121819 - Southern California Midweek Edition

December 18-20, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 97 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

De Lima tells Locsin: US senators’ reso on EJK, rights abuses in PH ‘legal, binding’ by chRistia

MaRie Inquirer.net

RaMos

DetAineD senator Leila De Lima on monday, December 16, turned the tables on foreign Affairs secretary teodoro Locsin Jr. for calling as “idiotic” a U.s. senate resolution calling for her immediate release.

“You cannot be that naïve or close-minded in failing or refusing to see what the rest of the world sees: that the charges against me are pure fiction, a product of orchestrated lies assembled by certain officials and operators on explicit orders of Duterte as the highlight of his Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

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Philstar.com photo

USA

DATELINE Fil-Am educator named president of Anaheim Elementary School Board

WARM WELCOME. President Rodrigo Duterte is greeted by the children from various Indigenous Peoples tribes in Mindanao at the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-11 in Davao City.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

Pope Francis celebrates ‘Simbang Gabi’ in the Vatican

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

A fiLiPino American educator will serve as the president of Anaheim, California’s elementary school District Board of education for the coming year.

Jose Paolo magcalas, an ethnic studies and Pope Francis United states history teacher at Loara high school, was elected to lead the school district’s board during its annual organizational meet-

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Inquirer.net photo

A neW poll released on monday, December 16, showed that no presidential candidate is a clear favorite yet among likely voters in California. the results come days before a scheduled Democratic debate in Los Angeles, and a few months before California primary elections take place in march. the Change research poll was conducted for public media outlet KQeD over the course of five days, and surveyed 1,565 likely general election voters in California, including 862 likely Democratic primary voters.

Closely leading in popularity among California Democratic primary voters in December were Bernie sanders (26%), elizabeth Warren (23%), and Joe Biden (19%). following were Pete Buttigieg (12%), Andrew Yang (4%),

added. the Pope also told the filipinos to “continue being smugglers of faith,” referring to how overseas filipino workers “smuggle” their faith even to places where it is dangerous to be Catholic like the middle east. father ricky Gente, chaplain of filipinos in rome, expressed his gratitude to the Pope before the end of the mass.

“Almost 500 years ago, european missionaries planted the seed of faith in our beloved

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P200-B forfeiture case vs Marcoses dismissed by elizabeth

MaRcelo Philstar.com

efforts to recover billions of pesos of wealth allegedly amassed by the marcos family during the martial law regime have again suffered a major setback ostensibly due to the failure of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to present sufficient evidence in court. in a 58-page decision promulgated mondayt, December 16, the sandiganbayan fourth Division dismissed Civil Case no.

Jose Paolo Magcalas, an ethnic studies and United States history 0002 filed by the PCGG against the marcos teacher at Loara High School, was selected to serve as president family in 1987. of Anaheim Elementary School District’s board of trustees for the case sought to recover from the late the upcoming year. dictator ferdinand marcos, his wife imelda and their children — sen. imee marcosmanotoc, former senator ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. and irene marcos-Araneta — a total of P200 billion in wealth allegedly amassed from government coffers during their family’s 20-year reign.

Also named as defendant in the case was

Californians have yet to find favorite presidential candidate, finds new poll

WhiLe simbang Gabi (night mass) has been held four times at the saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, it was the first time that it was led by Pope francis on sunday, December 15. in his homily, the Pope acknowledged the role of filipino migrant workers in the growth of Catholicism, saying that while the Simbang Gabi has been held in the Philippines for centuries, “in recent decades, thanks to

filipino migrants, this devotion has crossed national borders and has arrived in many other countries.”

“You, dear brothers and sisters, who have left your land in search of a better future, have a special mission. Your faith should be leaven in the parish communities to which you belong. today i encourage you to increase opportunities for meeting to share your culture and spiritual wealth while at the same time allowing yourselves to be enriched by the experiences of others,” he

the dictator’s alleged dummy, Constante rubio. “(the) Court acknowledges the atrocities committed during martial law under the marcos regime and the ‘plunder’ committed on the country’s resources. however, absent sufficient evidence that may lead to the conclusion that the subject properties were indeed ill-gotten by the marcoses, the Court cannot simply order the return of the same to the national treasury,” the fourth Division’s decision read. the ruling was penned by division chairman Associate Justice Alex Quiroz with the concurrence of Associate Justices maria theresa mendoza-Arcega and maryann Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa Corpus-mañalac. filed by the PCGG in July 1987, the information of the case has undergone three amendments until 1998.

Based on the amended case information, the marcos couple illegally amassed their wealth through confiscation of large

Dela Rosa to inquire about reported US visa cancellation

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Palace on Maguindanao massacre verdict: Justice should always prevail by alexis

RoMeRo Philstar.com

mALACAñAnG on tuesday, December 16, expressed hope that justice would prevail in the maguindanao massacre case as the nation awaits the promulgation of the verdict on what is now known as the worst incident of election-related violence in the country. the ruling on the high-profile case will be read on December 19 at the Quezon City Jail Annex in Camp Bagong Diwa, taguig u PAGE A2 City, more than ten years after the infamous

Philstar.com photo

massacre left 58 people, including 32 media workers, dead. the incident has placed the Philippines in the list of countries tagged as worst impunity offenders, with the country ranking fifth behind somalia, syria, iraq, and south sudan in the 2019 Global impunity index. “the court will decide on the basis of evidence so we hope that justice will be given to the parties, especially for the prosecution,” presidential spokesman salvador Panelo said in an interview.

Justice should always prevail,” he added.

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by AJPress senAtor ronald “Bato” dela rosa on monday, December 16, said he has not received a confirmation from the U.s. embassy about his visa being cancelled due to his key role in President rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs. “i have heard rumors about it, but i have not received any official confirmation [from the U.s. embassy in manila]. But i’m planning to send them a letter,” he told reporters.

“Granting if that is true, that the basis of cancellation is the involvement in eJK (extrajudicial killings), well they are very biased. they are misinformed. they are misled by their infor-

mants,” he added.

Dela rosa is a former police chief in Davao City. he was later named as head of the Philippine national Police and led the antidrug campaign, oplan tokhang, which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 drug suspects. he said he is not happy about the ban, and that it is one of the reasons why he did not watch the July 20 fight of his colleague and friend, boxing champion sen. manny Pacquiao, against American boxer Keith thurman at the mGm Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, nevada.

“Who will be happy with it? i could no longer visit my siblings and their children in the United states. i could no longer watch

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A December 18-20, 2019 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

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

From the Front Page

De Lima tells Locsin: US senators’...

PAGE A1

personal vendetta against me,” De Lima said in a dispatch from Camp Crame.

De Lima, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, has been in detention inside Camp Crame — headquarters of the Philippine National Police — since February

2017 on drug charges, which the lady senator has repeatedly denied and branded as “trumped-up.”

In a tweet over the weekend, Locsin said “(E)ven a Philippine Senate resolution is not one of the ways of ending a criminal trial; there’s only acquittal or conviction or dismissal by a demurrer to

evidence.”

“But a U.S. Senate resolution?

Aside from separation of powers there’s the independence of nations,” he pointed out.

But De Lima argued that there are other ways to end a criminal trial.

“Sec. Locsin said only an acquittal, a conviction, or the granting of a demurrer can end a criminal trial. He forgets his criminal procedure and fails to mention withdrawal of the Information, desistance from pursuing the case or failure to prosecute, all by the prosecution, as other ways of ending a criminal trial,” she said.

The detained senator explained the U.S. Senate does not really expect the Philippine government to follow its demand as if they had the authority to order it.

What the U.S. senators only wanted to point out, De Lima said, is that “there are consequences to my continuous persecution by Duterte and his officials” including the entry ban and and freezing and forfeiture of U.S. assets.

The resolution, approved by the Senate committee on foreign relations, called on U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against Philippine government officials responsible for “orchestrating” De Lima’s arrest and those responsible for extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

The U.S. law authorizes the U.S. president to block or revoke U.S. visas and to freeze U.S.based property and interests in property of foreign persons who have engaged in extrajudicial killings or other rights abuses, as well as government officials who are engaged in or responsible for significant acts of corruption.

“Locsin knows or ought to know that this threat of consequences is perfectly legal and binding insofar as the U.S. is concerned,” De Lima went on.

De Lima said the foreign affairs secretary could still choose whether to “continuously identify” himself as “among the cohorts or enablers, or regain your brilliant legal mind.”

“I am sure the former is already tiresome, as you yourself must admit that among them, you are in the company of idiots,” she said. n

MISSA DE GALLO. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle blesses the faithful during the first dawn Mass held on Monday, December 16, at the Manila Cathedral.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

Pope Francis celebrates ‘Simbang Gabi’...

PAGE A1 Philippines. We are happy and blessed because after 5 centuries, we are here in Europe and throughout the world, transmitting the joy and the beauty of the Gospel,” he said.

“Yes, it is true, we carry with us, wherever we go, the torch of faith of the Gospel in the world

— the same faith and Gospel that has been transmitted to us,” he added.

This was the first time a pope led a Simbang Gabi, highlighting even further the mark the Philippines is making on the global Catholic map after Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was appointed as the new prefect of the Congre-

gation for the Evangelization of Peoples by Pope Francis.

“In many spots on the Catholic map, including parts of the U.S., Filipinos today are the new Irish, meaning missionaries who keep local churches alive,” Veteran Vatican analyst John Allen had noted after Tagle’s appointment. n

Dela Rosa to inquire about reported US...

PAGE A1 Pacquiao’s fight. So I’m offended by it,” he said.

According to Dela Rosa, he will seek reconsideration from the U.S. government if it is allowed.

“If that’s allowed, then maybe. But if they don’t want to

reconsider, then we cannot do anything about it,” Dela Rosa said.

“Will it be degrading for the Republic of the Philippines if a senator makes an appeal to let him enter America again? If it will, then I may no longer ask for an appeal,” he added.

The senator also said that he has no intention of visiting the U.S. at this point.

“Anyway, that is just a privilege, not a right. If I’m barred from entering [the United States], it’s okay. I have already experienced [staying in] America at least twice,” he said. n

Palace on Maguindanao massacre...

PAGE A1 “Panelo, a former lawyer for Andal Ampatuan, Jr., a principal suspect in the massacre, said he has not spoken to President Rodrigo Duterte about the promulgation. He declined to comment further, admitting that anything

he says about the case would be viewed as biased.

The Maguindanao massacre took place on Nov. 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town and is also viewed as the worst single attack on the press.

The massacre victims were

on their way to a local election office to witness the filing of the certificate of candidacy for then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when they were flagged down and shot dead by armed men in Ampatuan town. n

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A

P200-B forfeiture case vs Marcoses...

PAGE A1 private enterprises, “particularly those belonging to opponents of the Marcos regime;” conversion of government-owned and controlled corporations into private enterprises; awarding of various government contracts to their relatives, business associates and dummies; misappropriating to themselves funds from government financial institutions including donations and loans from foreign countries.

The PCGG said the Marcoses also obtained massive loans, guarantees and other types of financial accommodations from government banks through overpriced projects; received kickbacks, commissions and bribes from persons and corporations entering into contracts with the government; established monopGIANT LANTERNS. The colorful Christmas display of giant lanterns (parol) at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas light up this portion of Roxas olies in commerce particularly in Boulevard in Manila. The display of lanterns at home and offices is a popular Christmas holiday tradition of Filipinos. agriculture and gambling; and ilPNA photo by Avito C. Dalan legal sale of various government corporations and properties.

