112917 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

November 29-December 1, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 96 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

USA

DATELINE Over 200 companies urge FCC to maintain net neutrality FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

MORE than 200 businesses and organizations have signed and released a joint open letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday, November 27, urging it to maintain net neutrality regulations.

The letter comes three weeks ahead of December 14, the date during which the FCC intends to vote on rolling back current net neutrality rules. Advocates of net neutrality say doing so will remove protections that ensure a free and open internet.

Included in the letter’s large list of compa-

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Duterte says establishing RevGov is like ‘looking for a headache’

by PHILIP

C. TUBEZA Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Nov. 28, said the military will overthrow him if he attempts to establish a dictatorship in the country.

Duterte also said that putting up a revolutionary government (RevGov) was a “very extreme measure” that he would resort to only if the government was in imminent danger of being toppled.

“If you overstay…I become a dic-

tator? The military will do me in same with what happened in the past,” the president said in a speech before an anti-corruption summit in Pasay City.

“You overstay and you abuse… there will always be (coup) attempts that will be done. Or mutiny for that matter,” he added.

The president said that establishing a revolutionary government at this time was like “looking for a headache.”

“I’d go to RevGov only if the ship of

state is about to sink…maybe I’d be forced. That is a very extreme measure,” Duterte said.

“That is just a story. And you believe it?” he added.

Malacañang on Monday, Nov. 27 said there was no “factual or legal basis” for President Duterte to declare a RevGov even as his supporters across the country plan to gather to urge him to do so.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the administration saw no credible or imminent threat that

would convince the president to declare a revolutionary government.

“We appreciate the calls of the president’s supporters for RevGov but I think there’s no factual or legal basis as of now because the president has said he would consider a revolutionary government if destabilizers will persist in their plan to have him removed from office,” Roque said in a press briefing in Mindanao.

“Now, I stress we don’t see any threat, any such threat in the near future,” he added. ■

PH Senate passes bill to exempt millions of Filipino from income tax

by AUDREY

MORALLO Philstar.com

REINFORCING the decades-long military partnership between the Philippines and the United States, Filipino soldiers and their American counterparts recently conducted a 12-day joint exercise in different parts of Luzon.

The Salaknib exercise was conducted

MANILA — The Senate on Tuesday, Nov. 28, approved on third and final reading its version of the government’s tax reform package aimed at providing more tax relief to millions of Filipinos and funding the administration’s ambitious infrastructure projects.

Senate Bill 1592 sponsored by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, is expected to exempt around 6.8 million workers from paying income taxes.

Seventeen senators voted to approve the proposed law while only one cast a negative vote.

“In the history of our country’s taxation, this is the biggest income tax relief that we can give to our workers,” Angara said.

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Philippine and U.S. troops hold 12-day lessons and exercises in Salaknib, a program that aims to boost the decades-long military alliance between Manila and Washington. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

PH, US soldiers hold Salaknib exercises

BANGSAMORO PROMISES. President Rodrigo Duterte greets one of the guests during the Bangsamoro General Assembly held at the Old Provincial Capital in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday, November 27. Thousands of Muslims from across Mindanao converged in Sultan Kudarat for the Bangsamoro General Assembly.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

House vows to pass BBL by March 2018

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PDEA chief of operations David Maramba (in black shirt) looks over the filing of charges against two women at the office of Assistant City Prosecutor Noel Cellona.

Inquirer.net photo by Jun Mendoza

A SPECIAL session to tackle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is no longer needed as the House has already given its commitment to pass the bill by March next year, according to House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas.

Fariñas on Tuesday, November 28, said House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has already committed to pass the BBL before the 17th Congress adjourns on March 21, 2018.

With Congress scheduled to go on Christmas break from December 16, 2017 to January 14, 2018, Fariñas also noted that even if the

House decides to hold a special session, they “can’t compress the schedule to discuss the BBL.” Earlier on Monday, November 27, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed intent to call a special session of Congress to tackle the BBL. “I will work very hard for it.

I will ask Congress to [hold] a special session just to hear you talk about this issue. I said this is sacred. This is important and valuable. It would involve eventually, if the people wish it, a new structure for the entire country,” Duterte said in a speech during the first Bangsamoro Assembly in

President Rodrigo Duterte received last July 17 a draft of the new Bangsamoro Basic Law. Joining him were (from left) Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chair Ghazali Jaafar, and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal.

Palace: PDEA still the lead agency in drug war Napoles files motion seeking dismissal of plunder charge

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) remains in charge of leading the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, Malacañang clarified Monday, November 27.

In a media briefing, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque pointed out that the drug war “remains” with the PDEA until

President Rodrigo Duterte signs a document stating otherwise.

But while Duterte is still “inclined” to return the drug war to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Roque said the chief executive has yet to make the final decision regarding the matter.

“Okay. It is safe to reveal that the president, while inclined to return it to the PNP has not made up completely his mind,” Roque

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THE alleged mastermind in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” scam is seeking permission from the Sandiganbayan’s First Division to file a demurrer to evidence in the plunder case filed against her, former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and other co-accused.

The trial of Janet Lim-Napoles started in June. The prosecution finished presenting its evidence in October.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss in which a case is submitted for judgment

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based only on the prosecution’s evidence that the defense believes does not warrant a conviction. If a demurrer to evidence is denied, the defense will have to take its turn to present its evidence.

“In summation, the evidence presented by the prosecution is absolutely lacking, i.e[.], as to the approximate time of the commission of the offense, the particular place where the offense was committed, and more importantly, the specific acts or omissions constituting the offense,” Napoles’s camp said in part in a mo-

www.TravelTradeConsumer.com Asian Journal’s series of annual events showcasing tourism, trade, and business opportunities in the USA and Philippines.

Malacañang photo by Rolando Mailo, Presidential Photo

tion filed on November 24.

The defense said in part that “it was Accused Napoles, a private individual, who was alleged to have unjustly enriched herself in conspiracy and with the assistance of the [then-]public officers charged herein…In the case of Plunder, it must be shown that the public officer was principally and ultimately benefited or enriched. Obviously, the information failed to specify who is the main plunderer in this case. Hence, on this point the

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PH Senate passes bill to exempt...

PAGE A1 “We’re putting more money in the pockets of Filipinos. We want a fair income tax system which has become inequitable over the years,” he added.

Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Bill, the first P250,000 annual taxable income will be exempted from tax, plus the P82,000 tax exemption for 13th month pay and other bonuses. This translates into an approximate tax-free monthly income of P21,000.

Based on data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, almost all or 99 percent of the estimated 7.5

million individual income taxpayers will enjoy lower income tax rates.

The proposed law will also triple to around 6.8 million the number of tax-exempt minimum wage earners, from the current 2 million.

Under the proposed tax scheme, a government educator with the rank of Teacher I with a monthly income of P20,179 will already be exempted from paying taxes and have a monthly savings of P2,393.

The proposed measure is aiming to impose additional taxes on fuel, some sugar-sweetened beverages (excluding milk and three-in-one coffee), automobiles and coal.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means, headed by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara (third from left), during a hearing on the Duterte administration’s tax reform program. Also in photo are Senators Cynthia Villar, Sherwin Gatchalian and Jinggoy Estrada.

Senate photo

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From the Front Page Small business with annual sales of P3 million or below are still exempted from paying the valueadded tax while the VAT threshold was increased to P3 million.

The Senate’s version would also impose a 10-percent tax on cosmetic products and other bodyenhancement procedures for aesthetic purposes.

The new tax scheme is expected to generate up to P130 billion based on Department of Finance estimates which will be used to fuel the government’s massive infrastructure program.

According to Pimentel, the proposed tax scheme is necessary to raise funds needed for the government’s long-term investments in infrastructure, education and health care.

Based on the Senate-proposed tax reform package, 60 percent of the revenues to be generated will go to infrastructure programs, 27 percent will be channeled to social protection initiatives such as the unconditional cash transfer scheme to the poorest 10 million Filipino families and 13 percent will be used to fund the military’s modernization. n

LAST DAY OF BAR EXAMS. Bar examinees are cheered by their families and friends as they get out of the last day of the Bar Examinations at the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, Nov. 26.

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian

House vows to pass BBL...

PAGE A1 Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“If not, then let us work out a way as long as we make sure that we can give our brothers and sisters, especially the Moros, an arrangement that is acceptable to them. I know you are realists,” the president added.

The BBL was supposed to be the legal framework of the peace deal between the previous Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

It, however, failed to get Congress’ approval amid concerns over its legality and public outcry in connection with the botched 2015 operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that led to the deaths of 44 elite cops.

Despite his push for the passage of BBL, Duterte maintained

that there would only be one Republic of the Philippines.

“There must be one nation for all, and one Republic of the Philippines for all of us Moro and Christians… We must have only one Philippines. I cannot bargain it away,” the president stressed.

Duterte said Congress could hold a special session for one or two days to hear BBL proponents but did not cite specific date.

Article VI, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution states that “the President may call a special session at any time.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Malacañang clarified that Dutere was not rushing to have the BBL passed by the end of the year.

“He only emphasized that if need be, he will call Congress for a special session. He did not intend or did not limit the time

frame this year or the remaining part of December,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a media briefing.

But based on Duterte’s pronouncement, Roque noted it’s “very clear” that the president “has given top priority to the passage of the BBL.” “I don’t want to pressure Congress right now but I think they have received the message that this is one of the top priorities of the administration,” the Palace official said.

Fariñas, for his part, expressed confidence that there would enough votes from House members to pass the measure.

“I’m very confident that under the tutelage and leadership of the Speaker we can convince House members to grant the president’s wish to pass this law, and the leadership also feels that this is indeed needed,” he said. n

cotics.

In October, Duterte ordered the PNP anew to stay out of the drug war for amid public outcry over alleged police abuses and killings of suspects, including teenagers.

The PNP was ordered to instead focus on addressing crimes and maintain visibility as “a deterrent to illegal drug activities,”

as well as on cleansing its ranks.

Replacing the PNP, Duterte designated PDEA as the “sole agency” in charge of his anti-narcotics campaign.

But in two separate speeches last week, Duterte said PDEA may have been struggling due to the lack of manpower.

To prevent the problem from worsening again, Duterte said he is “inclined to call back the police and join again in the drug war.” n

Palace: PDEA still the lead...

PAGE A1 told reporters in Davao City.

“So I guess, until the document is signed by him, it remains with PDEA. But I will actually seek clarification from the president,” the Palace official added.

Roque also noted that it is Duterte’s prerogative to appoint which agency will spearhead the operations in cracking down nar-

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Dateline USa

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Statement of former Speaker Jose de Venecia during the Fujian Normal University’s 110th anniversary FUZHOU — Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia said last Nov. 18 that Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, considered “Pride of the Malayan Race,” which includes the peoples of Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, had “Fujian, Chinese roots, and if alive today would be in the forefront of seeking inter-Asian reconciliation in the South China Sea.” Here in Fuzhou, Fujian’s capital city, for the 110th Anniversary of the Fujian Normal University, with hundreds of members of Filipino-Chinese and Asian alumni in attendance, 81-year-old de Venecia, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s Special Envoy for APEC and Intercultural Dialogue, told newsmen: “With the recent decision in ASEAN to begin the drafting of the China Sea Code of Conduct, key principles would include free navigation, open skies, common trade, tourism, hopefully joint exploration and joint development of petroleum resources, to be equitably shared, and taking into account contributions to oil drilling and development costs.”

De Venecia, 5-time Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, and former President of the Petroleum Association of the Philippines, said under Presidents Xi Jinping and Rodrigo Duterte Philippine-Chinese relations “had improved considerably and major Chinese investments are beginning to flow in the Philippines and major Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs have established branches in various cities of China.”

In 2005, joining then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s state visit to China, then Speaker de Venecia proposed in Beijing a “tripartite oil seismic agreement in the South China Sea among the Philippines, China, and Vietnam which was approved by the three governments,” led to the launching of a commonly financed 3-nation seismic ship survey which he said found a “number of drillable structures in the South China Sea.” In his speech yesterday at the Fujian Normal University anniversary rites, de Venecia said the great Chinese and Asian leader Deng Hsiao Peng said at the time that “we must consider suspending the issue of sovereignty” and proceed to drill for the region’s most urgent energy requirements and share the fruits of oil production. He said President Duterte and Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano have been successful so far in improving the situation in the South China Sea. Earlier in the 1970s in a speech before the

FROM DAVAO TO PAOAY. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio (second from left) shares a light moment with Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos during the wedding ceremonies for Marcos’ son, Michael Ferdinand Manotoc, and Carina Amelia Manglapus, in Paoay town on Saturday, Nov. 25. Others in the photo are Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (left) and former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (right).

