122119 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 100 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Justice served as Maguindanao massacre perpetrators found guilty

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Thursday, December 19, has found members of the Ampatuan family of Maguindanao, together with several others, guilty for the murder of 57 people in the Maguindanao massacre.

Former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his brothMaguindanao 2nd Dist. Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu arrives with family members at ers former Autonomous Region GUILTY. Datu Unsay Ampatuan (upper photo, left), his brother Zaldy (right) and some of their co-accused confer before the reading of the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to attend the Maguindanao massacre case promulgation on Photo courtesy of Supreme Court Public Information Office u PAGE A2 decision.

Thursday, December 19.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

DATELINE

USA

Duterte firm he won’t honor ICC: Only Filipinos can judge me

by DARRYL JOHN

ESGUERRA

Inquirer.net

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte reiterated on Friday, December 20, that he will “never” allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take jurisdiction over him, stressing that he is “only responsible to Filipinos.”

“You do not scare me na pakulong mo ako diyan sa (that you can jail me in that) International Court — Criminal Court. T***… I will never allow myself to answer itong mga puti (these foreigners),” Duterte said in his speech at the first Presidential Silent Drill President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during the recognition of the 2019 Southeast Competition.

Asian Games medalists at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, December 18.

“Hoy, loko-loko kayong mga (You crazy

foreigners)… I will never, never, never answer any question coming from you. It’s b*** s*** to me. I am responsible only to the Filipino. Ang maghusga, Filipino (only Filipinos can judge me). And if you hang me for what I did, go ahead. It will be my pleasure,” he added.

Earlier this month, ICC said it aims to conclude its preliminary examination on Duterte’s drug war by 2020 to see if there is a need for a full-blown investigation into the brutal campaign against illegal drugs.

Duterte has made the war on drugs the focal point of his administration. He has been harshly criticized for it with critics u PAGE A2

Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

The sixth and final Democratic primary debate of 2019 was held at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 20.

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

Fil-Am community leaders weigh in on final Democratic primary debate of 2019

LOS ANGELES — Climate change, U.S.China relations, campaign donations, college affordability and of course, the impeachment of President Donald Trump which took place the day before, were among the topics tackled in the sixth Democratic primary debate on Thursday night, December 19.

Hosted by PBS NewsHour/POLITICO at Loyola Marymount University, former Vice President u PAGE A4

Filipinos respond to House Sara-Digong tandem emerges as impeachment of Pres. Trump top bets for 2020 election - poll House of Representatives vote to impeach the president on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress

by KLARZIE

MEDENILLA

AJPress

THE United States House of Representatives on Wednesday, December 18 voted along party lines on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, making him the third sitting U.S. president in history to be impeached.

The final vote among the Democratic-controlled House was 229 to 198; four Democrats dissented with the majority and did not vote for impeachment, including

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii who abstained from the tally by voting “present” on both articles.

“Today, as speaker of the House, I solemnly and sadly open the debate on the impeachment of the president of the United States,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in her opening remarks to the debate on the articles on the House floor. “If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the president’s reckless actions make impeachment neces-

sary.”

In one of the most talkedabout scandals of the Trump administration, the impeachment of the president involved an alleged abuse of power and soliciting foreign intervention in the 2020 election as well as investigations into conspiracy theories involving the Democratic National Committee (DNC) server.

Following the House’s impeachment (which does not guarantee removal from ofu PAGE A4

New California laws to take effect in 2020 Marcos family ordered to surrender ill-gotten paintings WITH the end of 2019 approaching, California is gearing up for new laws set to take effect in the new year. Whether it’s in the workplace, at home, or outside in nature, below are just some of the many policy changes the nearly 40 million Californians can expect in 2020.

Gig economy changes In California where freelancing and independent contracts are common ways of producing income, the new AB-5 law will put a limit on who companies can classify as employees or independent contractors.

Under the new law, individuals are considered employees unless their employer can prove u PAGE A3

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Sandiganbayan Special Division on Thursday, December 19, ordered the Marcos family to return more than 160 paintings and artworks that were unlawfully acquired, saying that they should be surrendered to the Philippine government.

Valued at millions of dollars, paintings

by Matisse, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh — which were all listed by the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG)

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, came out as the top bets for 2022 president and vice president in a pre-election survey conducted in Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin).

The independent and non-commissioned survey entitled “Pahayag VisMin 2019,” conducted from November 15 to 19, revealed that Duterte-Carpio ranked first in the list with 35 percent of the votes from 2,000 registered Visayas and Mindanao voters.

Sen. Grace Poe followed her with 11 percent. The third to fifth candidates were Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko”Domagoso

with 7.8 percent, Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with 5.5 percent, and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano with 4.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive placed first among 21 candidates for the vice presidential race. He garnered 11.6 percent of votes.

Following him was Duterte-Carpio with 11.5 percent, Domagoso with 9.85 percent, Poe with 9.05 percent, Cayetano with 8.85 percent, and Pacquiao with 7.25.

The survey was released by political consultancy firm PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. (PAI), while data was processed by VOX Opinion Research.

According to PAI Executive Director and firm spokesman Aureli Sinsuat, the poll results showed u PAGE A2

as missing — were among the artworks in question.

Other artworks ruled unlawfully amassed by the family during former President Ferdinand Marcos’ two-decade reign, are included in “A Report on the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s Art Collection” and additional valuable artworks.

In the anti-graft court’s 42-page decision, it ordered the Marcoses to “cease and desist from disposing, transferring and/or selling any of the above-mentioned paintings and u PAGE A2 President Rodrigo Duterte with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

Malacañang photo

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Sara-Digong tandem emerges...

PAGE A1 t that the Duterte brand could be stronger in Mindanao and the Visayas than what was originally expected, noting that DuterteCarpio amassed 54.1 percent of the Mindanao votes.

“Mindanaoan voters catapulted President Duterte to the presidency in 2016. This goes to show that a united Mindanao voting bloc is a force to be reckoned with in the

2022 elections,” he said.

However, Sinsuat had doubts about Duterte running for president again.

“The president has been vocal about his intention to retire from national politics and get some rest after his term ends in 2022.

I doubt he would actively pursue six more years of stress as the second-highest official in the land,” he said.

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

From the Front Page “Nevertheless, we cannot completely discount the possibility of the president’s loyal and persistent supporters attempting to persuade him to stick around after 2022. The numbers from the Pahayag VisMin survey make it plausible that we might see the same sort of grassroots ’Draft Duterte’ movement we saw in 2016, a second time around,” he added.

Sinsuat also noted that Mindanaoan respondents were likely to vote Poe for president if she ran.

“It appears that Senator Poe still has one of the strongest national brands of any politician today. We have to remember that if President Duterte didn’t seemingly come out of nowhere to take the presidential election by storm in 2016, Senator Poe might very well have been elected president instead,” he said.

“Her brand is still presidential in the eyes of many, even for those who live outside her traditional power base in Luzon. She seems to be in a good position to make another run for Malacañang in 2022, if that is what she desires,” he added.

Malacañang is not discounting the results of the survey, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed.

“I’m not surprised. That has been done before in the City of Davao and both of them ran as mayor and vice mayor,” the PAGE A3

Duterte firm he won’t...

PAGE A1 t claiming it has killed as much as 27,000 individuals. However, the government said that only 5,500 drug suspects were killed in antidrug operations.

ICC’s preliminary examination stemmed from a complaint filed by lawyer Jude Sabio in April 2017, which accused the Duterte administration of committing crimes against humanity for the alleged extrajudicial killings in the guise of the controversial crackdown on illegal drugs.

Eventually, the Philippines, through Duterte’s order, withdrew its ratification of the Rome Statute, which created ICC. But ICC maintained it still has jurisdiction over cases that fall within the country’s stay in the Statute, which started in 2011. n

Relatives of the Maguindanao massacre victims accompanied by lawyer Harry Roque (3rd from right) flash the victory sign after the promulgation of the decision on the case in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Thursday, December 19. A decade after the incident, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court found Datu Andal Unsay Ampatuan, Jr., Zaldy Ampatuan, Anwar Ampatuan, Sr., and several others guilty of 57 counts of murder and were sentenced to reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment).

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Justice served as Maguindanao...

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in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Datu Zaldy “Puti” U. Ampatuan and Datu Anwar Ampatuan Sr. were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for slaughtering 57 people who joined the convoy of a rival politician, Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu. The victims were then brought to the village of Sitio Masalay in Ampatuan town where they were shot to death and buried in a shallow grave.

“The court finds that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the killing of the 57 victims were planned prior to Nov. 23, 2009,” said Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Branch 221 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in her 700-page decision read in court.

“Both direct and corroborative evidence point toward this conclusion,” she added.

Other convicted members of the Ampatuan clan include Datu Anwar Sajid “Ulo” and Datu Anwar “Ipi,” Jr., along with Mohades and Misuari Ampatuan.

Along with them are 23 other people, all meted with the penalty of reclusion perpetua.

Meanwhile, 15 others, most of which are policemen, were sentenced to six to 10 years in jail for being accessories to the crime.

Another Ampatuan brother, Sajid Islam Ampatuan, as well as 56 others, were acquitted on grounds of reasonable doubt.

The convicted were ordered to pay the families of the 57 victims P100,000 in civil indemnity and P100,000 in moral damages; and 560,000 to over P23 million to the heirs for loss of earning capacity, as most of the victims were breadwinners.

The lawyers of Unsay and Zaldy, who are now detained in the New Bilibid Prison, said they will file a motion for reconsideration in the next 15 days.

‘Justice is alive’ Mangudadatu, who lost his wife Jenalyn, sisters Eden and Farinah and other relatives in the massacre, expressed his gratitude over the conclusion of the case on Thursday, December 19.

“This event is clear proof that justice in our country is truly alive, and that we will never err when we choose right from wrong, and faith in God and our Constitution,” the now-Maguindanao Second District Representative said.

“My children, siblings, relatives and myself, as well as all the orphaned families, wish to thank the Filipino people for [their] endless prayers and ex-

pressions of support so that we may attain the justice that we have been longing for [in] the last 10 years,” Mangudadatu continued.

“The fact that justice tipped to our side makes the 10-year wait all worth it,” he added.

Considered as the worst single instance of election violence in Philippine history, 32 media practitioners were among the victims of the the Maguindanao massacre.

The relatives of the victims also rejoiced at the verdict.

Noemi Parcon, wife of slain journalist Joel Parcon, said she felt happy that justice had been served, adding that now is the time to move on as she promised to sponsor a mass for thanksgiving and for the repose of the souls of the victims.

“If we live in the past, we’ll get nowhere in life. Although we have already moved forward, for us, we did not stop fighting for justice for them,” she said.

“At least, now I can really say their souls may now ‘rest in peace.’ If there is no justice, their souls can never find peace.

And because of this, we’re praying and hoping that their souls find peace,” she added.

There are some families, howPAGE A3

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Sara-Digong tandem emerges...

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Dateline USa

spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the older Duterte “is not prohibited from running as vice president.”

“Whether he wants to run again, that’s his call. But that has been the emerging idea among people, that there should be a DuterteDuterte tandem in the next presidential elections,” he added.

Asked if the president was aware of the public clamor for him

to run again, Panelo said, “I told him last night and he smiled.”

“If we speak of possibilities, then it’s limitless,” the Palace official said, when asked if the president would heed the people’s call.

But Panelo also said that election “is very far from” the president’s mind, as he still wanted to fulfill his constitutional mandate.

The 74-year-old Duterte has frequently threatened to step

down before the end of his sixyear term, promising to quit if he was unable to solve issues such as corruption and the illegal drug trade.

The president has denied claims that a push to introduce federalism is prompted by a desire to stay in power, and also told the military and the police to seize power if they deemed him no longer capable of leading the nation. n

PAGE A1 t artworks; render an accounting of the paintings and artworks that are still under their control and possession; render an accounting of paintings and artworks already sold and surrender the proceeds thereof to petitioner Republic; and surrender the paintings and/or divulge their current location.”

This decision stemmed from the civil case filed by Presidential

Commission on Good Government (PCGG) last December 1991.

“Petitioner (the government through the PCGG) contends that respondents former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Imelda Marcos spent over US$24 Million dollars in paintings and various artworks. Petitioner seeks the forfeiture of these properties as their costs are grossly and astronomically disproportionate to

respondent spouses’ legitimate incomes,” the partial summary judgment said.

The Sandiganbayan’s recent judgment came after the PCGG lost another Marcos forfeiture civil case involving around P200 billion worth of alleged ill-gotten wealth. This specific case was the fourth victory of the Marcoses out five cases that the anti-graft court decided just in 2019. n

PAGE A1 t that the worker is doing work that is not central to the business, the worker is engaged in an independent business or occupation in the industry, and the worker is free from control of the employer or company.

The bill has been targeted towards ride hailing and food delivery companies like Uber, Lyft, Postmates, and DoorDash that have failed to offer its drivers any protections or benefits. However, the new law has already been criticized by other gig workers like freelance writers who take issue with the fact that the law prohibits nonemployees from submitting more than 35 pieces per year.

Many media companies rely on writers who, according to one Forbes article, sometimes write roughly 35 articles in one month alone.

The American Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc. has already announced that it would be suing the state of California on behalf of freelance journalists — many who have been cut from their jobs in anticipation of the law.

Statewide rent control In October, Calfiornia became the third state in the U.S. to pass legislation limiting rent increases statewide. The law AB-1482 limits landlords from increasing rents to 5% each year plus inflation, and limits landlords from increasing rent above 10% in total.

In addition, landlords will have stricter eviction requirements in that they will need to have an actual and legitimate reason for evicting tenants. Under the state law, buildings constructed in the last 15 years will be exempt unless a local rent control law says otherwise. The date is also rolling, meaning that apartments built in 2005 will be covered until 2020, and so forth.

More power over online privacy Starting January 1, Californians will be supported by law in taking control of their online data. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), businesses will be required to inform consumers of data they’re collecting. Businesses will further be required to delete the data if consumers ask them to either through an online form or through a toll-free number.

The effect on companies that do business in California may be big in that most companies participating in the online economy rely on collected data when using targeted ads. How much these companies would be affected will depend on how many Californians will actually assert their rights.

Extending healthcare to young undocumented immigrants California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB-104 back in July, making California the first state to extend health coverage through its Medicaid program, to young undocumented adults.

Under the new law, individuals ages 19 to 25 would be covered under California’s Medi-Cal, regardless of whether or not they have “satisfactory immigration status.” Those under 19 years of age are already offered health care coverage.

Loans for Dreamers pursuing graduate studies Also geared towards young undocumented youth is SB-354, which will give those brought to the U.S. illegaly as children — known as Dreamers — a better chance at pursuing post-baccaleurate education.

Under the new law, Dreamers looking to obtain a graduate degree from either the California State University (CSU) or the University of California (UC), will be eligible for loans and in-state tuition under the state’s DREAM loan program.

Extension for reporting sexual abuse Beginning in January 2020, victims who have experienced childhood sexual assault but were unable to report it due to an age limit of 26 years old will be able to through an extended age limit of 40 years old. The Child Victims Act

also allows adults over the age of 40 to file suit if they suffered a psychological illness or injury from their experienced abuse within the past five years.

The new law has already been seen as exposing religious, private and public organizations to broader legal liability. Just last month, a Filipina American filmmaker from Hollywood announced that she was suing the Archdioces of Los Angeles over sexual assault she experienced as a child by a Filipino priest.

Getting rid of private prisons Starting in the new year, California will no longer be allowed to renew contracts with private prison companies under AB-32 — a win for advocates of criminal justice reform and immigrant rights.

As for currently operating immigration detention facilities and private prisons, all will be phased out by 2028.

Wildfire efforts With wildfires being a common major threat to communities across the state, a number of laws taking effect in the new year are meant to improve preparedness and limit negative impact.

Under SB-167, utility companies such as PG&E, will be required to come up with plans on how to more effectively conduct power shut offs that left many Californians frustrated this year.

When it comes to warning communities about possible wildfires, SB-209 requires the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to establish together and lead the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center. The center would serve as the state’s central wildfire warning center for forecasting, analyzing, and giving out warnings of wildfire threats as necessary.

Also as a preventative measure, AB-247 puts more power into the hands of the California Public Utilities Commission when it comes to overseeing tree trimming efforts.

New recreation laws for beaches and state parks For those who enjoy outdoor recreational activities, there are a few laws taking effect next year that aim to improve the environment and how people experience it.

One law, AB-1762, is giving the California Department of Parks

and Recreation a deadline to make a list of state parks that allow dogs.

The department has until July 1, 2020 to come up with a comprehensive list of parks down to the number of trail miles dogs are allowed to trek on, and which specific areas are accessible to dogs.

Under SB-8, no longer will people be allowed to smoke or vape at state beaches or parks. People will also prohibited from throwing away any cigarettes or cigars in these areas. Anyone caught violating the law will be fined up to $25.

(Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Marcos family ordered to surrender...

New California laws to take effect in...

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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 Helen Gates-Bryant at gatesbryanth@metro.net.

12/21/19 CNS-3325255# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 21-24, 2019

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Justice served as Maguindanao...

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ever, who are worried that some of the acquitted individuals might get back at them.

“We have families in Mindanao, and we can’t just erase fears of possible retribution,” said Mary Grace Morales, wife of Rosell Morales and sister of Marites Cablitas, who were both photojournalists.

“We can’t help thinking that those convicted might turn to those acquitted for help in harassing us, or worse,” Ricardo Cachuela, brother of journalist Val Cachuela, echoed.

“Throughout the 10 years, we’ve felt their powerful influence because they have the money,” he said.

What’s next?

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecution team that handled the Maguindanao massacre case, they are going to study the 761-page decision to determine if there are strong grounds to ask the Quezon City court to review its decision in acquitting some of the suspects.

“In a way we were happy with the decision that was rendered,” said DOJ senior deputy state prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon.

“Some of the accused were acquitted, who we felt the evidence was strong. That is why after the holidays, we would go after the decision and see what we could do, what we could ask for reconsideration,” he added.

Fadullon said they need time to review Reyes’ lengthy decision.

“I think it is premature for us

A court employee reads the verdict for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre at the trial venue inside a prison facility in Manila on Thursday, December 19.

Photo courtesy of Supreme Court Public Information Office

Police personnel implement tight security outside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, the venue of the promulgation of the Maguindanao massacre case, on Thursday, December 19.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

(to say that more accused should have been convicted), considering that the decision is 700-plus pages. We would go over the decision. The prosecution panel knows the evidence it presented in the course of the trial. I think we have an inkling who we think (should be convicted) or what is

the justification why they were acquitted,” he explained.

“Then and only then would we make a decision really how many we would be moving for reconsideration. Just give us a little time to browse over the decision because it’s a bit long,” he added. n

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Federal appeals court strikes down portion of Obamacare Fil-Am community leaders weigh in on final...

by Julie

RovneR Kaiser Health News

A FEDERAL appeals court panel in New Orleans dealt another blow to the Affordable Care Act on Wednesday, December 18, agreeing with a lower-court judge that the portion of the health law requiring most people to have coverage is unconstitutional now that Congress has eliminated the tax penalty that was intended to enforce it.

But it is sending the case back to the lower court to decide how much of the rest of the law can stand in light of that ruling.

That most likely means the fate of the law will not be settled before the 2020 election.

The stakes could not be higher. The case is widely expected to end up at the Supreme Court.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who is leading a coalition of states defending the health law, announced Wednesday night that he would appeal to the high court immediately. And if the high court — which has upheld the ACA twice since its original passage in 2010 — agrees with the appeals court, the decision could upend the nation’s entire health care system.

“It’s time to get rid of the uncertainty,” Becerra told reporters at a news conference. “Americans don’t need to be jerked around when it comes to their health care.”

Hanging in the balance is not only health coverage for the roughly 20 million Americans directly served by the ACA, but also hundreds of millions more whose health care and coverage have been affected by the thousands of changes enacted in the law. Those include provisions as wide-ranging as changes in Medicare drug copayments, requirements for calorie counts on menus, a pathway for approval of generic copies of expensive biologic drugs and, perhaps most important politically, protections for people with preexisting conditions.

The requirement for coverage, often referred to as an individual mandate, was inserted in the law to give insurers a wide pool of customers since they were now required to cover people with medical conditions. Concerns about losing that guaranteed coverage for preexisting conditions was a potent argument of the Democrats when they made big gains in

PAGE A1 t Joe Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (IVt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and businessmen Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang were the seven top candidates who took the stage to make their campaign appeals during the final Democratic debate of 2019.

But for several Filipino Americans who attended on Thursday, it was a missed opportunity for the candidates to highlight issues pertaining to Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), considered the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country. California is home to 6.6 million AAPIs; Filipino Americans alone are 1.6 million.

“The candidates should try to speak and learn about our issues and community. One of my takeaways from tonight is that they still have a long way to go. All of them do,” Arnel Dino, vice chair of the Filipino American Democratic Caucus of the California Democratic Party, told the Asian Journal following the debate.

Data over the years has signaled that AAPIs will continue to play a significant role in political races at u PAGE A5 the national, state, and local levels, and are expected to reach 12.2 million registered voters by 2040 — doubling from 5.9 million in 2015 when the study by the UCLA Center for the Study of Inequality OVER 17 YEARS and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies was released.

“There were a lot of issues that were talked about and I loved how everyone was able to articulate what their thoughts were. What I didn’t like and actually what I’m walking away with is the memory of certain candidates going against each other on various issues,” Melissa Ramoso, state chair of the California Democratic Party API Caucus, added.

One of the topics Ramoso obDarrick V. Tan, Esq. served was not as predominant on the stage was immigration, Licensed in California for though candidates for the most over 17 years part agreed on expanded support Licensed in Nevada for for recipients of the Deferred Acover 12 years* UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political tion on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Science with Cum Laude honors program, for example.

