Philippines can head off a surge following the granting of increased mobility to Filipinos.

The town hall meeting is seen as timely in the light of the appearance of the new COVID variant.

Concepcion recalled that it was the private sector’s proactive move to call in late July for an early lockdown in early August in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The move was effective in bringing down the number of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila. In making the call, the private sector took into consideration the analysis by OCTA Research. The rise in cases was believed to have been triggered by the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant.

Last Thursday, a spot map went viral for showing side by side the number of active COVID-19 cases in the NCR from two dates in September and November this year.

The map showed the stark drop in cases using Department of Health (DOH) data from two specific dates: Sept. 6 and Nov. 15.

The map was created by disaster scientist Dr. Mahar Lagmay, and posted on his Twitter account with the caption, “Big difference!

Nov. 15, 2021 vs. Sept. 6, 2021 random dot map of active cases in Metro Manila.” The specific dates

chosen by Dr. Lagmay recorded stark differences in the number of new cases: 22,415 for Sept. 6 and 1,547 for Nov. 15.

“There was opposition to the call, but we chose to believe the data,” said Concepcion, saying that the map shows unequivocally the effect of a timely lockdown on the decrease in the spread of the virus, as well as the proactive approach of all sectors to stop its spread.

Concepcion said the private sector continues to be vigilant amid the gains it has achieved in opening up businesses while reminding members to continue to implement public health and safety protocols.

Initiatives such as VAX to the MAX monitor vaccination rates across the country to encourage local governments to step up their vaccination efforts. “Vaccination remains our primary weapon against the virus,” he said. An unvaccinated population is seen as contributory to the rise of virus mutations.

The national government has set aside Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 as National Vaccination Day. (Philstar. com)

4 parties support BBM-Sara...

PAGE A7

filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) under the PFP in October.

Duterte-Carpio filed her CoC to run for reelection as mayor. She withdrew it on November 9 and filed one for the vice presidency under Lakas-CMD four days later.

On Wednesday, November 26 Lakas-CMD adopted a resolution confirming Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential bet and another one officially adopting Marcos as its presidential candidate.

The party also adopted a resolution authorizing Romualdez to enter into alliances with other

parties.

“The UniTeam Alliance, we pray, is just the beginning. We dream of a grand coalition of national and regional parties with local alliances that share our vision of a better future for this generation and the next,” Romualdez said on Thursday. ■

by DANIZA

FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — Malacañang has yet to receive a formal request from International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan for additional information on the government’s investigation on the alleged atrocities in President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, acting spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Wednesday, November 24.

“While we have received reports that International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan will request the Philippines to provide substantiating information regarding its investigations into allegations involving the country’s anti-illegal drug campaign, we would like to clarify that we have yet to receive a formal request with regard to this matter,” he said in a statement.

That being said, we reiterate our position that the ICC has no jurisdiction to probe our campaign against illegal drugs. Clearly, the ICC prosecutor’s request for information is an acknowledgment that alleged victims can seek redress in Philippine legal institutions because these are independent, impartial, and competent,” Nograles added.

After granting a request last week by Manila to defer the ICC prosecution office’s investigation of the charges against the President, Khan on Wednesday said that “in the coming days” he would ask the government for proof that it was genuinely investigating the allegations of atrocities in the drug war.

He said he wanted to be provided “promptly” with information that would substantiate the government’s claim.

Khan said the government’s submission must consist of “tangible evidence, of probative value and a sufficient degree of specificity, demonstrating that concrete and progressive investigative steps have been or are currently being undertaken to ascertain the responsibility of persons for alleged conduct falling within the scope of the authorized ICC investigation.”

He reminded the government that while his office had temporarily suspended its own investigation of the President’s war on drugs, it “will continue its analysis of information already in its possession and any new information it may receive from third parties.”

According to Nograles, a formal request from the ICC would be a recognition that Philippine legal institutions were functioning and “independent, impartial and competent.”

“Moreover, this validates our earlier position that the ICC is the court of last resort, one that can be utilized when a State Party is unwilling to investigate and prosecute those who violate its laws; this is simply not the case in the Philippines,” Nograles added.

He also noted the efforts of various government agencies to find ways to speed up the investigations, ensure they are fair and make those responsible for extrajudicial killings and other abuses accountable.

“Our criminal justice system continues to be capable and functional, and a case in point is the signing of the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation of an agreement to conduct cooperative investigations — evidence that a culture of impunity does not exist in our country as local institutions have demonstrated their commitment to accountability,” Nograles said.

‘Doublespeak’ Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who also filed a complaint in the ICC against Duterte, said Malacañang was engaging in “doublespeak.”

“The very reason why Malacañang officially begged the ICC to suspend its proceedings is because they have already resolved among themselves that ICC’s jurisdiction had been clearly established,” he told the Inquirer.

“Therefore, all this double-

speak about ICC’s lack of jurisdiction is merely to confuse the domestic audience, while hoping and praying that the ICC would heed its pleas,” he said.

The government has officially reported that more than 6,000 have been killed in the drug war since 2016. Human rights groups say the figure was closer to 30,000.

Human rights lawyers had urged Khan not to fall for the government’s claims that it was redressing victims’ grievances.

They said that the “domestic remedies” cited by the government were not working or stopping the killings and other atrocities.

The government withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC, in 2018 after Khan’s predecessor started an examination of the charges filed by the victims’ families.

After it declared that the ICC lost jurisdiction over the Philippines when its withdrawal from the treaty became final in March 2019, and Mr. Duterte claimed that the treaty itself was invalid because it wasn’t published in the Official Gazette, the government on Nov. 10 sought a deferral of the prosecutor’s investigation.

The request was made by Manila’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Eduardo Malaya, who informed the ICC prosecution office in The Hague that the government already was conducting its own investigations of the allegations of the victims’ families.

52 drug raids He cited the DOJ review of 52 drug raids between 2016 and 2021 that resulted in deaths.

Malaya also cited the DOJ review of over 300 cases in the dockets of the National Prosecution Service that included ongoing and concluded preliminary investigations of deaths.

Malaya was essentially invoking Article 17 of the Rome Statute on the principle of complementarity, which means that the ICC may only exercise jurisdiction when national legal systems fail to genuinely prosecute crimes under international law.