ManilaTimes.net photo

Palawan’s El Nido is 14th among the world’s 50 best beaches

Jose de Venecia Jr., Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue

Philippine Jaycees, de Venecia proposed multinational drilling in the China Sea to include China and the U.S. He now adds that the U.S. has the most advanced oil drill ships in the world and today China has the largest oil drilling vessel in the sea.

In his speech followed by the Indonesian Ambassador to China, de Venecia said President Xi Jinping’s noble 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, following the pre-Marco Polo journeys across Central Asia, Eurasia, and to the Mediterranean, has now led to the Maritime Silk Road which goes all the way to Africa.

De Venecia proposed a “Third Route” across the China Sea to the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand to Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the U.S., in a New Age of Circumnavigation and Globalization.

He added the time has also come for the Latin Americans to journey across the South Pacific to trade with and invest also in Asia.

He said the recent APEC and ASEAN Summits in Vietnam and Manila had further improved Philippines-China and U.S. relations. n

LIFE’S a beach, so why not enjoy some of the World’s 50 Best Beaches?

The list was recently compiled

by FlightNetwork after consulting over 600 of the world’s best travel journalists, editors, bloggers and agencies.

Number 14 on the list is El Nido in Palawan, once described

by Lonely Planet as the Gateway to the Sublime. Named after the tiny swiftlets that build out of their saliva the edible nests (el nido in Spanish) found in the immense limestone cliffs surrounding the town, El Nido belongs to mainland Palawan that in January 2016, was declared the World’s Best Island by Condé Nast Traveler, a U.S.-based lifestyle and luxury magazine.

El Nido in Palawan, southwest of Luzon Island in the Philippines, joins the world’s best

beaches, here listed according to rank: • Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos • Whitehaven Beach, Australia • Anse Lazio, Seychelles • Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas • Navagio Beach, Greece • Baia Dos Porcos, Brazil • Playa Paraiso, Mexico • Hyams Beach, Australia • Hidden Beach, Mexico • Trunk Bay, US Virgin Islands • Maya Bay, Thailand • Pig Beach, Bahamas • Blue Lagoon, Fiji • El Nido, Philippines The number 15-50 spots list Muri Beach, Cook Islands, as well as Saltwhistle Bay, St. Vincent and Grenadines; Half Moon Bay, Antigua; Lucky Bay, Australia; Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico; Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland;

PH, US soldiers hold Salaknib...

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Napoles files motion seeking dismissal...

PAGE A1 Plunder charge against Accused Napoles should be dismissed.”

“Accordingly, Accused, through counsel, begs kind leave of the Honorable Court to file demurrer to evidence on the ground that the evidence adduced by the prosecution miserably failed to destroy/rebut the constitutional presumption of innocence

of accused which warrants their conviction, nor has the prosecution proved the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt to produce a conviction,” Napoles’s camp said.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the P224-million plunder case before the Sandiganbayan in 2014 against Revilla, his former aide Richard Cambe, Napoles,

Ronald John Lim, and John Raymund de Asis.

Revilla is one of three former senators — the other two were Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada — whom the Ombudsman charged, along with Napoles and other individuals, in 2014 in connection with the PDAF scam. (Reina Leanna C. Tolentino/ManilaTimes.net) Philippine and U.S. troops hold 12-day lessons and exercises in Salaknib, a program that aims to boost the decades-long military alliance between Manila and Washington.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

from November 16 to 27 in preparation for the annual Balikatan military exercises in May next year, according to the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

In a statement on Tuesday, November 28, the U.S. Embassy said the troops “participated in subject matter expert exchanges and practical exercises.”

“The American and Filipino soldiers shared information

Look Maganda

such as gunnery procedures and maintenance for the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, artillery tactics and processes,” the embassy added.

The two forces also had a study and validation of the PA Sustainment Functional Concept Document, which “establishes a common framework to guide developments for sustaining future Army operations.”

Over 200 companies urge FCC...

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PAGE A1 nies are Airbnb, Automattic (owner of WordPress), Codeacademy, Github, Pinterest, Tumblr (despite being owned by Verizon), Sonos, Square, Squarespace, and Twitter to name a few. These companies join other giants like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google who have openly advocated for net neutrality.

The letter was fittingly released on Cyber Monday, a day the letter called a “testament to the power of the free and open internet”. It cites that $400 billion in online sales were made in 2016 — $3.5 billion alone were from Cyber Monday.

“The internet is increasingly where commerce happens,” the letter says.

Under current net neutrality rules enacted by the 2015 Open Internet Order under the Obama administration, internet service providers (ISPs) — Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, Cox, Charter, etc.

— are prohibited from blocking, throttling, or charging consumers to pay for “fast lane” access to certain sites.

The idea of net neutrality generally describes a free and open internet where everyone gets equal access to the same content, or in the case of the Cyber Monday letter, have equal opportunity to compete for consumers.

“This economic growth is possible because of the free and open internet,” the companies said.

“Our current net neutrality rules support innovation and gives all businesses the opportunity to compete equally for consumers,” they added.

Without the rules, the companies and supporters of net neutrality argue that ISPs would be able to put businesses into “slow lanes”, require them to pay a toll to reach customers, or even block them.

“This would put small and

medium-sized businesses at a disadvantage and prevent innovative ones from even getting off the ground,” said the open letter. “An internet without net neutrality protections would be the opposite of the open market, with a few powerful cable and phone companies picking winners and losers instead of consumers.”

Yet despite the many urges to keep net neutrality regulations, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai — who was appointed by Trump in 2017 and once served as an attorney for Verizon — has remained steadfast in his stance to revoke the regulations. His final draft proposal was released on Wednesday, November 22.

There are a number of arguments net neutrality supporters have against Pai’s proposal, but an argument most are focusing on has to do with the reclassification of broadband internet.

Whereas current net neutrality regulations classify broadband internet as a “utility”, Pai’s 210page document proposes it be reclassified as a “telecommunications service”, essentially giving ISPs more control over how their customers get access to the internet, according to his opponents.

This would also put ISPs under the watch of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rather than the FCC. The FTC would thus be in charge of making sure the companies adhere to a set of “open internet” principles.

Pai said that under his proposal, the FTC “will once again be able to police ISPs, protect consumers, and promote competition, just as it did before 2015.”

But critics of Pai’s proposal argue that unlike the FCC, the FTC will not be able to protect consumers and users before they become victims. They also point out that the extent to which the FTC has on policing broadband

Île aux Cerfs, Mauritius; Fulhadhoo Beach, Maldives; Vaeroy, Norway; Cayo Coco, Cuba; Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands; Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles; Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda; Honokalani Beach, USA; Turquoise Bay, Australia; Elafonissi Beach, Greece; Champagne Beach, Vanuatu; Tunnels Beach, USA. Kaputas Beach, Turkey; Dhigurah Island, Maldives; Île aux Nattes, Madagascar; Cala Goloroitze, Italy; Los Roques, Venezuela; Long Beach, Canada; Grand Anse, Grenada; Boulders Beach, South Africa; Lanikai Beach, USA; Cala Mitjana, Spain; Shoal Bay, Anguilla; One Foot Island, Cook Islands; Ao Nang, Thailand; Radhanagar Beach, India; Eagle Beach, Aruba; Ageeba Beach, Egypt; Diani Beach, Kenya; and Cannon Beach, USA. (Inquirer.net)

To demonstrate their new skills, the Philippine troopers then fired artillery and M113 gunnery.

“These exchanges of information and practical exercises serve as a foundation for future training,” the U.S. Embassy said.

The Salaknib exercises were held different venues—among of which include Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac; Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; and Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Part B of the exercise is set for April 2018.

According to Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Rey Tiongson, Salaknib is an Ilocano word meaning “Protector”.

“This is just a small scale exercise. It deals on the interoperability of both Armies, a small-scale Balikatan,” added Tiongson.

Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder,” is considered as the largest joint military exercise between the Philippines and U.S. bound by the Mutual Defense Treaty.

It focuses on “partnership, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, Philippine capability development and military modernization.” (Dana Sioson/AJPress) providers remains ambiguous.

Pai has also repeatedly argued that the current rules have been stifling ISP companies, thus preventing them from growing.

In a statement, he said that the regulations “depressed investment in building and expanding broadband networks and deterred innovation.”

He reiterated his stance in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Tuesday in which he said, ”In the two years after the FCC’s decision, broadband network investment dropped more than 5.6 percent — the first time a decline has happened outside of a recession.”

Those for net neutrality say otherwise. Back in May, pro-net neutrality advocacy group Free Press released a report that cited ISPs saying that they had not been hurt by net neutrality.

“We found that not a single publicly traded U.S. ISP ever told its investors (or the SEC) that Title II negatively impacted its own investments specifically,” the report said.

ISPs cited in the report include AT&T whose CEO told investors that the company would actually “deploy more fiber” in 2016, and Charter whose CEO told investors, “Title II, it didn’t really hurt us; it hasn’t hurt us.”

With less than three weeks to go until voting time, advocates for net neutrality maintain that the regulations are necessary for a democratic, open, and competitive market.

Just recently, Comcast — aware of public fears — told CNET that the company currently has no plans to offer fast lanes on the internet if the rollback were to happen.

“Comcast hasn’t entered any paid prioritization agreements. Period,” said the company’s spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice in an email. “And we have not plans to do so.”

The FCC will note on the new rules on Thursday, December 14.

(Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

De Lima receives rosary from Pope Francis Aquino denies LP hand in destabilization plot

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

A “deeply, deeply touched” Senator leila de lima on Sunday, November 26, said she received a rosary from pope Francis.

In a statement, the detained senator said the philippine National police (pNp) chaplain personally handed her the gift enclosed with a letter from the pope last Wednesday, November 22.

“This gift will constantly remind me that, despite the political persecution I am experiencing right now at the hands of a vengeful president, I should keep the faith and fight tirelessly for the welfare of the Filipino people,” she said.

She also described the rosary as “beautiful.” de lima, a top critic of president Rodrigo duterte, has been detained at the pNp Custodial Center in Camp Crame since February 2017 for her alleged involvement in the drug trade at the New Bilibid prison when she was Justice Secretary from 2010

to 2015.

The senator said she sent the pope a letter before her 58th birthday August to ask him to pray for her and the Filipino people.

Calling herself duterte’s “political prisoner,” the senator also asked the pope’s blessing to give the the “strength to continue the fight against the injustice that is happening not only to me, but to thousands of Filipinos who are victims of extrajudicial killing.”

“According to the Chaplain, pope Francis was able to read my letter and assured that he is praying for me,” de lima said.

Commenting on pope Francis’ giving of a rosary to de lima, duterte on Tuesday, November 28 joked about showing the pontiff the senator’s alleged sex video.

Without mentioning de lima, duterte said said in jest that he would show the pope a “video” that would prod him to step down from the papacy should he watch it.

“Tapos ‘yung isa, ‘yung hambog binigyan pa ng rosary ni pope (Then one of them, the arrogant one, was even given a rosary by the Pope),” the president said during an anti-corruption summit in pasay City.

“Si pope naman o… Hanapan mo nga ako ng video ng ano, pakita ko kay pope. Baka magtingin pa si pope, baka umalis pa sa pagka-pope yan (Find me that video.

Once the Pope sees it, he may leave the papacy),” he added. duterte did not elaborate on the video he was referring to, but de lima was rumored to have had a sex video with her former driver Ronnie dayan—which the senator denied.

The president later clarified that he was just joking. He, however, warned that he could also use his right to freedom of expression to criticize the pope back.

“That’s a joke. Aabot ng ano ‘yan (It might reach them). I am joking, pope. If you criticize me, I can criticize you ten times over,” duterte said. n

arrested if she continues to refuse to attend the ongoing impeachment hearings against her.

But drilon pointed out that a subpoena, in effect, “will compel Sereno in an impeachment complaint to testify against herself.”

“I therefore urge Congressman Umali to exercise extreme caution in using the coercive powers of Congress to issue a subpoena against Sereno as there is no basis and will provoke a needless constitutional crisis,” drilon said.

He went on to say, “When the HoR conducts a hearing on an impeachment complaint, the hearing is not in aid of legislation. The Chief Justice is not being asked to testify as a resource person who can be subpoenaed to assist the HoR discharge its legislative function.”

In a separate message, Senator Francis “Chiz” escudero, also a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice, echoed drilon’s sentiments.

“It may result in a constitutional crisis if the CJ refuses to attend,” escudero said.