Southwestern University Law She explained, “I wanted them School, Juris Doctor to talk more about immigration Admitted to U.S. District Court, and it’s important we know that Central District of California Member, American Immigration there are people of color besides Andrew Yang running for this ofLawyers Association fice and because we don’t have Member, Consumers Attorney them on that stage, it’s not an isAssociation of Los Angeles Former Member, Board of sue as it should be.”

Governors, Philippine American Yang, the first Asian AmeriBar Association can man to run for president as a *Inactive Democrat, was asked about what message being the only candidate of color on stage sent to voters.

“It’s both an honor and disappointment to be the lone candidate of color on the stage tonight,” Yang said, adding “I miss Kamala, I miss Cory, though I think Cory will be back.”

California Senator Kamala Harris dropped out of the 2020 race earlier this month, while New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and former San Antonio Mayor Júlian Castro did not qualify for Thursday’s debate.

Yang reasoned that the stage’s lineup was reflective of how most Americans don’t have disposable income to donate to campaigns and cited the income disparities in the black and Latino communities.

The son of Taiwanese immigrants himself, Yang did not mention AAPIs, however.

“These are the numbers that define race in our country. And the question is, why am I the lone candidate of color on this stage? Fewer than 5% of Americans donate to political campaigns,” Yang sugthe 2018 midterm elections.

President Donald Trump heralded the court’s decision, saying that he has long asserted “that the individual mandate, by far the worst element of Obamacare, is unconstitutional.” He said overturning the mandate “will not alter the current health care system” and said his administration will work to protect guarantees of coverage for people with medical problems. But he didn’t give any specifics of how that would work.

Meanwhile, Democrats point out that the law has been working fine without the tax penalty – which was officially eliminated at the beginning of this year. They say that means, by definition, that the mandate is not necessary for the function of the rest of the law.

In the court’s decision, two of the three judges on the panel agreed with the plaintiffs in the case who wanted the law struck down. Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod wrote that “the individual mandate is unconstitutional because it can no longer be read as a tax, and there is no other constitutional provision that justifies this exercise of congressional power.”

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Filipino American leaders were among the debate attendees on Thursday, December 20: Fil-Am Democratic Caucus of CA Democratic Party vice chair Arnel Dino, LA Board of Public Works Commissioner Jessica Caloza, state Assemblymember Rob Bonta, Artesia Councilmember and CA Dem Party AAPI caucus state chair Melissa Ramoso.

Contributed photo

Arnel Dino, Melissa Ramoso, and West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon debrief after the Democratic primary debate on Thursday, December 20.

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

gested. “You know what you need to donate to political campaigns?

Disposable income.”

Fil-Am Christopher Cabaldon, mayor of West Sacramento, also noted that the nuances of immigration once families come to the United States was another area that was glossed over.

“We focus a lot on the border and around immigration policy, which is really critical. But as we know in our community, it’s also about what happens when you’re here in terms of access to professions. It’s about justice for our manongs and folks who fought in the war. There are so many other issues that need to be heard that I hope would have come out in California’s debate but didn’t,” Cabaldon told the Asian Journal.

With California’s primary moved up to March in 2020, Fil-Am leaders are calling on candidates to take the time to understand the community and the issues it faces, such as family reunification or affordable health care. In turn, it also means Fil-Ams should be registering to vote and turning out to cast their ballots.

“Our issues matter. At end of the day, this comes down to making sure our community votes in 2020 to show impact that we can influence and change elections on the local, state and federal level,” said said Alex De Ocampo, cofounder of the Filipino Voter Empowerment Project, which seeks to tap the eligible but unregistered Fil-Am voters across California.

There are only 396,000 registered Fil-Am voters in the state, the organization has found.

There are only 396,000 registered Fil-Am voters in the state.

De Ocampo said, “From phone banking to knocking on doors, FVEP is committed in the upcoming weeks to make sure our community is ready to cast their ballot.

We are committed through grassroots organizing that involves volunteer recruitment, voter education and digital communication to reach out to the Fil-Am community up and down the state.”

For state Assemblymember Rob Bonta, who had initially endorsed Harris before she suspended her campaign, he’ll be spending the

next few weeks weighing the other candidates’ platforms before he makes another endorsement.

“Filipino Americans need to look at the folks who are inclusive, who see the community as who we are and will fight for our community members and not just some. Most say they’ll do that and I believe most will but we need to stepping up and asking for things.

We can’t sit back and wait,” Bonta told the Asian Journal. “Communities that are active, engaged and are registered to vote and then come out to vote are, the reality is, who the candidates listen to. We as a Filipino American community can be better at that.”

In contrast, AAPIs in Nevada — which make up 10% of the state’s eligible voters — has gotten direct contact with several candidates outside of high-profile fundraisers over the past few months, whether it’s Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan campaigning for Biden or Warren and Sanders holding meet-and-greets at local AAPI businesses.

Booker was in Las Vegas earlier in the week, where one of his campaign events included a caucus training in Tagalog with local FilAm organizers. Filipinos are considered the largest AAPI group in the state at 169,462 and Tagalog is one of the languages required for the ballots in Clark County, for example.

After the debate on Friday, Buttigieg also made his way to the city for a town hall with AAPIs, his second event this year with the community there.

Cabaldon, who’s a surrogate for Buttigieg, said that the smaller cities in California — though, the state is largely considered blue — are equally crucial for grassroots recruiting and candidate interaction.

“This election isn’t going to be won on airwaves. It’s going to be won on the ground and particularly in California in communities like ours. It means going to Stockton, Vallejo, Artesia, Cerritos, Daly City and to my city and activating voters that have been left behind and are largely invisible in this race,” he said. (Chrstina M. Oriel/ AJPress)

Filipinos respond to House impeachment...

PAGE A1 t fice), the Senate will hold a historic trial that will have the final say on whether to acquit or convict and remove Trump from office.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.) asserted that there was “no chance” that the Republican-majority Senate would convict Trump, escalating the growingly partisan nature of the affair.

But the impeachment, and the grounds on which Trump’s impeachment lie, shouldn’t be viewed as a partisan effort but as an act of accountability, according to Filipino American Anthony C. Ocampo, associate professor of sociology at Cal Poly Pomona.

“Even if Trump isn’t removed from office, I’m thrilled that he’s being held accountable, for once,” Ocampo said in an email to the Asian Journal. “He went behind the American people’s back and sought help from a foreign government in order to get damaging information about a political opponent. That’s wrong. The president is supposed to have the interest of the American people in mind. Instead, he was compromising the interest of the American people for personal gain.”

As the tally was finalized, Americans everywhere began reacting to the historic impeachment vote resulted in Trump becoming the third U.S. president to be impeached.

(Both the 17th U.S. President An-

drew Johnson the 42nd U.S President Bill Clinton were impeached by the House but avoided conviction from the Senate.)

The enormous response to the impeachment vote on social media was largely divided by extreme reactions: those celebrating the impeachment and those outraged by the Democrats. But there are few who question the veracity of the impeachment inquiry.

“I feel that the impeachment process was rushed and there wasn’t really enough time or evidence to get an accurate picture of what Trump is being accused of,” Brian Relada, a Filipino American political science student at Liberty University, told the Asian Journal in a phone interview.

Relada, who said he is not a Trump supporter, noted the context surrounding the impeachment — the Mueller report which found no collusion of the 2016 election by the Trump campaign, the accusations of sexual misconduct by the president, the widely criticized nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and the controversial immigration policy proposals “to name a few” — and felt “worried” that the House Democrats were acting “for party, not country.”

“If you look at the history of impeachment in American politics, you can see that it’s not a partisan effort — it’s an attempt to remove an elected official who has been charged with misconduct. You

can make arguments that there are tones of partisanship, but it’s not supposed to be. In this case, [the timing of the impeachment] is suspicious to me since we have the 2020 election looming ahead, and Democrats have been trying to get him out of office on other matters,” Relada said.

“In regards to the Ukraine affair, I do think that there are significant things to mine there and there could be more damning evidence of abuse of power, but I just don’t think there was enough to vote on it now,” Relada said.

“As a patriot, I want to have trust in our elected officials, that they aren’t making moves to further their agendas, but the current political and social climate of our country makes it hard to believe in nonpartisanship,” he lamented.

The vote brings to a head several weeks of testimonies and hearings following Pelosi’s official announcement of the impeachment inquiry on Sept. 24, 2019.

Initially, Pelosi resisted the pressure to call for an impeachment inquiry from leftists, but in May 2019, she began validating the accusations of “obstruction of justice” and refusal to acknowledge congressional subpoenas following various scandals that continue to plague the Trump administration.

It wasn’t until a whistleblower complaint in August 2019 that alleged abuse of power by Trump

u PAGE A5

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Filipinos respond to House impeachment...

SHINY AND BRIGHT. The country will welcome 2020 with fresh money — the newly minted P20 and enhanced P5 coins. The coins were launched on Tuesday, December 17, by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

ManilaTimes.net photo

Federal appeals court strikes down portion of Obamacare PAGE A4 t But at the same time, the appeals court majority declined to say how much else of the law can remain.

Instead, it ordered the lower court “to employ a finer-toothed comb … and conduct a more searching inquiry into which provisions of the ACA Congress intended to be inseverable from the individual mandate.”

The third judge on the panel, Carolyn Dineen King, disagreed with both the lower court and the other two judges. In her dissent, she wrote that sending the case back to the lower court “will unnecessarily prolong this litigation and the concomitant uncertainty over the future of the healthcare sector.”

Reaction to the appeals court decision mostly broke along ideological lines.

Democrats were angry. “Tonight’s ruling is a sharp reminder to Americans that a heartless lawsuit supported by Congressional Republicans and President Trump is why vital health care protection, especially protections for people with pre-existing conditions, are in grave danger,” said a statement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Conservatives were pleased.

“Today’s decision reminds us that Obamacare has been on shaky ground since its creation,” said Marie Fishpaw of the conservative Heritage Foundation. “Patients deserve better than the high costs, limited choices and narrow provider networks that Obamacare

brought to the health care system.”

But many Republicans also know that striking down the law could cause major repercussions to the health system. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said in a statement that while he was satisfied that the individual mandate itself might be unconstitutional, “I am not aware of a single senator who said they were voting to repeal Obamacare when they voted to eliminate the individual mandate penalty.”

A group of Republican state attorneys general and governors filed the case, Texas v. United States, in early 2018. They charged that when Congress eliminated the financial penalty for not having insurance as part of its 2017 tax bill, it rendered the rest of the health law moot. That is because the 2012 Supreme Court decision upholding the law said it was the tax that made the law constitutional, since the ACA relied on appropriate taxing powers given to Congress through the Constitution.

Legal scholars on both sides say that logic is flawed, but, in December 2018, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, of the Northern District of Texas, ruled the entire law unconstitutional.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, has taken several positions on the case. Last year, it told the lower court it did not believe eliminating the tax required the entire law to be declared void.

But Justice Department officials

said they supported striking down the provisions of the law most closely tied to the tax penalty: the ones requiring insurance companies to sell coverage to people with preexisting health conditions and not charge them more. Those are among the most popular provisions of the law. Democrats’ success in taking back the House in last year’s midterm elections was largely credited to consumers’ fears of losing that provision when Republicans threatened to repeal the health law in 2017.

After the lower-court ruling, however, the administration decided to support the GOP plaintiffs. In March, a Justice Department spokeswoman said officials had “determined that the district court’s comprehensive opinion came to the correct conclusion and will support it on appeal.”

That left a group of Democratic state attorneys general to defend the law, led by Becerra, along with the U.S. House of Representatives, which voted in January, after Democrats formally took over the majority, to join the lawsuit.

But in July, the administration’s position shifted again. In a filing with the court, its attorneys argued that perhaps the health law should be invalidated only in the GOP states that are suing, rather than in all states. It is unclear how that would work.

This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. n

PAGE A1 t that kickstarted the impeachment.

The whistleblower alleged that Trump used the Office of the President to catalyze intervention in the 2020 election by urging the newly-elected Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to open investigations on Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden (the latter of whom was on the board of a Ukranian natural gas company called Burisma) and a debunked conspiracy theory that alleged that Russia hacked into the DNC server.

In the transcripts of the nowinfamous Trump-Zelensky phone call that occurred on July 25, Trump suggested that if Zelensky doesn’t comply with these investigation requests that he will withhold military aid to Ukraine, which many described as a quid pro quo.

The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have blasted the Democrats for moving forward with the impeachment process, and following Wednesday’s decision, Trump once again pushed back on the Democrats.

“SICK ATROCIOUS LIES BY THE RADICAL LEFT, DO NOTHING DEMOCRATS. THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA, AND AN ASSAULT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!” the president tweeted in response to the House vote.

Minutes after the vote was tallied, the Trump 2020 reelection effort also declared the impeachment a “sham” and accused the Democrats of acting for their own interests as opposed to those of the American people. (An aggregated poll from FiveThirtyEight found that 47.6% of Americans support Trump’s impeachment while 46.1% do not.)

“The contrast between President Trump and the Democrats couldn’t be more clear,” Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Pascale said in a statement. “While the President rallied with tens of thousands of citizens in Michigan and celebrated the greatness and success of America, Democrats in D.C. completed their cold, calculated, and concocted 3-year impeachment sham and voted against 63 million Americans. And the only part of the vote that was bipartisan was in opposition. The President is just getting stronger while support for the Democrats’ political theater has faded. Undeterred, President Trump keeps racking up victories for the American people, who will respond by resoundingly re-electing him next November.”

As the House impeachment vote transitions into a Senate impeachment trial scheduled for early next year, what hangs in the balance is how this issue will play into the next presidential election. Ocampo acknowledged the significant effect the 2018 midterm election — which flipped the House from Republican-controlled to Democrat-controlled — had on Trump’s impeachment.

“Whether he is removed from office or not, by way of conviction or the 2020 election, I think the

impeachment vote is a reminder of how important midterm elections are,” Ocampo noted. “Had the Democrats [hadn’t] galvanized a resistance movement, they would not have earned back the House of Representatives.

Had they not earned back the House, impeachment would not have even been a conversation point, let alone a reality. I hope Americans interested in restoring the dignity of this country will see this as evidence that mobilizing matters.” n

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Duterte not yet over with ‘onerous’ water deals; to make announcement on Jan. 6 by nestor

corraLes Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte would not allow that nothing would happen with the “onerous” deal between the government and the two Metro Manila water concessionaires.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this Thursday as he revealed that Duterte would make an announcement Devotees attend the first anticipated Simbang Gabi at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on Monday, December 16. about the deals on January 6, Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman 2020.

“Sabi niya (Duterte), hindi siya papayag na walang mangyayari sa kasong ito (He said he won’t Among geographic areas, allow that nothing would happen MANILA — A large number of classes with 97% in Class ABC, Mindanaoans recorded the with this case),” Panelo said in a Filipinos will be facing the new 93% in Class D and 91% in E. The poll firm noted that highest hope for the coming Palace briefing. year with hope, according to a Panelo, quoting Duterte, said “I Pulse Asia survey released on hopefulness became more pro- Christmas festivities with 57%, nounced this year among those followed by NCR and balance still want to hear why they allowed Friday, December 20.

The poll found that 93% of in Class E following a 15-point Luzon with 48% and the Visayas this kind of treason against the inFilipinos said they will face the jump from the previous 76% in with 38%.

About 68% of those comyear 2020 with hope while 7% December 2018.

Meanwhile, nearly half of Fili- ing from Class ABC said their were undecided. Some 0.2%, meanwhile, will face the coming pinos expect the coming Christ- Christmas will be more prosperFORMER president Benigno mas to be more prosperous for ous this year. new year without hope.

The survey was conducted “Noynoy” Aquino III has been The positive sentiment is the them and their families.

The same survey found that from December 3 to 8 using face- discharged from the hospital, same across all geographic areas with 95% in NCR, 90% in 48% of Filipinos see the coming to-face interviews among 1,200 days after undergoing medical balance Luzon, 98% in Visayas holidays to be more prosperous adult respondents. The poll has tests, his spokesman said on while 41% said it will be the an error margin of ± 2.8% at the Tuesday, December 17. and 95 % in Mindanao. “happy to report that former Majority figures were also same as last year and 11% said 95% confidence level. (Patricia president Noynoy Aquino has Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com) recorded in all socio-economic it will be poorer than last year. been discharged from the hospital today [Tuesday]. he thanks everyone who sent prayers and well-wishes,” Abigail Valte said however, Munsayac insisted Thus, even if the Court were to defy in a text message. by ritcheL MendioLa that most of the cases in the San- the best evidence rule, it still could Valte issued the statement AJPress diganbayan were filed and liti- not fully ascertain the contents of amid reports that Aquino unThE Presidential Commission gated before President Rodrigo these documents and make an derwent an angioplasty proceon Good Government (PCGG) on Duterte became the country’s intelligent evaluation therefrom,” dure after he allegedly flatlined said the 58-page decision.

Wednesday, December 18, said chief executive. on Saturday morning.

Justice Secretary Menardo “Some of (these) were already it is ready to cooperate with the But Valte denied it, saying Senate after Senate Blue Ribbon submitted for decision as early as Guevarra said former PCGG of- that Aquino was confined at the ficials should be summoned if a Makati Medical Center for the committee chairman Richard 2010,” he said “In any event, the PCGG will Senate probe into the agency’s completion of his tests.

Gordon announced he would initiate a probe into PCGG’s failure closely coordinate with the Office string of failure pushes through.

“No flatline, no angioplasty.

“If there’s any legislative intent These rumors are getting wildto recover the alleged ill-gotten of the Solicitor General to ensure that all available remedies will be to strengthen the PCGG, I wel- er by the minute. I hope we wealth of the Marcos family.

“The PCGG welcomes Senator availed of to protect government come the Senate inquiry. For pur- stop giving them time of day,” poses, however, of knowing how Valte told The Manila Times in Gordon’s pronouncement that he interest,” he added.

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Di- the PCGG handled the Marcos a text message. intends to initiate a Senate inquiry on the recent Sandiganbayan vision on Monday dismissed Civil cases, it should be the past PCGG Valte confirmed that the fordecisions involving PCGG,” said Case No. 0002 filed by the PCGG leaderships who should be sum- mer president had been at the PCGG acting chairman, Reynold in July 1987 against the Marcoses moned to explain,” he said.

Makati Medical Center since “The current officials of the due to lack of evidence.

Munsayac.

“The bulk of the documentary PCGG had hardly any involve“The PCGG will cooperate with the Senate and submit all avail- evidence offered by the plaintiff ment in the cases except to await able data regarding the cases,” (PCGG) are mere photocopies, the rendition of judgment,” he most of which are barely readable. added. n he added.

9 in 10 Filipinos face 2020 with hope — Pulse Asia

terest of the Filipino people.”

“I think what he (Duterte) meant is he will not step out of the presidency without resolving this issue,” he added.

Duterte has earlier warned of government takeover on Pangilinan-led Maynilad and the Ayala-owned Manila Water after he slammed the 1997 “onerous” water concession deals between the two companies and the government. he said Filipinos are “being milked by the billions” with the onerous deals.

Asked about the president’s announcement on January 6, Panelo said “I will not preempt the president, because when I asked permission to issue, sabi niya huwag muna (he said not now).

“Let’s wait. he said he will

make an important announcement on January 6,” he added.

Maynilad and Manila Water had said they would no longer collect P10.8 billion in compensation. A Singapore-based arbitration court ordered the Philippine government to pay for the losses suffered by the water firms due to the disallowed water rate increases from 2013 to 2017.

The 25-year water concession agreements were signed in 1997 during the Ramos administration and extended in 2009 through the Arroyo administration until 2037.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) had canceled the deal extension and said the water concession agreements would end on 2022. n

Aquino discharged from hospital - spokesman

PCGG ready to cooperate with Senate

Monday, December 9.

She said Aquino was moved from the hospital’s intensive care unit to a regular room on Tuesday upon his request.

During his time as president, Aquino was known to have been a chain smoker and dealt with rumors about the state of his health.

In 2015, at the height of investigation into the death of 44 state troopers in the Mamasapano encounter, Aquino was rumored to have collapsed.

Malacañang, however, denied this.

This year, Aquino was not able to attend various occasions, including the death anniversary of his father Benigno Aquino Jr. on August 21 and the launch of the memoir of his mother, former president Corazon Aquino, titled “To Love Another Day”.

During his father’s death anniversary, Aquino’s youngest sister, TV personality Kris Aquino, revealed that he was “not OK.”

Former President Benigno Aquino III ManilaTimes.net photo

“I’m sorry kung nawi-weirdan kayo, but iba ang light niya (I’m sorry if you find this weird, but he’s showing a different light), if you’re Chinese you know,” Kris said.

“These past three years had been tough on him,” she added, appealing to “please include him in your prayers because he needs strength.” (Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes.net)

With Duterte’s backing, Olympic gold is not impossible – Romero

by John

Bryan uLanday Philstar.com

MANILA — With President Duterte pitching in, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero (1Pacman Partylist) on Thursday, December 19, called on all national sports associations (NSAs) and major stakeholders, including fellow house representatives, to work as one to realize the country’s long cherished dream of winning an Olympic gold.

“Let us support President Duterte’s wish of quenching the country’s thirst for an Olympic gold,” said Romero, vowing to support all the measures that Philippine Olympic Committee President and Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino will undertake in search for the ultimate prize.

During the awarding of incentives to the athletes at Malacañang on Wednesday, December

18, Duterte made two wishes which many said are vital to the realization of winning an Olympic gold — a substantial increase in the national athletes’ monthly allowances and also to increase the country’s budget for the Olympic campaign.

Elite athletes are currently receiving P45,000 monthly allowance.

