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DECEMBER 3-9, 2021 Volume 15 - No. 4 • 16 Pages

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DATELINE Suspect in San Diego stabbing of elderly Filipino man arrested FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

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

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

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

After a long chase, Valdivia lost control,

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

US plans to tighten travel restrictions over Omicron; NYC advises residents to mask up

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

THE United States is going to require all air travelers entering the country to show a negative COVID-19 test performed within

one day of departure in an attempt to slow the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new one-day testing requirement would apply

to U.S. citizens as well as foreign nationals.

Before this new rule, vaccinated international air travelers could present a negative test result obtained within three days from their point of departure.

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PH suspends testing, quarantine protocols for travelers from certain countries

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Francisco “Isko” Domagoso

Inquirer.net photo

THE Philippines has temporarily suspended its lenient testing and quarantine protocols for countries or territories classified as “green” starting on November 29, according to Malacañang.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Sunday, Nov. 28, announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging

Isko Moreno ‘hopeful’ of getting Duterte’s backing as Bong Go Fil-Am student dies President Biden nominates Nani withdraws during amateur boxing Coloretti as deputy budget director match in Las Vegas WALK-IN VACCINATION. Health workers administer the COVID-19 vaccine to teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old during the last day of the ”Bayanihan, Bakunahan” vaccination drive at The Tent, DIHS (former DNHS Main High School), Barangay Burol 1, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Wednesday, December 1. At least 1,500 minors walk-in recipients were inoculated with their first dose of Pfizer jabs.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

MANILA — Sen. Bong Go announced on Tuesday he was pulling out of the presidential race, and another contender, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, said he was “hopeful” of receiving President Rodrigo Duterte’s endorsement.

Go, Duterte’s longtime aide, said he did not want “to make things more difficult” for the president, whose daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is seeking the vice presidency with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as

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by MOMAR

A FILIPINO American college student died from injuries shortly after an amateur charity boxing match in Las Vegas last week.

Nathan Valencia, a 20-year-old student of University of Nevada Las

Vegas (UNLV), passed away on Tuesday, November 23, after participating in Kappa Sigma fraternity’s off-campus ‘Kappa Sigma Fight Night’ on Nov. 19.

According to 8 News Now,

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G. VISAYA

AJPress

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

According to the White House, Nani Coloretti

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‘I’m done’: Manny Pacquiao says he misses boxing, but won’t return to fight

by Bong Lozada Inquirer.net

MANILA — Some things are best left behind, even if it’s the one thing you love the most.

Just ask Manny Pacquiao.

The legendary boxer-turned-politician admitted that stepping away from the sport was the hardest decision of his life but it’s the resolution he’s made with himself as he takes a crack at the Philippines’ top executive position.

“Hanging my gloves is the hardest part of all my life, cause I grew up in boxing, so I understand that this is sports,” said Pacquiao in an AFP interview.

“I miss boxing, but I don’t think boxing still likes me.

Well, I’m already turning 43 years old so it’s enough for me. I mean, I’m done,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, often regarded

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

as one of the greatest boxers of all time, is the only fighter to win World titles across seven and eight weight classes.

Starting as scrawny light flyweight, Pacquiao would win his first World title at flyweight before winning his heaviest one at super welterweight.

He has since retired after

Inquirer.net photo

he lost to Yordenis Ugas in a bout for the WBA Welterweight Super title in August 2021.

Pacquiao, who was already a senator when he fought Ugas, then turned his focus to the presidential race as the standard bearer of the Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (PROMDI) party. n

US plans to tighten travel...

PAGE 1 According to CNN, the administration is also considering whether to require air travelers to get another COVID-19 test within three to five days after arrival in the United States.

“A revised order would shorten the timeline for required testing for all international air travelers to one day before departure to the United States,” a CDC spokesman said in a statement. “This strengthens already robust protocols in place for international travel, including requirements for foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated.”

The first reported case of the omicron variant has been identified in the U.S. and according to the CDC, the case was detected in a person in California, an individual who returned from South Africa on November 22. There are currently no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in New York City.

The CDC lists about 80 foreign destinations as having “Level Four,” its highest level of COVID-19 transmission.

Americans are discouraged Americans from traveling to those destinations.

In New York, city officials on Tuesday, Nov. 30 strongly recommended that all New Yorkers, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in indoor settings to try

and get ahead of the new variant.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dave Chokshi is anticipating the detection of Omicron in New York “in the coming days, based on what we know about its global spread.”

“We still have a lot to learn about the Omicron variant, but its emergence lends urgency to the importance of the precautions we’ve all become familiar with, particularly vaccination, masking, and testing,” he said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Dr. Chokshi issued the health advisory and said that while the new variant had not been detected yet in the five boroughs, it has ignited fears of worsening an ongoing surge in cases.

Mayor-elect Eric Adams stressed the importance of working together and thanked the South African scientists for detecting this new variant and immediately alerting the international community.

“I believe that we’re sending a clear message, being sent to New Yorkers that the vaccine is our most potent weapon, but our coordination is a close second to that. And we’re going to have that coordination,” Adams said. “And how we choose to respond as a city, we show our resolve against this virus, to each other and to the rest of the globe.” n

PH suspends testing, quarantine...

PAGE 1 Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved the temporary suspension until December 15.

“The IATF likewise approved the temporary suspension of testing and quarantine protocols for countries/jurisdictions/territories classified as ‘Green’ effective immediately until December 15, 2021,” he said in a statement.

This means that fully vaccinated travelers in all ports of entry will be required to undergo a three-day quarantine even with a negative COVID-19 test result.

Meanwhile, travelers who are unvaccinated, as well as those with incomplete doses or without a negative COVID-19 test result will be required to undergo quarantine for five days.

However, travelers from “green” countries who arrived prior to Nov. 28 may still follow quarantine protocols assigned to their country of origin upon the date of their arrival.

Nograles also announced that the IATF suspended Resolution No. 150-A (Series of 2021), which allowed the entry of fully vaccinated nationals who don’t need a visa in the Philippines, amid the increasing threat of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

“With Omicron designated as a Variant of Concern, the IATF likewise approved the recommendations to strengthen local COVID-19 response,” the statement read.

“These include strongly enjoining the local government units to heighten their alert for increasing and clustering of cases and emphasizing the need for active case finding; to immediately conduct contact tracing and isolation of cases detected from case surveillance among the community, including domestic and international travelers; and to use RT-PCR testing in order to allow for whole-genome sequencing of collected samples,” it added.

Further, the Philippines added more countries to its “red” list.

Effective until Dec. 15, the countries classified as “red” are South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.

This means international travel of all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to “red” countries/jurisdictions/territories within the last 14 days

prior to arrival to any port of the Philippines will not be allowed.

“Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated or non-government-initiated repatriation and Bayanihan Flights may be allowed entry subject to the prevailing entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for Red List countries/jurisdictions/territories,” said Nograles.

Meanwhile, there are currently 41 countries, territories, or foreign jurisdictions classified as “green.”

Among them are American Samoa, Bhutan, Chad, China (Mainland), Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), India, Indonesia, and Japan.

Also included in the “green” list are Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Morocco, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Sudan, Taiwan, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, and Zambia. n

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From the Front Page

Fil-Am student dies during amateur... President Biden...

PAGE 1 Valencia collapsed after the fight and was rushed to the hospital. Four days later, he died of brain injuries.

Valencia’s mother told local media that she wanted him to back out of the fight, but he insisted on participating since it was for charity.

Meanwhile, the family’s attorney, Nick Lasso, pointed out that neither medical help nor a professional referee was there in the sponsored charity boxing match.