“But if I remember correctly, the

attendance/participation of the respondent in an impeachment case, or in any case for that matter, cannot be compelled to give evidence vs himself/herself even if he/she attends am referring to compulsion to attend and she refuses that may result to constitutional crisis,” he added.

In a radio interview over the weekend, Umali said the House justice committee may be forced to issue a subpoena if there were matters that Sereno would need to be confirmed. “on the other hand, pag meron talagang mga bagay na dapat niyang testiguhan ay marahil ay mag-issue ang komite ng ika nga ay subpoena (if there are really things that need to be clarified by her, the Committee will be forced to issue a subpoena),” Umali told Super Radyo dzBB. He went on to say, “At siyempre, pag subpoena, coercive powers yan at hindi po sinunod ay maoobliga tayong mag-issue ng warrant (And of course, subpoenas have coercive powers and if she does not follow it then we will be obliged to issue a warrant).” n

Senators warn Sereno subpoena may lead to constitutional crisis

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

TWo senators on monday, November 27, warned that the possible issuance of a subpoena, or subsequently, an arrest warrant, to Chief Justice lourdes Sereno may result to a constitutional crisis.

In a message, Senate minority leader Franklin drilon urged the House justice committee to “exercise extreme caution,” saying that issuing a subpoena against the chief magistrate has “no basis” in the first place. drilon, also a former Justice secretary, noted that the power of Congress to issue a subpoena and order the detention of a witness who refuses to obey the subpoena is available only in investigations in aid of legislation.

“It is not available in an impeachment proceeding,” said drilon. “In effect, a subpoena will compel Sereno in an impeachment complaint to testify against herself.” earlier oriental mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House justice committee, threatened to have Sereno

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

FoRmeR philippine president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino on monday, November 27, dismissed allegations that the liberal party (lp) is working on a plot to destabilize the current administration.

Aquino, who is also the party’s chairman emeritus, clarified that the lp is not behind any plans to oust president Rodrigo duterte after the latter mentioned that the “yellows” are among those who wanted to unseat him.

“Wala kami pina-plano na ganyan (We’re not planning anything like that),” Aquino told reporters after the mass held at the manila memorial park in parañaque City for the 85th birth anniversary of his father—Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Aquino remarked that if duterte is doing a good job, any destabilization plot against him will not succeed. “pero kung hindi tama ang mga nangyayari, hindi natutupad ang mga pinangako, hindi maintindihan ang sinasabi—yan ang nagki-create ng dissatsifaction (But if what has been happening were improper, promises were not kept, and words were unclear— these create dissatisfaction),” the former president added.

Instead of pointing at the lp, Aquino suggested duterte to also “look at people around him.” lately, duterte has been issuing warnings that he might declare a revolutionary government if things have gone “out of control” and if the government is at risk of being overthrown violently amid the alleged destabilization efforts by his political enemies.

Aquino, however, noted that a revolutionary government could only be established after a complete system failure that makes the government no longer able to carry out its functions.

The former president also said he found no reason for duterte to declare a revolutionary government.

‘No psychological issues’ during his interview with reporters, the former president also insisted that Chief Justice maria lourdes Sereno is mentally stable when he assessed her qualifications for the post.

“I didn’t see anything that would have made me think twice

[in appointing her] during my interactions with her,” Aquino said.

He then asked, “We see her speaking in forums. Have we seen anything that should have made us nervous about how she comported herself?”

Sereno reportedly failed her psychological exam taken during her application for chief justice in

2012 after supposedly getting a score of 4—the highest of which is 1 and the lowest is 5.

According to lawyer lorenzo Gadon, the complainant in Sereno’s impeachment case, the two psychologists who performed psychological examinations on her were supposedly terminated after she was appointed as the chief magistrate. n

A6 NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 1, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Toothless law

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FEATURES

BEFORE President Rodrigo Duterte classifies communist rebels as terrorists and wages war against them, he should make sure his security forces are prepared to apply the law against terrorism — Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act. RA 9372 was enacted way back in 2007, but lawmakers inserted into the measure several provisions ostensibly meant as safeguards against human rights abuses, which left little room even for honest mistakes on the part of counterterrorism forces and virtually defanged the law.

The measure makes intelligence gathering transparent, allowing the person under police surveillance that must be court-approved to challenge the court order, and requiring the identification of the police officers involved, including their full names and addresses. The New People’s Army and Abu Sayyaf would be delighted to obtain such information. Failure to submit to the Court of Appeals a detailed report on the types and number of wiretapped recordings made can earn law enforcers from 10 to 12 years behind bars.

The law also requires the identification of police informants. And while the provision against the use of torture is in keeping with constitutional

guarantees on human rights, counterterrorism forces may not want to be imprisoned for 12 to 20 years for using “threat, intimidation” or “mental, moral or psychological pressure” on a terror suspect.

If RA 9372 had been applied in liberating Marawi from the clutches of Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists, many members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines could end up behind bars for up to 20 years. The government did not even follow the procedure under RA 9372 for classifying the Mautes as terrorists.

The government may have to go through that process if it intends to classify the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front, their armed wing the NPA and their front organizations as terrorist groups. President Duterte may want to take a different route in dealing with these groups. Or he may ask his congressional allies to review the law that government forces avoid enforcing. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump’s tax bill: Good for the richest, bad for the middle class and the US The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump has been touting that he will be giving Americans a great Christmas gift when he signs the Republican tax bill into law before the holidays.

What is he talking about? Who among the American people will pop the champagne for Trump’s tax plan? Unfortunately, it will not be you and me and most hardworking Americans. It will be Trump and people like him.

Don’t take my word for it. Take it from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that analyzed and projected the impact of the tax bill on the American people and the financial health of the nation. This is the reason why the Trump Administration continues to scramble to get enough votes even among Republicans.

The way it works is pretty much how we do our family budget. We need to work so we have the income to spend. As much as possible, we live within our means

to pay our bills. If we run short of money to spend, we use our credit card or get a loan from the bank. We try to be frugal and only pay for essential basic needs, unless we need to invest on needs that will bring great return on investments in terms of better income, way of life and standard of living for our family members in the future. To save money, we either increase income/revenues and/or cut on expenses.

In looking at the tax bill issue, the GOP plan boasts of the biggest tax cuts in the history of America. As taxes are the sources of the nation’s income/revenue, then that means we have less money to spend for our needs.

Spending more without the revenue to pay for it because of tax cuts means we add to our debt and budget deficit. Who benefits most from the tax break and who hurts most because of cuts in budget reflect what is important in this administration.

Based on the CBO study, the ultra-rich — the top 1 percent — will benefit most from this tax reform bill.

Who will suffer? According to the report of The Guardian based on the CBO and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), “starting in

2021, a year after the next election, Americans earning $10,000 to $30,000 a year or less would pay higher taxes if the bill passes thanks to plans to repeal a core element of Obama’s Affordable Care Act. The JCT also calculates that most Americans earning $75,000 or less would be paying higher taxes by 2027.”

The middle class, especially those living in high-tax states, who deduct their local property, income and sales taxes from their tax due could lose out from the complete or partial repeal of the deductions. Moreover, about 13 million Americans could lose health insurance coverage over 10 years under the Senate bill.

Add to these will be the social services that benefit the poor, the vulnerable and the middle class which are always the ones slashed to spend money.

The Guardian further reported that based on the studies, “paying for the tax cuts is likely to mean cuts to social security and Medicare, the federal program that provides health insurance to those 65 and older.”

“The House bill is also proposing to eliminate tax deductions for medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of a taxpayer’s total income. More than half of

the 8.6 million people who claim the deduction are older than 65, 49 percent had income less than $50,000, and 69 percent earned less than $75,000, according to AARP, the lobby group for older Americans, which has 38 million members.”

And how will this affect the economy of the United States?

Contrary to Trump’s claim that this tax bill will reduce the debt and deficit of the country, the CBO estimated that this Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would cost $1.4 trillion. With the Senate version, the trillion-dollar deficit would return by 2020, debt would exceed the size of the U.S. economy in just over a decade.”

Who will celebrate if this tax bill is passed? One of the sources of our nation’s income is the estate tax. This tax bill eliminates that from the revenue column to help “people who leave a fortune of $5.49m or above to their heirs. Parents can leave $11m to their children without paying the tax. The House bill doubles that exemption until 2024 and then eliminates it entirely at a cost of $151bn to the taxpayer over the next decade.”

According to The Guardian, “The cut would save the Trump family $1.15bn when he dies, ac-

cording to the Center for American Progress Action Fund.”

The Guardian further reported that with thus GOP tax bill: “Gone also would be the alternative minimum tax (AMT), introduced in 1969 to prevent the rich from escaping paying their fair share of tax via tax loopholes.

AMT mainly affects those earning over $500,000, according to Tax Policy Center. In 2005 the rule was responsible for $31m of the $38m Trump paid in federal taxes, according to leaked documents.

Lowering taxes on passthrough businesses will also help the rich. Pass through businesses are businesses taxed at the rate of the business owner.

The current proposals would cut the top rate these companies pay to 25 percent, far below the 39.6 percent highest rate of personal income tax.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities some 80 percent of the benefit of these cuts would go to those earning $1-M or more – giving them an average increase of $50,000 in 2018. A similar plan in Kansas led to a budget crisis after the state’s tax revenues plummeted and promises of in-

US drug war

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ THE series of air strikes against several drug laboratories in Afghanistan by U.S. F-22 Raptor jets and B-52 bombers last Sunday signaled the start of an intensified campaign to stop the production of opium, which has become a major source of funding for the Taliban. Army General John Nicholson, commander of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said there are about 500 drug laboratories actively operating in Afghanistan, and confirmed that the air strikes will continue against identified targets as part of the new strategy to “hit the Taliban where it hurts, in their narcotics financing.”

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghanistan has become the world’s single biggest source of opium — used to manufacture heroin — with production reaching record highs this year estimated at 9,000 metric tons or an increase of 87 percent from last year. The heroin trade has become very lucrative, with the UNODC estimating the value of the global heroin trade at $55 billion per year.

Intelligence sources confirm that the Taliban derives 60 percent of its funding from the opium trade. But apparently, the terrorist organization is no longer content with just providing security to drug smugglers and manufacturers, because it is now involved in every aspect of the trade from the growing of poppy seeds to the production, processing and smuggling of opium (mostly in the form of syrup) — practically behaving like a drug cartel.

Both the U.S. and the Philippines share the same similarities and understanding about the gravity of the problem concerning illegal drugs and how it has become intertwined with terrorism. The connection between illegal drugs and terrorism was highlighted

by President Duterte during the recent ASEAN summit where he also urged the leaders to unite in the fight against these twin threats to the security not only of the region but the rest of the world.

Obviously, the attack against Marawi by the ISIS-affiliated Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups presented clear proof of the drugs-terrorism connection, with the discovery of hundreds of millions worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) discovered in a house identified as a

Maute stronghold. In fact, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani admitted that without illegal drugs, the war in Afghanistan would have been over a long time ago.

The fact is, the United States is facing a very serious drug problem — an opioid epidemic actually that led President Trump to declare it a nationwide public health emergency. Many even believe that America is facing its worst drug crisis in history, with an estimated 100 Americans dying everyday because of opium abuse and overdose. The White House Council of Economic Advisers also said the opioid crisis cost the U.S. economy an estimated $504 billion in 2015, equivalent to 2.8 percent of gross domestic product on the same year.

Last August, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency also disclosed that 2018 will likely see the United States experiencing the highest levels of cocaine supply and usage in a decade as a consequence of Colombia’s decision to sign a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC because the Colombian government “eased eradication operations in areas controlled by the FARC to lessen conflict during peace negotiations.” A year after the peace deal, cocaine produc-

The fact is, the United States is facing a very serious drug problem – an opioid epidemic actually that led President Trump to declare it a nationwide public health emergency. Many even believe that America is facing its worst drug crisis in history, with an estimated 100 Americans dying everyday because of opium abuse and overdose.

Inforgraphic by the Drug Enforcement Administration

tion in Colombia has reached record high levels.

No wonder President Trump warned Colombia — the biggest source of cocaine in the U.S. — that it has to improve its efforts to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine production, and adhere to its obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements. Early this November, Colombian authorities made their biggest drug bust ever when they seized over 12 tons of U.S.bound cocaine valued at $360 million. With the help of “friendly countries” that provided intelligence, Colombian authorities conducted simultaneous raids in four farms where packs of cocaine wrapped in banana leaves were

stored underground.

America’s war on drugs goes as far back as 1971 during the time of Richard Nixon who declared drug abuse as “public enemy number one” and called for an “all-out offensive,” subsequently increasing federal funding for drug control and treatment. This also paved the way for the creation of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in 1973. Over the years, other presidents have continued the effort to combat illegal drugs use and abuse.

