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US Treasury freezes Quiboloy assets

LAWYERS for

Quiboloy denounced the US Department of the Treasury for punishing him even before his trial on sex trafficking charges has started.

“They’ve already convicted him! He’s never been heard! His human rights have been trampled on!” Quiboloy’s American lawyer Michael Jay Green said in an interview with the religious pastor’s own television network SMNI on a breaking news program on Saturday, December 10.

“That’s not the American way,” he added. “It is hard for me to believe this is coming from the United States.”

On Friday, Dec. 9, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blocked all transactions of Quiboloy, his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious sect, and other properties within U.S. territory, effectively freezing their assets.

“For more than a decade Apollo Carreon Quiboloy (Quiboloy) engaged in serious human rights abuse, including a pattern of “TEST and treat, and you can beat COVID!”

As Californians brace for a winter surge of COVID infections, that’s the message of Dr. Rita Nguyen, speaking at an online news conference on behalf of the California Department of Public Health’s COVID 19 Treatments Task Force.

Her message was echoed by four frontline medical practitioners serving some of the most vulnerable populations in the state.

“We are in the winter surge,” said Dr. Nguyen, who directs the Population Health Division of CDPH. “We are already seeing increases in hospitalization rates for COVID. Rates are increasing and we expect to see even more as we head through December.”

But there is a unique opportunity to address the crisis head-on, Nguyen emphasized. “This is the first winter surge of a three-year pandemic where we actually have treatments that are highly effective, readily available, and free to anyone over the age of 12.”

The challenge, Nguyen noted, is that most people aren’t accessing the treatments.

Kenneth Mejia sworn in as Los Angeles city controller

Mejia becomes first Filipino elected to LA city office

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

FILIPINO American Kenneth Mejia was sworn into office as the Los Angeles City Controller,

Along

landslide victory in November.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Mejia’s campaign promised increased transparency regarding city spending, anchored by a successful billboard campaign that illuminated the whopping police budget compared to that of social services.

“Our first day in office. We’re here to hold power accountable in order to make it a better city for all Angelenos,” Mejia’s team tweeted

on Monday, Dec. 12.

As the city’s controller, Mejia will oversee the city’s spending and consult the Office of the Mayor over the city’s budget — however, the controller does not have power over how finances are allocated throughout the city.

But Mejia promised to hold City Hall accountable and probe the city’s spending on homeless initiatives and law enforcement,  PAGE 3

Filipina actor Dolly de Leon makes history with Golden Globe nomination

FOLLOWING her celebrated performance in the film “Triangle of Sadness,” Filipina actor Dolly de Leon has earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

She is believed to be the first Filipina to get a Golden Globe nomination in this category.

Before the Golden Globe nominations were announced on Monday, Dec. 12, de Leon — who was born in Manila and whose career primarily centered around television — tied for the award for Best Supporting Performer at the 2022 Los Angeles Film Critics Association. (De Leon tied with Ke Huy Quan, who won for “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”)

In response to her historic Golden Globe nomination, de Leon, 53, expressed excitement and hope that more Filipino actors get international, mainstream recognition.

"Thank you for including me in that very short list

AFP, UN partner vs drugs, crime

by MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA

UN resident coordinator Gustavo Gonzales announced on Monday, December 12 the signing of a declaration of cooperation between the military and the UN office for drugs and crime at the AFP headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

“Transnational organized crime and terrorism represent security threats for

human development,” Gonzales said in a Twitter post.

AFP chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro said the partnership “solidifies our contribution to have a cohesive, safe and resilient societies, including our own.”

“Our collaborative efforts, such as this, allow us to fortify our dedication with the promotion and fulfillment of human rights, specifically the protection of children, gender equality and empowerment of women and of the youth, as well as toward professionalism

Manny Pacquiao dominates DK Yoo in exhibition Give

by MARK GIONGCO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao, who could’ve easily stopped Yoo inside their sixround charity boxing match if he wanted to, settled for a unanimous decision win.+

But more than the victory, Pacquiao relished his return to the ring after stepping away in September of last year.

“[It’s] nice to be back in the ring, especially this charity exhibition match and I’m going to continue my training to get

back in shape,” said Pacquiao, who tipped the scales at 161.1 pounds during the weigh-in.

Pacquiao, who turns 44 six days from now, picked up the pace in the third round while Yoo was noticeably exhausted from that point on.

The eight-division champion knocked down the much bigger Yoo several times including twice in the sixth round though the referee called one a slip.

The exhibition would’ve ended in the fifth but Yoo managed to buy himself a lot of time by claiming Pacquiao hit him behind the head.

Part of Pacquiao’s proceeds in the match will be used to provide shelter for the poor and

Maharlika bill a chance – Marcos

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. voiced his support for the Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF), saying the controversial proposal will benefit the country through the added investments it will bring.

"For sure, I wouldn't have brought it up otherwise. It's very clear that we need added investment. This is another way to get that," he said in a brief interview while on a chartered flight from Manila to this European city on Sunday night, December 11 for the Association of Southeast Asian NationsEuropean Union (Asean-EU) Commemorative Summit.

The administration's economic managers — Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno,

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla — are strongly backing the MWF, insisting it would fasttrack the government's efforts to reach inclusive and sustainable economic growth outlined in the President's Medium Term Fiscal Framework, 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan.

Among the direct benefits they cited are increased investments in and funding of big-ticket infrastructure projects through Marcos' "Build Better More" initiative, high-return green and

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

by KRISTINA MARALIT AND MOISES CRUZ ManilaTimes.net

Manny

Promotions

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

expectedly outclassed South Korean YouTuber and martial artist DK Yoo on Saturday, December 10 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea.

— The Armed Forces of the Philippines has forged a partnership with the United Nations (UN), with the AFP committing to help address problems related to illegal drugs and crime while respecting human rights.

televangelist Apollo

officially becoming the first Filipino to be elected to the LA City government.

with the new Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, Mejia was sworn into office in front of LA City Hall on Sunday, Dec. 11, following a

Kenneth Mejia sworn in as...

Filipina actor Dolly de Leon makes history...

a nomination like this — it feels good! Hopefully, more of our community will receive recognition because so many of us deserve it)."

“Triangle of Sadness” — written and directed by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund — is a black comedy that follows several luxury cruise guests and one cruise ship housekeeper (played by de Leon) who are marooned on a desert island following a disastrous shipwreck.

In a story that reveals the follies of hierarchy, de Leon’s breakout “scene-stealing” performance as the resourceful Abigail caught the attention of the international film community.

According to an interview with Variety, de Leon said that her performance of Abigail was largely motivated by real-life people she knows, saying, “I see Abigail in my aunts, my mother, our grandmother, our cousins. She’s in a lot of Filipinos that I’ve met over the years.”

The film received praise earlier this year when it premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, winning the coveted Palme d’Or, widely recognized as the top award in international cinema.

Prior to “Triangle of Sadness,” de Leon’s career began in the 1990s, in the Philippine theater scene. She starred in several soap operas and has worked with renowned Filipino directors, including Lav Diaz. “Triangle of Sadness” is her fourth feature film role.

De Leon is up against Angela Bassett for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Kerry Condon for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Jamie Lee Curtis for “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and Carey Mulligan for “She Said.”

The Golden Globes will be presented on January 10, 2023 in Los Angeles. g

US Treasury freezes Quiboloy...

PAGE 1

systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, as well as other physical abuse,” OFAC said in a press statement. Quiboloy was one of 40 individuals and entities in nine countries sanctioned for corruption and human rights abuse by the US treasury department as it marked International Anti-Corruption Day (Dec. 9) and Human Rights Day (Dec. 10).

Good news on Rights Day

“This is good news during Human Rights Day and we hope that other human rights violators would be held to account in the coming days,” said House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Rep. France Castro.

“We hope that this would serve as a signal to local authorities to also look into the illegal activities of Quiboloy here. There should be no sacred cows,” she said.

The sanctions imposed meant that “all property and interests in property” in the United States “or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.”

“The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution

or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person,” OFAC said.

Significant consequences The action was taken to implement the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of the US through Executive Order No. 13818.

“The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons,” Ofac said.

It did not give an estimate of the value of Quiboloy’s U.S. assets. The move followed a U.S. federal grand jury indictment of Quiboloy and his two top officials, Teresita Dandan and Felina Salinas, in November 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children.

OFAC said Quiboloy’s victims were mostly minors and were required to do scheduled “night duties” which was to have sex with him. The victims were told by the pastor to “offer your body as a living sacrifice,” it said.

“Quiboloy exploited his role within KOJC to rape his victims and subject them to other

physical abuse, describing these acts as sacrifices required by the Bible and by God for the victims’ salvation,” OFAC said.

On Jan. 31 this year, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation published a poster declaring Quiboloy as one of the most wanted suspected sex traffickers in America. The U.S.-based lawyers for Quiboloy on Saturday said that his U.S. trial was to start only in 2024 and that the accusations against him were bogus and politically motivated by the U.S. “liberal administration” that saw him and his sect as a “threat.”

Green denied all of the allegations against his client, saying such would be unbecoming of a pastor who helped the poor.

Asked if he had proof to counter the claims of the alleged victims, he said emphatically: “I didn’t find any victims because there were no victims!”