The PCGG said the illegally acquired wealth were stashed by the Marcos couple in several PAGE A1 banks locally and abroad, as well ing on Wednesday, December as in several foundations.

11. He previously served as the The PCGG said the couple board’s clerk for the past year.

Fil-Am educator named president of Anaheim...

His term will last until November 2020, during which a “top priority is to bring ethnic studies to all classes throughout [the] district,” Magcalas told the Asian Journal in an email.

“Ethnic studies is so important for the community. It is the community. It is our histories.

Histories that are oftentimes not told in textbooks. It’s about making real change in our communities,” he added. “Discussing problems we face in relation to history. It’s about civic participation and engagement. It’s about empowerment. Education, especially social studies education, is not about memorizing dates and facts.”

In his ethnic studies class, Magcalas encourages students to research issues in the community and find ways to address and engage with them. His hands-on teaching method garnered him the recognition as one of the top 25 teachers in Orange County according to O.C. Parenting Magazine in 2016.

A resident of Anaheim for three decades, his personal involvement in local groups caught the attention of several residents who encouraged him to run for a vacant seat on the school district’s board. Magcalas was elected to the board in November 2016 to represent Trustee Area 3, which

Jose Paolo Magcalas, incoming president of Anaheim Elementary School District’s board of trustees, poses with his mother Marilou Dazo during the board meeting on Wednesday, December 11.

covers five schools in the southwest region of the city. He is one of five members serving a fouryear term, and will seek re-election in 2020.

As a board trustee, the FilAm educator has pushed for a resolution to offer dual language immersion — giving students the opportunity to learn two languages — during the current school year as well as putting copies of “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong” by the late historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and writer Gayle Romasanta in all 23 elementary schools in the district.

The Anaheim Elementary School District serves over 17,300 students at 23 schools.

During the 2018-19 school year, 1.4% of students in the district identified as Filipino, according to data from the California Department of Education.

With his position, Magcalas hopes to engage the local Filipino American community to be a part in shaping elementary education in the district.

“They can go to our board meetings which meet twice a month and provide public comments,” he said. “I’m an open book and would love to hear from everyone and anyone from the Filipino American community.”

In addition to his classes at Loara High School, Magcalas teaches part time in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Chapman University and is turning his dissertation into a book.

He received his bachelor of arts degree from California State University, Long Beach, master of arts degree in education from Pepperdine University and his Ph.D. in education from Chapman University. (AJPress)

also used the funds for the purchase of real estate and shares of stocks.

Among the supposed ill-acquired assets of the Marcoses identified by the PCGG in its complaints were deposits at the Security Bank and Trust (P976 million) and Traders Royal Bank (P711 million); 33 parcels of residential properties with an estimated value of P18 million and 21,700 hectares of agricultural land in Leyte with an estimated value of P33 million; shares of stocks with the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) estimated at P1.6 billion; deposits in several banks in the United States estimated at $292 million; investments in financial houses, industrial and mining corporations in the US at approximately $98 million, as well as unvalued real properties in Manhattan, Long Island and Fifth Avenue in New York, a penthouse in London, residential houses in Honolulu, Hawaii, Beverly Hills, California and Cedars, Mississippi.

Apart from the forfeiture in favor of the government of the Marcoses’ alleged unlawfully

acquired wealth, the PCGG also prayed to the court to order the former first family to reimburse the government P250 million representing the expenses it incurred in efforts to recover the wealth.

The PCGG also sought P50 billion in moral damages and P1 billion in exemplary damages.

The PCGG said the Marcoses must also be compelled to pay temperate damages, nominal damages and other judicial costs, the amounts of which shall be determined by the court.

In its decision, however, the Fourth Division said the PCGG, represented in court by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), merely presented photocopied documents with no proof of the existence of the originals, in violation of the best evidence rule.

The court noted that even the PCGG’s own witness, its records officer Ma. Lourdes Magno, admitted during her testimony that she cannot state for certain whether the originals of the PCGG’s documentary exhibits, including the income tax returns

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A December 18-20, 2019 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

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US donor turns over Amorsolo Dateline PhiliPPines paintings to Philippine consulate Robredo defers release of drug war report

by Pia lee-Brago Philstar.com

TWO works of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo have been turned over to the Philippine consulate general in San Francisco by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)’s Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Investigations Division.

An anonymous donor from the San Francisco Bay Area turned over the paintings to the HSI. The paintings have themes of harvest time in the Philippine countryside.

Reports said the donor’s father bought the Amorsolo paintings when he was serving as a military policeman in the Philippines. After his death a few years ago, his family deemed Filipinos deserve to own and appreciate the Amor-

solo paintings.

According to the HSI, there was nothing unlawful about the turnover of the paintings.

Consul General to San Francisco Henry Bensurto Jr. received the paintings last month and signed a Deed of Donation with HSI Special Agent in charge Tatum King.

In his remarks, Bensurto thanked the HSI for its work and welcomed its officers and guests from the Filipino American community to the formal turnover of the paintings.

He revealed a Museo ng Lahing Pilipino or Museum of the Filipino Race is being developed by the consulate general to showcase to younger generations of Filipinos in the United States the rich Philippine history and cultural heritage.

“Through the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino and programs of the Philippine government, particularly the Sentro Rizal in San Francisco, we aim to increase awareness and appreciation of our Philippine history and culture,” Bensurto said. Indonesian Consul General to San Francisco Simon D.I. Soekarno also attended the event.

Amorsolo is the first National Artist awardee. The award is conferred on Filipinos who have made a significant contribution to Philippine arts.

HSI’s work also covers investigating illicit importation and distribution of cultural property and art. The office has also been coordinating with foreign governments for the return of cultural objects illegally acquired by some traders under its jurisdiction. n

merCurio Philstar.com

WITH fewer women in key government positions, the Philippines has dropped out of the top 10 most gender-equal countries for the first time.

The report found that the political empowerment gap in the country has widened considerably over the past two years, which caused its ranking to drop from 13th to 29th.

“This downgrade is almost entirely attributable to lower female representation in the Cabinet, which declined from 25 percent to 10 percent between 2017 and 2019,” the World Economic Fo-

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) Metro will hold an industry forum on January 9, 2020, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Metro Headquarters, Board Room, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 to present an overview of the Link Union Station (Link US) Project and discuss the Construction Manager General Contractor integrated delivery approach for the project.

The agenda includes: an overview of the project, third party utilities, environmental/archeological information, overview of the draft statement of work, and stakeholder requirements. The forum will provide an opportunity to network with other contractors.

Metro will hold one-on-one meetings with potential prime Contractors who have a bonding capacity of more than $500 million.

The one-on-one meetings will be held on January 10, 13, and 14 on a first-comefirst service basis. Requests for one-on-one meetings must be submitted by January 3rd to Fred Origel at origelf@ metro.net. Please provide your name, firm contact information, names and titles of all attendees and preferred meeting date. The meeting request must include a letter (attached to email) from a surety or insurance company stating that your firm can obtain a performance and payment bond in an amount greater than $500 million. Metro will schedule oneon-one meetings in its sole discretion on a case-by-case basis and will allow approximately 2 hours for each meeting. Meeting confirmations will be sent

by January 7th.

Firms interested in submitting a proposal as a prime should participate in the Small Business Networking Event immediately following the Industry Forum on January 9, 2020 from 2:30pm – 4:30pm.

To register your firm for the networking event, contact Olga Lopez at lopezo@metro.net by Monday, January 6, 2020.

Firms interested in the project that are not able to be a prime or cannot provide proof of bonding capacity over $500 million, are welcome to submit written responses to the discussion items. Discussion items will be presented at the forum and posted on the Link US website below. Written comments must be submitted to Fred Origel by January 15th.

You may obtain additional information about the Link US project at: https://www.metro. net/projects/link-us/ 12/18/19 CNS-3323441# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

rum (WEF) said.

WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020 showed the country fell eight spots to rank 16th out of 153 economies, from last year’s eighth spot out of 149 countries.

This is the first time that the Philippines ranked lower than 10th in the Global Gender Gap Index.

The country’s lowest rank in the index prior to this year’s outcome was when it placed 10th in 2017. It achieved its highest rank in 2013 when it held fifth spot.

“The Philippines has closed 78 percent of its overall gender gap.

Once a member of the top 10 on the Global Gender Gap Index, the country now ranks 16th as a result of a small decline in its score,” the WEF report said.

The Philippines’ overall score of 0.781 ranks second best in East Asia and the Pacific next to New Zealand and is the highest in Asia.

Despite slipping in this year’s ranking, WEF said the Philippines’ performance was strong

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP NO. E747-20 (SCORE) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT (PMC) SERVICES The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Authority) is seeking to retain a consultant for (SCORE Program Management Consultant (PMC) Services to support the Metrolink SCORE Program Team across a wide range of project functions and activities. The Authority intends to award a single contract for this procurement.

The period of performance for this project shall be a five-year base period and two two-year options.

Requests for Proposal (RFPs) may be obtained via download at: http://www.metrolinktrains. com/doing_business. (Vendors must register on the website in order to download the document). Electronic Proposal Submittals are due at 2:00 p.m.

(PST) on January 15, 2020. Hard copies of the proposals are due at 2:00 p.m. (PST) on January 17, 2020.

The Authority will conduct a Pre-Proposal Conference at 9:00 AM PST on Monday, December 16, 2019, at the Authority’s Dispatch Operations Center located at 2704 Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768.

The contract to be awarded is subject to a financial assistance agreement between the Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) under grants issued by the Federal Transit Authority. In conformance with the Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy and Program, the Authority has established a 21% DBE contract-specific goal on this project. Prime Proposers will be required to either meet the DBE goal or submit a Good Faith Effort (GFE) demonstrating intent to meet the goal for their Proposal to be deemed responsive to DBE Program requirements.

For further information contact: Marjorie Morris-Threats, Senior Contracts and Compliance Administrator at MorrisThreatsM@scrra.net.

12/18/19 CNS-3323274# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

nova Joy Dela ManilaTimes.net

Cruz

VICE President (VP) Maria Leonor Robredo has deferred the release of her report on the government’s anti-drug campaign because of the strong earthquake that struck Davao del Sur on Sunday, December 15.

Robredo was set to release the report on Monday, December 16. However, she said it would not be right to discuss her recommendations amid the search and rescue operations being carried out in quake-hit areas.

“Ngayong umaga, nakaschedule sana ‘yung ating ulat sa bayan. In fact, nandito na ‘yung report. It’s a 40-page report na ‘yung usapan sana, sasabihin ko together with the recommendations pero dahil sa nangyaring malakas na paglindol sa Davao del Sur, saka sa mga katabing probinsya, gaya ng South Coacross three of four dimensions tabato, minabuti namin na ipagof the index – economic participaliban muna (The report to pation and opportunity, educathe people was scheduled this tional attainment, health and morning. In fact, the report is survival, and political empowerhere. It’s a 40-page report that I ment. was supposed to share together The country closed 80 percent with the recommendations, but of the economic participation due to the strong quake in Davao and opportunity gender gap, with del Sur and in nearby provinces women outnumbering men in selike South Cotabao, we decided nior and leadership roles, as well to postpone it),” Robredo said in as in professional and technical a news conference. professions — only one of four She noted that data from the countries to achieve such a feat.