“The family is deeply saddened over the loss of their loved one. They have asked for privacy during this painful time to grieve. This was an entirely avoidable and unnecessary death that will be fully investigated,” Lasso said in a statement.

“While it is early to know all details, it appears there were multiple safety measure failures by both UNLV and Kappa Sigma Fraternity,” he added.

On Friday, Nov. 26, the Valencia’s family attorney released another statement, vowing to leave “no stone unturned” to find out how a 20-year-old college student ended up in a boxing match.

“The Valencia family is heartbroken over the loss of Nathan. Our preliminary investigation reveals mistakes were made and safety precautions overlooked. We will be completing a full investigation to determine how UNLV and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity could allow and promote an event like this to take place. College students should not be placed in a situation where they are pitted against each other for combat.

Nathan Valencia

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe

“Kappa Sigma Fight Night” is an event that has been held annually and was well known to both UNLV and the national Kappa Sigma Fraternity,” the statement read.

“We will leave no stone unturned to determine how a 20-year-old ended up in a school-sanctioned amateur fight that cost him his life. The family has asked for privacy during this time to grieve,” it added.

For his part, UNLV President Keith Whitfield assured that the university is “committing all available resources” to review the incident.

“We are shocked and heartbroken as we mourn the loss of one of our own. Coping with the loss of life is

always difficult, especially under these circumstances. UNLV is committing all available resources to review the incident and determine how off-campus events like these can be as safe as possible,” he said in a statement.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and loved ones. I am sure words cannot describe their feeling of grief and emptiness. They are in our thoughts during this very difficult time.

The Rebel community shares their loss,” he added.

Likewise, Kappa Sigma Fraternity offered their condolences to Valencia’s family.

“Kappa Sigma Fraternity is greatly saddened by the loss of Nathan Valencia at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the Valencia family and the entire UNLV community,” it said in a statement.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses. As of this writing, it has raised over $50,000 of its $100,000 goal.

“Nathan was actively a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UNLV. He had so much love for his chapter and valued the genuine connections he was able to make,” the page’s description read.

“Nathan passed away on November 23rd at the young age of 20. Although Nathan is not here with us physically, his spirit will forever live on through everyone that knows him. Nathan was taken from us too soon, but I know we have gained the best guardian angel,” it added. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress) n

Isko Moreno ‘hopeful’ of getting Duterte’s...

PAGE 1 running mate.

“My love for him is more than the love for a father.

He is old and he has given a lot to the country. So I don’t want to add to his problems.

I remain loyal to him and I promised to be with him for life,” Go told reporters in Fil-

Sen. Bong Go

ipino on the sidelines of the Bonifacio Day ceremony at Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, which Duterte also attended.

He said that with “dirty” Philippine politics, he did not want Duterte suffering the strain of campaigning for him.

Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta / Philippine Daily Inquirer

Go had earlier telegraphed his decision to pull out. He has to make a personal appearance at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to make the withdrawal of his candidacy official.

Internal conflict “The law department currently has no authority to accept any filings considering that today (Nov. 30) is a holiday,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters when asked if the poll body’s office would open for the senator.

Go can no longer be substituted because the period for substitution of an aspirant who voluntarily withdraws his certificate of candidacy (COC) ended on Nov. 15.

According to Jimenez, the Comelec is targeting Dec. 15 for the release of the final list of candidates, and the printing of ballots will begin on Jan. 15.Go said he spoke the other night with the President, who, he said, understood his situation.

He said another reason for his pullout was internal conflict: “In the past few days I realized that my heart and my mind are contradicting my actions. My body, heart and mind are really resisting.

I’m just a human being who can get hurt and get tired also.”

Go also said his family had objected to his candidacy.

‘Supreme sacrifice’ Malacañang had little comment on the matter, with Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles saying in a TV interview that it was a “new development.”

Nograles said the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the party of President Duterte and Go, would hold “a series of meetings” to discuss Go’s move.

Go was originally nominated by a party faction for president, but he declined it and instead ran for the No. 2 PAGE 7

PAGE 1 Nani Coloretti, former Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will take over as deputy director while Shalanda Young, who has been serving as acting director of OMB, will serve as its director.

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

“Today it’s my honor to nominate two extraordinary, history-making women to lead the Office of Management and Budget,” Biden said in a video announcement released Wednesday, Nov. 24.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I think the broader challenge for me as a Filipino American who is half Filipina is to make sure that my voice can be heard in an effective way. I think it helps that I come from a diverse state of people with different ways of communicating and interacting,” Coloretti said in a 2016 interview with the Asian Journal. “I also think that any challenge can also be an opportunity. So, being someone who is different from others in a table can be helpful, particularly if I am operating with both ears open and with curiosity.” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview.

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

Suspect in San Diego...

PAGE 1 drove across a ditch, and was taken into custody. He is currently being held in the Runnels County Jail, where he faces charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle from Abilene and evading arrest.

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

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

Valdivia followed Serra

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

In a Nov. 11 news release, the El Cajon Police Department noted Serra “had numerous life-threatening stab wounds and had been severely slashed across his face.”

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

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

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

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

(AJPress) n

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OPINION

5

FEATURES

Moderate corruption risk COUP attempts were staged in the past partly due to accusations of graft in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A former AFP and defense chief fatally shot himself by his mother’s grave amid allegations of corruption.

Since then, measures have been instituted to put an end to corrupt practices in the AFP and Department of National Defense, starting with the simplification of rules and procedures in supply procurement to plug opportunities for red tape and graft.

It is unclear if the tradition of pabaon – millions given away to top military officers prior to their retirement – remains in place.

Two former military comptrollers were indicted in connection with procurement anomalies in the AFP. Earlier this month the Sandiganbayan affirmed its order on the forfeiture of P102 million worth of property illegally amassed by retired comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot.

But victories in the anti-graft campaign in the military and defense establishments have been spotty.

Last June, the Supreme Court affirmed a

plea bargain approved by the Sandiganbayan, under which former AFP comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of direct bribery instead of plunder, which reduced his sentence. After spending six years behind bars, Garcia walked free in December last year.

Such developments have surely contributed to the country’s middling score in the latest Integrity Index in government defense and security, as drawn up by London-based Transparency International.

TI gave the country a score of 55 out of 100 – “moderate risk” in the index, which rates the quality of institutional controls to manage corruption risks in defense and security institutions in 84 countries.

TI reported that the Philippines was “particularly weak” in oversight of policymaking and procurement, with the risk

Editorial

Demand and Supply BOO CHANCO FINANCE Secretary Sonny Dominguez summed up the economic challenges for the next president and they are daunting. Almost makes me wonder why anyone wants to be president, assuming they have a clean heart and the best intentions.

Sec. Sonny identified the four big challenges as bal-

Philstar.com photo

“critical” in whistle-blowing and corruption monitoring. Transparency also “remains limited” throughout the sector including financial management, according to TI. Defense and AFP officials have said reforms continue to be implemented to plug

opportunities for corruption. TI did note that corruption risk mitigation “is relatively robust” in Philippine military operations.

Such effort must be sustained, alongside continuing housecleaning in the military and defense establishments. (Philstar.com)

Economic challenges for next president looning domestic debt, high global inflation, worsening inequality, as well as climate change. I want to add two more, food security and the continuing COVID pandemic.

This is why voters must be very careful in selecting the next president. Popularity alone or even the goodness of heart alone are not enough.

We need a new president who is not part of the political oligarchy that has ruined our economy and has the training to nurse the economy back

into the pink of health.

Some are quick to blame Sec. Sonny, as Duterte’s economic manager, for the economic problems he mentioned. But let us not forget that Sec. Sonny has had to deal with the challenge of financing our pandemic response.