However, it is clear that the problem of illegal drugs has now become global, made worse by terrorism largely on account of the symbiotic relationship developed between drug manu-

creased economic activity failed to materialize.

Trump controls some 500 pass-through entities and he would save about $16m a year from the cuts, according to the New York Times.

Trump’s plan would cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, the lowest point since 1939. The idea is that lower taxes will allow business leaders to increase capital investment and create more jobs. But the fact is that most US corporations pay far less than 35 percent tax already, many of the most profitable pay nothing and lower taxes have not been shown to create jobs. There is also little evidence that the current system is harming business given that both stock markets and corporate profits are at record highs while employment is at lows unseen since the turn of the millennium.”

TELL ME: How would this bill help YOU? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

facturers and terrorist groups.

According to a 2015 U.S. State Department report, “traffickers provide weapons, funding and other material support to the insurgency in exchange for the protection of drug trade routes, cultivation fields, laboratories and trafficking organizations.”

What’s important at this point is for everyone to recognize the enormity of the drug problem which is no longer confined to just one country but has become a global concern, threatening the security of nations and most of all, the very lives of people. *** I am now in Washington, D.C. to begin my work as the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, and so my Sunday columns will be generally about the work being done in D.C. and the rest of the U.S., news about Filipino-Americans, their activities and the issues affecting them, and other developments that impact relations between our country and the United States, one of the oldest and perhaps our most important ally.

Our relationship with the United States has improved significantly after the recent Trump visit in Manila. We are of course looking forward to working closely with the excellent Philippine Embassy staff that we have in Washington, D.C. *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail. com

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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A

Philippine DOT invites Las Vegas Fil-Am community to ‘Bring Home a Friend’

by AJPress To continue promoting the Philippines as a must-visit travel destination, the country’s Department of Tourism (DoT) is pushing its “Bring Home a Friend” (BHAF) program that encourages Filipinos to invite foreigners to the country.

The BHAF campaign was formally launched in Las Vegas by DoT-Los Angeles Tourism Attaché Richmond Jimenez at the Asian Culture Center on Satur- DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo invites Filipinos Warren Mangio, a physical therapist and day, November 25, with special to “bring home a friend.” a certified wound specialist at Sunrise guests DoT Secretary Wanda Hospital, shares his experience as a first Corazon Tulfo Teo, Consul Gen- mismo, na kapag umuwi kayo responder during the Las Vegas shooting eral Adelio Cruz, travel agents, sa Pilipinas, nakita niyo na yung in October. and members of the Filipino- lugar natin, will you come back dito sa States and you could all dent or overseas worker, or a forAmerican community.

“We know very well that holi- tell your friends na, ‘Ang ganda eigner living in the Philippines The DOT’s “Bring Home a Friend” program was launched at the Asian Culture Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 25.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal day season is coming up and sa Pilipinas. Bumalik kayo. Pu- permanently or temporarily for we have friends and family who munta kayo sa lugar namin. (We a minimum of six months before are making it to the [Philip- want you, that if you go to the the raffle.

To qualify as an invitee, indipines],” Jimenez said. “There Philippines, and you saw our are those who already booked country, you will come back to viduals must: a) hold a foreign their flights from Vegas the the States and tell your friends passport or dual citizenship livPhilippines from this time until that ‘The Philippines is beautiful. ing abroad for a minimum of six April next year. So we would Go back. Go to our country’),’” months before the raffle b) have like to have you all take ad- Teo told the audience. “‘Yun po traveled to the Philippines durvantage of this opportunity be- ang reason (That’s the reason) ing a certain period of time.

Prizes available to the sponcause what’s great about this is why we launched this Bring Home a Friend because we need sors include a condominium registration is for free.”

Jimenez added that now is you to be ambassadors of the provided by Megaworld Corp. located in Eastwood, Libis (1st the best time to go to the Phil- Philippines.”

Teo announced the revival of prize), a brand new Toyota Vios ippines given that many of the country’s islands have received the BHAF program — which was (2nd prize), and a P200,000 gift accolades from magazines like first launched by former Tourism certificate from Duty Free PhilipConde Nast Traveler, Travel Secretary Mina Gabor in 1994 pines (3rd prize). The sponsors’ DOT-Los Angeles Tourism Attaché Richmond Members of the Fil-Am community in Las Vegas meet DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick foreign invitees can win round- Jimenez details the specifics of the DOT’s Alegre (far left), Consul General Adelio Cruz (second from left), and DOT Secretary Wanda and Leisure, and National Geo- — this past october.

Tulfo Teo (center). trip business class plane tickets “Bring Home a Friend” program.

BHAF details graphic.

A video was shown at the event and trip packages to Palawan, “All these other foreigners are starting to come over and featuring actor Piolo Pascual, Cebu and Davao — with all-exjust enjoy the country. So it’s wherein he showed that the pro- pense paid stays at various reabout time for us to actually gram is easy to join by simply: sorts, such as El Nido and Pearl do our share, try to rediscover Invite, Accept, Travel and Reg- Farm.

To register for the promotion, your roots, so this is actually ister!

To be a sponsor, individuals sponsors must log onto the offione good start — to join Bring Home a Friend. Invite people must be: a) 18 years old or over cial BHAF website (www.bringover and you can get to win and, b) be either a Filipino with homeafriend.online) and sign up dual citizenship living in the for Sponsor Registration. Then, awesome prizes,” he said.

“Gusto namin na kayo na Philippines or abroad as a resi- they must log in and fill out the Invite a Friend Now form which sends invites to prospective guests; sponsors may send as many invites as desired.

Invitees will then receive an email and will need to fill out an application that requires uploaded photos of their passport, Jing Hernando of Philippine Airlines, DOT-San Francisco Tourism Attaché Purificacion Molintas, DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre, DOT Secretary airline ticket and boarding pass Wanda Tulfo Teo, Consul General Adelio Cruz, DOT-LA Tourism Attaché Richmond Jimenez, and DOT-LA Administrative Officer Fay Castro. from Asia and Australia/ocea- valid until April 15, 2018. Prize Los Angeles. If you take a selfie as proof of travel. once the application and all nia will receive two entries and winners will be announced and use the hashtags #PDoTthe relevant documents are sub- those that hail from Africa, the shortly after the promotion LAContest and #ItsMoreFunInthePhillipines, “you may get mitted, invitees will receive an Middle East, Europe and North ends.

In addition to BHAF, Jimenez a chance to win a trip to the email with coupon numbers. De- and South America will receive is calling on the public to par- Philippines by the end of the pending on the invitee’s current three entries.

The BHAF promotion, which ticipate in a photo contest with campaign which is by January residence, invitees will receive copy.pdf 1 11/10/2017 PM and Guests at theEVA_Day-Night_(Asian_Journal_11.5w_x_10.55h) presentation included Hansel and Fina Lopez, Chona and Ernie3:25:28 Galvez, two or three raffle entries: folks started on october 15, 2017, is DoT billboards and posters in 2018,” he said. n Asian Journal Publications Publisher and CEO Roger Oriel

ind us on:

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1, 2017

BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Foreign business groups welcome move to ease foreign restriction

by Richamond

meRcuRio

Philstar.com

FOREIGN business leaders are elated with President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent call to ease restrictions on investment areas with limited foreign participation, saying such a move will lead to more investments and spur faster economic growth.

Leaders of the American, European, Korean, and Canadian business chambers in the Philippines told The STAR that Duterte’s directive to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board to relax restrictions on eight investment areas is a step towards the right direction for the country.

“The president’s memorandum order is unprecedented in its scope and goal to make the

Leaders of the American, European, Korean, and Canadian business chambers in the Philippines told The STAR that Duterte’s directive to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board to relax restrictions on eight investment areas is a step towards the right direction for the country.

File photo by Philstar

economy more competitive and more open to foreign investment, which is much needed to help meet the seven to eight percent GDP growth target,” said John Forbes, senior advisor of the American Chamber

meRcuRio

Philstar.com

SUPERMARKET owners are planning to raise prices to offset the impact of rising labor costs.

The planned price increase will come alongside some manufacturers’ decision to jack up prices of their products due to the depreciation of the peso against the dollar, higher fuel prices and the surge in prices of raw materials.

“With the increase in labor cost, even though suppliers don’t increase their prices, we will increase our margins even a little,” Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association president Steven Cua said.

“How do we cover for the wage increase. We can’t feed them peanuts, right? So expect a little increase in prices,” Cua

The House-approved version of the proposed tax measure, part of the government’s banner tax reform program called Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN, imposes a tax of P10 per liter for drinks containing purely locally produced sugar and P20 on beverages with imported sugar or sweeteners.

File photo by Philstar

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

u PAGE B3

Supermarkets to raise prices to offset higher labor costs

by Richamond

More groups join clamor vs ‘sweet tax’

File photo by Philstar

added.

Minimum wage earners in the private sector in Metro Manila started receiving an additional P21 per day in their basic wage since last Oct. 5 following the approval of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region of Wage Order NCR-21 which prescribed new wage levels for all minimum wage earners and set the minimum wage for the non-agricultural workers to P512 from P491.

u PAGE B3

MORE consumer advocacy groups have joined the call for government to consider alternative measures to fund its programs that would not necessarily affect low-income consumers.

CitizenWatch Philippines and Bantay Konsumer, Kalsada, Kuryente have urged legislators to consider minimizing the impact of the sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes to poor consumers under House Bill (HB) 5636 pending in the Senate.

Should the bill be passed into law, its

repercussions will “significantly impact the lives of millions of low-income Filipino consumers, said Tim Abejo, CitizenWatch convenor.

In a statement, Bantay Konsumer, Kalsada, Kuryente said it supports the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO) in the campaign against the proposed excise tax on SSBs. The group said their computations showed that 40 percent of the daily income of store owners comes from the sale of drinks such as juices and flavored instant coffee in sachets.

“It’s really the low-income earners who

consume these products—powdered juice drinks, carbonated softdrinks and other beverages—on a daily basis, and higher prices could take a toll on their everyday expenses as once inexpensive products become suddenly unaffordable,” Abejo said.

The House-approved version of the proposed tax measure, part of the government’s banner tax reform program called Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN, imposes a tax of P10 per liter for drinks containing purely locally produced sugar and P20 on beverages with imported sugar or sweeteners.

u PAGE B5

Espenilla: BSP policy not dependent on Fed by mayvelin

u. caRaballo ManilTimes.net

LiIKELY U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes do not mean the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) needs to follow suit, central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said on Friday, Nov. 24.

“Our monetary policy is independent of what Fed does,” Espenilla told reporters in response to the release of the minutes of the U.S. central bank’s October 30-November 1 policy meeting.

“Our primary focus is on the

inflation outlook relative to our target,” he added.

While the federal funds rate was kept unchanged during the meeting, a December adjustment has become more likely as many policymakers signaled that an increase “was likely to be warranted in the near term”.

The Bangko Sentral — after lowering its reverse repurchase rate to 3 percent from 4 percent on May 16 last year in the runup to adopting an interest rate corridor system on June 3, 2016 — again kept the policy rate un-

changed at its November 9, 2017 meeting.

Overnight deposit and lending rates have also been maintained at 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, and the reserve requirement ratio remains at 20 percent.

Inflation forecasts for this year and 2018 were maintained during the November 9 meeting but the outlook for next year was raised given upside risks. Still, Espenilla said that future inflation was

expected to stay within target.

“While inflation has trended higher due mainly to higher utility rates and fuel prices, latest forecasts continue to show the

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B NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

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Luna commemorative coin released by BSP Gov’t not interested in being 3rd telco player

by MigUel

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilTimes.net

A LIMITED edition 10-peso coin has been issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Philippine hero General Antonio Luna.

“As a matter of policy, the BSP commemorates significant events in our country’s history and heroic Filipinos through the minting of coins or medal,” the central bank said on Friday, Nov. 24.

Authorized agent banks can withdraw the coins — 10 million pieces of which will be released — at BSP offices and branches.

The obverse side of the commemorative coin shows the portrait of Luna, “Republika ng Pilipinas” (Republic of the Philippines), “Heneral Antonio Luna” (General Antonio Luna), the P10 denomination, mintmark and the general’s signature.

The reverse is marked with the Filipino words “dangal”, “tapang” and “dignidad” (honor, courage and dignity), the phrase “Bayani ng digmaan laban sa Es-

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

THE client is 74. Her husband passed away two years ago. Her only source of income is social security of $2,000 a month, which was her husband’s social security. Her own social security was $1,500 a month. So how come she only has $2,000 of social security and not $2,000 plus $1,500?