“Sana ‘yung allowance ninyo, dapat ‘yung pagkain, libre na.

‘Yung allowance ninyo, allowance na ninyo ‘yan (I hope you’re allowance comes with free food),” said Duterte who drew cheers from the athletes and officials led

by Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and PhISGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Mga P250,000 a month, okay na siguro ‘yan (Maybe P250,000 a month, maybe that’s enough),” said Duterte, drawing cheers from the athletes.

“With president stepping in, I do believe winning an Olympic gold now is no longer impossible,” said Romero as he cited the country’s massive success in the 30th SEA Games where Filipino athletes ran away with the overall championship with 149 golds, 117 silvers and 121 bronzes.

“Our success in the SEA Games which Cong. Bambol masterminded by staging 529 events in 56 sports was a proof that we can win big if we work as one,” said Romero.

“In the past, politicians who dabble as sports leaders were criticized for using sports as personal platforms. But in this era of sports, we are sportsmen first and politicians second,” Romero said. “And Cong. Bambol proved that.”

The 30th SEA Games also marked the first time that POC doled out additional cash incentives to all Filipino medalists. n

African swine fever losses hit P4 billion

by Louise

Maureen Philstar.com

siMeon

MANILA — The hog industry has already lost at least P4 billion due to African swine fever (ASF) but the Department of Agriculture maintained that the disease is now tapering off.

In his yearend briefing, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said ASF cases have been decreasing in the infected areas and no new areas have tested positive. however, losses in the hog industry had reached P4 billion since the outbreak in mid-August.

“We estimate that losses are at P1 billion a month. It’s been four months so that’s P4 billion but the development is that the cases are already decreasing,” Dar said.

“This means that consumer confidence will soon increase and business will be back,” he added.

Based on latest data from the Bureau of Animal Industry, affected areas reached 612 barangays in 73 municipalities in the nine provinces that include Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Tarlac, Rizal, Cavite, Pangasinan and parts of Metro Manila.

Of the total 612 barangays, 329 are ASF-positive while 283 underwent depopulation due to protocol but tested negative for

the disease.

Some 147,334 hogs have been killed and disposed of since the outbreak in August, of which 121,331 were from backyard farms.

The move to establish a national zoning plan to compartmentalize areas affected by ASF is also being pushed to become an executive order to prompt local government units (LGUs) to follow.

“While we have the lead responsibility with regard to the problem, we are doing the one whole nation approach. We plan that the zoning plan signed as administrative circular will be given to Malacañang (for President Duterte’s signature),” Dar said.

“The President can issue it as EO so everyone will fall in line in implementing it properly,” he added.

Since the outbreak of ASF, a majority of LGUs have banned the entry of hogs and pork products even from areas not affected by the disease.

Even if the Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered the entry of these products provided necessary certificates are shown, most LGUs still did not follow.

The zoning plan then would clearly state the status of each area and the corresponding movements allowed.

“Based on the zoning plan,

longganisa, tocino and hotdog will still not be allowed to be traded from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao. What we will allow only are fully cooked and canned processed pork products,” Dar said.

According to the plan, the Visayas, Mindanao and Mimaropa are free zones, which means that they could send their products anywhere.

Ilocos and Bicol regions are a protected zone while Central Luzon and Calabarzon are a surveillance zone.

Bulacan and Pampanga remain as the infected zone where the only movement allowed is within the two provinces.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines zoning as the proclamation of geographical areas in which specific disease control actions are to be carried out.

This is usually done in the form of concentric circles around known or suspected foci of infection, with the most intensive disease control activities in the inner zones.

Zoning is one of the early actions to be taken when there is an incursion of ASF into a country.

The actual size and shape of the zones may be determined by administrative boundaries or geographical barriers or be driven by epidemiological or resource imperatives. n

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Duterte creates panel on diversity

by Catherine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

TALAKAYANG HEART BEAT. The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) establishes the “Tuklas Lunas” Program which aims to produce reliable and affordable medicines sourced from its own biodiversity. Photo shows DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (4th from right), DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara (4th from left), and PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya (3rd from right), flash the heart sign during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat themed: “Health Research and Technology” held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

PNP to reinstate 17 acquitted cops in Maguindanao massacre case THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will reinstate 17 of the 36 policemen who were acquitted in the Maguindanao massacre case would be back on service.

“Kinukumpirma natin na 17 lamang ang maaaring mareinstate marestore to full duty status (We confirm that 17 will be reinstated and restored for full duty status),” Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, told reporters in a press briefing on Friday, December

20.

Banac said the 17 policemen were considered on automatic leave and were on absence without pay as they were still detained.

Banac said the acquitted lawmen would be required to undergo mandatory drug test, neuro-psychiatric test and medical examination “to determine their fitness after having been away from the service for a very long period of time.”

Nineteen policemen were

found guilty based on the decision by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221.

“Sa ngayon po ay maaari na silang i-restore subalit ‘di applicable yung back wages lumalabas na no work no pay (They could now return to duty but payment of back wages is not applicable since it’s no work no pay),” Banac said. (Darwin Pesco/ManilaTimes.net)

Senate ratifies ‘sin tax’ bill

by JaVier ismael ManilaTimes.net

BEFORE adjourning for the Christmas break, the Senate ratified late Wednesday night, December 18, the “Sin Tax” Bill, an act seeking to increase the excise tax on alcohol, heated tobacco and vapor products.

Earlier in the day, members of the joint panel of the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the bicameral conference committee report reconciling the provisions of the bill, which seeks to raise taxes on alcohol and e-cigarette products beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sen. Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, along with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jose Maria Clemente Salceda, led the bicam discussions that lasted for more than four hours.

Based on estimates of the Department of Finance (DoF), the approved bicam version will generate P22.2 billion in revenues from alcohol and e-cigarettes during the first year of implementation. But an amended provision exempting specific prescription medicines from value added tax (VAT) will slash revenues by P5.2 billion.

Sixty percent of the revenues will go to the Universal Health Care (UHC) program, 20 percent to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health, and the remaining 20 percent to programs seeking to attain the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The tax rates approved by the bicam panel are the following: – Fermented liquor (specific tax rate): P35 in 2020, P37 in 2021, P39 in 2022, P41 in 2023

and P43 in 2024, with a 6 percent indexation thereafter – Distilled spirits (specific tax rate with 22 percent ad valorem tax): P42 in 2020, P47 in 2021, P52 in 2022, P59 in 2023 and P66 in 2024, with a 6 percent indexation thereafter – Sparkling and still wines (specific tax rate): P50 in 2020, with a 6 percent indexation thereafter – Heated Tobacco Products or HTPs (specific tax rate): P25 in 2020, P27.50 in 2021, P30 in 2022 and P32.50 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation thereafter – Salt nicotine (specific tax rate): P37 in 2020, P42 in 2021, P47 in 2022 and P52 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation thereafter – Free base (specific tax rate): P45 in 2020, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022 and P60 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation thereafter.

Cayetano admitted that she would have preferred the higher tax rates originally proposed under Senate Bill 1074. Nevertheless, she said she respected the bicam decision.

“As a health advocate… I have two roles: increasing the tax for purposes of UHC [and using taxation] as a deterrent to the consumption of a product that is not healthy…I had hoped [for higher tax rates], but that is how democracy works, that is how we work as a bicameral house, so the figures we have are what they are and they will still go a long way,” she said.

“I really wanted to find enough funding to continually support UHC and to use the price imposed on sin products, whether it’s alcohol, ecig[arette], or HTP, as a deterrent,” Cayetano said.

She said her next goal “will be to really have advocacies and health campaigns to help people switch to healthier alternatives, because we don’t want young people, or even not so young [ones], to become addicted to a new bad habit.”

Senate members of the bicam panel included Senators Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

Making up the House panel were Deputy Speakers LRay Villafuerte, Raneo Abu and Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Representatives Estrellita Suansing, Jack Duavit, Sheena Tan, Sharon Garin, Teodorico Haresco Jr. and Jose Antonio Alvarado.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III welcomed the ratification of the new sin tax measure.

Dominguez said the P22.2billion additional revenue that would be raised from the first year of implementation of the measure “will not quite hit the total amount” earmarked for UHC. The health program would require an initial budget of P257 billion in its first year of implementation. Of the total, P40 billion is expected to be sourced from the sin tax revenues, while the rest will be provided under the national budget.

“Maybe it’s not exactly what we want, but the wisdom of the legislature is to be respected and we appreciate the understanding and the actions the legislature has taken because these actions are certainly a lot better than past legislatures,” Dominguez told reporters. n

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force for the institutionalization of the government’s diversity and inclusion program to advance and protect the rights and welfare of all Filipinos.

Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 100 on December 17, establishing the Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP) which will consolidate efforts and implement existing laws “toward the identification and adoption of best practices in the promotion of diversity and inclusion.”

“The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights,” the order read.

“To this end, taking into account that the equal protection of laws does not bar reasonable classification based on substantial distinctions, the State shall endeavor to advance and protect the rights and welfare of all Filipinos, regardless of age, disability, national or ethnic origin, language, religious affiliation or believe, political affiliation or belief, health status, physical features, or sexual orientation and gender identity and expression,” it added.

The order also aims to “cultivate a supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment to maintain equal opportunities, and to recognize the diverse and empowered thoughts and perspectives of all persons.”

Under EO 100, the DIP will provide a framework for agencies to identify and eliminate all barriers to equal opportunities, in education and the recruitment, hiring, training, promotion and retention of personnel.

It will include programs to ensure that all personnel are properly equipped with the ability to manage diversity, including the provision of robust orientation processes and relevant training.

The program will also outline mechanisms for accountability in departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned or controlled corporations, and local government units, and provide a process for seeking redress for discrimination-related complaints and a forum for other related

concerns.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (ICDI) was created to develop the DIP in consultation with the Commission on Human Rights, Civil Service Commission, stakeholders, advocacy groups and nongovernment organizations.

The ICDI will also be tasked to provide overall direction to the DIP and guidance and technical assistance to agencies in the implementation of the DIP

in their respective agencies.

It will provide capacity-building interventions and information campaigns for the effective implementation of the DIP and encourage local government units to issue ordinances promoting diversity and inclusion within their respective jurisdictions among other powers and functions.

The committee will be chaired by the Interior secretary, while the Social Welfare secretary will serve as vice chairman. n

A8 DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Justice at last, but…

IT took 10 years, but when the verdict was finally handed down on Thursday, December 19, relatives of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre cheered. There was applause in the courtroom annex of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes as the principal perpetrators of the massacre were declared guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

And yet the celebration was muted. Only 28 defendants were found guilty while 56 were cleared. The conviction was for 57 murders, after Solis-Reyes declared that there was no solid proof of the death of the 58th victim, journalist Reynaldo Momay.

Amid the rejoicing are the disappointments and concerns about what might happen next. With 56 defendants cleared, including two members of the Ampatuan clan, there are valid concerns raised by the victims’ families that violence remains a serious threat in the clan’s turf. Most of the guns believed owned by the Ampatuans and their private army remain unaccounted for.

The clan is believed to continue enjoying control over substantial funds and other assets. Harassment of witnesses, victims’ relatives and prosecution lawyers are possible, and so are more killings. At least three witnesses were killed in the course of the trial.

There are 80 suspects still to be brought to justice, and an appeals process that could take another decade to complete. There is the equally complicated task of going after the assets of the Ampatuan clan.

There are other criminal cases – about 200 of them – still being pursued, including complaints for corruption and obstruction of justice, as well as cases related to the murders and disappearances of witnesses. A victory has been achieved, but the pursuit of justice is far from over. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

House fulfills constitutional duty: Trump impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of co-equal branch of government

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS DEMOCRACY is alive in America! The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has been impeached by the House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of a co-equal branch of government pursuant to the mandate of the Constitution. Trump is the third of the 45 presidents to be impeached, and the first to be impeached in his first term.

Forward-thinking and fearing that presidents or other executive officers might prove disloyal to the country and Constitution they were sworn to protect, our founding fathers — the framers — drafted the U.S. Constitution to include clauses to protect the democracy of the nation.

One such way was through the principle of checks and balances among the three branches of government so that no one person or institution would abuse the power and public trust accorded to them by the government position they hold. The point of checks and balances was to make sure no one branch would be able to control too much power, and it created a

separation of powers.

Another guardrail was the Emoluments Clause, prohibiting any government officer from accepting a title or a gift from any foreign government.

As PBS reported, “That part of the Constitution had come to seem antique, as the norms and presumptions of American politics long ago made it hard to imagine a sitting president actually being bribed by a foreign power.”

Trump’s integrity and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States had been in question even before he was sworn-in to office, and his first three years in office had been tainted with scandals and investigations, one after another, involving many of his staff who had already been convicted in court, his family and Foundation that have been ordered to pay fines for using the monetary donations intended for veterans to his own political campaign.

And of course, there was the Mueller report which could not exonerate Trump for obstruction of justice because of the DOJ memorandum that prevents a sitting president from being indicted.

Many Americans have been increasingly losing faith in the system, and in the Democrats when they have reclaimed leadership of the House of Representatives, for not pursuing proposals to impeach the president after all the blatant transgressions against our democratic processes and institutions, and his assault against human decency.

What really triggered the inevitable — the most serious threat to his presidency — is the latest development on his call with Ukrainian President, which comes from the same playbook as his dealings with Russia, Australia, and now even China, as well as his questionable relationship with Saudi Arabia, North Korea, etc.

Trump used military aide from taxpayers’ money to bribe the Ukrainian president to dig dirt on his political opponent for his own personal political interest, or the military aide due Ukraine would remain to be withheld. This allegation had been substantiated by whistleblower account, corroborated by testimonies given under oath during the impeachment inquiry in the House. From the

evidence presented, articles of impeachment were drafted and voted “aye” by a majority in the House.

Such abuse of power shows how Trump is a threat to national security. Foreign countries interfering in our elections, especially at the behest or invitation of the President, compromises our security and national interest — a clear violation of the oath taken

by Trump when he was sworn in as President of the United States.

When we talk about national security, we as Americans need to look at this as a non-partisan issue because it involves all of us and the security of our nation.

When partisan colors cloud the way we objectively assess what is happening now in America in the age of Trump and decide what should be done, we need to go back to the spirit of the law in the Constitution, as stated by the Founding Fathers against a corrupt government.

During the course of the impeachment inquiry by the House, pursuant to the mandate given by the Constitution, Trump did NOT cooperate at all with the investigation, forbidding his staff from

Trump’s impeachment shows Street Talk no one is above the law

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “Our nation is founded on the principle that we do not have kings. We have presidents. And the Constitution is our compass.

When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something. Our children and their children will ask us, ‘What did you do? What did you say?’ For some, this vote may be hard. We have a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history.” - Congressman John Lewis, December 18, 2019 A DAY after, newspaper headlines across the U.S. on Dec. 19 were: “Trump impeached: President is third in US history to face Senate Trial” (The Washington Post); “Trump impeached – Divided House advances articles for only 3rd time in American history; 45th president joins Clinton, Johnson as process now shifts to Senate for trial” (Chicago Tribune); TRUMP IMPEACHED – BECOMES THIRD PRESIDENT TO FACE TRIAL IN SENATE (The New York Times); House Impeaches Trump-He becomes third president to face removal as lawmakers approve abuse of power, obstruction articles (Los Angeles Times); IM-

PEACHED – The Democrats: No one is above the law; this is a constitutional duty; The Republicans: No crimes committed; the process was unfair; The President: Nothing happened; this is an assault on America; The People: US divided, profoundly split on country’s future (USA Today); IMPEACHED – Trump becomes only third president to be impeached; Accused of abuse of power, obstruction of Congress; Donald Trump threatens integrity of 2020 elections (Politico).

On Feb. 23, 2019, 10 months before this House’s historic vote, I wrote about the distinction between an indictment and an impeachment. The indictment, as you know, is arrived at by a grand jury voting on a proposed felony charge, witnesses’ testimony and other evidence presented by the District Attorney.

Meanwhile, impeachment is a process coming from the legislature against a government official and is based on a statement of charges. It is like an indictment with the charges listed, but only it is coming from Congress.

So now we await current Special Counsel’s Robert Mueller report and with baited breath, we predict that it contains all the criminal charges traceable to all

the president’s men and those who have been arrested, indicted, pled and have served their jail time: Roger Stone, Michael Cohen, Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, Alex van der Zwaan, George Papadopoulos, Richard Pinedo, 13 Russian nationals and three entities, 12 Russian military intelligence officers and Konstantin Kilimnik, according to Andrew Witherspoon of Axios.

If all the president’s men have been indicted, arrested, served time, could his inner circle be reached, as well as the president himself? Would any of these be the fate of this sitting U.S. President Donald Trump?

In the Nov. 23-26 2019 issue, I wrote another op-ed asking President Trump if he has offered his life to wrongdoings?

Let me excerpt salient points: The word patriot has been thrown around on television this month of November 2019 when the 116th U.S. Congress through its chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, presided over the publicly televised proceedings on impeachment of the 45th U.S. President Donald Trump, and said, excerpted here from The New Yorker’s The Talk of

u PAGE A9

testifying under oath, and refused to turn in documents subpoenaed by the House to unearth the truth.

Trump claimed he did nothing wrong, why then would he not cooperate, as other presidents did, to help exonerate him? If indeed he is not guilty, why would he not allow his aides — like Mick Mulvaney, John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, Rudy Giuliani who had first hand account of his transactions with Ukraine— to testify under oath and/or submit the required documents?

The reason why Trump has been openly defying these orders is because the 45th president of the United States does not accept Congress as a co-equal branch of government. He acts and behaves like he is a “king” like the Prince of Saudi Arabia, a “dictator” like his idols Russia’s Putin, North Korea’s Kim, and China’s Ping.

Trump’s defiance of this mandate of the Constitution is why he was impeached for “Obstruction of Congress.” Nobody is above the law, not even the President of the United States, not even Donald Trump the celebrity.

WHAT’S NEXT? The House has impeached Trump but this does not remove him from office.

That is the mandate given to the Senate.

What will the Republican-led Senate do now, especially after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Hannity on Fox News, “Everything I do during this, I’m coordinating with the White House counsel…There will be no difference between the president’s position and our position as to how to handle this to the extent that we can.”

McConnel added, “I’m going to take my cues from the president’s lawyers.” Then he affirmed his impartiality saying there is “no chance Trump will be removed from office.”

ABANGAN ANG “Lutong Macau” sa Senado? *** 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.

May angal, Washingon DC style

GREG B. MACABENTA TOWARDS the end of the term of President Gloria MacapagalArroyo, I wrote a biting piece entitled, “May Angal???” Literally, “Any complaints?”

I wrote the piece out of sheer frustration over the way the Arroyo administration took liberties with the law and how the citizenry could only offer feeble protest.

It was like being pushed around — nay, abused — by a bully and being dared to complain - and simply swallowing one’s pride, sulking away, wordlessly like a dog with its tail between its legs.

But if it could happen in the Philippines in a political environment devoid of principles and where transgressors are never held accountable by an intimidated or uncaring citizenry, it couldn’t happen in the United States of America, the land of the brave and of the free.

Or couldn’t it?

U.S. President Donald Trump and some leaders of the Republican party have begun to test the limits of tolerance of a people who have historically taken pride in their consciousness of right and wrong and in their adherence to the rule of law.

Trump has begun to interpret provisions of the U.S. Constitution in the manner of a despot, implying that he is above the law. And he has dared the media, the opposition and the entire country to do something about his abuses.

May angal???

But what is alarming is the way Trump appears to be getting away with it. What is distressing is the way his voter base and the Republican leadership have tolerated and rationalized his lapses in manners, his use of uncouth language, his prostitution of presidential decorum and his chaotic governance. They use justifications fit only for a juvenile delinquent.

“Trump is not really a politician and can be forgiven for his lapses,” the GOP leaders have reasoned.

“He is not familiar with all the provisions of the Constitution, so he’s not willfully violating them,” they have rationalized, as if ignorance of the law can be invoked as an excuse for breaking it.

And when they are challenged, they pivot by blaming past administrations for the same missteps. And when they are cornered and have run out of reasons, they snap, “So what?

Any complaints???”

“May angal???”

Trump’s arrogance was in full display when he bragged that he

could shoot someone in the middle of Manhattan and not lose a single supporter. What is scary is that he appears to be right.

The public opinion polls, while they show a majority disapproval of Trump’s governance, have also shown unbending support for him by the Republican grassroots.

And the more he is excoriated by the media and laughed at by international leaders, the more firm the support he seems to be getting from his base. Trump’s supporters seem to be saying, “He may be an idiot, but he’s OUR idiot. Any complaints???”

“May angal???”

During the presidential campaign, Trump was exposed for his disrespect for women (“I can grab them by the pussy!”), his camp’s dirty tricks, and the support he was getting from the Russians. Yet he was elected by the electoral college, in spite of losing to Hillary Clinton by millions in the popular vote.

Since assuming the presidency, Trump has built a staggering record of telling outright lies, on top of exaggerating his achievements and unashamedly glorifying himself — yet he has had the gall to accuse the mainstream media of purveying fake news and telling lies about him.

And he has criticized everyone else for the sins that he has been

u PAGE A9

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OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 21-24, 2019

A

Trump’s impeachment shows no one is...

JUSTICE FOR JOURNOS. Several media groups including the National Press Club (NPC), the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) and the Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI) hail the guilty verdict of members of the Ampatuan clan over the Maguindanao massacre. The resolution was handed down Thursday, December 19.

PNA photo by Mac Villarino

May angal, Washingon DC style PAGE A8 guilty of. Yet, his base keeps cheering him on.

His tactic is never to admit a mistake and to immediately turn the table on his accusers and pile the faults on them, plus more. His prime defense is offense, And he doesn’t hesitate to resort to low blows in his counter attack.