Lawyers familiar with the ICC process say that for the country’s domestic investigations to be considered genuine, they must be investigating the same suspects for the same cases that the ICC is also investigating.

Investigators must also target persons deemed most responsible for the crimes, not just the “foot soldiers.” ■

Should Duterte’s ally Apollo Quiboloy, megachurch the...

PAGE A6 t tially with the help of his growing media empire. Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), also known by its legal operating name Swara Sug Media Corporation. SMNI is the official broadcasting arm of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ megachurch.

Duterte accorded his longtime friend and spiritual adviser more reach and influence when he signed into law Republic Act 11422, renewing Swara Sug Media Corporation’s franchise with 25 years extension to operate and expand.

This network is based in Davao City and Makati in Metro Manila, and operates on multi-platform: via terrestrial broadcast in the Philippines, and on cable, satellite, and online streaming worldwide.

As reported in its “About” page, this network now owns and operates two television channels, where the main flagship channel, based in Davao City, maintains an uninterrupted 24-hour service through regular repetition of a dozen self-produced Kingdom Programs in English, Tagalog, and dozens of foreign languages along with news, public affairs, and sports programs.

SMNI has two television channels and 17 radio stations operating nationwide. SMNI News Channel was launched in May of 2016.

The aforementioned developments and facts beg the answers to the following questions: • Will President Rodrigo Duterte really cooperate with the United States and facilitate the extradition of his personal friend and political ally Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused to face the charges in the United States, pursuant to the extradition treaty that exists between the United States and the Philippines since Nov. 13, 1994?

• Given this U.S. indictment that corroborates sex abuse allegations against Quiboloy in the Philippines by victims and the parents of the victims, will Duterte now authorize further investigation into these allegations of crimes that happened in the Philippines? “Women’s rights advocates in Davao have tracked cases in the past that that didn’t reach the courts due to alleged

pressure and the use of influence,” Rappler reported. This was substantiated by Professor Mae Fe Templa, former undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

• Will Duterte investigate the alleged crimes by Quiboloy’s megachurch Kingdom of Jesus Christ, that allegedly solicited donations in the Philippines, in the United States and elsewhere around the world to finance Quiboloy’s lavish lifestyle and to amass properties?

• Does Quiboloy’s megachurch Kingdom of Jesus Christ enjoy tax-exempt status? Have Quiboloy and his cohorts violated any eligibility requirements for this privilege?

• Since SMNI is the official broadcast arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, did Quiboloy’s media empire violate any terms and conditions of its franchise? Has it been used to abuse people’s trust and spread disinformation about the integrity of the church to aid in the alleged “criminal conspiracy” as stated in the indictment?

• Has SMNI violated the terms and conditions of RZ 11422, specifically Section 4: Responsibility to the Public? Has SMNI fulfilled the sacred obligation of its news media network to report facts so that the public may be better informed? Or has SMNI been acting as Duterte’s propaganda tool?

• If after following the rule of law and due process fairly and justly and it was found that Quiboloy, his megachurch Kingdom of Jesus Christ and SMNI violated laws and betrayed public trust, shouldn’t they all lose the privilege of operating in the Philippines and around the world? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.

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Sat urday, NOvember 2 7 , 2 0 2 1

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Thanksgiving message Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THANKSGIVING is again being celebrated differently this year. Thankfully, although we are still in the midst of a pandemic, we may finally be able to have a gathering of loved ones, with masks, vaccinations, social distancing, and other protocols.

We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, in all areas of our lives, including immigration, and I hope we can finally get back to “normal.” The pandemic created such turmoil, frustrations, delays, and hardship for so many in connection with their immigration matters.

Embassies and USCIS offices were closed, no interviews were being conducted, there were travel bans, immigration bans, and lockdowns.

Thankfully, embassies are slowly reopening, visa interviews are being scheduled, and visas are again being issued, allowing families to be reunited in the U.S. USCIS offices also are reopening and scheduling interviews. Therefore, we do have a lot to be thankful for, compared to how the situation was last year.

In the coming year, I hope the pandemic will further subside, and we can all get back to our normal lives. I also hope Congress can stop all its bickering and infighting, and

get together and come up with comprehensive immigration reform, as both parties have continuously promised, but have yet to deliver, including a possible amnesty for the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. My personal Thanksgiving wish is to be able to assist eligible applicants in achieving legalization and their American dream, enabling them to be reunited to celebrate with their families in America.

Happy Thanksgiving to All! *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, DADDY’S GIRLS FINALLY GET THEIR VISAS THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Cathlene (left) and Corinne (2nd from left) were petitioned by their U.S. citizen father while he was living in the “Success Stories,” endorsements and Philippines in 2017. By law, a petitioner must be “domiciled” or living in the U.S. in order for family members to be issued immigrant visas. Since the father was still residing in the Philippines, re-enactments) are of a general nature, the Embassy refused to issue the daughters’ visas. Their mother, Malou, (2nd from right) consulted with the office of leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (extreme right) and are not intended to apply to any to help establish the petitioner’s domicile in the U.S. and have the children’s visas issued. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, November 28 at particular case, and do not constitute 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement) a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram.com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a Bruno Mars and Elle King H.E.R., who was born to a Best R&B Performance, Best consultation for anywhere in the US: bagged several key nominations. Filipina mother and an African Traditional R&B Performance,

By AJPress 1-866-487-3465 The nominees were announced American father, landed Best Song Written for Visual (866) – GURFINKEL THE 64th annual Grammy on Tuesday, November 23, with nominations in many of the top Media, and Best Contemporary Four offices to serve you: Awards are shaping up to be a Grammy Award-winning H.E.R. categories including Album of Christian Music Performance/ LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW prideful event for the Filipino leading the Fil-Am pack with the Year and Song of the Year.

Song.

YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES She was also nominated for “8 NOMS??????????? ONLY American community as artists eight nods, followed by Rodrigo (Advertising Supplement) Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R, Saweetie, with seven.

Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song, PAGE B2

Fil-Ams Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., Saweetie, Bruno Mars earn several Grammy nominations

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Simbang Gabi masses Bea sizzles in 1st sexy photo shoot as calendar girl slated from Dec. 15 to 23

IN the Catholic Christendom, it’s that time of the year again to express the rich Filipino tradition of attending a nine-day novena of masses at dawn known as Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo (Spanish Mass of the Rooster) because Philippine masses are held at 4 a.m. from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23.

In the U.S., it usually starts at 5 a.m. or 7 p.m. depending on the schedule of the parish.

The tradition was introduced by the Spanish friars stationed in the Philippines to allow farmers to hear mass before going to the fields early in the morning. It is also the preparation for Christmas and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

This depth of Catholicism among the Filipino people and filial devotion to Mary, the Mother of God had reached the U.S. and elsewhere where Filipinos overseas await the birth of her Son for nine consecutive days.

Sponsored by the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Simbang Gabi 2021 begins on December 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Temple St. with His Excellency Archbishop Jose Gomez as presider. Other parish churches in the Archdiocese comprising 128 as of press time will participate in this Christmas tradition.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles comprises five pastoral regions namely: Los Angeles, San Pedro, San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Barbara.

This year’s celebration will commemorate two landmark anniversaries among Catholics in Los Angeles. First, the 500th year anniversary of the gift of Christian faith to the Filipino people from Spanish missionaries who planted the Cross of Christ on Philippine soil during the celebration of the first Mass on Limasawa Island on March 31, 1521. “Gifted to Give” is the theme chosen by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). After 500 years, the evangelized Filipinos are recognized and called to evangelize others wherever they are.

Second, 2021 is the jubilee year celebrating 250 years of the Catholic faith in Los Angeles on

the anniversary of the founding of Mission San Gabriel Archangel, the first church in what is now the Archdiocese. Simbang Gabi 2021 will be an occasion to respond to the Jubilee’s call to “raise up a new generation of missionary disciples.”

“Gifted to Share the Light of Christ,” the theme of Simbang Gabi 2021, epitomizes the call to the mission of both jubilees.

The celebration is replete with a procession of parols, or Christmas lanterns, which makes the dawn masses a festive gathering of the faithful.

In Los Angeles and in several hundred other dioceses and parishes all over the United States, many pastors, most not even Filipino priests themselves, have fully embraced Simbang Gabi and have in fact made it a parish-wide celebration. Diocesan bishops support and encourage the devotion. They joyfully preside at either the opening or the closing mass and mingle with the parishioners during the receptions.

In this country, where Christmas has become a highly commercialized secular holiday, Simbang Gabi is a refreshing breath of fresh air which brings Jesus Christ back to the center of the Christmas season. Although Filipino Catholics are on the cusp of visibility in the American Catholic Church, this faithful community of Catholics has been grace-bearers to the Church in this country and elsewhere in the world.

After 500 years of evangelization and nurturing of the Catholic faith in the Philippines, 81% of the approximately 107 million Filipinos in the Philippines are Catholics, the third biggest Catholic country in the world next to Mexico and Brazil.

For further details, interested parties may contact Filipino Ministry liaison Rev Fr. Rodel Balagtas at ffrbalagtas@incaglendale.org, Simbang Gabi coordinator Myrna S. Legaspi @ 562-4209483 or nanausa@gmail.com or Tom Lapidario at 562-347-5022 or laptom@yahoo.com.

(Contributed by Dan E. Nino / denino1951@ gmail.com) n

Sharon gets cozy with ex Rowell, reveals ‘Ang Probinsyano’ character

‘Ang Probinsyano’ stars Sharon Cuneta and Rowell Santiago Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta

“MEGASTAR” Sharon Cuneta is making her highly-anticipated debut in an ABS-CBN series through “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” tonight on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z and TV5.

“November 26 na po ang simula ko sa FPJ’s ANG PROBINSYANO!!! Kita-kits po!!!” Sharon said in a post on her Instagram account as she shared a moody video teaser featuring her character Aurora, who is said to have a major impact in Cardo’s (Coco Martin) life and his ongoing quest to protect the country.

Sharon also posted photos of her with co-star Tirso Cruz III and Malu Sevilla, one of the series’ directors.

She wrote in her caption, “We are such a happy family here. Where has this show been all my life?!!

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By jAn

Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Bea Alonzo went out of her comfort zone as she recently became a sexy calendar girl for local liquor brand Tanduay.

With the theme “La Dolce Vita” for her calendar girl shoot, Bea admitted that she’s nervous because this was her first time to do a sexy photo shoot.

“I was really nervous at first because it was my first time to do a sexy photo shoot,” Bea confessed.

Bea expressed that she is more than excited to become part of the elite circle of women who became Tanduay Calendar Girls such as Heart Evangelista, KC Concepcion, Ellen Adarna, Barbie Imperial, and 2021’s Ivana Alawi, among others.

“Each of them are not only beautiful, but have many admirable attributes as well. They’re strong, independent, and talented,” she said.

When asked how she felt when she learned that she was chosen to represent the brand for the coming year, Alonzo said that she was surprised at first and ecstatic the next.

during these uncertain times.

“She is the Tanduay Calendar Girl we need during these uncertain times. Someone who will remind us that change can be a good thing, but you have to be strong as you breeze through these changes. No stress, just be calm and collected, so you can emerge beautifully out of every situation you are in,” he said.

“She’s going through a transition in her career, a blossoming stage, if you may call it.

She values her craft and her authenticity shines through,” Ngo said.

Ngo asserted that the shoot came out the way they envisioned it.

Bea Alonzo “It was done tastefully with Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo Bea exuding her natural, subtle “Hindi ako makapaniwala. sexiness into the whole compoTanduay kasi is an iconic brand sition. The setting is the counna kilala sa buong mundo at na- tryside, which complemented pakadaming natanggap na in- the calming effect when one ternational awards. Napakalak- looks at Bea,” he said.

“Tibay Tanduay. That’s someing karangalan para sa akin na maging Tanduay calendar girl,” thing we need as we welcome the changes in our life. Have she said.

