120722 - Southern California Midweek Edition

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Elections experts discuss increased AAPI engagement in 2022 midterms

AS elections officers and communities continue to process the results of the highly contentious 2022 midterm elections, one thing is clear: Asian American voters, especially those in Los Angeles County, have the potential to decide races.

According to local demographics, more than 639,000 voters identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) in LA County, which accounts for more than 11% of all LA County voters, which, according to Candice Cho, managing director of policy and counsel at AAPI Equity Alliance, which hosted a briefing discussing the impact of AAPI voters in 2022 and beyond.

The increase in vote-by-mail during the 2020 election contributed to the increase of voters, especially the Asian American electorate.

“We know that in 2020, almost three out of four Asian voters voted early or by mail, which is larger than any other [racial]

REAL ID requirement delayed until 2025

THE enforcement of the REAL ID requirement for air travelers has been pushed back to another two years, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday, Dec. 5.

The date has been delayed by 24 months from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025, according to the agency. Under the new regulations published to execute this change, states will now have additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act.

Under the new regulations, beginning May 7, 2025, every traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, stateissued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport 1security checkpoints for domestic air travel.

As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security

PH senators, businesses respond to Maharlika fund

SOME senators harbor concerns over the proposed creation of the P275-billion Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF) because it intends to tap private and public pension contributions.

Under the bill jointly filed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Ferdinand "Sandro" Marcos 3rd, the fund will pool resources from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), LandBank and Development Bank of the Philippines for investments.

Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel "Joel" Villanueva, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel 3rd, as well as Senators Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero and Christopher "Bong" Go wanted safeguards to prevent the government from dipping into pension funds and invest the amount elsewhere without the consent of SSS and GSIS members.

Pimentel stressed that there must be "consultation

and consent of the owners of the funds they intend to put in higher risk placements."

Angara noted that because the Maharlika fund is "a high-risk high reward endeavor, there should be safeguards and limitations on investment into riskier endeavors."

"I'm sure senators will scrutinize the measure and inject safeguards and best practices," he said in a text message.

California flu reports ‘high’ flu activity

by AJPress

STATEWIDE flu activity has reached high levels across California, which has the potential to add to an already concerning number of hospitalizations of children due to the spread of winter viruses including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19.

State public health leaders are reminding Californians that masking in indoor public places, among other safety measures, is effective at slowing the spread of respiratory viruses that are making children, and the elderly, very sick.

“RSV and Flu, and now COVID-19, are on the rise – leading to the hospitalization of our youngest and most vulnerable Californians who need all of us to help protect them. So we’re reminding Californians about the effective mitigation and safety measures they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones, including getting the Flu shot, keeping up to date with their COVID-19 booster, and masking in indoor public places,” said State Public Health Officer and CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón.

Philippines on track to lose growth momentum in 2023, says World Bank

MANILA – The Philippine economy is expected to lose momentum in 2023 with the pace of expansion set to slow to 5.7 percent as soaring inflation and higher interest rates crimp domestic demand, the World Bank said on Tuesday.

The World Bank’s outlook, which was trimmed from its earlier growth forecast of 5.8 percent, was more pessimistic than the government, which on Monday cut its 2023 growth projection to 6 percent-7 percent from 6.5 percent-7.5 percent.

“The forecast for 2023 is premised on reduced consumer demand, alongside high inflation and high interest rates that are

expected to temper household spending and investments,” the World Bank said.

The World Bank expects the Philippines to end 2022 on a strong note with the economy forecast to grow 7.2 percent, much higher than its previous growth projection of 6.5 percent, after the Southeast Asian country’s robust performance in January to September.

The Philippines is on course to meet its 6.5 percent-7.5 percent growth target this year after economic output averaged 7.7 percent in the nine months to September as the government lifted nearly all u PAGE 3

PH economy on track despite ‘out of control’ inflation - Marcos

MANILA – The Philippine economy continues to recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic even after the country’s inflation rate accelerated to 8 percent in November, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday, December 6.

In a speech during the 11th Arangkada Philippines Forum in Pasay City, Marcos said the country is on track to maintain its strong economic performance and achieve the government’s growth target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent for 2022.

He said although the Philippine growth rate looks healthy, he said inflation is “running rampant and out of control.”

“We just received the poor news from the Philippine Statistics that November, we hit 8 percent,” Marcos said.

He noted that the government is currently identifying the areas of the economy that are the main drivers of that inflation including imports.

“The main drivers of that inflation, unfortunately, are still imported – is still imported inflation. So again, import substitution is still a good idea not only for foreign exchange reserve but also so that we can keep our inflation rate down,” he added.

Marcos, likewise, urged both local and foreign business leaders to invest in key areas such as education and skills training;

digitalization of processes; and research and development to aid the government in its efforts to “transform” the Philippine economy.

“I do not talk about recovery because I do not want to recover the Philippine economy to what it was in 2019. That is not going to work anymore. Whatever economy is going to be formed in the next few months, the next few years, it will be very different from what we were doing,” he said.

He vowed to further boost economic growth, with overall goals of poverty reduction and reinvigorating job creation.

Marcos said the government is accelerating the country’s economic growth by further

easing travel and mobility restrictions, implementing economic reforms and improving economic cooperation with trade and investment partners.

He said the government is also enhancing ease of doing business and public-private partnerships, and improving bureaucratic efficiency through information and communication technology (ICT) development and digitalization.

“Rest assured this government is united in ensuring that the Philippines will become a viable and sustainable destination for domestic and foreign investors,” he said.

Manufacturing sector

Meanwhile, Marcos reiterated

High approval, trust ratings for Marcos, Sara

MANILA — President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte received high approval and trust ratings, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD).

According to the “Boses ng Bayan” survey conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, Marcos got approval and trust ratings of 83 percent and 87 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Duterte, who is also the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), received an 81-percent approval rating and an 87-percent trust rating.

The results are an average of the two officials’ high

ratings throughout the country’s regions and across socioeconomic classes, the foundation said.

Marcos received the highest satisfaction ratings in Mindanao with 87 percent and his lowest was in Metro Manila at 73 percent.

The RPMD survey did not provide more details about Marcos’ poll ratings in Luzon or in his political bailiwick, the Ilocos region.

Meanwhile, Duterte got the highest satisfaction rating of 98 percent in Mindanao, her regional political stronghold, while her lowest satisfaction rating was in Luzon at 70 percent.

BENEFICIARY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (2nd from left) talks with one of the beneficiary families during the ceremonial turnover of house and lot units from the National Housing Authority (NHA) at Malainen Park Residences in Barangay Calubcob, Naic Cavite on Monday, Dec. 5. Also with President Marcos were Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Acuzar (left) and NHA general manager Joeben Tai (right). PNA photo by Rolando Mailo

by Bernadette e tamayo , eireene Jairee Gomez and ma reina Leanne toLentino ManilaTimes.net

President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte Malacañang file photo

Angara said that accessing pension funds is a ticklish issue and could "encounter some obstacles."

It is "best to access investible funds and use dormant government assets, or those with high potential upsides like real properties abroad, as part of the equity of the fund," he added.

Ejercito said he is "apprehensive to touch pension funds because of past experience with AFPSLAI (Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association), AMSLAI (Air Materiel Wing Savings and Loan Association, Inc.) and RSBS ([AFP] Retirement and Separation Benefits System) which ventured into bad investments."

"The intent of Maharlika bill seems good, except that I am wary to use GSIS and SSS funds for this purpose," Ejercito said. Escudero said the Maharlika fund bill "is lacking in many respects.

"What is return on investment of GFIs (government financial institutions)? How often will dividends be declared, if any?" he asked.

"If it's a corporation, why is the number of board seats not in accordance with their respective capital contributions? What ROI (return on investment) will GFIs get if it will be spent on government projects? What government projects are they contemplating?" he pressed.

Villanueva said while creating a sovereign wealth fund or SWF is good in principle, "there should be more discussions on its sources of funds and its management."

"We must protect the retirement funds and other benefits of ordinary workers, who are already struggling from high prices of basic goods and are bracing for the impending global recession," he said.

"We look forward to hearing more views from different stakeholders when we discuss this proposal in the Senate," Villanueva said.

Speaking during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on Monday, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno defended the measure.

"I think we should have a sovereign wealth fund like other Asean countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. And we should think of putting together some funds that are investable," Diokno said.

He said the fund "will not only benefit current generation of the Philippines but also future generations. That's the concept of this Maharlika."

Diokno said the Philippines needs a "steady source" of revenues, particularly in the sectors of oil, mining, and banking. "We just opened our mining. We can use the royalty from there. Our mining sector is huge. It is substantial," he said.

Under House Bill (HB) 6398 approved by the House Committee on Bank and Financial Intermediaries on Thursday, P125 billion of the Maharlika fund will be sourced from the GSIS, P50 billion each from the SSS and Land Bank, and P25 billion each from the DBP and the Philippine Treasury.

Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso, GSIS president and general manager, said tapping GSIS pension funds is "nothing outside of what we're doing."

"Currently, all of the excesses after expenditures, [and] allocation for the retirement benefits of our members and other obligations are invested.

So now we invest into a company that will now be able to train their guns and attention to developmental projects... and that is what we need," Veloso said.

He said countries like the Philippines "have huge amounts of industrial requirements that are high capital expenditure... and that is the reason why a number of our key industries can't really move forward, because you need a lot of capital. But we have the money, what we need is to collect these funds... so that these money will be allocated to high capital expenditure businesses."