It has also closed both its educational attainment and health and survival gender gaps.

WEF said women in the Philipby BernaDette tamayo pines could expect to live in good ManilaTimes.net health five years longer than SENATE Minority Leader Frankmen. A significantly larger share of women is also enrolled in sec- lin Drilon on Monday, December ondary education and tertiary 16, said the Senate and the Filipino people would reject Charter education compared with men.

“Female representation in the change (Cha-cha).

Echoing the statement made by parliament was also slightly down and stood at 28 percent at the be- Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Drilon claimed that the proposal ginning of 2019,” it added.

Overall, Iceland remained the to amend the 1987 Constitution is world’s most gender-equal coun- not a priority in the Senate.

“If the House of Representatives try, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Nicaragua. Complet- would insist on passing Cha-cha, ing the top 10 in this year’s in- make it a point to include their redex were New Zealand, Ireland, turn address, because the Senate and the Filipino people will not acSpain, Rwanda and Germany.

The Global Gender Gap In- cept it,” the senator said in a statedex was first introduced by the ment on Monday.

“Our counterparts in the lower WEF in 2006 as a framework for capturing the magnitude of gen- house have the fighting spirit of der-based disparities and track- a Filipino athlete. I do not want to ing their progress over time. It dampen their spirit, but their Chabenchmarks national gender cha is doomed,” he added.

Sotto agreed. gaps on economic, education, “We cannot prevent them from health and political criteria. n doing so. To each his own,” he said.

But he noted that Cha-cha “has a chance” to proceed in the Senate if it aims to amend economic provisions. “[Cha-cha to amend] Economic [provisions]? Yes, [we’ll support].

[But] other provisions? I’m not PAGE A3 convinced,” Sotto said in a text (ITRs) of Marcos Sr., were in the message.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said “the possession of the PCGG. “The bulk of the documentary manner of voting must be reevidence offered by the plaintiff solved first before we even partici(PCGG) are mere photocopies, most of which are barely readable. Thus even if the Court were to defy the best evidence rule, it PAGE A1 still could not fully ascertain the Michael Bloomberg (3%), Tulsi contents of these documents and Gabbard (3%), Julián Castro make an intelligent evaluation (3%), and Tom Steyer (2%). therefrom,” the Fourth Division Breaking support down by said. age, Sanders had the lead among The court said no witness was 18-34 year-old voters in Califoralso presented to testify on the nia (39%), followed by Warren execution or preparation of a few (26%), and Yang (13%). Sanddocuments which were already ers also had more support among admitted by the defense as faith- 35-49 year-old voters (32%), folful reproduction of the originals. lowed by Biden (26%) and WarThus, those documents could ren (13%). also not be given probative value However, among voters 50as they are considered “hearsay 64 years old, Warren (26%) evidence.” took the lead followed by Biden “Thus, regardless of how the (9%) and Buttigieg (9%). Warmembers of the Court may feel ren also took the lead among towards the case, the Court is voters 65 years and older (27%) mandated to look only into the over Biden (26%) by one point, applicable law and jurisprudence, followed by Sanders (17%) and and the evidence presented to it, Buttigieg (17%). in determining whether the alThe statewide online poll was legations of the claiming party the first to be conducted since should be sustained,” the Fourth California Senator Kamala Harris Division said. announced she was dropping out This marked the fourth civil for- of the race earlier this month. In feiture case against the Marcoses October, Harris came in fifth with dismissed by the Sandiganbayan 8% support. this year. The anti-graft court Strong AAPI support for had earlier dismissed Civil Case Biden and Yang Nos. 0007, 0008 and 0034 which For surveyed Asian American sought to recover from the for- and Pacific Islander (AAPI) votmer first family ill-gotten wealth ers, most reported support for amounting to P267.371 million, Biden (32%) and Yang (28%).

P1.052 billion and P102 billion, Sanders followed with 17% suprespectively. port, with other candidates reIn all of these four dismissed ceiving less than 10% support. cases, the Sandiganbayan Among black voters, Biden far stressed the PCGG’s blunder of surpassed other candidates with presenting mere photocopied 47%, followed by Warren (13%) documents as well as its failure and Cory Booker (12%). Sandto present competent witnesses ers was the leader among Latino privy to the execution of its docu- voters at 37%, followed by Warmentary exhibits. ren (17%) and Biden (16%). For There were a total of 43 civil white voters, Warren (31%) lead forfeiture cases filed by the Sanders (23%), Buttigieg (21%), PCGG at the Sandiganbayan and Biden (15%). against the Marcos family and “Interesting to note that when their cronies since Marcos Sr.’s it comes to nonwhite voters, we ouster through the 1986 mass see that Julián Castro and Anrevolt. To date, 17 of these cases drew Yang can count on wideremain pending, 23 were already spread support from Latino/Asian dismissed, two were ruled in fa- voters respectively, but the same vor of the government and one is not true for African American was indefinitely archived. n voters who as in South Carolina,

Gender equality: Philippines out of Top 10 by riChmonD

by Divina

Vice President Leni Robredo

Photo from the Office of the Vice President

report was obtained from her 18-day-stint as co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). It also contained her recommendations on how to improve the war on drugs.

“Ang sa amin lang, parang napaka-mali sa timing na asikasuhin natin ‘yung report sa ICAD na meron pa namang panahon para pag-usapan ito.

Tingin namin mas mabuti na ang pagtuunan ng pansin ng lahat kung paano tayo makakatulong d’un sa mga victim (this is not the right time to release the ICAD report, we can talk about it some other time. It would

be better to give priority to the quake victims),” Robredo said.

But Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go challenged Robredo to release her report.

“Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na marinig ang report na sinasabi kaya dapat aniyang mailabas na niya ito (It is the right of every Filipino to listen to what Robredo said she would disclose),” the senator said on Monday.

President Rodrigo Duterte also challenged the vice president to speak up and expose what she claimed were her discoveries in the government’s war on drugs. n

‘Cha-cha is doomed’ – senators

P200-B forfeiture case vs Marcoses...

Senate President Vicente Sotto III

Inquirer.net photo

pate in the discussion of Charter change.”

“They can always test the Constitution. Nobody can prevent them except the Constitution itself. At the end of the day, the Supreme Court will decide. And yes, the Filipino people,” Lacson said in a text message.

Last week, a still unnumbered resolution was approved by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments in a closeddoor meeting.

The resolution proposes, among others, to extend the term of the congressmen and local government officials from three years to five years, and to add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” on economic provisions in the Constitution.

Drilon said the non-mention of Cha-cha and federalism in the last state of the nation address of President Rodrigo Duterte “was

a clear message to Congress that Cha-cha is no longer a priority of the administration.”

“Apparently, the message was lost on the members of the House of Representatives. I had said it before and I will say it once more, Cha-cha is dead,” he added.

He said it is a self-serving move on the part of the House to propose an extension of their term: “The term extension is ill-conceived. It extinguishes all the good intentions they may have in mind in pushing for Cha-cha. We will oppose it.”

Drilon stressed that majority of Filipinos were against the proposed shift to a federal system of government, citing a 2018 survey

by Pulse Asia, which showed that 67 percent of Filipinos opposed Cha-cha, with only 18 percent were in favor and 14 percent still undecided. n

overwhelmingly support Biden,” Change Research co-founder Pat Reilly told KQED. Eyeing the AAPI vote in 2020 Earlier this year, the California Secretary of State announced that California hit a new record for voter registration, surpassing a 20 million threshold — a number the secretary said was greater than the population of Texas and Florida.

Included in that growing number are members of the AAPI community who have been seen as having potential to influence the outcome of California’s 2020 primary election in March. According to voter registration numbers, AAPI voters made up about one out of every six voters in California as of February.

This influence potential has already been proven during the midterm elections last year when 77% of AAPIs brought over a “blue wave” by voting Democratic candidates, according to an NBC News exit polling. This, compared to 24% who voted for Republicans.

In Southern California’s Orange County, AAPI voters were seen as being responsible for turning the longtime GOP stronghold to one represented entirely by Democrats.

But with the 2020 election cycle fast approaching, experts say there’s still much to be addressed. For one, there are still many who remain unregistered to vote. In California where Filipinos remain the largest AAPI population, only 33% were registered to vote in the last election cycle.

And even with the noticeable growth and influence potential of the growing AAPI community, many voters remain persuadable.

AAPI Data, an organization that publishes policy research

and AAPI demographic data, found that many AAPI voters remained undecided as of October.

According to the October survey by AAPI Data, AAPI eligible voters in California held a mostly unfavorable rating towards President Donald Trump, with the exception of the Vietnamese community. Yet while a Sanders and Biden received higher percentages of favorability, a high percentage of AAPI respondents said that they also “haven’t heard enough” or didn’t know enough about the other Democratic candidates.

Another AAPI Data survey in 2018 revealed that the majority of AAPIs were not contacted by either Democratic or Republic parties. This has been attributed to lack of awareness, lack of staff and resources, and willingness to outreach.

Hasan Minhaj, host of the Netflix show “Patriot Act,” dove into the issue last week and explained that despite the AAPI community’s growing numbers, they’ve continued to be ignored by politicians and mainstream media.

“Some of the lack of mobilization is also because the majority live in deeply blue states like California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois where presidential elections have not been very competitive,” said Minhaj.

“But even in non-presidential elections, both Democrats and Republicans have been very late to the game when it comes to investing heavily in AAPI outreach.”

In September, Democratic presidential candidates Yang,Gabbard, and Tom Steyer, made an effort to reach out to AAPIs by participating in what was billed as the first-ever Democratic national forum for the AAPI community. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Californians have yet to find favorite presidential...

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A

Panelo blasts Robredo for meddling in ‘water war’

by Catherine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

Malacañang told Vice President (VP) Maria leonor “leni” Robredo to stop meddling in the controversy surrounding the contracts between the government and water concessionaires.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Robredo did not know anything about the matter.

“My advice for VP leni is: don’t dip your hands if you know nothing,” he said.

“The president has made a stand and the stand appears to be very effective. She should know that,” Panelo added.

Robredo has called on the government to take a “calmer” approach in pushing for better water concession agreements, as its confrontational stance against water firms might spook investors.

“If we don’t pursue calmer talks,

this would leave a lot of collateral damage,” Robredo said on her radio program on Sunday, December 15.

“If there are bad provisions, let’s renegotiate them and let’s not allow these to continue because it negatively affects the people. But we should always think of how we approach this,” she added.

The government has revoked the extension of concession agreements of Manila Water co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. after they drew the ire of Duterte following Manila Water’s winning an arbitration case against the government in november.

Duterte warned of a military takeover of the water distribution operations from the two concessionaires over their alleged “onerous” concession agreements.

The Philippine government has lost arbitration cases against Manila Water and Maynilad. last

month, the Permanent court of arbitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government to pay P7.3 billion to Manila Water for its losses.

In 2017, the tribunal also ordered the government to pay Maynilad P3.4 billion for not allowing the company to raise rates.

Duterte earlier threatened to fight the ruling and file charges against the concessionaires over the agreements that he claimed were disadvantageous to the government.

The president has also ordered the Finance department and the solicitor general to draft new concession contracts.