We have seen how prudent Sec. Sonny has been even in borrowing from abroad.

There were those who were urging him to borrow more and take advantage of our

good credit rating.

But Sec. Sonny knows our bureaucracy has a serious execution problem and a bad record in quickly and efficiently utilizing allocations for direct assistance to those who need it most. Having more money than the bureaucracy can properly and honestly absorb only leads to temptations like Pharmally.

Now that we have gone into election mode, I guess Sec. Sonny wants to remind everyone, candidates and

voters, to think about the serious problems we are facing.

Our lives depend on it.

That’s why I earlier suggested that candidates for president be required to name their shadow Cabinet members for the most critical positions. We need to know if their Finance Secretary nominees, for instance, are competent and trustworthy.

We also need to hear the candidates themselves speak of how they view the problems brought up by Sec.

Sonny. So far, I have heard nothing but platitudes and populist solutions like suspending oil product taxes.

So, can we hear the presidential hopefuls tell us how they plan to manage the debt we have accumulated and grow our GDP? Our borrowings ballooned because of weaker revenue collections due to the pandemic-induced economic slump. Government also had to spend more to assist PAGE 10

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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Dateline PhiliPPines DOF: PH borrowed P1.15-T to fight COVID-19 pandemic

The Philippines’ borrowings to finance the prolonged fight against COVID-19 already hit P1.15 trillion, adding to the pandemic-induced fiscal scarring which could be aggravated by foregone revenues from stimulus measures and the bigger budgets to be enjoyed by local governments, the Department of Finance (DOF) said on Tuesday.

While the COVID-19-related loans totaled $22.58 billion, the DOF said in a statement that the total financial cost — including interest payments — amounted to a bigger $28.91 billion or P1.47 trillion.

“The projected amount of interest payments until maturity is $6.32 billion or P320.85 billion. These loans will mature between 2024 and 2060,” the DOF said.

These higher financing costs borne by the government were among the chal-

lenges the DOF wanted to be addressed by the fiscal consolidation plan it was crafting, to be pitched to the next administration to narrow the budget deficit and repay ballooning debt.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also flagged the possible “long-term economic scarring” if the national government’s revenues cannot keep up with expenditures on public goods and services, which will be reduced starting next year by implementing the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling.

“Tax revenue losses from the pandemic-induced economic slump, the rise in debt to fund our COVID-19 response, the looming revenue impact of our economic recovery measures, and lower spending efficiency as a result of the Supreme Court decision to expand the share

of LGUs [local government units] from the NTA [national tax allotment] must be adequately addressed by the next administration’s economic team,” Dominguez said.

Next year, LGUs will receive over P959 billion in NTA, formerly called internal revenue allotment (IRA).

To recall, the Supreme Court granted in 2018 and reaffirmed a year later the petitions of Batangas Gov. hermilando Mandanas and former Bataan Gov. enrique Garcia Jr., which stated that the LGUs’ IRA should come from 40 percent of the collection of all national taxes — the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) tax take, as well as the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) collections of import duties and other taxes.

“Based on our estimates, the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling PAGE 7

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Duterte mulls mandatory jabs vs COVID-19

by Kristina

Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is considering compelling still vaccine-hesitant Filipinos to get inoculated to ensure population protection is reached by year’s end.

Unvaccinated individuals are more vulnerable, Duterte said, recounting he hasn’t seen a time in his life in which many people he knows, friends and acquaintances, die after being infected by the dreaded coronavirus.

This is why the Chief Executive said he is contemplating urging the government’s pandemic task force to make immunization mandatory to protect public health.

“In some countries, it’s already mandatory.

Dito, maingay ang Human Rights (here, Human Rights creates a stir),” Duterte said

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during his pre-recorded meeting with the National Task Force Against COVID-19 late Monday evening.

He insisted that the government, having ministerial functions, can issue measures that would protect public health, public safety, and public order.

Relatedly, the President said he might also issue a directive requiring vaccination sites nationwide to operate seven days a week.

Weekends are usually when people don’t have to work therefore sparing them time to get the COVID-19 jabs.

“We make the vaccine stations open kung maaari (if possible) Monday to Sunday. Even if it would be a lesser crowd, ang importante kasi dito mabakuna kasi hawa ito, hawa lahat (what’s important here is to get vaccinated because this is contagious),” stated Duterte. n

Marcos seeks dismissal of disqualification petitions Isko Moreno ‘hopeful’ of getting...

BONIFACIO DAY. A man dressed as a revolutionary fighter waves the Katipunan flag during the 158th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Tuesday, November 30. Bonifacio led anti-Spanish revolutionary Filipinos in organizing the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or KKK. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

MANILA — Presidential aspirant former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should dismiss outright the petition that sought the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy (COC) be-

cause he is qualified to run for president.

In a statement, Marcos, through his legal counsel Estelito Mendoza, said that this was their position in a fivepage answer they submitted to the Comelec. Aside from

their request for outright dismissal of the petition against Marcos, they also asked for the petition to be discussed in face-to-face argument and not through virtual or video conferencing.

PAGE 10

DOF: PH borrowed P1.15-T...

PAGE 6 will yield lower economic growth because local governments spend less efficiently,” Dominguez said.

“The DOF’s estimates found that implementing the High Tribunal’s 2018 decision will yield 3-percent lower economic growth, because the higher LGU allocation will be subject to a lower spending efficiency,” Dominguez said, referring to the share to total disbursements of productive expenditures which goes back to the economy, generates multiplier effects, creates jobs, stimulates demand and improves the quality of life.

Dominguez said the national government spends more than twice as efficiently as LGUs. The World Bank had estimated that LGUs might fail to spend as much as P155 billion from their NTA next year.

Up to this year, LGUs’ IRA represented two-fifths of national internal revenue taxes collected by the BIR. The NTA, meanwhile, was based on LGUs’ 40-percent share from all tax revenues collected three years prior,

hence next year’s allotment had 2019 as the base year.

LGUs’ 2022 NTA jumped from an estimated IRA of only P846.31 billion for next year without the so-called Mandanas ruling. This year, LGUs’ IRA amounted to P695.49 billion.

Next year’s implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions reduced the government’s fiscal space, such that President Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No. 138 in June to transfer to LGUs the responsibility to spend on local infrastructure, agriculture, social welfare, health care, and livelihood, among other sectors included in the Local Government Code.

While the Supreme Court’s Mandanas ruling will provide LGUs with more money, they were expected to struggle spending their larger budgets to implement big-ticket programs and projects devolved by the national government through EO 138.

Dominguez also pointed to foregone revenues to be inflicted by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for

Enterprises (CREATE) as well as Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Laws.

While both were “crucial to a quick economic recovery,” Dominguez said that for 2021 to 2024, these two laws would result in revenue losses reaching P1 trillion on average each year.

For instance, the CREATE Law cut the income tax rate slapped on large corporations to 25 percent while slashing the levy on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to 20 percent, retroactive to the middle of last year, from 30 percent previously, which had been the highest in Asean.

The government was hopeful that firms’ tax savings from CREATE would be reinvested amid economic recovery from the pandemic-induced slump.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) had estimated the CREATE Law will shed P118.8 billion from tax collections next year; P115 billion in 2023; and P106.5 billion in 2024. This year’s revenue loss from CREATE was estimated to reach P138.2 billion. (Inquirer.net) n

PAGE 4 post. At the last minute, he declared his candidacy for president under the little-known Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan.

The senator told reporters he had “no ambition” and described his pullout as a “supreme sacrifice” for the country and Duterte, and for the sake of the unity of their supporters.

He sought “forgiveness” from his own supporters, saying: “I was not ready for this …

Perhaps it’s not yet my time to be president.”