Opposed Multisectoral organizations, however, strongly opposed the establishment of an SWF like the proposed Maharlika.

Among the groups are the Foundation For Economic Freedom, Competitive Currency Forum, Filipina CEO Circle, Financial Executives Institute

of The Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors, Integrity Initiative, Inc., Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Movement for Good Governance, Philippine Women's Economic Network, UP School of Economics Alumni Association, and Women's Business Council Philippines, Inc.

"We register our serious concerns and reservations against the proposed MWF on the principles of fiscal prudence, additionality, solvency of social pension funds, contingent liabilities, monetary independence of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), government in the economy, and transparency," they said in a joint statement.

They pointed out that commodity-based SWFs are designed "to optimally manage the windfall from the appropriate disposition of their natural resources for the benefit of future generations."

"These countries recognize that such natural resources are exhaustible and commodity prices are uncertain in the long run, while their current absorptive capacity for commodity earnings remains limited," they said.

Non-commodity-based SWFs, on the other hand, are designed to manage the accumulated foreign assets from persistent external trade surpluses and surpluses of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in order to preserve the value of their capital and realize longterm returns on investments.

The Philippines "has neither commodity-based surpluses nor surpluses from external trade and SOEs," they said.

The groups suggested instead "that the executive and legislative branches continue to implement existing initiatives to strengthen the areas of transportation, public health, education and infrastructure, especially digital and agriculture, that can boost productivity and lower inflation. These initiatives can be executed within the existing legal framework, without resorting to an untested approach with many potential infirmities."

But economist Dr. Michael Batu said at least 50 nations, including those in the Southeast

Elections experts discuss increased AAPI engagement...

community,” Christine Chen, executive director and cofounder of Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Vote, said in a recent press briefing.

Over the last few election cycles, outreach to AAPI voters has increased, especially in the wake of the Stop Asian Hate movement, which really ignited conversations on the diverse Asian communities that are often left out in national politics.

“Our communities, when reached out to, really show up. And I think that voting matters, but also making sure that the information that our communities get is accurate and clear is important,” said Nancy Yap, executive director for the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE).

Chen mirrored Yap’s perspective, adding that with increased voter turnout among Asian voters, the issues that affect the broader AAPI community gain more attention among lawmakers.

“We are really relying on the API electorate to actually turn out because when you turn out,

it increases our numbers. It gets us more attentional nationally, and then, that translates in terms of how effective we are in lobbying and advocating for our issues,” Chen said.

However, the methodology of data gathering and disaggregation of voters could be improved., and while organizations and coalitions like AAPI Equity Alliance promote research bodies (like APIAVote) that take Asian data disaggregation seriously, many government agencies’ methods for disaggregating data are outdated.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, data disaggregation for the Asian community is either rudimentary or nonexistent, with either a few Asian groups getting their own dedicated outreach and studies or lumping every Asian community under one label.

Experts in public policy and academia have argued that stronger and more detailed data disaggregation would help address many problems faced by individual cultural groups that are often lumped together under one overly broad label.

Currently, the California Office of the Secretary of State categorizes voters’ ethnicities and races by surname, which presents many problems for those in intercultural families, linguistic diversity of surnames, and other variables that make it difficult to determine ethnicity or race by someone’s name alone.

Godfrey Plata, a civic engagement consultant for the AAPI Equity Alliance, shared exit poll data from the California Office of Secretary of State — which found that Filipino voters were the second-largest Asian group at the polls this year — acknowledged the limitations data gathering.

“I’m Filipino, my last name is Plata, so I get [election materials] in Spanish, Tagalog, and English, so I don’t often know how my name is being estimated,” Plata said. “As an organizer, it’s important that we have questions like this that have substantive and material implications for our community and work in tandem so that we can figure out how to make things more honest and authentic and real for data collection." (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

BANTAG APPEARS. Suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag (rights) waves to the crowd as he attends the preliminary investigation for the murder case of broadcaster Percy Lapid at the Department of Justice in Manila on Monday, Dec. 5. He was also charged with the murder of Cristito Villamor Palaña, a National Bilibid Prison inmate who allegedly brokered negotiations for Lapid’s killing. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Filipina named US Coast Guard employee of the year

KODIAK – A Philippineborn civilian executive of the United States Coast Guard was named 2021 Coast Guard Civilian Employee of the Year for exemplifying “the work ethic of the highly trained civilian employees who have contributed to the achievements of Coast Guard operational mission readiness in 2021.”

Mary Jean Silva, deputy director at the Base Kodiak Child Development Center (CDC), was honored during a ceremony at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC Nov. 17, along with eight other winners of the CEOY and Non-Appropriated Fund Employees (NAF EOY) awards.

Coast Guard leadership notified Silva of her award while was vacationing in her hometown, Malamig Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, with her husband, Russel Andal. “Knowing that I was selected as one of the best of the best was just incredible” a “shocked” Silva is quoted in a Defense Visual

Information Distribution Service press release.

“This award meant everything to me, especially to show my children and family and everyone from my hometown what I have achieved, because it confirms that no matter your race, religion, etc., you can achieve goals and dream big if you work diligently in life. This made my city so proud!”

Silva moved to Kodiak in 2019 to work as a Training and Curriculum Coordinator, then held a temporary promotion to Director at the CDC from March 2021 to July 2021.

Since then, Silva has held the position of Deputy Director, where she acts as the Principal Assistant to the Director, executes budgets of $500,000 unallocated and $300,000 allocated funds, oversees 26 staff members, ensures proper registration of children, USDA food program implements and administers the Coast Guard grant program.

Silva also acted as a family

child care coordinator for the 17th District, which oversees the training, certification and inspection of all home care programs conducted in Coast Guard housing.

The CDC has a maximum enrollment capacity of 120 children and maintained an average enrollment of 114 children through 2021.

Silva took on numerous other roles and responsibilities in addition to her existing job for most of 2021, when Base Kodiak’s CDC Director, Training and Curriculum Coordinator, Education Specialist, Administrative Assistant and Cook posts were vacant.

In addition to all this, Silva made sure the center opened on time during dangerous winter weather and stayed on base when winter weather was predicted, rather than going home at the end of the day.

This sacrifice allowed the center to open on time regardless of weather delays, allowing members of the operational commands to report without delay.

“Ms. Jean is a dedicated and diligent employee who has consistently made supporting Coast Guard families and children her number one priority. She has worked cheerfully through severe personnel shortages and is exceedingly deserving of this honor,” said Cmdr. Anna Steel, Chief of Personnel Support at Base Kodiak. “

Throughout her 27-year career in early childhood education, Silva has worked at multiple military facilities in locations such as Texas, California, Kansas and Misawa and Yokota, Japan. (Inquirer.net)

REAL ID requirement delayed until...

PAGE 1

Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards.

“DHS continues to work closely with U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to meet REAL ID requirements,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “This extension will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card. DHS will also use this time to implement

innovations to make the process more efficient and accessible.

We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely.”

The REAL ID deadline was initially pushed back from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2021 and then was extended to May 3, 2023 before the new 2025 deadline.

The department said the extension addresses the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card.

Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission

recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for stateissued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Security standards include incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be.

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are issuing REAL IDcompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. (AJPress)

High approval, trust ratings for Marcos...

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In the same poll, the top five Cabinet secretaries with the highest ratings were Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos with 78 percent approval and 83 percent trust ratings; Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy with 74 percent approval and 89 percent trust ratings; Budget Secretary

Amenah Pangandaman with 73 percent approval and 67 percent trust ratings; Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople with 71 percent approval and 68 percent trust ratings, and Tourism Secretary Christina GarciaFrasco with 70 percent approval and 65 percent trust ratings

The nationwide survey has a margin of error of plus or minus

one percent, and claims to be non-commissioned using faceto-face interviews with 5,000 adult respondents, according to RPMD’s official statement.

It disclosed limited details on the results of its survey unlike the Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations polls, which have a track record for credible statistical data. (Philstar.com)

PH economy on track despite ‘out of control’...

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his desire to “build up” the country’s manufacturing sector.

“We always talk about import substitution. And we try to favor those industries that are exportoriented and that’s valid. But I think it is also time to look inwards into the domestic market here and develop our manufacturing capabilities,” he said.

“Develop those markets, the local markets, and for that, we need the private sector to come in. As when we talk about manufacturing, we are talking about capital intensive

investments. And that is something we are hoping will be again a driver for our economy in the next few years,” he added.

He also congratulated the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) of the Philippines for the successful conduct of the Arangkada Forum.

“It is likewise encouraging to see your willingness to work together with the government towards addressing these challenges so that we can further accelerate our country’s inclusive growth and economic momentum,” he said.

Launched in 2010, the Arangkada Philippines is a major advocacy of the JFC to increase investment and employment in the country.

The forum is an annual event where business leaders and public officials convene to share ideas on improving the nation’s business and investment climate.

The theme for this year’s gathering is “Reform, Rebuild, Recover” which aims to shed light on how policy reforms can accelerate and sustain economic recovery. (PNA)

Philippines on track to lose growth...

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COVID-19 restrictions and allowed more business activities to resume.

“This deteriorating global environment is spilling into the domestic economy and tempering the country’s growth prospects in 2023,” World Bank

Senior Economist Ralph van Doorn told a media briefing.