SHARE THE BLESSINGS. A total of 65,000 bags of goodies were given to the residents of Mandaluyong City from the local government The 25-year concession agree- during the annual “Pamaskong Handog” at the city hall complex. Mayor Carmencita “Menchie” Abalos led the ceremonial distribution of ments were signed in 1997 dur- the goodies.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon ing the term of President Fidel Ramos. In 2009, they were allowed to extend their contracts until 2037. n

Duterte tells troops on AFP anniversary to crush NPA, Abu Sayyaf by ratziel

San Juan

Philstar.com

ManIla — President Rodrigo Duterte told soldiers to crush state enemies, including the new People’s army and abu Sayyaf, during the 84th anniversary of the aFP at camp aguinaldo in Quezon city. “at isa pang kalaban natin na sumisira sa buhay natin ay itong mga terorista na kasali na ang nPa, kasali na ang mga kidnap for ransom...ang abu Sayyaf at lahat na (One more enemy that continues to destroy our lives are these terrorists, including the NPA, including those conducting kidnap for ransom operations... and Abu Sayyaf and the rest),” Duterte said in his address on Tuesday, December 17. a government petition to declare the nPa and the communist Party of the Philippines as terrorist organizations is still pending with a Manila court. “at ang utos ko sa kanila, at pag sila ay lumaban, durugin para matapos na ang problema ng Pilipino (I’m telling our soldiers if these state enemies resist, crush them so we can end the problem of Filipinos).”

Sen. Imee Marcos, earlier on Monday, called on the government to declare a unitary ceasefire with the nPa on December 24 to 25 and allow a universally “peaceful” christmas celebration.

President Rodrigo Duterte Philstar.com photo

“Malaking bagay ang dalawang araw na ceasefire sa mga sundalo natin. ang makapiling nila ang kanilang mga pamilya kahit sa loob na barracks ay sapat na para maipagdiwang nang mapayapa ang Pasko (A two-day ceasefire means a lot to our soldiers. To be with their families even inside barracks is enough to celebrate a peaceful Christmas),” Marcos said. aside from the ceasefire call, rights groups are also calling for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels in order to address the roots of a decades-long armed conflict.

Human rights monitor Karapatan said it welcomed recent pro-

Ifugao governor disputes UN on deterioration of rice terraces

THE rice terraces in Ifugao are being cared for, Ifugao gov.

Jerry Dalipog declared, disputing a United nations Food and agriculture Organization description of the world heritage site as being “in a very critical stage of deterioration”.

He said some P194 million will be allotted in 2020 for the rehabilitation of the terraces.

FaO said the “continued survival of the terraces is threatened by various factors such as environmental degradation, unregulated development and neglect brought about by urbanization and changing values.”

Dalipog said FaO has not been in touch with Ifugao province regarding the state of the rice terraces, while assuring that international partners are aware of rehabilitation and restoration programs there.

The governor said the P194million budget for the rice terraces in 2020 will be sourced from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone authority.

FaO recognizes the Ifugao Rice Terraces as a globally Important agricultural Heritage System (gIaHS), FaO stated.

Sen. Imee Marcos meanwhile lamented an apparent lack of government attention on preserving the terraces.

“I am calling on the local government of Ifugao, the Department of Environment and natural Resources, Department of Tourism and even the Department of agriculture, let us work together.

It is the country’s reputation on the line.”

Marcos, chair of the Senate comittee on cultural communities, said she is afraid that the rice terraces could be erased from the Philippine map with its deteriorating state.

From 1,670 hectares of the terraces stretching from Hungduan to Banaue, 600 hectares are reportedly abandoned and needing rehabilitation.

Marcos is proposing a comprehensive plan and the help of experts to arrest the deterioration of the heritage site.

(Philstar.com)

nouncements of the government expressing interest in the revival of peace talks, but stressed that the sincerity needs to reflect in pro-people moves like the release of political prisoners.

Duterte: Drug problem worsening Duterte in his speech also said the drug problem is worsening and requires immediate action for which he alone is willing to take “full legal responsibility” and “go to prison.” “[W]e are fighting for the survival of our nation. We have to make safe, we have to assure that the next generation will be freed of these vulgarities of life, especially [drugs], for it will affect the quality of our nation tomorrow,” the president said.

He also provided dubious estimates on the magnitude of the drug problem.

“We cannot afford to get something like one-fourth of the population disoriented, insane because of drugs,” Duterte said. according to Philippine Statistics authority figures, the Philippines has an estimated population 100,981,437. a fourth of that is more than 25.2 million people.

There have been more than 5,500 “drug personalities” killed in anti-drug operations as of the latest government data release, but human rights advocates claim the death toll is already approaching The Ifugao Rice Terraces are classified as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Philstar.com photo by Andy Zapata 30,000. n

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

lacMTa will receive Proposals for RFIQ no. PS64777 - Division 6: Joint Development Opportunity in Venice at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/contract Management Department, One gateway Plaza, los angeles, ca 90012. a Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 2:00 p.m., at One gateway Plaza, los angeles, ca 90012, Board Room: Room 0332. all Proposals must be submitted to lacMTa, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/cM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, February 24, 2020. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked RFIQ no. PS64777.

For a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email gina Romo at romog@metro. net.

12/18/19 cnS-3323777# aSIan JOURnal (l.a.)

A December 18-20, 2019 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

OpiniOn

Cell phone ban

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Features

THE school kids might stage a revolt, but a proposal to ban students from 10th grade and younger from using cell phones and other electronic gadgets in the classroom is worth considering.

Rep. Rida Robes of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan has filed a bill in the House of Representatives, seeking the ban, which aims to cover students up to 15 years old.

Robes said studies have linked children’s use of phones and other electronic gadgets in school to diminished academic performance, cyber bullying, teenage depression and even suicide.

In contrast, she cited a 2015 study conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science, which showed a significant improvement in students’ test scores in schools that banned mobile phone use. Robes also noted that last year, France imposed a nationwide ban on cell phone use among students in primary and middle schools to improve academic performance and promote

healthy social development.

Her bill allows students to use their cell phones for emergencies, during special learning sessions, or if the gadgets are needed for medical purposes such as the monitoring of a child’s health indicators as recommended by a physician.

The phones and other electronic gadgets are to be deposited with school authorities for safekeeping until the end of the school day.

It’s a different world and a different generation, for whom the use of electronic gadgets is intuitive.

This proposal does not intend to deprive children of the use of such gadgets, but to allow them to concentrate better on using the faculties they were born with for learning within the controlled environment of a classroom. This ban is a proposal worth considering. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Profound loss and grief when a loved one dies: The agony of living away from the motherland

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS MALIGAYANG PASKO. This Christmas will be bittersweet for our family as we just lost one very important pillar on my husband’s side of the family. My father-in-law was called back to heaven on December 5 — just when Advent has just started. He was 86.

I know many of you who have mourned the passing of a loved one in the Philippines will be able to relate to and understand the profound grief I am writing about.

My father-in-law Manolo Relos had a heart attack and then a stroke and pneumonia all in one week. My husband, being the doctor in the family, had been guiding my in-laws, including his two siblings also living in America, through FaceTime in explaining to them the treatment options, particularly the angioplasty to remove the blockage in the heart and later, the thoracentesis that would remove the water in his chest cavity to make him breathe better.

Unfortunately, two days after the procedure, we were told he would just sleep and not be responsive at all. Our hearts skipped a beat and were worried he might slip into a coma or just

die and we were all thousands of miles and an ocean away. My husband, my brother-in-law in Portland, and sister-in-law in Boston all agreed it was time to go home.

I was supposed to host “Global Pinoy Idol” for The Filipino Channel and DZMM in Las Vegas the following week but I made the decision to be there for my husband and my in-laws during this most uncertain and difficult time. Hard as it might be to back out from a job I love to do, cognizant of the fact that my role in the show had been widely advertised and promoted, I knew in my heart I had to go home and help ease the burden of my husband and his family. Family would always come first for me.

For the first time in 13 years, all five children of Manolo and Norma Relos were together again with their parents. Miraculously, my father-in-law woke up, and had been responsive and started talking again.

He was so happy to see us all together by his bedside in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.

My father-in-law said, “wala nang kulang sa mga kaboodle”. “ I feel we are really one family.”

In the ICU, he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren who took care of him, reminisced about the past with him, and laughed at his jokes.

His health improved remarkably as his vital signs became stable. He was allowed to be transferred to a private room where he could be visited by even more family and friends.

On his second day in his private room, my husband and I were awoken by a frantic call from my sister-in-law who stayed with him overnight in the hospital. She said Daddy Manolo had been asking for my husband, and was saying “Pasakay na ako”. This, of course, could be interpreted as he was being picked up (sinusundo na) to be in his journey back to heaven.

My father-in-law then drifted into unconsciousness again and had not been responsive the whole day. My mother-in-law called in the priests of the Sacred Heart Shrine, where Daddy Manolo and Mommy Norma have been serving for decades, to give him the sacrament of extreme unction. My sistersin-law, especially the youngest who had not been home for 13 years, were inconsolable.

And then, another miracle.

He woke up and said “Great things are happening... Miracles are happening!”

He grew stronger and had been able to lift his arms and move his hands. His doctors were happy about his progress as we all were, and was given discharge clearance to go home. Daddy Manolo had always wanted to go home.

And so we prepared the house for him, bought him a hospital bed, oxygen tank, and private caregiver service for day and night to help Mommy Norma and my two sisters-in-law take care of him.

We got Daddy Manolo settled at home on the Feast of Christ the King. Daddy said when he had a heart attack, the image of Christ the King with the heart of Sacred Heart came to visit him in his dreams and asked him, “Handa ka na ba?” and he said not yet, requesting for a little more time.

Then it was time for us to go back to the United States. My husband had a very solemn talk with his father, affirming he has accomplished his mission, that he had been a good father and husband and servant of the Lord. My husband told him that it was okay to heed the call of Jesus if He calls his name again,

and to follow the light. My husband reassured his father that we would all be okay, and gave him the promise we would all take care of Mommy Norma.

Ten days after we left for the U.S., Daddy Manolo went to be with the Lord.

My husband and his siblings were all grateful and blessed to have spent time with their father before he passed, to let him know and feel how much they love him while he was still alive. We did not wait for him to die to fly back home and bury his remains.

I was not able to do this with my own father when he passed away in 2014. We all thought he was getting better, having been discharged from the hospital to be at home. He died three days after he came home. It would seem that many people want to be in their own home when it was time for them to go back home to heaven. I went home to hug the lifeless body of my own father and had him cremated.

Of course, not everybody would have the opportunity, resources or option to go home during these difficult times.

Some do not have immigration papers to leave the United States without the risk of being

banned entry for staying in the country illegally.

One man without papeles lamented how painful it was that he was in the U.S. as a caregiver taking care of old people when he did not have the chance to take care of his own parents in their dying days because he had to stay in America so he could support his children. Ahhh... the painful choices we have to make.

So this holiday season and Christmas, I pray for our kababayans who have lost their loved ones while they were away from the Motherland.

May you find peace in your hearts knowing our departed loved ones are in a better place now — no more pain and suffering, only eternal life, love, peace and joy in Paradise with our Creator.

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

Relos.

Update on the US socio-political scene

Postscript

Federico Pascual Jr. WE share some of the noteworthy findings in 2019 of Pew Research Center, a Washingtonbased non-partisan think tank, on varied topics, from demographic and political changes reshaping the United States to the attitudes and experiences of people in other countries.

•The American public renders a harsh judgment on the state of political discourse in the U.S. today. Large majorities of Americans say the tone and nature of political debate has become more negative in recent years, as well as less respectful, less fact-based and less substantive.