For Marc Ngo, Tanduay Se- the courage to do something nior Brand Manager and Inter- different. It’s only when you national Business Development open yourself up to changes Manager, Bea as their new cal- that you will grow as a person,” endar girl is what people need Bea said. n

Rabiya on what kind of guy will make her love again

By Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

WHEN I interviewed Pia Wurtzbach last May, I asked for her thoughts about Rabiya Mateo. Queen P said that the future of Rabiya is as bright as the yellow gown she wore at the Miss Universe pageant 2020.

True enough, the Ilongga beauty queen is soaring as she joins show biz. Rabiya is now officially a Kapuso. So GMA 7 could very well stand for “Go Mateo Arriba.”

Here’s my chat with Rabiya: Who would you choose to be your first leading man and what role do you want to portray?

Alden Richards. I’m a fan of his. Aside from his looks and acting prowess, I love the fact that he’s nice to everybody. As for the project I’d like, I want to go back to my “high school sweetheart days” via an innocent love story.

I can still pass for a high school student naman (laughs).

How are you preparing for your foray into show biz?

I had several acting workshops in the past, but I know that isn’t enough, so I’m open to learn more. Since I’m going to be doing action, I don’t want to have a double. So I’m training my body

Rabiya Mateo

and mind to do every fight scene.

What kind of guy will make you want to fall in love again?

For now, I’m not looking for a love life, but who knows? I want somebody who is family-oriented because I was raised by a single mom. It’s been my frustration to have a complete family… for my future children. So, I want somebody who’s not just a perfect partner, but also someone capable of being a good dad.

Will you join a beauty pageant again like Catriona Gray,

Photo from Instagram/@rabiyamateo

who won Miss Universe after her second attempt?

Probably not in the coming years because I really want to focus on my newfound show biz career. But I’m not closing any doors.

What are some things that not too many people know about you?

I can rap. I love watching crime serials. I have no balance. I don’t know how to ride a bike nor swim. To be more adventurous is on my bucket list. n

2022 Grammy Award nominees Silk Sonic (featuring Fil-Am Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak), Olivia Rodrigo, and H.E.R. Photos from Instagram_@brunomars, @oliviarodrigo, and @hermusicofficial

Fil-Ams Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., Saweetie... nominations in all four top categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. She also picked up nominations for Best Pop Vocals Album, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.

The Disney star took to Instagram to express her excitement over the announcement.

“Woke up this morning to 7 Grammy nominations. When I was younger, my family lived a few blocks from the staples center, where the Grammys took place every year. I would always walk outside the arena and look at the plaques on the ground with all the winners names in wide eyed wonder,” wrote Rodrigo.

“Many dreams have come true for me this year but this one is probably the most meaningful. thank you to everyone who has believed in me and supported the songs I write,” she added. “I’m beyond humbled. Truly a day I will never forget. So grateful.”

Meanwhile, Saweetie earned two nods: Best New Artist and Best Rap Song for “Best Friend,” Rapper Saweetie has bagged two nods: Best which features fellow Grammy New Artist and Best Rap Song for “Best nominee Doja Cat. Friend,” alongside Doja Cat. “2X GRAMMY NOMINATED Photo from Instagram_@saweetie

PAGE B1 GOD. Thank you to all the people that helped create these records!!!!!

WOOOOOO 23 nominations at 24,” she wrote in an Instagram post after the announcement.

This year’s breakout star, 18-year-old Rodrigo, became the first Filipina and secondyoungest artist to receive

IKDR !!!!!” the Icy rapper said on Instagram.

She added, “I’m speechless.

I wish I had the words to express how I feel but I’m just so grateful!!!!!!! Being acknowledged for all the hard work me and my team have been doing feels AMAZINNNNNG.” Saweetie was born to an African American father and a Filipina-Chinese mother. She recently made her musical debut on “Saturday Night Live” by performing her brand new single “Icy Chain.”

Silk Sonic, which comprises Bruno Mars and Anderson.Paak, garnered nominations for “Leave the Door Open” — Record of the Year, Song of The Year, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song.

Meanwhile, Elle King — who is of Filipino descent through her father Rob Schneider — is nominated for Best Country Duo/ Group Performance alongside Miranda Lambert for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

The 2022 Grammys Awards show will take place on January 31, 2022 in Los Angeles. It will be aired on the CBS Television Network and streamed live and on demand on Paramount+. n

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Reflecting on a grateful heart Termination during approved

joy and wonder at every blessing: big or small, extraordinary or ordinary.

It’s a heart that doesn’t live with a mindset of scarcity: that there is nothing to thank for and to celebrate; nothing to be reverend proud of regarding one’s life rodel G. BAlAGtAS and the world around us.

It’s a heart whose eyes are NICk Ortner of The Tapping keen at seeing every gift and evSolution writes this story: ery benediction from God, even “A blind boy sat on the steps amid crisis, pains, and threats. of a building with a hat by his It’s a heart that sees the world feet. He held up a sign which as a beautiful garden, where read, ‘I am blind, please help.’ like every flower and plant, evThere were only a few coins in ery person has a place in the the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.

Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were. The boy world and in the hearts of all. recognized his footsteps and It’s a heart that sings and asked, ‘Were you the one who gives praise to God, that jumps changed my sign this morning? with joy at every possibility and What did you write?’ potential.

The man said, ‘I only wrote A heart that sees opportunity the truth. I said what you said and future in every person in evbut in a different way.’ ery challenges.

I wrote, ‘Today is a beautiful Gratitude then is not just day, but I cannot see it.’” a passing thought, an afterWhat a beautiful story to re- thought, and a yearly celebraflect on!” To reflect on what a tion. It is a Daily Practice and grateful heart is.

Prayer, a Ritual.

It’s a heart that is filled with It does not fail to count every

Pastor’s Notes

blessing at the breaking of the day and at the end of the night.

It’s the most important prayer and ritual of the day!

It looks at the specific, the particular, the simple, and the common gifts: the water we drink and bathe in everyday; the towel that wraps our bodies; the blanket that keeps us warm at night; the pet dog that heals our spirits; the grocery clerk that bags our goods.

A grateful heart responds with generosity. It understands that when one receives, one gives back. Within this heart, giving comes naturally. So a grateful heart serves, takes initiative, cares, forgives, understands.

Indeed, this Thanksgiving weekend is a good time to reflect on what it is to have a grateful heart and to cultivate it.