Another lawyer for Quiboloy, Manny Mendrano, said that as long as there was no trial, “that paper (federal indictment) is worthless.”

“No one had their day in court (yet),” he pointed out.

“There’s a lot to be done between now and then and the pastor has a real fire power legal

BIOMETRICS. An elderly woman places her thumb on a scanning device for her biometrics during a voter registration inside a mall in Manila on Monday, Dec. 12. Voter registration, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, at the Office of the Election Officer of the city, municipality, or district where the applicant resides, will end on Jan. 31, 2023.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

other top issues.

is Mejia’s first time serving in public office. With a

background in finance, Mejia also ran for U.S. Congress in 2018 campaigning on progressive policies and

ideals inspired by Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein, as previously reported in the Asian Journal. g

of very talented supporting actresses,” de Leon told ABS-CBN in a video sent on Tuesday, Dec. 13. “Hindi ako sanay sa nomination na ganito — ang sarap! Sana mas marami pa sa atin ang makatanggap ng ganitong recognition because so many of us deserve it. (I’m not used to getting

Dolly De Leon on the Cannes red carpet last May.

Photo from Instagram/@dollyedelean

Kenneth Mejia

COVID treatments readily available, but access...

Paxlovid, or its alternative Molnupiravir, are antivirals and they are free to everyone, even those who lack health insurance or are undocumented.

Remdesivir, which is given via infusions, is not free: costs vary with the level of insurance coverage. All three treatments are time sensitive. Paxlovid or Molnupiravir, must be started within the first five days after symptoms start; remdesivir must be started within seven days.

Timely treatment can prevent the severity of the infection by 50% to 88%. Even among those who are vaccinated, it decreases risk of long-term COVID, by 45% to 50%. Paxlovid treatment in 2022 alone averted an estimated 16,000 – 48,000 severe hospitalizations in California, and an estimated 10,000 deaths, according to Nguyen.

But while treatment supplies are plentiful, access challenges remain huge.

The digital divide Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras, executive director of the Latino Coalition for Health Equity, believes lack of internet access and digital skills may be the biggest obstacle.

He cited the case of his mother who recently tested positive for COVID-19. She had phoned her clinic to try to get a doctor but had been waiting all day for a return phone call. Turner Lloveras also called his mother’s clinic, but was forced to leave a voice mail which was not returned.

“As a physician, I am very aware of the benefits of getting early treatment with Paxlovid,” he said. When he sent a message to the clinic’s online patient portal, he got a call back within an hour. “It

made me realize that almost every social determinant of health now is enveloped by the need to have internet access and the ability to navigate the World Wide Web.”

More than 35% of Latino workers have no digital skills, and 20% have just limited digital skills, Turner-Lloveras added, noting that digital inclusion now impacts most factors in modern society, including the ability to get a job and support a family.

“Without digital literacy and digital skills, you’re offering gas to a family that has no car. Telehealth is a valuable resource but cannot be used without those skills.”

Dr. Oliver Brooks, chief medical officer of the Watts Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles, concurred with TurnerLloveras. He noted that 1 out of 5 Black households have no internet access, limiting their ability to access healthcare in a timely manner. He stressed the importance of testing as soon as any symptom appears: runny nose, cough, gastric distress, fever, and other conditions.

The Black community has much lower rates of treatment, not because it wasn’t accessible, but because it isn’t offered to them, said Brooks. “Treatment doesn’t work if you don’t take it or get offered it. So as a person you need to advocate, you need to know about treatments and then say, ‘I tested positive. Do I take this pill?

Do I take something?’”

According to new data from the CDPH shared by Dr. Nguyen, 37% of White patients who presented with COVID symptoms received treatment, while only 20% of Black people got access to care.

Treatment for older adults, rural communities One of the most vulnerable

populations are adults who are 65 years and older and account for nearly 90% of COVID deaths.

Dr. Wynnelena Canio, who specializes in geriatric medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Petaluma, Ca., and is an advisor with the California Department of Aging, noted that “as people age, we accumulate chronic conditions that cause us to have decreased reserves with which to compensate or recover from stressors such as infection.

“A lot of older adults become more frail, losing more muscle mass and becoming more dependent on others after hospitalization. That in turn leads to more disability and possible institutionalization.”

Early treatment of any conditions in older adults has proven to have better outcomes, Canio emphasized. That includes especially getting the new updated boosters, which only 12% of Americans overall have received.

Dr. Jasmeet Kaur Bains, a family physician from Kern County in California’s Central Valley, who was just elected to the California State Assembly, spoke about the challenges in accessing health care for rural residents.

Bains, who grew up in the county, said when she was a child, a pediatrician could usually be seen within a day. Today, it can take two to three months.

The pandemic brought accelerated rates of retirement for doctors and skyrocketing unemployment rates. As people lost their jobs, they also lost health insurance coverage, Bains noted. Language barriers added to the access challenges. Many resources were not available in Spanish or Punjabi, two commonly spoken languages in Kern County. Added to this, issues like poor air quality and resulting lung disease led to high levels of hospitalization and deaths in her region.

“The lens needs to be focused here. The surge is real, it’s happening and it’s at the detriment of areas like rural California.”

Access issues notwithstanding, all five physicians agreed that getting tested and treated early is the message underserved communities need to hear.

“Don’t wait till the illness gets worse,” said Nguyen. “If you start feeling a runny nose, cough, or generally not like yourself, act fast and take a COVID test. If you test positive, seek treatment right away.” (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)

Give Maharlika bill a chance...

PAGE 1

blue projects, and countryside development.

The long-term benefits include increased access of future generations to income from investments, such as potential earnings from extracted natural resources such as in mining.

The pitch, however, is being met with opposition over its timing, when the Philippines is struggling with a more than P13trillion national debt.

Initially, government financial institutions like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and National Treasurer were tapped to pool money to raise the P275-billion startup fund for the MWF as provided for by House Bill 6398.

Proponents of the fund in the House of Representatives have since revised the measure, removing the GSIS and SSS as funding sources.

The Appropriations panel also approved Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo's proposal to exclude the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as one of the mandatory funding sources.

Marcos said he will "let them do their jobs" as legislators and appealed to the public and critics of the MWF to hold off criticisms

until the final version is released.

"We're just doing the regular process of looking at the bill. Well, not we. It's the legislature. So, let them do their jobs. Para gawin nilang perfect (So they can make it perfect)," he said.

"Let's not debate until we see the final form because we could be debating about provisions that will no longer exist. So, antayin natin kung anong gawin ng legislature (let's just wait for what the legislature will do)," he said.

Aside from Quimbo, the main authors of the still unnumbered bill at the House are Speaker Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, Committee on Accounts Chairman Yedda Marie Romualdez, Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre, and Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente "Joey" Salceda, Manila Rep. Irwin Tieng, and Quimbo.

House leaders broke political boundaries to support the Maharlika fund.

Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. said "the objective of maximizing or optimizing gains from the investment of excess state funds or assets is laudable. That is what every nation on this planet would want to do."

Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, one of the stalwarts of the

Nationalist People's Coalition in the House, said the proposal "has become contentious, but it is important to recognize that the country needs the MWF to fund its needs."

Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Nacionalista Party said investing government assets for optimal return for the public is what 49 countries with sovereign wealth funds are doing.

Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats said the Philippines should learn from the best practices of nations with successful investments and avoid the mistakes of others while establishing a sovereign wealth fund.

Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, who belongs to the minority bloc, said he was leaning toward supporting the fund measure after the House leadership made changes to it.

"It's now a much better bill and I can see the effort of the authors and the proponents. So it looks good at this point and it looks much better," Daza said.

The House banks committee said the latest amendments introduced to the measure include reverting the name to Maharlika Investment Fund of MIF and allocating 20 percent of the fund's net profit to social welfare projects. g

CHECKPOINT. A member of the Manila Police District Station 14 in Quiapo, Manila checks the driver’s license of motorists passing along Claro M. Recto Avenue, Manila on Monday, Dec. 12. “Oplan Sita” of the local police aims to enhance crime prevention by beefing up police visibility in the city. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Early treatment of any conditions in older adults has proven to have better outcomes, Canio emphasized. That includes especially getting the new updated boosters, which only 12% of Americans overall have received. Photo by Jakayla Toney on Unsplash

Manny Pacquiao dominates DK Yoo...

homeless families as part of his Pacman Village projects.

Pacquiao’s last appearance in an official fight was in August 2021 when he took a stunning decision loss to Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas, announcing his retirement a month later to pursue his bid for the Philippine presidency.

Pacquiao, however, doesn’t seem like he’s planning to

stay retired after he recently expressed his eagerness to challenge undefeated welterweight champions Terence Crawford and Errol Spence.

He also hinted at a potential comeback next year during his post-fight interview in the ring after toying with Yoo.

“You’ll see,” Pacquiao said when asked about fighting in 2023.

US Treasury freezes Quiboloy...

PAGE 3

team to assist him and defend him aggressively,” Mendrano said.

‘Not losing sleep’ According to Green, if Quiboloy were to face trial in the United States, he would surely be held in jail for years without bail, so they would represent him instead. Quiboloy’s lawyers also said they were confident that his business transactions in the United States would remain untouched despite the sanction.