President Trump appears to be a major factor in people’s views: A 55-percent majority says Trump has changed the tone and nature of political debate in the country for the worse. Fewer than half as many (24 percent) say he has changed it for the better, while 20 percent say he has had little impact.

• The most active 10 percent of adult Twitter users in the U.S. produce 80 percent of all tweets sent by these users. The median adult user of the platform tweets only twice a month, but a small group tweets much more fre-

The most active 10 percent of adult Twitter users in the U.S. produce 80 percent of all tweets sent by these users. The median adult user of the platform tweets only twice a month, but a small group tweets much more frequently, according to an April study. In a follow-up study that looked at tweets about national politics, 97 percent of tweets that were created by U.S. adults and mentioned national politics came from just 10 percent of users.

Inquirer.net photo

quently, according to an April study. In a follow-up study that looked at tweets about national politics, 97 percent of tweets that were created by U.S. adults and mentioned national politics came from just 10 percent of users.

• Newspaper circulation in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level since at least 1940, the earliest year with available data. Total daily newspaper circulation — print and digital combined — was an estimated 28.6 million for weekday and 30.8 million for Sunday in 2018. Those numbers were down 8 percent and 9 per-

cent, respectively, from the previous year.

• Despite economic troubles facing the news industry, about 7-in-10 Americans (71 percent) believe their local news media organizations are doing well financially. This belief persists even though only 14 percent of U.S. adults say they personally have paid for local news in the past year, whether through subscriptions, donations or memberships. When asked why they do not pay for local news, 49 percent of non-payers point to the availability of free content.

• The foreign-born share of the U.S. population is at its highest point since 1910. Nearly 14 percent of people living in the U.S. in 2017 were born in another country, extending a steady increase over the past few decades. More than 44 million immigrants lived in the U.S. This foreign-born share, however, is far from the highest in the world. In 2017, 25 countries and territories had higher shares than the US, including Australia (29 percent), New Zealand (23 percent) and Canada (21 percent), as well as European countries such as Switzerland (30 percent), Austria (19 percent) and Sweden (18 percent).

• Hispanics are projected to be the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the 2020 electorate, overtaking the black voters for the first time. Hispanics are expected to account for just over 13 percent of eligible voters, slightly more than the black electorate.

A projected 32 million Hispanics will be eligible to vote in 2020, compared with 30 million black adults. Asian voters will number some 11 million, more than double their 5 million in 2000. Asians will account for 5 percent of next year’s electorate, while all nonwhites will be a third of eligible voters.

• The U.S. no longer leads

the world in admitting refugees.

While Canada resettled 28,000 refugees in 2018 — similar to its total in 2017 – the U.S. welcomed only 23,000, down from 33,000 the year before. It was the first time the U.S. was not the world’s top haven since the Congress created the refugee program in 1980.

The U.S. previously admitted more refugees each year than all other countries combined. The number of refugees resettled in the U.S. is likely to drop further: The Trump administration has set a new cap of 18,000 refugees in fiscal 2020.

• The number of people living in the U.S. without authorization has decreased over the past decade, driven by a sharp decline in unauthorized immigrants from Mexico who used to account for the majority of unauthorized immigrants. By 2017, there were 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants, including 4.9 million Mexicans.

While the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has decreased, the numbers from two regions — Asia and Central America — have risen.

There were 5.5 million unauthorized immigrants from countries other than Mexico in 2017.

• Two-thirds of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, a reversal from two decades ago. Legalizing the drug

— which is banned under federal law — has the backing of a majority of men and women; white, black and Hispanic adults; and Democrats and Democraticleaning independents and Republicans and Republican leaners (though Democrats remain far more likely than Republicans to favor it, 78 percent vs. 55 percent).

An overwhelming majority of U.S. adults (91 percent) say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use (59 percent) or that it should be legal just for medical use (32 percent). Some 8 percent prefer to keep marijuana illegal in all circumstances.

• The share of Americans with an unfavorable view of China reached a 14-year high amid a protracted trade dispute between the two countries. Six-in10 U.S. adults have a negative opinion of China, up from 47 percent in 2018 and the highest share since Pew began asking this question in 2005.

Around a quarter of Americans (24 percent) name China as the country or group that poses the greatest threat, double the share who said this in 2007.

China is tied with Russia as the country or group most cited by Americans as a threat. The only other country to measure in the double digits is North Korea (12 percent). (Philstar.com)

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

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IVY MANALANG Vice President - Marketing Los Angeles Asian Journal

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA Senior Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal

DING CARREON Videographer

ANDY TECSON Photographer

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Business news

A

‘Relatively high’ portion of OFW Banks’ real estate exposure up 10% remittances spent on luxury items

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

by ian

niColas Cigaral Philstar.com

FAMILIES of Filipinos working abroad spend a “relatively high” amount of money on luxury items, leaving insufficient funds for other needs that would secure a household’s financial future., a report released Monday, December 16, found.

According to a report by U.S.based international payments company UniTeller, half of remittances received by Filipino households are used for their day-to-day family needs (25%) and repayments of bills and loans (25%).

UniTeller said “much smaller sums” are being earmarked to other important areas, including education (13%) and savings (13%). Meanwhile, 7% of remittances were spent on non-essential luxury items.

This poor financial planning is made worse by almost onein-five (19%) of remittance recipients in the Philippines saying they “regularly” run out of money.

“Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Filipino recipients say they will reach out to the sender when they run out of the money they receive, with 53% saying they will ultimately have to forgo dayto-day needs if this happens,”

PHILIPPINE banks’ exposure to real estate rose by 10.74 percent year-on-year as of end-September this year, with loans accounting for the bulk.

Latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed real estate exposure (REE) of banks and trust departments reached P2.36 trillion as of the first nine months of 2019, up by P229.4 billion from the P2.13 trillion recorded a year earlier.

Accounting for the bulk of the total, real estate loans made up 85.89 percent of the banks’ REE, while securities investments acThis poor financial planning is made worse by almost one-in-five (19%) of remittance recipients counted for the remaining 14.10 in the Philippines saying they “regularly” run out of money.

Philstar.com file photo by Miguel de Guzman percent.

The loan component of the towith 41% of respondents sayUniTeller said.

The Philippines is among the ing the expectation of receiving top recipients of money transfers money causes emotional stress in 2018, the World Bank report- on their family and 54% saying ed early this year, adding that it affects their relationship with remittances to poor and develop- the sender.

Although the report highlighting countries hit a fresh record

by DaxiM l. lUCas and should become their largest ed that receivers do not allocate Inquirer.net enough of the remittances to savsource of external financing.

In the same report, UniTeller ings, it showed that 75% of regTHE Philippines’ outstanding said average monthly remittance ular remittance recipients in the value sent home by low-income Philippines are extremely eager external debt rose slightly to $82.7 billion as of end-Septemoverseas Filipino migrants stood to learn good financial habits.

“As the reliance on remit- ber 2019, up by $1.4 billion or at $446, higher than their receiver’s average monthly household tances grows, a key challenge is 1.7 percent from the $81.3 bilensuring this income translates lion level at the end of the preincome of $175.

UniTeller also found that reli- to building sustainable wealth,” vious quarter, the central bank ance on remittances could stress UniTeller Philippines president said on Friday, December 13.

In a statement, Bangko Senout both senders and receivers, Noel Cristal said. n tral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the rise in the debt stock during the third quarter was “due to net availto 25 percent. ers will also continue to push for ments of $2.2 billion attributed Ortiz-Luis said the lower corpo- the enactment of legislation that to bond issuances of the nationrate income tax rates will make impacts on businesses. These al government and private local the country at par with Southeast are the Warehouse Receipts banks.”

Asian neighbors.

Increase in residents’ investAct, Bamboo Industry Develop“This will help MSMEs (micro, ment Act, Murang Kuryente Act, ments in Philippine debt paper small and medium enterprises) Open Access in Data Transmis- issued offshore amounting to enjoy even lower tax rates than sion Act, Customs Amnesty Act, $426 million, negative foreign the proposed 20-percent CIT,” National Quality Infrastructure, exchange revaluation of $211 he said.

Amendments to the Magna Carta million and prior periods’ adOrtiz-Luis also said the group of MSMEs, Philippine Ports Au- justments of $114 million parrecommended the removal of the thority Act, Public Services Act tially offset the uptick in the performance threshold to avail of and Asin Law. debt stock. incentives, such as tax refunds As this developed, the central “We are also involved in blockfor start-ups and MSMEs. ing attempts to pass unfriendly bank chief stressed that key inThe group noted that in the labor bills, such as the Security dicators of external debt—referAssociation of Southeast Asian of Tenure, which has been re- ring to all types of borrowings Nations, the Philippines has the filed,” Ortiz-Luis said.

by Philippine residents from highest CIT rate at 30 percent, President Rodrigo Duterte ear- non-residents —“remained at while the average CIT rate is at lier vetoed the Security of Ten- prudent levels” despite the rise 22.4 percent in the region. ure bill, a move that was greatly in external debt, in particular Apart from passage of bill low- welcomed by several business because the country’s total dolering CIT, Ortiz-Luis said export- groups. n lar reserves stood at $85.6 bil-

Exporters push for corp tax reduction by anna leah

e. gonzales ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) is calling for the passage of a bill, which pushes for the immediate reduction of corporate income tax (CIT).

In a statement, Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the group strongly supports the CIT bill of Sen. Ralph Recto that proposes a taxpayer segmentation.

Recto filed Senate Bill (SB) 595, otherwise known as an “Act Instituting Income Tax Reform for Corporate Taxpayers,” which seeks to lower the CIT rate from the current unitary or single income tax rate of 30 percent with graduated rates from 5 percent

tal exposure rose by 10.95 percent to P2.03 trillion from P1.83 trillion a year earlier.

Commercial real estate loans accounted for 63.84 percent of the total loans, while borrowers acquiring residential properties took the remaining 36.15 percent.

Investments in real estate securities, meanwhile, grew by 9.50 percent to P333.49 billion at the end of the third quarter from P304.55 billion a year earlier.

The central bank’s latest data showed that about 73.4 percent of residential real estate loans (RELs) extended by banks in the second quarter of the year were for the purchase of new houses.

By type, about 45.8 percent of residential property loans were for condominium units, followed

by single detached/attached houses (43 percent) and townhouses (10.5 percent).

By area, most of the loans granted in the National Capital Region (NCR) were for the purchase of condominium units, while RELs granted in areas outside of NCR were mostly for single detached/attached houses.

By region, NCR accounted for 43 percent of the total number of loans granted, followed by Calabarzon (27.4 percent), Central Luzon (8.9 percent), Central Visayas (6 percent), Western Visayas (4.3 percent), Northern Mindanao (3.3 percent), and Davao Region (3 percent).

Together, NCR and the six other regions accounted for 95.9 percent of total housing loans extended by banks. n

PH foreign debt burden hits $82.7B Bangko Sentral chief says end-September level remains ‘prudent’ lion as of end-September 2019 and represented 5.4 times cover for short-term debt.

Year-on-year, the debt stock increased by $6.3 billion or by 8.2 percent brought about by net availments of $5 billion; foreign exchange revaluation adjustments of $1.2 billion, and prior periods’ adjustments of $812 million.

This upward impact on the debt stock was partially offset by the transfer of Philippine debt paper from non-residents to residents amounting to $843 million.