Because when you are married to each other, the widow or widower, gets to keep only the higher of the two. Since her social security was $1,500 and her husband’s social security was $2,000, when her husband died, she got to keep the $2,000. However, her own social security disappears! Sad but true — it sucks.

That’s the unfair way that it works.

The client and her deceased husband owned a house with $100,000 of equity. It had a fair market value of $450,000 and a first mortgage balance of $350,000. The mortgage payment was $1,600 a month. So you can see immediately that there’s a problem. Since client inherits the higher social secu-

r. CaMUs

Inquirer.net

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas release the commemorative 10 pesos coin of General Antonio Luna during the launching at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas..

File photo by Roger Ranada/ Manilatimes

tados Unidos, 1899” (hero of the war against the United States, 1899), a depiction of the general on horseback, a brigadier general’s epaulette, “150 taon” (150 years), a graphic of the La Independencia and an inkwell, “1866-2016”, “Heneral Antonio Luna”, the BSP Seal and “sampung piso” (10 pesos) in micro letters.

Luna was a patriot, soldier, scientist and journalist. He joined

the p r o p agand a mo v ement against Spain and wrote in the newspaper La Solidaridad under the pen name “Taga-Ilog.”

He also founded the newspaper La Independencia that denounced the American occupation and during the PhilippineAmerican war Luna was appointed as the chief of war operations with the rank of brigadier general.

He was assassinated in 1899.

Senior needs bankruptcy relief. But Chapter 7 or 13? rity benefit of $2,000 but loses her own social security benefit of $1,500, after paying the mortgage of $1,600, there’s only $400 left for expenses. The other problem is the client owes $40,000 of credit cards. She needs $1,300 a month of minimum payments to keep these cards current.

Well obviously, she wanted to keep living in the house. So right after husband died, she tried to get a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage pays off the balance of your mortgage like a refinance, but unlike a refinance, she would not have to pay a monthly mortgage payment. She gets to live in the house until she dies.

The balance of the mortgage gets bigger every month because even though she doesn’t have to pay the monthly mortgage, the unpaid mortgage payment is added to the outstanding balance of the loan. If she actually did get a reverse mortgage, she would not have to pay $1,600 a month for mortgage, she can pay zero every month and she can live in the house until she dies.

The problem of getting a reverse mortgage is that there is a maximum limit that it will pay

off. That maximum limit is about $300,000. Since client owes $350,000, she is over by $50,000.

This is resolved by paying down the $350,000 to $300,000. In other words, she has to get $50,000 from somewhere then pay down the mortgage to $300,000. After that, the reverse mortgage will pay off the $300,000. It is quite easily done when you are able to get $50,000 from somewhere, however, it is impossible to do when you have no sources to resort to. The client was not able to produce $50,000 so she couldn’t get a reverse mortgage.

So why not sell the house and rent a room for $500 a month?

She doesn’t want to do this.

She’s lived in the house with her husband and children for most of her life, so she wants to live the rest of her life in the house.

Since the client is still perfectly healthy at 72, she may still live to 90, another 20 years. So what does she do? A relative who lives out of state wants to buy a house in California as an investment. She is willing to sell the house to the relative for $100,000 below market and in exchange, the relative

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THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) vowed that the government would not establish a competing telecommunications player, saying it could support competition in the sector in other ways.

Acting Communications Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., in a social media post, cited the lessons learned from previous efforts such as the Telecommunications Office, which has since been abolished, and Telepono sa Barangay, which failed to lure critical support from the private sector in the early 2000s.

Moreover, President Rodrigo Duterte has signaled last week that he preferred that a Chinese telco company would enter the Philippines to challenge PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom.

“Under my watch, the government will not be a third telco, knowing the dismal results when it tried to be one,” Rio said.

Rio, a former general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the only successful state-led telco effort was the AFP Signal Corps, which he used to run. But

What’s New ArLene AL-os, cPA, MBA SERIES 1 we talked about the factors you need to consider before you decide choosing OIC, and meeting the compliance requirements before proceeding.

Series 2 we explored on what you can do if your offer is rejected and you have disagreed items.

In general following are grounds for compromise: 1) Doubt as to liability: valid disagreement against the tax liability, 2) Doubt as to collectibility: demonstrate incapacity to pay, and if 1) and 2) is not applicable, a compromise may still be accepted based on 3) Promote effective tax administration. Let us consider compromise to promote effective tax administration.

When would a compromise to promote effective tax administration applicable? There are two types:

he noted it was likewise manned by the biggest technical service within the AFP, with around 27,000 officers and men.

Rio said the government still needed to invest in new ICT infrastructure.

He again cited initiatives such as a planned agreement with the state-run National Transmission Corporation of the Philippines (Transco) and its private concessionaire, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), to use their nationwide fiber optic network to reach far-flung areas without traditional telco services.

He also cited the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure, which will be operational by 2019. It will consist of two landing stations in Luzon that will be connected to a submarine cable to be built by social media giant Facebook. This will deliver some 2 terabits per second of capacity.

Those steps, along with components of the National Broadband Project, are seen to entice the entry of more small internet service providers and provide better and more inexpensive internet to the public.

The DICT is also tapping the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme for the construction of new cell towers, he said.

Last month, Transco president Melvin Matibag said the owner of the country’s power transmission assets wanted to enter the telecommunications business.

Matibag had said that they would seek an amendment to the Transco charter, apply for a congressional franchise to operate a “full telco business” and possibly bring in partners.

Rio, when sought for comment, explained that it was his understanding that Transco would seek “a private franchised telco player, offering its fiber optic cable as its contribution to that partnership.”

“Definitely, that partnership can’t be called a government telco,” he said.

OIC Basics: Series 3 1. The full amount of tax liability could be attained but will result to economic hardship to taxpayer Federal Regulation §301.7122-1 paragraph (b)(3)(i): • There are dependents with no other source of income that the taxpayer is supporting, exhausting the monthly income.

• There are assets but there is no equity to borrow to settle tax liabilities.

• There are assets and liquidation of these assets would result to inability to sustain basic living expenses.

• The financial resources is foreseen to be exhausted to support long term medical condition either for the taxpayer or taxpayer’s dependent who has no other source of income.

2. Based on public policy and equity provisions of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) • Specialized IRS group handles these offers.

• These are situations that impose challenge to public confidence that tax laws are managed fair and equitable.

In the overall, the acceptance

based on to promote effective tax administration will be based on all facts, conditions, situations, and taxpayer’s overall track record of compliance with the tax laws.

If the IRS appeals officer at collection due process hearing fails to consider based on effective tax administration public policy and equity provisions, rejecting an offer in compromise is considered an abuse of discretion. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

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A ghost story

“...he was no more than a lonely soul whose young life was cut down so suddenly and so tragically one dark moonless night...”

Part 2 of 2 out from the grave is probably world between the living and the world beyond, nothing seemed to one of them.

As a postcript decades later, be as important to this murdered Lacaba updated the account by American soldier as being reverifying the information about membered. It didn’t matter even Stephen Davies with the Ameri- if the remembrance is by a motley can Battle Monuments Com- crew of curious, total strangers.

With a sigh of relief over the mission (http: //www.abmc.gov/ search/detailwwnew.php). Some- realization that the spirit was neithing may have been lost in the ther malevolent nor malicious, spelling and translation during Stephen C. Davis would probably the sessions, for there were two have to deal with an incensed entries for Stephen Davis (there group of total strangers who was no e though in the Davis) — would gladly take turns putting one was Stephen E. Davis, a US their hands around his poltergeist Air Force officer who was killed in neck and choking him, if they Hawaii and whose remains were could, for scaring them half to never recovered and a Stephen death while using the rest rooms.

The ghost simply wanted to C. Davis. The latter was listed as Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy, call attention to his plight, to with Service # 3759920 and being stuck in limbo or trapped that he had entered the service in a dimension that defies time in California. The approximate and space. Scaring mortals date of death was December was one heck of a way to do it.

If you remember the movie 15, 1945 in Manila, Philippines.

Davis earned a Purple Heart “Ghost” there was one such Award posthumously. Just like paranormal being who was practhe other Davis in Hawaii, there tically forced into mentoring Patwere no remains recovered. The rick Swayze’s character in the name of Stephen C. Davis is in- ways of poltergeists. The movie scribed in one of the hemicycles character is a disembodied soul on the west side in the American trapped in one dimension. He Cemetery near Forbes Park and inhabited a New York subway what used to be Fort Bonifacio, because he was pushed on the a military camp sold to private path of a train and died. He was real estate developers during stuck and could not cross over to the nineteen nineties and now the other side because his time known as The Fort in Global City. had not yet come. So he spends There is absolutely no way to his time morosely bent on misverify every minute detail of this chief scaring the living daycold murder case unless one is lights out of subway commuters.

Because his approximate a tenacious private investigator with the mixed pedigree of a death anniversary is supposedly bloodhound and a bulldog. One December 15, Stephen C. Davis thing that comes across clearly, is again reaching out from the at least to me, is that the ghost of grave one more time from anStephen C. Davis, whether real or other century, so that he may conjured by hypnotic suggestion, be remembered and included in didn’t seem to be obsessed with prayers just once more until he vengeance or justice although he reaches final closure and eternal did seem knowledgeable about rest. Do pray for him if you can.

If Stephen Davis’s story holds his killer’s whereabouts. Underneath the bone-chilling polter- up, it is clear that to be forgotten geist tactics his restless soul em- as though one’s life didn’t matter ployed to reach out from beyond is indeed tragic. the grave, he was no more than *** a lonely soul whose young life Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is was cut down so suddenly and SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. so tragically one dark moonless To send comments, e-mail monette. night. Stuck in a nebulous, nether maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

What to do with conditional green card status in troubled marriages

MARRIAGE for many persons is the culmination of one’s life.

Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially and economically.

For those persons who lack permanent residency in the United States and have married a United States citizen, marriage also presents an opportunity to obtain permanent residency. However, although the opportunity to obtain permanent residency arises in such situations, one must be aware of and comply with procedures in existence to obtain such status. Due to concerns that persons were becoming married to United States citizens merely to obtain permanent residence status, a two-step procedure under the Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA) was set up to ensure such status was given to those only in marriages that are bona-fide and not entered into simply for immigration purposes.

Under step one of the procedure, if a person is petitioned by his/her U.S. citizen spouse within 24 months after becoming married, that person is given only conditional permanent residence. Such conditional permanent residence status lasts for two years from the date on which it is granted.

Step two of the procedure involves the removal of the conditional label to permanent residence status. Removal of the conditional label is initiated by filing an I-751 Joint Petition to Remove Condition to Permanent Residence (“Joint Petition”). The Joint Petition provides an op-

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES portunity for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to inquire as to the legitimacy of the marriage after conditional permanent residence is granted. Accordingly, documentation evidencing that the marriage was entered into for bona-fide reasons should be submitted as part of the Joint Petition. The Joint Petition must be filed with the USCIS service center in the 90 days immediately prior to the second anniversary of the granting of conditional permanent residence.

Typically, upon the filing of the Joint Petition, a one-year extension of the conditional permanent residence is granted. The extension affords the USCIS time to schedule an interview with the person seeking permanent residence, and to make a determination as to whether unconditional permanent residence will be granted for a ten-year period.

In cases in which documentation submitted as part of the Joint Petition clearly show that the marriage is bona-fide and not merely for immigration purposes, INS may approve a Joint Petition without an interview.

The procedure described hereinabove applies in situations where the marriage has not been

terminated. Often, the Joint Petition cannot be filed or approved because the marriage, although bona-fide when entered into, has been terminated by divorce.

May aliens become threatened of falling out of status once their marriage is in trouble because the spouse often refuse to cooperate or has filed a divorce petition. In such cases there is still hope and the prospect of obtaining unconditional permanent residence status still remains. A waiver of the joint petition requirement may be sought in such cases. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Supermarkets to raise prices to offset...

PAGE B1 t

With the increase in prices of some noche buena items and basic commodities starting this month, Cua said consumers can soften the effect by buying the right products and brands.

“I do have products which have increased 10 to 15 percent and that’s big. But if you don’t know what to buy naturally you will really spend more than the usual,” he said.

“However, the increase was not across all products as it included only particular brands and particular sizes. That’s good

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1, 2017

B3

The curious case Foreign business groups come... of Stephen C. Davis

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Continued from last week...)

HALF a lifetime later and half a world away, I have forgotten much about the murdered American soldier. Buried in the mists of time, his story would have remained shelved, tucked away in my memory banks and promptly forgotten until I came across an account of that incident long ago on the internet.