Mendrano said KOJC, which claims 7 million members worldwide, was “not losing sleep” over the recent pronouncements from U.S. authorities.In a statement after the FBI poster was published, Quiboloy, who claims to be “the appointed son of God,” branded all accusations against him as lies instigated by the “Devil.”

In January 2020, U.S. federal agents arrested three of his church leaders on immigration

fraud charges following a raid on its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles City.

Workers allegedly solicited donations year-round for the church’s charity and were beaten and psychologically abused when they did not reach their daily quotas. The money raised, originally for the benefit of poor children, allegedly went to church operations and the “lavish” lifestyle of Quiboloy.

Around $20 million was sent back to the church in the Philippines from 2014 to the middle of 2019, according to federal investigators.

In 2018, Salinas, leader of the church’s Hawaii branch, was arrested for smuggling cash onto a private plane in Honolulu bound for the Philippines with Quiboloy on board. A witness saw Salinas and Quiboloy order church members to smuggle hundreds of thousands of dollars inside black socks packed in suitcases from California to the

He had suggested prior to the match that he may not be done with fighting, calling Sunday’s bout a “very good stepping stone to come back”.

“This is a great opportunity to come back in the ring,” he added. “I thought it was easy to retire… I really missed boxing.”

Pacquiao, who hung up his gloves with a 62-8-2 record, admitted: “I felt lonely when I retired from boxing.” g

Philippines in 2013 and 2014.

The Philippine government has an International Legal Cooperation agreement with the United States. Under the agreement, the United States can request the Philippines to extradite or surrender a suspect to stand on trial in America. The United States has yet to make such a request for Quiboloy.

The chief state counsel of the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) has said that if a request came, the DOJ could work on the possible extradition of Quiboloy, but it could take years due to the various processes that it would have to undergo.

Quiboloy supported former President Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential campaign and later became his spiritual adviser.

In this year’s presidential election, he endorsed the winning tandem of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. (Jacob Lazaro/Inquirer. net)

Dateline PhiliPPines

1.5M new voters eyed as registration resumes

by Neil JaysoN servallos Philstar.com

MANILA — The Commission on Elections is eyeing up to 1.5 million new voters as the voter registration resumed on Monday, December 12 a Comelec official said.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the voter registration would be conducted daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Sundays and holidays, in election offices nationwide.

The poll body wants to finish early the voter registration in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled in October 2023, according to Laudiangco.

“We are hoping to have one million to 1.5 million new voters until Jan. 31,” he said in an interview on Teleradyo.

There will be no voter registration on Dec. 24 and 31.

The Comelec has partnered with five malls in Metro Manila for the opening of

satellite offices in their establishments.

Meanwhile, the Comelec has allowed inmates to vote during a plebiscite for the cityhood of Baliwag in Bulacan.

The voting hours at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Pagala, Baliwag will be held on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Comelec said 108,572 registered voters in 27 barangays in Baliwag are expected to participate in the political exercise. g

BI to launch online visa extension for short-term tourists

MANILA – Tourists who are in the country for a short period but would want to extend their stay may do so by filing their application online as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to launch this month its online visa waiver project.

“Online application for visa extensions, the target is to be launched before the year ends. Basically tourists who come here visa free who wishes to extend their 30 day visa may do so online,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said in a message to reporters Tuesday.

On the other hand, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco led the week-long yearend celebration of the agency from Dec. 5 to 9, where he discussed the numerous plans and other projects lined up for the improvement of the bureau.

These include the introduction of electronic transactions and payments for immigration applications and the eTravel system, a joint

project of different border management agencies, was also highlighted as a major achievement of the year.

The celebration, with the theme "Pasasalamat mula sa Bureau of Immigration" was an opportunity for BI employees to celebrate the achievements of the agency.

"We celebrate a new beginning for the bureau. Despite the many issues and challenges in the past, we look forward to a better future. Anticipate. Innovate. Motivate. These are the agency's direction in the next years. Anticipate what is needed, innovate to improve our services, and motivate each other to be the best public servants. Aim high BI," the BI chief added.

The week-long activity featured gift-giving for children of employees, including those in the janitorial and security services, and an outreach program for underprivileged families in the area. (PNA)

New BIR chief says to study Marcos family’s tax liabilities

Tuesday, December 13.

In

“We

"I'm going to tell [Marcos] that if the BIR really has to collect. I'll say, 'you won't pay this amount, it's the estate. Can you be a role model?' The Marcoses will pay their taxes because they comply with the law," Guillermo said in an ABSCBN News Channel interview in mixed Filipino and English.

It is not known what happened to Guillermo’s appointment, which was announced prior to Marcos taking his oath as president. She was replaced by Lumagui in November.

Even though the president himself called the estate taxes owed by his family to the government “fake news,” the Supreme Court in 1997 affirmed that the Marcoses owed at least P23,293,607,638, as assessed by the BIR. (Xave Gregorio with a report from Kristine Joy Patag/ Philstar.com)

FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP. Barangay Ginebra resident import Justin Browlee (center) poses with members of the Philippine Senate after the senators approved House Bill No. 6224 granting him Filipino citizenship at the plenary on Monday, Dec. 12. Senator Sonny Angara said Brownlee’s naturalization will provide a big boost to the Philippine basketball team during the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in February while providing even more excitement to Filipino fans. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

MANILA — While his predecessor was more categorical about collecting the Marcos family’s estate tax liabilities, the new Bureau of Internal Revenue chief who was just appointed last month was noncommittal about it as he vowed to study the issue.

will study this and ensure that all our actions will be in accordance with the law. That would be the only thing that we will do,” BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. told reporters in Filipino on

contrast, former BIR commissioner Lilia Guillermo vowed to collect the Marcoses’ estate taxes as long as she has the correct figures.

Uniting the world against corruption

OVER the weekend the U.S. government announced an asset freeze and other sanctions on about 40 persons in nine countries, among them Philippine televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, on charges related to corruption, fraud and human rights abuses including, in the case of Quiboloy, child rape.

Washington said the sanctions were part of moves coinciding with the observance of International Anti-Corruption Day on Dec. 9 alongside Human Rights Day. The United Nations is counting down to the 20th anniversary in 2023 of the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the UN Convention Against Corruption. The Philippines is among 189 parties that have committed to the obligations under UNCAC, which went into effect on Dec. 14, 2005.

Editorial

to be so complicated that people transacting with the government are compelled to pay grease money or “facilitation fees” just to get things done. The failure to punish officials implicated in large-scale corruption has bred impunity; corruption pays handsomely in this country.

UNCAC is legally binding to parties, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime serves as secretariat for the convention’s Conference of States Parties. The US move against the 40 persons is in keeping with the theme picked by the UN for Anti-Corruption Day, which is to unite the world against corruption.

In a message for the special day, the UN stressed that corruption fuels armed conflict, inhibits peace processes, aggravates poverty, slows economic development, and undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Sadly, Filipinos know this only too well, with corruption deeply entrenched across all levels of government. Public service processes are designed

On the Move

My summary of the top infirmities of the MWF are: (1) dubious conceptual, legal, and contextual soundness; (2) no consultation with powerless, voiceless Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) stakeholders; (3) imagining that legal safeguards automatically translate into scrupulous implementation; (4) undue haste in ramming crucial

Sketches

AS in our post-pandemic economic growth numbers that benefit from a low base, Ferdinand Junior is blessed with a predecessor who dramatically lowered the bar for public officials’ upholding of human rights. Everything is better by comparison.

Instead of cursing God, BBM and his family are attending mass.

This President respects women and isn’t the type who will crack rape jokes, leer at the Vice President or order soldiers to shoot female communist rebels in the vagina.

Presidential addresses to the nation and media interviews are no longer Rated R when aired. We haven’t heard BBM utter a cuss word in public, ever.

The most noteworthy improvement, of course, is in the approach to fighting the drug menace. Sure, there are still killings believed linked to drugs – as law enforcement agencies have warned, lethal encounters with criminals cannot be completely ruled out. But in the absence of a president whose marching order in the anti-drug campaign is to kill, kill, kill, the level of violence is undeniably down. The days of Tokhang and Double Barrel are over.

Even when drug suspects are

Proceeds from corruption are also successfully laundered into politics, further weakening the quality of governance. With the political establishment unable to provide leadership against graft, there is no push for the urgently needed reforms. Instead, the push is for the preservation of the corrupt status quo and the protection of the unholy marriage of politics and family businesses.

The UN has emphasized the need to promote transparency and strengthen institutions. The Philippines, unfortunately, has been going in the opposite direction in terms of transparency. Undue restrictions have been imposed on public access to statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of officials starting with the president. The national budget has an ever-growing chunk allotted to confidential and intelligence funds that can evade

close scrutiny by state auditors. It is no coincidence that the world’s advanced economies, which rank high in the happiness index that is based on quality of life, also rank high

The people’s vote of no con dence

legislation through the House of Representatives; and (5) lack of clear progeny and responsibility for the current MWF concept. The very size and urgency of the MWF are its very weakness— lack of prototyping in proper context makes the scheme very risky.

But the optics are just as fatal. First is the insensitivity to the unsavory historic reputation of the Marcos family’s handling of public funds while in power. Second is the frontloading of credit to the Marcos family, while due diligence has yet to be completed by the economic managers.