For as they say, gratitude is an antidote to any feeling of despair, loneliness, disappointment, resentment, and anger.

That is why in the Gospel, praises one of the ten lepers for his grateful heart. After he received healing, he came back to the temple to give thanks and to go back to serving the Lord within his family and community. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

A grateful heart responds with generosity. It understands that when one receives, one gives back. Within this heart, giving comes naturally.

So a grateful heart serves, takes initiative, cares, forgives, understands.

Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation A PeRSON who obtains his/ her green card via marriage to a US citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years.

In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the conditional permanent resident and his/ her US citizen spouse must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before the expiration of the green card. 8 CFR 216.4(a)(1) But what if things don’t work out with the US citizen spouse after getting married, and the conditional permanent resident can no longer get the participation of his/ her US citizen spouse in filing the I-751 petition? In such a case, the conditional permanent resident may seek an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement. In order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage upon which his/her status was based was: 1) entered into in good faith, and 2) terminated.

8 CFR 216.5(a)(1)(ii) With respect to the required showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith, the conditional permanent resident

To grieve is to have loved and to have been loved. Despite her petite stature and gentle manner, Maria Victoria “Tita” Molina Factora loved big and loved unconditionally. She left this earth from natural causes, in peace, and surrounded by her beloved children and grandchildren on November 4, 2021 at the age of 83. She died as she had lived, with dignity, grace, at her own time and on her own terms.

And always with love to others and to the Almighty.

Tita was born to Juan Molina y Carlos and Fé Costa Molina on May 25, 1938 in Manila, Philippines, the second of 11 children.

She was born a generation removed from Spanish colonial rule, just three years before WWII, and seven years before Philippine independence. She belonged to the great generation of Filipinos who rebuilt their homes and neighborhoods, brick by brick, with the spirit and optimism that a new country could inspire.

She attended the refined halls of St. Paul’s College and Assumption College in Manila.

And on June 15, 1938, she married Jose Marcelo “Peping” Ranara Factora. It was an interesting pairing, he being Bicolano - bold, outspoken, and temperamental - while she was a classic Manileña- charming, polite, and mild-tempered. But they shared a foundational devotion to faith and family, and a vision for an even better life in America. Together they left the comfort of the familiar and took part in the great migration of Filipinos to the US, settling in Los Angeles, CA in 1973 and helping to

Legal Advice Atty. dArriCk tAn must show that his/her marriage was not a “sham.” A marriage is considered a “sham” if, when they married, the couple did not intend to establish a life together.

An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship (such as a green card) from that life does not make a marriage a sham.

Matter of Soltan, A76 888 125 (BIA 2001). Documents such as joint bank and credit card statements, and photos that demonstrate that the marriage was entered in good faith should be presented.

Also, in order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage was terminated.

By “terminated,” the USCIS requires a valid, formal divorce judgment. An I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be approved in cases where the conditional permanent resident is legally separated or in divorce proceedings that are still pending. Also, once the marriage is terminated, the conditional resident may file

enrich the community they set roots in. Their voices still resonate in an annual festival they helped introduce to the city: ¡Viva la Vírgen de Peñafrancia! ¡Viva!

Through life’s ups and downs, successes and challenges, Tita’s unshakeable faith never wavered. She was as devout a Catholic as they come, always attended mass, and prayed the rosary nightly, in private and with her various prayer groups. In her thoughts, words, and deeds, she lived her life with humility and quiet fortitude. She was particularly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Mother. “Don’t forget to pray!”, “Always trust in Him”, she would remind her adult children.

Nada te turbe, Nada te espante, Todo se pasa, Solo Díos basta. God is all you need, read the prayer from St. Teresa of Avila that sat on her dresser for many years.

She survived Peping by 18 years and retired from LA Unified School District after 15 years of service, leaving Noble Elementary School as a school administrator in 2004.

In her leisure time, she volunteered in several community groups to feed and clothe the needy and to raise funds for worthwhile programs. More than on occasion, she enjoyed a night out playing a mean game of bingo and loved listening to Doris Day, classic Spanish boleros, and the waltzes of Strauss. Her cooking is still talked about, with many attempts to replicate. Her leche flan has reached legendary status. She always welcomed visitors, both familiar and not, with a greeting as customary to her as a “hello”: “Kumain na muna kayo”

the I-751 petition immediately, and does not have to wait until the normal 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card.

It is worth noting that if the conditional permanent resident and his/her US Citizen spouse live in California, a valid divorce judgment must be obtained in the California courts. I have had numerous Californiaresident clients in the past who have obtained a “quick” divorce judgment in Nevada only to face USCIS scrutiny after presenting the Nevada divorce judgment in support of an I-751 waiver request (since one must be a Nevada resident to obtain a divorce in Nevada). The assistance of an experienced attorney in handling the divorce as well as the I-751 waiver request is accordingly recommended. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada.

Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA).

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

-- “Come, you eat something!” Above all, she enjoyed the company of her friends and family, especially her seven grandchildren whom she doted over. May she continue to watch over, guide, and comfort them through life.

She loved and cared easily, never spoke ill of anyone, had a kind, gracious, and noble spirit, and was easy to forgive. She will be deeply missed. And as we grieve, we love. As we mourn, we remember. As we bid farewell, we give thanks, grateful for the full and faithful life she lived, inspired by her example, and knowing without doubt that we all were loved unconditionally. We also take comfort that she is now in peace, with Peping and other dearly departed by her side. May God Bless them all.

Tita is survived by her children, Therese, Victoria, Christine, John, Paul, Mark, and Josephine, and their spouses Richard, Mike, and Tim; her grandchildren Chelsi, Celine, Ellie, Eva, Jonathan, Joseph, and Mateo; and her siblings and their spouses: Frank and Lillian, Janet and Jun, Danny and Yoli, Chito and Mila, Tom and Mayet, Timmy and Rose, as well as Factora in-laws and nieces and nephews from both the Molina-Factora families whom she loved dearly.

A funeral service is scheduled for 9:30am on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the San Fernando Mission Church.

medical leave may be illegal Is employee’s travel an abuse of medical leave?

However, Mayorga did not know the employer was trying to contact him. When Mayorga did not report back to work within five days, the employer deemed him absent without leave. He was then considered to have reAtty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. signed from his employment.