Privately, many Republicans have expressed dismay over Trump’s lack of principles but nearly all have kept from speaking publicly against him, much less contradicting him, for fear of a backlash from Trump’s rabid supporters.

Thus Trump keeps being emboldened, and even those who know him to be wrong have decided that it is more politically safe to side with him.

Said Jim Jordan, a fast-talking GOP congressman from Ohio, and one of Trump’s fiercest defenders, “I don’t care how I’m remembered,� when asked by the media about his unbending defense of Trump, against all logic and truth.

Jordan was among the torpedoes that the Republicans harnessed to defend Trump during the hearings of the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees.

Voting along party lines, the committees approved the Articles of Impeachment against Trump. He stands accused of calling on foreign governments to get involved in the U.S. elections.

In spite of this clear violation of the Constitution, Jordan had no qualms about stretching the truth in his defense of Trump.

So did other Trump defenders, calling the hearings a scam and a witch hunt.

Any complaints??? “May angal???�

Trump has also shown no respect for the co-equal powers of the legislative branch, and his sycophants in the cabinet and on Capitol Hill have also implied that even the Supreme Court could go along with them.

One can almost hear Trump say, “May angal???�

In the ongoing congressional inquiries into allegations of wrong-doing by Trump and his supporters (several of whom have been found guilty by the courts and some have been jailed), Trump has ordered his cabinet and officials in the executive branch to stonewall and to refuse to cooperate.

He has dared those conducting the inquiries to go to court. The lower courts have generally ruled against Trump but his lawyers have simply elevated the cases to the Court of Appeals, knowing that if they lose in this chamber, they can still bring the case to the Supreme Court. The idea is to buy time until the 2020 presidential elections where Trump hopes to win a second term.

Refusing to take the bait, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives simply added on a second Article of Impeachment, Obstruction of Congress.

The impeachment process next goes to the full House for a vote by the entire membership. It is expected to pass, in spite of the possibility that some Democrats

may vote against outright impeachment.

This makes Trump only the third U.S. president to be impeached, the first being President Andrew Johnson in 1868 and the second being President Bill Clinton in 1998. President Richard Nixon would have been impeached but he was prevailed upon to resign before Congress could vote on the Articles of Impeachment.

Although Trump hates a legacy of having been impeached, he is confident that he will be acquitted by the Republican-dominated Senate. It will require a two-thirds vote of the entire Senate to convict Trump, an unlikely occurrence.

As in the Philippines, while the House has the sole authority to impeach, it is the function of the Senate to conduct an impeachment trial, presided by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and to decide on acquittal or conviction.

The members of the Senate, who will act as jurors, are supposed to take an oath by which they will vow to judge the case fairly and according to the highest standards of justice. And yet, the Republican senators have already declared their readiness to violate that solemn oath — because they have already decided to acquit Trump.

It is a clear travesty in the making.

Any complaints??? May angal??? (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com) n

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Para sa Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lungsod - Bumoto ng hindi hihigit sa tatlo (3) Rusty Liang Chiang Jennifer Hong Jim Edwards Naresh Solanki Rocky Pavone Chuong Vo Chris Im Sophia Myauo Tse Anna Titus Panukalang Pagbobotohan: Dapat bang pagtibayin ang panukalang magtatakda ng isang pangkalahatan, tatlongkapat na porsyento (0.75%) ng mga lokal na transaksyon at use tax (buwis sa pagbebenta), na mangangalap ng tinatayang $11.4 milyon taun-taon, at magtatapos kung kailan mapagpapasyahan ng mga botante, na napapailalim sa mga malayang pag-o-odit at mga pampublikong ulat ng paggasta, upang magkaloob at magpanatili ng mataas na antas ng mga serbisyo sa Lungsod, kabilang ang, ngunit hindi limitado sa, kaligtasan ng lokal na syerip at komunidad, pagpapanatili at pagpapaayos ng bangketa at kalye, pagpapaganda ng mga puno, mga serbisyo sa aklatan, at mga serbisyo sa mga parke at lugar na libangan? /s/Vida Barone Klerk ng Lungsod

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PAGE A8 the Town, Nov. 25, 2019.

If we find that the President of the United States abused his powers and invited foreign interference in our elections‌must we simply get over it? Is this what Americans should now expect from their president? If this is not impeachable conduct, what is?

The concern of Adam Schiff mirrors the concerns of Andrew Jackson then who believed that no undue favors and advantages attached to the rich and powerful, as well as Alexander Hamilton who wrote to George Washington in 1792, further quoted by the New Yorker, “When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents‌is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity — to join in the cry of danger to liberty — to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion — to flatter and fall in with all the nonsense of the zealots of the day — It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into the confusion that he may “ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.â€?

Why was there such a concern? First, U.S. President Donald Trump took this oath of office, swearing on the bible held by his wife, Melania Trump, “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,� on January 20, 2017, one thousand thirtyseven days, as of this published article.

That moment, Mr. Donald Trump became U.S. President Trump, sworn to uphold the interests and common good of all Americans. From that oath of office, he was transformed from being a private businessman position to a position of public trust, a position with potentials of adverse impact on the integrity and/or efficiency of the country’s mission to the rest of America.

That day marked the start of his presidential role to be the guardian of American democracy and the interests of all American citizens to have an honest president, who shall protect its US elections. He was no longer Mr. Trump, the businessman, seeking to run his businesses from the confines of the White House.

He is now our U.S. presi-

dent, enjoying taxpayer-funded Air Force One, U.S. Secret Service, the entire cabinet and legal staff inside the White House, the White House residence, plus he is now our U.S. Commander-inchief, whose interests should be America first and foremost.

Yet, Mr. Trump is still Mr. Trump, 1,036 days later and has failed to muster his presidential duties to benefit the public’s common good.

President Trump is still governing as Mr. Trump The day after Robert Mueller testified in U.S. Congress on July 24, 2019, U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with a comedian who was elected as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25, 2019.

Trump congratulated Zelensky and encouraged him to do an investigation on the Bidens, as the New York Times’ Mark Mazzetti and Eileen Sullivan reported on Nov. 15, 2019, �During that call, Mr. Trump appeared to condition American military aid to Ukraine on whether Mr. Zelensky agreed to pursue investigations into the Biden family and he claimed that Ukrainians tried to undermine the Trump campaign in 2016.�

Dr. Fiona Hill, the former National Security Council official specializing in Russian and European affairs, testified at the impeachment public hearings and debunked the claim of U.S. President Donald Trump that, “Ukrainians tried to undermine the Trump campaign in 2016.�

She said, “Russia’s security services and their proxies have geared up to repeat their interference in the 2020 election.�

She warned us all on televised proceedings that we are running out of time to stop them. Two more witnesses who appeared in the impeachment proceedings stressed the fact that American intelligence agencies’ consensus is that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential elections. New York Times in 2018 reported it as eight intelligence agencies’ consensus.

Dr. Hill called it a fiction, a narrative being advanced by Russian operatives, “Russia readily exploited partisan divisions to undermine the United States from within.�

Yet, Mr. Trump advanced the lie that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 Presidential elections in the U.S., even though the facts and indictments are plainly clear and directly traceable to what Vladimir Putin’s talking points. All the

while, Robert Mueller testified before U.S. Congress that the interference was sweeping and systematic which led to the indictment of 26 Russian citizens and three Russian organizations.

But more than that, Mr. Trump is now soliciting an investigation from Ukraine to benefit himself, for Ukraine to do opposition research on Biden, for the purpose of benefiting Mr. Trump in the 2020 presidential elections. Why and how? Mr. Trump wanted an PAGE A10

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IFB NO. PO809-20 PRE-WIRED SIGNAL ENCLOSURE The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for pre-wired signal enclosure. The maximum dollar value for the contract will be for a total not-to-exceed amount of $16,000,000.

Bid documents may be obtained via download by visiting SCRRA’s website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing business. Vendors must register for no fee on the website in order to download the documents.

There will be a pre-bid conference held on December 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. To participate in telephone conference, please dial (213) 452-0499, Bridge #: 0207, Pin #: 6789.

Only electronic bids will be accepted.

The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration and is subject to a DBE Participation Goal of 5%.

For further information contact: Melissa Cousart, Contract and Compliance Administrator at 213.452.0207 or email Cousartm@scrra.net.

12/21/19 CNS-3323858# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

A10 december 21-24, 2019 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Bongbong Marcos likely to run in 2022 Zamboanga City to pursue criminal cases vs Misuari

during an interview with Kim Bernardo Lokin, host of the weekly talk show “Hot Seat” FORMER Senator Ferdinand aired on The Manila Times “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “defi- Television. He said he would nitely interested” in running in also have to consult his family the 2022 national elections. and supporters before finalizing But he refused to reveal if he his plans. would run for president or for The former senator added vice president. that the presence of Smartmatic Marcos made the revelation in the 2022 elections would be

by Javier ismael ManilaTimes.net

Former Senator Bongbong Marcos

ManilaTimes.net photo

carefully looked into before he makes his final decision.

Marcos ran for vice president in 2016, but was defeated

by Maria Leonor Robredo. He filed an election protest against Robredo before the Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

He challenged the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts in 25 provinces and five cities in the country.

Marcos had claimed that the votes obtained by Robredo were “products of electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities.”

Asked on the status of his petition, Marcos told The Manila Times that he expects his case to move faster next year.

“We have just completed the comment that we are going to submit to the Presidential Electoral Tribunal and we expect the case to start moving faster in January or February next year,” he said. n

Pesco ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will allot P3 billion for the Universal Health Care (UHC) program next year, its general manager, Royina Marzan Garma, said on Wednesday, October 18.

“Nagagalak na ipaalam na effective next year, 100 percent we support universal healthcare (We are glad to inform you that effective next year, our support to universal healthcare

will be 100 percent),” Garma told reporters.

She explained that 40 percent of PCSO’s charity fund would go to the UHC. But the PCSO’s medical assistance program would be limited, and only those needing chemotherapy and dialysis would be given help.

Garma clarified that other patients would still be given assistance but this time, it will be through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

The PCSO also allotted P3.1

ManilaTimes.net

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar-Climaco has disclosed that the local government will continue to pursue criminal charges against former Muslim rebel chief Nur Misuari, who was recently appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as special economic envoy on Islamic affairs to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), is facing charges after his followers attacked Zamboanga City twice over 13 years.

Local leaders and residents are still demanding justice for the deadly siege in September 2013 that followed weeks of street battles between government troops and MNLF forces, which killed several civilians and wounded some 300 others.

It was the second tim e that MNLF forces raided Zamboanga City.

In November 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces also attacked the city, billion for Malasakit Centers. leaving dozens of civilians dead “Doon namin idadaan medi- and wounded. cal assistance program ng Heavily armed MNLF gunmen PCSO (Our medical assistance also took hostage over 100 civilwill be coursed through [Mala- ians, including women and chilsakit Centers]),” Garma said. dren, and used them as shields “’Yan ang magiging direction ng PCSO next year ito po ay naaayon sa charter (That will be the direction of the PCSO next year and this is in PAGE A9 accordance with our charter),” investigation into former Vice she added.

President Joe Biden and his son, Next year, PCSO aims to Hunter, who was a board memgenerate P52 billion in rev- ber at Burisma, an energy comenues. n pany, from 2014 to 2019. Mr.

PCSO to allot P3-B for universal healthcare program

by Darwin

by al Jacinto

and pawns so they could negotiate with the Lobregat city administration.

The attackers eventually escaped to Basilan and Sulu provinces.

In 2016, Salazar-Climaco banned all MNLF rallies in Zamboanga City after attempts by Misuari’s group to hold a peace caravan despite the charges against him.

“The destruction wrought by the 2013 siege continues to linger, as internally displaced persons, both Muslims and Christians and lumad (indigenous peoples from southern Philippines), most of whom are those who eluded the conflicts in Sulu and Basilan, have suffered the brunt of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga,” she said.

Nonetheless, the mayor assured her support to the decision of Duterte in appointing Misuari to the OIC, saying her support was without prejudice to the cases she had filed against Misuari for leading the attacks on Zamboanga.

Salazar-Climaco added that the “city government through the City Legal Office continues to pursue the cases to serve justice to the victims of the siege.”

“We would abide by the best decision and the best wisdom of President Duterte in appointing Misuari to represent the govern-

Muslim rebel chief Nur Misuari ManilaTimes.net photo

ment in the OIC,” she said, adding that even during their first meeting in 2016, Duterte had already hinted his intention of giving Misuari — his political ally and a close friend — an opportunity to take a leadership role in the government to fully implement the peace process.

“However, with the decision of President Duterte, we are in full support of the full implementation of the peace accords with different groups, particularly those that have affected the city,” she said.

Misuari had opposed the government’s peace talks with the rival group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose chief Murad Ebrahim is now the chief minister of the Muslim autonomous region. n

Trump’s impeachment shows no one is...

Trump is presuming Biden will be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in 2020.

But aside from that solicitation of the investigation from Ukraine to benefit Mr. Trump’s prospective reelection, Mr. Trump in his capacity as Pres. Trump, leveraged the security assistance funds to pressure Ukraine to do it and ordered a hold on nearly $400 million, security assistance funds approved through bipartisan support in U.S. Congress.

Note that U.S. presidents are not given any spending powers by the U.S. Constitution, that spending power lies squarely in the hands of Congress. The framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted separation of powers, or else the enormous weight of U.S. spending powers, placed in the hands of elected presidents would amount to unchecked corruption. It was meant to be a system of checks and balances so that each branch has certain powers to check and balance other branches.

The case for impeachment Have you read the 290 pages of “The Case for Impeachment” published and written in 2017

by Allan J. Lichtman, a distinguished professor of history at American University, in fact with care and concern for the 45th U.S. president to succeed and have a meaningful legacy? This book predicted the impeachment of Pres. Donald Trump by what he thought would be a Republican-controlled Congress.

Lichtman did not figure on an electorate that will decidedly change the make-up of Congress, midterm 2018. Had that not occurred, much of the high crimes and misdemeanors or abuses of presidential power by Pres. Trump will still be hidden, using the false story that he was working on getting rid of national corruption in Ukraine. In fact, Ukraine had qualified to receive the national security aid package, approved by a bipartisan vote of Congress. Instead, Pres. Trump leveraged it to extract “political dirt” on what he perceived to be his major opponent for the 2020 Presidential elections, Joe Biden through his son’s tenure as part of the board of an energy company in Ukraine.

Lichtman wrote chapters on “flouting the law; his various conflicts of interest; lies, lies and more lies, Trump’s war on Women; A Crime against Humanity; The Russian Connections; Abuse of Power; The Unrestrained Trump; Memo: The Way Out and The Peaceful Remedy of Impeachment” in his book.

In “Memo: The Way Out,” the author wrote with care what Pres. Trump must do to be a better president: 1) “divesting yourself from all your business interests and putting the proceeds into a genuine blind trust, managed by an independent administrator, is the only way for you to avoid the inevitable conflicts of interest that will expose you to impeachment.”

It was not the emoluments clause and his enrichments to his private businesses that he was impeached, instead it was Pres. Trump’s egregious interference in the 2020 Presidential elections withholding national security aid for Ukraine for his private political gain in the 2020 Elections.

2) “Support a carbon fee and The Paris Accords” – apparently, “in 2009, Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka signed an open letter calling for effective measures to control climate change in order to protect humanity and our planet.” Imagine if Pres.

Trump had done that, we would

be much more ahead in getting changes in manufacturing, in controlling emissions in the U.S. and with no fracking and mining in national forests and national parks.

3) “Add a shrink to the White House physicians.” He believed “a psychiatrist at your disposal will provide you with valuable counseling and help you to restrain your more vulnerable tendencies and avoid the impeachment traps discussed in this book.”

4) “Use a fact-checker. The Washington Post has deployed a browser extension to add their fact-checks to your tweets in real-time, and Google has introduced a new feature to tag and help users find fact checking in large news stories. You’ve got to be more careful with the facts, Mr. President,” he wrote.

5) “Treat women with dignity and respect. He quotes the President, “nobody has more respect for women than I do,” and wrote, “but your actions haven’t matched your words. You demeaned some of your accusers for their allegedly unflattering looks and you didn’t treat Hillary Clinton with much respect as a woman during the campaign.

In the tape [Access Hollywood tape], you also admitted to having an out-of-control libido, and that you just can’t resist making non-consensual advances on women.”

6. “Curb the Mussolini Act. America today is not Italy of the 1920s, and you are not Mussolini and don’t want to be. Stop picking and choosing among companies based on the allure of rewards and retributions.”

7. “Steve Bannon, You’re fired. Well, the campaign is over; it’s time to think about your presidency. Already, he’s led you down the primrose path with a travel ban that only hurt your standing in the nation and across the world.”

8. “Protect your legacy. But you can’t build a legacy on rallies and tweets. You need solid accomplishments that make America great and safe and that will secure your reelection in 2020.”

“No previous president has entered the Oval Office without a shred of public service or with as egregious a record of enriching himself at the expense of others. Trump’s penchant for lying, disregard for the law, and conflicts of interests are lifelong habits that will permeate his entire presidency. His dubious connections to Russia could open him to a charge of treason.

His disdain for constitutional restraints could lead to abuses of power that forfeit the trust of even a Republican Congress,” he wrote in 2017, only to not have forecasted that it will be a Democratic-majority Congress in 2018.

Much more will be written about Pres. Donald Trump, but the biggest detractor he has is himself. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 12 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong.

She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

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A12 december 21-24, 2019 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE Journal

Derek and Andrea’s families to celebrate Christmas together

By Lhar

SaNtiaGo ManilaTimes.net

IT’S a Christmas full of love for couple Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres. On the 25th, they’ll be celebrating it in Tagaytay with both their families present. According to the onscreen turned real-life lovers, everything’s already been arranged and everyone’s excited.

This is Derek and Andrea’s first Christmas together in a relationship and they’re just so happy both their families are solidly behind them.

Derek’s especially amazed how close his and Andrea’s families have become in so short PAGE B3

Derek Ramsay with Andre Torres

Photo from Instagram/@ramsayderek07

Michelle gets breast implants removed

By Niña

V. GuNo

Inquirer.net

MICHELLE Madrigal underwent surgery to remove her breast implants, over 10 years after she got them when she was 18.

She had the procedure done in Memorial Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas, USA, and chronicled it in a vlog on Dec. 13.

At the end of the video, she said, “I feel so much lighter with my chest. I feel like I’m free.”

The actress, who is now based in the US, explained in her vlog on Dec. 4 that she got the implants when she was young and felt insecure. She said that among the women in her family, she had the smallest breasts and kept getting compared with her sister with bigger boobs.

That insecurity heightened when she joined a talent search and saw that women who posed for sexy magazines had big breasts. Madrigal was part of the talent search show “Star Circle Quest.”

Of the phase in her life that she got her boob job, she said, “At that time I did it for vanity and I thought it could fix my insecuri-

Michelle Madrigal

ties growing up.”

After getting the implants, she admitted, “I was never content with my own body.” She learned that getting enhancements was “not really going to fix issues inside.”

What pushed her to get the implants removed was when she got chest pains years ago. When she did her research, she found out about “breast implant illness,” which includes a number of symptoms.

Madrigal noted that the symp-

Photo from Instagram/@mitch_madrigal

toms were vague, but those that she experienced included anxiety, joint pain, depression, skin rashes and ear ringing. She also felt discomfort while exercising.

It will take her two weeks to recover and she cannot do workouts for up to five weeks. It seems her recuperation is going well as she posted a picture of her sitting by a pool in sports bra and pants and declaring, “FREEDOM!!!”

She said, “4 days post op and never more in [tune] with my body.”

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-24, 2019

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B DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Preserving Filipino-Spanish flavor traditions in Southern California

Tony Labrusca (left) and Julia Barretto are co-stars for the first time—and the actor insists there’s nothing more to their relationship.

Photos courtesy of Star Magic

Tony on possibly falling for Julia: ‘I would love to be friends with her’

WITH Tony Labrusca as Julia Barretto’s leading man, there are bound to be speculations of something more between them.

However, the actor maintains that he and Barretto are just friends.

The two will star opposite each other for the first time in

the iWant series “I AM U,” with Labrusca playing Barretto’s high school boyfriend.

The actor admitted on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on Wednesday, Dec. 18, that he had long been looking forward to working with Barretto. Abunda mentioned that the actress is

single and asked about Labrusca singing to her.

Labrusca clarified that he was a fan of her sister, Claudia Barretto, and that he was singing her song “Finally Found It.” When asked how close they were, Labrusca said, “I wouldn’t PAGE B3

WITH Christmas around the corner, Filipinos carry certain customs with them wherever they are around the world. One of them is the noche buena feast following midnight mass on Christmas Eve — a cultural and religious observance learned from the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

Queso de bola (Edam cheese), ham, hot chocolate and pan de sal are considered must-haves.

At the center of most tables is the paella, which Filipinos have embraced as their own, typically served in a wide and shallow cast-iron pan with chorizo, chicken and mixed seafood neatly organized atop the rice. Rice is a staple of Filipino cuisine and Filipinos have accepted and adapted the paella dish as their own. But the dish’s significance extends beyond that as it invites meal guests to be sociable and interactive.

Filipinos in Southern California luckily have access to ingredients to make a paella using Premium Chorizo de Bilbao. Chorizo de Bilbao is a Spanish-style savory semi-cured sausage fondly enjoyed back in the Philippines.

Carrying on these food traditions is a core mission of Doña Juana Faraone, a native of Valencia, Spain who founded La Espanola Meats with her husband in Southern California in 1982.

La Espanola Meats’ growth mirrors the humble immigrant story as it started with the purchase of a small Spanish deli where Doña Juana taught herself how to make different chorizos.