The MWF could have been very timely when historic opportunities like the sale of Fort Bonifacio or Malampaya indeed created surplus government funds. The current context is also inauspicious—a world unsettled by COVID-19 and the Russian war against Ukraine sending destabilizing ripples

of inflation, shortages, and imbalances across the globe.

The regional optics also strike fear in the hearts of ordinary people as former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak goes to jail for plundering the 1MDB funds. The conjugal caper of Najib and Rosmah looks like “nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat” of the plunder of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. So, what Shakespearean cruelty is contemplated for the nation when Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Ferdinand Martin Romualdez now push this “Maharlika” scheme, as if to evoke the blessing of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.? In the wake of the recent OCTA survey that reports that the Filipino people give President Marcos Jr. an 86-percent trust rating and a 78-percent performance rating, how do we square these sparkling statistics with the incendiary pushback

the Marcos Jr. administration is getting? It is as if the people are saying: “You can help yourself to my vote and surveyed opinion, but don’t you dare touch my money.”

It is revealing how three economists display their support for this MWF. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda seems a reluctant promoter, but he pinpoints for us the real raison d’être for the Fund: “The General Appropriations Act (GAA) is restricted by the fact that you have 300 congressmen with parochial concerns. ’Pag dumaan sa Kongreso, every congressman wants something for his constituency.” So, Salceda looks at the MWF as if it were a traffic counterflow scheme to deal with a constipated Congress.

On the other hand, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo thinks relying on the GAA is too slow. The MWF will energize investments and hasten

Philippine development beyond what the GAA can generate. She is so much more animated in defending the bill than Salceda. However, she admits the scheme needs tweaking and awaits the economic managers to perfect their submission to the House committee.

Confident and articulate as she is, Quimbo appears oblivious to the reputation of Congress as an institution that is footloose with the people’s money as suggested by the approval of the hefty intelligence and confidential funds of the President and the Vice President. She also affects naïveté in believing that the letter of the law and formal safeguards will dictate the success of a longterm project’s implementation.

As to our third economist, Central Bank governor Felipe Medalla, he seemed sure and sincere when he publicly expressed his initial doubts about the MWF. Apparently, as Quimbo explains, he was

Rights under Marcos 2.0

killed in police operations, the cops enjoy greater presumption of regularity in carrying out their work, unlike in the previous administration.

A good proof is that police raid on no less than a district office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Taguig.

Rodrigo Duterte would have also gone after rogue elements in the PDEA. But under Double Barrel, a bloodbath would have ensued in that raid, with the three principal suspects likely killed ostensibly after nanlaban or resisting arrest.

*      *      *

The kinder, gentler approach to the drug menace has surely helped BBM in his personal interactions with his foreign counterparts. You can’t imagine Justin Trudeau of Canada, where marijuana is completely legal, comparing sock design with Duterte.

BBM and his officials have said the justice system in the country is functioning so they see no need for the International Criminal Court to push through with a formal investigation of possible crimes against humanity committed in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. They also see no need for the country to rejoin the ICC.

Still, for the first time since 2015, the Philippines has allowed a special rapporteur of the United Nations to visit the country and freely conduct a study of the rights situation.

Although Mama Fatima

Singhateh is the UN special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children and her visit has nothing to do with the Philippine campaign against illegal drugs or insurgency, her 10-day visit –which included a meeting with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla – is another plus for Marcos Junior’s government.

Singhateh commended the Philippines for progress in the fight against child sexual exploitation.

The BBM administration’s commitment to this cause will be tested in the sanctions imposed by the US on Marcos supporter and Duterte spiritual adviser Apollo Quiboloy (and about 40 other individuals in nine countries), to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day. *      *      *

In a press statement, the US Department of the Treasury declared: “For more than a decade, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuse, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, as well as other physical abuse.”

It added: “Quiboloy also subjected pastorals and other KOJC members to other forms of physical abuse. Reports indicate Quiboloy personally beat victims and knew where to hit them so there would be no visible bruising.” KOJC refers to Quiboloy’s church, the Kingdom

of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name.

That’s a serious indictment of the televangelist, who is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted List for, among others, sex trafficking, fraud and coercion and bulk cash smuggling.

Quiboloy’s lawyers have decried the sanctions as politically motivated and questioned its timing. Between KOJC and Washington, however, you can see which one suffers from a credibility problem. Is BBM willing to be tainted with sleaze, particularly one involving child rape? On Sunday, December 11, Remulla said the government would gather “verified information” and seek legal advice from the US on Quiboloy’s case.

Shortly after the FBI released his wanted poster, Quiboloy appeared in public with Duterte, whose dislike for the US is no secret.

The Philippines under BBM has improved ties with Washington, but Quiboloy’s Sonshine Media Network International is Marcos’ (and his VP’s) favorite media organization. What if the US formally seeks Quiboloy’s extradition? *      *      *

Speaking of mass media, journalists are still targeted during the new administration, although this isn’t due to any systematic policy of the national government, but due to entrenched weaknesses in

the criminal justice system that breed impunity.

The murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid stands out for being one of the rare journalist killings perpetrated in Metro Manila, and of course because the accused mastermind is the suspended chief of the Bureau of Corrections – a holdover from the Duterte administration.

But the fact that the bizarre story behind the murder came to light and Gerald Bantag now faces criminal indictment together with his sidekick (now AWOL) plus hired guns and Bilibid inmates, is a plus for the new administration.

BBM now seems more relaxed with media organizations that he avoided during his election campaign. He has also said he would not block a new legislative franchise for ABS-CBN. This is noteworthy particularly because his father had also shut down ABS-CBN (plus all other independent media) when martial law was imposed.

Where there has been no improvement in the human rights department, as far as the Left is concerned, is in the approach to counterinsurgency.

The military continues to report lethal armed encounters with communist rebels. The Left maintains that there are no encounters, and those killed were summarily executed.

In this area, BBM is more like Duterte, supporting the military’s version of events.

BBM’s congressional allies have

ManilaTimes.net photo

absent when the economic managers forged their common position. Committees have a way of bending individual wills and convictions. Now, Medalla is portrayed in a joint press statement of the economic managers as fully supporting the Fund.

As it stands, the MWF is no longer “sovereign” nor about “wealth.” Without the contribution of GSIS and SSS and other excluded sources, it may be too modest for a sovereign fund. As for the word “Maharlika,” it is valid if by this we mean an edifice complex prone to hyperbole and incapable of real achievement. (Inquirer.net)

* * *

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

* * * doyromero@gmail.com

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang file photo

also approved the P10 billion funding for the National Task Force to End Communist Armed Conflict.

Junior’s VP has also retained the P150-million confidential fund for her education portfolio, which the Left also suspects will be used not just to protect school children from sexual predators and drug pushers but also from “subversive” ideas. But what the VP will do with the funds still remains to be seen.

Overall, in the light of the abuses during the first Marcos presidency, plus Duterte’s record in the past six years, when it comes to human rights, Marcos 2.0 is already a major improvement. (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.

With offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey Las Vegas, San Diego, Philippines

MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

IVY

Vice President -

in surveys on transparency and good governance. Unless the Philippines deals decisively with corruption, it cannot attain that quality of life. (Philstar.com)

THE continuing tussle over the Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF) reveals the nature of the controversy—it is an ongoing vote of confidence in the Marcos Jr. administration’s economic strategy. As things stand in the public sphere, the people’s verdict is leaning toward a vote of no confidence.

To defend press freedom, Hontiveros seeks decriminalization of libel

by Xave GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking the decriminalization of libel as she argued that the country’s libel laws have been used and abused to clamp down on the freedom of the press.

Senate Bill No. 1593, which Hontiveros filed last week, seeks to repeal portions of the Revised Penal Code on libel and the provision on cyber libel in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“Our libel laws have been weaponized to stifle very basic fundamental rights. These laws have been used to constantly attack many of our freedoms, but particularly the freedom of the press. We need to decriminalize libel if we are to truly defend press freedom,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

While Hontiveros’ proposal seeks to remove the criminal aspect of libel, it still allows people to institute actions for damages.

The opposition senator said cyber libel has been weaponized to silence journalists, whom she said were only doing their jobs. “If we don’t correct this, libel will continue to be used to kill

our freedom,” she said. Hontiveros announced that she filed the bill on the day that Baguio-based journalist and Rappler contributor Frank Cimatu was convicted of cyber libel by a Quezon City court over a 2017 Facebook post.

In 2012, the United Nations Committee on Human Rights declared that the continued

criminalization of libel in the Philippines violated the country’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Journalists in the country have long called to decriminalize libel, along with the graver cyber libel offense stipulated in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. g

3 more Cabinet members earn CA panels’ nod

MANILA – Three Cabinet

secretaries are nearing their final confirmation from the Commission on Appointments (CA) after getting the nod from the corresponding committees.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista told the CA Committee on Transportation that he is ready for the challenge to lead the sector that plays a vital role in the economy.

"Being an archipelago, land, sea, and air mobility are indispensable in our exchange of goods and services as well as our unity and cohesion as a people with shared goals among diverse local tranditions and practices," Bautista told the panel.