Asked if Duterte would eventually endorse his daughter’s candidacy, Go was noncommittal. He said he and Duterte would support candidates who could continue the administration’s “good programs.”

‘Thank you’ Domagoso said he would await Malacañang’s endorsement.

“If they endorse me, thank you. Thank you in advance, but I will not preempt them until they say so. For the meantime, I am always hopeful,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer told reporters in Manila.

In a chance interview, Domagoso said he would not refuse help from the president or anybody else at this stage of the election season, adding that he needed it badly.

Addressing reporters, he said: “With all honesty, I am expecting that you, too, will help me… I mean literally, like you, you, you.

“I expect all the help, because from the beginning, I needed all the help I could get, because as you know, I’m only one person in public service. I need help from allies, loyalists, believers, followers and volunteers.”

Domagoso said, however, that he would not plead for Malacañang’s anointment.

“I will wait for them to choose me. For the meantime, while I am expecting help, I will keep reaching out. While reaching out, I am learning a lot,” he said.

In October, the mayor described as “fake news” speculations in a Politiko report that he was the administration’s real candidate and Go a mere decoy.

“I thought drugs were illegal — what were they smoking?” he was quoted as saying in an ABS-CBN report, in response to Politiko.

Leverage Makabayan senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares, who is the chair of Bayan Muna, said Go’s withdrawal of his presidential candidacy was “a desperate Machiavellian attempt to salvage the crumbling Duterte-Marcos alliance.”

Colmenares said it was obvious from the start that Go, Mr. Duterte’s “chief political operator,” had a slim chance of winning, and that the President was “just using him as leverage to get as many concessions as possible” from Marcos Jr. He said it was the fate of politicians who “join the Dutertes for their own agenda.”

“May this serve as a warning to all politicians who will seek anointment from the president and his family in 2022,” he said.

House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna commented along the same line.

Zarate said Go’s move was “not totally unexpected” in the president’s “political playbook,” and that he was “just a pawn used as leverage to gain concessions” from Marcos Jr.’s camp.

The concessions include “protection when Mr Duterte’s term ends … especially now that he is already considered a lame-duck president,” Zarate said.

He added: “The withdrawal will possibly benefit and consolidate further the Marcos and Duterte alliance.

Asked to comment on Go’s pullout from the presidential race, the “UniTeam” of Marcos Jr. and Mayor Duterte said it would reserve its reaction until after “the actual withdrawal of presidential aspirant Bong Go’s COC and his further announcement.”

Diwa Rep. Michael Aglipay, the chair of the House committee on good government and public accountability, expressed respect for Go’s decision.

“We will always be thankful for the access he has given us congressmen these last five years, and we wish him well in helping our country,” Aglipay added.

— with reports from Dona Z. Pazzibugan and Julie M. Aurelio (By DJ Yap, Jerome Aning/Inquirer.net) n

8

December 3-9, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Palace: Ressa’s Oslo trip up to court

Supporters of Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo, a presidential apsirant in the 2022 national elections, launch the ‘unity walk’ in Makati City on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Moises Cruz

‘Unity walk’ for Leni 2022 launched in Makati City

by Moises

Cruz ManilaTimes.net

SUPPORTERS of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, a presidential aspirant in the 2022 national elections, launched a “unity walk” in the cities of Makati and Las Pinas on Tuesday, November 30 to coincide with the birth anniversary of national hero Andres Bonifacio.

Cesar Espiritu of the Bikers’ Makati said

about 1,000 people from various sectors gathered for the event that started on Makati Avenue and ended at the University of Makati.

“Running priest” Robert Reyes who participated in the unity walk said there was a “need to vote for the light and reject darkness”.

“I think Christmas will also come on May 9, 2022, “ Reyes said.

As her supporters rallied around her presidential bid, Robredo visited Sorsogon and Masbate to meet with multi-sectoral leaders. n

MANILA — Malacañang said it would not intervene in Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s request to leave the country to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway next month.

“You know, it’s already in the court. We leave it to the courts to decide,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said at the Laging Handa media briefing.

“So, as a coequal branch of government, of course we respect the process of our courts,” he said.

The Office of the Solicitor General has opposed Ressa’s bid to personally receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Dec. 10, claiming she is a “flight risk.”

Ressa has requested the Court of Appeals to allow her to fly directly to Norway from the United States where she has also been allowed to give a series of lectures. She had been seeking permission due to her libel and tax evasion charges.

Ressa’s lawyers Amal Clooney and Caoilfhionn Gallagher appealed to the Duterte administration to drop cases against her.

Ressa won the Nobel

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa inside the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

Philstar.com photo

Peace Prize 2021 along with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov.

“The Philippines must drop all cases against Ms. Ressa.

And the world must hold the Philippines to account if it fails to do so,” Gallagher said.

“I hope the Philippine authorities will now stop persecuting her and other journalists and that this prize helps to protect the press around

the world,” Clooney said.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who chairs the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said Ressa’s award is the first for the Philippines and “sets the momentum in the right direction of our individual and collective efforts to allow a culture of truth-telling to prevail in our country.” (By Helen Flores, Paolo Romero/ Philstar.com) n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 3-9, 2021

9

SFIO acquires PH-based tech and software development hub LNS+ to establish global, cross-industry innovation ecosystem RECENTLY, OTC:SFIO Starfleet Innotech, Inc. (Smokefree Innotec, Inc.) announced its acquisition of Philippine-based software development company LEENTech Network Solutions (LNS+), marking the asset management company’s new direction towards technology development. With LNS+

and its subsidiaries now on board, SFIO is formalizing the team into their new Technology and Software Development Division.

According to SFIO CEO and Chairman Jeths Lacson, this new expansion kicks off a fiveyear innovation roadmap of transformative collaborations across each of the company’s five divisions: Franchising,

Food Manufacturing and Distribution, Coffee, Property Development, and the recently-formed Technology and Software Development.

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

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

With this latest acquisition, SFIO now fully owns and operates six ecosystem players: • LEENTech Network Solutions – Software & Platform Development • Webworx Design Studio – Web Development, UI and UX Design, and Graphic Design

• Qalidad Solutions – Software Testing and Quality Assurance (Department Unit) • Voltz Security – Vulnerability Assessment and Security (Department Unit) • Livewire365 – Server Architecture and Maintenance • DHQ Digital Marketing – Digital Marketing Services.

“With the LNS+ teams formalized into our new

tech division, all our existing businesses and future businesses immediately benefit from having a full suite of digital transformation partners,” Lacson said.

Now, Lacson plans to scale their digital transformation efforts globally with the establishment of tech innovation hubs across key strategic regions.

LNS+ Founder Richard

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

“When I founded LNS+ back in 2010, my original mission was to develop technologies that would be used throughout the world,” PAGE 10

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December 3-9, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Marcos seeks dismissal...

PAGE 7 The case stemmed from the petition filed by a group led

by Fr. Christianed that Marcos could not run for public office because he was convicted by a Quezon City court for his multiple failure to file income tax returns from 1982 to 1985.

They argued that his conviction perpetually disqualified him from seeking any public office as the same involves moral turpitude.

But Marcos’ camp countered that the petition is “bereft of any specific allegation of a material representation required under Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code.”

“It is relevant and the com-

mission can take judicial notice, that respondent had previously been elected to several elective positions in government, specifically inter alia provincial governor of Ilocos Norte, member of the House of Representatives and member of the Philippine Senate,” Mendoza said.

Taking into account the qualifications of the various elective positions he has been elected to and occupied as enumerated, he said “it is of judicial notice that the respondent has all the qualifications of a president under Section 2, Article VII of the Constitution and consequently there can be no violation of Section

78 in relation of Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code upon which a petition such as the one now before the commission.”