Today, she owns and oversees a USDA-inspected facility that manufactures sausages that are artisanal, high-quality and without extra preservatives.

How La Espanola Meats chanced upon this beloved chorizo from the Philippines is thanks to a longstanding relationship with Filipina singer and actress Becca Godinez who met Doña Juana through a mutual friend in the early 90s. Godinez, who had

Doña Juana (left) with Becca Godinez at Premium Chorizo de Bilbao’s manufacturer, La Espanola Meats, Inc.

moved to Los Angeles from Manila a few years earlier, sold some of La Espanola Meats’ products on the side and helped export the chorizos to Rustan’s back in the Philippines.

“When Doña Juana’s and my life crossed, it started simple.

Eating humble pie, I sold and delivered the products myself,” Godinez said. Years later and after clamor from Filipinos looking for Chorizo de Bilbao, she partnered with La Espanola Meats to perfect a recipe for a Premium blend.

“It took a year and two months, of testing to perfect the Premium Chorizo de Bilbao,” she added.

The Doña Juana Premium Chorizo De Bilbao is now available at all Seafood City locations in

the United States for Filipinos to delight in, and has been a bestseller since it hit the stores in October.

Whether it is used for callos, afritada or a paella, the Premium Chorizo de Bilbao isn’t just an ingredient — it is a piece of tradition that reminds us of family and this holiday season.

“At the end of the day, I want customers to enjoy and remember these products from home and keep our traditions alive,” Doña Juana said.

Doña Juana’s Premium Chorizo de Bilbao is a product of GODinUs Productions, distributed by Food for All Inc., and manufactured by La Espanola Meats, Inc. (Advertising Supplement)

Doña Juana’s paella mixta creation

Dona Juana’s own Paella Mixta recipe (Serves 6)

IngredIents • 2 1⁄2 cups - Bomba or Valencian Rice • 5 cups - salted chicken or fish broth or a little more as needed • 8 tablespoons - extra virgin Spanish olive oil • 5 oz - Premium Chorizo de Bilbao cut into 1⁄2 inch pieces • 3/4 lbs. - chicken thighs or drumettes • 4 oz - fresh pork loin cubed • 4 oz - cut and cleaned calamari tubes and tentacles • 1 to 2 headless, skin-on black tiger shrimps per person • 1 to 2 half-shell green New Zealand mussels per person • 1 to 2 clams per person • 1 gram - Spanish saffron threads • 5 chopped scallions • 4 cloves of garlic • 1 tsp - Spanish mild pimenton or paprika • A tiny pinch (scant) of “colorante” or Spanish Paella Coloring

• 2 skinless, seedless, drained tomatoes grated • 4 oz - cut green beans • 2 oz - green peas • 4 oz - cooked garrofon (lima or butter bean) or other broad beans • 7 oz - fire-roasted piquillo peppers in strips for garnish • Lemon wedges for garnish directions 1. Heat the olive oil with a pinch of salt in the paella pan until it starts to smoke slightly. Sauté the shrimps quickly until they turn slightly pink while making sure not to overcook them. Remove the shrimp and set aside in a covered container. Sauté the pork loin, the chicken and the Premium Chorizo de Bilbao for 3 to 5 minutes until almost cooked. Remove the meats and sausages from the pan and set aside or set them around the periphery of the pan.

2. Sauté the scallions, garlic and the tomatoes in the paella

pan and then add the pimenton, the colorante and the saffron. Add the chicken or fish broth to the pan and raise the heat to bring to a boil. Once boiling, slowly stir in the Bomba rice and add back the meats, the green beans, green peas and the garrofon beans. Add the mussels and clams to the boiling broth and remove them with tongs after about 3-5 minutes of cooking so as to not overcook them. Add the calamari once the mussels and clams have been removed.

3. The rice should cook for a total of 17 to 19 minutes on medium heat until the broth is absorbed/evaporated and it is al dente or firm to the bite.

4. With around 5 minutes of cooking time remaining, start adorning the paella with the shrimps, mussels, clams, the piquillo pepper strips and lemon wedges. ¡Buen Provecho!

Anne, Erwan expecting a baby girl

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTImes.net

IT’S official. Celebrity couple Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff will be having a baby girl for their first child.

The actress-host, on her Instagram account, posted a photo of herself and chef-blogger husband holding pink-colored smoke sticks, declaring the gender of their child.

In the caption, Curtis–who is now on her 3rd trimester– wrote, “Mini me,” adding an emoji of a little girl.

Heussaff also shared a photo of him and his wife in black and white embracing each other and saying, “Our household is about to be ruled by two strong women.

PAGE B4

Anne Curtis with husband Erwan Heussaff

Photo from Instagram/@annecurtissmith

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Judy Ann Santos

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-24, 2019

Photo from Instagram/@officialjuday

Judy Ann: Truly at her best by

Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

IN a round table interview with Judy Ann Santos — the newly-minted 2019 Cairo International Film Festival Best Actress for Brillante Mendoza’s “Mindanao” — The T-Zone went for the obvious question.

Just days away from competing in this year’s Manila Film Festival with the same movie, we asked, “How does it feel going into the MMFF with an international award to your name?

Does it ease the pressure on how the public will receive your film, or to some extent, do you feel more self-conscious given the situation for fear others may think you to be overconfident or even smug about your entry?”

It was towards the last part of the T-Zone’s question when the gifted actress and latest pride of the Philippines started nodding her head and quite eagerly too.

“Yes! The thought that [has been going through my head is that] people might think that I’m expecting the Best Actress Award for the MMFF, which in all honesty I’m not — and for those who know me well — that’s something I wouldn’t

do,” Juday expressed, grateful for the opportunity to release this little bit of anxiety.

“Gusto ko sana isang tabi muna yon kasi lahat naman ng artistang gumawa ng pelikula para sa MMFF did their best and gave it their best. Lahat tayo binigay natin yung best natin para sa magandang Pasko ng mga taong manonood ng mga entries natin.

“So I’m not expecting to win, even w it h what’s happened.

Why? Because lahat dito [in the MMFF] best actress, best actor, best director, best film [for being chosen as finalists] ay bonus na kung sino man ang manalo,” she said her piece.

All the same, the 41-year-old actress admits she cannot deny she’s still on a high from winning an international accolade which had only been given once before to Superstar Nora Aunor [“The Flor Contemplacion Story,” in 1995].

“Sapat na sa akin na makilala tayo ulit sa ibang bansa. That’s really more than enough. Ineenjoy ko na ito. OK na OK na’ ko, chong!” she closed her eyes in delight and laughed at her very Pinoy quip. “Wala na akong puwedeng hingin pa talaga.”

Derek and Andrea’s...

PAGE B1 a time.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’m so thankful na sobra talagang magkasundo ang families namin even if we just started seeing each other. They’re already close when usually it takes time for families to warm up to one another, di ba? Hindi naman magsasama-sama ang mga pamilya the first Christmas together.

But eto, magsasa-sama na kami lahat. Actually, nagsama-sama na nga ang mga families namin on some occasions like birthdays or may mag-aya lang ng dinner.

But of course, this is special because it’s our first Christmas all together and sa Tagaytay pa,” shared Derek.

Both Derek and Andrea have bought their gifts for each other but they’re not giving even a clue about them.

“Basta ako, nakabili na ng gift for him. He doesn’t know where I’m keeping it. I won’t even give the smallest hint kasi baka mahulaan niya. This is one surprise for him from me,” Andrea said excitedly.

“I’ve also bought my gift for her,” Derek revealed. “Gagayahin ko siya and I won’t give a clue about it. Matagal ko nang nabili yung gift ko for her. I hope she’ll like it. May kasamang effort yun kasi I really had find out what she wants and I think naman magugustuhan niya. I’m pretty sure of it.”

Although Derek and Andrea will celebrate Christmas together, they’ll be away from each other on New Year’s Eve and January 1. Derek will be in Palawan with his family while Andrea will be with hers in Manila.

“Unfortunately, she won’t be able to join me in Palawan for New Year’s. Kasi ‘yung kapatid niya, aalis na papuntang America, so she doesn’t want to leave Mommy and Daddy. Kawawa naman daw kung wala silang kasama sa pag-celebrate ng New Year’s,” Derek explained.

“Definitely pag-uwing-paguwi niya from Palawan we’ll see each other naman. I think he’ll be back January 2 or 3 so New Year pa rin. We can still celebrate,” Andrea said as if trying to console herself.

The couple sees 2020 as another year of good opportunities, not just personally but even in their careers. If they could have it their way, they’d like to have another project together.

“If we get another series together, we’ll definitely welcome that. Ganito na lang. Basta may mangyayari,” Derek said mysteriously. “We’re really looking forward to 2020 sa pag-announce ng mga gagawin namin.”

In the meantime, the couple excitedly shared they now have a YouTube channel together.

“We just launched it with our fans so they were the first to see it,” Derek continued. “In our first story, we posted my birthday where she surprised me. And it’s really very hard to surprise me kasi lagi kong nabubuko.

But this one, I was really caught off-guard and they’ll see it in my reaction. Nasapul ako! Nasurprise talaga ako. I really don’t know how she pulled it off.”

Looking at Derek and Andrea today, especially how they treat each other and react to one another, it’s very obvious they really are in love. And if you ask where their relationship is headed, Derek doesn’t mince his words.

“I know she’s old-fashioned, so siyempre una ‘yung kasal bago magkaanak. We’ve already talked about it and we already have an agreement,” he said.

“Ako naman, I never get into something na hindi ‘yun ‘yung goal ko. Anyone naman, specially women like me, has that goal of getting married and having children. Pero praying pa kung kailan. We really cannot say when it will happen but definitely it’s part of our plans,” Andrea ended.

Tony on possibly...

PAGE B2 say that me and Julia are like super close.”

“I would love to be friends with her,” he said after being asked if he saw “possibilities” between them.

He said he talked to her about how she was coping with controversies in the past year, and mentioned he was inspired by what she said about her family.

When Abunda asked if he would want a family with her, he said, “Let me just say this, one day when she gets married, the man that she marries will be a very lucky man.”

Although he did not mention

what controversies she faced, Barretto has been linked to the breakup of Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo. She has also been caught up in a family feud between her mom, Marjorie, and aunt Gretchen.

Labrusca expressed sympathy for her, having faced his own viral moment the past year after berating an immigration officer. “I feel for Julia. I think people forget that me and her (sic) are just people. Just like everybody else. Meron din kaming feelings (We have feelings too)… we’re just normal human beings.” (Niña V. Guno/Inquirer. net)

Indeed, Judy Ann is in the best place a woman of her stature and age can ever ask for at this crossroads. Not only does she have a thriving career that continues to challenge her and reward her 33 years since she started acting, but she also has a very stable and happy family life with husband Ryan Agoncillo and children Yohan, Lucho and Luna. The ever blooming w ife and mot her says ever y triumph big or small means so much more to her today now that she is able to share them with her brood.

“This has really been a good year for me — a year of many firsts, which at my age is really a blessing,” she gratefully PAGE B4

B

IS THERE HOPE FOR A PERSON WHO WAS SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES, AIRPORT TO AIRPORT, FOR ADMITTING THEY WORKED IN THE U.S. ON A PREVIOUS VISIT? THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION AND MORE ON “CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT!” The first batch of Kapamilya who attended the Citizen Pinoy taping in Virginia get the chance to have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out whether someone who jumped ship 16 years ago, but who now has a U.S. citizen son, can acquire her green card. Get answers to these and more on an encore episode of — “Citizen Pinoy,” this Sunday at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Maine still hoping for ‘tamang panahon’ with Alden by

allan PolicarPio Inquirer.net

WHILE she used to shy away from personal questions—especially those about her dating life—Maine Mendoza was noticeably more at ease discussing her relationship with boyfriend Arjo Atayde in a recent chat with the press.

On a scale of zero to 10, how would she gauge her romance with the actor?

“Siguro mga ano … 14! Char!”

the 24-year-old star quipped, before bursting into giggles, at a media conference for her movie, “Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity,” which is an entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

Seemingly taken by surprise, many of the reporters oohed and aahed. But the reaction wasn’t so much about her answer as it was about the fact that she answered.

“There’s nothing to hide anymore—that’s just it,” she said, when asked by the Inquirer about her newfound openness about the

topic.

The television host-actress also related that she recently had dinner with the Ataydes, and that she and her boyfriend are willing to star in a movie together.

The couple has also been talking about their future together “because we’re getting older.” But that doesn’t necessarily include marriage—at least, not yet. “My elder brother and sister are set to get married, sunud-sunod. Maybe 28 is the marrying age for me,” PAGE B5

B4 DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Judy Ann: Truly at her...

PAGE B3 added.

Besides getting back into the teleserye scene with ABSCBN’s “Starla,” where she plays a bida-kontrabida for the very fi rst time, Juday also opened her very own restaurant, Angr ydobo, this year, and was even surprised to be invited to participate at the Sharjah Inter national Book fair as a celebrity chef and author with “Judy Ann’s Kitchen.”

“Then this movie [Mindanao] came along. It’s my fi rst fi lm with internationally acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza and yon pa lang proud na ako. It’s always been my dream to work with him but I never thought I’d win an international award all the way in Egypt just being in his movie.”

Describing her role as physically and emotionally draining, Mindanao sees Judy Ann as a Muslim mother named Saima

who is taking care for of her cancer-striken daughter all on her own. Her husband is away as a combat medic in war torn Maguindanao and she and her child are constantly worried for his safety, waiting for him to come home.

Allen Dizon plays her husband Malang while daughter Aisa is portrayed by Yuna Tangog.

“The role is physically draining because I constantly carry my seven-year-old daughter in the movie. Thankfully, I also lost 10 lbs during the shoot!” t he ever genu i ne Juday declared.

“Emotionally naman ang hirap nung pinagdaraan ni Saima as a mother with a terminally sick child, habang yung husband niya sundalo pa na nasa digmaan.

“And of course, I had to be conscious that I was playing a Muslim character throughout shooting and had to be sensitive to their beliefs and their culture.”

According to Judy Ann, she learned everything she could about Muslim women’s ways like how they dress, how they move, how they talk.

“Ayoko kasing magkamal i and offend them. Add to that putting myself in Saima’s position so parang sasabog na yung puso ko.”

Aware that Mindanao is a very heavy going movie compared to the other MMFF entries, Judy Ann hopes nonetheless the public will come to see it especially because they need to.

“This is defi nitely not a feelgood movie because it tackles serious issues, including the actual problems in Mindanao, but this is something we all need to know so we can better understand our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

Further describing the drama as an “eye opener” about Mindanao, Judy Ann also made the point of guaranteeing viewers dramatic entertainment at its best in her landmark movie.

“If t here’s one t h i ng I’ve made sure of throughout my entire career and to this very day, that’s never to short change my producer, my director, my co-actors and my viewers in anything I do. Like I said, tulad po ng lahat ng kasali sa MMFF, I really, really gave this movie my best,” she ended.

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The secret of the best Christmas

MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

I THOUGHT I have forgotten what the real Christmases were like, but, I remembered.

Christmas comes but once a year, made up of equal parts of love, good cheers, gentleness and humor. The Yuletide feast that descends with the full gamut of holiday moods — from tender reminiscences to rollicking jollity, to new thrills of recognition and delights of new discovery — with remembrance and affection for that forgotten glee.

On Christmas Eve, the children in their best clothes linger and watch the most alluring bundles after bundles under the Christmas tree, waiting breathless with aching little hearts.

The presents didn’t belong to Christmas Eve, they were for the morning, so the small people have to go to sleep in order to wake up very, very early!

And wake up early, they did.

They shuddered out of their beds, trembling with cold and excitement into their frocks which, being girls, were very complicated affairs. With polishing of cheeks and brushing of hair, they tumble down the stairs into the warm cozy family room.

The pith of the party is reached on a Christmas morning. The festival that belong to mothers and fathers and children as certainly as love and generosity — all over the Western world, it’s not the time to talk about situations, or conditions or reactions or people who emerge briefly into the news. This was what Christmas was like before people came home in airplanes, oh so long, long ago.

But there’s the family rule that gifts are never opened until after breakfast (Presents on an empty stomach were bad for temper and digestion). The

Photo from Pexels

first sight of the family room was wonder. Presents, stockings knobby with unknown delights, packages everywhere, on tables and chairs and on the floor by boxes marked “Do not open until Christmas.”

Presents of such indeterminable shape, they cannot be hidden, so as more and more children start to shiver with excitement as they jumped into their choices. Their most thrilling moment was when each offering came to view and the recipient screams, “Just what I wanted!” Or another saying, “How did you know I wanted a pen holder?”

Among the elders, books simply meant sheer images.

Inside the covers of books were everything — everything that exists outside the word of today — lovely, lovely words of poetry, that slipped like colored beads along a string, tales of rose red cities, half as old as time. All that men can imagine and construct, and make others imagine, at least once in Christmas.

I’ve seen Christmas grow, on any clear night, when the stars snap like sapphire with the cold, and the big moon flooding full; over Des Plaines and lighting up the snow spruced boughs like crushed diamonds.

I remember every holiday that came along my father’s house, which was a gathering of our clan. Christmas was the whole assembly, relations in squads, special guests that had to have the best of everything, and

mother saying, that Christmas to her, is watching the people eat.

We always had a Christmas the size of all our own with the whole nation in a three-hour dinner until everyone swelled; eating themselves into a coma, with a lot more of delicacies parceled to the members of the clan. It was going from one thing to another.

The secret of the best Christmas, my mother said, is everybody doing the same thing at the same time. Like there would be so many hands at work on the trees: everybody hanging the presents on the tree at once (everybody knows whose giving one what) turn around and take the presents off again, with the small children sitting around with anxious aching hearts.

Our kind of Christmas is when most of the cards were drawn and handwritten. When presents are all stowed, heaped and tucked away, with surely no gifts to match anyone’s.

Then beyond exhaustion, the little girls lay and dream that the world was wide and beautiful, filled only with hearts or warm and hands as tender…and the spirits as generous, in the only way, the children would ever know.

The elder offered, as ever and always, something of far greater value — their gift of the heart, in every act of kindness carried out in the name of the clan. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com.

Meet ‘The Clash’ winner Jeremiah Tiangco by

BOT GLORIOSO Philstar.com

WITH his interpretation of Fantasia Barrino’s “I Believe,” Jeremiah Tiangco became the grand champion of “The Clash Season 2.”

Tagged as the Pop Heartthrob of Imus, Jeremiah beat four other clashers namely, Nef Medina, Jennifer Maravilla, Antonette Tismo and Thea Astley. His onstage performances of “I Believe I Can Fly,” “I Set Fire” and “I Believe” in the last two final rounds of the competition received deafening applause from the audience and positive remarks from the judges composed of Christian Bautista, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Lani Misalucha.

Among the finalists, Jeremiah had a clean record during the duration of the contest.

Never did he get eliminated in any set of challenges. His flawless performances always landed him in the safe spot.

He, too, never got to the bottom list.

During the pocket interview days before the finale night, Jeremiah said he wanted to do something new to make his voice distinct. “The judges would tell us that we should make our voice noticeable; para may marka sa tao na tipong pag narinig nila sasabihin nila, ‘Ah, si Jeremiah ‘yun.”

The 22-year-old Jeremiah, who had tried twice before bagging the top plum in “The Clash,” won over P4 million worth in prizes, including P1 million cash, an exclusive GMA management contract, a brandnew car and a house and lot from Bria.

According to Jeremiah, he will share his winnings with his family who became an inspiration to him. He has been pray-

Jeremiah Tiangco

ing to God to make his dreams come true not for himself but for his loved ones. “’Yung pinsan ko po na kinupkop namin mapag-aaral ko na siya. I’m an only child and he was six years old when he stayed with us and now, he’s 10, sobrang happy ko po na nagkaroon ako na tinuturing na kapatid at kuya n’ya ako.

“And I am also thankful for

Photo from Instagram/@jeremiah_tiangco

this moment because my father can now relax. He’s been working overseas as a seaman for more than 30 years so even before the contest, I promised him that if ever I win, he will not work anymore. They’re the reason why I joined in this contest. Bonus na din po sa akin na nanalo ako. I am also thankful to the Lord for leading me to this path,” added Jeremiah.

Anne, Erwan expecting a baby girl...

PAGE B2 Can’t wait!”

Friends and family members flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages and expressed excitement over the good news.

“Our babies will have an instant sister :),” wrote Heussaff’s sister Solenn, who is also expecting a baby girl in a few days. “@Erwan, the struggle is real! #NoBoysForOurGirlsClub,” So-

lenn’s husband Nico Bolzico said in jest.

“So excited for you!!!!! Girls are so malambing,” Bianca Gonzales posted.

“I’m so excited for you guys!!

Girls rule the world! Hahaha plus the world needs a mini you!” Vannesa Matsunaga shared.

It was also through social media posts in November when Curtis and Heussaff first announced that they were expecting their first

child. At the time, Curtis was five months into her pregnancy.

Curtis on Sunday also proudly showed off her growing baby bump. The expectant mother shared that she has now been with child for 28 weeks, as stated in her Instagram Stories.

The couple has been together for six years before getting married in November 2017 in Queenstown, New Zealand. They have been together since 2010.

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Piolo bares why he loves Christmas

PIOLO Pascual may be one of the most reputable and recognizable actors in the industry today but away from the limelight, he is just like any other family guy. This is truest every Christmas, that special time of the year when his priority is his family—above all.

As a father, son, and tito, Piolo says family is the top reason he loves Christmas.

“I always make it a point to spend my Christmas with my family,” he told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview, adding that this year, their celebration will be different.

According to the award-winning actor, his family will spend Christmas Day in the Philippines.

On how he can find time despite his busy schedule, he said that he blocked off his schedule early on in the year.