He expressed support to the proposal of Senator JV Ejercito for a long term, comprehensive masterplan for infrastructure development and transportation modernization, which he said he will endorse to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Kailangan po talagang magkaroon ng (We really must have a) long-term planning. There are countries, they plan up to 50 years. Dito po sa ating bansa, kailangan po talaga na iplano natin ang lahat ng (In our country, we really must

have plans for everything) infrastructure project for airports, for railways, for ports, for roads and bridges,” Bautista said.

The master plan, according to Ejercito, will pave the way for infrastructure development beyond the country’s urban centers and spur new growth development areas around the archipelago.

Housing backlog Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar admitted the Philippines still has a long way to go in providing decent shelters for informal settler families (ISFs) but as an experienced real estate developer, reiterated his commitment to address the backlog within Marcos’ six-year term.

"I am concerned with the informal settler families who are forced to stay homeless to sustain their source of living.

I have observed that previous public housing projects have been unsuccessful as families refuse to relocate away from the cities," Acuzar said.

"Hence, I am pushing to provide shelters to ISFs already living and working in cities to remain close proximity to their

livelihood," he added.

Acuzar started as a draftsman at Tondo Foreshore Redevelopment Project in 1975 and became a contractor in the 1980s before establishing the New San Jose Builders Inc. Road to recovery Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told the CA that he always considers it an honor serving the Filipino.

"As our nation continues its full recovery and advances its journey to prosperity, we're confronted with the rapidly changing market conditions and much uncertainty in this global environment. Challenged, yet unfazed," Balisacan said vowing to realize the Marcos administration's 8-point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Balisacan also served as NEDA chief under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III from 2012 to 2016.

He led the conception of the AmBisyon Natin 2040, a longterm vision and the basis for planning that aims to provide every Filipino with a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life by 2040. (PNA)

Qatar probing OFW death at World Cup site - official

WORLD Cup host Qatar is investigating the death of an overseas Filipino worker, an official said Thursday, December 8, after reports he died at a training base during the ongoing football tournament.

The death of a Filipino in his 40s was first reported on Wednesday by The Athletic sports website and later confirmed by the Philippines' Foreign Ministry.

The Athletic said the man fell off a ramp while repairing lights at a resort used as a training base by Saudi Arabia's national football team.

The report said he had not been wearing a harness. It did not specify the date of the accident. Saudi Arabia's run at the tournament ended on November 30 with a loss to Mexico.

"The incident is being investigated by the Qatari authorities," a Qatari government official said on

condition of anonymity.

"If the investigation concludes that safety protocols were not followed, the company will be subject to legal action and severe financial penalties."

Manila's Foreign Ministry on Thursday told AFP the man died "while working at a resort in Mesaieed," south of Doha.

Diplomats were "working with legal authorities to ascertain more details", the ministry said in a statement, adding it would facilitate "the earliest repatriation" of his body.

World football's governing body FIFA said it was "deeply saddened by this tragedy".

"As soon as FIFA was made aware of the accident, we contacted the local authorities to request more details," it said in a statement.

Qatar's World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said the site of the

accident was not under its jurisdiction.

The man who died -a contractor -- was also "not under the remit" of the committee, it said in a statement.

Migrant workers make up more than 2.5 million of Qatar's 2.9 million population and labour conditions have been strongly criticised -particularly in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Last month, Qatari authorities said 414 migrant workers died in labour accidents in the country between 2014-2020.

Under pressure from international unions, Qatar has undertaken labour reforms that have been praised. These include introduction of a minimum wage of 1,000 riyals ($260), and restriction of hours in which workers can go out in extreme heat.

The World Cup began on November 20 and ends on December 18. (Inquirer.net)

PERSONALIZED

photos by Ben Briones

Sen. Risa Hontiveros Philstar.com file photo

DOH abandoned dengvaxia children

by Paolo RomeRo Philstar.com

ENRAGED parents whose children have been continuously suffering from the alleged serious adverse effects of the anti-dengue Dengvaxia vaccine have assailed the Department of Health (DoH) for abandoning them when it reportedly failed to renew its memorandum of agreement (MoA) with private hospitals for a special lane for their kids.

The Samahan ng mga Magulang ang mga Anak ay Biktima ng Dengvaxia (SMABD) led by its president, Sumachen Dominguez, accused the DoH officials of being remiss in their duties.

"They appeared to have intentionally abandoned our children who have been continuously bearing the brunt of the serious side effects of this killer Dengvaxia vaccine," said Dominguez as she echoed the sentiments of other parents, including Rhea Lyn Jusayan who was also at the news briefing.

Dominguez said her child is still suffering from the adverse effects of the controversial antidengue vaccine but her case filed by the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) was dismissed by the panel of prosecutors under the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice (DoJ), along with 23 others, for lack of

vaccination cards.

The parents lamented that the DoH, now under Acting Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire whom they assailed for her stance against their interest since the latter was with former Health secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, did not renew its MOA with the Philippine Medical Association and Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines and Association of Hospital Administrators for an express lane for people injected with Dengvaxia vaccine who would seek medical treatment.

Another volunteer-parent, Angelica Dioquino, whose daughter died after receiving the jab due to severe dengue infection, told members of the Quezon City Press Club that their group has been helping other parents whose children are "surviving but are still suffering due to the serious side effects of Dengvaxia vaccine."

She added that there were no more Dengvaxia surveillance officers attending to them, unlike before when PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta came to their rescue and filed criminal and civil cases against those who carried out the mass vaccination for school children in 2016 and 2017.

The vaccination drive was led by former Health secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin.

The SMABD said there are at least 30 Dengvaxia survivors who

still need support from DoH for their medical needs.

They appealed to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to look into the plight of those inoculated with Dengvaxia, especially the children, in order to save their lives and have a bright future.

Rueda Acosta reassured the parents that she will not abandon them.

"The PAO and its lawyers will fight for you until you get the real justice for your innocent children who have either died or been continuously suffering because of Dengvaxia vaccine which was still experimental or under trial but was forced to be injected in 2016 on hapless schoolchildren and even on adults," Rueda-Acosta said. g

‘Marcos visit to China to set tone of relations’

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THE state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to China in early January 2023 will set the tone of relations between Manila and Beijing in the next five years, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

DFA Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial mentioned the President's scheduled trip to China during a symposium on Philippines-China relations hosted by the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday, December 12.

"The inaugural visit will

reaffirm our cordial, bilateral ties and set the tone of relations for the next five to six years," he said.

He said the Marcos administration "is keen on building on the gains of its predecessors and generations past."

"As you may be aware, the Department in close coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Manila and our Embassy in Beijing is working tirelessly ahead of the President's state visit to the People's Republic of China scheduled to take place in early January next year," he said.

He added Marcos will meet with President Xi Jinping "who invited him for the visit." Marcos and Xi met for the first time on the sidelines of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Conference) leaders meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in November.

"The visit will mark the President's first bilateral visit to a non-Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) country and his first visit to China after assuming the presidency," Imperial said. "This signifies the importance given by the administration to China as a bilateral partner by the current administration." g

Traffic solution eludes Metro

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

AS the Philippine economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic congestion has returned to hound Metro Manila motorists and commuters.

"Traffic is, counter-intuitively, a sign of progress. Any progressive city will start facing congestion. The issue is how quickly can infrastructure come up with solutions to be able to resolve that?" said George Royeca, CEO of the motorcycle hailing company Angkas on "Business and Politics," a weekly program on SMNI hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd.

Royeca said "people should realize by now that it really takes a whole of society approach" to prevent the metropolis' main streets from clogging up."

"To effectively solve the traffic issue, there should be a combination of the private sector and government efforts," he said. "And at the end of the day, we all would like mass transportation. That is really the most effective way to fix the traffic issue."

But the government acting alone "takes a lot of precious time" in finding ways to end traffic congestion, he said.

"The private sector needs to step in to come up with innovative solutions and hopefully we're one cog in this massive transport machine that keeps the wheel turning," he said.

Royeca considers the EDSA Busway a "good development," and added that there were also

efforts to push other types of traffic-easing schemes.

"But I think it is just a continuing thing. In the meantime, what we want to be is that 'feeder service' into the mass transport," he said.

Angkas helps the people beat the traffic by offering ridehailing, delivery or purchase services, Royeca said.

Right now, Angkas is largely used as a "point-to-point" service to move people.

"We could have done more in the infrastructure side. I think there are deficiencies in our transport sector, but eventually, what you'd like in a very mature and established metropolitan is that you have feeder systems coming from your home to the mass transport backbone," Royeca said.

He cited a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showing that P3.5 billion is lost every day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Royeca said this underlines the need for new and modern infrastructure.

"There are really productivity issues just on that [traffic] congestion from EDSA, but what it does not tell us is how it curtails our quality of life," he said.

He said it took a foreigner to point out to him that traffic congestion is "really an attack on the quality of life." Royeca said when his wife, who is a Singaporean, moved to the Philippines, the first thing she noticed was that Filipinos spent hours on the road commuting.

"In Singapore, everything

is just 30 minutes away maximum and on average about 15 minutes. As a Filipino, I was so de-sensitized on this issue that I thought it was just commonplace," he said.

Royeca said because of the choking traffic, people become overseas workers in their own city, having to spend hours just to travel to and from their workplace, depriving them of spending quality time with their loved ones.