The debt service ratio, which relates principal and interest payments or “debt service burden” to exports of goods and receipts from services and primary income, is a measure of adequacy of the country’s foreign exchange earnings to meet maturing obligations.

As of end-September 2019, the ratio improved to 6.4 percent from 7 percent for the same period a year ago. The debt service ratio has consistently remained at single-digit levels.

Meanwhile, total outstanding debt, expressed as a percentage of annual aggregate output, is a solvency indicator output, is a solvency indicator. This ratio improved to 19.7 percent from

19.9 percent a quarter ago. The same trend was observed using the country’s gross domestic product as denominator with the Philippine economy growing by 6.2 percent in the third quarter of 2019. The ratio indicates the country’s sustained strong position to service foreign borrowings in the medium- to long-term.

As of end-September 2019, the maturity profile of the country’s external debt remained predominantly medium- and long-term in nature, or those with original maturities longer than one year, with a share to the total at 80.8 percent.

On the other hand, short-term accounts (or those with original maturities of up to one year) accounted for the remaining 19.2 percent of the debt stock and consisted of bank liabilities, trade credits and others. The weighted average maturity for all medium- and long-term accounts increased to 17.1 years from 16.8 years during the previous quarter, with public sector borrowings having a longer average term of 21 years compared to 8.5 years for the private sector. This means that foreign exchange requirements for debt payments are well spread out and more manageable. n

The

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019

Fil-Am journalist Leezel Tanglao, 2020 Women inPower Fellow Inspiring to empower women

The 15 leaders have carried out inspiring work in their who considers herself as a 92ND Street Y’s Belfer communities driven by their “bridge journalist at the interCenter for Innovation & Social passions for the Filipino culture section of editorial, product, Impact announced last week and the advancement of Philipbusiness development and the 2020 class of Women pine interests and advocacies inPower, a fellowship program sales”. in the United States. They now Tanglao is currently a to help senior-level women join a prestigious network of senior editor at HuffPost and advance to the highest levels 85 young, Filipino-American she consults with companies of leadership across sectors. leaders across the nation to Among the fellows selected through her company, Statcollaborate, exchange ideas, Fury. She is also currently a is Leezel Tanglao, a New and continue to inspire a wave Reynolds Journalism Institute York-based Fil-Am journalist of diplomatic innovation.

Non-Residential Fellow and is and media consultant and a The 2019 FYLPRO delcurrent Filipino Young Leaders working on developing a tool egates traveled to the Philipto measure impact.

Program (FYLPRO) delegate. pines last month in a weekThe fellowship is now on This group of 28 Fellows long immersion trip to Manila, its fifth year and the program was selected from a pool of and were provided with the has already served more than a opportunity to interact with nearly 250 applicants and this hundred Fellows. Over a dozen Philippine Government officials year’s Fellows include leadFellows have reached the Cers from a wide variety of and leaders in the fields of Suite or equivalent in their field business, arts and culture, and backgrounds and professions, including business, nonprofits, and many more have made civil society. law, medicine, media, technol- career moves that deepen Tanglao described her their influence. ogy, arts, education, philanmemorable trip as a transforFYLPRO Experience thropy, and science. mative experience.

The Filipino Young Leaders “In this fast-paced media “I’m still processing the Program (FYLPRO) is a joint industry that’s in total disrupexperience but it was a transinitiative of the Philippine Emtion, there’s strength in comformative experience that bassy under the leadership of munity. In the past year, I’ve reignited the fire and pride I been a part of several different Philippine Ambassador to the have as a Filipino American cohorts from different parts of United States Jose Manuel Ro- and desire to build ties to the mualdez, Consulates General my life, both professional and motherland and with our fellow in the United States, and the personal,” she told the Asian kababayans in the diaspora,” Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI).

Journal. she said. “It’s inspiring to see To reflect the growth of This one-of-a-kind free what a very diverse group of program provides women with the Filipino-American populaindividuals can do together tion and the expansion of the professional development, -- united by a shared love of FYLPRO program, 15 FYLPRO executive mentorship, CEO family and identity.” delegates were chosen to parworkshops, and membership Tanglao has also worked ticipate this year and Tanglao in an active community of at CNNMoney (now CNNBusiwas one of them. female leaders. The initiative ness) as Assistant Managing “I didn’t know what to also includes a social impact Editor of Programming where expect when I was selected component, encouraging Felshe led a global team and lows to think ambitiously about for the FYLPRO program. I launched proprietary social did know it would be my first their role in creating not only metric Surge. Among her time back to the motherland in other previous stints include: more success and power for themselves, but a healthier and 11 years. It would also be the Associated Press, CBSNews. more egalitarian society for all. first time going alone without com, VICE News, NowThis, family,” she shared. “Walking “Regardless of the foABCNews.com, KCBS/KCAL on the land of my ancestors cus, there’s something deep and Press-Enterprise. She and knowing the sacrifices they received her BA at Loyola and impactful to be part of a network that supports and em- made to ensure their legacy Marymount University and an lives on is something worth in- MA at UCLA. She was named powers women. This program novating and carrying forward. 2018 Member of the Year by is an amazing opportunity to It’s the first step towards conlearn from women leaders at the Asian American Journalists the top of their game and give necting deeply with kababayAssociation. ans, no matter where they are back. You can’t be what you “We are deeply impressed don’t see,” explained Tanglao, in the world.” with the number and quality of applications received this year and the selected delegates all represent the dynamism, passion to serve and contribute, and leadership prevalent among the next generation of Filipino-Americans,” said Ambassador Romualdez. “All of us at the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General take great pride in the current and previous batches of FYLPRO delegates. We are also proud of our continuing collaboration with the Ayala Foundation, Inc., Department of Foreign Affairs, and FYLPRO non-profit alumni organization in designing a transformative and impactful immersion program.”

Established in 2012 by the Philippine Embassy in the United States in cooperation Tanglao with her fellow delegate Philjay Solar from Boston. by

MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

The number of FYLPRO delegates this year was increased to 15. Tanglao, describing the group said, “The big part of it was the other delegates -- it’s rare to be with a group this large and bond so deeply. We talk to each other every day, no matter where we are or timezone. They are really like family - I didn’t choose them, fate put us together.”

with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), FYLPRO annually identifies outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States and provide them invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to a distinguished network captains of industry and government.

For the Women inPower, a fellowship program, the Fellows will be mentored by a group of over 45 leaders in NYC that includes: Jimmie Briggs, Co-founder and Executive Director Emeritus, Man Up Campaign; Katy Clark, President, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music); Zain Habboo, Chief Digital Officer, Fenton; Polly Klane, Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Capital One; Gillian Lester, Dean Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law, Columbia Law School; Tim Maleeny, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Havas; Terri McCullough, Chief of Staff, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. House of Representatives; Henry Timms, CEO, Lincoln Center; Mai-Anh Tran, Chief Financial Officer, The Ford Foundation; and Kristy Wallace, CEO, Ellevate Network.

“Women inPower is about much more than the development of individual leadership skills. Our goal is to foster a community and culture in which Fellows act as champions for one another as they ascend into positions of power and, once there, create real change,” said Jessica Schneider, Director of Strategy at 92Y’s Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact.

“We are thrilled to welcome our fifth cohort of Fellows and can’t wait to see all that they accomplish this year and in the future.”

Cover photo by Theresa Dizon-De Vega

Leezel Tanglao in Manila during the recent FYLPRO trip.

Photos courtesy of FYLPRO

As part of the immersion program, the delegates had meetings with their mentors to discuss their legacy projects and come up with an action plan. Along the way, they visited various communities, including an indigenous Aeta tribe in Pampanga. They also met with representatives from the Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Trade and Industry, before meeting the Mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno.

Photos courtesy of FYLPRO

Tanglao with (from left) Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and FYLPRO President JR Calanoc.

Photo courtesy of Ayala Foundation

Young Fil-Am ballerina dances lead role in Irvine Barclay Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Ballet Academy, where Santos has been taking ballet lessons since she was little.

Festival Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet, the full-length classical producSAMANTHA Santos, a tion, opened on December 7 at the Irvine 14-year-old Filipina American Barclay Theatre and will have shows until from Fountain Valley, CaliforDecember 24. Santos, shares Clara duties nia, is one of three Claras in with Sophia Johncox and Bella Do. One Festival Ballet Theatre’s proof the unique things about this ballet duction of “The Nutcracker,” company is that there are always worlda beloved holiday classic. renowned guest artists that perform the Festival Ballet Theatre roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. is Orange County’s premier Santos is of Filipina and Fil-Chinese professional ballet company and is affiliated with Southland descent. Another Filipino American in the by aJPress

cast is Jestoni Dagdag from Long Beach, who dances the role of Mouse King. The last Nutcracker weekend will have shows on December 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24.

Samantha will be dancing as Clara in the following shows: December 21 at 7 p.m. and Monday, December 23 at 6 p.m., In addition, the featured guest artist on December 23 is another Fil-Am, professional ballerina Jeraldine Mendoza from Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. Tickets for the production can be found on Irvine Barclay Theatre’s website, http://www.thebarclay. org/.

Samantha Santos

Photo courtesy of the Festival Ballet Theatre

Jolo marries ‘personal angel’ in US garden wedding by izA iglesiAs ManilaTimes.net

ACTOR and Cavite Vice Governor Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III married Binibining Pilipinas 2016 first runner-up Angelica Alita in a garden ceremony held at Pelican Hills Resort in Newport Beach, California on Sunday, December 16.

The groom’s parents, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado, and his siblings were in attendance.

The senator posted a live video of his son’s wedding ceremony on his Facebook page as the couple exchanged vows.

An emotional Jolo said, “Because of you and what you do, you made me a good man.

Thank you for loving me. You made me realize that I don’t need to become someone else and pretend to be someone else. Tanggap mo kung sino ako at kung ano ako. Not all angels are in heaven, mine

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019

by Armin

P. AdinA

Inquirer.net

Actor-politician Jolo Revilla with new wife, former beauty queen Angelica Alita.

Photo from Instagram/@jolo_revilla

is here on Earth standing now in front of me… Basta kasama kita, saan man tayo pumunta, pakiramdam ko lagi akong nasa langit. … Finally God

has given me the ultimate gift of finding my own personal angel.”

He continued, “You are Continued on Page 4

Bela is second to no one by ricky lo Philstar.com

BELA Padilla is a cut above the rest. To cite a cliché, she’s a class by herself. She’s defined not so much by good looks but the varied roles that have proven her versatility as an actress, such as those in “10,000 Hours” (as a reporter monitoring the senatorcharacter played by Robin Padilla), “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” (as the ephemeral fantasy-girlfriend of JC Santos), “The Day After Valentine’s” (also with JC Santos) and in “Miracle in Cell No. 7”, Viva Films’ official entry in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in which she plays Aga Muhlach’s grown-up daughter Yesha who would defend him in court after he is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a little girl. The little Yesha is played

by Xia Vigor.

Directed by Nuel Naval “A Secret Affair, This Time”, the movie is a reboot of the heart-wrenching Korean movie touted as the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2013 and currently ranked No.

entertainment Catriona to be more visible in PH after reign

Bela Padilla

7 in the list of that country’s huge moneymakers of all time.

Already, Aga is predicted to win Best Actor and Bela Best Supporting Actress. Actually, Bela is a replacement for Nadine Lustre who backed out at the last minute. In Philippine cinema history, the second (or third or whatever) choice turns out to be the better…nay, the best!...