To safeguard growth, Van Doorn said the Philippines must address the impact of high inflation, keep its fiscal position sound and continue to invest in health, education and agriculture to boost

productivity.

The Philippines, like many countries, is grappling with inflation, which surged to a 14year high in November, keeping the pressure on its central bank to tighten monetary policy. (Inquirer.net with reports from Reuters)

‘POSTER BOY’. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla (right) poses for a photo with Sean Gabriel Caasi (3rd from right), who won 1st place in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Children’s Month Poster-Making Contest on Monday, Dec. 5. The contest was participated in by 5 to12 years old children and relatives of DOJ employees.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Awardee Mary Jean Silva (center) in Washington DC, with U.S. Coast Guard Commander Admiral Linda Fagan (left) on Nov. 17. Photo courtesy of USCG

California flu reports ‘high’ flu activity

Hospitals across the state are working to add pediatric beds as quickly as possible, but the number of children who need hospitalization is currently outpacing their ability to expand. Hospitals typically have about 35 to 40% open pediatric intensive care unit beds, but that number is down to about 20% statewide. It’s even lower – below 12% – in some regions of the state.

While California guidance does not require masking except in some specific situations, masking is an effective way to help protect against RSV, the flu and COVID-19.

Here are the top 5 tips to protect against winter viruses: Get vaccinated, boosted (and treated)

Flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continue to be your best defense to limit severe illness and death – and you can get both at the same time.

Stay home if you're sick, and test for COVID

Staying home when you're sick slows the spread of flu, RSV and COVID-19. If you're sick, remember to test for COVID and contact your doctor immediately

if you're positive to discuss treatment options. Treatments work best when started right after symptoms begin.

Wear a mask There is no vaccine for RSV, so wearing a mask can significantly slow the spread and protect babies and young children who do not yet have immunity and are too young to wear a mask themselves. Wearing a mask in indoor public places is a good way to limit the spread of germs.

Wash your hands

Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water – for at least 20 seconds, is an easy and effective way to prevent getting sick and spreading germs.

Cover your cough or sneeze

Remember to cough or sneeze into your elbow, your arm, or a disposable tissue to help prevent the spread of winter viruses. Just make sure to wash your hands or sanitize and dispose of your tissue after.

Here are four things to consider about masking in indoor public places: What’s spreading in your community?

Winter respiratory viruses like Flu and RSV have been spreading across the state for weeks, and now COVID-19 cases

are ticking up.

Why wear a mask?

Masks help slow the spread of respiratory viruses. Masks aren’t just for your own health – they can also play a significant role in protecting the health of those around you, especially those at higher risk of getting severely ill from RSV, the Flu or COVID-19.

When attending an indoor public event, mask up for your friends, families, infants, young children, older adults, and other loved ones with pre-existing conditions or weakened immune systems.

But which mask do I wear?

If you’ve made the decision to wear a mask, great! To get the most out of your mask, pick one with good fit and filtration.

The “Good, Better, Best” ruleof-thumb is surgical masks are good, KN95 or KN94 masks are better, and N95 are best.

Consider masking a statement of kindness

Still not sure you want to mask up? Remember you can never be sure if someone around you has a compromised immune system, is going through chemo treatment, or has asthma. Wearing a mask helps slow the spread of germs and shows kindness concern for other’s health and well-being. n

Assisted living facilities pressed to address growing needs of older, sicker residents

by Judith Graham Kaiser Health News

ASSISTED living communities too often fail to meet the needs of older adults and should focus more on residents’ medical and mental health concerns, according to a recent report by a diverse panel of experts.

It’s a clarion call for change inspired by the altered profile of the population that assisted living now serves.

Residents are older, sicker, and more compromised by impairments than in the past: 55% are 85 and older, 77% require help with bathing, 69% with walking, and 49% with toileting, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Also, more than half of residents have high blood pressure, and a third or more have heart disease or arthritis. Nearly one-third have been diagnosed with depression and at least 11% have a serious mental illness. As many as 42% have dementia or moderate-tosevere cognitive impairment.

“The nature of the clientele in assisted living has changed dramatically,” yet there are no widely accepted standards for addressing their physical and mental health needs, said Sheryl Zimmerman, who led the panel. She’s co-director of the Program on Aging, Disability, and LongTerm Care at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

The report addresses this gap with 43 recommendations from experts including patient advocates, assisted living providers, and specialists in medical, psychiatric, and dementia care that Zimmerman said she hopes will become “a new standard of care.”

One set of recommendations addresses staffing. The panel proposes that ratios of health aides to residents be established and that either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse be available on-site. (Before establishing specific requirements for various types of communities, the panel suggested further research on staffing requirements was necessary.)

Like nursing homes and home health agencies, assisted living operators have found it hard to retain or hire staff during the covid-19 pandemic. In a September 2021 survey, 82% reported “moderate” or “high” level of staffing shortages.

Dr. Kenneth Covinsky, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco, witnessed staffing-related problems when his mother moved to assisted living at age 79. At one point, she fell and had to wait about 25 minutes for someone to help her get up. On another occasion, she waited for 30 minutes on the toilet as overworked staffers responded to pagers buzzing nonstop.

“The nighttime scene was crazy: There would be one person for 30 to 40 residents,” said Covinsky, the author of an editorial accompanying the

consensus recommendations.

Eventually, he ended up moving his mother to another facility.

The panel also recommended staffers get training on managing dementia and mental illness, on medication side effects, on endof-life care, on tailoring care to individual residents’ needs, and on infection control — a weakness highlighted during the height of the pandemic, when an estimated 17% more people died in assisted living in 2020 compared with previous years.

“If I were placing my parent in assisted living, I certainly would be looking not just at staffing ratios but the actual training of staff,” said Robyn Stone, senior vice president of research at LeadingAge and co-director of its long-term services and supports center at the University of MassachusettsBoston. LeadingAge is an industry organization representing nonprofit long-term care providers. Stone said the organization generally supports the panel’s work.

The better trained staff are, the more likely they are to provide high-quality care to residents and the less likely they are to feel frustrated and burned out, said Dr. Helen Kales, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC Davis Health.

This is especially important for memory care delivered in standalone assisted living facilities or a wing of a larger community. “We have seen places where a memory care unit charges upwards of $10,000 a month for ‘dementia care’ yet is little more than a locked door to prevent residents from leaving the unit and not the sensitive and personalized care advertised,” wrote Covinsky and his University of California-San Francisco colleague Dr. Kenneth Lam in their editorial.

Because dementia is such a pervasive concern in assisted living, the panel recommended that residents get formal cognitive assessments and that policies be established to address aggression or other worrisome behaviors.

One such policy might be trying non-pharmaceutical strategies (examples include aromatherapy or music therapy) to calm people with dementia before resorting to prescribed medications, Kales said. Another might be calling for a medical or psychiatric evaluation if a resident’s behavior changes dramatically and suddenly.

Further recommendations from the panel emphasize the importance of regularly assessing residents’ needs, developing care plans, and including residents in this process. “The resident should really be directing what their goals are and how they want care provided, but this doesn’t always happen,” said Lori Smetanka, a panel member and executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, an advocacy organization.

“We agree with many of these recommendations” and many assisted living communities are already following these practices, said LaShuan Bethea, executive

director of the National Center for Assisted Living, an industry organization. Nonetheless, she said her organization has concerns, especially about the practicality and cost of the recommendations. “We need to understand what the feasibility would be,” she said, and suggested that a broad study look at those issues. In the meantime, states should examine how they regulate assisted living, taking into account the increased needs of the residents, Bethea said.

Because the nation’s roughly 28,900 assisted living communities are regulated by states and there are no federal standards, practices vary widely and generally there are fewer protections for residents than are found in nursing homes. Some assisted living facilities are small homes housing as few as four to six seniors; some are large housing complexes with nearly 600 older adults. Nearly 919,000 individuals live in these communities.

“There are many different flavors of assisted living, and I think we need to be more purposeful about naming what they are and who they’re best suited to care for,” said Kali Thomas, a panel member and an associate professor of health services, policy, and practice at Brown University.

Originally, assisted living was meant to be a “social” model: a home-like setting where older adults could interact with other residents while receiving help from staff with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing. But given the realities of today’s assisted living population, “the social model of care is outmoded,” said Tony Chicotel, a panel member and staff attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

Still, he and other panelists don’t want assisted living to become a “medical” model, like nursing homes.

“What’s interesting is you see nursing homes pushing to get to a more homelike environment and assisted living needing to more adequately manage the medical needs of residents,” Chicotel told me, referring to the current pandemic-inspired reexamination of long-term care. “That said, I don’t want assisted living facilities to look more like nursing homes. How this all will play out isn’t at all clear yet.” n

We’re eager to hear from readers about questions you’d like answered, problems you’ve been having with your care, and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit khn. org/columnists to submit your requests or tips.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

USAid to present PH cyber workforce report

THE United States Agency for International Development (USAid), in partnership with IBM, presented its assessment report on the state of the Philippines' cyber workforce on December 7.

The report provides insights, challenges, and proposed solutions for the country's cybersecurity talent, gaps and opportunities.

"Certainly it's a topic that needs to be focused on and what we'll hear on the 7th of December are ideas, debates and discussions about the nature of the problem, what can be done, and what are the actions we can all enjoin each other to move forward," said John Garrity, USAid's Better Access and Connectivity (Beacon) Activity chief of party, in an interview.