Written by Virgilio Lacaba, I read a long, detailed article, perhaps a reprint, on “Strange Occurrences at the UP” and like a flood, everything came rushing back as though it happened yesterday. Weeks after the session, I remember being interviewed for an article in a then popular weekly magazine, Mr. & Ms., by Neni Santa Romana Cruz, a wellknown Filipino writer who also happened to be the elder sister of a good friend from St. Scholastica’s College, the kind and gentle Chona Santa Romana, who incidentally and sadly, I learned much later, was herself a tragic victim of murder and domestic foul play, sometime in the late eighties. I had left the country for America by then and lost touch.

I do remember that during the interview for the article I have had to be careful in how the story is presented because I was living, working and studying in an academic environment, which by default should place reason and scientific explanation on everything that happens in the world.

Paranormal phenomenon is an entirely different ball of wax that supposedly rational beings do not normally subscribe to, something that would raise skeptical brows.

Yet I have found that life is not entirely rational, a lot of things don’t make sense and we have only begun to chip away at the great mysteries of life that lay before us. I am thus convinced that quite possibly, I am just one of the multitudes the world over who believe that there are things in the universe that are far beyond the scope of reason and known science to explain and things that are far beyond human intelligence to comprehend fully.

Quite plainly, there are things in this world that cannot be defined, completely understood and pegged in a nice, neat box.

The curious case of this murdered American soldier reaching

BUSINESS NEWS

because since it’s not all at the same time, consumers would have a choice,” Cua said.

Following a National Price Coordinating Council Meeting last Tuesday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said a number of manufacturers of noche buena items and basic commodities have reported their respective price increases.

Despite the increase, Lopez said prices of these products remain below the suggested retail prices (SRP).

“There were an increase for noche buena products. For each category there are one or two

brands that increased prices out of six or eight,” he said, citing products such as fruit cocktail, cheese, pasta, and spaghetti sauce.

Several brands of sardines, canned meat, and milk have likewise reported price hikes, but mostly those in the premium segment.

Lopez said because of factors like the depreciation of peso against the dollar, higher fuel prices, and the surge in prices of raw materials, some manufacturers were unable to retain their existing prices. ■

of Commerce of the Philippines.

“The Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines strongly supports the 10-point economic agenda of the Duterte administration. In this context, we are very pleased with Thursday’s (Nov. 23) announcement by the president instructing departments and agencies to remove restrictions on foreign investment administratively where this is possible (such as in the construction industry) and to support legislative amendments in cases where this is required,” Julian Payne, the group’s president, said separately.

Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Ho Ik Lee said the memorandum order

has already been circulated to all its members.

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Guenter Taus, for his part, said easing foreign ownership limits in the country is a major boost to the local economy and would make it easier for European firms to market the Philippines.

“We as a chamber have been working for decades to ease restrictions on foreign direct participation in all aspects of business in order to level the playing field and give better and better priced services and goods to the Filipino people. This is indeed a most welcome news,” Taus said.

The investment areas covered

by Duterte’s order are private

Calendar of Events across

recruitment, practice of particular professions, contracts for the construction and repair of locally-funded public works, public services except activities and systems that are recognized as public utilities, culture, production, milling, processing, and trading, teaching at higher education levels, retail trade enterprises, and domestic market enterprises.

CanCham’s Payne said easing or lifting of the restrictions would not be a zero-sum game with risk of local companies being crowded out.

AmCham’s Forbes urged the responsible agencies and Congress to follow the lead of the chief executive to attract more investments and boost employment. ■

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS N OV E M B E R 29

13th annual mayor’s luncheon in Woodland Hills, CA The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley presents the 13th annual mayor’s luncheon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, November 29 at the Warner Center Marriott - Grand Ballroom (21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367).

Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the program is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be complimentary self-parking, while valet is $16. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please call (818) 981-4491 or email marian@unitedchambers.org.

N OV E M B E R 3 0

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers in association with Civicminds Recruitment presents an immigration forum on Thursday, November 30 at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). Candidates and employers with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visa issues are encouraged to attend this FREE Q&A session from 6 to 8 p.m. Civicminds Recruitment will offer tips on how to find employers for green card and work visas after graduation, job placement assistance for qualified applicants and free resume evaluation. To register, please email admin@globallawcenters.com or call (714) 657-7460. For more information, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.

D EC E M B E R 1

Historic Filipinotown parol parade and festival in Los Angeles The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) announced that the annual parade and festival will be on Friday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will start with the assembly of parols and vehicles at 250 N. Union St. at the Our Lady of Lorreto Catholic Church courtyard. The parade will start at 5 p.m. and will go westward from Union to Beverly, and will eventually end up at the FCC/FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The HFNC is calling for volunteers who will serve as security, ushers, for registration and monitors for the parade. To volunteer, please call Art at (213)318-9065.

For more information, please contact Cecile at (213) 503-8176.

D EC E M B E R 2

Pasko Na Naman in Glendale, CA The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled “Pasko Na Naman 2” on Saturday, December 2 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 4 p.m. The presentation’s theme is Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang” which means “getting together joyfully.” The show will provide a glimpse on how Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, which will be depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir, Monique Magpayo and Kurt Winterhalter. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity, Filipino Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, feeding programs and FFRG faith formation events. Come one! Come All! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” during the intermission. Ticket donation is $45.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.

Free oil filter exchange in Alhambra, CA Attention all Alhambra residents! Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event on Saturday, December 2! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone located at 1100 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803.

6th annual grand reunion of the UPHPEIS Alumni Association of North America in Whittier, CA Join the 6th Annual Grand Reunion of the UPHPEIS Alumni Association of North America on Saturday, December 2. UP High, UP Prep, Elementary and Integrated School alumni are welcome. The reunion will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Whittier (7320 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90602). Tickets cost only $60 per person. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Come early! There will be a buffet lunch and entertainment. Seating is limited, so make your reservations now! Contacts: Alice Cabel-Ramos (aramos.us@gmail. com), Bobby Canseco (562-607-8839) or Ellery Atienza (323-497-3492). Find the association on Facebook by searching UPHPEIS Alumni Association of North America.

D EC E M B E R 3

Arnel Pineda in Los Angeles Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band JOURNEY, will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 3 at the Stars on Brand in Glendale California.

The show begins at 6 p.m. VIP ticket ($200) includes CD, concert tour shirt, meet & greet.

Other ticket prices are $150, $100, $75 or $50. For sponsorship and tickets, please call or text: Trini Foliente at (626) 818-7147; Cora Soriano at (213) 999-1993 or Andy Tecson at (323) 467-5096.

D EC E M B E R 27-29

Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

B4 NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

People and Events Burbank Police Department ‘Recycle me, too!’: Participate receives grant for special traffic and receive a free oil filter enforcement and crash prevention THE Burbank Police Department has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries.

The Burbank Police Department will use the grant funding as part of Burbank’s ongoing commitment to keep roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

“The safety of motorists and pedestrians on our roadways is a top priority for the Burbank Police Department,” said Chief of Police Scott LaChasse. “This grant supports our mission to continue educating the public through various enforcement campaigns throughout the year in order to reduce the number of injuries and deaths attributed to traffic collisions and unsafe driv-

EMPLOYMENT

ing habits.”

After falling to a ten year low in 2010, the number of persons killed on roadways has climbed nearly 17 percent across the state, with 3,429 fatalities in 2015. Particularly alarming is the rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities that now comprise nearly 25 percent of all traffic deaths, along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies and the emergence of drug-impaired driving. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as speeding and crashes at intersections.

“Unsafe behaviors account for 94 percent of traffic crashes,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.

“This grant emphasizes the two most effective ways to change behaviors – education and enforcement. The Burbank Police Department, with assistance from the Office of Traffic Safety,

will use these tools to help keep City of Burbank streets safe.”

The grant will fund a variety of activities, including educational presentations, DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols, bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement, motorcycle safety enforcement, distracted driving enforcement, and seat belt and child safety seat enforcement.

While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, the Burbank Police Department supports the new effort from OTS which aims to drive awareness that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ■

EMPLOYMENT

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filter at your nearest certified collection center - it’s free and easy. Find out more at CleanLA. com.

Get a free oil filter on Saturday, December 2, 2017!

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B NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

City of Long Beach donates collected shoes and clothing to local nonprofit THE City of Long Beach’s Department of Public Works in partnership with Waste Management, Inc. presented the Long Beach Rescue Mission with 457 pairs of shoes and 120 sweaters that were donated during the Long Beach Marathon.

“We are proud to partner with Waste Management to donate 457 pairs of shoes and 120 sweaters,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This project not only helps deserving people in our community, but promotes sustainability and recycling.”

Last month, the City’s Department of Public Works asked Long Beach Marathon participants to donate gently used running shoes and clothes at the event.

The City’s recycling contractor and a sponsor of the event, Waste Management, Inc., collected shoes during the Marathon Expo on October 6 and 7 and at the finish line on October 8, 2017.

“The ‘Shoe Recycling’ program showcases how partnerships between a City department and businesses or non-profits can help accomplish multiple goals,” said Diko Melkonian, Public Works Environmental Services Bureau Manager. “November 15 is both America Recycles Day and National Philanthropy Day, which makes this the perfect day to promote the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”

“As the recycling partner to the City of Long Beach, we are thrilled to have sponsored the marathon and to hold this exciting shoe drive to help community members in need as we help keep the reuse cycle going,” said Sharon ShapiroFox, Regional Public Affairs Manager for Waste Management of Southern California. “By donating their gently used running shoes, marathoners are doing good for others and for the environment.”

The Long Beach Rescue Mission will distribute the donated items to underserved

men, women, and children of the community.

“Long Beach Rescue Mission is so grateful for the shoes and clothing items donated through the efforts of Waste Management and the Jet Blue Long Beach Marathon,” said Robert Probst, Executive Director of the Long Beach Rescue Mission. “A pair of shoes goes a long way for a person experiencing homelessness. We give away thousands of shoes and clothing items each month, and are able to share in the joy that a pair of shoes can bring, which so many of us take for granted.”

The Marathon Shoe Recycling program, sponsored by Public Works, will become an annual event, allowing marathoners the opportunity to donate gently

Senior needs bankruptcy...

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agrees to let her stay in the house without paying rent for as long as she wants, or until she passes on.

This is a good deal for the client because she gets to live in the house without having to worry about a mortgage or rent payment. Just as a caveat, if you are thinking of this kind of arrangement, make sure that you create a life estate and record it with the recorder’s office. A life estate is a right to live in the house until you die. Whoever buys the house cannot evict you because of the life estate. The client did not create a life estate but merely relied on the goodwill of the relative who purchased the house. What happens if the relative sells the house? Since there is no life estate, the client will most likely have to start paying rent to the new owner. But let’s hope this never happens until after the client has left this world and spend the rest of eternity with Jesus, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in heaven.

In Heaven, she can live in a mansion for free because Jesus said that in His Father’s house, there are many mansions where she can stay for free: “In my Father’s house there are many mansions, and if not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2 Our problems on the earth are so many and myriad. Even a place to stay and live is a problem.

In heaven, our loving God provides us with everything for free!

Now that client has lived in the house rent-free for a year, she’s getting tired of using $1,300 from her $2,000 of social security benefits. In the last 12 months, $16,000 from her $24,000 of social security to keep her $40,000 of credit card debts current. Is this a financially sound thing to do for the rest of her life? I don’t think so. She just paid $16,000 in one year, yet she owes the same $40,000 of credit card debt.

If she lives another 20 years, she would have paid her credit card masters $320,000 yet she will still owe the same $40,000!

She’s thought the whole thing over and wants to get rid of the $40,000 cards with a Chapter 7 petition. I would certainly file a Chapter 7 for her to discharge the $40,000, but its really not that simple. The problem is that she sold her house to the relative for a lot less than market value. This is a red flag in Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, the trustee can sue the relative to get the house back. It’s a big problem.

The alternative is a Chapter 13 with the lowest plan payment possible, maybe $250 per month for 60 months. After paying $15,000 of principal, no interest in Chapter 13, the balance $25,000 would be discharged. She can still have $1,750 of social security left for what she wants to do after the plan payment. Maybe she can take a cruise in Southeast Asia. That’s a good thing to do and enjoy when you’re 72 and still healthy.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

“THE LORD IS NEAR TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIM, TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIM IN TRUTH.” PSALM 145:18 *** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** 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 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

Espenilla: BSP policy not...

PAGE B1 t

future inflation path staying within the government’s 3 percent plus or minus 1 percentage point target range for 2018-2019,” he said following the November meeting.