Philstar.com photo

choice after all. Gina Alajar was the second choice (after Alma Moreno) for the Laurice Guillendirected Salome, and so were Joel Torre (for Albert Martinez) in Peque Gallaga’s “Oro, Plata, Mata, and Bembol Roco (for the late Jay Ilagan) in Lino Brocka’s Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag”.

Continued on Page 4

FOR many pageant aficionados, South African beauty queen Zozibini Tunzi has huge shoes to fill as Miss Universe because last year’s winner, Catriona Gray, set the bar so high.

“I’m very flattered by that comment. I wanted people to look into my year and say, ‘I see Catriona there.’ And I feel that I’ve already done that because I’ve always been community-oriented. And to see people taking notice of that has been very fulfilling,” the 2018 winner told Inquirer Entertainment during her last trip to the Philippines before relinquishing her title.

Zozibini inherited Catriona’s crown when she bested 89 other delegates for the 2019 Miss Universe crown in ceremonies staged at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, on Dec. 8 (Dec. 9 in Manila).

“I’m definitely going to continue the work that I’m doing and getting involved in different communities, not just in the Philippines, but also in other communities around the world,” Catriona said during a Christmas party last month hosted by Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee for children under the care of Young Focus Foundation.

“It’s really the kind of work that I love doing,” added Catriona, the fourth Filipino woman to wear the Miss Universe crown.

Miss Universe manager Esther Swan, who was always beside Catriona during her reign, told Inquirer Entertainment that she will miss “everything” about the Filipino queen.

“She’s always here (pointing to her heart). ‘I feel Filipina, I am Filipina,’” Esther continued.

Catriona promised to be more visible in the Philippines, but shared that she may pursue opportunities in music

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

and “cause work” outside the country. She said she hoped to weave her love of music into her advocacy.

Aside from Gray, the other Filipino Miss Universe winners are Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973) and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

This year’s representative, Gazini Ganados, finished in the Top 20, sustaining the Philippines’ semifinal streak that was started by Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj in 2010.

Beginning 2020, a new team will select the country’s representative to the global tilt, with 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee assuming the

Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray

national directorship for the Philippines.

In her official Instagram account, the 33-year-old multihyphenate and mother of two said, “I am honored with my new role for the organization that brought meaning to my life as a beauty queen and as a woman. I am more than blessed to be the national director of Miss Universe Philippines.”

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., which has held the Miss Universe license for the Philippines since 1964, issued a statement on its official Facebook page confirming the Miss Universe Organization’s decision not to renew their partnership.

entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019

Jolo marries ‘personal angel’...

From Page 3 the one that I desire. Ikaw na ang matagal kong hinihintay.

Paulit-ulit kong ipinapangako sa iyo, ikaw ang magiging sentro ng buhay ko sa mata ng Panginoon. It’s all because of you I found peace and happiness. You give direction to

my life. You’re always there to guide me and inspire me. You bring out the best in me.

“I’ve never been so certain. Lagi lang pabago-bago ang isip ko sa mga bagay-bagay pero sa iyo, siguradongsigurado ako. Hindi ko inaasahan na darating ang araw

Mariel on being called ‘crazy’: ‘Never let anyone talk down on you’

much more when it comes from someone you love.”

She reminded others that na ito. Matagal ko na itong MARIEL de Leon opened up they are never alone and there is hinihintay at ngayon nandito about mental health in hopes of always hope despite facing times na tayo sa altar, sa harap ng helping those who face similar where “life is really testing you mga mahal natin sa buhay, struggles, after someone called and you feel like you’re drownnangangako na mamahalin her “crazy” for having problems ing and there’s just no hope of natin ang isa’t isa habambuwith her own mental health. surviving.” hay. Akala ko noon wala nang “I’m not one to post about “Please never give up and magmamahal sa akin. Akala ko these things because I’m the just keep fighting no matter how wala nang mahuhulog at maitype that hates being vulnerable, tired you are,” she appealed. in love sa akin. Pero napakabut I feel like mental health is “Keep fighting for yourself, your buti ng Diyos binigyan ako ng such an important topic nowagoals, and most importantly your anghel na walang pakpak at days,” she said in her Twitter happiness.” ikaw ‘yon.” post.

If there is anyone toxic in His bride in turn said, “I De Leon first expressed how your life, please just cut them may appear strong to many glad she was over more people off,” she advised. “You deserve but you know my weaknesses talking about mental health “bereal love and light.”

Mariel de Leon and I love you for that. There’s cause that’s what people need; “Learn to love yourself, both Photo from Instagram/@marieldeleonofficial nothing not to love about conversation and support.” when you are okay and when you. You are the most caring The model then revealed you are not okay,” de Leon anyone talk down on you and father, son and brother to that someone had called her make you feel worthless for hav- stressed. your family,” she said, adding crazy “for having mental health De Leon represented the ing mental health problems and that she will also love and take problems and for struggling country as Miss International general life problems.” care of Jolo’s son, Gab, from a [and] dealing with life right now.”

Philippines back in 2017, but “I know how it feels to be previous relationship.

Addressing those who also later expressed her dislike over talked down to and to feel like “Today, I vow to know my- face problems with their mental being labeled as a “beauty my feelings aren’t valid,” de self as you and you as myself. health, she said, “Never let queen.”

Leon added. “And it hurts so I promise to dream with you and be your biggest supporter, to encourage you and to stand by you from this day forward. Jolo, hindi ka na iiyak mag-isa. Kasama mo akong From Page 3 “I was going to use the point because I’m not in a relababangon at magpupunas ng original Korean version of me, tionship right now, and haven’t Oh well, Nadine’s big loss is iyong mga luha. At higit sa la- Bela’s big win.

Park Shin Hye, as my peg. But I been for two years.” (Note: hat, salamat sa Panginoon for heard Kuya Aga didn’t watch the Her last known boyfriend was So what else is new? directing you to me because producer Neil Arce who is now As a nod to the movie’s title, Korean version so he wouldn’t now I finally found my heaven engaged to Angel Locsin. When first question is: Has there ever have pre-conceived notions of on Earth with you and Gab by been a “miracle” in your life? she was just starting in showbiz, the film. So I decided at the last my side. Mahal na mahal ko Bela was romantically linked to “Every act of kindness I see, to minute not to use a peg and just kayo. Mahal na mahal kita. I Jason Abalos who is now going me, is a miracle.” follow my instinct and my direclove you.” steady with beauty queen Vicky You appear only in the tor.”

Jolo first confirmed he is in beginning, middle and end of Rushton.)

When and how did you a relationship with the former How do you assess showbiz the movie, and people would become aware that Aga is a big beauty queen early this year, life (what do you like and not say it’s “short,” although your star (any of Aga’s movies had a and by September already like about it)? appearance is so markado that big impact on your life)? confirmed they had planned “I see more things as jobs you are predicted to win Best “When I was very little, I to marry before the end of now and not life-defining moSupporting Actress. Long or watched a heartwarming movie 2019. The news came as a ments.” short, how much of yourself do starring him and Shaina (Magsurprise to the public who had you put into every role?

Have you always wanted to dayao)...they would always always thought Jolo would be an actress and what movie “Always more than what is play it on TV. And then when I reunite with his previous girlmade you realize that you required of me.” started acting at 16, I saw how friend of eight years, actress wanted to be one (or if not, Does being a “second all actresses wanted to be his Jodi Sta. Maria. what was your childhood/teenchoice” challenges you more leading lady. So I was aware very Jolo’s son Jose Gabrielle, age dream)? into proving that you are the early on.” or Gab, meanwhile, was from “Not really, I was very shy better…nay, best…choice after How was the experience of an earlier relationship with ac- all? growing up. But “Closer” with finally not just meeting but also tress Rosanna Roces’ daughter Natalie Portman and Jude Law “I didn’t see it as anything but working with Aga? Grace Adriano. was the first film that opened another amazing job assignment, “Amazing. He’s very down to The guests were a mix my eyes, I guess. And then, it doesn’t matter to me who it earth.” of showbiz and government Meg Ryan films. “Somewhere was offered to first. The only You are among the very few personalities, among them are things that actually matter to me in Time”. Steve McQueen films. actresses who are substantial principal sponsors Leyte First “What Dreams May Come.” are the things I need to do at and intelligent, and level-headDistrict Representative Martin hand.”

How do you keep your saned. Do you use more of your Romualdez, Davao City Mayor ity in a crazy world like showYou play Aga’s grownup head than your heart in the Sara Duterte and Cavite Govbiz? daughter (a lawyer), who is your name of love? ernor Jonvic Remulla.

“I exclude myself from it.” peg for the role?

“Thank you. I can’t say at this

by Ryan

aRcadio Inquirer.net

Bela is second to no one...

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019

Chapter 7, 13 or debt settlement? Client with $40K in credit card debt examines the differences THE client is 42 and is going through a divorce after a short two-year marriage. He has moved out of the marital home and now lives by himself. He has a toddler who is with his wife, so he expects to pay child support.

There is not alimony because the marriage has not lasted 10 years.

So, if you are the higher income spouse and wondering why your spouse has not filed for divorce despite all of your philandering, it’s because, in California, you need to be married at least for a decade to claim alimony or spousal support from the higher income spouse.

In fact, I do have a client who was hit with divorce papers right after the 10-year-period was reached, and being the higher income spouse, he has to pay $1,500 of alimony to his wife.

We had to reorganize his financial affairs under Chapter 13 to handle $60,000 of credit cards, and to strip off $100,000 of a second trust deed. It is unusual nowadays to be able to strip junior liens because of the soaring prices of houses in Southern California. But in his case, a current appraisal report showed that his house was at least $10,000 underwater after considering the balance of the first trust deed. His house had a fair market value of $220,000, while the balance owed on the first trust deed is $230,000, leaving the second trust deed, a HELOC line, of $100,000 completely unsecured.

Let’s go back to the client with the short-lived marriage. He left his wife a year ago and has not paid $40,000 of credit cards since then. He asks me what he can do to handle the $40,000 debt because his creditors have started to threaten lawsuits.

After interviewing him, I determined that this was a classic Chapter 7 case. So I advised him to file for Chapter 7 to get a fresh start in life without the $40,000 of credit card debt. In Chapter 7, the court will discharge the entire $40,000, i.e., he doesn’t have to pay them at all. Here, the law gives him a chance to start all over again, without the burden of accumulated debt so he can become productive

Debt Relief

Atty. lAwrence yAng again. The $40,000 requires a minimum payment of $1,200 a month. But obviously, he hasn’t paid the cards anymore for the last 12 months since he left the marital home. So now that he is getting demand letters to pay, he is looking at the possibility of wage garnishments on the horizon.

His income is a gross of $3,500 a month. Even for a single person, his gross income is below the median for California. In California, a single person without any dependent living with him or her earning a gross of less than $4,000 a month is eligible for Chapter 7 under the means test. Of course, a single person making a gross of more than $4,000 a month, can still qualify for Chapter 7 under different circumstances. But for this client, we do not have to bother with other circumstances because $3,500 is less than $4,000, which is the applicable threshold. Since it’s below the threshold, the means test will conclude that there is no presumption of abuse for this client to file for Chapter 7. The presumption of abuse, if it arises, presents a major obstacle to a successful Chapter 7, although this is not to say that the obstacle cannot be overcome. We don’t want that kind of situation as much as possible.