“I believe in the importance of family so they have to be prioritized, especially during the holidays because this is the only time that everyone gets together. You don’t just get to exchange gifts but you also get to share your time with each other,” he added.

Making others happy Piolo will also allot his free time to son Iñigo, who is also a fast-rising star of ABS-CBN. The father and son tandem will attend the annual and star-studded Christmas special of their network.

After this, they are set to hold a Christmas outreach as their way of giving back. For Piolo, this is another reason that

B

Dimples salutes friend Angel for helping with husband’s hospitalization Cha Lino Inquirer.net

by

Piolo Pascual

makes Christmas special for him every year.

As of this writing Piolo and his foundation, the Hebreo12:1 Foundation, are already looking for beneficiaries.

“We try to look for other indigenous areas where we can spread love and share the gift of Christmas and my foundation with my family—they’re the ones in charge of finding or looking for places where we can do outreach,” he said.

Established in 2009, Hebreo 12:1 Foundation has been helping underprivileged children

Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual

and communities for a decade already.

Known for his kindness and generosity, Piolo reminded everyone that giving back must go beyond Christmas.

“You know a lot of people don’t get to celebrate the way they want to celebrate because they don’t have much. So if you are sensitive enough to their needs then we’ll make a lot of people happy—just by being there for them and sharing what you have, not just materially but also your time,” he said. (Philstar.com)

Maine still hoping for...

PAGE B3 she said.

What Maine’s sure of, however, is that she sees herself spending her life with Arjo. “We wouldn’t be wasting our time with someone we don’t want to be with forever,” she said.

But should they end up tying the knot, would Maine get her perennial screen father, Vic Sotto, as godfather? “No matter who I end up with, I can’t not include Bossing,” she stressed.

At one point during the interview, her handler signaled to wrap it up. But she appeared to be in the mood for more. “Wait lang, nag-eenjoy pa ako!” she said.

For the past year or so, Maine

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-24, 2019

and Alden Richards—whose former teamup, “AlDub,” ruled show biz not so long ago—have been pursuing different career paths. But given the chance, somewhere down the road, she would like to work with her former screen partner again.

“I hope dumating ulit ’yung tamang panahon in the future,” she said, referencing AlDub’s famous catchphrase.

“Right now, we’re exploring.

We have been trying out different things or taking advantage of opportunities to work with other actors, from other networks. I feel that’s a good thing because that means growth for the both of us,” added Maine, who did “Isa Pa with Feelings” with Carlo Aquino. Alden,

meanwhile, starred in “Hello, Love, Goodbye” with Kathryn Bernardo.

Contrary to rumors, Maine and Alden’s friendship has always been intact. But there was a moment, she admitted, when the fans’ expectations weighed their relationship down.

“It was tough back then because people were expecting something more, something else from us. As a result, we didn’t know how to act in front of the camera,” said Maine, who’s looking forward to catching up with Alden when things aren’t as hectic.

“Right now, we don’t get to see each other as much these days.

He’s rarely in ‘Eat Bulaga!,’ because of the series he’s doing. But when

“KADENANG Ginto” star Dimples Romana showed her appreciation for her best friend and fellow actress Angel Locsin, for giving all-out support to Romana’s family while they faced difficult times due to the hospitalization of Romana’s husband.

Bo yet Ahmee, R oma na ’ s spouse, has been in and out of the hospital this December after a recent throat operation.

Locsin was apparently performing her “ninang duties” (godmother duties) by taking care of Romana’s son Alonzo Romeo Jose.

Romana expressed her love for Locsin on Instagram yesterday, Dec. 17.

“With everything @boyetahmee and I have been going through lately, Boyet being in the hospital in and out, my Kg [“Kadenang Ginto”] tapings everyday (because it’s almost the holiday break) I am grateful for friendships that go beyond work shoots, lunches, dinners and all,” Romana said.

Locsin watched over Romana’s child and played with him while Romana was busy doing “wifey duties” and taking care of her husband’s hospitalization.

Romana also called Locsin their very own “Darna”. Locsin, who formerly played the

Dimples Romana with Angel Locsin

superhero in a TV series, accompanied Romana’s family to the hospital recently while Romana was still taping for her TV drama series.

“Salamat sa pagsama sa akin, sa paghila sa akin sa mga

we do get a chance, we can talk about our personal lives,” she said.

Directed by Mike Tuviera, “Mission Unstapabol” is an action-comedy film that centers on master strategist Don Robert (Vic Sotto), who assembles a motley crew of experts called “The Dons”: computer hacker Donna (Maine), wrestler Johnson (Jake Cuenca), magician Zulueta (Pokwang) and car racer Kikong (Jelson Bay).

Together, they will attempt to pull off a heist and take away the famed “Pearl of the Orient” from the hands of Don Fortun’s scheming brother, Benjie Fortun (Jose Manalo).

“I enjoyed doing this film because my role was serious throughout—I didn’t do much comedy,” said Maine, who still gets starstruck with Vic. “I still can’t greet him casually. But he’s so nice to me. And once the camera rolls, we turn into father and daughter.”

Alden Richards with Maine Mendoza

Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin

pagkakataon nanghihina ako,” Romana thanked Locsin, as per the former’s Instagram post on Dec. 15.

(Thank you for making time for us, and for pulling me up in times that I get weak.)

GMA photo

B DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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COMMUNITY Journal

UPAAGLA holds its annual holiday celebration on December 28 UP Alumni, friends and family are invited to revel at San Antonio Winery

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-24, 2019

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THERE is much merriment to be had throughout the season as the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) holds its annual holiday party on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 1-5 p.m. This event culminates UPAAGLA’s 20th year celebration.

The theme is Filipino Christmas, and guests are encouraged to come in festive attire with Filipino flair. Guests may also bring traditional Filipino Christmas desserts to share.

The festivities will be at San Antonio Winery, one of LA’s largest operating wineries, established in 1917. Coined as LA’s original urban winery, it has been named American Winery of the Year 2018 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It is owned and operated for more than 100 years by four generations of the Riboli family, producers of America’s #1 imported Italian wine, Stella Rosa.

A complimentary tour of the winery, good food, dancing, games, raffle drawing and silent auction are the event attractions,

with music by DJ J.Rap. Cost is $35 per person. Register at https://upaaglapasko2019.eventbrite.com.

San Antonio Winery is located at 737 Lamar St., Los Angeles, CA 90031. UPAAGLA encourages all alumni around Los Angeles and its environs to network with fellow alumni, raise the profile of the university and give back to the alma mater. Net proceeds from the Silent Auction will go towards the Endowment Fund. For more information, go to www. upaagla.org. n

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C DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon IF you care about how you are going to live your life 10, 20 or more years from now, this article is for you. The future is something we don’t want to think about at times. To some, it’s pretty scary. But one thing is for certain. Time flies. Weeks easily turn into months and months into years. Doesn’t time seem to go by even faster as you get older?

Lee Eisenberg, in his new book, “The Number”, says that all of us have a “number” that we should know. This “number” represents the amount of money we will need to live on from the time we say goodbye to work to the moment we simply say goodbye.

How much will be enough?

Will the money you have provide you a meaningful life in your later years? This requires a lot of soul-searching and you cannot take this for granted. Unless you have a financial plan or a roadmap for the rest of your life, you

Tax & Stock Tips VictoR Sy,

cPA, mBA (RetiRed)

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) gives us a glimpse of the next mega trend in consumer technology. Each January, tech giants from around the world gather to show off their latest inventions in Las Vegas. Here’s a list of our favorites at the tech show earlier this year.

1. AFLAC Therapy Duck For Kids With Cancer: While there were plenty of robots, it’s Aflac’s “My Special Aflac Duck” that was most fascinating.

It’s our favorite robot because of its noble purpose: companion to children coping with cancer.

The duck is part toy, part therapy pet. It can quack, dance, and snuggle to comfort kids. The dance mode activates when music is played. It has heartbeats and breathing actions. It quacks and waggles when tickled.

2. AIBO Robotic Dog: Sony’s Aibo robotic dog sports

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Are your debt problems making you worry about the future? may be in some serious trouble.

One of the things I found interesting in Mr. Eisenberg’s book is what he calls the “Debt Warp” which, he says, stops most people from saving for a secure retirement. He writes: “Our whipit-out credit card culture makes it so easy to buy stuff that people delude themselves into thinking they’re more affluent, better set for the future, than they are.

Indebtedness starts to feel like a normal state of being, not an affliction. Combine Debt Warp with longer life expectancies, lower savings rates, disappearing pensions and uncertain social security and many Numbers start to look downright unattainable.”

As you save money for the future, there are factors that work for you and against you. Some of these factors, you cannot control. I am talking about inflation, fluctuating interest rates and perhaps the future of Social Security. But there are certain factors that are within your controlsuch as the choice to accumulate debt or wealth. Indebtedness, according to Mr. Eisenberg, is

an “affliction” but because it is so common in our culture today, people feel like it is “normal” to live this way because they just don’t know any better!

Look at our young people today. College loan debt is at an all-time high. Credit cards are getting maxed out left and right.

These are young adults in their 20’s and 30’s who are getting hit from all sides. They are barely starting and they’re already financially strapped.

According to a recent study, nearly half of all working students already put in more than 25 hours per week just to make ends meet. By the time most of these young adults graduate, they are already buried in student loan and credit card debts that may take more than a decade to pay off. A college degree may determine the size of their paycheck and the quality of life that your children will have someday. But this education is hard to finance these days and is simply not affordable to everyone.

If you are a parent and you want the best for your children,

u PAGE C3

The Prophetic Voice ReVeRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAS FOR my Pastor’s Notes this 4th Sunday of Advent, let me share you this reflection I wrote several years ago: My best Christmas gift in December 2011 was not a gadget, nor a nice polo shirt or a sweater.

It was not a gift card either, nor a ticket to a concert. It was something different.

My Christmas gift came in the form of a visit from someone I met a long time ago, during my years as a young associate pastor.

He used to be known as Jonathan but has since changed his name to Stanislaus.

Back then, Jonathan was still in grade school when I served in his parish. He and his sister were active members of the Church — Jonathan was an altar server, and Joanna Belle was a member of the youth group. Their parents were also involved in a prayer group.

I used to joke with Jonathan when he would serve at Mass.

I would say to him: “Jonathan, you’ll make a good priest.” He would respond with a smile and tell me, “Hmm, you think so, Father? I’ll think about it.”

Our favorite gadgets at last year’s CES in Las Vegas Tapat Sa advanced engineering for fluid movement, artificial intelligence and more personality. It can identify family members and map your home. We hope to see it again at the 2019 CES. It’s still pricey at $2,000 and is only available in Japan.

3. Robots of all Kinds: We saw all kinds of robots at the 2018 CES. There was Sony’s Aibo, a robot dog that’s great for folks with dander allergies and renters living in apartments that do not allow pets. There’s Forpheus who plays ping-pong, Sophia who can talk with you (with humor), Moley who can cook, FoldiMate who can fold your laundry, and Kuri who can video your birthday party. Well, some of you have already started using robot vacuums and mops at home.

4. Phones: The Huawei Mate 10 Pro uses new Leica camera lens that can challenge big expensive SLR cameras. It has a long-life bat-

tery that can last 25 hours of 3G calling, 20 hours of video playback, and three days of music playback. Compare this with my smart phone that I charge three times a day.

5. Laptops: Dell showed off its XPS 13 - the world’s smallest and most powerful 13-inch laptop. It’s powered by its 8th Gen Quad Core Intel processor and can wirelessly pair with your smartphone. *** 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.

Batas

Atty. RheA SAmSon ANG L1 nonimmigrant visa classification ay nagpapahintulot sa U.S. employer na maglipat ng mga empleyado mula sa kaakibat na kumpanya sa ibang bansa papunta sa kumpanya sa U.S. Ito rin ay nagpapahintulot sa kumpanya sa ibang bansa na walang kaakibat na kumpanya sa US na magpadala ng executive o manager sa U.S., o empleyadong may specialized knowledge tungkol sa operasyon at mga proseso ng organisasyon upang makapagpatayo ng kumpanya sa U.S. May dalawang klase ng L1 visa o intracompany transferee: (1) L1A visa para sa intracompany transferee na nagtatrabaho bilang manager o executive; at (2) L1B visa para sa intracompany transferee na may specialized knowledge sa

My best Christmas gift When I left the parish, I knew Jonathan went to a local Catholic school and continued to be involved in church activities. I also heard that he took my advice seriously and entered the seminary.

Life went by. I got transferred to different parishes, took further studies, and became involved with many things. I would think about Jonathan from time to time, wondering if he ever continued with his seminary studies.

A few days before Christmas, I got a Facebook message from his sister. Jonathan was going to be in town. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 14th and wanted to see me. I sent a message to his sister and his parents. “I’d love to stand next to Jonathan, now Fr. Stanislaus, while he’s celebrating a Mass,” I wrote back.

My early Christmas gift came.

Jonathan went to see me with his parents, in his priestly garb.

I could not believe my eyes—the young Jonathan is now a priest at age 29!

I invited Jonathan and his family to the rectory to have a private moment with them. I watched Jonathan with wonder. I could not hold back tears. “Jonathan, you’re now a priest!” I whispered to him.

I was amazed and speechless.

During the Mass, Jonathan shared in his homily how I inspired him to become a priest

— how it all started with me and how grateful he is. What a double Christmas gift to hear these words!

God has a way of surprising us. A few days before Jonathan visited me, I shed tears before an 8th Grade class, telling them the sad news — one of their classmates, Klein Lapitan, lost his battle with leukemia. They were tears of pain, from seeing one of my school children die.

Who would’ve known that days later, I would be shedding tears of joy for a former student, who is now a holy priest of God? “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone.”

Isaiah’s prophecy repeats itself, not just in great moments of history, but in our everyday experiences.

(From Walking With God: The Journey of A Priest’s Heart) May your Christmas be filled with awe, wonder, and gratitude to God for his many gifts in your life! May God surprise you, not just with material things, but with profound and abundant experiences of grace, often obtained through ordinary human experiences! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

L1 intracompany transferees

kumpanya.

Ang empleyado ay masasabing nagtatrabaho bilang executive kung mayroon siyang kakayahang gumawa ng mga desisyon na may malawak na epekto sa kumpanya. Ang empleyado ay masasabing nagtatrabaho bilang manager kung siya ay may kakayahang mangasiwa at ay magkontrol ng trabaho ng mga empleyadong propesyonal, o kaya siya ay may kakayahang pamahalaan ang organisasyon, or isang departamento, subdivision o bahagi ng organisasyon.

Ang empleyado ay masasabing may specialized knowledge kung mayroon siyang special knowledge ng mga produkto, serbisyo, pananaliksik, kagamitan, pamahalaan, o ekspertong kaalaman sa mga proseso at pamamaraan ng kumpanya.

Ang L1 employer o U.S. employer ay kailangang may qualifying relationship sa kumpanya sa ibang bansa – maaaring ang U.S. employer ay parent com-

pany, branch, subsidiary, o affiliate ng kumpanya sa ibang bansa.

Ang L1A o L1B intracompany transferee ay kailangang nagtrabaho na sa kumpanya sa ibang bansa ng isang taon sa loob ng tatlong taon bago siya lumipat sa US. employer.

Ang L1A o L1B intracompany transferee na pumupunta sa U.S. para magtayo ng bagong kumpanya ay mabibigyan ng hanggang isang taon na L1 visa. Kapag ang paglipat ng mga employado ay sa isang U.S. employer na mayroon nang business operation, ang mga L1A o L1B intracompany transferee ay mabibigyan ng hanggang tatlong taong visa.

Para sa L1A employees, maaari silang mabigyan ng pagdaragdag na extension na dalawang taon, hanggang maabot ang maximum limit na pitong taon. Para sa L1B employees, maaari silang mabigyan ng pagdaragdag na extension na dalawang taon, hanggang maabot ang maximum limit

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-24, 2019

Extending paid sick leave to part-time employees Q: I AM a part-time hourly employee working in retail. I work between 20 to 30 hours a week. I recently got sick and had to be out for three days. I was told that I was not entitled to paid sick leave because I was a part-time employee. Is this right?

A: No, you are entitled to paid sick leave. In California, an employee working for 30 or more calendar days within a year is entitled to paid sick leave. This applies to full-time employees, as well as temporary, part-time, and seasonal employees. The law also provides paid sick leave to both non-exempt (hourly) and exempt (salaried) employees.

Employees may begin using accrued sick leave on the 90th calendar day of employment.

Employees may use paid sick leave for the diagnosis or treatment of a health condition or for preventive care for themselves or to care for a sick family member, such as a child, parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild or sibling. Employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may also avail of paid sick leave for specified purposes.

How do employees earn sick leave? Employees become entitled to one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. This is the accrual method of earning sick leave.

Thus, an employee who works 40 hours per week accrues 1.33 hours per week of paid sick leave. Accrued paid sick leave must carry over to the following year and may be capped at 48

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng THE first client is 75. Her husband passed four years ago and left her with $30,000 of credit card debt. She has been making minimum payments on their credit cards for the last 15 years as far as she can recall at the rate of $800 a month.

So in one year, she pays about $10,000 of minimum payments to keep the $30,000 current. In 10 years she paid $100,000 to keep them current. In the last 15 years, she has paid $150,000 to keep her credit card masters happy. Mastercard and Visa are very happy with her. They lent her $30,000 15 years ago. After 15 years she paid them $150,000, and she still owes them the same $30,000! Well, of course, that a great business profit for Mastercard and Visa, right? Borrow $30,000 and pay back $150,000 in 15 years but still owe the same $30,000!

Just imagine the client was only 60 when she got her $30,000 of credit cards with her husband. Now, her husband has gone on ahead of her. Together, they have paid $150,000 on the $30,000 starting at the age of 60.

At 75, she has paid $150,000 and still owes the very same $30,000.

Never mind that she could put the $150,000 to much better use now at 75, if she did not owe the $30,000 in the first place. Now that she is retired and receiving social security of $1,300, forking over $800 a month to make these minimum payments to Mastercard and Visa means that 61% of her retirement income goes to minimum payments. Now that doesn’t sound good, does it? She

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. hours (or 6 days). An employee who is exempt from overtime requirements, and does not have a normal workweek, is deemed to work 40 hours per workweek.

The employer may lend paid sick days to an employee before the employee has earned them.

Alternatively, instead of having employees earn the sick leave, employers can provide 24 hours or 3 days of paid sick leave at the beginning of each calendar year, anniversary date or twelve months basis. This is called the up-front method. If this method is used, then the employer will not need to track accrual but will still need to track and display usage of sick leave on the employee’s pay stub. Also, if this method is used, the employer is not required to provide for carry-over of unused sick leave.

How much should employers pay for sick leave? Employers must pay sick leave at the employee’s current hourly rate of pay. For employees who are paid by commission or piece rate, their hourly rate is derived by dividing their total compensation for the previous 90 calendar days by the number of hours worked. Payment for used sick leave should be no later than the payday for the next regular payroll period after the sick leave was taken.

If the need for paid sick leave

is foreseeable, the employee should provide reasonable advance notice to the employer.

If the need for paid sick leave is unforeseeable, the employee should provide notice of the need for the leave as soon as possible. However, employees should not be denied payment for sick leave simply because the employees failed to provide prior notice for an unforeseen illness or that the employees did not provide details of their condition. Employees also cannot be required to find a replacement to cover their scheduled shift before they can be granted paid sick leave.

All employers, big and small, must provide paid sick leave to its employees. The protection to employees is so important that employers cannot retaliate or discriminate against those who use paid sick leave. Hence, any type of sanction against the employee for availing of paid sick leave, including termination, may be actionable against the employer. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit “http://www.joesayaslaw. com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.]

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Repo deficiency causes senior to seek Chapter 7 relief

rents a room for $500 a month, so just the credit card payments and the rent use up all of the social security of $1,300!

So get this, at 75 she has to get part-time work at Walmart, to have money for food and other necessities. Without the $800 paid to credit cards, she literally would not have to work anymore. $800 a month after rent is paid is more than enough for food and other necessities for a single person.

The client has been living this way, until two months ago, when her 2015 Lexus RX330, which she leased for $450 a month was repossessed. She thought she wouldn’t owe Toyota anything since they took the car back. But last week, Toyota sent her notice that, she owed them a lease deficiency of $18,000. This, of course, is the proverbial last straw that broke the camel’s back. Mastercard and Visa already takes more than half her social security, forcing her to continue working at Walmart at the age of 75, but now owing another $18,000 to Toyota for a car that she has already returned to them that she can’t drive anymore, these circumstances put her financial situation into a more accurate perspective. At the age of 75, she needs a complete makeover of her finances.

Chapter 7 will wipe out the $30,000 of credit card debt, and the $18,000 owed to Toyota. She will wipe out $48,000 of debt that she totally doesn’t need to be burdened with at 75. We are talking about the quality of life here. Nobody wants to live like this. Her creditors own her life!

This is no way for anyone to live, no matter what age. I am sure that her beloved husband would

agree that they should have filed for Chapter 7 at least 10 years ago, so that now, the client at least would have saved $100,000 in retirement funds instead of being saddled with debt.

Debtor opts for Chapter 7 Client no. 2 is still young. She is barely 50. Her husband suffered a stroke two years ago. His hospital bill was $200,000. Well, that obviously is one problem. And he owes about $40,000 of credit cards. That’s another burden you don’t want to have even if you are completely healthy and able to work. She needs $1,200 a month to keep her husband’s $40,000 of credit cards happy and current.

The problem is that the husband cannot work anymore because of the stroke. The husband is still ok in that he is still able to talk and not paralyzed, but I believe he is depressed because of his condition. He’s a lot younger than I am, but I feel that he’s lost the will to continue living. I feel bad for him and her.