"There is this cybersecurity skills shortage so this is an issue for organizations, government,

enterprise, and even for individuals, especially young persons who can learn about the opportunity to participate in this sector where there is excess demand for trained professionals," he added.

USAid's Beacon works with a wide range of Philippine government agencies led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology to address constraints in ICT development.

The project will help enhance the Philippines' digital ecosystem, resulting in "a stronger and more competitive telecommunication market and digital economy needed to accelerate economic growth and regional competitiveness," which is in tune with the administration's priority of digitalizing the country.

Under the Marcos

administration, the DICT — tasked to lead the country's digital transformation — has promised to provide Filipinos with the digital tools to help the economy recover from the pandemic and make the Philippines "more competitive." However, the cyberworld poses threats and risks and such technology has brought on challenges.

"Participation in the digital economy brings about the concurrent risk of cybersecurity threats and breaches. It's not really a matter of if it will happen to your organization, it's more a matter of when," Garrity said.

Citing a report by cyberse curity firm Kaspersky in 2021, Garrity said the Philippines had the highest number of users at tacked by banking Trojans in the Asia Pacific, making the country the "most targeted" by cyber criminals. (ManilaTimes.net)

PH senators, businesses...

PAGE 2

Asian region, have an SWF.

Batu told a televised briefing Monday that if the Maharlika fund measure is approved, the government will have the chance to invest and buy stocks, bonds and real estate.

It will also generate more employment.

Batu said a sovereign wealth fund can also strengthen the government's pension system which will benefit senior citizens.

He acknowledged that safeguards must be in place to ensure transparency and give taxpayers assurance that every

centavo of their money is spent wisely.

Representative Marcos told reporters the corporation proposed in the Maharlika fund bill "will be free from politics."

"Yes, the President will be chairman of the board, but... you have to look at it beyond this administration. This isn't something for the next six years, this is something that will keep on going," Marcos said.

Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in a statement on Monday that the success of any fund, sovereign or private, "lies in the quality of its

management."

"In the current version of the Maharlika Wealth Fund, the President of the Philippines chairs its governing board. This is a powerful statement that the highest official of the land will hold himself as ultimately accountable to the Filipino people for the performance of the Fund," the former president said.

"Once the fund becomes operational, the President will "be able to count on advice from the Department of Finance, the nation's steward of sound fiscal policy," Arroyo said. n

USED CLOTHING. People select from the wide array of pre-loved or used clothing displayed at the Bankerohan public market in Davao City on Monday, Dec. 5. One can get a pair of shirts and pants at the thrift shops for as low as P25. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Dateline PhiliPPines

Sen. Angara: Confidential, intel funds expenditures to be rigorously scrutinized

by Maila ager Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Sonny

Angara has allayed fears of possible abuse in using billions of pesos of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) allotted to various government agencies next year, saying Congress and the state auditor will closely examine these.

Congress ratified the final version of the P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023 containing the controversial CIF amounting to P9.3 billion on Monday, December 5.

Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, explained that the scrutiny of the CIFs is guaranteed by law through the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the initiative of the Senate, and as part of the mandate of the Commission on Audit.

Under the GAA, he said, there is a provision requiring the grantees of CIFs to submit regular reports to both houses of Congress and the President.

Confidential fund recipient agencies and offices, on the other hand, are required to submit quarterly accomplishment reports to the President and the two Houses of Congress, the senator said.

In the case of the intelligence funds, Angara said, the quarterly reports are submitted to the President.

“On top of this, the Senate,

through Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has initiated the creation of a select oversight committee to look into the use of the funds. These are in place to ensure the proper use of these funds,” the senator pointed out.

“There will be periodic meetings of the select oversight committee to assess whether these funds are being used wisely by the agencies involved,” he added.

The creation of the oversight committee to look into the use of the CIF has been done since the 10th Congress.

COA, meanwhile, is still mandated to look into the use of the CIF, but unlike their regular audits, Angara said the results are not made public.

“Because of the nature of these funds, since they are linked to national security, safety, counterterrorism, you cannot just expose these publicly. They are linked to certain things that are established to be essential to the safety of our people, to the existence of the State, etc.,” he explained.

The same goes for the work of the Senate’s oversight committee, which Angara said has to be kept confidential because of the sensitivity of the issues being examined.

“Little is known about these funds but in the process we learn that there are disallowances on the use of these funds. For instance, you cannot use it to pay salaries and to buy certain things,” he said.

“COA has also historically been looking at these expenses and there are limitations to its use, unlike the common perception that these funds can be used for anything and everything. That is not true,” Angara added.

As chairman of the Senate panel to the bicameral conference committee meetings on the 2023 budget, Angara said he fought to maintain the amendments made by the Senate, including the adjustments made to the CIFs.

However, their representatives from the House of Representatives “were adamant on restoring what was contained in the National Expenditure Program.”

“And with a deadlock looming because of the CIFs, compromises had to be made in order to avoid delays in the passage of the GAA,” Angara said.

“You’re working against the clock here because you don’t want to have a reenacted budget. We’ve seen in past when there have been delays that these had an adverse impact on our economic growth figures. That’s how important government spending is to the performance of the economy.”

“In the time of the pandemic, when the country, the economy is still recovering, the passage of a budget that is responsive, that spends on the right things and productive enterprises is very important,” the senator stressed. n

Revilla wants to lower senior citizen age to 56 so they can enjoy benefits sooner

MANILA — Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. has filed a bill seeking to lower the age to be legally considered a senior citizen to 56 from 60 in what he said is a move to let more elderly people enjoy the benefits given to seniors.

Revilla’s Senate Bill No. 1573 aims to amend Republic Act No. 7432 so that people aged 56 can be legally considered as senior citizens.

Senior citizens get a 20% discount on transportation,

lodging, food and medicine and are exempted from paying income taxes, among other benefits under the Senior Citizens Act.

The bill does not change retirement age, which, for government service is compulsory at 65. Optional retirement from government service is at 60, which is also the traditional retirement age for the private sector.

"Today, especially during the pandemic, a lot weren’t lucky enough to reach the age of 60.

As the saying goes: ‘What good is grass if the horse is dead?’" Revilla said in a statement.

"That’s why as long as there is still time, we should give them importance by letting them enjoy benefits. Let’s remember that their hands molded whatever good we are experiencing now," he added.

Lawmakers in previous Congresses have also pushed to lower the senior citizen age, albeit unsuccessfully. (Xave Gregorio/ Philstar.com)

Freedom of speech must not be used to malign others - Padilla

Padilla on Tuesday, December 6 said that freedom of speech must not be used to malign others and trample their rights by using disinformation.

Padilla, during the joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Public Information and Mass Media and Justice and Human Rights on Senate Bill No. 1296, which seeks to outlaw the creation and dissemination of fake news by amending the Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, said freedom of expression should never be abused adding perpetrators of disinformation should be punished.

"Hindi pwedeng kapag sinabi nating kalayaan pwede mo nang tapak-tapakan ang kapwa mo, gumawa ka ng imbento, hindi naman siguro ganun. Kailangan talaga pag sinabing kalayaan e pantay-pantay tayo diyan. Di pwede yan na wala tayong susundin na batas kaya tayo may batas, kaya tayo may kalayaan gumawa ng batas para sundin natin. Di pwedeng free-for-all ito para tayong nagsusuntukan lang sa bar di pupuwede. Kailangan sumunod sa batas (We cannot allow people to use the freedom

of expression to trample on the rights of others by using fabricated stories. When we say freedom, we are all equal. We cannot have a situation similar to a free-for-all inside a bar. We should craft a law that everyone will follow)," he said.

At the start of the hearing, Ellen Tordesillas, founder of VERA Files, urged the Senate not to use the term “fake news” in legislation saying that the phrase is oxymoron, adding that anything false can never be considered as news.

Tordesillas said the problem of the bill is by using “fake news”, adding that even the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) does not use the term, insisting that “fake news” cannot be used in legislation, since there is no correct definition of “fake news”.

Padilla pointed out there is nothing wrong with creating content on news and social media platforms. But if the freedom of expression is abused and weaponized against others is another matter, saying there is really a need for a law to ensure punishment for those who abuse the constitutional right to

karampatang penalty (When we add malice in an attempt to destroy another person's reputation, that is not right. That is violating the rights of a fellow person. And there should be a penalty for that)," he said.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, on the other hand, said social media and other platforms must be registered in the country to ensure their accountability. (PNA)

ZIPPER LANE. Motorists (right) use the zipper lane on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The zipper lane’s implementation shall study the possible effects on the current traffic flow along Elliptical Road and Quezon Avenue as the basis for the establishment of active and public transport infrastructures for the benefit of all road users. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

MANILA Senator Robinhood

"freedom of expression."

"Pag nilagyan na natin ng malisya na gusto mo siraan ang tao, yan ay mali na. Yan ho ang pagtapak na sa karapatan ng kapwa mo. At dapat lang yan may

Sen. Robinhood Padilla PNA file photo

Settle the Dengvaxia controversy

IF uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continues to be tepid during this week’s three-day mass vaccination program, part of the reason has to be the lingering impact of the hysteria over the Dengvaxia controversy. Litigation over deaths allegedly caused by Dengvaxia must be speeded up if the government wants to significantly reduce hesitancy not just for the anti-dengue shot but also for other vaccines against several preventable but potentially deadly diseases.