Mendoza said the former senator did not commit a crime involving moral turpitude. “(What) is clear and certainly beyond dispute is that the CA (Court of Appeals) decision does not, and no inference can be made from its decision that (Marcos), BBM (Bongbong Marcos) in this case, has been found by the CA of committing a crime involving moral turpitude,” he added. (By Evelyn Macairan/ Philstar.com) n

Economic challenges...

PAGE 5 distressed families during lockdowns and to finance the increased requirements of our shaky health system.

The increased borrowings brought up the Philippines’ debt-to-GDP ratio, which is used to measure an economy’s ability to repay its obligations, to 54.6 percent in 2020 from a record-low 39.6 percent in 2019.

By end-September, our debt-to-GDP further climbed to a 16-year high of 63.1 percent, above the 60-percent level deemed by credit rating agencies as manageable among emerging markets. No wonder some ratings agencies have warned us of a potential credit rating downgrade.

Our government’s outstanding debt will further climb to a record P13.42 trillion by end2022 from the P11.73 trillion programmed by this year’s end.

According to NEDA chief Karl Kendrick Chua, “consumption and investment will be lower in the next 10 years due to lower demand in sectors that require social distancing (e.g., amusement, tourism, restaurants, public transportation). Consequently, tax revenues will be lower.”

So, do the candidates have strategies for fiscal consolidation? Will they be honest about their taxation plans? The next administration may have no choice, despite the election promises, to implement new or higher taxes. Cutting public spending will slow down GDP growth.

Then there is inflation. Our headline inflation rose beyond the government’s two to four percent target range of a manageable rate of increase in prices of basic commodities this year. Basically to blame is the high cost of food, especially pork due to supply shortage.

Managing the inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic is the next big challenge. The most vulnerable sectors like the poor, women, and school children will take longer to recover from the pandemic-induced slump.

Sec. Chua pointed out that for example, no face-to-face classes means less learning and lower future income, productivity, and competitiveness. ADB estimates that each year of lost schooling translates to around 10 percent permanent lower wages in the future.

Then there is climate change. Our farmers and fishermen need support to help them

cope with the negative effects of climate change on their livelihoods. Our food security depends on this.

Not to forget… the pandemic is still around.

Just when we thought we could relax our restrictions to help our travel industry, this new variant, Omicron, comes around. By now, we must have a better playbook than lockdowns.

We need to invest on our health infrastructure, not just hospitals and health centers, but also on properly compensating our health workers to make it worth their while to serve at home rather than go abroad. PhilHealth must be reformed.

Growing our economy requires investments. Since the government will need all the cash they can muster just to run its operations, the Public Private Partnership concept is the only option.

The big problem is attracting PPP investors after the Duterte administration broke a lot of covenants with past PPP investors like Manila and Maynilad Water. Then there is this nuisance suit against Megawide for supposedly violating the anti-dummy law.

That Mactan Cebu airport contract won

by Megawide went through several legal reviews, including a suit filed in the Supreme Court. After delivering on the commitment and winning awards as a model PPP project, Megawide officials are facing this criminal case. That’s how to kill the PPP concept for the future.

A retired investment banker noted that potential foreign investors will stay away after the government refused to accept international arbitral rulings, parametric formula for tariffs, long pending toll adjustments, refusal to accept liability for MAGA (Material Adverse Government Action), which are standard international provisions for PPP. These are probably not issues raised in presidential campaigns, but are vitally important. The new president will have to address these issues to attract investors, foreign and local, on Day One. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Boo Chanco’s email address is bchanco@gmail.com.

Follow him on Twitter @boochanco

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

SFIO acquires PH-based tech...

PAGE 9 said Prodigalidad. “With SFIO’s expansion plans to establish tech hubs in New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, and the United States, that original mission is really becoming a reality in a very concrete way.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Utilizing their in-house expertise in blockchain technology, the group also intends to revolutionize how asset management companies manage their portfolios. Investors can expect instant insights and the ability to participate in SFIO’s growth in real time, using digital tokens powered by the blockchain. It’s a novel application of decentralized technologies that the group hopes will set a new golden standard for trust and transparency.

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

“Over the years, we’ve built a series of modular technologies that we can easily deploy in order to rapidly build e-commerce platforms, e-learning tools, food delivery services, decentralized apps – whatever our clients need. Now we’re taking all those tech engines, as I call them, and running them full throttle across SFIO’s different ventures.”

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

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

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

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

(Advertising Supplement)

DETAINEES. For not submitting documents required by the Senate for an ongoing procurement probe, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation executives Mohit Dargani (left, wearing a hoodie) and Linconn Ong (in white shirt) are transferred from the Senate to the Pasay City Jail on Monday, November 29. Jail officials assured no special treatment for the duo. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 3-9, 2021

COMMUNITY Journal

11

Update on embassy interviews Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MOST people, with family members or employees stranded overseas waiting for their immigrant visa interviews, will find some ray of hope with the news and updates coming from the Department of State’s (DOS) Visa Office. Charlie Oppenheim, the Visa Office Numerical Control Division Chief, and the person in charge of setting the priority dates on the monthly Visa Bulletin, offered advice and predictions for the coming months in terms of scheduling interviews and processing of

cases.

First, it is important that once the priority date on a person’s petition becomes available or current, they must ensure that their visa application is completed promptly, including the submission of all required documents and payment of all applicable fees. This is called being “documentarily qualified.” Typically, if a person does not pursue his or her visa within one year of availability, does not submit requested documents within one year, etc., the case can be terminated and canceled.

Therefore, it is very important you monitor your priority date for visa availability and make sure NVC has your current address.

Even if a person’s priority date is current, they will NOT be scheduled for an

interview unless and until the case is “documentarily qualified.”

This means all required documents, forms, and fees have been submitted. Sometimes NVC asks a person to submit additional documentation.

Even if their priority date is current, unless and until the person completes the required documentation or information, their case will not be queued up for interview.

It remains collecting dust waiting for them to act.

USCIS processed cases at the rate of 7,000 to 8,000 per week in August and September 2021. Even if USCIS processes 5,000 cases per week, when combined with immigrant visa processing abroad, it could result in using up all the estimated 280,000 PAGE 12

JUMPSHIP SON HELPS LEGALIZE HIS MOTHER THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Did you know that family members can “spread the love” by helping each other legalize their status? Mommy Emi (left) came to the U.S. on a visitor’s visa and overstayed.

Upon consulting leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right), she was advised to wait for her son to legalize his status in the U.S. first. But Emi’s son, Jerome, was a crewman who jumped ship and was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. When the provisional regulations came out in 2013, Atty. Gurfinkel filed a provisional waiver so Jerome could get his green card in Manila, and eventually become a U.S. citizen, so he could petition his mother. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, December 5 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

12

December 3-9, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

COVID-19 predictions

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE COVID-19 pandemic has vividly shown that educating people, even in a most educated country, is not easy, especially when some of its spineless leaders spread misinformation in order to be politically correct so as not to lose votes. In the process, they go against science and say what their constituents want to hear: No mandates on mask and vaccines, even when science says otherwise. And of course, as expected, this has contributed immensely to the confusion and chaos and the nearly 50 million COVID-19 cases and almost 800,000 dead Americans.

Scientifically, majority of these infections, hospitalizations, and deaths were preventable! More than 90 percent of the casualties involved the unvaccinated. Science, not politics, is what we need to end this pandemic.

The government must fol-

low science! All of us should continue educating the public, even repeatedly, until people truly understand that COVID-19 is a vicious stealth killer that must be destroyed soonest. And that we now have the vaccines to do it.