I can help him discharge the $200,000 of medical bills and $40,000 of credit cards. That’s a no brainer. But I wish I could do more for him healthwise. But that’s now between our Almighty Father in heaven and him.

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 five thousand 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-Lower Level Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

Children of lesbian spouses not concieved through assisted reproduction should not be considered children of the marriage Presumption of child of the marriage: Section 7540(a) of the California Family Code, effective January 1, 2019, provides that “the child of spouses who cohabited at the time of conception and birth is conclusively presumed to be a child of the marriage.”

But Section 7540(b) removes the conclusive marital presumption “if the court determines that the husband of the woman who gave birth was impotent or sterile at the time of conception and the child was not conceived through assisted reproduction.

Indeed, the child of a woman with an impotent or sterile husband not conceived through artificial insemination of a sperm donor, can only be born through immaculate conception, like Jesus Christ to Catholics.

Thus, the presumption that a person is the natural parent of a child, if the presumed parent and the child’s natural mother have been married to each other

Legal Commentary romAn P. moSqueDA eSq SuPer LAwyer in immigrAtion and the child is born during the marriage, provided by Section 7611(a) of the California Family Code, is deemed amended by new Section 7540(b) thereof, to require artificial insemination in lesbian marriages.

So, absence of artificial insemination trumps the presumption.

Case law requiring artificial insemination in lesbian relationship: In Elisa B. v. Superior Court, 33 Cal. Rptr. 3d 46 (August 22, 2005), the California Supreme Court held that a woman who agreed to raise children with her lesbian partner, supported her partner’s artificial insemina-

tion using an anonymous donor, and received the resulting twin children into her home and held them out as her own, is the children’s parent under the Uniform Parentage Act (Section 7611(d) of the Family Code) and has an obligation to support them.

Child born out of extramarital Infidelity should not be considered child of the marriage: This Author’s female client was married to her lesbian partner on June 18, 2008, in California, which has allowed same sex marriage since June 16, 2008.

Proposition B was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013. She had an extramarital affair with an identified male coemployee and gave birth to a son during the marriage.

Her lesbian spouse, in her Request for Order, before Los Angeles Central District, with Commissioner Kimberly Dotson, Presiding, claimed that the 3 year old child Noah is a child

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K-1 Fiancé(e) visa: Getting your significant other to the United States SEVERALl options exist for a US citizen to bring his/her foreign-national fiancé(e) to the United States. One popular option is to marry the fiancé(e) in the country in which he/ she resides, and file an I-130 immigrant petition, with the fiancé(e) to undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa when the I-130 petition is approved. However, this option often is not advisable in that the US-citizen petitioner would have to learn and comply with complicated, countryspecific marriage license requirements, or legal barriers to marriage may exist to the UScitizen petitioner in the foreign country (as in the case of the Philippines, which in some circumstances will not recognize a foreign divorce judgment).

In such cases, the best way to get your fiancé(e) to the US is via a K-1 Fiance(e) visa.

The K-1 Fiancé(e) visa allows a fiancé(e) to enter the US for 90 days to allow marriage to take place. By having the marriage take place in the US, couples are able to bypass the foreign country’s license requirements and/or other impediments to marriage imposed by a foreign law.

To be eligible for the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition, the following are required: 1) the petitioner must be a US Citizen, 2) the petitioner must have an intent to marry the fiancé(e) within 90 days of his/her arrival in the US, 3) the petitioner and

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn fiancé(e) must have the ability to marry (i.e. any previous marriages were terminated by divorce or death), and 4) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have physically met each other within 2 years of filing the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition (certain exceptions apply to this fourth requirement).

Minor unmarried children of the fiancé(e) may also come to the US under a K-2 visa classification.

Upon arrival in the US, the fiancé(e) can immediately apply for authorization to work in the US. He/she does not have to wait until marriage to apply for work authorization. The work authorization issued to the fiancé(e) is valid for 90 days after entry.

This provides the fiancé(e) the ability to immediately seek lawful employment.

Once married, the spouse of the US citizen can file an I-485 application for adjustment of status (from K-1 to permanent resident), and remain in the US while the application is pending. At the same time the I-485 application is filed, the fiancé(e) may apply for an extended work authorization. Upon approval of the I-485 application, the

fiancé(e) is granted a conditional green card that is valid for 2 years, after which he/she can apply to remove the conditions on the green card.

The K-1 Fiance(e) status automatically expires after 90 days.

If marriage with the US Citizen who petitioned the fiancé(e) does not occur within that time, the fiancé(e) begins to accrue unlawful presence. Also, the fiancé(e) will be precluded from adjusting to permanent resident status in the US if he/ she marries another US citizen (however, he/she may be able to become a permanent resident through consular processing with a provisional waiver).

If you are a US Citizen who is planning to marry your foreign national fiancé(e), or you are someone who arrived under a K-1 Fiance(e) visa whose marriage did not take place, it is recommended you consult with an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada.

Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw. com (Advertising Supplement)

Are your debt problems making you worry...

PAGE C2 t chances are you have included the cost of their college education in your financial planning provided that you are in a position to save. But obviously, you can only give away what you have.

To the extent that you are financially strapped yourself, it will be difficult for you to help them in spite of your best intentions. Or maybe your children are all grown up, out of the house and married and you only have yourself and your spouse to worry about. You may still be working but only a few years away from retirement but you

have not saved a penny for your retirement years. You have not thought of your “Number” that Mr. Eisenberg was talking about in his book.

If you are heavily in debt and your financial future doesn’t look promising at this point, you may feel helpless about your situation. Not knowing where to turn for help, maybe you have ignored the situation for so long hoping that someday, things may magically change. Well, I have news for you. Nothing will change until you make the decision to change. If you can get out of debt now without filing for bankruptcy, I wish you the very

best. But if bankruptcy is your only way to get a fresh start, maybe you should find out what your legal options are.

Call my office now at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 and request a free confidential consultation with me. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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C4 DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES GENERALLY, you must have resided in California for at least six months in order to file a divorce in this case. Under Family Code Section 2320, a judgment of marriage dissolution (divorce) may not be entered unless one of the spouses has been a “resident” of California for six months and of the county where the proceeding is filed for three months immediately preceding the filing of the petition. This poses a problem for divorcing couples that has not resided in California for at least 6 months. Couples that moved to California from other states or other countries are faced with this problem because they cannot get divorced until they satisfy the residency requirements.

Even a bigger problem is when they need immediate temporary orders from the California Court regarding child custody, child support, management and control of community businesses and property.

The solution for this type of problem is filing nullity or legal separation petition rather than a divorce and amending the petition later on to convert it to a divorce once the residency requirement has been met by one of the parties. Millar v. Millar.

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

Getting month residency requirement to file a divorce in California

Unlike a divorce, there is no residency requirement to filing an Annulment or a legal separation.

The advantage of this strategy is you would immediately have access to the courts and can ask the court for immediate temporary orders needed to maintain the status quo or preserve the marital assets. If domestic violence is involved in the case, the domestic violence issue can be heard in the same court room by the same judge that would be hearing the divorce case.

In addition, service on the legal separation petition (to be amended later to a divorce) will also start the clock on the six-month “waiting period” for finality of a judgment terminating marital status, optimizing the time-frame within which the parties will be legally restored to “single” status. As far as the county where to file the legal separation or nullity, venue is proper in the county where either party resided at the time the petition was filed pursuant to CCP 395(a).

Once the parties have satisfied the residency requirements, the Petition may be amended from legal separation to Dissolution without permission from the Court as long as notice is provided the opposing party under

Marriage of Dick. The Petitioner would also be in a safer position if the intent to amend from legal separation/nullity to a divorce is stated in the initial 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

GET ready for retro dance music debauchery this coming New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2019!

Modern Classic Records presents Makati Nights NYE - 80s, Early/Late 90s, happening at the 18 Social Penthouse, Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown. This New Year’s Eve, Makati Nights will be headlined by its resident DJs, Josh Evangelista formerly of Venezia Bar, Cary Carreon, formerly of Hard Rock Cafe Makati, plus guest DJs. All of them will be (Advertising Supplement) providing killer retro sets for the

Children of lesbian spouses not concieved...

PAGE C3 t

of the marriage, under Family Law Sections 7540 and 7611, because he was born during the marriage, and she received the child into her home and openly held out the child as her natural child.

This Author argued that Family Code Section 7540 (b) requires conception through assisted reproduction, which is absent in this case of lesbian spouses, and cited Elisa B. v.

Superior Court, supra.

And even if the presumed lesbian spouse received Noah into her home, and even openly held out the child as her natural child (although no single corroborative witness thereon was presented), the child was born out of an extramarital relationship with an identified male coemployee, and not a child of the lesbian marriage.

On November 22, 2019, Com. Kimberly Dotson still ruled that

Calendar of Events across

People and Events

the child was the child of the marriage, despite absence of artificial insemination, and granted visitation to the lesbian partner and added her last name to the child of this Author’s client. *** The Author, Roman P. Mosqueda, is a SuperLawyer in Immigration in Southern California. He has practiced Immigration law for over 25 years, and other fields of law. Call 213-261-0816 or email: mosquedalaw@gmail.com for free initial and confidential consultation.

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS D EC E M B E R 2 1

SIPA’s holiday festival and toy distribution in LA During this season of giving, volunteer with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans on Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as they spread joy in Los Angeles. Join SIPA as they hand gifts out to over 250 youth in the Historic Filipinotown community, eat a delicious meal, and listen to some Christmas tunes! It will be held at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA. Contact Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext.107.

D EC E M B E R 28

UPAGGLA holiday celebration in LA Pasko Pa Sa UPAAGLA will be held on Saturday, December 28 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles. It is the annual Holiday party of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles. All are welcome, simply purchase online at www. upaagla.org/events/pasko-pa-sa-upaagla. There will be a silent auction and raffle drawing. Tickets are $28. Venue address is 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031. For inquires, connect with Monette Carranceja at (818) 585-1115 or upaagla.rsvp@gmail.com.

D EC E M B E R 29

#HashtagLunchbag/SIPA food drive in LA The Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #Hashtag Lunchbag are joining forces to create positive changes in Historic Filipinotown on Sunday, December 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. SIPA will be hosting a Food Drive with #HashtagLunchbag to create letters of encouragement, decorate lunch bags, and assemble sandwiches for those in need in Historic Filipinotown.

When finished, they will be giving out lunch bags to homeless youth, women, and families.

Registration contact and link: Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext. 107

JA N UA RY 1 1

Feast of Infant Jesus of Prague in LA The public is all invited to a Special Celebration of the Feast of Infant Jesus of Prague on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles. CA 90012). Bishop Alex Aclan will be the main celebrant. Bring your Infant Jesus Statue to touch the Holy Robe that the Holy Infant wears in the Shrine of Prague. The history of the devotion to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague dates back more than four hundred years when the statue of the Holy Infant in the guise of a king was brought to Prague, Czech Republic. Miraculous healings were attributed to the Child Jesus, as was the protection of Prague when it was laid siege to by the Swedes in 1639. The mass event is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Ministry Fellowship.

JA N UA RY 1 2

FACCGLA’s gala in Woodland Hills, CA The ‘Shining Shimmering Splendid Gala’ is the annual fundraising event of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) on January 12, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Woodland Hills. Everyone is welcome to attend to enjoy good food, music and dancing plus raffle prizes and other entertainment. Installation of the new President and Board precedes the merriment. Tickets are only $75 for all this enjoyment ($85 after Jan. 5), available online at www.faccgla.org, select ‘Events’ and select the Jan12 event. Sponsorships available. Venue address is 6360 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. Email info@faccgla. org for inquiries.

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

evening that will guarantee you flashback fun while welcoming the year 2020!

Makati Nights is a roving 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s nightlife event based in Los Angeles. Hosted by veteran Manila and Los Angeles DJ, producer, and remixer Josh Evangelista (https://www. facebook.com/joshevangelistamusic), Makati Nights pays tribute to the glorious Makati nightlife of the past by reconstructing its nightclub atmosphere at some of Los Angeles’ chic and modern

nightclub venues. On each event, Makati Nights feature the best DJs that have played at Philippine nightclubs, DJs from notable mobile DJ groups of the 90s, as well as DJs visiting from the Philippines. These original Makati selectors will dish out some of the best dance music hits from each era for us to experience the authentic manila club vibe.

For the latest updates, please check the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ makatinights. ■

Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA to install new president at 2020 fundraising gala AFTER two years of presidency, Ellen Samson will pass the torch to Annie Nepomuceno who will serve a two-year term along with a new Board of Directors in the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA).

This changing of the guard follows two fruitful years under President Ellen Samson. The Chamber’s regular activities, which includes informational but fun networking mixers, and participation in mainstream business events has made it the most active chamber in Southern California.

Samson, a business owner herself with American Geriatric, propagated a “push for entrepreneurship” as the rally cry of FACCGLA. Her motivation was to change the community perception of the role of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce. To be true to its advocacy, it had to be redefined as a business and professional organization, differentiating it from a social or a cultural group.

With an established clear-cut vision and mission supporting entrepreneurship, every project clicked, surpassing expectations backed by a strong team of Board members, a very cohesive group with new leaders who rose up to the occasion.

Samson looks forward to the very promising and charismatic leadership of incumbent Vice President for Marketing and President-Elect, Annie Nepomuceno, whose background is in the performing arts and the music business. She is the founder and owner of Music Arts Events Inc. Her experience includes every nook and cranny in artist administration that includes contracts, licensing, merchandising, touring, promotion and marketing, aside from the usual performing and teaching.

Nepomuceno says “the Filipino is inventive, creative, and smart, makers of marvelous things. I would like to spark creativity in business.”

Incoming FACCGLA President Annie Nepomuceno (2nd from right) receives a small business award and is joined by fellow chamber members and California State Senator Henry Stern

Outgoing FACCGLA President Ellen Samson

She continues “Ellen is a tough act to follow, but I believe that we have the team that can empower, enrich and engage. It is time to level up!”

Nepomuceno and the incoming Board are set to be installed on Sunday, January 12 at 6 p.m. at the “Shining Shimmering Splen-

did” Gala. This is the annual fundraiser of FACCGLA to be held at the Hilton Woodland Hills. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are $75 until January 5 and will be $85 thereafter, available at www. faccgla.org. Please RSVP by January 10. Contact info@faccgla.org for more information. ■

L1 intracompany transferees

PAGE C2 t na limang taon. *** The L1 nonimmigrant visa classification allows a US employer to transfer employees from one of its affiliated foreign company/ office to one of its companies/offices in the US. It also allows a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated US office to send an executive or manager to the US, or one with specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests for the purpose of establishing a US company/office. There are 2 types of L1 visas or intracompany transferees: (1) L1A visa for intracompany transferees who work in a managerial or executive position; and (2) L1B visa for intracompany transferees who work in positions that require specialized knowledge.

An employee is considered to be working in an executive capacity if the employee is able to make decisions of wide latitude without much oversight. An employee is considered to be working in a managerial capacity if the employee is able to supervise and control the work of professional

employees and to manage the organization, or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization. An employee is considered to have specialized knowledge when he has special knowledge of the employer’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization’s processes and procedures.

The L1 employer or US employer must have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company – US employer may be the parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the foreign company.

The L1A or L1B intracompany transferee must have been working at the foreign company for at least 1 year within the 3 years immediately preceding his admission to the US. L1A or L1B intracompany transferees entering the US to establish a new office will be allowed a maximum initial stay of 1 year. If the transfer of employees is for an already existing US entity, the L1A or L1B employees may be allowed a maximum stay of 3 years. For L1A employees,

extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to an additional 2 years, until the employee has reached a maximum limit of 7 years. For L1B employees, extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to an additional 2 years, until the employee has reached a maximum limit of 5 years. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty.

Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams.

As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.

Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com.

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C5

FilAm Arts presents GANAP Singers in North Hollywood Show on January 4 benefits of the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture

MUSIC AND MORE! GANAP A STORY of hope accompanies the GANAP Singers as it embarks on its “Lingkod” Tour. The singers are the choir of the GANAP Performing Arts Foundation, based in Quezon City.

Each singer is a scholar, who benefits from the musical and artistic activities of the program that enables them to raise funds for school.

On Saturday, January 4 at 5 p.m., they will stage Music and More! with the GANAP Singers at the Community Auditorium of the Church of Scientology of the Valley. The repertoire is an entertaining mix of English pop, Filipino Hits which they perform with choreography. The concert is presented

by FilAm Arts in cooperation with Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA. Awarded this 2019 as a Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal awardee for Most Outstanding Institution (Culture and the Arts), GANAP Performing Arts Association, Inc. (GANAP) is on its Goodwill International Concert Tour to the United States, with concerts in Vallejo City CA, Union City CA, Brentwood CA, San Francisco CA, North Hollywood, CA and Las Vegas NV until January 12, 2020.

The 13-member choir, led by their Artistic Director, Dr. Alexis Jan “Agoy” Patacsil, arrived at the San Francisco International Airport on December 18, 2019 and was warmly welcomed by the Filipino Community of Solano County, Inc. Its members are from different backgrounds, mostly belonging to low-income families and socio-economic scholars of the Quezon City Local Government. Patacsil said, “The primary purpose of this goodwill concert tour is to serve, or ‘lingkod’ in Filipino language, using performing arts.

We also like to convey that poverty can never be a hindrance to a noble act of helping others despite the lack of material things…”

Proceeds shall benefit the relaunch of FilAm

DONATION $25 COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF THE VALLEY

11455 BURBANK BLVD

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601 (BURBANK BLVD. CORNER LANKERSHIM)

PHILIPPINE PATRONS OF THE ARTS USA

Arts Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in September 2020 as well as the improvement of the Erehwon Center for the Arts facilities in Quezon City, and the continuous training and education of the GANAP scholars.

The suggested donation is $25 at the door or at https://ganap.eventbrite.com. Concert venue address is 11455 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. For more information, email info@musicartsevents.com or text or call Music Arts Events at (818) 538-4033. ■

2019 CSVLY. All Rights Reserved. Scientology is a trademark and service mark owned by Religious Technology Center and is used with its permission. Created in the USA.

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

&

January 2020 priority dates

Immigration Corner

Application Filing Date

FAMILY CATEGORY:

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

Visa Issuance Date

September 15, 2009

January 15, 2009

November 1, 2019

Current

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

October 1, 2009

February 1, 2009

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

September 1, 1999

January 1, 1999

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

November 1, 1999

March 1, 1999

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

January 1, 2019

March 15, 2018

First Preference

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning in October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Monetary easing seen to continue in 2020

by BEN

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:

O. DE VERA Inquirer.net

MONETARY easing will resume next year as the rate of increase in prices of basic commodities is expected to remain soft and within government target, London-based Capital Economics said.

“Inflation rebounded to 1.3 percent year-on-year in November, from 0.8 percent in October. The headline rate should continue to rise over the coming months as the high bases in fuel and food prices fade from the annual comparison,” Capital Economics said in a Dec. 17 report titled “Hong Kong’s troubles benefiting Singapore.”

November inflation was the highest in three months and end-

Non-Skilled Workers

January 1, 2019

Business Quote of the Week

ed five straight months of declining year-on-year headline rates.

“But underlying price pressures are set to remain low and inflation is still likely to stay below the midpoint of the central bank’s (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) 2-4 percent inflation target for some time,” Capital Economics said.

While the BSP kept the policy rate at 4 percent during last week’s policy meeting, Capital Economics said the central bank “left the door open to further easing,” noting that Governor Benjamin Diokno later on “commented that he expects about 50 basis points (bps) of cuts next year.”

Earlier, Capital Economics also projected 50 bps in interest rate cuts in 2020.

This year, the BSP cut key rates by a total of 75 bps.

Last year, the BSP hiked the policy rate by a total of 175 bps to 4.75 percent as headline inflation hit a 10-year high of 5.2 percent due to new or higher excise taxes slapped on consumption under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, skyrocketing global oil prices, and domestic rice supply bottlenecks.

“The Governor stated that the [BSP] was in no hurry to make further cuts to the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) as it waits to observe the effects of this year’s cuts totaling 400 bps. So far, reductions to the RRR have failed to stop the slowdown in credit growth,” Capital Economics said. ■

World Bank extends $400 million development policy loan to Philippine

by CZERIZA

VALENCIA Philstar.com

THE World Bank has approved a $400-million development policy loan (DPL) to help the Philippines undertake reforms on regarding the outcome of your legal matter. *** competitiveness and fiscal susMichael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, tainability as well as strengthen over 35 years and is licensed, and an active established with any reader. financial resilience to natural member of the State Bar of California and New WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com York. All immigration services are provided by, Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and disasters and climate change impact. or under the supervision of, an active member Twitter @GurfinkelLaw DPLs provide quick-disbursing of the State Bar of California. Each case is Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for assistance to countries undertakdifferent. The information contained herein anywhere in the US: including testimonials, “Success Stories,” (866)—GURFINKEL ing reforms. endorsements and re-enactments) is of a Four offices to serve you: These typically support policy general nature, and is not intended to apply to LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · and institutional changes needed PHILIPPINES any particular case, and does not constitute a (Advertising Supplement) to create an environment conduprediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice cive to promoting sustained and equitable growth as defined by borrower countries’ own development agenda.

World Bank said this approved “Capital isn’t so important in business. Experience isn’t so DPL supports efforts at streamlining processes to reduce the cost important. You can get both these things. What is important of doing business; establishment is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, of the foundational ID system to and there isn’t any limit to what you can do improve efficiency and transparwith your business and your life.” ency of public and private services; enhancing access to financial — Harvey Firestone, founder of the Firestone Tire services through improved payand Rubber Company ment systems; and strengthenOther Workers

D1

March 15, 2018

Philstar.com file photo

ing management of public assets and fiscal risks to natural disasters and climate change impacts.