Given current conditions, Espenilla said that monetary authorities were of the view that prevailing monetary policy settings remained appropriate.

Earlier this week, Maybank Group Chief Economist Suhaimi Ilias said the Bangko Sentral could order a total 50-basis point (bps) hike next year, starting with a 25-bps adjustment during the third quarter.

“For the Philippines … there is need to manage … domestic macroeconomic issues, especially that the pressure of the peso

has skewed to the situation that the current account has shifted from surplus to deficit as well effects of inflation, which is actually moving on an upward trend,” Ilias said.

A 50-bps increase in the first quarter of 2018, meanwhile, was forecast by Australia’s ANZ research last month.

Given the country’s current account deficit, ANZ said the peso could weaken past P52 to the dollar next year unless the BSP raises interest rates.

“Domestic interest rates are not high enough to attract sufficient foreign portfolio flows to fund the deficit,” ANZ said.

“If BSP does not hike rates as we expected, then [the]PHP may weaken more than our forecast next year,” it warned. n

More groups join clamor...

PAGE B1 t

among others, P0.03 per gram of “According to PASCO, the sugar on sweetened beverages proposed tax measure will likely using purely caloric sweeteners result in the loss of 40 to 50 per- except for those using purely cocent of the total income of the 1.3 conut sap sugar.

“While our organization recogmillion sari-sari store owners,” nizes the avowed rationale of this Abejo said.

Abejo said CitizenWatch sup- tax measure, the social-economic ports the more consumer friend- equity implications has far-reachly proposal by Sen. JV Ejercito to ing consequences than its suplower the SSB taxes, including, posed health concern,” he said. n

used shoes and clothing. This new effort promotes reuse and recycling while helping community members in need.

The Long Beach Public Works Department strives to operate, preserve, and enhance the City’s physical infrastructure and transportation systems. The Department provides a variety of community services including the repair, rehabilitation and general upkeep of City streets, trees, sidewalks, and City structures. Public Works also provides emergency support services throughout the City. Visit us at http://www. longbeach.gov/pw/, “Like” us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/LBPublicWorks/), and follow us on Twitter (LBPublicWorks) and Instagram @lbpublicworks. n

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

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 29, 2017

Filipino filmmakers Allan Ibanez, Dexter Hemedez deliver laughs and tears in ‘1st Sem’ Coming-of-age story explores complex family dynamics between a single mother and her eldest son by

T

Klarize Medenilla / AJPress

he coming-of-age story has become a staple in independent cinema, beautifully and artistically told from filmmakers spanning the globe. Typically geared towards young adults, these stories explore the growth of a protagonist, pulling from often-comedic experiences that have strengthened our hero.

The first feature film by Philippine writer-directors Allan Ibanez and Dexter hemedez “1st Sem” tells the story of the eldest son of a widow who sets off to study at a prestigious university in Manila only to return home the next day. The son, 16-year-old Maru (played by newcomer Darwin Yu), tells his mother, Precy (Lotlot De Leon), that he felt lonely and missed his family.

Angry that her son disobeyed her wishes to receive a college education, Precy orders Maru to help around the house.

Their relationship begins to deteriorate as they face challenges that further divide the family.

The story explores the dynamic between the hard-working but crass mother and a well-meaning, trepidatious son.

“1st Sem” is a modern coming-of-age story, but rather than building experiences out in the world, he learns them in his own household. The film also discusses the very

relatable experiences of being young and curious, and negotiating that precociousness with a demanding parent who only wants what’s best for her children.

But what comes out of the woodwork is the relentless love between a mother and son who overcome pride and allow love and resilience to win. The story is charmingly funny, but deals with very serious, but common familial disputes.

“I think whether you’re a Filipino or a person of a different nationality, the themes that the movie explored are universal and there’s a way you can relate to the characters and the experiences,” co-director and co-writer Ibanez told the Asian Journalafter the film’s premiere at the American Film Institute in Los Feliz. hemedez and Ibanez met in 2014 when they were both writers for soap operas on ABSCBN. Both made short films in college and knew they would eventually want to create feature films.

As writers for the teleserye “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” they had gotten close, often co-writing episodes together and pondered the idea of creating a feature length film together. Somewhere in that collective brainstorming came the idea of “1st Sem.” “Our strongest asset going

In the movie, Lotlot De Leon plays a struggling single parent to three siblings in the throes of adulthood played by newcomers Darwin Yu, Miguel Bagtas and child actor Sebastian Vargas.

Written and directed by Allan Ibanez and Dexter Hernandez, “1st Sem” is a coming of age comedy-drama.

into filmmaking was that we had experience writing and we know how to tell the stories that are character-centered,” Ibanez said. “That was our strength. But when it comes to creating, directing and producing a feature-length film, that’s a totally different game.”

As an independent film with a very tight budget, the filmmakers faced a slew of commonly-experienced problems on set. But one of the biggest obstacles came in the form of an unnamed producer who stopped showing up to the set and had stolen money from an already meager production budget.

This matter lost them two very crucial filming days and delayed the pay of many of the film’s production crew and equipment. Stressed out and nervous for the film’s future, hemedez and Ibanez did everything they can to, at the very least, get the film completed.

“I couldn’t get up for two

months because of it. I got really depressed,” Ibanez said.

“We really needed those two shooting days. We went to the bank to inquire if they would give us a loan. That’s how desperate we were in making this film.”

“No matter how big the problems we really tried to finish it in the best possible way because without the finished product it will be a lot worse.

Thank God there are people in the Philippines who championed our film and posted about it on social media. It’s the start, it’s the little buzz that started everything for us.”

The buzz then got people talking about the film, which led to its release. Then a miracle happened. After one of their first screenings, an investor approached them after the screening to tell them he loved the film. he proceeded to pay off all their debts, which have allowed them to bring the film to the international stage and

Photos courtesy of Allan Ibanez and Dexter Hernandez

has been noticed by many film festivals.

Despite that period of chaos, the filmmakers said they feel lucky to have experienced the harsh reality of filmmaking and are working on another project together. Throughout the struggles, they remain smiling and proud of the finished product. In a way, the creation of this film was the filmmakers’ very own coming-of-age journey.

“This film, in a way, was like our first semester in filmmaking,” hemedez remarked. “I feel like we grew a lot throughout this. We learned a lot and we were able to push through despite all the hardship.”

Since opening last year, the “1st Sem” has enjoyed great success, screening around the world and garnering several international cinema accolades including the Grand Jury Prize at the San Diego International Kids Film Festival, Special Jury Award at Festival Angaelica

and Best Debut Feature at the All Lights India International Film Festival among several others.

Receiving awards for a first feature film is not uncommon, but on the international stage, it’s a totally different game, hemedez said. But in a world that’s becoming more accepting of films from a wider variety of nations, the filmmakers knew the story — “a small film with a big heart,” fans have told them — would be universally relatable.

“The awards surprise us, but at the same time we knew from the beginning it was a story that is necessary to be told,” Ibanez said. “So when people approach us saying they loved the film, we are very thankful, and we’re very proud that we’re bringing a Filipino movie to these festivals. In a way, Filipino cinema is being appreciated abroad and that’s something we’re very proud and thankful for.”

Dexter Hemedez, Lotlot de Leon, Allan Ibanez and Darwin Yu during the closing ceremonies of the All Lights India International Film Festival where “1st Sem” won in the Best Feature Film of Debut Directors Category.

PH takes pride in Rachel Peters’ Top 10 finish Paolo Ballesteros continues his transformation by arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

hOPeS were high for the Philippines’ Rachel Peters who advanced to the Top 10 of the 2017 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, Nov. 26 Just as quickly, however, the biggest night of her life came to an end when she failed to make it to the Top 5, stunning as she was in her ash blue long gown by designer Val Taguba.

Crowned Miss Universe was Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa, who bested First Runner-Up Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, and Second Runner-Up Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett. Nel-Peters succeeded 2016’s winner Iris Metenaere of France, who was crowned in Manila in January. even before the pageant ended, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI)

by tessa

MauriCioa-arriola ManilaTimes.net

Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

chairman Stella Marquez Araneta issued the organization’s congratulatory statement on Facebook, lauding Peters “for her phenomenal representation of the country in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.”

Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters

“The Universe is livelier with you as a shining star. More than your poise and beauty, you are a cut above the rest with your grace and elegance that exemplifies a true woman of substance and an inspiring Filipina.

We are proud to be a part of your journey,” Araneta said.

Filipino fans and supporters, touted as the most avid followers of the pageant, shared the same sentiments.

New mechanics This year saw a new system in choosing the first set of finalists or the Top 16. Landing a spot were four candiThe Top 5 finalists: Miss Colombia, Miss Jamaica, Miss Thailand, Miss Venezuela and Miss South Africa. dates from three geographical

TheRe is no one quite like Paolo Ballesteros in showbiz today. The The Times confidently says so because while most other actors have an idol whose career path they strive to follow—say the young Joshua Garcia who’s been dubbed as the next John Lloyd Cruz—Paolo is in a league of his own, both as a comedic and dramatic actor. how so? he banks on his expertise in makeup transformation to deliver a more modern approach to gay-themed movies.

Now one can certainly argue that the likes of Michael V. and Paolo’s own friends Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola slathPhotos courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization er on the makeup and dress groups, while the remaining up in frocks just as much for four (regardless of geographical their skits, but the difference is, representation) were chosen as unlike Paolo’s transformations, “wild cards.” they are intentionally made to From Africa and Asia-Pacific, look like drag queens. As such, the finalists were Thailand, Sri the idea behind their makeup Lanka, Ghana and South Africa; and dress up is to make them from europe, Spain, Ireland, appear funny from the get go.

Croatia and Great Britain, and As for Paolo, rather than finally from the Americas were look ridiculous to be funny, he Colombia, USA, Brazil and naturally draws oohs and aahs Canada. when dressed like a woman.

Peters was chosen as one of And then, depending on the the wild cards along with Venskit or movie scene, he brings ezuela, Jamaica and China. out his comedy or drama as a The Top 16 then advanced beautiful woman. to the Swimsuit CompetiIn other words, Paolo tion, and the candidates were Ballesteros doesn’t “do drag” Continued on Page 3 in the tradition of comedians

Paolo Ballesteros Photo from Instagram/@pochoy_29

as far back as Dolphy himself.

What he does is art.

Effective canvas At the risk of sounding “mayabang,” Paolo explained his artistic process at a prebirthday gathering last week [he turns 35 on November 29].

“Tinatanong nila ako kung anong naramdaman ko nung nag-react si Gal Gadot sa post ko [transformed] as Wonder Woman. Flattered ako siyempre pero parang ganun din sa lahat ng mga nagla-like.

“Kasi, hindi ko naman ito ginagawa para sumikat sa social media. Yung nararamdaman Continued on Page 4

Pia Wurtzbach: No such thing as beauty pageant jinx ThERE are rumors in social media that miss Philippines Rachel Peters only reached top 10 at the 2017 miss universe pageant because miss universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines was a judge.

This also reportedly happened to Philippines’ mary Jean “mJ” Lastimosa during the miss universe pageant in

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

miss International 2017, was unplaced because the reigning country then was Philippines, as represented by miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa. according to pageant observers, once the Philippines wins in miss International, the following year, as the reigning country, the nation’s bet will be “unplaced” in the pageant.

For Wurtzbach, superstitions like these have no solid basis.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think that they would allow you to join if you’re already destined to not get the crown.

I don’t think pageants would do that. That’s not really fair. and I don’t think there’s a curse either or there’s a jinx,” Pia told Philstar.com in a recent interview during her launch as endorser of mineral water brand aquafina.

For Pia, nobody and nothing should be blamed whenever miss Philippines loses.

“I think it just so happened that you know, we haven’t seen a back-to-back yet at miss universe. but I don’t think that it has anything to do with the competition or the judges or the girl, our representative,” Pia further explained. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.

Photo from Instagram/@piawurtzbach com)

2015. mJ was miss universe Philippines 2014. Like Peters, Lastimosa also allegedly did not advance from the top 10 as Filipino boxing champ manny Pacquiao was in the judges’ panel. before miss universe, netizens have observed another pattern: mariel de Leon, Philippines’ representative for

PH takes pride in Rachel...

From Page 2 whittled down to the Top 10 with Venezuela, usa, Canada, south africa, spain, brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Jamaica, and the Philippines.

Peters was unable to take part in any question-and-answer portion, as they were only given out to the Top 5, and again the Top 3.