Developed by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, Dengvaxia is the first dengue vaccine to be approved by global health authorities. In June 2016, the World Health Organization and its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization or SAGE endorsed the vaccine for use among ages nine to 45 in countries where dengue is endemic.

By the end of 2016, the Philippines, Brazil and nine other countries had granted regulatory approval for Dengvaxia. Following the WHO and SAGE endorsements, the Philippines rolled out the vaccination program, targeting one million nineyear-olds in three regions with the highest cases of dengue.

As Sanofi Pasteur continued its research and testing, however, additional data indicated that the vaccine increased the risk of severe dengue for those who have never had the disease. When the company issued this warning in November 2017,

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

HIGHLY motivated to do good, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to enjoy high satisfaction ratings with the latest survey released recently by the OCTA Research Group. Results from the “Tugon ng Masa” Oct. 23-27 OCTA survey showed that 86 percent of the respondents trust the President, while 78 percent said they are satisfied with his performance.

In his first 100 days in office, several groups came out with their own assessments and surveys, including the one conducted by Catholic-run Radyo Veritas that said the President performed well. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry gave the president a rating of 8 out of 10, saying they appreciate his efforts to prop up the economy and put the country on the global radar.

In the face-to-face survey conducted by Pulse Asia from Sept.17 to 21, the administration

Commentary

R ica R do S aludo

BEFORE the headline topic, immense gratitude to our Lord, our Blessed Mother, and organizers and participants of the November 26 to 27 Eucharistic Marian Prayer Event in Palawan and the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), seeking peace, protection and succor for our nation and our security forces amid threats of war, disaster, disease and deprivation.

The prayers, led by film and TV artist Baby Nebrida and supported by military, police, Coast Guard and other uniformed services, and a major corporate sponsor, may have already borne fruit to help keep our nation out of superpower conflicts.

After United States and Philippine defense officials declared in recent weeks that US forces would get ten bases to use under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (BBM) announced last week that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) underpinning the Philippine-American alliance

Editorialthe Philippines had already given the vaccine to 800,000 school children. The consequent hysteria attributed 99 children’s deaths to the vaccine and led to indictments for homicide and “torture of children” against about 40 government officials at the time.

Following deliberations by SAGE, the WHO updated its guidelines on the use of Dengvaxia in 2017, but did not recommend the discontinuation of the use of the vaccine in dengue-endemic areas. In 2019, the WHO added the vaccine to its model list of essential medicines. Dengvaxia remains approved for use in countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Singapore and Thailand. It has also been approved in non-dengue endemic countries such as the United States and those covered by the European Medicines Agency. Still, the Philippines banned Dengvaxia in 2019. The scare also affected the country’s general vaccination program, with vaccine uptake for

measles falling from 88 percent in 2014 to just 55 percent in 2018. Measles outbreaks inevitably erupted, with cases surging from 2,400 confirmed infections in 2017 to 18,000 in 2018 and a massive 48,871 the following year. In September 2019, polio also made a comeback in the Philippines, 19

years after the country was declared polio-free. A scientifically sound resolution of the Dengvaxia controversy may help ease vaccine hesitancy, which is being seen even in the COVID inoculation drive. Litigation of the Dengvaxia case should not crawl along as usual. (Philstar.com)

The only direction to take is the right one

received majority approval ratings on 11 out of the 13 issues in the nationwide survey, particularly on responding to the needs of calamity-hit areas and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Respondents also gave majority approval ratings on protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, fighting graft and corruption in government, and defending the country’s territorial integrity. When one’s motivation in office is focused on doing right –it can only point to one direction: the right direction. Obviously, the President continues to be very popular among Filipinos, but if the OCTA survey is any indication, it would seem that many are getting to appreciate him even more as they get to know him better. They see him going in the right direction when it comes to issues that matter to the Filipino people, among them food security, lowering energy costs and asserting our territorial rights.

Aside from strengthening our relationship with the United States, the President’s

instructions to me were to have more economic engagement with the U.S.. Which is why we continue to organize and host economic briefings between the government’s economic team and American business groups and investors to showcase the promising sectors for investment that include IT-BPM and renewable energy.

We are now seriously looking into nuclear energy to supply the country’s growing electricity requirements. Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest, and technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, with new safeguards put in place to prevent accidents from happening. One of the most advanced and revolutionary are small modular reactors that are portable, as they can be built in a factory and transported to a designated site for final assembly and installation.

Even during the elections, foreign policy has also been a hot button issue and continues to be so to this day. Ninety percent of Filipinos are pleased to see the President taking the right foreign policy direction in

our relationship with two major powers – the U.S. and China.

While there are still a few naysayers concerning our relationship with the United States, there is no denying that it remains to be a very strong anchor of our foreign policy direction. As President Marcos himself said, he cannot envision the Philippines in the future without having the U.S. as a partner.

With regard to the West Philippine Sea, his statement is unequivocal: We have no conflict with China; the issue we have is that China is claiming territory that belongs to us. No doubt the President’s state visit to China early next year will be crucial.

While some continue to take issue about the President’s foreign trips, the reality is that the world is getting smaller and trips are a necessary tool in conducting foreign policy. Faceto-face interactions are important for leaders to discuss issues and concerns that are mutually beneficial to their respective nations, and President Marcos is keen to reach out to many nations to advance our national

interest.

For instance, his forthcoming trip to Brussels for the ASEANEU summit offers a great opportunity to discuss a free trade agreement with the European bloc. The Philippines is the co-chair for the summit, which is why it is a must for the President to attend. As noted by European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron, it will be an “excellent opportunity to discuss broader foreign policy issues, especially following the ratification of the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.”

The special invitation extended to the President for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is another important event. Many financial analysts are advising the President to attend because it will provide an immense opportunity for the global business community to get to know more about the positive developments happening in the Philippines, and why it is a smart investment choice.

The fact is, practically everyone wants to meet an elected leader

who is essentially the “new kid” on the leadership block, and now is as good a time as any for President Marcos to show the world that “the Philippines is standing on its own two feet,” as he said during the UN General Assembly in New York.

One thing is very clear, President Marcos is highly energized when he knows he is making good with his promise to do his best for the country’s interest. And he told us – even if the fruits of all his work will be reaped by the next administration, he does not mind at all. Taking credit is not what he is after. What really matters to him is upholding the interest of our country and growing the economy to give a better life for the Filipino – a direction that can only be the right 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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

The US alliance: Three questions for Marcos

and advanced by the 2014 EDCA and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) would be reviewed for possible "evolution."

If the MDT review by a committee under National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos leads to scrapping or stalling EDCA, it would help keep the country out of a devastating, possibly nuclear war feared between America and China, especially over Taiwan, which US President Joseph Biden has thrice pledged to defend against invasion.

But that's a gigantic if, since powerful forces are pushing to fast-track EDCA and weaponize the Philippines for possible hostilities not just over Taiwan, but also in the East China Sea and South China Sea, Korea and Japan.

Hence, six of the 10 bases Washington wants to use are in Luzon and two are in Palawan, according to its wish list disclosed by incoming Defense Secretary Jose Faustino Jr. (the last two are near Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro).

So we have to keep praying that despite political advantages for Marcos from accelerating EDCA ("Bases for America: What's in it for the BBM camp" https://bit.ly/3UqdrZs), he will heed his father's warning

about US bases as magnets for conventional or even nuclear attack and let the agreement expire next year despite US pleas for rapid implementation and access to ten bases, not just five.

Asian powwow or American power?

Turning to the headline topic, three questions, among many others, must be addressed by the Carlos committee reviewing the MDT and its ancillary accords. The first may be termed a prejudicial question: Should the review body include members or representatives of the Senate, which ratified the treaty in 1951 and may need to affirm any revision?

The need to get senators' views and support early on is clear from the long delay in ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact, delaying benefits for the country, even as most other signatories have ratified the accord. With escalating geopolitical tensions, holding up a new defense treaty in the Senate could have serious security implications for the nation.

The next and most important question is one that President Marcos must be pondering, given his repeated statements about the MDT evolving amid

new global realities. Hence, the review should ask and answer: What major changes have happened since 1951 in geopolitics, the Philippines, America and other nations, and military forces and technology, among other factors; and how should our alliances be recast to better address our defense needs?

Back in the 1950s, the US and its allies were in ideological and geopolitical competition with the communist bloc, including China and Vietnam and led by the communist Soviet Union, from 1917 to 1991, the intervening state between the Russian Empire and the Russian Federation at present.

This Cold War turned hot in Asia, with some of the region's bloodiest conflicts in Korea from 1950 to 1953 and in Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. China was a hostile communist power then, reputedly backing insurgencies in Southeast Asia, including the New People's Army in the Philippines.

In this ideologically charged climate, East Asia sheltered under Uncle Sam's nuclear umbrella and even formed the US-led Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (Seato) for mutual defense much like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Europe.

Fast-forward to 2022: Instead of insurgency, China now boosts investment and trade with its neighbors. Seato is gone; economic groupings flourish: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) and RCEP. There is even travel and trade between Taiwan and mainland China.

While war risk remains in disputed waters, Korea and Taiwan, the region is more keen to work out differences than fight over them, as Pyongyang and Seoul did in 2017 and South China Sea claimants in 2002 and recent years.

While China dwarfs all East Asia militarily, it knows aggression would devastate its economy and army, stampede the region straight into rival blocs, and leave America as a preeminent global power with economic and military might largely intact, as seen after two world wars and with the Ukraine conflict.