This loan is part of the commitments under the bank’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the Philippines for 2019-2023, which prioritizes investments in human capital (health, education, and nutrition); competitiveness and job creation; peace building; climate

and disaster resilience; governance; and digital transformation.

The new CPF so far comprises commitments for various projects worth over $4 billion between fiscal years 2020-2022.

“With the new Country Partnership Framework, the World Bank Group renews its commitment to support the Philippines by mobilizing financing, global PAGE D2

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Economic managers’ bold prediction: Grab slapped with new P16.15-million penalty Stable consumer prices for next 3 years for breaching price, service quality promises by ian

Inquirer.net file photo

tion target at 3 percent, plus or

by MaxiM l. lUCas Inquirer.net minus 1 percent, for the 20202022 period.

THE country’s economic manThis was arrived at by the Duagers expect prices of basic terte administration’s top ecogoods and services to remain nomic managers during the inrelatively stable over the next teragency meeting last week, in three years, thanks to domestic line with the inflation targeting policies that have managed to approach in the conduct of monmitigate the risks from overseas etary policy. markets.

The government’s inflation tarIn a statement, the Bangko get is defined in terms of the avSentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)—the erage year-on-year change in the main agency in charge of ensur- consumer price index (CPI) over ing price stability—said that the the calendar year.

Development Budget CoordinaThe announcement of the intion Committee (DBCC) had de- flation target is in line with the cided to keep the current infla- BSP’s commitment to transpar-

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

DESPITE the government’s recognized efforts to improve it, the Philippines’ financial inclusion ranking dipped in the latest report of The Economist Group’s research arm.

In its “Global Microscope 2019” report, the group’s Economist Intelligence Unit said the Philippines scored 71 out of 100 — same as India’s — one notch lower than last year’s 72. This put the country in fifth place among the 55 economies reviewed.

Colombia topped the list, followed by Peru, Uruguay and

Mexico.

The report acknowledged the Philippines’ effort to improve financial inclusion, citing the institutionalization of the Financial Inclusion Steering Committee — the governing body that provides strategic direction, guidance and oversight in the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion — in 2016.

“The Philippines has increased its focus on digital financial inclusion, with the launch of a biometric national identification system and a program to provide a onestop shop for online government services,” the report said.

However, it believes that while

Philstar.com

THE Philippine Competition Commission said Wednesday, December 18, it slapped ridehailing firm Grab Philippines with a new round of hefty fine for charging passengers “extraordinary” fares and for excessive driver cancellations.

In a statement, the antitrust agency said it ordered Grab to pay a total fine of P16.15 million for violating its price and service quality commitments from May to August.

Broken down, the PCC said Grab should pay P14.5 million after its price surges went beyond the cap set by regulators, and P2 million for exceeding the allowed driver cancellations to 7.76% instead of the committed 5%.

Passengers who booked Grab rides from May 11 to August 10 this year should receive a refund within 60 days through GrabPay credits, the PCC said.

The competition watchdog likewise told Grab not to pass the cost of settling the penalties to its drivers and riders.

The P16.15 million fine is the latest in a string of penalties imposed by the PCC to Grab. Last month, the country’s antitrust watchdog ordered Grab to pay a penalty of P23.45 million for vio-

ency and accountability as well as the forward-looking approach in the conduct of monetary policy, the BSP said.

It added that the 3 percent, plus or minus 1 percentage point, inflation target for 2020-2022 continued to be an appropriate quantitative representation of the BSP’s medium-term price stability goal that was conducive to the balanced and sustainable growth of the Philippine economy.

“Latest inflation forecasts indicate within-target inflation over the policy horizon, even as the PAGE D1 t balance of risks to the inflation knowledge and technical experPAGE D3 tise to support reforms and programs that help speed up poverty reduction and promote greater inclusion,” said Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank vice president for efforts are being made to increase East Asia and the Pacific. financial and digital literacy, they World Bank country director lack gender goals. for the Philippines Mara WarThe report also lauded the wick said that amid the strong Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas growth trajectory of its economy, (BSP) by creating a support insti- the Philippines still has to make tution to focus on digital financial growth more inclusive. technology to reach the undersThe Philippines has nearly erved. doubled GDP per capita over the But “interoperability in retail past two decades, from $1,607 payments is still constrained by in 2000 to $3,022 in 2018, and a limited number of participating is poised to cross the threshinstitutions and high transaction old from lower-income country costs,” it said. status to upper-middle-income “The supervision of non-banks country in the next few years. and MFIs (microfinance instituThe country is making good tions) needs strengthening, as do progress in reducing poverty, dispute resolution mechanisms owing in large part to the expanPAGE D3 sion of jobs outside farming and

PH’s financial inclusion ranking dips – report

by Mayvelin

niColas Cigaral

Philstar.com file photo

lating its pricing commitments.

Grab blames lack of supply, worsening traffic In a separate statement, Grab said it would comply with the PCC’s order and that customers would receive the rebates no later than February 10.

Grab also maintained that its pricing remain to be compliant with transport regulator’s fare matrix, adding that lack of supply and “worsening” traffic condition caused the deviation from its commitments.

“Grab is hopeful on fulfilling its commitments to the PCC, however, it highlights that as a platform, pricing will still be influenced by

factors such as lack of supply and traffic situation,” it said.

Since Grab took over Uber’s operations in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries last year, the PCC has been monitoring its activities.

“The ride-hailing market has seen profound changes in the past year as a result of Grab’s acquisition of Uber,” PCC Chairperson Arsenio Balisacan said.

“With the commitments in place, PCC aims to maintain pretransaction market conditions and will discipline any tendency to exercise monopolistic power with corresponding penalties,” Balisacan added. n

World Bank extends $400 million... fishing, expansion of social protection, and remittances from local and overseas workers. Based on the national poverty line, the poverty rate dropped from 26.6 percent in 2006 to 21.6 percent in 2015 and 16.6 percent in 2018.

“The Philippines can deepen inclusive growth and broaden shared prosperity by tackling child malnutrition and learning gaps in education; promoting policies that create more and better jobs for Filipino workers; and focusing on the dual risk of conflict and natural disasters that hurt poor communities,” she said.

“The new Country Partnership Framework aims to help overcome the core constraints that continue to hamper the country’s efforts to address the remaining vulnerability of many Filipino families.”

The World Bank, Warwick added, will support a cohesive approach to Mindanao’s development and intensify efforts to engage the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including reconstruction support for Marawi.

For example, the bank will support projects that link remote communities to main markets, ports, and key growth corridors.

The CPF is a joint strategy of the three members of the World Bank Group (WBG): the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), also known as the “World Bank”; the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is focused on the private sector in developing countries; and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which provides political risk insurance to private sector investors and lenders. n

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Satellite to boost internet in More local PPPs to be pursued in 2020 PH, Asia-Pacific launched

by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

Asian Development Bank

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB)-financed satellite that will provide high-speed internet to Asia-Pacific countries, including the Philippines, has been launched into space.

In a Dec. 17 statement, the ADB said Kacific Broadband Satellites International Ltd.’s Kacific1 satellite was launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida, and will orbit above Asia-Pacific within its 15year service life.“The satellite will be able to deliver the most powerful signal ever achieved by a commercial satellite in the region, providing affordable broadband access to people in remote regions, many of whom have never had internet connectivity

Inquirer.net file photo

before,” the ADB said.

“Remote and rural communities are typically beyond the reach of traditional fiber optics as terrestrial distribution and infrastructure takes time to build and is expensive. Kacific1 will cover these communities in Pacific island-nations and in archipelagic countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. The satellite will also have beams over South Asia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea,” the ADB added.

The ADB earlier signed its firstever satellite financing worth $50 million with Kacific.

Besides ADB loans, the project will also be financed by the ADBadministered Leading Asia’s Private Sector Infrastructure Fund supported by the Japanese government’s aid arm Japan International Cooperation Agency.

“Satellite internet services, like those that will be provided

by Kacific1, are very effective in reaching the last mile of internet access, connecting remote areas that would otherwise remain isolated and lacking crucial services that can improve livelihoods and incomes,” said Jackie Surtani, infrastructure finance division director for Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific at the ADB’s private sector operations department.

“Information and communications connectivity are powerful tools in fighting poverty through better education, health care and disaster resilience. The ADB sees these innovative technologies as vital channels bringing inclusive development to the most remote corners of our region,” Surtani said. n

PH’s financial inclusion ranking...

PAGE D2 t for government payments,” it added.

Despite the drop in the country’s ranking, the BSP emphasized that the Philippines remained one of the top countries promoting financial inclusion.

It said the country continued its exceptional performance in the report’s five standard categories: government stability and support; stability and integrity; products and outlets; consumer protection; and infrastructure.

The country also retained its top standing in credit portfolios

for middle- and low-income customers, market entry and ongoing requirements for banks.

Addressing the challenges to financial inclusion cited by the report, the central bank said “legal and regulatory efforts have been made to bolster consumer protection mechanisms and safeguard public welfare.”

“The findings of the ‘Global Microscope 2019’ were positive overall, owing to the improved global enabling environment for financial inclusion,” it added.

A leading publication on financial inclusion, the Global Micro-

scope is a yearly assessment of 55 countries on their respective initiatives and provides information on global trends and issues in financial inclusion.

Iterations of the report from 2009 to 2013 examined the microfinance business environment of countries, while iterations from 2014 onward were expanded to assess the overall regulatory environment for financial inclusion.

This year’s report also added 11 new indicators related to gender development, particularly women’s access to financial services. n

MORE Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects at the local government level are expected to take off next year as the local PPP strategy continues to gain momentum.

In a statement Thursday, Dec. 19, the PPP Center said more local implementing bodies are now undertaking PPP projects as a result of capacity building and technical assistance provided under the strategy.

These include local government units, water districts, state universities and colleges, special economic zones, and tourism enterprise zones to help generate more bankable PPPs at the local level.

At the close of the year, the PPP Center is monitoring 143 awarded projects of which 31 are being undertaken by national government agencies, 73 are from government owned and controlled corporations and 39 are PPP projects of local government units.

Of the 143 awarded projects, 76 are solicited projects and 67 are unsolicited projects. The government has a pipeline of P2.1 trillion worth of projects.

In the current pipeline, there are 32 unsolicited projects and 24 solicited projects in various stages of development, evaluation, and procurement.

The center has been expanding its reach to the regions through the PPP knowledge corners lodged within the regional offices of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional offices where information on PPP is extended to interested parties.

The Asian Development Bank, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, League of Cities of the Philippines and

the Singapore’s Infrastructure Asia have been providing technical and knowledge support.

“The local PPP strategy has helped transform the center’s initiatives into projects that proved attractive to private investors and partners – projects that will improve lives, and enhance basic services that are badly needed by the communities,” said the PPP Center.

The center launched its local PPP strategy in 2017 to facilitate the use of the PPP mode of procurement in LGUs as the national government veers toward the use of official development assistance (ODA) and own funds for big-ticket infrastructure projects.

This strategy covers projects that can respond to the immediate needs of local communities.

Other than local PPP projects, several major projects of national significance have gained significant headway this year.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport New Passenger Terminal 1 rehabilitation had been completed as of August 2019 and is fully operational.

Meanwhile, the Bulacan bulk

PAGE D2 t outlook continue to lean slightly toward the upside in 2020 and toward the downside in 2021,” the central bank said, explaining that, while price volatility cannot be ruled out, inflationary impulses from international commodity prices are expected to remain modest.

“This expectation is supported by the current assessment of favorable demand-supply balance and lower pass-through to do-

mestic inflation of exchalation,” the BSP said.

Similarly, demand-induced price pressures are likely to remain manageable over the target horizon.

Improved productive capacity of the domestic economy, fueled by higher infrastructure investments by the national government, alongside the implementation of purposeful structural reforms, implies continued robust economic growth amid a

In a statement Thursday, Dec. 19, the PPP Center said more local implementing bodies are now undertaking PPP projects as a result of capacity building and technical assistance provided under the strategy.

Philstar.com file photo

water supply project is already operational, serving three cities and 10 municipalities in the province of Bulacan.

The handover of the operations and maintenance activities for the existing passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport was held on Aug. 16.

The New Clark International Airport terminal PPP was 83.22 percent complete as of September.

For the civil registry system IT project Phase II, the central outlet operations officially transferred from Sta. Mesa, Manila to East Avenue in April.

The Cavite-Laguna Expressway partially opened the entry and exit points at Mamplasan Interchange in October. While the segment from Buendia, Makati to Paco, Manila of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 partially opened in July 2019.

Meanwhile, the concession agreement of the New Manila International Airport Project was executed by the Department of Transportation and San Miguel Aerocity Inc. last September. n

Economic managers’ bold prediction...

low and stable inflation environment.

“The BSP remains steadfast in its commitment to its price stability mandate,” the central bank added. “Going forward, the BSP will continue to closely monitor inflation as well as the factors that influence inflation trends and ensure that the monetary policy stance remains appropriate to keeping inflation within the government’s target range.” n

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Dominguez on new ‘sin’ taxes: Good, but not enough for universal health care

by Ben o. de

Vera

Inquirer.net

FINANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III welcomed Congress’ approval of new excise on alcoholic drinks and e-cigarettes, but expressed lament that levels were not what he wanted which would have been enough to fund universal health care starting in 2020.

Dominguez expressed fear that there would be a shortage of funding for the Universal Health Care Act because new tax rates approved by Congress on alcoholic drinks and e-cigarettes fell short of what the Department of Finance (DOF) had proposed.

The version passed, however, would still generate up to P24 billion in fresh revenue in the first year of the new tax law’s implementation in 2020.

The DOF proposal had been projected to raise up to P36.5 billion next year, much higher than projected take from what Con-

gress approved.

“When you go into the legislative process, you don’t get everything you want,” Dominguez said. “But it’s certainly better than the alternative of doing nothing,” he said.

“People say, ‘I’m not going to get what I want, so I’ll not do it’—that’s not the right attitude,” he said.

“The attitude is, we go and do our best. Maybe it’s not exactly what we want, but the wisdom of the legislature is to be respected,” Dominguez said.

He said he appreciated what Congress had done “because these actions are certainly a lot better than past legislatures.”

He, however, admitted that lower revenue from what Congress passed may lead to a funding gap for the universal health care program which seeks to give health care to every one regardless of economic class.

“I think, just from my opinion, most likely we will not quite hit

the total amount that will be required,” Dominguez said.

“But again, we’re just talking about estimates now—we have to look at how it will actually work out,” he added.

Dominguez was nonetheless hopeful that the move to raise taxes on “sin” products and unhealthy foods such as sugarsweetened beverages would also redound to lifestyle choices.

“Maybe, who knows, Filipinos will actually get into the habit of eating better, smoking less and drinking less, so that the total cost of universal health care is going to go down,” said the finance chief.

“That is really very important—you have to take care of yourself first,” Dominguez said.

“We want to make sure these taxes are aimed at promoting or influencing people’s daily habits.

I’m not sure that we can be 100percent successful, but that’s really the idea of sin taxes,” Dominguez added. n

‘Hot money’ worth $345M left PH in Nov by mayVelin

u. CaraBallo ManilaTimes.net

FOREIGN portfolio investments returned to the negative territory in November, recording the biggest net outflows in three months, based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data released on Thursday, December 19.

In a statement, the central bank said the month’s $345.26million outflows, also called “hot money” — so called because of how easily these go in and out of the economy — reversed October’s $104.53-million net inflows.

The latest amount, it added, was the largest since the $391.74-million net outflows in August and was also a reversal from the year-earlier net inflows of $832.07 million.

The November outflows resulted from the $1.19-billion inflows and $1.54-billion outflows recorded in the month.

The BSP attributed the outflows to developments in the month. These include the stalled negotiations between the United States and China that could delay the first phase of the implementation of their trade deal; start of the public impeachment hearings on U.S. President Donald Trump;

FOR RENT

the U.S. Congress’ passage of a human rights bill supporting the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong; and the rebalancing of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Philippines Index to reflect its new weightings.

The latest amount was 34.23percent higher than the $1.14 billion registered in October, and 27.53-percent higher than the year-ago’s $1.20 billion.

The United States remained the main destination of the repatriated funds, accounting for 73.4 percent.

In a comment, Security Bank Assistant Vice President and economist Robert Dan Roces shared the Bangko Sentral’s view of U.S.-China trade negotiations as a major factor for the reversal of hot money to negative territory.

“November saw the pingpong dealings between the two countries in the run-up to [their] ‘phase one’ agreement; market sentiment whipsawed with every development, spooking investors, causing them to dump their positions in bonds and equities,” Roces said.

He, nevertheless, expect some reversal in these outflows “as the BSP provides forward guidance on monetary policy and some

certainty from a phase one trade agreement.”

Meanwhile, November inflows declined by 4.52 percent from October’s $1.25 billion. Year-onyear, it was 41.39 percent lower than $2.04 billion.

The bulk or 86.4 percent of registered investments were placed on Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities, which cover holding firms, banks, property companies, food, beverage and tobacco firms, and transportation services companies. The rest — 13.6 percent — were put in government securities.

Top foreign investors last month are the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and Luxembourg. Their investments make up 78.6 percent of the total.

Year-to-date, foreign investment portfolios registered a net outflow of $1.57 billion, representing $15.48-billion inflows and $17.05-billion outflows.

Last year, hot money registered a net inflow of $1.204 billion — the highest in five years and an about-face from 2017’s $195.40-million net outflow.

The 2018 tally was also better than the BSP’s forecast of a $100-million net outflow and was the largest net inflow since 2013’s $4.225 billion. n

FOR RENT

No hike in air fares for Jan-Feb 2020 by riChmond

merCurio Philstar.com

No hike in air fares is seen for the first two months of 2020 as fuel surcharge level for the said period would remain at current level.

In its latest advisory, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said passenger fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights from Jan. 1 to Feb 29, 2020 would stay at Level 2, which is the same for the current November to December period.

The applicable fuel surcharge level for the first two months of next year was derived from the average price of jet fuel during the two-month evaluation period covering October and November.

“For October to November 2019, the price of jet fuel averaged $77.28 per barrel, with

the US dollar exchange rate of 51.12 for the same period. This is equivalent to P24.85 per liter, which corresponds to Level 2 of the passenger fuel surcharge matrix,” the CAB said.

Under the Level 2 of the passenger fuel surcharge matrix, airlines are allowed to impose an increase of P45 to P171 for domestic flights, and P218 to P2,076 for international flights.

The applicable fuel surcharge level has stayed at Level 2 since September, after being at Level 3 during the July to August period this year.

The CAB said airlines that wish to impose or collect fuel surcharge for the January to February period must file their application on or before the beginning of the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the stated level.

Local and foreign airlines may

be are allowed to collect fuel surcharge rates that are lower than the stated level for the given twomonth period, if they choose to do so depending on how they want to compete with other carriers.

Fuel surcharge is a way in which airlines can partially recover losses from increasing fuel prices and the weakening of the peso over the dollar. Fuel cost accounts for over 50 percent of the total operating costs of airlines.

In September 2018, the CAB decided to allow the reimposition of fuel surcharge on the back of soaring fuel prices and adopted a matrix for fuel surcharge that is determined based on the two-month average of jet fuel MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) prices in its peso per liter equivalent and will be fixed for two months. n

Government to tap more ODAs for infrastructure projects

by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

The Philippines will step up the negotiations for official development assistance (ODA) for its massive infrastructure program within the grace period allotted for countries graduating to upper middle income (UMIC) status, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

The country is currently classified as a lower middle income economy, having a gross national income (GNI) capita of $3,830 as of 2018. By next year, the country is expected to become an upper middle income country with a GNI per capita income range of $3,996 to $12,375.

A three year grace period will be in effect before the country becomes ineligible for concessional loans or borrowings with interest rates that fall below market rates.

Pernia said that as the Philippines and its top ODA partner, Japan, accelerate the processing of assistance for priority infrastructure projects, the government would also reach out more to other development partners to shore up more funds for its ambitious infrastructure program.

“Japan is still willing to lend more funds at very low rates. We

are going to be reclassified as an upper middle income country by next year and the downside to that will be less access to concessional loans so we really have to make sure that we finish our major infrastructure projects that are big ticket projects in terms of cost by 2023. Because after that, we will be classified as an upper middle income country,” Pernia said in a briefing on Wednesday, December 18.

“We will have to accelerate getting loans. Korea, for example is also an open partner so we shall be getting loans from Korea faster so that we do not hit the deadline which is 2023,” he said.

Through the country’s cooperation with the Japanese government, the Philippines enjoys concessional rates of 0.1 percent for loans at 40 years repayment period under Japan’s Special Terms of Economic Partnership (STEP).

Once the Philippines graduates to UMIC status, however, the Japanese government’s assistance to the country may instead be channeled through other forms of assistance like technical cooperation and assistance to the private sector.

In preparation for the eventual ineligibility for concessional sources of capital, the country

PSYCHIC

will need to improve its credit worthiness to access commercial funding at favorable rates.

“We are also drafting a roadmap so that we get an A credit rating hopefully by 2022. So this means it will reduce the cost of capital. We will no longer qualify for concessional loans by 2023, but this means we will have to access more of the commercial loans,” said Rosemarie Edillon, NEDA undersecretary for policy and planning.

“So it’s really important that we stay the course especially with respect to the reform agenda in the revenue and expenditure management side and more importantly on the infrastructure spending so we will increase the country’s competitiveness,” she added.

Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion Navarro said having greater access to commercial capital would also encourage more investors to pursue public-private partnerships (PPP) at the local government level.

“It will also bode well for our projects in the regions, including PPP, because with the lower cost of capital in the commercial market, more private sector partners will be able to pursue developmental projects,” he said. n

D DECEMBER 21-24, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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