There is no problem regarding house-ownership as the client never owned one. If there was an issue regarding house-ownership with non-exempt equity, the preferred filing for debt relief would be Chapter 13, not 7. The client said that he was worried that he could not get new credit after filing but admitted that his current credit score was below 500. I informed him that with Chapter 7, he would be getting new preapproved credit cards within months of discharge from

banks and lenders that specialize in issuing cards to debtors who have just filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7. These would have annual fees and higher interest than normal cards. And buying a car can be done immediately after discharge but the interest rate would also be higher than for one with good credit. With Chapter 7 discharge, his credit score would increase pretty fast.

It would go to 500 on filing and increase to 580 in one year. On year two, his credit score would be 620. On year five to seven, his credit score, if he handled new debt timely, would reach and surpass 700, which is very good. And on year 10, the fact of Chapter 7 filing would disappear from the credit report. On year three, he can qualify to buy a house at higher interest assuming he handled new credit well. So, getting new credit after bankruptcy is no problem. I suggested to him, that the new credit card use should be paid in full at the end of the month, so it doesn’t become bigger and bigger and go out of control.

Further, he can get credit cards at Walmart, Visa or Mastercard, where the credit limit is set by the cash deposit on the account if he wants credit cards immediately for whatever reason.

An alternative to Chapter 7 is Chapter 13, which I suggested he could use if he for some reason wanted to pay a portion of the $40,000. I don’t suggest a Chapter 13, if you qualify for 7 because it makes absolutely no sense to do so. He felt guilty I think, about discharging the entire $40K in Chapter 7. Credit card companies factor in their cost of bad debt between 7-10%. In other words, they expect that between 7% to 10% of their card users will not be able to pay them back anything so that cost is already added to the interest everyone pays. They don’t really lose money on unpaid credit card debt. They just write them off as bad debt and sell the account to third parties at a fraction of the outstanding debt. I informed him that he may pay between Continued on Page 6

Continued on Page 6

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA JOSHUA was excited with his new job at the inn. It sure beats having to herd sheep this time of the year when the cold nights chilled his bones on the hillside pasture where he tended his family’s small herd of sheep and cattle. The job fell to his younger brother this time.

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

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

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

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

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

The prophecy will come to pass. The king to rule all kings

A Christmas Story: The innkeeper’s untold tale “As he told the story of that wondrous night to Luke, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone.” was to be born very soon within the kingdom. It was no wonder King Herod was in a vicious mood. Joshua thought the ruthless king would remove all threats to his kingship by all means fair or foul. It was bad enough he had to bow to the superior might of the Roman conquerors who had allowed him to be king within his territory.

Just as Joshua was about to lock up for the night, a couple came in. The man, visibly tired and leaning on his staff with one hand, was supporting the woman who was heavy with child with his other hand. The woman looked to be in some pain.

Still, Joshua noted the stately calm, grace and beauty about her. There was this mysterious glow. The man asked Joshua for a room and told him his wife was about to give birth. Alas, the last room has been let and Joshua told him so.

Joshua glanced at the woman and his heart was filled with pity.

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

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

“Come with me.”

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

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

Joshua gave the man the blankets and clean sheets, the warm water and some extra oil for the lamp to burn through the night.

He set a makeshift table for the bread, fish and wine and lit the lamp in one corner.

He moved quickly as he helped the man make his wife comfortable. He could see the woman’s face etched in pain for the birth pangs seem to be stronger now.

Beads of sweat lined the woman’s brow. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to meet up with his friends tonight. Somehow he knew his place was right here where he was needed for the long night ahead.

Just before he went back to the inn to fetch a few more things, he said to them, “I’m Joshua. Let me know if you need anything else.” The man replied, “I’m Joseph and this is Mary.

Thank you. You have done more than you can possibly know. The Lord’s light burns bright in you.”

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

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

It was a night like no other.

Joshua’s entire being was engulfed with the mystery happening before his very eyes. He remembered Mary wrapping her child gently in swaddling clothes and placing the child in a manger. The child was bathed in light. The whole stable was filled with warmth. Soft, sweet music seem to emanate from a choir of angels above the stable and a sweet heavenly fragrance wafted through the air.

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

They were led to the stable where they found the child.

Filled with awe, they knelt before the child who was to be Continued on Page 6

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes CERTAIN aliens are barred from adjusting to legal permanent residents by virtue of having entered the United States under the following conditions: Entering the US as an alien crewman (C-1 visa/ jumpship) Accepting unauthorized employment Entering the US without inspection (No I-94 or crossing the border without a visa) Remaining in the US past the expiration of their status (overstays) Status/ Visa violations Admitted in the US in transit without a visa Admitted in the US as a non immigrant visitor without a visa These bars will prevent an alien from getting their green card inside the US even if they are eligible to receive a green card through a Petition that is current.

Aliens that with the above issues who try to adjust may encounter problems with the USCIS. INA section 245(i) waives these inadmissibility grounds for aliens that are grandfathered (covered)

by INA section 245(i). How does someone get grandfathered by section 245(i)? An alien is grandfathered if the alien is a beneficiary of a qualifying petition filed prior to April 30, 2001 and the principal beneficiary was physically present in the US on 12/21/2000. For petitions filed on or before 1/14/1998, no physical presence in the US is required. Qualifying petitions are I-130s, I-140s, some I-360s and I-526s, labor certification applications, that are filed and

How can INA section 245(i) benefit you? approvable when filed. In addition, under Matter of Jara RIERO and Jara ESPINO L, 24 I&N Dec. 267(BIA 2007), the applicant must demonstrate bona fide marriage for I-130 filed based on marriage.

Derivative beneficiaries that existed at the time the qualifying petition was filed are independently grandfathered under section 245(i). They may adjust under a separate petition. After acquired dependents may adjust under 245(i) but are not independently grandfathered. After acquired dependents must adjust pursuant to the original qualifying petition that grandfathered them under section 245(i). If an alien is covered by section 245(i), the alien can adjust to a legal permanent resident by paying a $1,000 penalty and submitting evidence that the alien was a beneficiary of a qualifying petition.

Being covered by section 245(i) makes a lot of difference for aliens who lost their I-94. It is a common situation for aliens not to have their I-94 and passports if they entered the US many years ago. Sometimes, the I-94 and old passport are lost through the years when the alien move from one residence to another.

The problem with this is the alien might have problem proving inspection into the United States specially if the alien is unable to obtain a replacement I-94 or present other proof of inspection such as the immigration admission stamp or a copy of the visa.

Another common situation are crew men under a C-1 visa that were inspected but admitted as “in transit.” Many of these crew men never make it to their final

destination. The crew men instead decides to remain in the United States. What they do not realize is that they cannot adjust to legal permanent residence even if they end up marrying a US Citizen. However if they are grandfathered by section 245(i) such as if their parents were petitioned when they were minors, the crew men will be able to adjust inside the United States and get their green card by paying a $1,000 penalty and presenting evidence of the qualifying petition. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement

A Christmas Story: The innkeeper’s...

From Page 5 king. Later on that night, three men garbed in royal splendor and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh travelling from afar, came to pay the child homage. They had been following the bright star hovering about the heavens for many nights leading them to that dusty town called Bethlehem.

Many years later in his old age, the memory of that night still stayed with Joshua. He had remained the innkeeper. He had

EMPLOYMENT

struck a friendship with a man called Luke, a physician who was a regular guest at the inn. He observed that the thoughtful, quiet Luke was always writing in rolls of papyrus in his room.

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

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

May the true Spirit of Christmas live in our hearts all year round! *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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community 6 The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019

Tax & Stock Tips Victor sy,

cPA, MBA (retired)

& roger oriel

NEW technology gadgets were on display at the latest CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas – wall TVs, Virtual Reality and smart phones, but the most fun to watch were robots – robots that walk, talk, pour coffee, play Ping-Pong, and even follow you as a suitcase. Our personal favorite robot was a therapy duck called My Special Aflac Duck - yes, the same funny duck in insurance commercials.

It’s not only cute and cuddly; it’s also a welcome therapy for children coping with cancer. It’s a toy with a purpose – to help children cope through chemotherapy treatments.

My Special Aflac Duck is part toy, part robot, part therapy device. It has become a mascot for children stricken with Lymphoma. Extensive research was made of children diagnosed with cancer – how they feel as they undergo cancer treatments. Children may be unable

Our favorite gadget at last year’s CES – My special Aflac duck to express their feelings to medical staff, but their pet duck can do this for them with a happy chirp or painful groan. The duck enables them to communicate with doctors and nurses.

And yes, this duck can quack, cuddle, and dance. It dances to music. It has a heartbeat. It can breathe. One child was observed to be unafraid of surgery as long as she was able to bring her duck to the operating room.

What a blessing this duck is.

My Special Aflac Duck has a glowing E. T. chest where kids can place feeler cards with emojis. Kids decide how the duck is feeling which is usually their own. This enables doctors and nurses to monitor and treat their patients better. When sad, the duck droops its head and quacks sadly. When happy, it dances and quacks cheerfully.

The duck has an I.V. set for kids to “administer” medication to the duck. It can even “receive” chemotherapy to mirror therapy that the child receives. This helps children feel less scared about chemo-

therapy. This reverses children’s role from patient to caretaker by feeding, bathing, and giving medicine to their pet.

Aflac’s goal is to bring My Special Aflac Duck to every child aged 3-13 in the U.S. free of charge. The insurance company started delivery last September to children at hospitals across the country, starting with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare in Atlanta.

This lovable robot is indeed a blessing to children with cancer. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits.” Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.

Chapter 7, 13 or debt settlement? Client...

From Page 5 $150 to $300 in Chapter 13 for 36 to 60 months. So Chapter 13 costs $18,000 at $300 a month for 60 months. Then, if he completes 60 payments, the court will discharge $22,000. On this point alone, Chapter 13 will cost $18,000 more than Chapter 7, which costs zero.

Another alternative is debt settlement. This does not have a bankruptcy filing. Attempts to settle the $40,000 are made.

Let’s just say the rule of thumb is that creditors will agree to cut the $40K by half for a lump sum payment to be made within 48 hours. In this situation, the debtor has to have ready at least $20,000 for the settlement. This is $20,000 more than Chapter 7, and inferior to Chapter 13 because Chapter 13 allows a fiveyear repayment plan supervised by the court.

The last alternative is just to do nothing and change your phone

number. The problem with this is that creditors are apt to file lawsuits and will get a judgment that will result in wage garnishments in due time. In this situation, your credit score has no chance of improvement within your lifetime, and you live in the constant fear that your payroll department will receive a wage garnishment notice, or your bank will receive a notice of levy on your bank account. Can you imagine even if half of the $40,000 got wage garnishments and bank levies?

The client would have nothing left to pay rent and food! Why live like a rat under the sewer when you can start fresh without accumulated debt and benefit from the rapid increase in your credit score if you handle your new credit right?

Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice, yet Disney is now a billiondollar business worldwide. So, this is something good, not bad.

You have to change the way

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PSYCHIC

you think about debt and opt for the most expeditious and simple way of getting a fresh start in life without accumulated debt. Maybe you’re smarter than Mr. Disney and Chapter 7 may pave your way to being the next American below 50. Who knows? But certainly, if you have accumulated debt that is not discharged, life will be very difficult for you and your family, and you will not get a fresh start in life.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than 5,000 clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 18, 2019