In this radically changed situation, Washington wants to augment Asia's relationshipbuilding approach with an oldstyle balance of power. So it aims to move massive naval, air and missile assets to the region, mostly in 10 Philippine bases, including six in Luzon for hostilities in Taiwan, Korea and

Japan. Which approach will best keep war away from us — Asian relationship-building or US arms deployment weaponizing us against China?

The answer partly depends on the future of our relations with China: Will we see growing peace and cooperation with disputes resolved by dialogue — or more and more aggressive encroachment on our sovereign economic rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) also ratified by China (though not the U.S.)?

President Marcos should press for a clear answer in Beijing next month. And that may determine if our nation and our region gear up for peace or war.

Former Cabinet secretary Ric Saludo holds an MS in Public Policy and Management (University of London) and a Diploma in Strategy and Innovation (Oxford), and is a resource speaker at the Enterprise Risk Management Academy, Singapore. (ManilaTimes.net)

* * *

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

ANDY

IVY

DING

MOMAR

ManilaTimes.net photo

UN special rapporteur to meet Remulla on sexual abuse of kids

by FranCo Jose C. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

THE United Nations special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material, will meet with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday to discuss a "macro perspective" of the problem of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the country.

Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, Department of Justice spokesman, said Mama Fatima Singhateh will meet Remulla on December 8. She is expected to hold a briefing prior to her departure on December 9.

"The purpose of the meeting is for Secretary Remulla to express his gratitude to the UN representative for visiting the Philippines and to answer any questions she may still have after her visit to the different local governments around the country," Clavano said in a statement.

"Furthermore, Secretary Remulla wishes to give Ms. Singhateh a more macro perspective of the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children situation. He likewise

wishes to describe the role of the National Government in quelling such criminal behavior," he added.

Singhateh arrived in the Philippines on November 28, upon the invitation of the government. She is here to assess the situation and the progress made in combating and preventing the sale and sexual exploitations of children in the light of international human rights norms and standards.

Prior to her appointment as special rapporteur in 2020, Singhateh was a magistrate of the Gambian high court from 2009 to 2013 and was twice named justice minister in 2013 and then again in 2015.

Special rapporteurs are part of special procedure mechanisms developed by the UN Human Rights Council to conduct factfinding and monitoring missions among members of the council. They need an invitation from the government for them to make official visits.

The UN high commission said in a statement prior to her arrival that Singhateh was tasked to assess the situation and the progress made in combating and preventing the sale and sexual exploitation of children.

The Philippines has emerged

as the center for the production of child sex abuse materials in the world, with 80 percent of Filipino children vulnerable to online sexual abuse. Some instances of abuse were facilitated even by their own parents, according to a national study on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

The study was conducted in 2016 by researchers from the De La Salle University for the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Unicef, another UN body.

Two other UN special rapporteurs are expected to visit the Philippines early next year.

Also scheduled to visit Manila is special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan.

Khan, who is a former secretary general of Amnesty International, earlier condemned the decision of the Court of Appeals to uphold the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.

The Philippine government also invited UN Special Rapporteur on extra-summary or arbitrary executions Morris Tidball-Binz to visit the country.

Tidball-Binz is a medical doctor from Chile who specializes in forensic science, human rights and humanitarian action. n

Marcos eyes skills upgrade for OFWs

by Catherine Valente and FranCo Jose C. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday, December 3 pushed for better welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as he expressed hope that working abroad would eventually become "a choice rather than a necessity."

In his message during Go Negosyo's Kabayan Awards 2022 in Pasay City, Marcos promised better support and training for OFWs to ensure their skills are at par with global standards.

"As President, I assure you that the national government will continuously work to ensure the welfare and competitiveness of our OFWs during my administration. We will continue to pursue initiatives that will ensure your well-being and develop anew the skills that the global workforce requires," Marcos said in a speech read for him by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, as the President could not make it.

"At the same time, we will open up more and better opportunities for you at home so that you can help us in writing a new and vibrant chapter for our great nation," he added.

The President also expressed hope that OFWs will explore local business opportunities and become entrepreneurs to help them provide for their families.

"We aim to make entrepreneurship an avenue where we can help OFWs and their families generate additional income to support their needs," Marcos said.

"We hope that through entrepreneurship, our OFWs will now have the option to come back home with the ultimate goal of making working abroad a choice rather than a necessity," he added.

Through the Go Negosyo's event, Marcos hoped that OFWs would be enlightened on topics such as financial management, smart investing, discerning business opportunities and many others that could help in their reintegration into the economy as entrepreneurs.

"To our participants, it is my hope that you will join the summit with an open mind, allowing yourselves to widen your

options for income generation and explore opportunities in the Philippines as an alternative for employment," the President said.

"Now is the time to tap on your entrepreneurial spirit and your ingenuity that is uniquely Filipino. May these activities today serve as your guiding light as you pursue the next chapter of your livelihood that will allow you not only to contribute to our local economy but also to enrich the quality of lives of your loved ones," he added.

'Modern-day heroes' Meanwhile, Marcos reiterated that OFWs are the country's "modern-day heroes who bring pride to our country."

"Wherever you go, you bear the colors of our flag and become ambassadors in your adoptive land, showing the best of what our people can offer," he said.

The President said the OFWs kept the economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Your contributions to the Philippine economy and labor force, in general, are crucial elements to our trajectory toward lasting prosperity," Marcos said.

"In our country's most trying times, you remained a solid foundation of our economy, ensuring the generation of remittances to support your loved ones and keep our country afloat. For all this, I thank you," he added.

Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria "Joey" Concepcion 3rd, for his part, said the event aims to "honor the OFWs who have successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship."

"Many of our OFWs can become catalysts, but they will need the help of our big brothers," Concepcion said, referring to big businesses and veteran entrepreneurs.

"To become their mentors is critical, to become their champions is a must," he said. "The President has the commitment of the private sector that we will continue to fight against poverty."

Putting DMW on OFW map Meanwhile, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople on Saturday said her agency will start a massive information campaign to introduce the services of the DMW to OFWs and their families starting next

year. "A lot of our OFWs don't even know that the DMW now exists, where and how can we be reached, as well as the services that we offer. The DMW needs to make sure that such basic information can be delivered in the most effective and efficient way," Ople said during a media forum.

Ople added that the DMW is scheduled to convene its first strategic planning workshop, titled "We A.C.T. As One" from December 12 to 15 in Tagaytay City.

"We expect a majority of our labor attaches to fly in and participate in this strategic planning conference, which will also feature resource persons on global security concerns, digitalization efforts and maritime affairs," Ople said.

DMW Undersecretary Maria Anthonette VelascoAllones said, "A.C.T." stands for alignment, connection and transition to transformation.

"The workshop will lead to the formulation of the DMW's strategy map with very clear indicators for performance, professionalism and policy implementation," Allones added.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma signed a joint circular with Ople on July 7, 2022, placing the administrative supervision of Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) under the DMW.

There are 42 POLOs worldwide whose funding was being drawn from the Department of Labor and Employment.

The DMW was created by law on Dec. 27, 2021, and its P16.323 billion budget will be formalized once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2023 into law.

The signing of the GAA will signal the full constitution of the new department, transforming the POLOs into migrant workers' offices.

DMW foreign posts are mandated by law to assist distressed OFWs not only in labor-related disputes but also when criminal cases are involved.

The DMW will have its Aksyon Fund next year to be used in hiring lawyers and providing psychosocial and other humanitarian assistance to distressed OFWs. n

VACCINATED KIDS. Three young girls pose for a photo holding a sign saying they are proud to be vaccinated during the Department of Health’s (DOH)

“Bakunahang Bayan” at Tondo Foreshore Health Center in Manila on Monday, Dec. 5. Children ages five to 17 years old got inoculated against COVID-19 during the event. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Wednesday DECEMBER 7, 2022

Sunshine diagnosed with PTSD, depression

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

ACTRESS Sunshine Dizon said that she wants to free herself from stigma as she revealed that she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, panic attacks and abandonment issues.

The actress posted on Instagram last Saturday, December 3 about her condition that came with a photo of the medicines she was taking.

“And since I’m here alone feeling overwhelmed guess its time to admit what I’ve been going through recently.

Diagnosed with PTSD, Depression, Panic attacks, Abandonement issues and thats

just skimming the surface,” she wrote as she listed down the specific medications she has been taking.

“You may ask why now? Only because I want to free myself from the stigma. There’s nothing wrong to ask for help. I know it’s very hard to get stuck in your head. But we can do it, baby steps. One day at a time,” Sunshine assured herself.

Her close friends, including “Encantadia” co-stars Iza Calzado and Karylle, left encouraging comments on her post.

She had another healthrelated post on the same day. The photo showed the lower portion of her body, with her hand injected with dextrose

Continued on Page 10

Good Shepherd Church to host 15th Annual Mariachi Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe

IN honor of Her Feast Day, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s 15th Annual Mariachi Mass will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills on Dec. 12, 2022 at 7pm. The church is located at 504 N. Roxbury Drive (northwest corner of Bedford Drive and Santa Monica Blvd) Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Tel. no. (310) 285-5425.

Rev. Fr. Ed Benioff, Pastor, will officiate the special Mariachi Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe with the special appearance of Mariachi Monumental de America of Juan Jose Almaguer, Michelle Anglade of Mariachi Nueva Generacion and Aztec DancersDanza Mexica Cuauhtemoc. It will be a multicultural mass celebration to honor and learn more of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s

powerful love and miracles.