A national disaster, in this case a part of a global calamity, deserves no less than a unified federal response, not DIY fragmented and conflicting management approaches by 50 state governments, many times politically clashing against one another. An outburst or a local endemic affecting a city or a state may be handled by the state government, but not a pandemic! In a national cataclysm, like a war or a pandemic, all 50 states must be seamlessly in sync with the federal government, functioning as one unified force against the SARS-CoV2 virus. We cannot afford to lose more lives.

One person dying is one too many.

Epidemiologists from all around the world have developed a proven scientific protocol, the technology, the wherewithal, a proven containment strategy to minimize, even end, the infections and deaths. Sadly, all of

these state-of-the-art armamentaria are all still waiting for the national government to employ and deploy fully ASAP. The administration and Congress have failed to consolidate their efforts and properly utilize the proven, effective weapons they have at their disposal in a timely fashion to defeat this killer virus soonest. They have allowed 50 million people to get infected and greater than three quarters of a million to die… and counting.

This is gross negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of the Executive and Legislative branches of our government, arguably (just to make a point) bordering on involuntary mass manslaughter or negligent genocide, and they must be liable and held accountable.

Not mandating a proven and available epidemiologic strategy that would have saved millions from getting infected and nearly 800,000 from dying is clearly negligence and a dereliction of a sworn duty of these public servants to serve and protect the nation and its citizens.

If a physician did not employ available state-of-the-art PAGE 12

Update on embassy interviews...

PAGE 11 employment-based visas before the end of the fiscal year. Right now, employment-based visas for most countries are “current.” However, if all the visas are used up, priority dates may have to retrogress or move backwards.

Many consulates are increasing their processing rates of immigrant visas, which would also affect how quickly the number of visas are used up for the coming year. In addition, refusal rates of visas have decreased because people appear for their interviews better prepared; fewer people are missing their interviews; and people immediately submit requested documents right after the interview, to enable the case to continue to be processed and visa issued.

Overseas, there is tremendous backlog for employment-based visas, and once embassies start clearing the backlog, it could be possible the annual supply of employment-based visas will be used up.

Mr. Oppenheim predicts there will be a substantial increase in processing EB3 employment cases at the U.S. Embassy in Manila to address their backlogs, including the sizable backlog of those following to join family members. This is great news because under the DOS previous prioritization for immigrant visa interviews, employment-based cases were to be processed last. Now, it seems they will be finally taken off the shelf and slotted for interviews.

While the F2A (spouse or minor children of immigrant) priority date remains current, it

in the next nine months, meaning the F2A category will no longer be current for filing.

If your case has been stagnating at the embassy, or if your priority date is current, and you have not received any notice or notification from NVC, you may want to consult with an attorney, who can evaluate your situation, and determine if the case is properly on track and documentarily qualified, in order for the interview to be scheduled as soon as possible. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram.com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Hadestown continues to wow audiences on Broadway

THE Broadway production of Hadestown took the stage of the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Thursday, September 2, and became the first musical to play the rialto in more than 18 months, Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best New Musical, was written by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell and developed with innovative director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin.

The acclaimed new musical’s cast is led by Grammy Award winner Reeve Carney, Tony Award winner André De Shields, Tony Award nominee Amber Gray, two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada, and Tony Award nominee Patrick Page.

They are joined by Jewelle Blackman, Jessie Shelton, and Mariand Torres as the Fates and Lana Gordon as the Persephone alternate. The chorus of Workers is played

by Malcolm Armwood, Timothy Hughes, Trent Saunders, Kim Steele, and Khaila Wilcoxon. The cast includes swings Tara Jackson, Sayo Oni, Yael “YaYa” Reich, and T. Oliver Reid.

Hadestown is the most honored show of the 2018-2019 season. In addition to the show’s eight Tony Awards, it has been honored with four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Broadway Musical and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical. The show is already the highest-grossing musical in the history of the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) and continues to sell out nightly.

Hadestown was included in more Best of 2019 lists than any other musical: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, Elle Magazine, The Guardian, Slate, EW, Vox, The Forward, Show Tickets, The Fabulous Invalid, and The Ensemblist.

Hadestown marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the solo author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics, and book, and is the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat.

It also marks the first time in Broadway history that a

Adam Hyndman Photo by Jacob Smith

Eva Noblezada

Photo by Gabriel Mokake

Hadestown cast is led by Grammy Award winner Reeve Carney, Tony Award winner André De Shields, Tony Award nominee Amber Gray, two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada, and Tony Award nominee Patrick Page.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

show’s female composer and female director both won Tony Awards for their work.

The creative team for Broadway features Tony Award winner Rachel Hauck (set design), four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Krass (costume design), two-time Tony Award winner Bradley King (lighting design), Tony Award winners Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design), Obie Award® winner and Chita Rivera Award® winner David Neumann (choreography), Liam Robinson (music direction and vocal arrangements), Tony Award winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations), Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy), and Stewart/Whitley (casting).

The North American tour is now on the road and will play over 30 cities in its first season with more to be announced shortly. The tour started on October 15 at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and will continue to over 30 cities in its first season with more to be announced shortly.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hadestown is also available on CD and streaming. The album was released digitally in summer of 2019, and topped Billboard’s Broadway Cast Recording chart, and debuted at #8 on the Top Album chart. The CD edition features a 64-page booklet and a two-disc set, while the triple vinyl edition

features a 16-page booklet.

Both editions include complete song lyrics and never before seen photos of the Hadestown cast and creative team in the studio, and other exclusive content.

In fall of 2020, Mitchell released Working On A Song: The Lyrics of Hadestown, an illuminating book of lyrics and stories about her more than decade’s long process of building the musical from the ground up. Working On A Song is available from Penguin Random House.

Hadestown electrified audiences with its 2016 world premiere at New York Theatre Workshop, which is the longest-running show in that celebrated theater’s 40-year history. The production then received its Canadian premiere at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre in 2017 and then a 2018 sold-out engagement at the London’s National Theatre prior to Broadway. Hadestown was developed with funding from the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center and was further developed by The Ground Floor at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Hadestown was co-conceived

by Ben t. Matchstick.

Tickets for Hadestown on Broadway are available at www.seatgeek.com/hadestown- tickets or by visiting the Walter Kerr Theatre box office (219 West 48th Street).

(Advertising Supplement)

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Lin-Manuel Miranda and his ‘very special affinity’ with Pinoys

By Nathalie

tomada

Philstar.com

YEARS before his now highly-acclaimed directorial film debut in Tick, Tick...

BOOM! or even before the astronomical success of his musical Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda came to the Philippines, having the least expectation of the awesome things about to unfold in his career.

This was in 2012. The American actor-singer, composer and playwright was the special guest at Atlantis Productions’ staging of his award-winning, semi-autobiographical Broadway debut In The Heights. It was his first visit to the country that felt like a homecoming of sorts because, as he told The STAR then, thanks to his Pinoy friends, “I know more than the average American about the Philippines culturally,” even writing a paper in college on Mt. Pinatubo.

It was also the first time we heard about his humble beginnings. How in Broadway,

EMPLOYMENT

Lin Manuel-Miranda makes his movie directorial debut in Tick, Tick...BOOM! Photo from Twitter/@Lin_Manuel

he shared, “there are 30-plus theaters, it’s like real estate, it’s very hard to break through to any of it. He had odd jobs, taught seventh-grade English and did a lot of teaching work to pay the rent so he could continue working on In The Heights.

The STAR went down the memory lane with the 41-year-old Lin-Manuel and brought up the old interview

while chatting about Tick, Tick...BOOM!, his homage to Rent creator and theater idol, the late Jonathan Larson.