"It is tragic that this is really happening. Traffic shackles your freedom. For some people, it is just mere congestion, but for most of us, what we do not realize is that it affects all your big and small decision in life; small decisions being how many meetings will I take today, where will I go to be more efficient in my time, big decisions like the social circle you keep. It affects where you choose to work, or send your children to school because you have to suffer from that daily trek," he said.

Royeca said it was trying to find more efficient ways of getting around the city that gave birth to Angkas.

"That is really where we realized how important an alternative form of transportation is [to] be able to move around the city more effectively and more efficiently," he said.

"We really need to take back our freedom. When we did Angkas in the beginning, we thought we were helping solve traffic, but we were actually bringing back freedom to the people. That is what resonated to so many commuters," Royeca said. g

GOLD MEDALIST. Senators, led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (6th from right), present a Senate Resolution to Filipina figure skater Sofia Lexi Jacqueline Frank (7th from right) for her impressive performance at the 2022 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy in Jakarta, Indonesia on Dec. 7-9 during the plenary session on Monday, Dec. 12. Frank bagged the gold medal in the senior women’s category of the sporting event. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

ormer Health secretary and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin ManilaTimes.net file photo

Innttroducing Ay va S ever y of HBO ’s ‘ The G arcias ’

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

“The

It

Ayva started her career at the age of five when she booked her first commercial, this was when she realized she wanted to do acting.

As a young performer, Ayva was more than excited to be a part of “The Garcias” family and in this interview, she shared her audition process, including the submission of self-tapes and the Zoom meetings that followed.

She is thankful that the show became a family for her and the rest of the cast. Shooting in Mexico for three months was the cherry on top as she shared it felt more like a vacation than work.

Ayva believes in the importance of diversity on the screen, especially for mixedrace children like her. She hopes that other kids who will get to watch the show will be able to relate to their characters.

“I am a mixed race. My mom is originally from Pampanga, Philippines and my dad is Caucasian (mix of Italian and Northern European). I have one older sibling,” Ayva told the Asian Journal.

Ayva has never been to the Philippines so it is her dream to go someday to meet her mom Rosalyn’s extended family.

“I hope to go in the near future. I would love to meet my extended family and visit the cool places I only get to see on the internet and taste the food. I love, love, love Filipino food!” she exclaimed, adding that her three favorite Filipino foods are arroz caldo, kare-kare & pancit Malabon In this interview, Ayva shares how

Ayva

she deals with rejection with the help of her mom who also acts as her manager. Her mom has prepped her enough to go through the process, keep learning and accept the outcome with an open heart and mind.

“The Garcias” picks up 15 years later when the brothers are all grownups and now have children of their own. The new extended García Family travels to the beautiful Riviera Maya in Mexico, a place full of self-discovery, where they will all learn what it really takes to be a “familia.”

How old were you when you realized you wanted to be in the entertainment industry?

I think I really realized I wanted to be an actor after shooting a few commercials.

Shooting the first commercial, everything was so new and I was still getting used to being on set. But, a few shoots later, when

I was told to draw, dance, or play, that was when I realized, I was really “working = acting”. This was a real thing! I saw the whole process, from start to end (from auditioning to shooting to seeing it on tv) and I loved every part of it. I told my mommy afterwards, “This is really fun! I wanna do more!”

What triggered that?

I fell into acting actually by accident. I love to talk. I’m always chatting and listening! My mommy’s co-workers kept telling her to get me into acting. One co-worker was getting her daughter’s headshots done, so she told us to get it done too. My mom posted my pic on the three casting websites, and agents reached out to my mommy, and one thing lead to another, and here I am.

How did you get the HBO/”The Garcias” project? What was the audition process like?

Crackerjack Management, my managers, submitted me for “The Garcias” project. The audition process was really fun. First step was a self-tape for the role of Alexa (older sister). Then, at the callback, I auditioned for the part of Alexa and Andrea. The final step was a Callback/Chemistry read and I only read for the part of Andrea. I was teamed up with my set parents (who already booked their roles), Elsha Kim and Jeff Licon. I remember getting called back into the zoom room several times and finding a different “Alexa”, as they were trying to cast the “Huh-Garcia” sisters.

The coolest part of this process was being told I got the part of Andrea on zoom with Trinity Bliss (Alexa). They asked us to redo the scene because there was a “tech issue.” I was the only one speaking with

Continued on Page 10

Severy Photos courtesy of Ayva Severy

Garcias” is a reboot of the Nickelodeon hit show, The Brothers García, which ran for four seasons from 2000-2003.

was a multi-award-winning series for its non-stereotypical portrayal of a family that just happened to be Latino.

MEET Ayva Severy, a Los Angeles-based child actress who can be seen on the HBO Max series called “The Garcias”. Ayva plays the role of Andrea Huh Garcia, the bi-racial, science-loving kid, who is the youngest of the Garcia family.

Like her character in “The Garcias,” Ayva loves learning about science.

Ayva Severy at the premiere of “The Garcias”

Taking the time to just be this Christmas

IT’S that time of year again. And every year, whether we like it or not, we go through the same rituals.

This is a time of winnowing and thinning, just like the fall season when we prepare for hibernation and rest and when balance must to be restored by slowing down the pace to bring back equilibrium.

For now, Christmas gives us a major reprieve. We have a solid excuse to find joy, peace and contentment and even rediscover what Christmas really means. Perhaps, stripped of the material layers, the Christ-centered core values of a truly meaningful Christmas will come to the fore AND take center stage.

Going through the motions, we assume that the emotion of joy should follow. We do the lists, mass email the e-cards, shopping for presents, the decor, the cooking, the parties — hoping that by doing all these we would have an infusion, a dose of the Christmas spirit within us.

Some people have it down to an art and science. They know the secret of being joyful in all kinds of weather. You can see it in the glimmer in their eyes, the extra bounce in their gait and the aura that they exude about them even if troubles of every kind assail them.

A great many, however, still feel empty even if they fill their time with activities and max out their cards at the shopping malls or on online purchases. Deep down, they know that things are just stuff, no matter how beautiful or how pricey.

The spirit of Christmas is a mystery. It cannot be pinned down. It cannot be put on. It is only when we dwell within the deep recesses of our souls that the true spirit of Christmas comes slowly, quietly, enfolding us in its warm embrace.

That somewhat elusive spirit will come and alight upon us like a butterfly during quiet moments when our senses are sharpest. Take a deep breath and experience Christmas with your senses. Lose the remote control. Break free of the electronic leashes for a little while. Take the time to JUST BE.

We can use our sense of sight and see, as though for the first time, the splendor of nature all around us — of trees garbed in vermilion red, yellow and gold putting on their finest raiment in quiet anticipation of some glorious event about to happen. We have cloudy mornings and periodic gentle rains these days in our neck of the woods this December but these too should bring us joy. The rains bring us cleaner oxygen to breathe in.

When the clouds clear out, a canopy of blue skies with light wisps of fluffy white clouds provide a backdrop for the verdant hills and mountains bathed in shafts of golden light. At night the streets are aglow with twinkling lights simulating the glow of millions of fireflies. Though a sight to behold, our puny human efforts pale in comparison with a glimpse of the universe just above our heads — stars that seem to shine brightest on the clearest skies about this time of the year.

Step out during a clear night, turn off the boob tube, get out of the rut of the insipid details and mundane activities that seem to pass for real life and look heavenward.

If you are patient, the sight of shooting stars and meteor showers might reward you.

Better yet, make a beeline for that awesome telescope at Griffith Observatory if you live near Los Angeles and prepare to be amazed. Stargazing can leave you breathless in the same way it has moved generations of men before us.

The best part about it is that like the air we breathe, the sight of the heavens is still absolutely free. The most awe-inspiring nightly galactic shows are at about this time of the year. Some nights, you might want to search the heavens for that one shining star that the Magi used as a guide to steer them by through the desert looking for the Christ Child more than two thousand years ago. It might just happen that during one of these nights while stargazing, you might rise above our puny mortal concerns and stand in awe of the majesty of creation.

That we are a part of it all puts everything in perspective. We may be tiny and insignificant but we are part of creation. We come to realize that human life is a gift and that what we do with that life is our gift in return.

As best as scientists can figure out, the universe is some thirteen and a half billion years old. Being aware of this mind-boggling spacetime continuum can take a huge bite out of our ego and our sometimes obsessivecompulsive self-absorption.

The sight of the heavens can cut down our bloated

Island Pacific Supermarket earns great place to work certification

ISLAND Pacific Supermarket is proud to be the first Asian Supermarket chain in the USA to be Certified™ by Great Place to Work®. This prestigious award is based entirely on anonymous employee surveys of what current employees say about their experience working at Island Pacific. Great Place to Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employerof-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience.

“Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t something that comes easily – it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place to Work. “It’s the only official recognition determined by employees’ real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that Island Pacific Supermarket is one of the best companies to work for in the country.”

Research shows that job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn

a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.

Maricel Aguilar, Island Pacific’s Director of R&D, has worked in several large multinational companies and according to her, “What makes Island Pacific stand apart from the rest is that it’s a company that puts people first! When I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, the company took care of me above and beyond my expectations. Not only did they keep me on the payroll with full pay and benefits for almost a year but after I recovered, they even built me a commercial home kitchen that enabled me to work from home.”