In 153l a “Lady from Heaven” appeared to Saint Juan Diego, a poor Indian from Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City. She identified herself as The Mother of the True God and instructed him to have the bishop build a church on the site and left an image of herself imprinted miraculously on his Tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth. The Tilma should have deteriorated within 20 years but shows no sign of decay after over 500 years. To this day, it defies all scientific explanations of its origin.

Our Lady of Guadalupe was named “Patroness of the Americas” by then Pope and now Saint Pope Paul II.

A simple reception follows after the mass at the parish hall.

Fil-Am Olivia Rodrigo among music world’s highest earners in 2022 — study

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

Unted Kingdom-based casino analyst OnlineCasinos, inspired by the Wrapped 2022 campaign of Spotify, set out to find how much the moststreamed artists earned in royalties.

To do so, the company inserted the total play count of Spotify’s top 50 global tracks into royalties calculator Music Gateway. All data was collected from November 30 to December 1, 2022 and is accurate as of then.

“Sour” earned the secondhighest earnings for an album as nearly 8.5 million plays translated to $35 million (P1.97 billion) in royalties, around $7 million shy of the top-spot held by Latin artist Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti.”

Wrapping up the top 5 for highest-earning albums were rapper Doja Cat’s “Planet Her,”

former One Direction member Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House,” and British singer Ed Sheeran’s “=.”

“good 4 u” was just edged out of the top 5 for the highestearning songs for 2022, still raking in nearly $7 million (P389 million) from 1.675 billion plays.

Another Rodrigo song, “traitor,” figured at 17th spot with 1.013 billion plays that led to $4.2 million (P235 million) in earnings.

“good 4 u” was bested by

The Neighborhood’s 2013 hit “Sweater Weather,” Styles’ 2019 song “Watermelon Sugar,” British rock band Glass Animals’ viral song “Heat Waves,” the Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber collaboration “STAY,” and topspot The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”

The Weeknd’s hit song earned $13.5 million (P761 million) from 3.276 billion plays on Spotify in 2022 alone.

Wrapping up the top 10 were Styles’ rising hit “As It Was,” Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s collaboration “INDUSTRY BABY,” Sheeran’s “Bad Habits,” and the Pnau remix of Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart.”

Other familiar songs within the top 50 were Adele’s “Easy on Me,” Coldplay and BTS’ “My Universe,” Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” and Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” which can be attributed to Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”

Bad Bunny had a total of nine songs in the top 50, seven of them coming from “Un Verano Sin Ti” with “Yonaguni” and the collab “Lo Siento BB:/” being the exceptions.

Baron, wife Jamie no longer headed for Splitsville

In his Instagram account,

icluding Talitha.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year again. Jesus, may our love for you be constant in all seasons!” Baron captioned the post.

In another post, Baron shared the behindthe-scenes video of their photo shoot.

“Enjoying this clip with a grateful heart. Family is everything indeed,” he wrote.

Baron recently starred in the hit Netflix movie “Doll House.”

He admitted that he did not expect that his film will be successful.

Hindi ko po expected ‘yan. I believe I’ve been saying this so many times na si God lang talaga ang nag-o-orchestrate nang lahat ng ito, lahat ng biyaya. Kung walang suporta sa kababayans natin here in the Philippines and abroad — kasi nag-top 10 tayo ng 10 different countries — I owe it all sa kababayans natin there,” Baron said.

“Sa lahat sa inyo, No. 1 po kami rito, kaya No. 1 po kami sa puso niyo. Ibinabalik ko po

To people with debt problems –but are afraid of bankruptcy

Minding Your Finances

Atty. RAymond BulAon

DO you want to get out of debt but are afraid that filing bankruptcy may only make things worse for you?

Facing difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are calling day and night, at some point, you realize that something must be done but you just don’t know where to begin or where to go for help. Often, options can also be confusing unless you get the right information that you need to make the right decision.

Should I consider filing bankruptcy or is that the worst mistake I can make under the circumstances? What can creditors do to me if I continue to ignore my debt problems? How much time do I have before creditors take everything that I’ve worked so hard for? These are the common questions that people have.

If a lawsuit, wage garnishment, repossession or foreclosure is imminent, you need to act immediately so you can protect yourself and your property.

If filing bankruptcy is your best option, consult with

an experienced bankruptcy attorney who can explain to you how this process works so you can get immediate debt relief. Unfortunately, most people feel a certain shame or stigma about petitioning for bankruptcy when in reality it may be the best thing they can do to protect themselves from creditor actions.

Listen to me: If your home, wages, assets and your financial future are at stake, you don’t need to feel embarrassed about anything. If you have done your best to do everything you can with no success, you need to at least find out what your legal options are. Forget about what you friends and family may think if they find out that you are considering bankruptcy. That should be the least of your concerns. What you need to know is to find out the advantages and disadvantages of bankruptcy so you can determine if it is right for your situation.

If you have been sued by a creditor and you don’t file an answer to the complaint, the creditor can get a default judgment against you. The judgment obtained will then allow the creditor to further collect the debt by seizing your bank accounts or garnishing your wages.

In certain cases where the creditor obtains a court order to force you to appear in court to be examined regarding your assets (debtor’s examination), your failure to appear may result

in a bench warrant issued by the court for your arrest. Keep in mind that in the above scenario, you do not go to jail for owing money, but you can get arrested for failure to appear at the judgment debtor’s examination. If you file bankruptcy, of course, at any point during the collection process, the legal proceedings against you are immediately stopped.

Most people are afraid of filing bankruptcy simply because they are unaware that the law is on their side and that they can get out of debt and start a new life. Don’t deprive yourself and your family of the benefits that the law provides. There is nothing wrong or illegal about seeking legal help if it’s your only way out of the financial mess you’re in.

If you are in debt and would like to get out, I’d like to help you. For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866-4777772 so I can carefully review your situation and all available options.

* * * NOTE: Due to pandemic safety concerns, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems.

* * * None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situ ation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free evaluation of your sit uation, please call his office at TOLL- FREE 1-866-477-7772. He has office locations in Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia.

Olivia Rodrigo in her acceptance speech on March 2, 2022. Billboard via Twitter

MANILA — FilipinoAmerican singer Olivia Rodrigo’s groundbreaking album “Sour” and its hit song “good 4 u” have helped the artist receive one of the highest earnings in royalties for 2022.

Baron Geisler with his family Photo from Instagram/@baron.

ACTOR Baron Geisler shared his Christmasthemed family photos, reminding his fans that Christmas is all about family.

Baron shared photos of his family’s photo shoot that features his wife Jamie and their kids,

ang lahat ng honor, praise kay God sa lahat ng blessings na ito. Maraming salamat sa mga Kapamilya natin out there,” he added.

It can be recalled that last April, Geisler revealed that his wife Jamie Evangelista was asking him for an annulment. (by Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)

Sunshine Dizon

Photo from Instagram/@m_sunshinedizon

Hyatt Hotels acquires Dream Hotel Group

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

DREAM Hotel Group, which is developing Dream Las Vegas, has been acquired by Hyatt Hotels Corp. This was announced on Tuesday, November 29, and was featured in local paper Las Vegas Review-Journal.

According to the article, “the buyer is slated to pay a base price of $125 million, with up to an additional $175 million over the next six years “as properties come into the pipeline and open,” according to a news release.

The deal will include 12 managed or franchised hotels with another 24 management agreements for hotels that haven’t opened yet, the article added per the release.

Dream Las Vegas, one of the projects within the Dream Hotel Group that is being developed by Shopoff Realty Investments and Contour, both Southern California firms, will benefit from the deal, per a company official, citing the “depth of the Hyatt reservation system” and “the combined benefit of Dream’s creativity and Hyatt’s scale.”

Dream Las Vegas is a 531-room resort that is expected to open in 2025, and is situated on Las Vegas Boulevard, just south of Russell Road. It is slated to offer a smaller, boutique-style experience for its patrons.

The Dream Las Vegas is just one of the many projects or events slated to open in the next few years – and even decades – in Las Vegas.

Construction is booming in the town, with the massive projects planned along the Strip and elsewhere that have kept unemployment numbers down.

An anticipated project that many have

seen towards the north end of the Strip is the Fontainebleau, with its massive, bluish structure towering near the convention center location. One of the tallest structures in the city, it is located in the 2000 block of South Las Vegas Blvd. and has an “fb” etched prominently in the structure facing the street. Slated to open in late 2023, it features a huge space of meeting space (about 550,000 square feet), a two-floor retail area for high-end retailers, a casino and more than 3,700 hotel rooms, in addition to a nightclub, performing theater and a dayclub.

With conventions and expos coming back to Las Vegas, the Fontainebleau is positioning itself in the meet space industry, owing to its proximity to the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is expected to add luster to the northern part of the Strip, which has seen a lot more activity in the last few years.

Another project that is slated to open in 2023 is an Atomic Range near The Strat, also in the northern end of South Las Vegas Blvd. It is expected to be a premier golf destination in Las Vegas with facility users able to have an immersive experience. The facility will feature the latest in golf and entertainment technology, and will certainly create memorable experiences for facility visitors.

Atomic Range is seen as a center that will welcome all ages and people with different golf skill sets. Flite Golf and Entertainment, the developers of Atomic Range, see the project as a way to allow people of all ages to come and learn to play golf in a non-intimidating environment, while having fun in a facility that will be about four stories high. When finished, it is expected to add hundreds of jobs to the local economy.