Mayorga sued the employer for wrongful termination, claimQ: I HAD surgery and my eming that his termination violated ployer approved the doctor-prethe California Family Rights Act scribed 6 weeks of medical leave.

(CFRA), which allows employees While on leave, I travelled to the to take protected leave because Philippines to stay with family of their disability or medical members who could assist me condition. Mayorga argued that while I recovered. When I came the employer objected to Mayback to the U.S. I received severorga leaving the country while al messages from my employer he was on medical leave, demanding I go back to and thus considered him work right away. The em“Under California law an absent without leave. ployer apparently learned However, Mayorga’s note that I had gone out of the employer may not terminate an from his doctor demoncountry, thought I went strated he couldn’t work on vacation, and became employee based on disability, and needed the medical upset. I called the employer and was told since medical condition, or pregnancy. leave.

The case went to trial.

I did not return to work Disability includes physical After two weeks, the jury as instructed, I had rereturned a verdict in favor signed. Is this right?

A: No, the facts that disability, mental disability or a of the employee, awarding him loss of earnings in you narrated do not supmedical condition.” the amount of $242,000, port a lawful termination. future loss of earnings Your employer approved your doctor-prescribed medical was abusing the leave process. of $78,000, emotional distress leave. If the employer had ques- In other words, simply because damages of $576,000, and futions about your continuing need an employee who went on med- ture non-economic damages of for reasonable leave accommo- ical leave travelled out of the $384,000. His total jury award dation, the employer had a duty country on an apparent vacation, was $1,280,000. *** to engage you in interactive pro- does not necessarily mean the employee lied about their need The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints cess. expressed by the author do not necesUnder California law an em- for leave accommodation.

Consider the following case sarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and ployer may not terminate an employee based on disability, reported by the Daily Journal viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. medical condition, or pregnan- and other news media: Oscar Mayorga worked for *** cy. Disability includes physical disability, mental disability or a Porterville Unified School Dis- The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. medical condition. If a disabled trict as a custodian for 18 years. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All employee is unable to perform He was diagnosed with diabetic inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. work duties, the employer must peripheral neuropathy. In May You can contact the office at (818) 291engage in a timely interactive 2017, due to complications from 0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or process. This means that the em- diabetes, his medical provider our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. ployer must communicate with deemed it appropriate for him to Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced the employee to determine if rea- go on medical leave. He submit- trial attorney who has successfully sonable accommodation is need- ted his doctor’s note to the em- recovered wages and other monetary ployer and he went on medical damages for thousands of employees ed or continues to be needed. and consumers. He was named Top LaThere are those who believe leave for five weeks.

During his medical leave, bor & Employment Attorney in California that some employees abuse the leave process by applying for Mayorga visited his brother in by the Daily Journal, consistently selectmedical leave while they actually Nicaragua, who also had diabe- ed as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles go on vacation. However, the vast tes. The employer learned that Magazine, is the recipient of PABA’s majority of employees who file Mayorga was out of the country. Community Champion Award, and is a medical leaves do so because it is The employer tried to contact Presidential Awardee for Outstanding necessary. The issue now is if an him to demand that he return to Filipino Overseas in 2018.]

(Advertising Supplement) employee files medical leave, and work within less than 24 hours.

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

then leaves the country while on leave, did the employee then forfeit their right to medical leave?

The answer is, not necessarily.

One may incorrectly assume that someone who is ill or disabled should not be able to travel or go on vacation. For example, an employee who is recovering from surgery may spend their recovery time sitting and reading by the beach in Hawaii and still comply with doctor’s orders to rest. However, if the employee was found hiking Mt. Fuji based on social media postings, then there could be a reasonable inquiry into whether the employee

B6 november 27-30, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Janine Berdin’s timely reminder JANINE Berdin leaves a lasting reminder to take a break when life gets overwhelming in her latest self-penned single, “Pagod Na Ako.” “When writing this song, I wanted to tell myself that it’s okay to feel exhausted. It’s okay to feel like something’s draining you,” said the 19-yearold “Tawag ng Tanghalan” champion.

Through the song, she hopes

to remind people, especially the young ones in her age, that denial and putting up a front will only add more gravity to someone’s existing woes.

“Setting big goals and high expectations for yourself is good, yes, but if it starts stressing you out too much and becomes a huge threat to your overall well-being, you have to realize that.”

“Pagod Na Ako” is made

more special with the Cebuana signer’s collaboration with her kababayan, Juan Karlos Labajo who also hails from Cebu. The “The Voice Kids” alumnus turned hitmaker produced the single under Star Music.

In a virtual conference Labajo said he felt really proud of Berdin when he heard the song’s final product. “I just helped her out on how to materialize what she had in mind and put it into music, into reality. But how you hear this song is really Janine’s genius. Ako lang yung isa sa mga instrument na tumulong.”

“Pagod Na Ako” adds to Berdin’s list of selfcompositions that capture her relatable and honest musings about life including “The Side Character” and “Wala Ako N’yan.” She is regularly seen on “ASAP Natin ‘To” alongside other New Gen Divas.

The song is out now on various digital music platforms. (By Christina Alpad/ManilaTimes. net) n

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Defrauded seniors left with $100K debt need Chapter 7 relief

SENIOR no. 1 and senior no. 2 are in the same boat. They each have car repossession deficiencies of over $100,000 and business credit card debt of $50,000.

Just by looking at these figures, you know there’s something not right. At their age, why should they each have several car repo deficiencies of over $100,000?

What is a car repo deficiency?

A car repo deficiency arises when debtor becomes delinquent on the car payment or lease payment.

The creditor then goes to your house in the dead of night and hauls your car away. When you wake up in the morning, your brand new car on the driveway is gone. The creditor then sells your car at wholesale which means they get a lot less than what they should get if it’s sold at retail.

They apply the net proceeds from sale to what you owe them, and collect the unpaid balance from you. Thus, it’s aptly called the car repo deficiency.