He fondly remembered his trip here like it just happened yesterday, and not almost a decade ago. “One of my best friends in college was from Subic Bay, Aileen Payumo.

And I was there to go see Bobby Garcia’s wonderful production of In the Heights.

EMPLOYMENT

It was the first international production of In the Heights ever. And then I saw my friend, Aileen, get married in Bohol. It was incredible!

But because of our close relationship, we learned that the Philippines and my origins in Puerto Rico have so much in common,” he shared.

“What was crazy about seeing In The Heights there, was there was no translation required because inutil means the same thing in Tagalog that it does in Spanish. Carnaval means the same thing.

You know, colonization is a hell of a thing. It’s left its mark on both of our languages. So, I do feel a very special affinity with the Philippines and Filipino culture because I have so many close friends in that community. And you guys are really good at making musicals. You have incredible talent, you know! And so yeah, I was thrilled to visit.”

He laughed when reminded that at that time, he was still planning to release a PAGE 15

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SB19 marks 3rd anniversary with ‘Our Zone’ AFTER the highly successful “Back in the Zone” concert in August, the day’s hottest boy band will grace the virtual stage anew with “SB19 2021: Our Third Anniversary Concert.”

Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken and Justin — who will always remember 2021 for their nomination to the Billboard Music Awards Top Social Artist/s Award — are making sure to give their fans the entertainment they deserve at the two-day concert which also serves as the culmination of their anniversary celebration.

“Sobrang overwhelming and happy po kami na finally, it’s happening.

Makakapag-perform na kami at matutuloy na kami sa Araneta Coliseum.

Before, nangangarap lang kami na sana maka-perform sa stage ng Big Dome kasi marami na din kaming napanood na concert

doon,” shared Josh in virtual media conference.

“We aim na kahit ngayon hindi pa tayo pwede sa live audience, at least nandoon pa rin kami sa stage na iyon at virtually, mapapanood nila kami. Sisiguraduhin namin na worthwhile yung gagawin namin na performances at mageenjoy sila na parang kasama pa rin namin sila. Of course, hopefully in the future, gusto naming ulitin ito with live audience,” he added.

SB19 is set to perform three new unreleased tracks at the concert through a special “Live Comeback.”

On November 17, the title of the first track was officially released called “Nyebe.”

A new teaser was also released on November 20, connoting a disco theme and genre. More teasers for their upcoming songs will be released soon. (By Iza Iglesias /ManilaTimes. net) n

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‘It’s About Time’: Filipino spot Tambayan opens in 128-year-old Reading Terminal Market

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA / AJPress

HILADELPHIA’S Reading Terminal Market is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets. It began operation in a National Historic Landmark P building back in 1893 and has become one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations along with the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Like a typical public market, it offers a wide and varied selection of locally grown & exotic produce, locally sourced meats, and poultry, along with the finest seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and confections.

The historic public market also houses several restaurants under one roof, a reflection of the ever-growing diversity of the city. Today the Reading Terminal Market is one of the nation’s most successful public markets with more than 75 independent small businesses that offer an array of fresh and prepared foods, lunch counters, and places to eat and shop.

Last July, after 128 years in existence, the market opened its doors and welcomed Tambayan, its first Filipino concept restaurant.

Kathy Mirano, the founder and chef of Tambayan and

Runner’s Sweets and Treats, felt that it was about time that a Filipino establishment opened in the market, where more than a hundred thousand Philadelphians and tourists pass through every week enjoying its exceptional products, history, and people.

“Dumaan po tayo sa butas ng karayom, pagod at hirap.

Pinaglaban ko po talaga,” Mirano told the Asian Journal about her journey in getting a spot to showcase Filipino food and culture in Philly.

Getting a spot for Filipino cuisine in the market is a full circle of sorts for Mirano, who has been working for 21 years as a manager and server at the Olympia Gyro, a Greek lunch counter inside the market.

Mirano recalled that she walked inside the market more than two decades ago to find a job. She was working multiple jobs then to make ends meet.

Tambayan is the first Filipino food concept restaurant at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, a 128-year-old public market and one of the city’s major tourist destinations.

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

In order to convince the board of directors of Reading Terminal Market, Mirano served her specialties, among them ube macarons and pancit.

Chef and owner Kathy Mirano said it is all about hard work as she recalled the days when she worked as a house cleaner, dishwasher and caregiver. Two decades later and she is the woman behind Tambayan, which she hopes becomes a place for friends and family to hangout and eat good food.

“I was cleaning houses, washing dishes in some restaurants, and taking care of old people. That’s how I started here in Philadelphia 26 years ago,” she shared. “One day, I walked down Reading Terminal looking for a job.

Maybe I could find something a little bit better than cleaning houses and washing old people.”

After being out of a job for about six months due to the pandemic, Mirano resorted to baking and cooking. She would then sell her products to her friends, fellow runners, and friends who work in hospitals. She also sold her products online, through Facebook and Instagram.

Her creations - from ube cakes, ube rolls, French ube

macarons, lumpia, kare-kare - became hits and her success inspired her to dream bigger.

Last year, she submitted a business proposal to the market’s board of directors.

She wanted to have a spot and sell Filipino food in the market, something that she knew had never been done before.

“It was definitely not easy getting in,” she said. The runner-turned-baker-turnedrestaurateur is not someone who retreats from challenges, as her more than 400 medals from different races including 16 marathons and an ultramarathon would prove.

She went to a battery of interviews with the board members that ended with PAGE 15

Mirano (left) is hands on when it comes to the dishes she serves. As an avid runner, she is also conscious in keeping her desserts not too sweet yet still flavorful.

Tambayan is located inside the Reading Terminal Market, right smack in the city center of Philadelphia where more than a hundred thousand locals and tourists pass through every week.

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‘It’s About Time’: Filipino spot...

PAGE 14 her letting them taste her creations, including ube macarons, pancit, and halohalo. She made them realize that Tambayan was absolutely necessary for the City of Brotherly love.

The board was impressed with her presentation and tasting and gave her the go signal.

The entire process took about six to eight months before she got the approval.

Tambayan has been open for more than three months now and Mirano is not about to rest on her laurels. She is taking her mistakes and lessons learned seriously as she prepares to break new ground.

The Taal, Batangas native

said owning and operating a restaurant was not in her wildest dreams.

“I grew up very poor back home, I grew up without a mom. Kayod marino talaga, my late father taught me the value of hard work,” she shared. “He also said always be proud of what you do and always be nice to people and proud of who you are.”

This is why she hopes Tambayan would be true to its name, a local hangout place where friends and family would spend time eating and sharing stories. She also hopes that Filipinos who travel to Philadelphia whether as tourists or as conference attendees across the street at the convention center would visit them.

For now, Mirano is enjoying the attention she has been getting from locals and tourists alike.

She said she feels “very overwhelmed at times” because she didn’t really expect that locals and tourists in Philadelphia will embrace Filipino food the way they have done so.

“The past few months have been amazing. Since we opened, we’ve always sold out. People are crazy about our food. A lot of people come down and I don’t have food anymore but it’s a good sign for me as a new business owner,” she added. “I’m very happy, there are ups and downs, but the sales are amazing. I’m very thankful and grateful.” n

Lin-Manuel Miranda and...

PAGE 13 “concept album,” not even a musical, about the American statesman Alexander Hamilton.

What heights he has scaled since then!

Interestingly, Lin-Manuel revealed that all the crazy emotions he felt when he opened In The Heights came rushing back when Tick, Tick...BOOM! premiered to raves just the night before.

“I probably was more nervous last night at the premiere than I have been since the opening of In The Heights back in 2008. The feeling I had was, ‘Will they let me do this for real living (laughs)?