Island Pacific is grateful to all its staff who have dedicated much of their lives to helping the company achieve its mission. Many of its staff have

been with the company for over a decade while some have been there since the company was founded in the Year 2000. The company’s philosophy has always been that happy employees make for happy customers, which is why Island Pacific has always been known for the exceptional customer service it delivers.

If you want to grow your career at a company that puts its people first; visit Island Pacific’s careers page at: https://islandpacificmarket. com/careers/

Island Pacific is supermarket chain dedicated to promoting Filipino Food and Culture to the rest of the world. It is headquartered in City of Industry, California and currently has 18 supermarket branches serving communities in California and Las Vegas. (Advertising

Fil-Am H.E.R. wears ‘Beauty and the Beast’ costume with Baybayin script

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

her wearing one of her costumes in the special set to air on December 15 (December 16, Manila time) on ABC.

Many Filipino online users were quick to point out that the blue and white dress prominently features a Baybayin script that some inferred as the translation of Belle, the heroine of the story.

H.E.R. plays the role of Belle, opposite singer Josh Groban as

Beast in the TV special.

“I’m so honored to be able to play a Disney princess because, I mean, who doesn’t want to be a Disney princess? Of course, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is one of my favorites so my inner child was screaming,” H.E.R. said in the behind-the-scenes video and interview with her and Groban uploaded by ABC on its Instagram.

Both lead stars said the upcoming project is special and something that has not been seen before. Groban described it as a “mix of the theatricality and cinematic.”

H.E.R. revealed that the ABC special is something that is close to her.

“I’ve never done like this before. Of course, nobody has seen a black and Filipino Belle so it’s really cool that young Filipino Black girls get to see a Disney princess, you know, that looks like them,” she said.

Introducing Ayva Severy of...

From Page 9

Elsha at that time and she was improvising. I was always told by my coach, “always stay in character until they say cut.” So I stayed in character and continued my lines, even though Elsha kept saying, “You wanna be part of the cast, you have to go to Mexico!” My zoom & wifi were glitching, and I was only hearing bits and pieces. When I saw Trinity’s face light up, and then Elsha said, “You are going to Mexico,” that was when it hit me, I got the part!

How would you describe the experience working in the show? Did you face any challenges?

I had an amazing experience and so honored to play the role of Andrea in “The Garcias”. I was so lucky to work in Puerto Aventura, Mexico and it felt more like a vacation than actual work. Yes, I had to work and sometimes the hours were long, but we were working in paradise. The days off, the beach, the whole experience was magical and so fun!

The cast was so amazing too. My set family quickly became a “real” family after just a few days of work. I remember before we started shooting, the “OG” (original cast) and the new adult cast members took us (new generation Garcia kids) out for pizza and dessert. It was great because we got to know our set parents & set tios and tias in a non-work setting. It was so great because when we started working, it felt like we had known each other for a long time. It was also amazing to work with an amazing crew, who were so talented in what they do!

I think if I were to say one (minor) challenge, it would be the occasional quick turnaround with lines. As an actor, you have to memorize a lot. At times, I would get a change of script the night before, or on the spot- the same day. So being flexible and learning memory games that work best for me was important.

How do you deal with rejection at such a young age, especially when you don’t get the role you auditioned for?

First off, I love what I do, so that helps. I love to act and I learned that booking any role, is a process and it’s not easy. My mom taught me that rejection is ok and part of the process. She has always told me, “You are gonna hear “No” a lot, but if you love what you do, you have to be ok with it.”

At a young age, she taught me the saying, “Doors will close, but doors will also open!” I have learned that once I leave the audition room, and as long as if I tried my best, the decisions that are made after the callback or avail, are beyond my control.

What is your dream role?

I love this question. I love comedy. I think my dream role would definitely be a movie with Will Ferrel and something to do with holiday fun. I

watch Elf all the time, even if it is not the holidays, and I always am super happy watching it. I would love to be part of a movie that makes people laugh!

And, I would absolutely love to be a part of the Star Wars saga. I just love the storylines and the different characters. And the set location: OMG, to be able to work on these amazing sets. It would be such an honor to be part of something so well known.

What inspires you?

My mom inspires me. She always makes sure our family is taken care of, helps me with my acting career, and works so hard. When it comes to acting, we have no experience with the industry - everything is new. My mom never gives up and is always willing to learn. She asks questions, she listens, she researches and researches some more! I cannot forget my family. They are there for me always too.

And, seeing people do good things inspires me. I remember seeing a man pull over on a busy street to give the rain jacket to an unhoused citizen when it was raining. I love that! So, I am inspired to do small good hands-on things like that.

Every Thanksgiving day, my brother and I give out paper bag lunches for the unhoused citizens. Our first year, we gave out 42 bags. Our second year with the help of the community and friends, we gave out 72 bags. We hope to give out more this year and our goal is to add blankets or other items besides food and include more of our local community.

What memorable lessons have your mom/ dad taught you?

I think one of the most important lessons I have learned from my mom is, “Don’t Give Up! Stay strong. Doors will open and doors will close and to just keep at it!” In this business, you hear a lot more “NO” than Yes. So, I know I have to just do my best. I do add one part to the lessons above: reflection. If I feel like I could have done something differently, then I sit and reflect with my mommy. I think taking that quick “recheck” is important, so I won’t have the same mishap next time. But that’s it - I let it go afterwards. I do not sit and wonder or overthink. I move on to the next opportunity. If I do not get the job, there will be lots of opportunities in the future.

Another lesson I have learned from them is balance. Balancing school, work and fun is key. My mom and I put everything in our calendar and, we try not to wait last minute because things come up. My mom and I communicate a lot about how I am feeling because balancing everything can get hectic. So, I would tell kids who are new and starting in the business, “to work hard - never give up, but also give yourself a chance to take a break too!” I believe in the saying, “Work hard - play hard!”

Multi-awarded singer-songwriter H.E.R. stars as Belle in the upcoming ABC 30th anniversary special of “Beauty and the Beast.” Photos from Instagram/@abcnetwork

FILIPINA American singer and songwriter H.E.R. proudly wears her heritage for the upcoming 30th anniversary special of the beloved Disney favorite “Beauty and the Beast.” The behind-the-scenes photos and videos that features the multi-awarded artist shows

“ …Lose the remote control. Break free of your electronic leashes or a little while. Take the time to just be yourself …”

Nye County passes moratorium on renewable energy projects for at least 6 months

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

IN a bid to strike a balance between the desires and needs of the Nye County communities, to which Pahrump belongs to, the Nye County Board of County Commissioners issued a moratorium on all applications for renewable energy generation facilities, which includes solar energy projects.

In recent years, applications for these types of projects have come at a fast clip for Nye County. The county’s planning department, according to a report in the Pahrump Valley Times, requested the county commissioners to pass the resolution “instituting a temporary [six-month] moratorium on the processing of any future applications for permits for renewable energy generation facilities in order for the planning department to conduct discussions and hearings to determine whether amendments or changes to Nye County Code are necessary in order to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Nye County.”

Both local residents and representatives from solar companies spoke at a recent Nye county commissioners meeting where the item was included in the agenda. Residents spoke in favor of the moratorium, while solar company reps emphasized the need for the county to work with the renewable energy industry to develop standars that everyone could live by.

Part of the resolution passed, reads, “Whereas, the Nye County Planning Department has received a number of inquiries related to the creation and zoning of renewable energy generation facilities, which has resulted in a number of

comments and concerns being made by Nye County citizens and members of the general public. And whereas the Nye County Planning Department is under development pressure with inquiries and issues related to renewable energy generation facilities and… the Nye County Board of County Commissioners have been reviewing the Nye County Code with respect to renewable energy generation facilities and changes may be necessary…

“Whereas, several citizens of Nye County have publicly and privately questioned the provisions of the Nye County Code related to renewable energy generation facilities and the planning director is requesting the… board… pass a resolution instituting a temporary moratorium… to allow time for the planning department to study and research the proper classification, restrictions and requirements for renewable energy generation and other similar activities in Nye County and to propose amendments to the Nye County Code.

“Now therefore be it resolved, the Nye County Board of County Commissioners hereby adopt a temporary moratorium for a period not to exceed six months on the processing of any future applications for permits for renewable energy generation facilities and be it further resolved that said moratorium shall become effective immediately upon its passage…”

With the passage of the resolution, the Nye County Planning Department will work on scheduling public hearings so it can gather relevant information and data that can be used in the event that changes need to be made to the county codes for any renewable energy projects that will be developed in the future in Pahrump and other areas of Nye County.

This is another instance of government taking the reins in protecting the interests of its citizens by carefully looking at projects that are being considered for the future welfare of residents and businesses.

While renewable energy is at the forefront of people’s minds due to climate change, it is vital that the state, county, and city/town governments also look at the viability of projects, related costs, impact on the environment and local flora and fauna, and other factors that can affect the livability in the area.

Pahrump is a town that has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding in the late 19th century where large ranch-style holdings typified the area on which cotton and alfalfa were grown, and livestock raised.

It has gone through significant changes, and is one of the fastest-growing towns in the United States.