No clear advocacy as Filipinos began moving on from Peter’s loss at the miss universe pageant, some observers were quick to note that as beautiful, graceful and confident the half-british-half Filipino candidate was, she seem to have paled in comparison with the winners in terms of advocacy.

Nel-Peters, who had been held at gunpoint and robbed, took her advocacy for self-defense among women to the pageant, while others talked about championing the deaf, mental health and hIV awareness among other weighty issues.

The 2017 miss universe Pageant was held at The axis, Planet hollywood in Las Vegas, the same venue where host steve harvey fumbled in announcing Pia Wurtzbach as the winner in 2015.

entertainment 3

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 29, 2017

Maine Mendoza: ‘I feel like living in a box’

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

Dubsmash queen maine mendoza took to social media to ask her fans for the freedom “to feel what I want to feel, be what I want to be, and do what I want to do.”

In a lengthy open letter posted on her blog and Twitter, mendoza thanked her avid fans for their love and support but also called out some members of her fandom who, she said, dictate what “she should feel and should not feel.” mendoza said she has been feeling like she is living in a box with fans telling her how she should act.

“I am grateful to have all of you who have walked this path with me. but I need to be honest, I am at this point where I feel like I live in a box. I have not been able to do what I want and say what I feel because every time I try to express my thoughts and feelings, some of you tend to misapprehend and invalidate them in so many ways,” mendoza wrote.

“Telling me I am not supposed that way because I am rich and famous. Telling me I have no right to be sad and hurt because I have everything a person could ask for. Judging, blaming, and getting mad at me for expressing what I truly feel just because you do not agree and it is inconvenient for you,” she added. mendoza said the words of her fans are affecting her and no longer makes her happy. she added that some of her fans hurt her loved ones, including her family.

“Our families, friends, and workmates are being bashed and ridiculed by some. Kahit sinong madikit sa amin pinagiisipan at pinagsasalitaan ng hindi maganda. Basta hindi naaayon sa kagustuhan ang mga nakikita, nagagalit. It hurts me seeing them being hurt.”

Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters bested she said “some things are 91 other candidates in this year’s Miss Universe really getting out of hand” while competition. referring to her fans’ fight with Photo courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization

Maine Mendoza

other fandoms.

The social media star turned Kalyeserye queen said she is in showbiz because she wants to make people happy by just being herself and not for money or fame.

“I hope you understand that I am here because I love making people happy,” she said. mendoza called on her supporters to go back to the root of what made her and her onscreen partner alden Richards famous, which is love. mendoza, known as “Yaya Dub,” and Richards became a love team in 2015 after joining noontime show “Eat bulaga”.

They were then dubbed “al-

GMA photo

Dub” and their fans were called “alDub nation.”

“I do hope I have also given you enough joy for you to give me freedom I believe I deserve.

Freedom to feel what I want to feel, be what I want to be, and do what I want to do,” mendoza concluded, adding that Richards deserves the same, too.

In June 2017, it can be recalled that mendoza deactivated her Twitter account after some of her supporters bashed Kapuso actor sef Cadayona for their rumored relationship. she is among the most followed local celebrities with over 4.5 million followers on Twitter.

features

Guilt-free eating: Four tips to eat smart and still enjoy the holiday feasts Maria Isabel Lopez’s license revoked, fined P8K Health & 4

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 29, 2017

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

The Land Transportation Office on Monday, Nov. 27, revoked the driver’s license of actress and former beauty queen Maria Isabel Lopez for using the traffic lane reserved for ASeAN delegates.

Lopez, who is disqualified to apply for a driver’s license for two years, was ordered to surrender her driver’s license card upon the receipt of the resolution.

Aside from the revocation of her driver’s license, she will also pay fines amounting to

P1,000 for disregarding traffic signs, P2,000 for reckless driving and P5,000 for violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act. The resolution stated that the violations of Lopez were “very serious and apparently very persuasive that they cannot be simply swept under the rug.” “essentially, respondent’s violations constitute the offense of reckless driving, which is defined as an act that must be something more than a mere negligence in the operation of the motor vehicle, but a willful and wanton disregard of the consequences as what respondent manifested in the instant case,” the resolution read.

The resolution also noted that Lopez endangered the lives not only of the dignitaries but the lives of other commuters, as well as herself. “had there been a serious mishap in involving foreign guests, it would have caused an international incident,” it read.

Lopez appeared before LTO Law enforcement Service Director Francis Almora last November 16 to explain her breaching a security lane during the ASeAN Summit.

She asked the agency not to single her out for using the special lane as there were also other motorists who did the same.

The 55-year-old actress said she was prompted to violate the ASeAN’s traffic protocol because she needed a bladder break after having been on the road for hours.

A social media post of Lopez recently became viral after she bragged that she drove on the designated ASeAN lane with her hazard lights on. She also said that she removed the divider cones for the said lanes.

She then apologized but argued that she violated traffic rules because she had been made “a second-class citizen” by the designation of a special lane for the ASeAN Summit.

Wellness

Imee Ong-maghanOy ThANkSgIvINg, December and New Year’s parties are what many call “the main culprits” of their fitness nightmare. It’s when all the progress starts to go south. For some — who are a little forgiving to themselves — it’s the right season to binge because it’s the ‘most wonderful time of the year.’

And indeed it is! It’s the perfect time to celebrate, attend festivities, events, and traditions, while nearly all of them center around food. The parties are everywhere and are all adorned with scrumptious treats and cocktails. I just had my birthday a couple of weeks ago and with back-to-back dinner dates with friends and family, it all seemed like an endless pre-holiday celebration.

I, of all people, fully understand the whole ‘having-funon-the-holidays’ concept. I love going to parties and celebrating over food. But just like everything else, there is a smarter way to enjoy the taste of roast turkey or lechon (if you’re Filipino), without regretting it later.

You can still enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and still feel and look wonderful throughout the season. here are four tips to help you with your fitness goals without missing out on the fun and your favorite foods of the season.

1. Set a goal and eat smart Studies show that the average person gains one to two pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That said, it is not really the best time to set a goal to lose weight during the holidays.

You can, however, still be on Santa Claus’ ‘nice and fit’ list by setting a goal to maintain your weight which is more realistic than making this season a time for you to shed pounds.

You wouldn’t want to be like a rabbit in the corner eating only carrot sticks while everybody else is dining like a king. Remember what the holiday season is about. enjoy it!

One smart way to accomplish this goal is by making sure you don’t show up at parties with an empty stomach. This is not the time for you to skip meals so you can save up on calories. Showing up hungry to a party will transform you into a calorie-absorbing machine. You will end up binging and there’s no turning back from that. eat a light meal before you go so

you have better control of your appetite and ultimately end up eating less.

2. Keep moving Planning and attending parties is exhausting and all you want to do when you get home is to live in your bed tucked in those fluffy sheets, or on the couch drinking hot chocolate watching hallmark movies. Blame it on the cold winter breeze which makes this season an invitation to be lazy.

But believe it or not, you are actually missing out if you spend most of the holidays bonding with your pillows.

And what better way to NOT feel guilty about eating on the holidays but to burn calories when you can.

Commit to making time for two to three workouts a week. If you don’t have time for the whole thing at once, break it into small bouts of exercise throughout the day.

And while we are on the subject of enjoying the holidays, remember that exercise is not just for weight loss. It’s also good for mental health. When you exercise, you sleep better, which reduces stress. Further, when you’re feeling relaxed, you lower your cortisol (known as ‘the stress hormone’ because stress activates cortisol secretion) levels – so you are less likely to eat high-fat, highsugar foods as a result.

It is important that you make time for physical activity, however, if you really can’t squeeze work-out in your schedule, you may visit Image Spa and let our machines do the work for you.

3. Portioning is key The art of portioning your food is not rocket science but the science behind it is fascinating. When you downsize your plate, you are actually tricking your brain into thinking you are eating more. By choosing a salad plate instead of a dinner plate, you can trick your eyes into thinking you’ve had a lot to eat when you just had enough to fill in the plate.

Also, try not to hover around the buffet table. That is a sure-fire way to set yourself up for a calorie-binge. If you

are you hosting a party, you can try serving some healthier (but delicious) snacks such as fresh salsa with pita chips, roasted pine nuts, dark chocolate-covered strawberries, or whole-wheat crackers and cranberry dip.

4. Limit your alcohol-intake and stay away from dietdestroying beverages What is a feast without some booze, am I right or am I right? (high-five!) It is okay to have some drinks at a party but be careful not to lose track of how much you’ve had. Alcohol also tends to lower your inhibition which makes you eat more than you planned to.

It’s easy to keep drinking when you are having fun but that’s not going to be too pretty the morning after. Limit yourself to two drinks if you can so you wouldn’t wake up with a bad hangover and extra calories.

Avoid festive coffee beverages and seasonal spirits like peppermint mochas, homemade hot chocolate and creamy eggnogs that are packed with up to 500 calories each. To keep from getting carried away, add cinnamon and other spices instead of sugar when mixing drinks, hold the whipped cream (which will save you about 70 calories).

There are sugar-free, low-fat versions of many classic holiday drinks are widely available, so choose wisely.

Tis the season to be jolly!

Use these tips to stay healthy but enjoy the holidays at the same time. By setting realistic goals and eating smart, you are less likely to feel guilty about having fun. everything should be done in moderation.

So go ahead: eat, drink and be merry! *** Imee is an established aesthetician, a business owner and a managing partner for Image Spa MD and CEO of Image Body SPA. She has a degree in Biology and Doctor of Dental Medicine. Image Spa is now one of the most reputable medical spa facilities in LA and has branches in Rancho Cucamonga and Encinitas for Image SPA MD and Image Body SPA-West Hollywood. Imee has been in the aesthetics industry for over 20 years.

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Paolo Ballesteros continues his...

From Page 2 ng isang artist na nagpe-paint sa canvas, yun ang nararamdaman ko pag natapos ko yung transformation ko—yung satisfaction. Kumbaga, ako, yung mukha ko ang canvas ko, and for me, ito yung art ko.”

As an actor, Paolo then takes this art a step further and effectively uses it as a well of emotions. Case in point is his award-winning role as Trisha echeveri in “Die Beautiful,” which touched Japanese movie critics and audiences alike despite obvious cultural differences.

“Mas gusto ko talaga yung nagta-transform ako [for my roles]. Kasi yung itsura ko, isa yun sa mga pinaghuhugutan ko ng character,” Paolo stressed.

‘Sawa factor’ even as Paolo seems to have found the perfect formula to achieve artistic satisfaction while pursuing his acting career, is he confident that his transitions will keep audiences entertained from one project to the next?

Case in point again is the back-to-back showing of the comedies “Trip Ubusan,” in which he shares lead billing with Manalo and Bayola [the movie opened on November 22], and the showing of “Barbi D’ Wonder Beki.”

Merely a week apart, The Times asked Paolo, “Aren’t you worried about the ‘sawa factor’ in showbiz? how people go off something they see too often?”

Paolo was quick with punchline: “Wala kasi akong magagawa… kahit anong gawin ko, ang ganda ko pa rin sa transformations ko!”

Waiting for the laughter to fade, Barbi’s creator and director Tony Reyes stepped in and said, “Ang iba kasi sa mga ginagawa ni Paolo, gay-themed sila pero laging may relevance.

Kahit itong Barbi, compared to the original concept we did ni Joey [de Leon, who also starred in the movie franchise in the 1990s], si Bartolome siya—lalaking-lalaki bago maging Barbi out of necessity. For Paolo’s Barbi, closet gay siya from the very beginning na takot lumabas sa pamilya niya tulad ng marami pa ring gays in society.”

Direk Tony even went as far as to promise, “At the end of this movie, may ikatutuwa ang gay community dito—something that will make them proud tulad ng ginawa ni Paolo sa ‘Die Beautiful.’”

Finally, as a veteran in the industry, Direk Tony minced no words in addressing The Times’ question. ever so convincingly, he said, “Magtatagal pa si Paolo sa mga projects tulad nito kasi unang-una, may clamor ang tao sa kanya. At pangalawa, walang ibang nakakagawa nito. Si vice ganda looks and dresses the way he does everyday on his Tv show and in his movies. Si Paolo, siya lang ang may kaya nitong transformation na ito, and it’s an amazing experience

Paolo Ballestero during the premier night showing of on Tuesday, Nov. 28 “ Barbi D’ Wonder Beki.”

Philstar.com photo

to watch him do it and then take on the new character. Joey needed James Cooper turn him into Barbi. But this Barbi, she’s entirely Paolo’s creation.”

Like The Times said, Paolo Ballesteros is indeed in a league of his own.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 29, 2017

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 29, 2017