Do I go back to teaching if this doesn’t work out?’ And last night, you know, I’m very aware that this is my first attack as a film director, and I really was like, did it work?

Do people receive the spirit of love and gratefulness for Jonathan’s life in the work that we intended? Do we get to keep doing this? Will they let me make another movie musical someday? I’ve been here doing interviews all day. So, I’m very glad to hear that the response has been positive.”

He also said it felt amazing to be inside the room, watching the reception. “It was amazing to hear applause after every musical number.

That was something that was sorely missing when it was just me and my editor in my house (laughs).”

Discovering Jonathan Larson Lin-Manuel’s adaptation of Larson’s autobiographical musical Tick, Tick...BOOM!

about a struggling composer Jon (played in the film by Andrew Garfield) came 25 years after Larson died of aortic aneurysm at the age of 35. The theater wunderkind never got to see the success of Tick, Tick...BOOM! and most especially, his rock opera Rent, credited to have revolutionized modern theater.

But if Larson were alive today, and Lin-Manuel would find himself in a room with him, what would their conversation be like?

“I felt like this entire movie was me asking him questions.

I’m here because I saw Rent for my 17th birthday and it felt more personal than any musical I’d ever seen and was more diverse than any Broadway cast I had ever seen. And it spoke to things that I worried about as a kid. It spoke to living and dying in New York and surviving as an artist.

“And then, when I saw and heard Tick, Tick...BOOM!, it spoke to all of those things.

Even more specifically, all of the things I worried about.

And so the great joy of this movie was me learning more about Jonathan Larson.”

As part of his research, Lin-Manuel recalled going to the Library of Congress, reading Larson’s rejection letters as well as notes asking other folks for work, and discovering a file full of commercial jingles and things he wrote for products that never got produced. He spoke to Larson’s friends and family, and saw how they lovingly kept his memory alive.

“I believe in the multiverse.

I believe there’s a timeline

where Jonathan Larson is 61 years old and raising hell maybe on Twitter and Instagram and writing his 10th show. Or 15th show. I wish I could live in that timeline, but I live in this one,” Lin-Manuel said.

Tick, Tick...BOOM! moments It isn’t hard to find some similarities between Larson and Lin-Manuel’s career trajectories — even the latter saw himself in the late composer’s struggles and Tick, Tick...BOOM! moments when he was starting out in the business. There were many things Lin-Manuel didn’t realize mirrored his own life until he showed the movie to people close to him, including his bestfriend and In The Heights collaborator, Quiara Alegría Hudes.

“I’ll never forget, the movie starts and she sees Jonathan’s bedroom. And she goes, Lin, that’s what your bedroom looked like when you were 29, the futon on the floor, the piles of food, that’s your room dude.

“You know, we were doing our best to make the most loving recreation of Jonathan’s bedroom but at the same time, my anxieties as a songwriter were shared by Jonathan in this film: Is what I’m doing worth it? Will my work connect with an audience? Does what I’m doing matter? Those are questions we all ask ourselves as artists and so there’s no shortage of Tick, Tick… BOOM! moments in my life.”

Meanwhile, Lin-Manuel continues to be surprised by

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COVID-19 predictions...

PAGE 12 standard of medical care (for COVID-19 or other diseases) in a timely fashion resulting in the death of even one patient (or dozens, or hundreds), would he/she not be charged with malpractice, negligent homicide, etc.?

The federal “mandate” for children to have the required vaccinations before enrolling in school has saved hundreds of millions of children from dying. Countless millions of lives have been saved by laws against driving without a license or auto insurance, using cellphones while driving, not wearing seat belts, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated; no-smoking bans, etc. These are all government actions curtailing the civil rights of the people to do what they want and their freedom to choose not to obey. These good laws follow the principle of societal rights, national safety and welfare, prevailing over the rights of the individual. A national mandate for COVID-19 vaccination would be an excellent medical evidence-based law that will end this pandemic soonest and save millions of lives, certainly much more than the other mandates above. Yet, we have no such federal mandate.

No end in sight This COVID-19 pandemic will be with us for years to come because more than 50 million people in the United States alone refuse the vaccines. Their bodies will act as long-term hosts, a giant reservoir, and enable the SARSCoV2 virus to rapidly replicate and mutate non-stop to more easily transmissible and deadlier strains. Without a host, the virus will self-destruct. We may actually end up needing annual COVID-19 shots, like the flu vaccine.

The Delta strain caused breakthrough infections among those who were vaccinated, clearly showing how worse it is compared to the previous variants. Now comes the South African strain, which has led to U.S. travel bans from South Africa and other African nations starting last Monday, November 29.

Named the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), it may “have the ability to evade COVID vaccines and increase the risk of reinfection.” The longer the virus is allowed to replicate and mutate, the greater risk it becomes to human lives.

The Moderna vaccine is now suspected to be ineffective against the Omicron virus. Future variants may not respond to any vaccine or treatment at all and wipe us out as a civilization, a bit of a stretch, but a plausible scientific reality. God forbid.

More people will die until we destroy this the impact of his own works, including the kind of phenomenon Hamilton has become since its premiere on Broadway in 2015.

While reflecting on his career journey so far, the composer admitted it makes him doubly sad that Larson did not live to witness Rent’s impact and “the way his show can become sort of almost apart from you, like a jumping off point for people to have lots of different conversations about things that really have nothing to do with you.”

He cited his experience as now part-owner of the Drama Bookshop, a cultural institution in New York for theatrical works since 1917. “I look at the shelves and I see books

virus for good. Medically, the only way to do this is to vaccinate every single person, to deny the virus any host. Or, to isolate those unvaccinated, carriers and infected, reminiscent of the Leper Colony in the 1800s. Obviously, this is not possible, compassionate, nor humane. Scientifically, unvaccinated people, who are the easy targets of the virus, become the carriers and transmitters of COVID-19 infection. When not totally isolated from others, they will continue to spread this deadly virus and kill more people.

Unfortunately, at least 50 million people in the United States appear to be more interested in exercising their civil rights, their freedom of choice, their right to refuse vaccinations, rather than protecting themselves and their fellowmen from this killer virus. The greater tragedy is their choice is killing people, taking others with them and damaging our economy, besides our psyche, and prolonging this pandemic.

We should have learned our lessons from the global plague, the Black Death of the 1890s, which killed more than 200 million across Europe and Asia, and the Spanish Flu of 1918 (U.S., UK, France, Germany), which infected more than half a billion people (nearly a third of the world population then) and possibly killed up to 100 million, the deadliest recorded pandemic in human history.

How many more deaths are we waiting for before we do the right thing? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone.

This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com, FUN8888.com, Today, SPSAtoday.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

about Hamilton that I didn’t know about. Hamilton and the law, Hamilton philosophy, the good, bad and everything in between. It’s its own thing.

And yet, I remember when I was still just trying to get the songs out of my head and into the world just like Jonathan Larson was.”

There are definitely lessons to take away from Lin-Manuel’s success story. That is, to trust your craziest and scariest ideas, he noted, “because that’s a crazy idea (Hamilton) and it connected with people.”

“I think one of the positive legacies of Hamilton, at least what I’ve seen in my time and who knows what the ultimate legacy will be, is the cast of

Hamilton is every bit as diverse as Rent as in 1996. And you don’t need this notion of historical accuracy. Like we always were going to cast incredible actors of color to play these parts and to sing this hip-hop and R&B musical.

“And I think that broke some kind of barrier in people’s heads because now, if you see a Broadway show, and it’s an all-white cast, it looks strange. It’s like: Wait, why is this like this? Hamilton showed us it was possible to have a cast as diverse as New York City and the world we actually live in. And that’s been a really positive legacy that I’m very proud of,” he ended. n

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