Big companies and franchises like The Home Depot, Burger King, Chevron, Coyote Corner, CVS Pharmacy, Domino’s, Davita, Enterprise, Family Dollar, US Bank, Bank of America, Taco Bell and Supercuts have established operations, along with hundreds of businesses that cater to the needs of the diversified, growing population of the town. Of course, Pahrump being in Nevada, there are a few hotel-casinos and legal brothels operating in town.

Pahrump is home to the Mountain Falls Golf Club, which has an 18-hole course co-designed by

architectural firms Nicklaus Design Group and Cal Olson Design.

It is also where Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club is situated, which has the longest road course in North America with over 6 miles of challenging racetrack that can be offered in more than 50 unique configurations. The facility is home to car racing schools, and also houses Spring Mountain Estates where luxury trackside homesites are being offered and built.

With affordability the name of the game right now in real estate, Pahrump is one of those cities and/or towns that keep popping up in due to the lower, affordable real estate prices and its location in Nevada – it is only about 62 miles west of gaming and entertainment hub/emerging sports capital Las Vegas. People who are priced out of the Las Vegas real estate market are looking at areas near the city, and Pahrump is one of those places that offers a quiet, more peaceful alternative to the

big city lights and traffic that are ever-present in Sin City.

I have helped many clients look for their piece of real estate heaven in Pahrump and in Las Vegas. I have decades of experience in assisting my clients find their American Dream, property-wise – one that fits their budgets and needs. Many of my clients have even become repeat buyers and investors, with some now reaping the benefits of their real estate investments via rentals or through Airbnb.

My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 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)

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (center) with her Pahrump investors – Ron Quilang (left), a Fil-Am Las Vegas resident who will be running for U.S. Congress in 2024, and Mico Osotio (right), his business partner – who looked at commercial properties in town.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (lower left) had lunch recently at the Symphony Restaurant in Pahrump with her repeat investors who are from Vallejo, CA.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (center) with Alka Products CEO Andrew Hoang and his fiancée Jenny Truong in Pahrump.

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.

Taking the time to just be this...

From Page 10

egos down to size. Even if we live to be a hundred, human life is just a blink of an eye in eternity.

The nose knows. That proboscis jutting out of our faces does a truly important function. Do handle it with

real care particularly during this season of colds and flu.

Well I did catch it and tried to stay away from people. It could have been worse if I didn’t get my flu shot.

Catching a cold or worse, the flu, deprives us of the enthralling, beguiling smells

of cooking and baking and sabotages our sense of taste as well.

If you have time, that glorious, welcome gift of all for most of us with far too many hats to wear OR if you can beg, borrow or steal just a few hours to allow you to meander about your days and nights and deliberately trudge paths off the beaten track of shopping and carousing during this season, take in more of the smells that lift you.

They call it aromatherapy. But in the unpretentious days of old, it was merely the simple act of smelling what smells good to make you feel good. Lavender is great. So is rosemary. Try crushing some of their leaves from the garden between your fingers and sniffing it. Lemon verbena’s dainty smell is sheer delight though passing and transient. Like glorious moments, the lemon verbena’s scent is so ephemeral but the delight to the senses while the scent lingers makes it all worthwhile.

Find out what beguiles your senses and let these bring you the delights of this blessed season. Don’t strain yourself or try too hard. Again, remember to picture the Christmas spirit as an elusive little butterfly that alights on you only when you are very still.

Let your senses soak it all in. The true Christmas spirit, once it dwells in you and suffuses your being stays on autopilot. It stays on to warm your heart all year round like embers that just need a little stoking from time to time to keep it burning.

All you are, with all your senses, is all you need TO JUST BE.

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

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

Fil-Am professor and eDiscovery professional discuss importance of technology in the legal field

ON Wednesday, November 30th, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Filipino Alumnus and Associate Professor Bobby Rimas of the American Legal Systems course at California State University, Los Angeles’ Downtown L.A. campus had a lecture regarding the importance of electronic discovery, also known as “eDiscovery,” and how it has changed the legal landscape. Mr. Rimas explained that eDiscovery is the electronic evidence, such as emails, texts, memorandums, etc. that legal teams obtain on behalf of their clients that may be submitted to court.

Mr. Rimas then introduced guest speaker Eric Vladimir De Leon, a Senior Manager and eDiscovery Professional at Ernst & Young who is a dedicated executive with over a decade of experience in eDiscovery, digital forensics, legal operations and information governance. Mr. De Leon went into further detail regarding electronic discovery and the related important legal cases that have impacted the legal community and how eDiscovery is often needed with sensitive and confidential government and private internal investigations. He

also discussed the Electronic Discovery Reference Model, which is the accepted model in which to process eDiscovery for many legal teams. Mr. De Leon earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the University of California, Riverside and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Rimas indicated that Mr. De Leon’s presentation was “…very informative and gave students a clear picture as to what eDiscovery professionals do and the importance of their work.”

In addition to being an

How courts determine child custody in California

Barrister’s Corner

legal custody is ordered by the court, either parent alone can make decisions concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child unless otherwise specified in the order.

ONE of the most emotional aspects of a marital dissolution case is dealing with child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1) physical custody and 2) legal custody. Physical custody may be awarded solely to one parent or jointly. Sole physical custody means that the child will reside primarily and under the supervision of one parent subject to visitation from the other parent upon order of the court. Family Code §3007 Joint physical custody on the other hand means that the child gets to spend frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Family Code §3004. The court would state specifically the periods of time the child will be under the supervision of each parent.

Legal custody on the other hand deals with the right and responsibility of a parent to make decisions regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child. Family Code §3006 Examples would be decisions such as where the child shall attend school, whether the child can travel to another jurisdiction or state, legal decisions involving the child. In cases where joint

In making its determination on child custody issues, the court considers various factors depending on the specific facts of the case. The court usually follows the public policy of ensuring and encouraging the child’s frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the divorce unless it would not be in the best interest of the child. Fam. Code §3011. If the court is inclined to order sole custody to one parent, the consideration boils down to which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent.

Family Code §3040(a)(1). A major factor that would tilt the courts decision are incidents or history of child abuse and domestic violence. This can be from the part of a parent, a parent’s co-habitant, or other person to whom a parent has a relationship with. The childs amount and nature of contact with the parents is also another factor considered. Fam. Code §3011(c). Other factors that can be considered are the parent’s use of controlled substance, prior criminal convictions and registration as a sex offender, and existence of restraining order against a parent.

The family code requires that the parties go to mediation and attempt to agree on the custody issue prior to the court hearing the contested case. Family Code §3170(a). If the case is not settled in mediation, it gets

decided in court through a contested hearing. At times, the court will order a child custody evaluation if it determines that it would be in the best interest of the child. The court may also appoint a minor’s counsel if it feels it would be in the best interest of the child. Family Code §3150(a). The court retains continuous jurisdiction over issues of child custody and support until the child reaches 18. This means the order may be modified all throughout this period if there has been a change in circumstances.

* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.  The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.  This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC.  This article is not a solicitation.

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Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com Visit us at www. kenreyeslaw.com.

Freedom from debt: When bankruptcy is the best option

Minding Your Finances

MANY people find themselves in the position of facing overwhelming debt, with constant calls from creditors and no obvious way out. For some, job loss sent them into a downward spiral, and they are now unable to pay their bills and meet their responsibilities. For others, a recent divorce or costly medical emergency drained their resources, leaving them in a very difficult financial situation.

In situations like the above, bankruptcy can be used as a tool to stem the tide and to find a way to turn your situation around before things get any worse. Unfortunately, a lot of people are fed all kinds of misinformation about bankruptcy. They may have heard that bankruptcy will only make their situation worse and/ or that if they do file bankruptcy, it will take them forever to

rebuild their credit.

Sadly, some of this misinformation also comes from well-meaning friends and family who just tell you what they have heard from others, without verifying whether such information was even true or not. So, what often happens is that people who need help so badly end up doing NOTHING for fear of making a mistake.

The important thing to remember is that no one solution fits every situation. Your financial situation should be carefully evaluated by an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who can help you understand the options you may have available.

By doing this, you can make an informed choice in taking the steps needed toward financial freedom. As a bankruptcy attorney, I always see people who have been stuck in their financial suffering for years because of their inaction- when they could have acted much sooner before draining all their financial resources to keep their head above water. Don’t let this happen to you.

Debt problems can happen to anyone. I understand that

they can be overwhelming and can cause a lot of sleepless nights and constant worrying about the future. But things don’t have to be that way and you may have options that you didn’t even know existed. There is no shame in filing bankruptcy if that is what you need to do to start over and provide a better future not only for yourself and your family. That is what the federal bankruptcy laws are for- to help people who can no longer help themselves.

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 1-866477-7772 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 situation. Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped more than 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free evaluation of your situation, please call his office at TOLL- FREE 1-866-477-7772.

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

Associate Professor, Bobby Rimas is a Paralegal at the Larson LLP law firm. He is also the Vice Chair of the Special Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization. Mr. Rimas graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History from UCLA and a Master of Legal Studies degree, cum laude, from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He is the Past Chair/President of the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association and Past President of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association.

From Left: Eric Vladimir De Leon, CFE and Associate Professor Bobby Rimas, M.L.S. at California State University, Los Angeles.