For example, you bought a brand new M-Benz E-350 for $50,000. You got a car loan for $48,000 at 9% p.a. interest. Total payments for five years will be $60,000. You become delinquent on the car payments. Creditor reposes the car. They sell the car at wholesale for $30,000. The repo deficiency, which you owe, is $30,000. Yes, you still owe them $30,000 even though you don’t have the car anymore. Why? Because by contract that you signed with creditor, you agreed to pay them $60,000. When they sold the car at wholesale, they only got back $30,000. So, they can still collect $30,000 from you, because by contract, you we them $60,000. I know it’s not fair to you, but that’s how contract law works.

In the case of these two seniors, one of them owes repo deficiencies for five expensive cars. If each repo deficiency is $30,000 then five times that, senior owes $150,000 of repo deficiencies.

This senior also owes a business credit line of $50,000. So, easily, senior owes probably $200,000.

But why will a senior buy five expensive cars and get a line of credit for business of $50,000?

The answer of course is that there is a story that needs to be The young singer reminds people that it’s told so other seniors won’t be okay not to be okay in her new single, ‘Pagod defrauded too. na Ako.’ Photo from Instagram/@janineberdin

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng Senior is approached by an acquaintance who offers her an opportunity to participate in a business that will give senior $30,000 profit if she does something. This something is that senior will fill out a form giving her personal financial information to acquaintance. Acquaintance will then use the personal information to apply for business credit cards in the name of the business and senior, as well as to buy or lease several expensive cars. These cars will be rented out so that the rent income will be used to pay the car loans and car leases. The money generated from this business endeavor will be so good and immediately that the business will very shortly give senior $30,000 of cash back just for letting the business use her name and good credit.

Of course, what actually happens is that once the credit lines are available for use, acquaintance sucks out the money and the business pays the bank zero. The cars are rented out, and acquaintance collects all the rent money for the cars but does not pay the car loans or leases, so eventually, the cars are repossessed with senior holding the bag.Acquaintance ends up with a lot of cash, which is used to buy acquaintance a house, for instance. OK, here’s another good scam. I can let you stay in the white house for $2,000 a month payable one year in advance sent to my Wells Fargo account no.

123. Believe it or not, someone will believe that for $24,000 he will be able to stay in the white house with rent paid one year in advance. The saying that there’s a sucker born every minute is true; hopefully that sucker is not you. As a general test, just use this standard to avoid being scammed: If it sounds too good to be true, then it’s not true. Remember this, a fool and his money are soon parted. All these sayings are true.

All the money is sucked out but acquaintance while senior’s name

is on record as being the debtor so all collectors go after senior to get repaid whatever is owed to them. Pretty good scam for scammer. Very bad for the senior victim who certainly doesn’t need this kind of problem during her retirement years.

I recommend that senior both file for Chapter 7 relief. What will happen in Chapter 7? Seniors will be relieved of all liability for these credits and car loans and leases that were fraudulently obtained in their names. Creditors will not be able to sue senior to collect on the repo deficiencies and it doesn’t matter that seniors do not have the cars in their possession. Creditors will have to locate the cars at their own expense.

Of course, what actually happened leading to the defrauding of the seniors will have to be adequately explained to the bankruptcy court so that the UST will not object to the discharge of these debts. Otherwise, it may be argued that seniors are not victims but participants in this fraudulent scheme. Creditors may show up at the 341A hearing to ask debtors how this came about because it is the signature of seniors that appear on all loan applications. This must be handled properly or a UST objection to discharge may arise.

Certainly if they had come to see me before signing all these documents, I would have told them not to proceed as this was clearly a scam. But since it already happened, the best remedy for a fresh start for seniors is Chapter 7.

If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone.

There is absolutely no attorney-client relationship established by reading this article. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

Will I have to pay spousal support if I file for divorce?

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case.

The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose to assist the supported spouse to “get back on his or her feet” as a single person, or until community property is distributed. On the other hand, the facts and circumstances of another case may call for support for an extended period of time, perhaps until death of the supported spouse, the purpose for which to provide assistance to one who cannot support himself.

The two situations mentioned hereinabove are extreme cases, on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Quite obviously, the facts and circumstances in a particular case may be such which call for some amount of support for some period of time, though not until death of the supported spouse. For example, the court may order support for that period of time required for the supported spouse to obtain or complete an education, to allow the supported spouse to take care of the children until

they reach an age where a return to employment would be more feasible, or to become selfsupporting within a reasonable time.

Although the use of standard guidelines based on income is encouraged in the award of temporary support, such guidelines cannot be used in awarding permanent spousal support. As indicated hereinabove, the award of support is in large part based on the facts and circumstances of the particular case.

In determining spousal support, the court considers numerous factors, set forth in Family Code Sec. 4320. They include: 1) The extent to which the earning capacity of each party is sufficient to maintain the standard of living established during the marriage, 2) The extent to which the supported party contributed to the attainment of an education, training, a career position, or a license by the supporting party, 3) The ability of the supporting party to pay spousal support, taking into account the supporting party’s earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, and standard of living, 4) The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the marriage, 5)The obligations and assets, including the separate property, of each party, 6) The duration of the marriage, 7) The ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without unduly interfering with the interests of dependent children in the custody of the party, and 8) The age and health of the parties.

The factors set forth hereinabove are only several of the many factors the court will consider in deciding the issue of spousal support. In that the amount and duration of an award is largely based on the facts and circumstances of the case, it is advised that one who is requesting support, or is opposing a request for support, obtain experienced counsel, who will be able to present the facts and circumstances in the best light possible. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com Visit our website at kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Sharon gets cozy with ex Rowell...

PAGE B2 I wish I could’ve joined sooner but what I will do is thank the good Lord for bringing this show to me and making me a part of it!!! Sana ‘di matapos ever ang show na ito! Happy na ako dito forever!!!!”

The teaser for Sharon’s character introduction was also accompanied by the show’s new theme song, “‘Di Ka Nag-Iisa,” an emotional ballad sung by “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez.

In another post, Sharon shared a picture with her ex-boyfriend Rowell Santiago, who plays as President Oscar in the series.

“Why @raymartsantiago is my baby brother! With one of my bestest, dearest friends on the planet, my director in concerts and one of the best-quality men I have ever been blessed to know, @direkrowell Rowell

Santiago! Love you Choy!!! Tichoy pa rin direk ko!!!,” she said in the caption, explaining that although she and Rowell did not end up together, they have remained friends and have worked together in her concerts.