Also in late 2023, Formula 1 Racing comes back to Las Vegas when the Las Vegas Grand Prix event takes place in Sin City, where the sport’s top drivers vie for the win as they navigate a 3.8 mile, 14-turn course where top speeds are expected to hit around 212 miles per hour.

Las Vegas’ iconic landmarks will serve as the backdrop for the race that will feature three straights, a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section, with Grand Prix drivers running over 50 laps and trying to outmaneuver each other to capture the trophy. Not since the 1980s has there been a Grand Prix event in Las Vegas, and racing fans are excited at the prospect of witnessing Formula 1 Racing again and seeing their favorite drivers, most of whom are excited to visit the city and see what it has to offer.

Of course, entertainment seems to be a big attraction in Las Vegas. Country star Garth Brooks just committed to a residency at Caesars Palace in 2024, Carrie Underwood will be back at Resorts World in 2023, rap superstar Jack Harlow, Tiessto, Zedd and Kaskade are going to be headliners at Resorts World’s Zouk Nightclub, and fans and industry insiders are hopeful that Celine Dion will finally open her latest Strip production, also at Resorts World, in 2023.

Meanwhile, Adele, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Aerosmith, Maroon 5, Barry Manilow, Sting, Foreigner and Shania Twain are in the midst of

their residencies or will be starting their shows in various casino-hotel properties in the first trimester of 2023.

Most of the big gaming-hotel developers in Sin City are in the midst of consolidating, renovating or developing their own portfolios, which is a win-win situation for both locals and visitors.

This just means that the demand for Las Vegas will remain strong in the future, even as mortgage rates are higher nowadays. Currently, there is a good inventory in the market for properties available in and near Las Vegas; buyers can negotiate more with sellers and get a good deal.

If you are in the market to buy real estate – whether it’s a house, land, condo, or even a commercial property – this is a good time to see what’s out there. I have decades of experience

in the real estate industry and can help you find the property of your dreams and something that will suit your budget. Many of my clients who have invested in real estate have begun to reap the rewards of their investments via rentals and Airbnb.

My team and I would be more than happy to help find your slice of land in one of the most exciting cities in the world, and help you achieve the American Dream of home/land ownership.

My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail. com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)

Russ and Fely Bateman hosted a dinner for their Manila investors at the Stirling Club in Las Vegas.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s (extreme left) young investors from Palm Springs are looking at Las Vegas properties after closing their escrow in Pahrump recently.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s repeat investors in Pahrump is the mother/daughter team of Rose and Jessica Pacheco.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send email to fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

A Christmas story: The innkeeper’s untold tale

How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads

Barrister’s

or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court.

ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610.

(b) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true:

is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612.

I LIKE rerunning this story during Christmas. It is is pure fiction. It grew out of my curiosity about the forgettable, minor characters I identify with and their viewpoint of the greatest story ever told of how on one silent night in Bethlehem, God, out of LOVE, sent His only Son to save humanity. Here it is, once more.

Joshua was excited with his new job at the inn. It sure beats having to herd sheep this time of the year when the cold nights chilled his bones on the hillside pasture where he tended his family’s small herd of sheep and cattle. The job fell to his younger brother this time.

Jacob, the owner of the inn was his father’s friend who had asked if Joshua could help him mind the inn for a little while as he and his wife will be going on a long journey. Jacob liked and trusted Joshua like the son he never had. The young man was a good worker and a natural who quickly picked up the ropes of the business.

Not long after, Jacob and his wife left for their journey to the town north of the country where they were born many miles away to comply with the Roman emperor Augustus’ decree that everyone be counted for the census. Few, if any, in Israel dared disobey the mighty Roman Empire.

The inn was busy. People for miles around were on the move going back to their own hometowns. The brisk business brought by overnight travellers in their otherwise sleepy town tired him out. Yet, he felt pretty proud of himself of the work he was doing.

Today, just before sundown, he had filled the 12 modestly furnished rooms with tired and hungry travellers. He thought of meeting up with his shepherd friends in the pasture once he had turned over the inn’s affairs to the night attendant. He had heard his shepherd friends on night watch talk about an unusually bright star that has been moving in the heavens for many nights now. They said it was a spectacle to behold and he wanted to see it for himself.

The rumor buzzing around town was that the soothsayers in King Herod’s palace studying the unusual heavenly display were cowering in fear, loathe to tell the king the meaning of the unusual star. Eventually, they had to tell the king for nothing escapes him. Herod did not suffer fools gladly.

The prophecy will come to pass. The king to rule all kings was to be born very soon within the kingdom. It was no wonder King Herod was in a vicious mood. Joshua thought the ruthless king would remove all threats to his kingship by all means fair or foul. It was bad enough he had to bow

to the superior might of the Roman conquerors who had allowed him to be king within his territory.

Just as Joshua was about to lock up for the night, a couple came in. The man, visibly tired and leaning on his staff with one hand, was supporting the woman who was heavy with child with his other hand. The woman looked to be in some pain. Still, Joshua noted the stately calm, grace and beauty about her. There was this mysterious glow. The man asked Joshua for a room and told him his wife was about to give birth. Alas, the last room has been let and Joshua told him so.

Joshua glanced at the woman and his heart was filled with pity. He thought quickly of his own home for them to stay for the night but it was some distance away. He had to think and act quickly. It looks like the woman was about to give birth at any moment. Joshua had seen to his own mother at childbirth. He had helped his own father deliver some of his brothers himself.

“Maybe, I have something for you. It’s not much but it would get you through this cold night at least,” he told the couple. “Come with me.”

Joshua gathered some blankets and sheets quickly. He gave instructions to his attendant to heat water. He then gathered food and other provisions. He moved in haste leading the couple to an empty stable a few yards at the back of the inn.

Earlier in the day before the sun was up, he took to clearing the stable himself. He didn’t know why he did it. But now he was glad he did so. He thought the squalid stable with its walls and roof can shield this poor couple from the cold night as the woman delivers her child.

Joshua gave the man the blankets and clean sheets, the warm water and some extra oil for the lamp to burn through the night. He set a makeshift table for the bread, fish and wine and lit the lamp in one corner.

He moved quickly as he helped the man make his wife comfortable. He could see the woman’s face etched in pain for the birth pangs seem to be stronger now. Beads of sweat lined the woman’s brow. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to meet up with his friends tonight. Somehow he knew his place was right here where he was needed for the long night ahead.

Just before he went back to the inn to fetch a few more things, he said to them, “I’m Joshua. Let me know if you need anything else.” The man replied, “I’m Joseph and this is Mary. Thank you. You have done more than you can possibly know. The Lord’s light burns bright in you.”

Mary looked up at Joshua and smiled through her pain. For as long as he lived, Joshua will never forget that smile.

Mary’s child was born that night. Joshua could not remember a night more filled with wonder, mystery and myriad points of light.

It was a night like no other. Joshua’s entire being was engulfed with the mystery happening before his very eyes. He remembered Mary wrapping her child gently in swaddling clothes and placing the child in a manger. The child was bathed in light. The whole stable was filled with warmth. Soft, sweet music seem to emanate from a choir of angels above the stable and a sweet heavenly fragrance wafted through the air.

Joshua’s shepherd friends came to visit the child. How could they have known? His friends told him that an angel told them about the good news. They were led to the stable where they found the child.

Filled with awe, they knelt before the child who was to be king. Later on that night, three men garbed in royal splendor and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh travelling from afar, came to pay the child homage. They had been following the bright star hovering about the heavens for many nights leading them to that dusty town called Bethlehem.

Many years later in his old age, the memory of that night still stayed with Joshua. He had remained the innkeeper. He had struck a friendship with a man called Luke, a physician who was a regular guest at the inn. He observed that the thoughtful, quiet Luke was always writing in rolls of papyrus in his room.

Not wanting to keep the wonders of that night to be forgotten when he passed, Joshua told the story to Luke. As he told the story of that wondrous night, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone.

Joshua’s life was never the same again. The light of that bright night burned in his soul forever. He could not have known at the time he was witness to the unfolding of the greatest mystery on earth.

May the true Spirit of Christmas live in our hearts at all times, all places and all circumstances! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

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. *

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes for Asian Journal. Email monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com for comments.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child.

A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby’s life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend.

One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33.

Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611:

(a) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage,

(1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation.

(c) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true:

(1) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate.

(2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order.

(d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child.

(e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative.

(f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied.

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super. Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877.

The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile,

Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parentchild relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675.

Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.

* * * 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 is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Sunshine diagnosed with...

From Page 8

while lying on a hospital bed.

She started her post hoping that she had not fallen sick yet again with COVID-19.

Her following words revealed her sentiments about turning 40 next year and her realizations and regrets.

“Realizations, some people will love you enough to move mountains just to be with you, and some will have lame excuses because you are not and will never be their priority,” Sunshine

wrote.

“Im turning 40 next year I have so many regrets but, I don’t know how to go back to where I used to be, this not about work this about life altering decisions. Laying in a hospital bed alone at 3am, I ask my self was it all really worth it? I may never now the answers but I pray to God that I can let go of all my baggages, hurt and guilt. Finally find someone who will sleep beside me in this small hospital bed till I fall asleep. #mytwocents,” she ended.

“As he told the story of that wondrous night to Luke, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone.”