As the story of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” continues this week, Cardo and Mara’s (Julia Montes) groups have temporarily joined forces to escape their powerful enemies. Apart from Cardo, President Oscar (Rowell Santiago) is also the main target of Lily (Lorna Tolentino), the first lady of the Philippines, as she continues her search for them by declaring a national crisis and placing the entire city under lockdown.

Will Aurora bring guidance or more trouble into Cardo’s life? (By Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo / Philstar.com) n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 27-30, 2021

B7

SFIO acquires PH-based tech and software development hub LNS+ to establish global, cross-industry innovation ecosystem RECENTLY, OTC:SFIO Starfleet Innotech, Inc. (Smokefree Innotec, Inc.) announced its acquisition of Philippine-based software development company LEENTech Network Solutions (LNS+), marking the asset management company’s new direction towards technology development. With LNS+ and its subsidiaries now on board, SFIO is formalizing the team into their new Technology and Software Development Division.

According to SFIO CEO and Chairman Jeths Lacson, this new expansion kicks off a fiveyear innovation roadmap of transformative collaborations across each of the company’s five divisions: Franchising, Food Manufacturing and Distribution, Coffee, Property Development, and the recently-formed Technology and Software Development.

With 11 years of operation, LNS+ has established itself as a leading hub for technological excellence in the Philippines.

Today, the company and its subsidiaries command a growing roster of over forty engineers, designers, systems architects, UX specialists, blockchain developers, and project managers. In addition, they’ve partnered with over 17 universities to build a sustainable and thriving talent pool. Altogether, LNS+ represents a fully fleshed-out ecosystem of tech builders.

With this latest acquisition, SFIO now fully owns and operates six ecosystem players: • LEENTech Network Solutions – Software & Platform Development • Webworx Design Studio – Web Development, UI and UX Design, and Graphic Design • Qalidad Solutions – Software Testing and Quality Assurance (Department Unit) • Voltz Security – Vulnerability Assessment and Security (Department Unit) • Livewire365 – Server Architecture and Maintenance • DHQ Digital Marketing – Digital Marketing Services.

“With the LNS+ teams formalized into our new tech division, all our existing businesses and future businesses immediately benefit from having a full suite of digital transformation partners,” Lacson said. Now, Lacson plans to scale their digital transformation efforts globally with the establishment of tech innovation hubs across key strategic regions.

LNS+ Founder Richard F. Prodigalidad, who now serves as the CEO of SFIO’s Technology and Software Development Division, sees this as both a fulfillment of his ambitions for LNS+, as well as an evolution of its mission.

“When I founded LNS+ back in 2010, my original mission was to develop technologies that would be used throughout

the world,” said Prodigalidad.

“With SFIO’s expansion plans to establish tech hubs in New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, and the United States, that original mission is really becoming a reality in a very concrete way.”

“I built LEENTech to be a startup enabler, launching dozens of tech projects and spinning them off into their own businesses,” Prodigalidad said. “It’s easy to build an app or a website, but to launch a company – that takes more than code. Our mission at LNS+ was to invest in talent, nurture engineers and designers into entrepreneurs and leaders. As an asset management company, SFIO has the same mission – to build leaders. By investing in talent, what we’re really doing is giving them the best possible shot at long-term success.”

With the establishment of their global hubs, that goal has now expanded. SFIO’s international reach presents a lucrative opportunity to not only build solutions across borders, but to also showcase the massive potential of tech talents in emerging markets like the Philippines. Pulling from Richard’s mission as a startup enabler, SFIO intends to be a

catalyst for change in both the industries they operate in and the communities they serve.

Now serving on SFIO’s top-level management team, Prodigalidad’s current mandate is to survey the asset management company’s portfolio for opportunities to both streamline existing operations with technology, and build entirely new systems to disrupt the industries they operate across. As SFIO begins to establish its global presence through strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and the establishment of its tech hubs, a number of promising projects have already cropped up at their new tech division.

For SFIO’s recently announced joint venture with real estate company Omnicor, Prodigalidad’s tech division will be developing community wellness monitoring tools and health data systems to be incorporated into a state-of-theart “tech village” in Montemaria, Batangas in the Philippines.

Looking across the group’s franchising, coffee, and food manufacturing and distribution divisions, Prodigalidad’s team will also be working on a unified, streamlined logistics platform.

This platform will leverage machine learning and similar AI applications to achieve real time data analytics for a truly scalable solution. With this project, SFIO aims to not only standardize the operations of their different businesses across the supply chain, but to also bring value to their franchisees and ultimately, their customers, who will now benefit from a truly seamless, tech-powered system.

Utilizing their in-house expertise in blockchain technology, the group also intends to revolutionize how asset management companies manage their portfolios.

Investors can expect instant insights and the ability to participate in SFIO’s growth in real time, using digital tokens powered by the blockchain.

It’s a novel application of decentralized technologies that the group hopes will set a new golden standard for trust and transparency.

“The reason we’re able to take on all these projects is we’re being strategic about not reinventing the wheel,” said Prodigalidad.

“Over the years, we’ve built a series of modular technologies that we can easily deploy in order to rapidly build e-commerce

platforms, e-learning tools, food delivery services, decentralized apps – whatever our clients need. Now we’re taking all those tech engines, as I call them, and running them full throttle across SFIO’s different ventures.”

The end goal of these ventures, says SFIO CEO and Chairman Lacson, is to leverage technology in order to collaborate towards greater efficiency and shared profitability.

Similarly, the breadth of proprietary platforms the tech division will be developing, as well as the related trademarks and intellectual property, promises to bring new value to the asset management company in the mid- to longterm.

“I come from the startup world so my job now is to bring that disruptive mindset and marry it with the broad resources of SFIO,” Prodigalidad said. “It’s been a really thrilling experience for me and my team so far, and we’re all very excited to be joining the SFIO community.”

SFIO, which has just filed its Q3 financial reports in line with their broader plans to uplist onto the Nasdaq, will be publishing more news about their upcoming projects in the weeks to come.

(Advertising Supplement)

B8 november 27-30, 2021 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797